The Fairest Kingdom/Realm in Middle-Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Boromir88 · 07-27-2005, 06:06 PM

I would have loved to seen Minas Tirith with it's streets paved of marble and the gates lined with Mithril after the War of the Ring, would have been an awe to see. Ithilien would become a wonderful place as well, but I don't think it would contend with Lothlorien in it's glory when Galadriel was still around and the power of Nenya.

Gorthaur the Cruel · 07-28-2005, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I would have loved to seen Minas Tirith with it's streets paved of marble and the gates lined with Mithril after the War of the Ring, would have been an awe to see. Ithilien would become a wonderful place as well, but I don't think it would contend with Lothlorien in it's glory when Galadriel was still around and the power of Nenya.

Do you think Lothlorien was fairer than Gondolin & Doriath?

solarisa · 07-28-2005, 10:26 AM

i guess...lothlorien was the fairest place? it's not as fair as the one in Valinor, but with malorns, and since Galadriel held the realm, it was supposed to be a sort of imitation of the one over the seas. there was no evil there, and time didn't affect it. so i choose lorien.

"...in lorien the ancient things still lived on in the waking world...on the land of lorien no shadows lay."

Alcarillo · 07-28-2005, 12:42 PM

Hmmm . . . I suppose I would say Lorien, too, but Doriath is also a contender. Both had the same style of "magical-ness". I'd have to say Lorien, because Doriath wasn't without catastrophe (Saeros being killed, the whole Nauglamir + Silmaril + dwarves = Dead Thingol). Lorien seems safer to me, so I'm going to go with Lorien. Yes, Gondolin was fair, too, but it was also destroyed (if not for Maeglin I might have chosen Gondolin as fairest). Lorien seems rather free of grief.

mormegil · 07-28-2005, 12:56 PM

I would say either Gondolin or Khazad-Dum.

I can't fathom how beautiful it must have been to come close to Valinor in beauty. And it's strength of arms as it's pinnacle is staggering as well. Being a hidden city it could have lasted much longer were it not for Maeglin the accursed. Can you imagine being Tuor and entering those beautifully wrought gates and beholding the majesty and grandeur of it all?

Khazad-dum would be a wonderful place to live if you don't mind being enclosed. Plenty of work to do and probably plenty of mirth, after their fashion. Also a wonderfully strong fortress. Plus I think the dwarves deserve a bit of recognition in this as well.

Alcarillo · 07-28-2005, 01:21 PM

Khazad-Dum, I completely forgot Dwarves! If not for the Balrog, I'm sure it must have rivalled all other places in beauty and security (having a hidden western doorway, too). I think I'll extend what I think as the fairest realm in all the land to the Moria/Lorien region. Imagine, right next door to this enchanted elven forest is this great underground city-fortress!

As for the fairest realm of the First Age, I suppose that Gondolin might be tied with Doriath. Mormegil has convinced me.

Boromir88 · 07-28-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Do you think Lothlorien was fairer than Gondolin & Doriath?

I have only read the Silmarillion once (although I intend to reread it again), so for now I'm going to have to pass as I don't know enough about the places to make a good judgement. And I'll leave it up to the people who can.

Gorthaur the Cruel · 07-29-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcarillo

Hmmm . . . I suppose I would say Lorien, too, but Doriath is also a contender. Both had the same style of "magical-ness". I'd have to say Lorien, because Doriath wasn't without catastrophe (Saeros being killed, the whole Nauglamir + Silmaril + dwarves = Dead Thingol). Lorien seems safer to me, so I'm going to go with Lorien. Yes, Gondolin was fair, too, but it was also destroyed (if not for Maeglin I might have chosen Gondolin as fairest). Lorien seems rather free of grief.

Did not Melian maintain Doriath with the same "timelessness" (like of the Three) other than her girdle?

Alcarillo · 07-29-2005, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

Did not Melian maintain Doriath with the same "timelessness" (like of the Three) other than her girdle?

I always thought so, but I don't remember reading any proof of it anywhere.

Gorthaur the Cruel · 07-31-2005, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcarillo

I always thought so, but I don't remember reading any proof of it anywhere.

Nowhere else did nephredil blossom anywhere except in Lothlorien & if Melian had no such power, it would've been foolish for her to establish a kingdom to begin with.

07-27-2005, 06:06 PM	#1
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	I would have loved to seen Minas Tirith with it's streets paved of marble and the gates lined with Mithril after the War of the Ring, would have been an awe to see. Ithilien would become a wonderful place as well, but I don't think it would contend with Lothlorien in it's glory when Galadriel was still around and the power of Nenya. __________________ Fenris Penguin

07-28-2005, 10:26 AM	#3
solarisa Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 42	hmmm my opinions i guess...lothlorien was the fairest place? it's not as fair as the one in Valinor, but with malorns, and since Galadriel held the realm, it was supposed to be a sort of imitation of the one over the seas. there was no evil there, and time didn't affect it. so i choose lorien. "...in lorien the ancient things still lived on in the waking world...on the land of lorien no shadows lay."

07-28-2005, 12:56 PM	#5
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	I would say either Gondolin or Khazad-Dum. I can't fathom how beautiful it must have been to come close to Valinor in beauty. And it's strength of arms as it's pinnacle is staggering as well. Being a hidden city it could have lasted much longer were it not for Maeglin the accursed. Can you imagine being Tuor and entering those beautifully wrought gates and beholding the majesty and grandeur of it all? Khazad-dum would be a wonderful place to live if you don't mind being enclosed. Plenty of work to do and probably plenty of mirth, after their fashion. Also a wonderfully strong fortress. Plus I think the dwarves deserve a bit of recognition in this as well. __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

07-28-2005, 12:42 PM	#4
Alcarillo Shadow of the Past Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Minas Mor-go Posts: 1,007	Hmmm . . . I suppose I would say Lorien, too, but Doriath is also a contender. Both had the same style of "magical-ness". I'd have to say Lorien, because Doriath wasn't without catastrophe (Saeros being killed, the whole Nauglamir + Silmaril + dwarves = Dead Thingol). Lorien seems safer to me, so I'm going to go with Lorien. Yes, Gondolin was fair, too, but it was also destroyed (if not for Maeglin I might have chosen Gondolin as fairest). Lorien seems rather free of grief.

07-28-2005, 01:21 PM	#6
Alcarillo Shadow of the Past Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Minas Mor-go Posts: 1,007	Khazad-Dum, I completely forgot Dwarves! If not for the Balrog, I'm sure it must have rivalled all other places in beauty and security (having a hidden western doorway, too). I think I'll extend what I think as the fairest realm in all the land to the Moria/Lorien region. Imagine, right next door to this enchanted elven forest is this great underground city-fortress! As for the fairest realm of the First Age, I suppose that Gondolin might be tied with Doriath. Mormegil has convinced me.