What power is Elrond referring to?

[Ainaserkewen]

Yes, but "the Halfing forth shall stand" came in a more or less recent dream away in Gondor. Also, the spies from Mordor would have come after Bilbo attained the ring and there was hard core evidence that something was to happen. Gandalf said the watch was doubled so there was a watch previous to that around the Shire. Is there some kind of magic that happened to alert Gandalf prior to the events of "The Hobbit"?

And while it was brought up, the dream that Faramir and Boromir share...where did that come from? Does the future just show itself to people every now and again like any other fantasy book, or is there evidence that that was deliberate?

[luthien-elvenprincess]

The members of the Dunedain were watching over all lands. The Rangers of the North would have been responsible for the area that included the Shire. Gandalf doubled the watch on the Shire region as he saw an increased interest from the enemy in that area. Frodo recognized Faramir and gang as "Dunedain of the South" when he met them in the chapter "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbits".

My point is that Gandalf, in remaining true to his purpose of coming to ME, put together many signs/clues to recognize that Frodo was the ringbearer. More and more signs appeared as the time drew nearer for action. I don't think anyone really predicted that Frodo was the man...they recognized the signs as they came.

[drigel]

What I got out of The Quest for Erebor in UT was insight into Gandalf's mission: To recruit and rally all the free peoples of ME in the struggle against Sauron, including the most provincial and homely creatures which were Hobbits.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Ainaserkewen

And while it was brought up, the dream that Faramir and Boromir share...where did that come from? Does the future just show itself to people every now and again like any other fantasy book, or is there evidence that that was deliberate?

I asked a similar question a while back in a thread concerning fate in ME but alas none answered - but I think it is significant that Boromir set out long before Frodo - maybe even before Frodo knew. (Don't have ROTK to h and)

[A_Brandybuck]

Maybe it is far-fetched, but Gandalf (or rather his former person Olórin) is a specialist for giving visions to the Elves. The passage in the Sil tells us that, but it doesn't really fit the dream of Boromir and Faramir. Or the dream (vision) of Frodo in the House of Bombadil, which showed Frodo his possibly fate, that he will come to the Undying Lands.
This dreams are telling the future or the possibly future and Olórins visions are fair and giving hope.

The Silmarillion, Of the Maiar:
[i]But of Olórin that tale does not speak; for though he loved the Elves, he walked among them unseen, or in form as one of them, and they did not know whence came the fair visions or the promptings of wisdom that he put into their hearts. In later days he was the friend of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and took pity on their sorrows; and those who listened to him awoke from despair and put away the imaginations of darkness.[/i ]

But there was in eveery case a power of foresight in Middle-Earth. We know it from Galadriel and her mirror, which are very similar to the vision, which Frodo had. The seen things are not really the future, but they could it be.

[Ainaserkewen]

A_Brandybuck, that is a very good suggestion. I'd like to add on to it...

Perhaps it was Gandalf who spread those dreams to the brothers of Gondor, a little far-fetched though because of his present state of being (human). But what about another "God" or mayber even Eru himself? Someone is hinting towards the hobbits that is clear.

[Amrod the Hunter]

Maybe it was even some of Valar or some of their messengers,like Eonwe.I think it wasn't Gandalf because he had to save his strength and I also think that,while in human form,his power was reduced.

[Gurthang]

Didn't Elrond also have foresight. Maybe he saw that the Shire would be important somehow, and so took an interest into its well-being.

Another far-fetched idea. Maybe beings who could use Osanwe(correct?) could induce visions on beings who could not 'hear' Osanwe. That would make sense with Frodo's vision and might partially explain Faramir/Boromir's dream.

[Ainaserkewen]

Didn't Elrond also have foresight.

I never got that in the movie. What does "foresight" really mean anyway? I mean, I know it means you can see the future and what not, but why? And how? Elrond in particular. As far as I remember, I think a thread here came to the conclution that he was just really smart and could put together the puzzle pieces better because of his age and wisdom. There was obviously some magic involved here, but I doubt it was Elrond's...but I may be wrong because of whatever "powers" being a keeper of one of the Elvish rings brings you. Perhaps that's to be considered.

You know, I love these speculation threads...in a way, they're like thought experiments with no real evidence from the text, only ideas from the readers.