Journeys and Travel

In the world occupied by Middle-earth, travel is difficult. There are few smooth roads. On Numenor, especially, the roads are little more than riding paths. People get places slowly on foot, on horseback, or in carriages. Therefore, getting to separate towns is a big deal, and people don't undertake these travels lightly. A trip requires a lot of time and effort, and the traveler is not usually protected from harsh weather. He or she must travel light, taking few belongings with him or her, especially when traveling on foot. On long trips, finding food might be a problem. In addition to all of these worries, the traveler has to worry about being attacked and/or captured by thieves or, more commonly, by the enemy.

For these reasons, it is surprising that the characters in these stories undertake so much travel. Yet, travel is a persistent theme...