One thing I liked a lot about the Weapons and Warfare book is that it recounts all the major battles so I finally got a sense of The Last Alliance of Elves and Men and that Isildur wasn't actually King at the time of the battle where he lopped off Sauron's fingers (Elendil was). Plus I found out who Gil-Galad was and why his spear was so fancy (and there were photos in the book, obviously scenes were shot and not used in the movie or the EE). And that Legolas' Dad held the thirteen dwarves from The Hobbit captive and that Gimli was one of them (source of Gimli's enmity). And that Galadriel was Elrond's mother-in-law and that Aragorn had fought alongside the fathers of Theoden and Denethor.

So, it has a Cliff Notes value too if you haven't read The Silmarillion or all the appendices.

And that Legolas' Dad held the thirteen dwarves from The Hobbit captive

Heh. Yes. This is a somewhat little known reason as to why there was initial antagonism between Legolas and Gimli. Gimli's dad had spent some time as an involuntary guest of Legolas' dad.

And that Legolas' Dad held the thirteen dwarves from The Hobbit captive and that Gimli was one of them (source of Gimli's enmity).

Gimli's father Gloín, I think you mean. [x-post]

Gimli's father Gloín, I think you mean.

Was it Gloin? I thought it was Gimli himself since the book said something about him being in the court where he might've seen Legolas wandering about. Who's got a cite?

See, to me the Scouring is the heart and soul and major point of the book. But it always felt a bit like a different story to me, and I don't think it would work onscreen. Too much of a mood jump.

I'm trying to come around to the movie vs. book issue, I really am.

I would've also cut Cirith Ungol in large part. I certainly would not have added a warg battle.

Since Gimli wasn't in The Hobbit, I don't think it could have been him.

[Re-skimming that chapter, there's no mention of anyone being a captive except the original thirteen Dwarves. No Gimli.]

Sean, you're on! If he was a real friend, he'd've gotten me tickets anyway.

Galadriel was Elrond's....

Also, Aragorn and Arwen are cousins. Elrond's brother Elros was Aragorn's great great great great etc. grandfather, and the first king of Numenor.

Who's got a cite?

The Thirteen dwarves were Oin, Gloin (Gimli's dad, see Elrond calling him "Gimli, son of Gloin in the FotR movie), Ori, Nori, Dori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Balin, Dwalin, Fili, Kili, and Thorin Oakensheild.

Yes. All from memory.

Yes. That is fu. king. sad.

Sadder? I can do that, but I can't reliably get all seven of Snow White's dwarves.

Also, Aragorn and Arwen are cousins.

Of course they are cousins. In Tolkien's "traditional" mental space, the only way it would be even remotely acceptable for them to be married once he's king, and to make her queen, she has be his cousin.

And again, I am filled with this image of Aragorn, son of Arathorn saying "Oh, you're a plumber.... what on Earth is that?"