Galadriel knew about the Test (the tempation of the One Ring)... But how??

[Iarhen]

It is obvious that Galadriel knew of the test the Valar were running on her when she was tempted to get the ring for herself when Frodo offered it to her in Lorien.

She said, after refusing it: "I passed the test... and now I shall diminish, and go into the West, remain Galadriel..."

So, it is obvious she knew about the test...

But how?

My hypotesis:

1. Mithrandir told her about it when he came from Valinor.
2. The one being that sent her the Elessar, for the better protection of Lorien (I think it was Melian) told her
3. Or she had direct contact with the Valar through her mirror or through her powers...

What do you think? Any info on this?

[Tar-Palantir]

The Valar were testing her? I must have missed that chapter - where can I look it up?

[Iarhen]

In Fellowship of the Ring, chapter "Galadriel's mirror"

[Mattius]

I always believed it to be a realisation of hers after she had resisted the temptation of the One that as the way of things had worked she had been tested not by the Valar but more by Eru to see if she was ready to return to the west.

[Tar-Palantir]

It was not appointed or forseen that the Ring should come through Lothlórien or to Galadriel. Saying 'pass the test' was a personal choice of words - not reflective of Valar intervention. And Ilúvatar never interfered in the doings of Arda after creation except for the sundering of Aman.

[Voralphion]

I don't think it was a test by the valar but what she meant by "passed the test" is that she resisted the temptation of the ring.

[Lindril Arvilya]

Yes, it was an internal battle. For instance, a former alcoholic being offered a drink, and finally saying no. They'd know, inside, that they've done the right thing, that they've passed a personal standard.

[Lalaith]

Or maybe, with her superior wisdom and insight, she realised after she had rejected the ring what her future now held.
Remember, she also says "I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." Her original reason for leaving Valinor was her wish to rule her own kingdom. She sees the return to Valinor as a diminishing - ie not an entirely positive thing.

[Neferchoirwen]

She knew that they would have to leave. With the Ring found and destined to be destroyed, they will soon loose their power over ME since the rings that they have are ties with the One ring. It didn't make sense to Galadriel that the elves will diminish in ME, somehow. They'll be sitting ducks among the affairs of men as the race of men will fourish.

[The Saucepan Man]

Remember, she also says "I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." Her original reason for leaving Valinor was her wish to rule her own kingdom. She sees the return to Valinor as a diminishing - ie not an entirely positive thing

Good point, Lalaith. This heightens the significance of the "test" presented to her by the Ring. Not only was she giving up the power it promised her to rule over others as a Dark Queen, but she was also giving up her current power and status as ruler of a realm in ME. Although she would no doubt have been accorded great status on her return to Valinor, it was unlikely to be quite the same as being Lady of the "heart of Elvendom on earth".

[Tar-Palantir]

I was just reading UT and it mentions that Aman was closed to her until the moment she gave up the chance to take the Ring. She had been an exile due to her leaving Aman during the first kinslaying with Fëanor
and the rest of the Noldor, and the choice to refuse the pardon at the end of the first age.

[*Varda*]

As to the second idea, I don't really see how it could have been Melian, as the Ring hadn't been forged at that point.

I also don't think she had the power to communicate with the Valar through her mirror, because to me it seemed that you could only see things that could/were/had happened. It wasn't like a palantir.

[Legolas]

. And Ilúvatar never interfered in the doings of Arda after creation except for the sundering of Aman.

Wrong. It was Eru who sent Gandalf back to Middle-earth. It was Eru who gave Tuor immortality. It was Eru who gave Luthien a choice between immortality and mortality. It was Eru who placed Beren and Luthien back in the world together. It was Eru who gave the half-elven of Earendil and Elwing's house the choice between mortality and immortality. It was Eru who destroyed Numenor.