Elves in modern times

This is just a hypothetical question..

I know the Elves cant come back, wouldn't come back. BUT.. Lets say they did, lets say they sailed back to the world in present day 2007.. What would take place? What would they think of the Earth they find? Would they try to re-establish themselves with humans? Would they turn tail, and go back?

What say you, for I am very curious.

[MatthewM]

They would probably choke from the air.

[Selmo]

They have done what the Elves of Lorien did.

They have found a suitable place to establish their realm and have hidden it in ways we cannot understand. The reports of aliens and UFOs that turn up in our news media are the result of accidental sightings of Elves.
.

[Anáwiel]

Most elves mind their own business and don't care about humans and their concerns.
Hypothetically, if our world was Middle Earth and Elves were still inhabiting it (though I don't know why they would stay and not leave for Aman), they would hide themselves in a place, far from the Men and from their big cities, far from the smog and the bad air, in a place where they can see the stars, ALL of them, not just the three, that can be spotted in the big cities.

So you don't think they would try to teach man the error of our ways? Try to clean up the earth? To fix all thats wrong today? Or would they simply just decide that its not their business what we do?

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Elladan

So you don't think they would try to teach man the error of our ways?

If I recall correctly, elves made a few errors of their own along the way. There's always a difficulty when some think they have all the answers which others lack, especially when those answers are so entwined with nostalgia.

[Selmo]

Originally Posted by Elladan

So you don't think they would try to teach man the error of our ways? Try to clean up the earth? To fix all thats wrong today?

Frodo quotes an old saying to Gildor: "Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no."

A more accurate statement might be: "Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will get it wrong every time."
.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Selmo

A more accurate statement might be: "Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will get it wrong every time."

I wouldn't say it in such strong way, but it's true, like Bêthberry said, the Elves don't have answers to everything and also are not faultless. They are, though Elder, just Children of Ilúvatar like the Men. If there were few of them, they'd surely hide somewhere in woods or on remote islands. If there were many of them, they'd have to merge with the current political structures of Men (which would surely be a fun to see), and then many of them would probably become active in debates concerning ecology, military problems (strongly against), definitely not technology (they'll have their own specific Fëanorian manufactures, if anything), very creative in music, poetry and art... in short, they'll be like the hippies

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

If there were many of them, they'd have to merge with the current political structures of Men (which would surely be a fun to see), and then many of them would probably become active in debates concerning ecology, military problems (strongly against), definitely not technology (they'll have their own specific Fëanorian manufactures, if anything), very creative in music, poetry and art... in short, they'll be like the hippies

Hey, I was under the impression that 'hippies' is a bad word these days.

I wonder what would be an elven response to the military problems of our world these days. Tolkien was not a pacifist, nor are the elves, and certainly the warrior ethic is a major theme in Tolkien's work.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Don't you think the internet would be the ideal hiding place for Elves?! They could communicate without being seen and would certainly hang out in sites like our forum to reminisce about the good old days...

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Hey, I was under the impression that 'hippies' is a bad word these days.

From what I saw in US sitcoms, in US surely. But not everywhere.

Concerning the wars, elves surely were not pacifists, but if they'd wage war on someone, it would need some Dark Lords. But if they were to speak to inter-human wars, they'll probably stand for peace.

Originally Posted by Esty

Don't you think the internet would be the ideal hiding place for Elves?! They could communicate without being seen and would certainly hang out in sites like our forum to reminisce about the good old days...

Shhh...

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Hey, I was under the impression that 'hippies' is a bad word these days.

Only to Eric Cartman

Originally Posted by Ang

Maybe they could help find Tony Blair's One Ring...or muster against his evil craggy northern lieutenant, the dreaded Gordon (his name ends in an -on, he must be a Dark Lord...)

I think Elves would be out and out Blairites intent on constructing a deep and endless nanny state.

They would be the ultimate do-gooders and tree-huggers, recommending we all keep slop buckets in our kitchens and going round micro-chipping wheelie bins so they could tick us off for bashing down too much rubbish into the bottom of the bin with a spade (and maybe sneaking in a brick or two). Elves like Galadriel would be making 'designer jute bags' bearing the logo "I am not an old bag" and selling them as limited editions in Sainsburys and laughing behind our backs when us sucker mortals were queueing up to pay £200 for one on eBay.

Elves like Elrond would slop round in those slightly smelly 'sports' sandals, even in winter and tut loudly if anyone smoked within a 300 yard radius and follow Jamie Oliver's every word like he was the ultimate guru. They'd have those little carts on the back of their bikes to ferry the kids to the Montessori school and back (via organic yogurt weaving classes). Glorfindel would of course follow closely behind with his fancy robes.

Oh I've just described David Cameron...