May 30, 2003

Sibling Trouble
G

I have a brother who knows very little about Tolkien. He does, however, like to ask questions and whenever we watch the Fellowship DVD, he is constantly asking where orcs come from, whether Elrond could take a balrog, whether Galadriel could take Elrond (presumably in some disagreement over the fate of Arwen), why Gandalf the Grey loses to Saruman while Gandalf the White defeats him and such likes.

I've managed to satisfy him on almost all of these questions but the boy just keeps asking why Sauron doesn't just make himself a new ring. And I just keep telling him that part of Sauron's spirit is bound to the ring and therefore the power in it cannot be replaced, but he just doesn't listen to this arguement. And so he keeps on asking. If any of you have any other explanations that might help me keep him quiet, I would be most appreciative,

G.

P.S. Why does Gandalf the Grey lose out to Saruman. Surely his Ring should give him the edge?