Upon a time in Tolkien's world, there was a meeting of minds and hearts in Elrond's hall, where such people as grew concerned for the world gathered in question of what they all truly faced; the question of evil - the question of the Ring.

In our world, today, we face a Ring of our own. We face Corruption and degradation on such a grand yet overwhelmingly subtle scale that we rarely confront our own question - what is this Ring? And what is to be done?

It is my feeling that at the core of one's true love of Tolkien's work, is the perception of our own world that is undeniably found there: this is not only the Blackness that I have mentioned, but also the sense of place, the nobility, the beauty, and the power of love, friendship, and humanity. From my experience, I would say that these 'core' perceptions are very seldom articulated and shared among Tolkien's fan-base.

They do appear in glimpses, fleeting addresses of grandeur, and creeping into the academic pickings; but what is in our hearts, the power that resides silently at gatherings such as Oxonmoot and Tolkien's Enyalië, remains unspoken. But we must do no less than sympathise, for we do not live in a time or culture which easily allows for such an opening of Souls, our social structures are difficult to break; to face and discuss the immense matters before us is very personal, and very fragile, requiring measured consideration and trust. But perhaps the time has come.

I propose that, beginning with the members of MeRS, we bring the Council of Elrond to our world. I invite all who are willing (or even unsure) to correspond with me and with each other, in the interest of debating / sharing / reflecting what concerns our Council now, within a wholly understanding environment. In this, we would honour Tolkien and his work by bringing together the passions that we find there, and we would also honour our own Smial by fulfilling a great part of its aim of exploring what Tolkien's world reveals in our own.

The Council would be a very serious project acknowledging its aim - but we know that seriousness need not connote the dispassionate! While this can be no real forum for academia, it will be about the Arts, the Truth, and unity. If successful, our range of openness I am sure will lead to great fellowship, collaboration, and perhaps the ability to use these virtues in a number of causes.

It is my aim to bring the Council to Oxonmoot this year, if possible, and maybe to make it a permanent fixture at the festival.

So please, let loose with your convictions and hopes, since the strongest of your feelings are sure to be shared by many. All comments and suggestions are welcome.

I hope to hear from you soon; the Truth is out there.

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