[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Rumil

Hi Nerwen,

I'm rather hoping that you're right, it would be terrible to think that PJ was one-up on the Downer concensus regarding orc-spawning canonicity .

Oh, but we've surely misjudged PJ anyway–

Originally Posted by J.R.R. Tolkien, in a recently-discovered letter to his publisher

Changes to be made in the next edition

1. Glorfindel's re-appearance in Middle-earth raises too many questions. It might be best to leave him out of the story altogether, and give his role (and unicorn) to another character.
2. Tom Bombadil is simply an embarrassment. I have no idea what I was thinking of; please remove all chapters in which he appears.
3. I am also increasingly dissatisfied with Faramir. His nobility is perhaps a little cloying and his rejection of the Ring comes too easily. He must be made more threatening and corrupt. Likewise, I have failed to make Denethor evil and mad enough to be an effective antagonist, and the scene of his death needs to be more dramatic.
4. Gimli is too grim and serious for a dwarf and needs to be made more amusing.
5. Frodo is much too stoical– making him complain more would surely render him more sympathetic and 'human'.
6. Would Théoden's healing carry more weight if he were literally possessed by Saruman?
7. I see now that it was a mistake to avoid a direct appearance by Sauron– he should appear, but of course in some frightening and symbolic form.
8. I also regret having the Elves play so small a part in the events of the War. Perhaps a battalion of them could come to the aid of Minas Tirith. (Or Rohan?)
9. Finally, I have completely changed my ideas on the fate of mortals after death: instead of leaving the Circles of the World, their spirits merely go to Valinor. Perhaps Gandalf could explain this to one or more of the hobbits.

Yours Faithfully,

J.R.R.T.

P.S. Do you think Wargs ought to look more like hyaenas?