Chapter artwork for The Lord of the Rings, book 6 chapter 4, The Field of Cormallen.
This design focuses on the three mighty Eagles that come to rescue Frodo and Sam from Mount Doom, even as the volcano is blazing. Gwaihir the Windlord carries Gandalf and leads two other Eagles, Landroval and Meneldor, as they race against the Nazgûl, and plucks Frodo and Sam off the side of Orodruin.
“...down to [Gandalf] came the great eagle, Gwaihir the Windlord, and stood before him.
‘Twice you have borne me, Gwaihir my friend,’ said Gandalf. ‘Thrice shall pay for all, if you are willing. You will not find me a burden much greater than when you bore me from Zirakzigil, where my old life burned away.’
‘I would bear you,’ answered Gwaihir, ‘whither you ill, even were you made of stone.’
‘Then come, and let your brother go with us, and some other of your folk who is most swift! For we have need of speed greater than any wind, outmatching the wings of the Nazgûl,’
‘The North Wind blows, but we shall outfly it,’ said Gwaihir. And he lifted up Gandalf and sped away south, and with him went Landroval, and Meneldor young and swift. And they passed over Udûn and Gorgoroth and saw all the land in ruin and tumult beneath them, and before them Mount Doom blazing, pouring out its fire.”
—Excerpt from The Lord of the Rings, book 6 chapter 4, The Field of Cormallen
Another design inspired by this chapter is the hand of Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom. After the destruction of the One Ring, and Frodo and Sam believe they are at the end, Sam exclaims to Frodo about the wild tale they themselves are in, and how he wishes he could hear the story told, while an audience of spellbound listeners waits in anticipation to hear the tale.
“They stood now; and Sam still holding his master's hand caressed it. He sighed. ‘What a tale we have been in, Mr. Frodo, haven’t we?’ he said. ‘I wish I could hear it told! Do you think they'll say: Now comes the story of Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom? And then everyone will hush, like we did, when in Rivendell they told us the tale of Beren One-hand and the Great Jewel. I wish I could hear it! And I wonder how it will go on after our part.’”
—Excerpt from he Lord of the Rings, book 6 chapter 4, The Field of Cormallen
