Nenya or the Elessar?

[mark12_30]

So setting aside the Three Rings, for now; How many other elves used gems for healing/blessing purposes?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

So setting aside the Three Rings, for now; How many other elves used gems for healing/blessing purposes?

The most obvious is Arwen, who gave a white gem to Frodo to aid him 'when the memory of the fear and the darkness troubles you'.

[Galin]

With reference to the Three: '... included the healing of the real damages of malice, as well as the mere arrest of change.' JRRT, draft letter 181

The powers of the Elessar: 'For it is said that those who looked through this stone saw things that were withered or burned healed again, or as they were in the grace of their youth, and that the hands of one who held it brought to all that they touched healing from hurt.'

And considering Galadriel's comments to Celebrimbor (or Gandalf), with respect to fading and death, I think it's possible that Nenya essentially did the job of the Elessar, and so she handed the latter on.

The Elessar of Celebrimbor was said to be the greatest of his works: 'save the Three Rings only' and its light said to have less power than the original (within the conception of two Elessars, as there are two internal conceptions proposed).

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

Originally Posted by Galin

With reference to the Three: '... included the healing of the real damages of malice, as well as the mere arrest of change.' JRRT, draft letter 181

The powers of the Elessar: 'For it is said that those who looked through this stone saw things that were withered or burned healed again, or as they were in the grace of their youth, and that the hands of one who held it brought to all that they touched healing from hurt.'

And considering Galadriel's comments to Celebrimbor (or Gandalf), with respect to fading and death, I think it's possible that Nenya essentially did the job of the Elessar, and so she handed the latter on.

The Elessar of Celebrimbor was said to be the greatest of his works: 'save the Three Rings only' and its light said to have less power than the original (within the conception of two Elessars, as there are two internal conceptions proposed).

In the Silmarillion, it is said that the chief powers of all the rings alike was the slowing of decay. But then Tolkien goes on to say that Sauron desired the Three, because they possessed the greatest powers and those who bore them could ward off decay and postpone weariness. This gives me the impression that the other 16 rings could possibly "slow" decay/time (as well as enhance their bearers' natural powers) but not to the extent that the Three could. Can we safely assume that the Three could completely "arrest" time and decay, whereas the 16 lesser rings could only "slow" time, or don't even have that capability at all (except for Sauron's extra hocus pocus), hence the Three's loftier rank over the 16?

[Galin]

Hmm, as you note (letter 131 states that) the chief power 'of all the rings alike' was the preservation or slowing of decay, and it's also said that the Three were supremely beautiful and powerful and 'directed to the preservation of beauty'.

I've not yet looked into the further distinction you wonder about, although I don't remember a 'stop' versus 'slow' distinction at the moment -- in specific comparison between the Three and other rings in any event.

There wasn't even a mention of her usage of Nenya until she was officially elected to rule Lorien.

There is a general mention that might imply the Three were in use earlier in the Third Age (Appendix B), as it is noted that for long the Elves were at peace, wielding the Three while Sauron slept -- this could be a general statement but my guess is that Artanis would have used Nenya before settling in Lorien (not that you said otherwise).

So do you think she was using the Elessar during her settlement at Dol Amroth, brief visits to Lorien, and her stay at Rivendell?

In my opinion Galadriel's settlement at Dol Amroth was rejected and essentially replaced with Lindon, although admittedly the evidence is somewhat thin. Concerning Nenya (and after the One had been lost to Sauron of course), to me it seems possible that Galadriel used it to help introduce the Mallorns before she settled permanently in Lorien. Cerin Amroth had Mallorns of great height, assuming they were planted there when the mound was raised, anyway.

And do you also think that she beautified Lorien with the Elessar instead of Nenya, for Nenya's main funtion was only to arrest decay and change. And it is said that all things grew fair about her with the Elessar.

I think the same expression could be used of Galadriel wielding Nenya, that all things grew fair about her (you didn't comment on that point so I'm not sure whether you agree or not, or that I made clear my opinion).

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

^ Yes, perhaps the same expression may apply, but did not Tolkien say in one of his letters that the rings were "endowed with the powers of preservation, not of birth,"? That makes me think they could not create but just preserve. Hence why they attempted at nothing new, but instead, clinging to the old, right? They could "embalm" but could not create, whereas the Elessar could "birth" or create but not preserve or hold back time. It seems to me that had Galadriel would have to actively maintain her realm with the Elessar, since it could not hold back time. But with Nenya, she could just halt change and decay over a couple of miles without actively or routinely maintaining flora, right?

Also, in the UT, her ring Nenya was referred to as the "Chief of the Three." Chief of what? My guess is that Nenya was the "Chief" in preserving of the Three, while Vilya was the mightiest in defending (maybe), and narya the greatest in inspiring people. Because if you compare Rivendell and Lorien, you could almost feel like Lorien is like a mini Valinor. It may be the backgrounds of the bearers, Galadriel having lived in the West, but in her land... the preservation is so felt compared to Rivendell. I don't know why Frodo says, "the wearing is slow in Lorien, for the power of the Lady is on it. Rich are the hours though short they may seem." Whereas Gandalf clearly states after his ressurection that he "tarried there in the ageless time of that land, where the days bring healing, not decay." These are two different perceptions, I think. The hobbit suggest that Lorien is wearing slowly, while the Istari says it is clearly ageless (weariness is completely arrested, not slowed). I think I'll trust the maia. Tolkien says so himself that the Three can ward off the weariness and decay. Maybe it's just the other 16 that can only slow the weariness and decay, but they could never really ward it off to the degree that the Three can. Hence Sauron's great desire to possess them.

[Galin]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

Yes, perhaps the same expression may apply, but did not Tolkien say in one of his letters that the rings were "endowed with the powers of preservation, not of birth,"? That makes me think they could not create but just preserve. Hence why they attempted at nothing new, but instead, clinging to the old, right? They could "embalm" but could not create, whereas the Elessar could "birth" or create but not preserve or hold back time.

Yes, good point; but Tolkien also says the Elven rings enhanced the natural powers of the possessor (which I assumed was present in the Three as well), and Galadriel seems concerned with growing things. Mallorns would not grow in Lindon (part of old Beleriand), but 'under her power' they did in Lorien -- though I guess that could mean under her power unaided by the Ring, and perhaps I should reconsider these matters.

That all things grew fair about her could mean that things grew without decay. And according to Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn at least: '... she received Nenya, the White Ring, from Celebrimbor, and by its power the realm of Lorinand was strengthened and made beautiful.'

At some point when she could use Nenya anyway, one assumes.