The Warg and Warg Rider Appreciation Thread

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Before we answer the question "Why did the (good) Wargs not take a more active role in the War of the Ring" we must first ask an estimate of how many Wargs were alive in Middle-earth at the time.

As far as I can tell there were not very many. It is also unclear where they resided. I don't think that Wargs lived in large groups so it is my guess that there were a considerable, if scattered number of Wargs all over Middle-earth.

Perhaps they didn't consider the War to affect them too much?

[SamwiseGamgee]

I find it unlikely that they didn't live in groups, Eomer. The warg, after all, is a pack animal- highly sociable and intelligent. While the groups may not have been the huge collections that were once known in ME, I feel the groups would have been sizeable, perhaps about 12 adults.
I think it unlikely that wargs felt the War to be unimportant or not affecting them. The warg, after all, has the tremendous gift of foresight, and wargs are counted amongst the wise. However, the same could be said of Tom Bombadil or the eagles, I guess.
Perhaps it is fair to say that wargs were quite simply afraid of the consequences of the War, and thus decided to lie low. It may be slightly ignoble, but it seems reasonable.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I only said that I thought they wouldn't live in large groups. Rather small well-organised groups.

Perhaps Wargs were involved in furious fighting away from the north-west of Middle-earth, and thus the stories are not told in The Lord Of The Rings. A shame I think. We could probably make some tales of the unsung heroes of the War of the Ring.

Pray tell readers, does anyone know how the Warg Rider met his doom? That is a tale I would love to hear. I wonder if he was present during the War of the Ring.

[SamwiseGamgee]

That's a question which has puzzled many a greater mind than mine. Few know, and they are reluctant to tell. It is with a great price that the true tale of the Warg Rider is learned, and I for my part have lost much.
The story of the Warg Rider's demise shall be told in this thread soon, but not yet. I shall go back and refresh my mind- though it shan't take much, the imagery is burned into my sub-concious- of the exact facts.
On an aside, Eomer, you may be interested that your foresight is as clear as ever as regards the maiden-folk. You know of what I speak.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Do I? In that case it must be burrowed deep in the nether regions of my cerebral cortex for I do not know what you speak of Samwise.

This tale of the Doom of the Warg Rider sounds spine-tingling. I can't wait to hear it. Please Samwise, take your time to compile the story and I'm sure it will be phenomenal.

I myself am compiling a happy little tale of Warg 'magic'. Men and Hobbits tend to call the strange arts of the Elves 'magic', and Wargs are quite similar to the Elves in that respect. Warg 'magic' is not really like Elf 'magic' however, and this makes me wonder whether Wargs and Elves have had much contact with each other throughout the ages. If not (as I am suggesting) it appears that Wargs were not around in Valinor when the Elves of Middle-earth were.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Apologies for the lengthy time I am taking to complete my promised tale. As I was compiling it, I took a sharp, unexpected turn into gloomier waters. So I'll try again, and perhaps I'll end up with two tales: one gloomy and the other happy.

Isn't it funny how those two traits intermingle when talking about Tolkien's works in general and particularly Wargs.

[Amariden Ravenhill]

Yes....it is indeed a most intriguing trait, Eomer.....I wouldn't have thought such had you never mentioned it.....Oh, and apologies for not answering Samwise's question earlier. I live in Number 44 Bagshot Row