Right, they all encountered a Balrog, but Hurin was the only one not killed by one. Head on, Master of Doom! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Huor
Tuor
Húrin
Túrin

Well there's the obvious one that Túrin has never been to Gondolin, but I doubt that's it. Tuor was the only one to see the Sea, and speak with a Vala, not to mention was allowed to live in the Undying Lands.

Which Húrin?

Tuor because he was the only one who married and Elf. Tuor because he was the only mortal counted among the Eldar.

*embarassed* Lindolirian - it was the obvious answer. Turin never visited Gondolin. Your go!

Oh, I'm sorry... now I feel bad. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

Anywaaays...
Fatty Bolger
Gríma
Gloìn
Grishnákh
Uglúk

I would guess Uglúk on the assumption that he is the only one never to have encountered the Nazgul.

Fatty Bolger was menaced by them at Crickhollow.
Gríma Wormtongue, according to one account in UT, directed them towards the Shire.
Gloìn, I think, was one of those that encountered the Nazgul that visited Erebor.
Grishnákh, being an Orc of Mordor, must have encountered one.
Uglúk on the other hand, being an Orc of Isengard, maybe never had that pleasure.

Right-O! I was assuming, like you, that the messenger to Erebor was a Nazgûl, in which case, Ugluk would be the Odd Man Out. Carry on!


1300th Post!

[ June 17, 2003: Message edited by: Lindolirian ]

A solid assumption, Lindol. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

This set should be fairly straightforward:

Greenleaf
Quickbeam
Treebeard
Wandlimb

Greenleaf is the only name given to an elf...which would be Legolas?

And Greenleaf (ie Legolas) is the only one who is not an Ent. But your answer is good enough for me, alak. Please proceed [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Thank you. I should have clarified a little more.

Borondir
Tuor
Halbarad
Eothain
Hirgon

Tuor never rode a horse.

Eothain is the only one who did not convey an important message.

Borondir brought tidings to Eorl and the Northmen of Gondor's need.
Tuor brought Ulmo's message to Gondolin advising that the city be abandoned.
Halbarad brought Elrond's reminder of Malbeth's prophecy to Aragorn (and the standard made for him by Arwen).
Hirgon brought the Red Arrow to Theoden, again conveying tidings of Gondor's need in times of war.

Eothain, on the other hand, was simply a grumpy Rider of Rohan who was too mean to happily spare a few horses for the future King of Gondor and his companions. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[ June 20, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]

Saucepan, that was exactly what I was looking for. Great job! Carry on. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Why thank you, alak. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] OK, next up:

Haleth
Haldad
Helm Hammerhand
Tarannon Falastar
Telemnar
Theoden

I'll state the obvious first...Haleth is the only woman, while the rest are men, but I don't think that's it.

All of these are Kings (or Queen in Haleth's case), but Tarannon Falastur is the only one who was childless.

You are correct ... that's not it. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

And its not to do with childlessness, although that answer is heading somewhat in the right direction. [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

Okay, I'm going to try again. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Haldad is the only leader (King/Queen) listed whose was succeeded by his child, which was Haleth.

Haleth was succeeded by her brother, Haldor.
Helm Hammerhand by his nephew Frealaf.
Tarannon Falastar by Earnil I his nephew.
Telemnar by his nephew Tarondor.
Theoden was succeeded of course by his nephew Eomer.


My apologies I thought Haleth had a son, but she was childless also.

In fact, Haleth was succeeded by Haldan, son of her brother, Haldar. So, the odd one out is Haldad because he is the only on who was not succeeded by his nephew.

But you are close enough, alak, so please carry on. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Hmm...maybe one of these times I'll be right on the money instead of 'close enough'. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Okay, here's the next list:

Gil-galad
Lorien
Borondir
Earendil
Nimrodel

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: alaklondewen ]

Oh man, I am so bad at this.

Gil-galad: Only High Kings of the Noldor?
Lorien: Only Vala?
Borondir: Only man?
Earendil: Which one??
Nimrodel: Only female?

Sorry, none of those are what I'm looking for. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] Just to clarify...Earendil is the mariner.

Borondir never saw the Sea.

Maybe...but that's not it. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Borondir: the only one to have escaped near-death (lol rather weak I know)

[ June 24, 2003: Message edited by: Gwaihir the Windlord ]

Nimrodel-only one to have a river named after her?

Nope, and nope. Okay, here is a hint: All five people have something in common, but with one of them this one thing is a little different. I hope that made some sort of sense.

Hmm, another hint perhaps, alak?

I understand, but it doesn't really make it any easier. Remembering the time someone else gave me a clue which I more or less ignored and still got the answer, I'm going to say Lorien. He was the only one who did not make some sort of sacrifice/gamble (Gil-Galad destroying Sauron at the cost of his own life, Nimrodel willing to endure perils to reach Amroth, Borondir running a gauntlet to reach Eorl, Earendil taking on the burden of the doom of the Children of Illuvitar).

There is some kind of link I would guess with a journey or a message.

I have take out Lorien, because that was not what was in my head at the time (so sorry)...I was thinking of Varda, so I have replaced it with Elbereth. I have also added two more names that have the same thing in common as the others.

Gil-galad
Elbereth
Borondir
Earendil
Nimrodel
Boromir
Eärendil (the Mariner)

Well that totally changes things. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Borondir, who was the only non-regal person.

Now I'm even more confused. I've looked up Earendil of Gondor on the Encyclopaedia of Arda and they basically say he did absolutely nothing!

Okay, Lalaith, it's Earendil the Mariner. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
This will be a huge hint...the thing they all have in common is the way they were remembered.

all of them except Earendil of Gondor fought in a great battle that changed the fate of Middle Earth
(Gil-Galad-atatcked Sauron)
(Earendil the mariner- killed Anacalon and most of the dragons)

Thanks Alak, the reason I got confused was that you had Earendil mentioned twice in the list, once as a Mariner, so I thought you had both Earendils in mind...

And, I think I've got it! They all had lays or songs written about them. Except Borondir who was just mentioned perhaps in someone else's song...

I am very sorry, Lalaith...I didn't realize you had answered. Thank you Saucepan for the PM.

You are so close to what I'm looking for that I'm giving it to you. This question has gone on too long. Borondir is indeed the answer, but he also had a song written about him...it just wasn't sung in the LotR.

My apologies again...the board is yours.

No problem!

Theoden
Denethor
Sam
Aragorn
Turgon