Athrabeth

Episode 93: Lesser-trod Histories 12: Morgoth’s Ring

This month, Jude and Stef explore Tolkien's complex thoughts on justice, healing, and the intricacies of Elven marriage and reincarnation through an in-depth analysis of the 'Laws and Customs Among the Eldar' in the History of Middle-earth Volume 10, Morgoth’s Ring. We delve into Tolkien's writing process, the philosophical debate of the Valar and the Statute of Finwë and Míriel, and the implications for understanding Elven mortality in Arda Marred.   Citations Tolkien, J. R. R. Morgoth’s Ring. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 10. HarperCollins, London, 1993.

Episode 92: Lesser-trod Paths with Dr. Kristine Larsen

In this episode, Jude and Stef welcome Dr. Kristine Larsen as our guest host in this special lesser-trod paths episode. Kristine talks to us about Tolkien's use of caves throughout his legendarium, such as the Glittering Caves of Aglarond and Gollum's cave, while drawing parallels to real-world inspirations like Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves. We chat about the significance of intention in Tolkien's writing, the impact of commercialism on the natural world, and the ongoing exploration of Tolkien's legacy in contemporary scholarship.    Citations Thank you to our guest, Dr. Kristine Larsen! Contact Kristine: larsen@ccsu.edu References:  Larsen, Kristine. “Immeasurable Halls and Dreamlike Forms: Tracing the Caves of Cheddar Gorge Throughout Tolkien’s Legendarium (and Beyond).” Journal of Tolkien Research 22(2): article 15, 2025. https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol22/iss2/15/ [https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol22/iss2/15/] (Accessed Feb 15, 2026) Soon to be published: Larsen, Kristine. “‘Deep Down Here By the Dark Water Lived Old Gollum’: The 1927 Public Opening Of the Wookey Hole Show Caves And The Hobbit”. A list of Dr. Larsen’s publications can be found here: https://www.ccsu.edu/person/kristine-larsen [https://www.ccsu.edu/person/kristine-larsen] (Accessed March 2, 2026) Tolkien Reading Day 2026 https://www.tolkiensociety.org/events/tolkien-reading-day-2026/ [https://www.tolkiensociety.org/events/tolkien-reading-day-2026/] (Accessed March 2, 2026)

Episode 91: Seize the date: Elvish Calendars with Wizard Way Kris

This month, Jude and Stef talk with Tolkien scholar, artist and calligrapher, Wizard Way Kris, Kris Piet, about their newly published “Elvish Calendar - 2026–2027: 14-month adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s Calendar of Imladris”. Kris, our favorite Resident Elf Boi, describes how the calendar developed, how elves measure time, and we talk about elvish holidays found in Tolkien’s legendarium. Kris also introduces the stunning artwork commissioned for the calendar. Despite the elves having only six seasons and six-day weeks, this beautiful calendar is synchronized to the Gregorian calendar and is available now!   Citations Thank you to our guest Wizard Way Kris (Kris Piet)! Kris’ website: https://elf-boi.com/ [https://elf-boi.com/] Kris’ Linktree: linktr.ee/WizardWayKris [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2FWizardWayKris%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnK6oCv00lEmYM1GGiYeVKZtvyWjV6dv75cDjVJcRGPuZRLZfi8WlyfWvYNqo_aem_QmAwAFW4LF5vU5wWg1MG-Q&e=AT08kXgZLTOx6Gg841ly_trBL4MFDpKmkB0HAbp8eY4eafRtJaFc1zMIBRkDhKH9LUQtFJohCk-yr0itLey9CNSxQSLguR-gnPrTuYUM8Q] Elvish Calendar 2026–2027” 14-month adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s “Calendar of Imladris” is available now!  Purchase your 2026-2027 calendar here: https://elf-boi.com/products/pre-order-elvish-calendar-2026-2027 [https://elf-boi.com/products/pre-order-elvish-calendar-2026-2027] Artists commissioned for the calendar: Anndr Pozyniuk: linktr.ee/AnnDR [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2FAnnDR%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn7FrZ0ygaahpGNRhJC1EdoYV4qzGN0ENMCm6nR9Q-0olKJqAcUp1NfZNYxjQ_aem_ZNu5T_DbNdV-4qC5Lv4NXQ&e=AT19ooSvfIG4r8bm71CfYX-EtMvLFUM5k6HiuVl0jsnufeXObuUouD5HWH_pALwbgFBI-2ocCAhjETOXZEdW3o4H48-chDOP6eO3uf5iXA] Rami fon Verg: linktr.ee/ramifonverg [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2Framifonverg%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn3NcNLYkzheCrDDfMOJdxpWx_DoYOfisL7mVvIIhZ8617sFTePjpHrS49OXY_aem_BPLV8kQrK2A3-wZ79T4xzw&e=AT2muDHrhIjDLEaiH9lvcfNidOr6osvFKQj6MQd8POYyR6rWhj_oqaVJn_Qom1mL-rDzRrdVH5KWnV9SipzALobNbaY-R0ww4mDtGmUwAw] Calendar graphics designer and formatting by Kim Johnson Lydia Croft Art: linktr.ee/LydiaCroftArt [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2FLydiaCroftArt%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnInA88fdz8MZ0folpQz83P471OS_cdB63oc0OfIijzd0IEfGAtbiXDpz_jWs_aem_U6DA-mgVzKEzTIQ3rJnB5A&e=AT0Ow7O5YgSSdUDYYRWBhFIAVGw_WgstPQU53Ngv2zDTlmJpCv0dqLQLiPmRZVmCx2W9a83e15j6Ew7wk6O6Po64c8TFC-iQRh8YvXIKSg] (Accessed January 26, 2026) Paul Sarando’s “The Shire Reckoning Project”. https://psarando.github.io/shire-reckoning/ [https://psarando.github.io/shire-reckoning/] (Accessed January 24, 2026)

