Me: Hello, everyone, and welcome to the final phase of the 2017 Silmarillion Awards! It has been a rollicking adventure indeed, and we can’t thank you enough for your enthusiasm and participation this year. To kick it off, I’d like to welcome up a very special character from Middle Earth to present the award for Wisest Counselor. *peeks over shoulder* Um, a very special character from Middle Earth. *clears throat* A certain wise counselor . . . to present . . . Ahem, it appears our presenter has yet to arrive–
*a pointy grey hat pokes out from backstage*
Gandalf: Not so, you fool! *strides onto stage and snatches mic* A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he intends to. I was merely arranging celebratory provisions for later.
Me: Apologies, Gandalf. We’re just happy to have you here. My friends, allow me to introduce Gandalf the Grey, also known as Mithrandir, the White Rider, Greyhame, and Stormcrow, among other names. He is certainly the wisest counselor anyone could meet in Middle Earth. *bows and exits stage*
Gandalf: Thank you. Now then. Where were we? Ah, yes, the time has come to award the Wisest Counselor Silmaril to the character deemed most worthy by all of you. *sniffs* You’re a much nicer audience than I find in Hobbiton, did you know? Taller, yes, but rather less noisy.
Ahem. Five characters of great wisdom contended for this Silmaril, but only one may receive it. And the fellow who secured the most votes is deserving indeed. I shouldn’t be surprised, really, but even the very wise cannot see all ends.
The counsel this gentleman has provided his friends has most certainly changed the courses of their lives, and perhaps even saved some. Like I always say, all we have to decide is what to do with the time that has been given us, and this man has decided to do a great deal of good with his. He knows that it is not our part to master all the tides of the world. Instead, he pours all of his strength and considerable heart into guiding the tides under his control, and surrendering the rest to his Master.
Though he has walked through times of sorrow and seasons of waiting, he has stayed the course. He is a beacon of light to those who follow in his footsteps. Others may claim the title of hero in his tale, but if not for him, the road would have taken a very different turn indeed.
My friends, may I present the winner of the 2017 Wisest Counselor Silmaril:
Professor Charles Hamilton!
The professor grasped [Excalibur] and limped toward the central pedestal. He knelt at Bonnie’s side and placed the sword in Billy’s hands, wrapping his own fingers on top and elevating the blade. Billy opened his eyes and tightened his grasp on the hilt.
“William,” the professor said, softly, “what now is your weapon?”
Bonnie could see Billy’s eyes reflecting the professor’s shining face, enhanced by Excalibur’s glow. She held her breath, waiting for Billy’s reply.
“Truth,” he whispered, his voice rasping. “Truth is my sword.”
The professor nodded, his eyes now flashing, and his voice erupted in deep, echoing tones as if Billy’s answer strengthened him. “And what now is your defense?”
Color returned to Billy’s face, and his jaw tightened. His voice surged with emotion. “Faith . . . faith is my shield.”
That was brilliant! You managed to weave in so many wonderful Gandalf quotes. And that flashback scene was a clever idea. I haven't read Dragons in Our Midst, but if Professor Hamilton is in it, it sound like I will have to.
Thanks for such a wonderful award presentation!
Thanks so much, DJ! I thought a flashback of sorts would be appropriate, both as a fond memory for old fans and as a point of interest for new readers, because I try to convert as many people as possible into DIOM fans! ;D
Thank YOU! Can't wait for yours too! I'm so excited to see which dragon outmatched all the rest…
Huzzah! While I voted for Aethalbald, Hamilton was my second pick. Congrats to him!
Hamilton was my first pick, and Aethelbald a VERY close second! So excited to see a Bryan Davis character get some recognition. ^_^
This is so good! Really funny and well-written! I love it! 😊
Haha, thank you, Kyle! 😀
Hooray, the ceremonies have officially begun!!!
Loved this post, and even though I have no familiarity with the Professor, your post has definitely put his books up at the top of my reading list!
Such a wonderful tribute to dear Gandalf, as well!
I feel so honored to start it off, and I can't wait to read all the other winner posts!
Awww, thank you! I'll just casually slide the first book your way on Goodreads… 😉 If you like dragons, Arthurian legend, urban fantasy, witty quips, and some heartfelt hero's journeys, then you'll love Dragons in Our Midst! (Wow. I feel like a commercial. Not ashamed, though. XD)
Thanks again!
I'm pretty sure that our church library has the series. Will have to go check them out!
Hooray!
Huzzah! Of course it was the Professor. xD
Yes, I was thrilled he won! 😀
Yes that was so cool. And this whole process of Silmarillion Awards was fabuloys I had a lot of fun. I don't know the Professor unfortunately but he sure deserves my attention when I finally get into this series!
I'm so glad you've enjoyed it, Lisa! I've been having so much fun with it too. Oh yes, yes, yes! Read Dragons in Our Midst! It was one of the first series to get me hooked on fantasy. within those pages that I fell in love with dragons, and realized what an impact a blend of faith and fiction could make. <3
Yay for Charles! I haven't read Dragons in our Midst yet, but it looks really good!!
It is! Once you read the first book you'll be hungry for all the other books in the series and connected to the series! 🙂 It's a very recommendable book series!Bryan Davis does a wonderful job at storytelling.
Haha, what Daisy said! 🙂 And the series just keeps getting better with each book, so even if the first instalment doesn't fully convince you–KEEP READING. Circles of Seven (book 3) is one my absolute favorites.
*screeches excitedly* OUR DEAR PROFESSOR WON!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY! (Also, The Candlestone quote made me want to reread those books all over again. I've been missing those precious characters lately!)
