[akhtene]

My two crumbs of cake that I'm chewing not to drop my face on the keys [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
I) (concerning Aragorn's decision to forbid Men enter the Shire) Contrary to some opinions here I do believe that Aragorn showed great forsight, knowing the expansive nature of men. Unlike elves or dwarves, hobbits had no means to withstand an inrush of 'helpers', fortune hunters or simply the curious, as soon as their whereabouts became common knowledge. On the othr hand, nobody locked the hobbits inside the Shire. So imho what they actually got is the freedom to choose their lifestyle - to go and see the world or to go on living the way they were used to.
II) (kind of question) It seems, to close themselves from the outer world seems to be modus operandi of the good and fair (it's more related to the Silm, perhaps). For most part the good seem to be on the defensive sending out hoards only when things become really unbearable. Isn’t it ironical that the greatest kingdoms perish because of treachery, strife or rashness – or simply being deserted? On the other hand, the evil seem willing to accept anyone – orcs, men, beasts, even elves (as prisoners; but… anyone read about an orc brought to a Hidden Kingdom – for studying or re-educating? [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img] ) So why so much mistrust to possible allies? And how then do baddies always manage to fool even the wisest?