A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship.

Being a cheerful hobbit, he had not needed hope, as long as despair could be postponed. (Of Sam)

Some sang too that Thror and Thrain would come back one day and gold would flow in rivers, through the mountain-gates, and all that land would be filled with new song and new laughter. But this pleasant legend did not much affect their daily business.

And what do you wish?' he said at last. 'That what should be shall be,' she answered.

Middle-earth is our world. I have (of course) placed the action in a purely imaginary (though not wholly impossible) period of antiquity, in which the shape of the continental masses was different.

Few there were who could change his courses by counsel. None by force.

It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam," said Frodo, "and I could not have borne that." "Not as certain as being left behind," said Sam. "But I am going to Mordor." "I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.