Episode 90: Lesser-trod Histories 11: Sauron Defeated

In this episode, Jude and Stef discuss History of Middle-earth Volume 9: Sauron Defeated, the final book in the History of the Lord of the Rings. Jude introduces The Drowning of Anadûnê,  discussing the different versions of the tale of the Drowning of Númenor and the cultural traditions for which they were written. Jude also talks about the importance of adaptation and fan fiction in relation to Tolkien's works. Later, Stef presents the omitted Epilogue to the Lord of the Rings, which gives us a glimpse of Sam’s life and family after the event of the Lord of the Rings. Citations  Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/4rZynfWv3f [https://discord.gg/4rZynfWv3f] Tolkien, J. R. R. Sauron Defeated. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 9. HarperCollins, London, 1992. Tolkien, J. R.R. Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition. Ed. Humphrey Carpenter with Christopher Tolkien. HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York. “Digital Edition NOVEMBER 2023 ISBN: 978-0-06-337435-5, Version 09282023, Print ISBN: 978-0-35-865298-4” (Accessed Dec 31, 2025).  Fliss, William M, and Schaefer, Sarah C., J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript. The Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, August 19-December 23, 2022. ISBN 978-0-945366-36-2. Images 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34.  Tolkien Gateway entry for “King’s Letter” https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/King%27s_Letter [https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/King%27s_Letter] (Accessed Dec 31, 2025) Tolkien Gateway entry for “Sauron Defeated”  https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Sauron_Defeated [https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Sauron_Defeated] (Accessed 10/1/25) Tolkien Gateway entry for “Vinyar Tengwar 29” https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Vinyar_Tengwar_29 [https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Vinyar_Tengwar_29] (Accessed Dec 31, 2025) Reddit post, “Where can I find the unpublished epilogue to Lord of the Rings?” by user “mammothman64” https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/ydejtq/where_can_i_find_the_unpublished_epilogue_to_lord/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/ydejtq/where_can_i_find_the_unpublished_epilogue_to_lord/] (Accessed Dec 31, 2025) -Response from “gynnis-scholasticus” Mentioned in the episode: Lee Knox Ostertag, 2021 (username is mollyknox) On AO3: “Sam and Frodo Comics, Chapter 5: The Unpublished Epilogue”  https://archiveofourown.org/works/27478819/chapters/72409524 [https://archiveofourown.org/works/27478819/chapters/72409524] (Accessed Dec 31, 2025) Miriam Ellis, “The Importance of The Epilogue to The Lord of the Rings” (posted April 29, 2024) https://www.miriamellis.com/post/the-importance-of-the-epilogue-to-the-lord-of-the-rings [https://www.miriamellis.com/post/the-importance-of-the-epilogue-to-the-lord-of-the-rings] (Accessed Dec 31, 2025) “Tolkien’s Unpublished Epilogue to The Lord of the Rings” by In Deep Geek, published Dec 23, 2023,  https://youtu.be/H2yRW4xmZFY?si=iZNDS8MaItSA8PFL [https://youtu.be/H2yRW4xmZFY?si=iZNDS8MaItSA8PFL]  (Accessed Dec 31, 2025)

Episode 89: Interview with Tom Racine - “Doomed to Die: An A-Z of Death in Tolkien”

This month, join Jude and Stef for a lively interview with cartoonist and newly minted Tolkien author, Tom Racine, about his new book, “Doomed to Die: An A-Z of Death in Tolkien” published on November 11, 2025 by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. We talk about Tom’s love of Edward Gorey, the process of turning an viral Instagram Inktober series into a book, banishing the imposter demons, and more. A huge thank you to Tom for joining us and for his warmth and humor.    Citations Thank you to our special guest, Tom Racine!  Follow Tom on Instagram: @tom_racine_art Get yourself a copy of Tom’s book on bookshop.org: “Doomed to Die: An A-Z of Death in Tolkien”, published on November 11, 2025 by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers  https://bookshop.org/p/books/doomed-to-die-an-a-z-of-death-in-tolkien-tom-racine/fcc5ecee4168afc1?ean=9780063474420&next=t [https://bookshop.org/p/books/doomed-to-die-an-a-z-of-death-in-tolkien-tom-racine/fcc5ecee4168afc1?ean=9780063474420&next=t] Tom’s website: https://www.tomracinevoice.com/ [https://www.tomracinevoice.com/] The Wizard Blues: The Adventures of Mori and Rom: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/the-wizard-blues-the-adventures-of-mori-and-rom/list?title_no=957997&page=1 [https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/the-wizard-blues-the-adventures-of-mori-and-rom/list?title_no=957997&page=1]