The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Three Ring for the Elven-kings under the sky.

Westerly Wizard · 06-01-2003, 08:14 PM

Do not forget the main power and use of Narya, the Ring of Fire: "The Kindler." "This is the Ring of Fire, with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill" (Appendix B). Gandalf used the Ring not simply for horses in water, but to inspire people to the "valour of old."

Arathiriel - Vilya indeed helped to preserve Rivendell. Referring to both the use of Vilya in Rivendell and Nenya in Lothlorien, Tolkien writes "Thus it was that in two domains the bliss and beauty of the Elves remained still undiminished while that Age endured: in Imladris, and in Lothlorien. . ." ("Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age").

Furthermore, Tolkien writes: "The Chief power (of all the rings alike) was the prevention or slowing of decay (i.e. 'change' viewed as a regrettable thing). the preservation of what is desired or loved, or its semblance" (Letter 131) and "The 'Three Rings' were 'unsullied', because this object was in a limited way good, it included the healing of the real damages of malice, as well as the mere arrest of change" (letter 181).

Thus, the power and intent of the Three was to prevent the passing of time, to prevent the fading that occurred in Middle-earth but not in Aman, without having to leave Middle-earth, which was "really a veiled attack on the Gods" (Letter 131). And, finally, this halting of the decay of time is certainly applicable to Rivendell, as seen throug the description: "merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness" and Bilbo's words, "Time doesn't seem to pass here: it just is" ((FOTR "Many Meetings"). (Notice that similar descriptions are given to Lothlorien).

06-01-2003, 08:14 PM	#7
Westerly Wizard Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 72	Do not forget the main power and use of Narya, the Ring of Fire: "The Kindler." "This is the Ring of Fire, with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill" (Appendix B). Gandalf used the Ring not simply for horses in water, but to inspire people to the "valour of old." Arathiriel - Vilya indeed helped to preserve Rivendell. Referring to both the use of Vilya in Rivendell and Nenya in Lothlorien, Tolkien writes "Thus it was that in two domains the bliss and beauty of the Elves remained still undiminished while that Age endured: in Imladris, and in Lothlorien. . ." ("Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"). Furthermore, Tolkien writes: "The Chief power (of all the rings alike) was the prevention or slowing of decay (i.e. 'change' viewed as a regrettable thing). the preservation of what is desired or loved, or its semblance" (Letter 131) and "The 'Three Rings' were 'unsullied', because this object was in a limited way good, it included the healing of the real damages of malice, as well as the mere arrest of change" (letter 181). Thus, the power and intent of the Three was to prevent the passing of time, to prevent the fading that occurred in Middle-earth but not in Aman, without having to leave Middle-earth, which was "really a veiled attack on the Gods" (Letter 131). And, finally, this halting of the decay of time is certainly applicable to Rivendell, as seen throug the description: "merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness" and Bilbo's words, "Time doesn't seem to pass here: it just is" ((FOTR "Many Meetings"). (Notice that similar descriptions are given to Lothlorien). __________________ "He was sent by a mere prudent plan of the angelic Valar or governors; but Authority had taken up this plan and enlarged it, at the moment of its failure."