On Tuesday night, December 17th, 2002, magic sprang to life in New York City. For on that night, members of Heren Istarion joined up with TheOneRing.net's NYC Line Party for a private advanced viewing of Peter Jackson's wonderful interpretation of "The Two Towers."

Planning for this event began months in advance, with Anne Carlton and Jamey Shafer organizing a gathering of Tolkien enthusiasts for a TOR.n Line Party on opening day of "The Two Towers" film, at the Loews 42nd Street E-walk Theater. Among the staffers was Heren Istarion's Dennis Reulbach, who organized a trivia contest and prizes for the participants. As others offered their ideas and talents, the evening shaped up, and soon the group was graciously offered a private theater and a 9:00PM advanced viewing of the movie on 12/17, rather than the expected 12:01AM on 12/18.

The festivities began at Mama Sbarro's restaurant at 49th and Broadway, which provided their downstairs dining room for our Line Party. As people gathered, they were given a choice of door prizes including pins, magnets, and bookmarks courtesy of New Line Cinema and Houghton Mifflin,
along with promotional information about Heren Istarion. The gatherers were merry and full of life,
many beautifully costumed in attire fit for the Jackson film itself. To background music - none other than the Howard Shore soundtracks for Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers - we feasted quite hobbitly on the fares of Mama Sbarro's, as we got to meet each other and share our excitement about the coming opening of the second Peter Jackson film.

The fine planning of the Line Party staff came to fruition as we joined in back-to-back activities after our feast. First came our Costume Contest, with many the fine Elf, Hobbit, Dwarf, Man, and even (alas) a fearsome Black Rider! Next came two rounds of a Trivia Contest, with 40+ participants,
led by Heren Istarion staff member Dennis Reulbach. Many prizes were awarded including books from Houghton Mifflin, posters and clothing items from New Line Cinema, and hobbit coins from The Shire Post. Finally came a humorous skit based on The Departure of Boromir, which left the audience laughing gleefully as we departed Mama Sbarro's.

Next we marched down Broadway on our 7 block trek to the Loews 42nd Street E-walk Theater.
Quite the site we must've appeared to the Times Square crowd, as many the pointy-earred elf or bearded dwarf paraded past. We lined up outside the the theater, 200 strong, with numbered tickets deciding our place on line, and eventual choice of seating. Excitement grew as the Line moved inside, our feelings escalating as we rode the moving stairs up to the third floor. Time moved slowly as we awaited the opening of our private theater, but it afforded us the change to use our $5 concession certificates as in true hobbit fashion we purchased popcorn, drinks, and sweets.

Finally we were let into the theater, in groups of ten, to pick our seat for the grand event of the evening. Indeed with an intimate theater sitting just 200, all seats were good. We sat, neighbor to neighbor, in the comfortable chairs, and it was great to see not one empty seat in the theater.
We had our raffle drawing, with many wonderful prizes, topped off by The One Ring itself, from Badali Jewelry. The six finalists from our Trivia Contest next got to face off in the Final Trivia Round, with questions harder and harder being posed as we tried to stump our panel of experts.
At last, the winners were ordered by their acheivments, and got to pick the prizes which suited each best.

Now, slightly past 9PM, the lights of the theater dimmed, and the anticipation could be felt like electricity in the air. Even the 20 minutes of previews didn't put a damper on this crowd, as they cheered and jeered at the upcoming flicks-to-be. But a hush settled over the crowd when the feature presentation began, with barely a breath to be heard as we soared over the mountains
and descended into depths of Moria with the opening scenes of Peter Jackson's "The Two Towers."

Words cannot express the wonder and awe of the evening, the beauty and grandeur of Peter Jackson's film, and the intensity of this particular audience as we shared this almost-religious experience together. The film was beautifully portrayed, both when true to Tolkien's words,
and when interpretted and enhanced by Jackson's vision. The audience laughed together at Gimli's antics, oohed and aahed at the gorgeous cinematography, were amazed by the CGI magic of Gollum and the Ents, and cried unashamedly at the death of Haldir. The movie ended all too soon, after narry 3 hours, with thunderous applause following the concluding scene. Many were planning their next viewing already, or starting the countdown to next year's Return of the King.

Following the flick, we fled by foot to the Star Struck Diner, for yet more hobbit fare of food and fine drink, and the obligatory after-movie discussion and dissection. Whittled down to maybe but 50 strong by now, we joked and laughed and expressed our opinions on what we loved (lots) and hated (little) in Peter Jackson's interpretation of "The Two Towers." For hours we tarried there, enjoying good food and good company, until alas the evening had to come to an end. Many new friendships were forged, with phone numbers and Email addresses exchanged, as our new fellowship of friends departed our separate ways, with many the fond memory to recall of this magical evening together.

Even Black Riders enjoy the food at Mama Sbarro's restaurant in Manhattan.

The costume contest begins, with these fair elves dressed in the height of Lothlorien and Rivendell fashion. Even line party leader Anne (seated) shines in her elven beauty.

The Hobbits are out in force, decked out in true Shire attire, as they make the judges' decision a difficult one.

Here lies Balin, mangled in Moria by murderous orcs.

Man and dwarf, wizard and Black Rider, compete in the costume contest.

Heren Istarion staffer Dennis leads the Trivia Contest.

Our irreverant skit begins with Boromir not quite dead, as Aragorn arrives to find his arrow-filled body.

It takes a wizard, speaking with tongue in cheek, to narrate the action in the humorous skit based oh-so-loosely on The Departure of Boromir.

Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli, exchange quips as the skit proceeds to its hilarious conclusion.

Just some of the 200 Line Party members lined up outside the Loews 42nd Street E-walk Theater.

The excitement grows as the Line moves to the third floor of the Loews movie theater.

Jeff gets his hobbit goodies from the Loews concession stand while awaiting the start of the movie.

Here's the whole group, seated and smiling in anticipation of the start of "The Two Towers" private screening.

Many of us gathered after the movie at the Star Struck Diner (on 8th Ave. near 46th), for imbibing and describing of our thoughts.