maril:
Quote:
As for the elves being magical, I think the Silmarillion makes it clear that elves learned their lore from the Valar. We forget that Galadriel likely learned this art of scrying directly from Varda, Elbereth herself. Feanor learned the workings of gems from Aule. So Mithadan's point about Galadriel being one of the greatest of the Nolder is well taken. The dark elves (outside of Thingol and Melian's realm), those who did not go to Valinor, display no such abilities.
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I think that while there is no question that the high Elves learned 'techniques and lore' if you will from the Ainur, the source of their magic was inherrent. Tutelage only refined it and helped it grow. Let us look at Eol's skills [ increased but not rooted in the naugrim].
For instance the Elvish abolity to convey the meaning of their songs directly to the mind and heart wether the words were understood or not was a natural elvish talent. refined and amplified in the Undying lands no doubt [ though Daeron was held the greatest of Elven minstrils]but there none the less.
Although i am hesitant to use the hobbit as a definitive source for subtleties of Elven 'magic'. i think the glimpses we see of Thranduil's realm hold true more or less. And remember from UT we learn that Thranduil was no big fan of the Noldor [ having a 2nd hand prejudice form his father a Driathrim].
it is past my bed time so...
[ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: lindil ]