Middle-earth Journeys

Merry wrote:
"Master Gandalf, I know you only by sight, but now I should be glad to speak with you. For you have often come into my thoughts of late, as if I were bidden to seek you. Indeed I should have done so, if I had known where to find you."

Level 1.25

I have an inkling that it would be Thorin -- speaking to Gandalf at a 'fateful' meeting in Bree.

But I'm not sure that would be in the Hobbit or in some Addenda.

am i right?

Serinde

You're good, serinde! It is not in The Hobbit, but rather in the appendices.

You're up next!

Answer this question:

If Elendil, Isildur, and Aragorn are direct descendants of Elros, why were Elendil & Isildur not of the ruling family in Numenor?

{Is this too vague? It might be a tough question requiring some research}

Serinde

It's a good question, serinde--have at it, everyone!

If Elendil, Isildur, and Aragorn are direct descendants of Elros, why were Elendil & Isildur not of the ruling family in Numenor?

Are hints necessary?

The answer can be found in the appendices of LOTR

Okay, serinde, I think I have the specifics. Things got a little dicey in Numenor before the end. As we know, some of the Numenoreans began to plan to break the Ban on the Valar on seeking the Undying Lands, and they became divided between the rebels and the Faithful. The last legitimate king in the line was Tar-Palantir. After his death, his nephew, Ar-Pharazon, seized the throne, so that changed the line of the kingship. (The legitimate heir was a daughter. I wonder if she would have broken the Ban!) And then came the drowning of Numenor.

Elendil was the leader of the Faithful, so that was one reason why he was king in Middle-earth. But his direct ancestor was Tar-Elendil, the fourth King of Numenor:

In the days of Tar-Elendil the first ships of the Numenoreans came back to Middle-earth. His elder child was a daughter, Silmarien. Her son was Valandil, first of the Lord of Andunie in the west of the land, renowned for their friendship with the Eldar. From him were descended Amandil, the last lord, and his son Elendil the Tall.

I like it that Tolkien really gave two reasons for Elendil's legitimacy: he was true leader of the Faithful and he had the bloodline.

Does that explain it, serinde?

Yes, that explains it.

Later, an only female child was allowed to inherit the throne, but not in the time of Silmarien. It is one of my favourite "what-if" questions about Middle-Earth. The Faithful certainly remained friends of the Elves right until Aragorn's day. However, we do know how far they had fallen -- in the South, in Gondor, they began to fear death & built their memorials with that in mind. In the North, in Arnor, the kingdom was split in three, and fell into ruins. Hence, Aragorn's fear of being as weak as Isildur (as stated in the movie).

Your turn, eh?

Serinde

Yes, it's a good 'what-if' question. I haven't paid much attention to that part of the story, so thanks for a good question!

Here's one: What is alfirin and where is it found?

Merry wrote:
Here's one: What is alfirin and where is it found?

I knew alfirin was a golden flower but had to look up the second half. It appears it grew in the fields of Lebennin.

Yes, indeed, Philipa. It appears in the song that the mopey Legolas sings after he saw the birds, the birds--sigh.

Your turn!

'Mopey', good description. He did appear to occasionally get all melancholy on us didn't he.

In the interest of keeping things moving, here is a fast one.

Level 1

What is 'hithlain'?

Philipa wrote:Level 1

What is 'hithlain'?

Material used by the Lórien elves to make rope?

yes Airwin. It is what makes their rope tough, light a soft grey feeling substance.

your turn

I wonder if they could make yarn from it as well. Sounds like something I might want to knit with!

Ok, next question - Level 1

Who or what is Stybba and who owned it?

I think Stybba might have been a pony or a horse. But as for the owner? (I'm probably completely wrong and it's a sword or something . . . )