This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs – the updated “about” section) would be updated accordingly. It would include explanations from letters and/or personal preferences, or views on certain topics related to Middle-earth.
Table of Contents
- FAQs – #1: Why didn’t Elrond join the Fellowship?
- FAQs – #2: Why didn’t the Fellowship take the Eagles to Mordor?
- FAQs – #3: Why couldn’t Gandalf have just taken the One Ring?
- FAQs – #4: How and Why did Arwen decide to be mortal?
- FAQs – #5: What happened to Rivendell after LOTR?
- FAQs – #6: Do Frodo and Sam reunite in the Undying Lands?
- FAQs – #7: …how about Bilbo? Legolas? Gimli?
- FAQs – #8: Is there any religion in LOTR?
- FAQs – #9: What is the most powerful LOTR/ Tolkien quote?
- FAQs – # 10: What’s your favorite sword of Middle-earth?
- FAQs – # 11: If you could only have one of the hobbits as a lifelong friend, who would it be?
- FAQs – # 12: If you were half-Elven and could choose the life of an elf or the life of a mortal, what would you choose?
FAQs – #1: Why didn’t Elrond join the Fellowship?
Elrond couldn’t have joined because he had to tend to his role of healing in his home in Rivendell and also as keeper of Vilya, the Elven Ring. He did fight in battles in the Second Age, and part of the Third, but during the time of the Fellowship he was to remain home so he could heal wounds.
FAQs – #2: Why didn’t the Fellowship take the Eagles to Mordor?
While it is not made clear, it seems that Tolkien wouldn’t have wanted the Fellowship taking the Eagles to Mordor, citing the Eagles as a “dangerous machine.” He was staunchly against the idea of “coercion,” and “labor-saving machinery.”
FAQs – #3: Why couldn’t Gandalf have just taken the One Ring?
Tolkien explains that Gandalf taking the One Ring would’ve been worse than Sauron. He would have “made good detestable and seem evil.”
FAQs – #4: How and Why did Arwen decide to be mortal?
While Aragorn was a large influence, Arwen was also a special case in that she was Half-Elven, being the daughter of Elrond Halfelven.
FAQs – #5: What happened to Rivendell after LOTR?
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end…I’m also still working on the other locations. Stay tuned.
FAQs – #6: Do Frodo and Sam reunite in the Undying Lands?
While it was never made clear, I like to think they do. Of course – as mortals they wouldn’t go there to achieve immortality.
Some may think it is “too good to be true,” that due to the Downfall of Númenor, or maybe that Frodo would’ve achieved the healing he sought before he died (thus he would die sooner) – this would mean that Frodo would’ve been long gone before Sam sets sail.
However, unlike the Númenoreans, Frodo and Sam were invited there and the purpose of going wouldn’t be to achieve immortality – as was the case of the Númenoreans.
“As for Frodo or other mortals, they could only dwell in Aman for a limited time – whether brief or long. The Valar had neither the power nor the right to confer ‘immortality’ upon them. Their sojourn was a ‘purgatory’, but one of peace and healing, and they would eventually pass away (die at their own desire and of free will) to destinations of which the Elves knew nothing.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #325
However, based on this pullquote – it seems to me that they do get to choose when to “renounce life” (similar to Aragorn in 120 FoA) – so it would’ve been implied that Frodo would have been able to wait for Sam to get there.
But all in all I do believe Tolkien had Sam go to the Undying Lands to stir up hope that he would be able to reunite with Frodo one last time long after the end of LOTR.
FAQs – #7: …how about Bilbo? Legolas? Gimli?
Assuming that lifespans will remain the same as they would had they remained in Middle-earth, it may be a bit of a far cry to suggest that Sam would see Bilbo again – or that the hobbits would be able to see Legolas and Gimli who went long after Sam did.
This is a big maybe – since it might actually be possible due to their free will based on the pullquote above!
Though Bilbo would’ve been already past the normal lifespan of hobbits.
And when Legolas and Gimli go, the hobbits would’ve all been past the normal lifespan of hobbits at this point.
But Tolkien doesn’t seem to suggest how long exactly the Ring-bearers would be able to live once they reach the Undying Lands.
FAQs – #8: Is there any religion in LOTR?
Yes. While it is definitely meant to be enjoyed by anyone of any belief system (or none at all), Tolkien has said that for him it was a “fundamentally Catholic work, unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision” (Letter # 142).
As far as if one should expect any type of prayer or religious belief to be mentioned in LOTR, sure, Eru’s name (from The Silmarillion, the deity) is not explicitly mentioned but I like to believe that events such as the Destruction of the One Ring were caused by Divine Providence. But Eru was not a direct allegory of Christ – since Tolkien himself disliked allegory.
Additionally, in the Appendices of Nature of Middle-earth, Tolkien cites most of them implying Catholic themes.
FAQs – #9: What is the most powerful LOTR/ Tolkien quote?
Answers may vary. lol. In my opinion, I think this one is by far one of my favorites:
FAQs – # 10: What’s your favorite sword of Middle-earth?
Probably Andruil. I just like the sound of the name.
FAQs – # 11: If you could only have one of the hobbits as a lifelong friend, who would it be?
Frodo. I’d probably tag along to wander and see Elves and…probably just chill and all. But I’d probably be a bad influence in Rivendell in the Council of Elrond when it comes time to decide what to do with the One Ring. 😂
FAQs – # 12: If you were half-Elven and could choose the life of an elf or the life of a mortal, what would you choose?
Probably elf – mainly to see it all play out. 😉