Tuor/Gondolin/Text (thread moved from private forum)

[Tar Elenion]

Tar Elenion wrote:

In my reading the "save it be old Salagant" sounds more like a physical description of his appearence (i.e. he looked like an old man), rather than just his age.

Aiwendil wrote:

Hmm . . . to me it does not suggest that he looked elderly. What do Maedhros and Findegil make of this point? The quote is:

Quote:
but Earendil would not be borne in her arms, for he said: 'Mother Idril, thou art weary, and warriors in mail ride not among the Gondolindrim, save it be old Talagand!' and his mother laughed amid her sorrow; but Earendil said: 'Nay, where is Talagand?' - for Talagand had told him quaint tales or played drolleries with him at times, and Earendil had much laughter of the old Elf in those days when he came many a day to the house of Tuor, loving the good wine and fair repast he there received.

This seems (IMO) to indicate that Salgant was riding because he was 'old', and this would be determined by his appearence. I am not sure how to express my impression of the passage better than that. Actually the bolded part will need to be changed in any event since mailed warriors do ride (Ecthelion rides to meet Tuor in UT).

I did not have any particular change in mind. Juat wanted to bring it up.