Lothlorien or Rivendell ?

[Amarinth]

my impression of both places is that they were actually written in by tolkien (i would like to imagine [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]) as a study in contrasts. rivendell is an open, dynamic place filled with hope and healing, where all races of middle earth may find refuge or interact with one another. lothlorien is a closed, timeless place of dreams and unearthly trees, recreated from memories of the blessed realm, mysterious and hidden. you couldn't get two places more different than these.

having said that, i'd personally find the comfort of home and get more personal growth in rivendell. it has always seemed to me a more progressive place than lothlorien, and if i may interpret boldly, so did tolkien intended. which was why the council and fellowship met there; lothlorien the fellowship did pass, but as i see it, this was tolkien's way of showing what soon must be given up for the dominion of men.

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every man's life is a path to the truth -- hesse