Their powers that aren't natural to man definitely give them a lure and mystery. I didn't think about that being a big part of it actually.



We already see the truth of that in the way men and hobbits were already responding to elves in LotR. The powers that elves (and angels) have certainly make a powerful impression on men and hobbits. It is supernatural and beyond their understanding—though no doubt the elves themselves think their powers rather commonplace and perfectly natural for the dimension they inhabit. Since they didn't use their power to dominate men, I think I agree with you that they would end up being curiosities to men and many men would only be interested in manipulating their power for personal gain.

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"If you do not find a way, no one will."

sorry, I don't know much about the history of ME, but is it possible for the elves to come back after the 'age of men'? hope they would come back..

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I revisited AU on Jan 14th after an almost 10-year break! The nostalgia..!

That's an interesting thought...this whole middle-earth without elves thing. Does that mean life in middle-earth will be completley altered? Does that mean that Hobbits will be effected. I don't believe that with all of the evil destroyed that there is much of a need for elves anymore. I believe that their magic has fullfilled its purpose. However, i wonder if it's possible to live happily without their magic in middle-earth....

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<center><font size="0">'Before you came along we bagginses were <i>very</i> well thought of...never had any adventures or did anything unexpected!''</font></br><a href="http://www.frodoforever.com/"><img src="http://www.hufflepuffpride.com/frodo/claim2.gif" border="0" width="200" height="120"></a>

OMG!! middle-earth with out elves!?!?!?! u mean legolas would not be there? where would they get their heat from???????????????? cause legolas is so hot, he provides heat for allll middle earth!!!!

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Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadriel

ahaa! he does. everyone would be shivering!!

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I revisited AU on Jan 14th after an almost 10-year break! The nostalgia..!

the earth would become a frozen ball in space!!!!!

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Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadriel

how did u get the banners?

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Lady of the Golden Wood, Galadriel

how did I get the banners? you have to put it like this in your siggy: [img]then%20here%20the%20URL%20and%20then[/img] (the slash is very important <--- there!)

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I revisited AU on Jan 14th after an almost 10-year break! The nostalgia..!

Sinbearer to address your first comment, I don't necessarily think that the mystery that seems to surround the elves is actually what actually defines them, but I do think that the mystery is crucial to the way we - as modern readers and the mortal men of Middle-earth - see the elves. The things that are distinct from us; what we don't know always seem to rouse our curiousity.

Concerning your second comment; True, that elves never wanted to have dominion over men, although they (rightly) considered themselves above mortal races in wisdom and skills, which is natural with their longer life. I find it quite interesting the way Tolkien created a people who is so superior to other races and never use it to their advantage - but the thought doesn't seem to occur to the elves. Among themselves there were greed and jealousy and intrigue, but they own quarels never seemed to go beyond their own closed circles. The elves were like teachers to men at the most, they traded with other races and formed a few alliances and beyond that they didn't seem to mingle with foreigners...

Frodos-Guide, we don't know much of Middle-earth after the War of the Ring, but I highly doubt that elves would want to return to Middle.earth later on. The Undying Lands is their original home (even to those who aren't born there), they all bear the longing for Valinor in their hearts and once they return I don't believe they would want to leave again. The Elven diaspora! Also there wouldn't be much for them to return to. Not many of their people left, no Elven realms of Lothlórien or Rivendell and they would probably feel exiled again.
And yes, I do believe it's possible to live happily after they elves have left. Men are fairly good at adapting to new conditions - and hobbits are quite sturdy and known for keeping the spirits high!!

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>>Be the change you wish to see in the world<<



Banner credit: Shadowcat & Nurrantiel Mashiara

Wow. What a post. Well, I have nothing to say really. And a good example is Legolas; he uses his skills and advantages to help the Fellowship, not to keep himself alive. And the 'extraordinary' friendship btwn Legolas&Gimli shows, that elves can forget about old grudges. And be friends, care. That's what I like about elves, they're so, caring and nice and friendly. And Arwen. She loves Aragorn, which shows elves do not have anything against men. Except maybe that they're mortals. I don't really know how to explain this so that others can understand, but in my case, there's just something really allureing about elves. they can do magic, or actually not like alohomora and the lock opens, but they can cooperate with nature, like get rivers 'angry' etc. And they're almost perfect, in appearance and in their actions. And I like what Frodo got to hear from one elf in FotR when they met a band of elves on the road:"Never ask for advice from an elf, for he answers both yes and no."

ps. It was something like that, sorry for quoteing incorrectly..

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I revisited AU on Jan 14th after an almost 10-year break! The nostalgia..!

Lol, you bring up a lot of different things in your post Eärlinde Elensar. Let me try to comment on just a few of your points.

Elves are the Firstborn, they woke in the beginning of the First Age when Middle-earth was very young, and immediately they went to explore everything. I believe that is where their deep connection with and feeling for Nature comes from. That is their "magic", Nature is a deeply rooted part of them.

Elrond does make Bruinen rise against the Ringwraiths, but I don't think that is a thing any common elf could do. Elrond is Lord of Rivendell, he is counted one of the wise even among his own kin, and he is the keeper of Vilya, a ring of power.

I don't think Arwen's love for Aragorn is the only proof of Elven tolerance towards other races. After all Aragorn was the heir of Isildur. He had been brought up in Rivendell as if he had been an elf, so he is quite atypical! But I agree with you that there is no proof that elves would hold a grudge against other races, just because they were different races. They traded with both men and dwarves and exchanged skills and knowledge on e.g. smith's work.

[Off-topic: Both of your banners are stunning!]

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>>Be the change you wish to see in the world<<



Banner credit: Shadowcat & Nurrantiel Mashiara

well, yeah, I just meant elves in general, not just Elrond. lol, are you trying to make me upset by saying my [little] knowledge is wrong? heh. anyway, I do think elves, well, maybe the A&A story is the only proof for elves tolerance. But, might I say, they're not selfish either. complicating, eh?

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I revisited AU on Jan 14th after an almost 10-year break! The nostalgia..!