September 25, 2003

Last Action Hero
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To name the character I figure to be the hero of LOTR, well, I guess, after careful deliberation it has to be *drumroll* Sauron. Who but Sauron gave value to all the other characters lives?!!! Who but Sauron tried to rid the world of the Elvish influence? Who but Sauron spread the word of race brotherhood and equality under the eye?! Who but Sauron could inspire great looking finger jewelry?! The list of his great and benevolent achievements is endless.

Tomas about the Eagles, you said they were summoned to the battlefield of Dagorlad/Morannon by Gandalf. Nowhere in the book is this stated, it is all conjecture on your part my friend. Nor are Eagles used just in emergencies, Gwaihir was a posteagle for the "wise", running errands to and fro, Radagast - Orthanc. Thorondor also guarded Gondolin at the behest of an Elf, not a Maia, an Elf who would have him work as a transport system for humans (Hurin). So no, Eagles do not solely answer to the whims of Maia nor do they only intervene in dire straits (no "brothers in arms" jokes please). Eagles like all races decide what to do when it suits them. Perhaps Manwe decided to get off his backside and ask them to help at the battle of Morannon. It was not as if he had anything else to do... water plants, chop wood (Laurelin), make donuts for Varda.

Time grows short, and the Return Of The King draws nigh. The last of the Three films. A certain sadness at the loss of future film releases is felt. Perhaps The Hobbit will be made, but alas this cannot aspire to the heights of LOTR. One may dream of stories from the Silmarilion making it to the Silver Screen, but this, I fear is in vain. The Lay of Leithian, Narn I Hin Hurin, The Fall Of Gondolin, The Victory Over Numenor and the Downfall...

Until later, and the wolf howls, the ravens flee, the ice mutters in the mouth of the sea... :) Ash Nazg....