Riddles in the Downs

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

You've got it!

Can you explain the whole thing, or would you like me to?

I am very confused by the fish on land. Can you explain?

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I am very confused by the fish on land. Can you explain?

Fish (shark) = Carcharodon (the Great White Shark).

or

reverse the shark's nickname, "wolf of the sea" to get "shark on land" = wolf.

or

Carcharoth's other name, Angfauglir = jaws of thirst.


You had to get the type of fish first. I was going to just put "shark", but I actually thought it would be too obvious! It's really hard to know how other people will see things.

"Blue" is less cryptic, referring to Charcaroth's progenitor Draugluin, which means "blue wolf". (Maybe he had blueish fur?)

Over to you!

[Galadriel55]

I got the Draugluin connection but totally missed the sharks. Triple hit in a single line.

Well, here goes.




My lord, what seek you here? You should repent.
I told you once, I told you twice, I told you thrice.
Do you not know overindulgence is a vice?
You act 'gainst common sense and my advice.
The world isn't ready for the task that you attempt,
And none will know what came of you after you went.
Stone I am not, to stone I draw,
And stone is stronger than your arms.

[Nerwen]

Is it the mysterious old man at the Door of the Dead, addressing Baldor, son of Brego?

[Nerwen]

Explanation:

My lord, what seek you here? You should repent.
I told you once, I told you twice, I told you thrice. -"The way is shut," said three times.

Do you not know overindulgence is a vice?
You act 'gainst common sense and my advice. -"A rash vow he spoke, as he drained the horn at that feast..."

The world isn't ready for the task that you attempt, -"It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes."

And none will know what came of you after you went. -"Baldor, son of Brego, passed the Door and was never seen among men again."

Stone I am not, to stone I draw, -"...he was withered as an old stone. Indeed for stone they took him..."

And stone is stronger than your arms. "... before him stood a stony door closed fast: his finger-bones were clawing at the cracks. A notched and broken sword lay by him, as if he had hewn at the rock in his last despair."

[Galadriel55]

Indeed so! Perfect explanation!

[Nerwen]

Thanks- and don't feel bad that I got it immediately, because I actually didn't- I was thinking along the lines of the "Man in the Moon" ditties at first!

In what I believe is an unprecedented turn of events, I actually have one ready:

The one trapped on a rock;
The beloved sibling lost;
The one who died by fire;
The like-named maiden;
The stern one, hiding grief;
The gold girl waked from sleep;
The monster-slayer
And the faithful warden.

We share these, and a name, but all's not done: I have a son.

[Pervinca Took]

I think lines 3 and 4 might refer to Aerin and Arien?

And maybe line 1 is Maedhros?

Perhaps line 2 is Lalaith/Urwen?

Line 5 could be several people, but Morwen springs to mind.

And the monster-slayer sounds like Turin.

The gold girl could be Nienor/Niniel?