Elves in modern times

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Hey, I was under the impression that 'hippies' is a bad word these days.

From what I saw in US sitcoms, in US surely. But not everywhere.

Concerning the wars, elves surely were not pacifists, but if they'd wage war on someone, it would need some Dark Lords. But if they were to speak to inter-human wars, they'll probably stand for peace.

Originally Posted by Esty

Don't you think the internet would be the ideal hiding place for Elves?! They could communicate without being seen and would certainly hang out in sites like our forum to reminisce about the good old days...

Shhh...

So the Elves would not think of modern man as an evil force? Would Eru want man to continue as they are? I would think Eru would not be happy with how man are treating the Earth.

I also wonder if Elves did come back to the world of men now, would they be any different than when they left, and how would men treat them. Would men be afraid of them?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

First, to your second question: surely. As there's already enough xenophobia even among humans as they are, imagine what would happen if an completely new species would appear. I can imagine gangs of "let's get rid of the pointy-eared freaks!" racists.

To your first question I answer with a question: do you think how men are treating Earth now is any different from how the men of, let's say, Beleriand were treating Earth? And it's not only about Earth in the ecologic way - the modern man can do much more to the nature than a man several hundred years ago, of course, which means that his actions have more impact even on the ecosystems. But if you say you think Eru would not be happy with how men are treating the Earth, then I'd say of course, but then I think he wouldn't be happy in the first place with how they are treating each other. And this is not just a matter of today, this was a matter of ancient times on our Earth and of Middle-Earth as well. And if nothing happened to Men there, then I don't see why would Eru do anything with today's men, if he suddenly appeared in our world. But this is a little bit off-topic, since I thought we were speaking about Elves, not Eru. After all, these Men are not even his Children. Or rather, Eru is not in our universe. You could imagine Elves appearing here quite easily, but Eru is something that has impact on the entire cosmology.

Back to the Elves - and what do you call "modern man"? I mean, if you had the Three Kings of Eldar suddenly mustering their hosts on the plains of Kazakhstan, who would they march against? Or what will they do? Or will several Wise find shelters, build New Lórien in the forests of Amazonia and New Rivendell somewhere in Himalayas and New Havens on some remote island in the Pacific, and there make councils trying to find ideas how to... how to what? Here is no single, specific enemy, no "Sauron" whom they could march against. Or what is that you have in mind?

[Anguirel]

Maybe they could help find Tony Blair's One Ring...or muster against his evil craggy northern lieutenant, the dreaded Gordon (his name ends in an -on, he must be a Dark Lord...)

Im sorry if i sound foolish.. I just was curious, and wanted to ring in my being new here with what i thought is a good discussion, if I sound stupid ill stop.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Elladan

Im sorry if i sound foolish.. I just was curious, and wanted to ring in my being new here with what i thought is a good discussion, if I sound stupid ill stop.

No, surely not, it's interesting. I was merely saying my own opinion on it, which does not mean you should stop. If you disagree with something, say it. If you agree, move on with the thought or take your original question from another angle. Or say your opinion on that. I think the original idea is good and might be a start for interesting topic, so let's continue with it.

[Bêthberry]

Don't mind us, Elladan. Some of us (won't speak for all) just can't take elves as seriously as they take themselves. (There's dwarven humour and hobbit funnies, but there's scant elven comedy, if I remember correctly.)

But, to reply in a more serious vein, what reason would prompt the elves to return to the 7th Age? They fairly ignored Man for much of their time in Middle-earth; why pay attention now?

In terms of the whole Legendarium, would such a return signal the start of Tolkien's end of time?

Originally Posted by Legate

Concerning the wars, elves surely were not pacifists, but if they'd wage war on someone, it would need some Dark Lords. But if they were to speak to inter-human wars, they'll probably stand for peace.

That's the big question, isn't it--deciding who are the Dark Lords and who the merely human combatants.

btw, I absolutely adore Esty's comment. Do you think elves would have a preferred domain or server?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Bethberry

But, to reply in a more serious vein, what reason would prompt the elves to return to the 7th Age? They fairly ignored Man for much of their time in Middle-earth; why pay attention now?

In terms of the whole Legendarium, would such a return signal the start of Tolkien's end of time?

Well, sure. That would mean also probably, that their return occured for some reason like that... for example, the return of the mythological "material" evil, which, as Tolkien said, was the last time defeated with Sauron's fall.

Another thing, partially connected with what I mentioned here earlier, how would you imagine the "return" will occur? If I understood you correctly, Elladan, then you imagined it like the Elves coming on the Ships, suddenly appearing at the shores? I think it could be some High Elves coming this way and then little bands of wild wood-elves suddenly emerging from the virgin forests of Amazonia, Africa and south Asia and from the large Siberian taiga... the few Elves who actually remained in Middle-Earth when the world of Men came...

The question is, who would they turn to first? The United Nations? Can you imagine an Elf-lord coming there and having a speech about the two kins too long separated, but now in the perspective of reunion? This would be great! Imagine if you were at home, watching the TV where it would be aired... a leader of the Elves - someone like a grand-grandson of Elrond (or why grandson? The elves are long-living... Hey! Elladan, is this a coincidence you brough this topic or...? ).