March 22, 2002

Nazgul, Aragorn, and Arwen
Brett C.

I have to admit to a certain admiration for those readers who weren't totally mystified by the Arwen stroyline the first time they read the book. Maybe it's because I saw the Bakshi movie first and it inspired me to read the novel. It could also stem back to my now well established fixation with Balrogs [winged or otherwise].

The stuff I've read at one ring certainly suggest Arwen does not turn up at Helm's Deep. Personally I think the shot of her riding ahead of the orc host is a fairly unconvincing forgery.

Going back to an earlier article by Chris B. the Nazgul's rings were in fact made by the Elven smiths, particuarly Celebrimbor, with Sauron's help and oversight. Celebrimbor forged the three Elven rings himself without Sauron's direct help, but still using the skill's and knowledge gained from the Dark Lord, who was posing in the disguise of Annatar ['Lord of Gifts']. Hence they were still subject to the power of the One Ring. The Elves eventually learned of Sauron's betrayal and in the war that followed Sauron seized the Nine and the Seven, and was then resposible for distributing them to men and the Dwarves. This jibes nicely with Galadriel's line in the opening narration "But they were all of them deceived."

I know that in the Middle-Earth Roleplaying Game by ICE the Witch King is named as Murazor, but I'm not sure if this is based on any reference in the Professor's works or Christopher T.'s supplements. Thinking about it I cannot even be sure if the Witch King is a fallen Numenorean, or if this is a conclusion people have drawn based on the origins of the Mouth of Sauron, who definitely is of Numenorean stock. [Any help here?] The Nazgul who almost catches Frodo at the ferry Khamul the Easterling, referred to as the Wraith whose 'sight' is most blocked by sunlight and, surprise surprise, running water. Check out 'Unfinished Tales - The Hunt for the Ring' for more details.

Aragorn is 87 in the books but has the benefit of a pure Numenorean bloodline; all his people in the past lived to 'thrice the age of other men', thanks to the blessing of the Valar before the Downfall [of Numenor]. Hence in the books Aragorn has the appearance of a man in his late thirties, but aged by his experiences adventuring in places like Mordor, Morgul Vale, and Moria. [Middle Earth tourist tip - avoid places whose names start with 'm'] He is actually described as having flecks of grey through his black hair, which is shaggy and unkept when the Hobbtis meet him. Prior to seeing Vigo Mortenson I had thoughtTimothy Dalton would make a good Aragorn, but I find the movies rendition very satisfying.

I noticed the hair-do similarity among the characters and put it down ot PJ wanting to make the film as real as possible; the long haired centre part would be an easy style to manage in a world without sharp scissors or styling mousse. Also in most historical periiods a single hairstyle would often dominate among a culture [e.g. the spiked hair of the Celts, flattened down hair of the ancient Romans, and bowl cuts of the Normans.]

Have to agree with Razors about Galadriels presentation in Lothlorien being a bit flat, though I think Kate Blanchett was a great choice for the role, based on her work in 'Elizabeth'. Her opening narration is gripping. I guess we have to hope the Lorien effort suffered in the editing, and the extended version of the DVD will give us a better look at both the actor and the character.