Who Is Like the Wise Elf? - Page 4
© Michael Martinez
The Elven-wise were thus members of the most ancient Eldarin civilizations, or the direct heirs of those civilizations. Elrond was born after all the old kingdoms of Beleriand had been destroyed, but his father was Earendil and his foster father was Maglor. Maglor, though renowned mostly as a great singer and warrior, was the second son of Feanor. Feanor was the greatest among the Eldar in arts and lore (presumably, "lore" here being what Tolkien called "technology" as acquired and applied by the Noldor). Elrond's apprenticeship under one of the last Feanorians who had walked in Aman might not have been equivalent to an education in Aman, but he would have benefitted from Maglor's experience in many ways. When Elrond met Frodo and Sam in the Shire, he was playing a harp. Was his musical skill derived from Maglor?
The lords of the Eldar seem to have been the most powerful of the Elves. Finrod engaged in a contest of sorcery with Sauron, and though Sauron prevailed Finrod's deed is considered a great achievement. Luthien was the greatest of all Elven enchantresses, but she was also the daughter of Melian the Maia. Feanor had the greatest power, and he was able to sway most of the Noldor toward rebellion and exile. It would seem, therefore, that the chief power was invested in the Finweans and Elweans. That is, the families of the Eldarin kings displayed greater power or sorcery than other Elven families. Hence, Celebrimbor alone could make three Rings more powerful than the other Rings which the Gwaith-i-Mirdain had made with Sauron's aid. Galadriel could cast down the walls of Dol Guldur.
Glorfindel proved to be an exceptional Elven lord, and was certainly a very powerful lord at the end of the Third Age. But in fleshing out Glorfindel's history, Tolkien determined that Glorfindel's status as a re-embodied Elf enhanced his gifts and power. He had become more powerful, and was almost like one of the Maiar. Glorfindel might not have been able to assume a huge, mountainous form like one of the Maiar, but he might have been able to achieve some pretty powerful magic. So, Glorfindel's ancient age, his accumulated wisdom and experience, and his great power virtually assured him a place among the Wise. But when did the Wise become the Wise? When did the Elves look at these great lords and realize there was more to their wisdom and lore than just the sum of their experience and education?
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