The Return of the King

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

―J.R.R Tolkien

This poem’s primary purpose is to give its reader a deeper understanding of Aragorn’s character. He begins the tale as a wandering Ranger, met with scorn and suspicion, weatherworn and humble; yet he will end it as King.

“Did the verses apply to you then?” asked Frodo. “I could not make out what they were about. But how did you know that they were in Gandalf’s letter, if you have never seen it?”

“I did not know.” he answered. “But I am Aragorn, and those verses go with that name.”

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