The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Telepathic Communication in Middle-earth

Birdland · 05-13-2002, 10:02 PM

One other example I can think of where communication between minds occurs is when Frodo and Sam Journey to the Havens, where they find Gandalf, Galadriel, and Bilbo on the road and finish the journey with them.

Now I suppose you could argue that Frodo received a nice post from Rivendell saying: "Hey Frodo. We're going. Meet us at the docks at 6:00. Many Partings, Gandalf". But I like to think that Gandalf "knew" that the time had come for Frodo to stop struggling against his wounds and seek healing across the sea.

I had always presumed that the elves (and the Istari) could communicate mind to mind. There are so many examples in the books, which Child has sited above, particularly the "Silent Council".

I imagine also that Elves are unusually preceptive, as far as observing facial expressions, body language, etc. It would be rather hard to lie to an elf, even if they were not "mind readers".

As for Pippin's precognition: I had always put it down to "wishful thinking", so to speak, but now that you mention it, it's at the times of greatest stress sometimes that people can have such visions, so perhaps this is an example of Pippin tuning into the focused energy of a Ranger on the hunt.

05-13-2002, 10:02 PM	#10
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	One other example I can think of where communication between minds occurs is when Frodo and Sam Journey to the Havens, where they find Gandalf, Galadriel, and Bilbo on the road and finish the journey with them. Now I suppose you could argue that Frodo received a nice post from Rivendell saying: "Hey Frodo. We're going. Meet us at the docks at 6:00. Many Partings, Gandalf". But I like to think that Gandalf "knew" that the time had come for Frodo to stop struggling against his wounds and seek healing across the sea. I had always presumed that the elves (and the Istari) could communicate mind to mind. There are so many examples in the books, which Child has sited above, particularly the "Silent Council". I imagine also that Elves are unusually preceptive, as far as observing facial expressions, body language, etc. It would be rather hard to lie to an elf, even if they were not "mind readers". As for Pippin's precognition: I had always put it down to "wishful thinking", so to speak, but now that you mention it, it's at the times of greatest stress sometimes that people can have such visions, so perhaps this is an example of Pippin tuning into the focused energy of a Ranger on the hunt.