Elendil on Amon Sul

[Voronwen]

Originally Posted by Varnafindë

Even when the WRITER first came to this point, he knew nothing about a Palantir - that appeared later

Aha! That's something to consider.

I agree. He would watch in the Palantir as long as that was the only way to see them - and as soon as they were approaching the range of his eyesight, he would go out and see the real thing ...

That is exactly as i see it!

[Attalus]

I agree with Varnafinde that, sure, he would have kept an eye on the Elven Army as it was mustering and marching, but also agree that it would just be human nature to go to the top of the tower and see "the splendor of their banners" with his naked eye.

[Valandil]

He shouldn't have to go very far. The Palantir was likely at the top of the tower as well.

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Valandil

He shouldn't have to go very far. The Palantir was likely at the top of the tower as well.

But not on the open roof near the paraphet to be seen from below.

[Attalus]

Yes, that causes a pleasing mental picture of Elendil saying to himself, "Yes! They are coming over the next rise. I shall climb up the stairs, three at a time, and see the splendor of their banners!"

[Gordis]

Yeah, most likely it was embroidering these splendid banners that took the Elves so long.

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Gordis

Yeah, most likely it was embroidering these splendid banners that took the Elves so long.

Hey, maybe Galadriel and her maidens wove the stuff they made them out of.

[Voronwen]

Originally Posted by Attalus

Yes, that causes a pleasing mental picture of Elendil saying to himself, "Yes! They are coming over the next rise. I shall climb up the stairs, three at a time, and see the splendor of their banners!"

Awww! That's adorable!

And very... cinematic... Now, why doesn't someone make a film about the Last Alliance?

(Of course, if they did a poor job with it, i'd probably cry for the rest of my life. )

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Voronwen

Awww! That's adorable!

And very... cinematic... Now, why doesn't someone make a film about the Last Alliance?

(Of course, if they did a poor job with it, i'd probably cry for the rest of my life. )

I'd watch it, and so would everyone here, but Christopher Tolkien is being a spoilsport about th whole thing.

[Alcuin]

Now, who in the world would watch a good football game on television when he could go himself and have the best seat in the stadium to see it with his own eyes? What great leader would closet himself to mind the computer screens when he could stand before all his troops, allies, and really be a leader? And what man can truly call himself a leader when he closets himself with computer and television screens when he should stand forth instead?

[Voronwen]

Originally Posted by Alcuin

Now, who in the world would watch a good football game on television when he could go himself and have the best seat in the stadium to see it with his own eyes? What great leader would closet himself to mind the computer screens when he could stand before all his troops, allies, and really be a leader? And what man can truly call himself a leader when he closets himself with computer and television screens when he should stand forth instead?

Indeed! I like the way you think!

[Rosie Gamgee]

Originally Posted by Attalus

I'd watch it, and so would everyone here, but Christopher Tolkien is being a spoilsport about th whole thing.

No, no. If I were C. T., and I saw what Hollywood did to JRRT's LotR, I'd fight to the death to keep them from mutiliating anything else.

[Attalus]

Originally Posted by Rosie Gamgee

No, no. If I were C. T., and I saw what Hollywood did to JRRT's LotR, I'd fight to the death to keep them from mutiliating anything else.

*shrugs* The movies are imperfect, as are all mortal things, but I'd sure rather have them than not have them. Besides, the story line is more compact, has fewer main characters, and has a manageble story arc.

[Snowdog]

Originally Posted by Valandil

In "A Knife in the Dark", as they approach Weathertop, Merry remarks on a path they've found, that it looks 'barrow-wightish' and asks Aragorn if there was a barrow on Weathertop.

Getting old, like me, Aragorn answers the question with a story. It ends like this:



From Appendix B, in the Second Age:


Now, when I first read this passage, and even on subsequent re-readings, I always envisioned this guy (whom I learned more about later), as just standing at the parapet of this high tower, looking westward over the ramparts, watching for an army coming down the road.

But it only occurred to me the other day (how embarrassing) - that Elendil probably wasn't doing that.

He had a palantir on Amon Sul!

So - whether he stood, as Aragorn said, or actually sat, I suppose he watched for Gil-galad's army through his special "looking glass" rather than with the bare eye.

If it matters to anyone.

But it does show me how we can get an image in our minds when we read something, and still cling to that initial image even as we gather more information.

I'm sure he stood until his feet got tired, than sat. As for using the Palantiri, I think it would have given him an idea as to what was happening and a rough guestimate of Gil-galad's arrival, but doubt it was used in every little detail like a video-telephone.

[Lefty Scaevola]

Originally Posted by Alcuin

And what man can truly call himself a leader when he closets himself with computer and television screens when he should stand forth instead?

That would be me in my Evil Overlord mode of operations. I am scarier in concept and mystery than I am in person.

[Serenoli]

Gordis scores. :P Totally agree with her interpretation... The palantir probably did not come with a nice digital countdown, so even when he knew they were near, he must have been fretting to get an actual glimpse...