December 10, 2002

Saintly Elves
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Someone here gave the impression that Elves embody (sp?) all that is good and holy in Middle-Earth. As I have said aforetime in ages past to one such elf,
"...darkness growing
in Valinor, the red blood flowing
beside the sea, where the Gnomes slew
the Foamriders, and stealing drew
their white ships with their white sails
from lamplit havens. The wind wails.
The wolf howls. The ravens flee...."
(Note: Gnomes = Noldor, Foamriders = Teleri)
People tend to gloss over the fact of the kinslaying by the Noldo under Feanor, and of the other atrocites that were commited by the elves for the love of "jewels" (as Beren, a man, once said "for little price do elven kings sell their daughters: for gems and things made by craft..."). Doriath for example, witheld rightful payment to the dwarves. Later Doriath was sacked not by Dwarves but by their brother Elves. Rune of Mirkwood, what did Celegorm's servant Elves do to Dior's sons during the sack of Doriath? and are these the actions of a race to be admired?. Humans are not the only ones who desire power, Galadriel herself was caught up in the desire to rule over others(Sil. chapter: Of the flight of the Noldor). Elves are not better than Humans, they used their longivity to portray an image of nobility in spirt. When they were every bit as frail as everyone else. Indeed they did not have to put up with the unknown of death which may drive humans to wreckless acts of destruction.
On a separate note I'd like to applaud Mr Jackson on a most excellent extended version of LOTR. It is feels fully rounded, and alot closer in its vision to the book than the original (which in itself was nigh perfect). I am still shell shocked over the depth of detail that went into the making of it. Just today I noticed that the hooves of the Black Riders horses had nails sticking through them, as though Orc blacksmiths used way too long nails to shoe the horse. Anyone else notice anyother tiny details? Mr Jackson and Co are indeed masters.
Feanor, about Celebrimbor, I really liked that Elf, the only one with a little imagination and skill. However I did not kill him, he was taken on the steps of the guild-hall, the house of the Mirdain. Tortured by Orcs and eventually executed, shot through with arrows. It all happened without my knowledge and the orcs responsible were punished for the dreadful deed. He was a friend afterall. As for me being destroyed by a hobbit, nope it was bad luck that was all, a slip by a clumsy creature. See you all later :) "...there is no life in the void, only death!!", Ash Nazg...