A Query On Lothlorien - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The 1,000 Reader · 02-23-2007, 12:32 AM

We all know that Lothlorien was a powerful Elven Realm in Middle-Earth. Dol Guldur could not take it after three assaults, and it took out Dol Guldur in one. Also, Galadriel had her ring to "preserve" the forest.

However, how well could the ring preserve the forest? I will now ask the greatest question.

Couldn't the orcs just set the forest on fire and burn Lothlorien down?

...seriously, the elves live in the trees practically, so couldn't a fire just kill them all?

MatthewM · 02-23-2007, 12:36 AM

The borders of Lothlorien were heavily, heavily guarded.

02-23-2007, 12:44 AM

Did they not also have help from the Mirkwood elves in the end? Besides the guards, there were probably spells. Remember, as "Lady of the Wood" Galadriel knew what trespassed in her realm and with her ring could keep it from Sauron's power. But that is an interesting question. It was said that he planned to devastate Rivendell by dragonfire, wouldn't Sauron have other forces to throw at Lorien? And wouldn't Lorien have been the better (and closer) target in the first place? But Galadriel was powerful in her own right even without the ring.

goldfinger · 02-23-2007, 06:37 PM

If you read Appendix B of RotK, it states in it's query on the War in the North, that Lorien's borders were heavily damaged after the assaults. So there your answer.

The 1,000 Reader · 02-23-2007, 06:53 PM

That doesn't specify if fire damaged it or simply combat damaged it (security, cut down trees, etc.) The elves are tough, but it sounds ridiculous that they could instantly kill all of the army (or something like that) before any fires were lit.

Even with heavy defenses, couldn't one orc just torch the base of a tree? Seriously, if the forest is as thick as it appears on maps, then why couldn't an orc walk into the middle of the forest, shoot a flaming arrow into a tree canopy, and then flee from the flames? The fire could probably take out a good chunk of Mirkwood and Lothlorien, depending on where it was started.

Liriodendron · 02-23-2007, 10:41 PM

Silly me.....I just imagine Galadriel making it rain hard.....

02-23-2007, 12:32 AM	#1
The 1,000 Reader Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I don't know. Eastern ME doesn't have maps. Posts: 527	A Query On Lothlorien We all know that Lothlorien was a powerful Elven Realm in Middle-Earth. Dol Guldur could not take it after three assaults, and it took out Dol Guldur in one. Also, Galadriel had her ring to "preserve" the forest. However, how well could the ring preserve the forest? I will now ask the greatest question. Couldn't the orcs just set the forest on fire and burn Lothlorien down? ...seriously, the elves live in the trees practically, so couldn't a fire just kill them all? __________________ "And forth went Morgoth, and he was halted by the elves. Then went Sauron, who was stopped by a dog and then aged men. Finally, there came the Witch-King, who destroyed Arnor, but nobody seems to remember that." -A History of Villains

02-23-2007, 12:36 AM	#2
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 627	The borders of Lothlorien were heavily, heavily guarded. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

02-23-2007, 06:53 PM	#5
The 1,000 Reader Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: I don't know. Eastern ME doesn't have maps. Posts: 527	That doesn't specify if fire damaged it or simply combat damaged it (security, cut down trees, etc.) The elves are tough, but it sounds ridiculous that they could instantly kill all of the army (or something like that) before any fires were lit. Even with heavy defenses, couldn't one orc just torch the base of a tree? Seriously, if the forest is as thick as it appears on maps, then why couldn't an orc walk into the middle of the forest, shoot a flaming arrow into a tree canopy, and then flee from the flames? The fire could probably take out a good chunk of Mirkwood and Lothlorien, depending on where it was started. __________________ "And forth went Morgoth, and he was halted by the elves. Then went Sauron, who was stopped by a dog and then aged men. Finally, there came the Witch-King, who destroyed Arnor, but nobody seems to remember that." -A History of Villains

02-23-2007, 10:41 PM	#6
Liriodendron Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 527	Silly me.....I just imagine Galadriel making it rain hard..... __________________ http://www.lizmargason.com

02-23-2007, 12:44 AM	#3
Starfall Guest Posts: n/a	Did they not also have help from the Mirkwood elves in the end? Besides the guards, there were probably spells. Remember, as "Lady of the Wood" Galadriel knew what trespassed in her realm and with her ring could keep it from Sauron's power. But that is an interesting question. It was said that he planned to devastate Rivendell by dragonfire, wouldn't Sauron have other forces to throw at Lorien? And wouldn't Lorien have been the better (and closer) target in the first place? But Galadriel was powerful in her own right even without the ring.

02-23-2007, 06:37 PM	#4
goldfinger Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KC, Missouri Posts: 60	If you read Appendix B of RotK, it states in it's query on the War in the North, that Lorien's borders were heavily damaged after the assaults. So there your answer.