Middle-earth Connections: Lore of the Rings

on Finrod's guilt and regret (though Finrod himself had not participated in the Kinslaying). The ability to render visible images with the power of song implies the Elves, with a greater effort leaning toward the Machine, could pervert their Art (or at least misuse it) to render visible things from the invisible world. Sauron may only have needed to provide a little guidance to them. Celebrimbor made the Three Rings by himself, and these Rings did not confer invisibility upon their wearers. Presumably they didn't make invisible things visible, either. The Three are thus more compliant with Elrond's description of what the Rings of Power did. But that still doesn't answer the question of how the Rings worked. Why didn't all the Hobbits of the Shire (or at least Hobbiton) enjoy the benefits of the One Ring? Point 5: Using the Machine through Art The answer seems to be a matter of will. Tolkien wrote that the Three Rings effectively held back Time even while they were not actively used. Thus, during the Second Age, the Elves of Lindon enjoyed the benefit intended for the Elves of Eregion even though no one dared put on one of the Rings. Celebrimbor must therefore have given the Three a natural ability to just extend their power over the countryside. The effect's range may not have been measured in miles, however, but rather in people and objects. That is to say, if someone were wearing one of the Three, he (or she) might be able to decide that all Mallorn trees and all Elves would be preserved. The effects would be somewhat random if the Rings were not worn. In this way, Gandalf could intentionally restrain the Time-delaying effects of Narya, the Ring of Fire which Cirdan gave to him. Or Gandalf could have desired only to let the Ring affect Elves. Cirdan said the Ring was idle when he gave it to Gandalf, so it would seem he was not actually wearing the Ring and directing its benefits. Gandalf, therefore, need not have used Narya to delay the fading process for anyone (including himself, though he was in no danger of fading). Elrond and Galadriel may have taken a cue from Cirdan. Gil-galad originally possessed both Vilya and Narya, and he gave these Rings to Elrond and Cirdan near the end of the Second Age (perhaps having a bit of foresight about his final battle with Sauron). Celebrimbor seems to

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic