Food for Maiar Thought - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gwaihir the Windlord · 07-23-2003, 01:39 AM

Hmmm, I would probably say that certain Ainur, such as those that had taken on the restrictions of living as a Child of Illuvitar in Middle-Earth (e.g. Melian, the Istari...) would perhaps have been in need of nourishment for bodily strength. This said, I think it likely that these Maiar, and the Istari in particular, would have been able to go without if they needed to as food nutrition is, I should think, not an inherrent Ainurian need as it is for those of more earthly race. Which is why Maiar might need to when they impose Middle-Earth upon themselves.

Yeah, apart from Gandalf and Saruman, and probably Melian, I can't think of any other Maia that provides an example. Which fits in with the above theory, I spose. Unless it is Goldberry, but, was she a Maia, she too could have been said to have taken on the impositions of Earth through being coupled with Tom -- clearly something involved with the natural world. Its laws he must follow, and so Goldberry perhaps with him.

07-23-2003, 01:39 AM	#3
Gwaihir the Windlord Essence of Darkness Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Evermore Posts: 1,420	Hmmm, I would probably say that certain Ainur, such as those that had taken on the restrictions of living as a Child of Illuvitar in Middle-Earth (e.g. Melian, the Istari...) would perhaps have been in need of nourishment for bodily strength. This said, I think it likely that these Maiar, and the Istari in particular, would have been able to go without if they needed to as food nutrition is, I should think, not an inherrent Ainurian need as it is for those of more earthly race. Which is why Maiar might need to when they impose Middle-Earth upon themselves. Yeah, apart from Gandalf and Saruman, and probably Melian, I can't think of any other Maia that provides an example. Which fits in with the above theory, I spose. Unless it is Goldberry, but, was she a Maia, she too could have been said to have taken on the impositions of Earth through being coupled with Tom -- clearly something involved with the natural world. Its laws he must follow, and so Goldberry perhaps with him.