Quickbeam
| Quickbeam | |
|---|---|
| Ent | |
 | |
| "Treebeard introduces Bregalad (on the right)" by Anke Eißmann | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Bregalad |
| Location | Fangorn Forest |
| Affiliation | People of Skinbark |
| Language | Entish, Westron |
| Notable for | uncharacteristic hastiness |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | Tall |
| Hair color | Green |
| Gallery | Images of Quickbeam |
Quickbeam, or in Sindarin Bregalad, was one of the younger Ents of Fangorn Forest belonging to the people of Skinbark. His name was given because of his uncharacteristic hastiness.
History[edit | edit source]
The rowan-trees in his keeping (among them Carnimírië, Lassemista, and Orofarnë) suffered greatly at the hands of Saruman's Orcs, so he was the first ent to make his mind up at the Entmoot. He sheltered, in his home, the two hobbits, Merry, and Pippin while the other ents made up their minds at the Entmoot.[1] He played a great part in the Ents' resulting attack on Isengard and stopped Saruman when he tried to escape.[2] He was among the Ents guarding Orthanc after the Battle of Isengard.[3]
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Quickbeam was considered very hasty or at least "nearest thing among us to a hasty Ent" according to Treebeard. Part of this hastiness was because he had seen first-hand the actions of Saruman as his home was ravaged by Orcs. Despite this, he was joyous, singing as he walked and laughing easily.[1] He was described by Pippin as gentle but with a fierce hatred towards Saruman for his actions towards his people.[2]
Quickbeam appeared to be one of the younger ents. His hair was smooth, his lips ruddy and his hair green. He was tall but could bend and sway in the wind like a slender tree. His voice was resonant and higher and clearer than Treebeard's.[1]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The name Quickbeam was given to him because he was hasty for an Ent.[1] His Sindarin name, Bregalad, means "quick (lively) tree", derived from *breg- having to do with "violence, suddenness" and galadh, "tree".[4]
Quickbeam (Old English Cwicbeám) and Quicken are actual English names of the rowan or mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia. It was not coincidental that "rowan" is mentioned in Quickbeam's song.[5]
Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]
2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:
- A card in Decipher's The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game identifies one of the Ents at Isengard as Quickbeam.
2011: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Quickbeam is first met in a grove onen the far eastern side of Nan Curunír, attempting to put an end to Saruman's attacks on the forest on his own. Shortly after the Ents take Isengard, Quickbeam returns to Derndingle, where he gives the player tasks to pacify the forest that had quickly become wild in the absence of the Ents.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Treebeard", pp. 482-4
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Flotsam and Jetsam", p. 568
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Many Partings", p. 980
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 82
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 762
| Ents |
|---|
| Treebeard (Fangorn) · Leaflock (Finglas) · Skinbark (Fladrif) · Quickbeam (Bregalad) · Beechbone · Fimbrethil (Wandlimb) |
