Was the One Ring destroyed? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Hookbill the Goomba · 11-10-2005, 12:51 AM

I think the desire of The Ring was still apparent in the world to those that bore it. Bilbo (bar Gollum and possibly Sauron if we are going to be pedantic) bore it the longest and after its destruction, he still asked Frodo, "What became of that old ring of mine?" It quite obviously still bears on his mind. Perhaps because he bore it as it's power waxed and so it's influence grew on him, even after leaving it.
That's just the way I saw it.

Lalwendë · 11-10-2005, 02:34 AM

Hookbill has made a very good point. Even though the Ring was destroyed, or 'unmade' its evil still lingered in the form of the shadow it cast on those who had been Ringbearers. This is very interesting, as on the one hand we are told it was 'unmade', but on the other hand, the effects of it still lingered - and in many more ways than in just the Ringbearers' pain; the whole of Middle-earth had suffered through the effects of those who sought power under the influence of the One.

To me 'unmade' might mean something more than simply destruction of the object and its powers; it would mean that the thing had never been made, that the stain it left was erased, and that could not happen. Just as one example, the destruction of the One led to the Eldar leaving Middle-earth for good.

11-10-2005, 12:51 AM	#1
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	I think the desire of The Ring was still apparent in the world to those that bore it. Bilbo (bar Gollum and possibly Sauron if we are going to be pedantic) bore it the longest and after its destruction, he still asked Frodo, "What became of that old ring of mine?" It quite obviously still bears on his mind. Perhaps because he bore it as it's power waxed and so it's influence grew on him, even after leaving it. That's just the way I saw it. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

11-10-2005, 02:34 AM	#2
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Hookbill has made a very good point. Even though the Ring was destroyed, or 'unmade' its evil still lingered in the form of the shadow it cast on those who had been Ringbearers. This is very interesting, as on the one hand we are told it was 'unmade', but on the other hand, the effects of it still lingered - and in many more ways than in just the Ringbearers' pain; the whole of Middle-earth had suffered through the effects of those who sought power under the influence of the One. To me 'unmade' might mean something more than simply destruction of the object and its powers; it would mean that the thing had never been made, that the stain it left was erased, and that could not happen. Just as one example, the destruction of the One led to the Eldar leaving Middle-earth for good. __________________ Gordon's alive!