Reader: The Silmarillion. Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 4 “Of Thingol And Melian”

Reader deep thought: Was it really chance that Thingol encountered Melian? Or was magic wrought by her, or on her behalf, to enrapture him and capture his heart? (And shortest.chapter!)

Reader: The Silmarillion. Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 3 “Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor”

Reader deep thought: Seriously, must there always be a catch to Ilúvatar’s gifts? The Elves got everything mortals could want. But out there in the wild wild east, the terror of Melkor consumed some of them. And once and for all: the Eldar are the westward-ho pioneers who followed Oromë, not every Legolas or Galdor.

Reader: The Silmarillion. Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 2 “Of Aulë And Yavanna”

Reader deep thought: Why does Aulë’s penance seem like a by-the-way-you-got-them-in-trouble-too for Ilúvatar’s own children, as he puts it?

Reader: The Silmarillion. Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 1 “Of the Beginning of Days”

Reader deep thought: Such a lot of drama just trying to throw the welcoming party for the Elves. Why didn’t the Valar just throw out the Maiar who had been corrupted by Melkor at the get go? Surely they were aware snitches were part of the Melkor issue. Would have saved everybody a lot of trouble if his eyes and ears in the Maiar community were disconnected, wouldn’t it?