Misc. Questions

[Thinlómien]

# How was Glorfindel able to slay a Balrog (Maia) & Finrod can't even scratch Sauron?

Because
* Sauron was more powerful than the balrog
* Glorfindel was in better condition in the battle than Finrod, who had laid in a prison for days, when he met his enemy
* Glorfindel got help from Thorondor and he would have lost without the help of the eagle

[Thinlómien]

#5 In your personal opinion, do you think the Elves who remained in Valinor during the turmoils of Morgoth & Sauron in ME became mightier than those who lingered & endured their malice?

Maybe they were mightier in other matters and less mighty on other matters? F.g. they would have more "light of Aman" in them, but they wouldn't be so physically hardened or so good stalkers. I think it may work like evolution; they get better in things they need in their every day life and poorer in things they don't use. And th light of Aman probably fades in the ME elves.

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Maybe they were mightier in other matters and less mighty on other matters? F.g. they would have more "light of Aman" in them, but they wouldn't be so physically hardened or so good stalkers. I think it may work like evolution; they get better in things they need in their every day life and poorer in things they don't use. And th light of Aman probably fades in the ME elves.

there was no longer this "light" in Aman. It disappeared when the two Trees perished.

[Gurthang]

Still, Thinlómien has a point there. The Elves in Aman had no worries about attack or betrayal, so they could concentrate on building beautiful wonders or mastering arts and song. On the other hand, the Noldor in Middle-Earth would have spent much more time studying warfare and the use of arms rather than concentrating on making less useful but more spectacular things.

With that in mind, I would say that the Elves of Aman were better at building beauty, singing, art, and understanding of animals/plants. The Elves of Middle-Earth would have had much superior knowledge of building strength, warfare, smithery, and negotiating. I would think that things such as mining, hunting, and writing would have been similar in both places.

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

Another question:

When Galadriel says "Needless were the deeds of Gandalf. We do not know yet his full purpose," do you think Gandalf knew about Galadriel's secret lust for the ring & intended her to face her test? And what would happen if she failed & took the ring, would not the Valar hinder him from returning to ME?

And this lament of Galadriel (during the departure from Lothlorien) of Valimar being lost to those in the east is quite contradictory when she declares "I will go into the West & remain Galadriel." Could Gandalf have told her that Varda had answred her prayers?

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

Another question:

When Galadriel says "Needless were [missing words, I think: none of] the deeds of Gandalf. We do not know yet his full purpose," do you think Gandalf knew about Galadriel's secret lust for the ring & intended her to face her test? And what would happen if she failed & took the ring, would not the Valar hinder him from returning to ME?

And this lament of Galadriel (during the departure from Lothlorien) of Valimar being lost to those in the east is quite contradictory when she declares "I will go into the West & remain Galadriel." Could Gandalf have told her that Varda had answred her prayers?

I would attribute it, myself, to a more mundane answer. I would say that Galadriel agreed with Gandalf that Moria was the only way to pass the Mountains. The Redhorn Pass, as was already clear, was impassible. The High Pass by Rivendell would have meant a month or three of delay- perhaps Galadriel's mirror told her that they didn't have that time. Likewise with detouring to Gondor. As for the remaining option, the Gap of Rohan- we all know about the danger of Saruman, but perhaps the danger was greater than we think. Perhaps companies like Ugluk's were being sent northwards towards Moria? If so, that's another thing that Galadriel could have meant.

In any case, in this situation, the simplest answer would seem to be that Galadriel felt that Gandalf was justified in leading them through Moria, and that his death was not wasted, for the Ring still continued towards its defeat. Galadriel strikes me, for some reason, as a person who would approve of dying for a cause.

Hmm... must be the Silmarillion working on me...

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

I have another question (s):

#1 How were the Numenorians (who were corrupted by Sauron) able to reach the shores of Aman if the Valar had set the enchanted isles abroad?

#2 From what royal house does Glorfindel belong (& why does he have golden hair)?

#3 Are Tom & Goldberry maiar?

#4 Are Vanyar's greater than the Noldor or are they just Manew & Varda's favorite?

#5 How many Royal houses of Noldor had Golden hair? I know Finarfin's house was golden-haired but what of Fingolfin's & Feanor's?

#6 Did the 3 elvish guardians wear their rings when Isildur still bore it?

#7 Approximately how many years were the Three utilized until their fading?