This ceremony was BRILLIANT. The Gandalf quotes, him being "late" (but not really, obviously, since he CAN'T be late ;D), the fireworks, EVERYTHING. And then Gandalf the CAT. OHMYGRACIOUSGOODNESS. I died. You are amazing, Tracey! This was the best!
ME TOO! I LOVE PROF SO MUCH. Oh goodness, I've been wanting to reread them for the longest time. I actually have ambitious plans to read all 12 books from the three series back to back one day. XD
Awww, thank you, Christine! (Of course, he's NEVER late. Neither am I… *cough* ;D) I couldn't NOT include Billy's cat, LOL! I remember reading about him and wondering, "What kind of a name is Gandalf for a cat?" That was obviously during my pre-LOTR days. XD
Brilliant! I'm so glad the Prof won. I was just reading about him today and Merlin. (Oracles and Dragons in our Midst). He, Sapphira Adi, and Shiloh Nathanson are at the top three for me.
Me too! He definitely deserves this award. Oh, I love Sapphira and Shiloh as well! Such precious characters. <3
🙂
YAY! I'm so glad that Professor Hamilton won, he's such an epic character. And your post made me realize that I'm VERY overdue for a reread of Dragons In Our Midst xD.
~ Savannah | Scattered Scribblings
I was delighted when I saw the results too! Oh, girl, ME TOO. I've been wanting to reread them for years. All 12 of the books, actually! I think it'd be cool to read them all at once and get a sweeping sense of the entire plot.
This was great!! I love the Gandalf quotes! And congratulations to Professor Hamilton. I'm not familiar with his character, but I will shake his hand and clink his glass at the Silmarillion Awards after party. 😀
Thank you, Abbey! Professor Hamilton thanks you as well, I'm sure. 🙂 I can't recommend his books (Dragons in Our Midst) highly enough! Ooh, are you sure we want to have an after party? Those henchmen and villains might cause a disaster… XD
Wow, how awesome! I'm impressed. 😀 Impressed that dear Professor Hamilton won, and impressed at your superior posting skills! (And Gandalf's of course. ;)) Awesome post! Congrats to the Prof! 😀
D'aww, thank you, Deborah! <3 (Gandalf thinks it's only natural that you're impressed. Professor Hamilton gratefully accepts your compliment. XD)
Fantastic post! Congrats to the Professor for winning, and well done Gandalf on presenting the award. 🙂 I now have even more reason to start reading Dragons in Our Midst.
Thanks, Elise, on all counts! Huzzah for tempting you to start DIOM–it's one of my favorite fantasy series ever. ^_^
Bravo!!! Well done Tracey and Gandalf, and CONGRATS to Professor Hamilton! It's been a long time since I read his books, but I did love them when I did! Maybe I should re-read… Hmm. Loved the quote too!
I've had an epic time with the Silmarillion Awards, thanks so much for the epic post. ^__^ Very well written!
(Also I loved how you mentioned Gandalf the cat–I'd forgotten about him till then, but it was so appropriate!! 😀 )
(Side note: I right clicked "Silmarillion" 'cause it had squiggly red lines (somehow thinking it was a 'real' word?) and it gave me "millionairess". XD Heehee. )
Anyway, I loved this Tracey!!! Very well written! 🙂
<3
-Rebekah
Thanks, Rebekah! Gandalf would say thanks as well, but he just left. Something about recruiting people for yet another adventure… *shakes head* My copies of Dragons in Our Midst are sitting oh-so-patiently on my shelf, waiting for a reread too. 🙂
I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you! ^_^ It's been a blast, and the main reason is every single one of you who has commented and participated throughout. <3
(LOL, I couldn't go without bringing him up!)
(Haha, Millionairess Awards it is, then. XD I'm sure the Silmarils would be worth millions…)
I'm happy to hear that! Thanks again! 😀
ACK. I literally squealed when I saw Professor Hamilton won!! I was really hoping he would. 😀
Okay, but can I just say this post is frabjous?! BECAUSE IT IS. I loved all the Gandalf quotes, the flashback, and of course the CAT. I cracked up as soon as I got to that part. XDDD #perfection
This post was AMAZING, and I'm so stoked about these awards! Congrats again to the Prof for winning!
That was my reaction when I got the email with the results! 😀
Oh my goodness, thank you! <3 (Confession: I may have looked up most of the Gandalf quotes…) Gotta love that cat! He's been through a lot. XD
I'm so excited to see who wins in all the other categories! This is going to be good. Prof extends his thanks, I'm sure!
You did an excellent job at portraying both of these characters.
Professor Hamilton deserves this award!
Thank you! I'm glad you think so. 🙂
He definitely does. I've been rooting for him since last year!
Delightful post! You are very creative and witty. And I am so pleased to see Professor Hamilton win. =)
Are you related to the famous Bryan Davis by any chance?
Thanks so much, Mrs. D! 😀 I, too, was excited to see him take home the Silmaril. He deserves it!
Great post, Tracey! I loved how you included those Gandalf quotes. Bravo!
I haven't read any of Bryan Davis' books yet, but from what I could tell by your post, Professor Hamilton is certainly deserving of the award.
Thanks, Zac! I had fun weaving them in.
Oh, you should definitely check them out! Dragons in Our Midst ( and its two sequel series) are some of his most popular books, but ALL of his books are amazing fantasies. If you want recommendations, I've got 'em. XD
Yay! Prof won! 😀
storitorigrace.blogspot.com
Yes, I'm so happy for him! 😀