Branded in the Tower of Cirith Ungol? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Kalimac · 12-28-2003, 08:45 PM

I'm inclined to think it's the troll - it's whitish and looks like it's been there for a while, and while the spear didn't pierce the mithril coat, it would have jammed it up against Frodo's chest pretty hard and probably broken skin; that was a truly hideous-looking instrument, after all. <P>The mark is shaped somewhat like an eye, but basically it's just oval, which could come from a number of things. Also, I can't think of a single instance in the movies so far that has shown branding in any context; they probably would have planted that (say, with a Saruman-Orc or something) if it were going to be an issue. Also - WHY brand him? It's not like this is a modern jail system when all prisoners have to be assigned pinstripes and numbers. There's no need for a "Property of Sauron" mark - they're not going to lose him. Or so they think.<P>Addendum: Also, the mark is the wrong place to be from Shelob - if the troll spear couldn't get through the mithril coat, I doubt that Shelob's stinger could. I'm betting that she got Frodo in the neck (it was hard to see, though).<p>[ 9:46 PM December 28, 2003: Message edited by: Kalimac ]

12-28-2003, 08:45 PM	#1
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	I'm inclined to think it's the troll - it's whitish and looks like it's been there for a while, and while the spear didn't pierce the mithril coat, it would have jammed it up against Frodo's chest pretty hard and probably broken skin; that was a truly hideous-looking instrument, after all. <P>The mark is shaped somewhat like an eye, but basically it's just oval, which could come from a number of things. Also, I can't think of a single instance in the movies so far that has shown branding in any context; they probably would have planted that (say, with a Saruman-Orc or something) if it were going to be an issue. Also - WHY brand him? It's not like this is a modern jail system when all prisoners have to be assigned pinstripes and numbers. There's no need for a "Property of Sauron" mark - they're not going to lose him. Or so they think.<P>Addendum: Also, the mark is the wrong place to be from Shelob - if the troll spear couldn't get through the mithril coat, I doubt that Shelob's stinger could. I'm betting that she got Frodo in the neck (it was hard to see, though).<p>[ 9:46 PM December 28, 2003: Message edited by: Kalimac ] __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.