Venice seemed incredibly lovely, elvishly lovely--to me like a dream of Old Gondor, or Pelargir of the Numenorean Ships, before the return of the Shadow.

A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it.

I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.

For so sworn good or evil an oath may not be broken and it shall pursue oathkeeper and oathbreaker to the world's end.

A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night.

Help means ruin and saving means slaying.

Of the twelve companions of Thorin, ten remained. Fili and Kili had fallen defending him with shield and body, for he was their mother’s elder brother.