Places in Middle-earth
Treebeard's Ent-house
Type: Buildings, Halls, Houses
Region: Rhovanion/Misty Mtns
Location: The roofed shelter on one side of Wellinghall, in Fangorn Forest, at the western foot of Methedras.
Description: As the old Ent approached, the trees lifted up their branches, and all their leaves quivered and rustled. ...
At the far end [of the level space] the rock-wall was sheer, but at the bottom it had been hollowed back into a shallow bay with an arched roof: the only roof of the hall.... A little stream escaped from the springs above, and leaving the main water, fell tinkling down the sheer face of the wall, pouring in silver drops, like a fine curtain in front of the arched bay. The water was gathered again into a stone basin in the floor between the trees, and thence it spilled and flowed away beside the open path, out to rejoin the Entwash in its journey through the forest.
'Hm! Here we are!' said Treebeard ... 'We will stay here tonight.' He set them down on the grass between the aisles of the trees, and they followed him towards the great arch. ...
For a moment Treebeard stood under the rain of the falling spring, and took a deep breath; then he laughed, and passed inside. A great stone table stood there, but no chairs. At the back of the bay it was already quite dark. Treebeard lifted two great vessels and stood them on the table. They seemed to be filled with water; but he held his hands over them, and immediately they began to glow ...
'Well, well, now we can talk again,' said Treebeard. 'You are thirsty I expect. Perhaps you are also tired. Drink this!' He went to the back of the bay, and then they saw that several tall stone jars stood there, with heavy lids. He removed one of the lids, and dipped in a great ladle, and with it filled three bowls, one very large bowl, and two smaller ones.
'This is an ent-house,' he said, 'and there are no seats, I fear. But you may sit on the table.' Picking up the Hobbits he set them on the great stone slab, six feet above the ground, and there they sat dangling their legs, and drinking in sips. ...
At last he set the bowl down again. ... 'Hm, hoom, now we can talk easier. You can sit on the floor, and I will lie down....'
On the right side of the bay there was a great bed on low legs; not more than a couple of feet high, covered deep in dried grass and bracken. Treebeard lowered himself slowly on to this ... until he lay at full length, with his arms behind his head, looking up at the ceiling, upon which lights were flickering, like the play of leaves in the sunshine. Merry and Pippin sat beside him on pillows of grass.
'Now tell me your tale, and do not hurry!' said Treebeard.
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 4, Treebeard
'But now I am going to stand up and take a little sleep. Where will you stand?'
'We usually lie down to sleep,' said Merry. 'We shall be all right where we are.'
'Lie down to sleep!' said Treebeard. 'Why of course you do! ... Well, you can lie on the bed. I am going to stand in the rain. Good night!'
Merry and Pippin climbed on to the bed and curled up in the soft grass and fern. It was fresh, and sweet-scented, and warm. The lights died down, and the glow of the trees faded; but outside under the arch they could see old Treebeard standing, motionless, with his arms raised above his head. The bright stars peered out of the sky, and lit the falling water as it spilled on to his fingers and head.... Listening to the tinkling of the drops the hobbits fell asleep.
They woke to find a cool sun shining into the great court, and on to the floor of the bay. ... Treebeard was not to be seen; but while Merry and Pippin were bathing in the basin by the arch, they heard him humming and singing, as he came up the path between the trees.
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 4, Treebeard
Contributors: Elena Tiriel 28Jan05
