Hithlain: Difference between revisions

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'''''Hithlain''''' was a strong fibre made from the inner of ''[[mallorn]]'' trees.<ref>{{TI|XIII}}, p. 251</ref>  It was grey and felt silky.  The [[Galadhrim]] of [[Lothlórien]] used it to make [[Elven rope|ropes]], which were flexible and light, yet extremely robust. It may also have been used in the creation of the grey [[Elven cloaks]] of Lothlórien.<ref>{{FR|II8}}</ref>
==Source of Mallorn Fiber==


[[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] climbed down a cliff of the [[Emyn Muil]] with the help of a ''hithlain'' rope, which Sam tied to a stump at the top.  When Sam tugged the rope in annoyance that they'd have to leave it and it would help Gollum get down, it came loose and fell on him.  Frodo thought Sam had tied it badly, but Sam thought it came because he called it.<ref name=Taming>{{TT|IV1}}</ref>
Tolkien makes clear references to the use of mallorn bast fiber, in the same way as the inner bark/bast fibers of various trees such as linden and willow have been used for millenia in Europe and elsewhere.


When Frodo and Sam tied their Elven rope around [[Gollum]]'s ankle he screamed in pain. Apparently the material, or as Gollum claimed, the fact that Elves made it caused him agony when it touched him.<ref name=Taming/>
In the HME Vol VII, ''The Treason of Isengard'', "Galadriel," page 249: 
{{References}}
 
[[Category:Materials]]
:''This is a convenient place to set out my father's original scheme for the next part of the story.  This was written at furious speed but has fortunately proved almost entirely decipherable.
 
:'''They dwell 15 days in Caras Galadon.
:
:'''Elves sing for Gandalf.  They watch weaving and making of the silver rope of the fibre under mallorn bark.  The [?trimming] of arrows.'''
 
''
 
 
Later in the same source (page 251), also from the original manuscript, comes this:  
 
:''['''Marginal addition of the same time as the text:''' Only Frodo and Elfstone went much among the Elves. They watched them at work weaving the ropes of silver fibre of mallorn bark, the [?trimming] of arrows, their broidery and carpentry.]''
 
--[[User:Cesinde|Cesinde]] 19:41, 23 September 2019 (UTC)

Revision as of 19:41, 23 September 2019

Source of Mallorn Fiber

Tolkien makes clear references to the use of mallorn bast fiber, in the same way as the inner bark/bast fibers of various trees such as linden and willow have been used for millenia in Europe and elsewhere.

In the HME Vol VII, The Treason of Isengard, "Galadriel," page 249:

This is a convenient place to set out my father's original scheme for the next part of the story. This was written at furious speed but has fortunately proved almost entirely decipherable.
They dwell 15 days in Caras Galadon.
Elves sing for Gandalf. They watch weaving and making of the silver rope of the fibre under mallorn bark. The [?trimming] of arrows.


Later in the same source (page 251), also from the original manuscript, comes this:

[Marginal addition of the same time as the text: Only Frodo and Elfstone went much among the Elves. They watched them at work weaving the ropes of silver fibre of mallorn bark, the [?trimming] of arrows, their broidery and carpentry.]

--Cesinde 19:41, 23 September 2019 (UTC)