tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2410716623228444076.post4720449047453417667..comments2024-03-28T13:10:04.655+00:00Comments on The Notion Club Papers - an Inklings blog: How was Rivendell defended?Bruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2410716623228444076.post-42795274875271569802021-09-07T01:49:30.479+01:002021-09-07T01:49:30.479+01:00Thinking about this, as with all, 'proper'...Thinking about this, as with all, 'proper' i.e. rightly used, magic the actor needed to have the proper authority to use it. <br /><br />Elrond as a lord of the elves and Galadriel as the lady probably had both the power and proper authority to ward their realms. The rings couldn't hurt either.Brick Hardslabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07820448429677539704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2410716623228444076.post-83963272717082620092021-07-01T09:15:23.310+01:002021-07-01T09:15:23.310+01:00@Keri - And I suppose the same would apply to Loth...@Keri - And I suppose the same would apply to Lothlorien - Galadriel says that 'not by arrows alone' is it defended. <br /><br />The Wood Elves realm in Mirkwood seems also to have some but presumably lesser magic - therefore it is an underground fortress. <br /><br />The Gray Havens (which is the only other elf enclave) seems relatively more exposed to invasion, but is protected by its distance and the other realms in the path of enemies. Also its ruler, Cirdan (although he is, like Thranduil of Mirkwood, a Gray Elf (Sindar), and not a High Elf (Noldor)) has various magical powers and was once an elf-ring bearer. High Elves inhabit the Havens; therefore they would almost certainly have some magical defense. <br /><br />At the time of LotR it seems that the elves are relatively well able to defend their enclaves, but seem to have lost the ability or will to project power to other realms. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2410716623228444076.post-74002124227335939262021-07-01T09:04:29.742+01:002021-07-01T09:04:29.742+01:00Agreed, Elrond held one of the 3 Elven rings it al...Agreed, Elrond held one of the 3 Elven rings it always seemed to me that the Hobbits entry there was due to grace. Whenever I see or read of base men/beings invading Elfland I shudder as they are not of it's nature and can't enter there, the magic has to recede before the base can enter. They are not defended simply physically.Keri Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14386177565660630959noreply@blogger.com