Member of the Month: an interview with RubySandybanks

How did you find CoE?
I found CoE ‘as if by chance’ while searching for pictures from the movies. In particular, I was searching for pictures of Frodo. I never tire of looking at his perfect face (even at my age – lol). I like to think that it was fate that brought me to CoE. What a wonderful online community this is! For two or three months before joining, I lurked in the background reading and thinking about people’s responses. Then I decided to join. CoE is the first online community that I have ever joined, and it is the one that I visit most often.

What are your favourite areas of the site?
The Book Club forum is number one for me, followed by the Books forum. Lately I haven’t been able to find time to post much there, but I’ll be back! I also spend a lot of time in the Games forum. I find it a great place to get to know other members and to spend a little free time. Other favourites: Realm of Nienna; Film Fun and Facts; and I can’t forget Elrond’s Library.

How often do you visit CoE?
Almost every day. It’s rare that I don’t pop in to check out what’s happening. I’d have to be on holiday or somewhere where there is no Internet access not to check in.

How many times have you read the books?
Over and over again. I’ve probably read them 5-6 times cover to cover. Some chapters I’ve read many more times than that.

Who is your favourite LOTR character?
Frodo, and then Sam – two very different kinds of heroes. Both of them make such incredible sacrifices, both are humble, and both are a testament to what can be accomplished under the most dire of circumstances.

Do you have a favourite scene from the trilogy?
This is a tough question! I have so many. I’d have to say ‘I Can’t Carry It For You.’ This scene gets me every time. Lately I’ve probably watched it 15 times or so for an article I was working on for the Books vs. Movies section. And every single time it brought me to tears. My second favourite is ‘Pippin’s Song.’

What character left out of the films do you miss most?
Ioreth. When I first came across Ioreth, it was like finding someone I knew. She is so real and such a welcome relief among all those great and powerful people. I believe we do see an image of her in the movie. It would have been great if they had given her the line, ‘The hands of the king are the hands of a healer!’ I missed that.

Do you know any Sindarin or Quenya?
I’m afraid not, although I plan on learning some in the near future. They are such beautiful languages.

What did you enjoy most about the ROTK EE?
The added scene, ‘The Houses of Healing,’ as short as it was. I also have spent a lot of time watching the Commentaries lately and have enjoyed and learned so much from them.