Glorfindel reincarnated

[elbenprincess]

Here Glorfindel returns in the Second Age rather, and 'more probably' as late as c. 1600 Second Age, the Year of Dread.
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I didn´t know that, so he arrives without the Istari in that version?

[Galin]

In my personal version Glorfindel arrives without the Istari, yes.

There are a couple of late notes however, one which says that Glorfindel met Gandalf at the Havens, and generally notes that the Wizards did not come at the same time. But another of these notes relates that the 'other two' came much earlier: '... at the same time probably as Glorfindel, when matters became very dangerous in the Second Age.' Christopher Tolkien footnotes Glorfindell II here, and 'about the year 1600' for the date.

But as Tolkien had already published (Appendix B) that the Istari appeared in Middle-earth in the Third Age, I accept Glorfindel's return date as around Second Age 1600, but not this date for the 'other two' wizards -- called the 'Blue Wizards' often enough although I'm still not sure Tolkien himself stuck to this term.

That said I rather like the idea of Glorfindel sailing with Gandalf, but Tolkien appears to have revised this in the second form of his late musings about Glorfindel.

[sneha]

I don't think it included Glorfindel. He technically did not remain as such but was sent back.

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

I think Glorfindel is indeed counted among the elves who remained. Technically, he was still in Middle-earth in the 3rd age, so his blessedness is a moot point. Despite his spiritual enhancement due to his resurrection, can one honestly say that his spiritual stature exceeds that of Galadriel, who is reputed to be the equal of Feanor, mightiest of all the eldar (excepting Luthien)? I really cannot see Glorfindel's spiritual might as greater than Galadriel 's when Tolkien himself states that she, Feanor, and Luthien were the greatest of the elves in the history of Arda. A more appropriate and realistic comparison would be between Glorfindel and Elrond--who has never lived in pre-darkened Valinor but has the lineage of Luthien.

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

I think Glorfindel is indeed counted among the elves who remained. Technically, he was still in Middle-earth in the 3rd age, so his blessedness is a moot point. Despite his spiritual enhancement due to his resurrection, can one honestly say that his spiritual stature exceeds that of Galadriel, who is reputed to be the equal of Feanor, mightiest of all the eldar (excepting Luthien)? I really cannot see Glorfindel's spiritual might as greater than Galadriel 's when Tolkien himself states that she, Feanor, and Luthien were the greatest of the elves in the history of Arda. A more appropriate and realistic comparison would be between Glorfindel and Elrond--who has never lived in pre-darkened Valinor but has the lineage of Luthien.

Not to split hairs, but in Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age Tolkien said of Galadriel:

A queen she was of the woodland Elves, the wife of Celeborn of Doriath, yet she herself was of the Noldor and remembered the Day before days in Valinor, and she was the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth.

That's of those who remained in the 3rd Age. While she was also the mightiest of the female Eldar, which makes her veritably angelic in power, it's quite another matter to say she was at the very pinnacle of the all-time list of mighty Eldar. Feanor made the Silmarils. He also fought (and presumably beat) several balrogs before being killed by Gothmog. Fingolfin fought and wounded Morgoth, himself. Eärendil killed Ancalagon. At least four of Feanor's seven sons, and a few more elves would likely rank ahead of her in power.

That's not to diminish or demean her in any fashion, by the way- I'm a big fan of Galadriel's particularly feminine brand of latent power.

[cellurdur]

Though Tolkien very rarely makes mistakes, he is usually very accurate and precise when using terms like Eldar.

Glorfindel did not remain in Middle Earth and Elrond was not one of the Eldar. Nor was Arwen.

[Zigûr]

Originally Posted by cellurdur

Elrond was not one of the Eldar. Nor was Arwen.

Despite being born in Middle-earth, Elrond was an Elda, as his father was half-Noldo and his mother was descended from Luthien (who was the daughter of Thingol, who was counted among the Eldar despite spending little time in Aman).
At least, this is how I have always understood the situation.