[Boromir88]

Lobelia:

I have to agree with you, Boromir88, they are a fascinating folk - brave, tough, likable, with their own flaws like the other races, in their case a love of gold -but then, they're craftsmen and can't help loving beautiful things.

So true, that's why I believe Gimli wasn't effected by the One Ring as much as say Boromir. Gimli saw the ring as another piece of gold to throw on the pile, now in the dwarvish greed he would have taken the ring, but might not have no use for it, just horde it for more gold.

Encaitare:

I believe the Dwarves were a declining race, since there were so few Dwarf-women and many Dwarf-men never married anyway. It goes along somewhat similar lines as the Elves -- as the dominion of Men grew the other races began to diminish.

Also, to explain about the dwarf marriage is the dwarves were such a secretive race. They had their own secret language, khuzdul, which we hear Gimli shout out. So it would make sense that the dwarf women would just keep to themself and the dwarves to their own customs. With your statement about the dominion of men grew, other races begin to diminish, very good point. You have the elves fading away, either going into the west, or staying in Middle-earth where they begin to fade. As mentioned the dwarves, and then you come to the Ents, who are declining because of the loss of the Entwives. Even Hobbits as Bombadil points out will pass, and others will inhabit the Shire.

I think another thing fascinating about dwarves is their friendships. PJ makes it seem like all elves hate dwarves. In fact most Elves I believe were atleast respectful to eachother. Elrond and the elves of Rivendell showed their kindness to Gloin, and respected the dwarves. It seemed Noldor elves had this connection with the dwarves, coming from Aule, they shared an understanding, which is for the reason for Galadriel's kindness to Gimli. Where the Sindarin or Silvan elves were more hateful towards dwarves, as we get to see with Thranduil, and then with Haldir. I think what PJ missed was the relationship between Gimli and Legolas was something never seen between and Elf and Dwarf. But yet that doesn't mean dwarves were hated by elves, when in fact it seemed like most elves atleast respected the dwarves.

Then we get to see Gloin's kindness towards Frodo during Elrond's supper. As it says Gloin and Frodo talked the whole time. Gloin had deep respect for Bilbo and of course would like Bilbo's heir.