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Originally Posted by Bethberry
Hmm. I wonder, too, if the nature of the leader also has an influence in how these retreats are viewed? The authoritative male figure is seen as a supportive fatherly figure while the goddess figure is much more ambivalent?
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That's probably right, as we hear Elrond being referred to as "Kind as summer" whereas Galadriel's friends are accused of being "net-weavers and sorcerers". I wonder though how much of this is due to the respective leaders being male or female and how much is due to the degree to which these realms have 'retreated' from the mortal world?
It is only Rivendell which is not entirely perilous as far as Elven realms go, as Thranduil is also highly suspicious - maybe Rivendell is the only Elven realm in the history of Middle-earth which welcomes visitors in this way?