The Return of the King, the final installment of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, is filled with magical reveals that leave readers in awe. Throughout the book, several significant magical moments occur, enhancing the storyline and adding a sense of wonder to the already fantastical world created by Tolkien. One of the most memorable magical reveals in The Return of the King is the unveiling of the true identity of the mysterious character Gandalf the Grey.

Nebraska mascots through the years

Herbie Husker

Herbie Husker is the oldest current mascot of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's sports teams. Herbie was created by Lubbock, Texas, artist Dirk West and first appeared on the cover of the Husker's media guide in 1974. Soon after, he became the university's official mascot.

Herbie has gone through a few makeovers, the most recent coming in April of 2023 when he returned to a more classical look compared to the revised Herbie that was unveiled before the 2003 college football season. Until 2003 he was dressed in denim coveralls, a red cowboy hat emblazoned with a large N, and has an ear of corn in his pocket. After the 2003 makeover, he now dons a red cowboy hat, red workshirt, blue jeans and workboots. This was done to update the overall appearance of the state's agricultural workers and general public. During halftime of the 2006 Capital One Bowl, Herbie was named National Mascot of the year for 2005.
Follow Herbie Husker on Twitter

Lil' Red

Lil' Red is one of two mascot at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's athletics teams. Lil' Red is the newest mascot being created for the 1993 season to appeal younger Husker fans and Nebraska Women's Volleyball by Dr. Barbara Hibner after a state wide contest. He can be seen on the sidelines of a Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center during basketball games and volleyball games.

Lil' Red has won two major awards with the first one being the national championship at the NCAA National Mascot Competition in 1999. The second one was an introduction into the 2007 Mascot Hall of Fame, which selected its winners by an online vote.

Nebraska's mascots are two of the most popular figures around the community, as well as the state, and the pair usually generate quite a bit of energy wherever they appear.

Nebraska mascots through the years

The year was 1977 and Tom Osborne was beginning his first season as head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska was looking for a cover for their 1977 media guide. Husker sports information director Don Bryant reached out to Dirk West, a Texas cartoonist who in 1971 had created the Texas Tech “Red Raider”, about drawing a cartoon that would symbolize the hardworking values of Nebraskans. The drawing was done and the when the ink dried, the first version of Herbie Husker came to life.

One of the most memorable magical reveals in The Return of the King is the unveiling of the true identity of the mysterious character Gandalf the Grey. In previous installments, Gandalf appeared as a wise and powerful wizard, guiding the Fellowship of the Ring on their perilous journey. However, it is not until The Return of the King that Gandalf's true nature is revealed.

The Original Herbie Husker​

There have been many iterations of Herbie but the original Herbie wore denim overalls, a large cowboy hat with an ‘N’ on it and an ear of corn in his pocket.

Herbie’s biggest makeover came right before the 2003 football season. Steve Pederson was a first year athletic director at Nebraska and it was decided that Herbie’s appearance needed to be updated to better reflect Nebraskans in the twenty-first century. Herbie’s overalls and shoes were swapped out for a red cowboy hat, blue shirt, denim jeans and work boots.

He transforms into Gandalf the White, a more powerful and transcendent version of himself. This reveal allows readers to witness Gandalf's growth and transformation, further showcasing the depth of Tolkien's magical beings. Another magical reveal occurs when Aragorn, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, reforges the shattered sword Narsil into the legendary blade Andúril. This moment marks a turning point in the story, as Aragorn embraces his destiny and prepares to lead his people in the final battle against Sauron. The reforging of Narsil into Andúril not only symbolizes the restoration of hope and power, but also highlights the significance of the sword as a magical artifact in Tolkien's world. One of the most emotional and heartbreaking magical reveals in The Return of the King is the return of Frodo Baggins. Throughout the trilogy, Frodo carries the burden of the One Ring, a ring of immense power that corrupts anyone who possesses it. As Frodo and his loyal companion Samwise Gamgee make their way to Mount Doom to destroy the ring, the physical and emotional toll takes a toll on Frodo. However, in a surprising twist, Gollum, a corrupted creature consumed by his desire for the ring, bites off Frodo's finger, taking the ring for himself and inadvertently causing its destruction. Frodo's return from the brink of destruction showcases the strength and resilience of the hobbits and adds an element of magical redemption to the story. The Return of the King is filled with these magical reveals and moments that captivate readers and add depth to the narrative. From Gandalf's transformation to the reforging of Andúril and Frodo's dramatic return, Tolkien showcases his mastery of fantastical storytelling. These magical reveals not only enhance the overall reading experience but also leave readers in awe of the intricate and magical world he has created..

Reviews for "the fragrant flower blooms with dignity"

the fragrant flower blooms with dignity