Like the title says, idk if I should buy this book since I already have a bunch of books (unfinished tales, the fall of numenor, the fall of gondolin, beren and luthien). Does it go over stuff in those books, or is the content unique to that book? Thanks.

18

16 comments

12

Posted by3 hours ago

How different would the First Age be with the presence of the Istari?

Hypothetically, what if the Valar sent the Istari after the Feanorians to ensure they didn't cause too much damage and to watch out for the awakening of mankind.

Would Ulfang and his sons remain loyal to Caranthir with the help of the blue wizards?

Would Saruman bend the knee to Morgoth just as he did to Sauron in the Third Age?

Could Gandalf assist Melian in stopping Thingol from making his mistakes?

Would Radagast still be smoking weed in the woods?

Or would Morgoth and his maiar servants squash the Istari despite his weakened state?

12

2 comments

338

Posted by22 hours ago

This passage from The Houses of Healing in Return of the King has captivated me. I keep going back and reading it; it's so beautiful.

But Aragorn smiled. 'It will serve,' he said. 'The worst is now over. Stay and be comforted!' Then taking two leaves, he laid them on his hands and breathed on them, and then he crushed them, and straightway a living freshness filled the room, as if the air itself awoke and tingled, sparkling with joy. And then he cast the leaves into the bowls of steaming water that were brought to him, and at once all hearts were lightened. For the fragrance that came to each was like a memory of dewy mornings of unshadowed sun in some land of which the fair world in Spring is itself but a fleeting memory. But Aragorn stood up as one refreshed, and his eyes smiled as he held a bowl before Faramir's dreaming face.

338

64 comments

7

Posted by2 hours ago

Can Balrogs only be taken out by powerful individuals?

Yes, we see Balrogs being taken out by the average Elven soldier in the Fall Of Gondolin for example by Ecthelion’s house or Rog’s. But obviously Tolkien kind of scrapped that idea and made the Balrogs much more formidable foes, and less numerous (if I’m wrong be glad to correct me). If this is the case, could only powerful individuals take them out? For example, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Ecthelion, etc. All of whom had sacrificed their lives in the process. The armies of Khazad-dum met their fate when facing Durin’s bane, so I guess that’s one instance of a Balrog not being able to be taken out through these means. Would any Middle Earth army (1st age, 2nd age, 3rd age) be able to take one out without the use of powerful Elven Lords of Maiar?

7

17 comments

50

Posted by23 hours ago

Did Ar-Pharazôn repent at the end?

Did Tolkien ever discuss whether Ar-Pharazôn (or any of the participants) did or did not repent right before his death? I’m curious about this because in Catholicism you can repent at the very last second and still be forgiven. Catholicism plays such an integral role and the concept of successful or failed redemption recurs in Tolkien’s writing. So it has always piqued my interest.

I’ve always envisioned a “What have I done?” epiphany in my head when thinking about him. Albeit that is more regret than repentance.

50

57 comments

15

Posted by17 hours ago

Were the Dwarves naturally greedy or Sauron's rings made them that way

Was the greed of the Dwarves natural or something influenced by Sauron?

15

32 comments

About Community

Welcome to r/tolkienfans! This subreddit is a space for the Tolkien nerds of reddit to debate and discuss the whole Tolkien mythos. We emphasise serious discussion here over jokey/meme-based posts. That's not to say you have to be a LOTR scholar or Tolkien academic to post or enjoy this subreddit, but that we'd prefer mature topics of discussion here.

Created Sep 8, 2009

318k

Scholars

413

Debating

Top 1%

Ranked by Size