The Lord of the Rings Discussion, Book II, Chapter 2: The Council of Elrond

[Valandil]

Originally Posted by Olmer

You did not read it....

Oh yes Olmer... I DID read it. Just uncertain about the ability of the Nazgul to really thorougly search the area of the Anduin around Gladden... AND to go to Erebor to deliver all these messages.

HOWEVER - I think it very likely when Tolkien wrote this that he DID consider the messenger to be a nazgul. I was just tossing out another possibility that occurred to me. I don't know if he really worked out all the timeframe elements for this little part of the story though... hard to say. I'll have to look into it, if & when I get the chance.

Anyway folks - we're diverging from discussion of this chapter. Azalea's intent was that the chapter in question be the focus of discussion each time - and that we refrain from going into other sources too much - so that even those who had only read LOTR would feel comfortable participating. We certainly can... and SHOULD ... get into these other things, but maybe a separate thread would be better suited.

Olmer - I strongly agree that the Elves made constant use of their rings... that's how Rivendell and Lorien were kept as they were. The only way that Sauron would have been aware of their use, and had power of it, was by recovering The One.

I disagree about the choice of who went to Rivendell from Minas Tirith. Faramir considered it his task, but Boromir wanted to go badly. Their father would rather have kept Boromir with him and sent Faramir, but gave in to Boromir's wishes. Isn't that how Faramir frames it? (and here I go... diverging! ) Do you consider Faramir, at least, to be a 'straight-shooter'?

Well... would like to say more, but my 2-year old wants to be read to (and he's not ready for LOTR... )