Questions tagged [the-lord-of-the-rings]
For questions about the trilogy of movies or books, 'The Fellowship of the Ring', 'The Two Towers' and 'The Return of the King'. Always use in conjunction with the [tolkiens-legendarium] tag and, for movie questions, the relevant movie tag, e.g. [fellowship-of-the-ring].
2,139
questions
21
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Besides Galadriel and Glorfindel, were any of the elves living in Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age born in Aman?
Both Galadriel and Glorfindel were Noldor born in Aman who followed Fëanor to Middle-earth, and are still there at the end of the Third Age (though yes, technically Glorfindel died, was reembodied, ...
- 321
-5
votes
1
answer
473
views
How did Uglúk escape Éomer's assault?
After Lurtz's death, Uglúk became the leader of the Uruk-hai who captured Merry and Pippin. Later on, Grishnákh's troops joined them.
When Éomer's riders attacked the troops, Grishnákh escaped ...
- 235
20
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How did Gollum follow the Fellowship through Lothlórien without being caught?
Lothlórien was guarded well. How did Gollum follow the Fellowship through Lórien without being caught by the Elves as the Fellowship was?
The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the ...
- 235
2
votes
1
answer
462
views
Did Tolkien ever discuss the inconsistent number of recorded Human and Elven relationships
In Tolkien's legendarium he was very clear that there were three unions of elves and men. Which were those of:
Beren and Lúthien
Tuor and Idril
Aragorn and Arwen
Tolkien also describes at least two ...
- 5,907
15
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Did the ringwraiths develop a better sense of smell and if so, why?
In my understanding, ringwraiths were once humans. The books portray them as sniffing a lot and trying to pick up a scent. This is especially true in the first part where Frodo departs from Bag End.
...
- 2,273
10
votes
1
answer
790
views
Who made the ring of Barahir
In JRR Tolkien's work the Ring of Barahir (RoB) was one of the key heirlooms of the Heirs of Elendil.
There is a relevant passage I recall, (I think it is from "Appendix A" of LotR, but my ...
- 2,454
27
votes
1
answer
7k
views
Who were the two large hobbits?
In the Lord of the Rings chapter "The Scouring of the Shire", there is this passage:
The hobbits at the gate still seemed ill at ease, evidently some rule or other was being broken; but ...
- 451
6
votes
0
answers
520
views
What has appeared in Rings of Power S1 that is outside Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, but still in Tolkien's writings?
While people are quite, and even singularly, focused on things that appear in The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power that aren't in Tolkien's writings anywhere, what I find interesting are things that ...
- 2,807
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How close is Amazon's 'The Rings of Power' to anything that existed in prior Tolkien works?
I was interested in watching 'The Rings of Power' as I enjoy most of what has been produced on Tolkien's works (minus 'The Hobbit'). I am hearing some horrible reviews, however, that make me question ...
- 2,436
-2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Did the Istari arrive in Middle Earth simultaneously? [duplicate]
From the wiki it is said that Saruman and one of the blue wizards came first, followed by Gandalf. Later Radagast and the other Blue wizard was sent.
Was this arrival practically simultaneous ("...
- 661
20
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Why couldn't the Ring be taken to Gondor by sea?
I'm currently listening to the Lord of the Rings on audiobook. In the Council of Elrond, they discuss a number of possible options for dealing with the Ring, including sending it to Valinor by ship, ...
- 391
-8
votes
1
answer
557
views
Did Tolkien ever write about his elves being hairless on certain parts of their bodies in any of his works, or if elves grew pubic hair
Any information from Tolkien's works that showed this would be acceptable.
- 57
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why didn't Gandalf have spies just like Saruman?
In The Fellowship of the Ring we see the Gap of Rohan being constantly watched by Dunland's Crebains (crows) which Saruman used as spies. So, when Gandalf was reborn as Gandalf the White, or even ...
- 631
12
votes
2
answers
812
views
How did the Witch-king take and hold Minas Ithil so easily?
One of the longer conflicts in the Legendarium is the Fall of Arnor, where the Witch-king spends a century building up Angmar to rival the diminished and disunited petty kingdoms of the Dúnedain, ...
- 3,162
16
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Why can't Merry drink the Ent-draught?
In the extended edition, after Merry and Pippin wake up deep in the forest and Merry realizes it's the drink making Pippin taller, he goes to get some for himself and you can hear Pippin plainly say:
...
- 185
13
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Did a dragon ever attack the lands of Rohan or Gondor?
I would like to know if there is anything mentioned in LOTR canon that mentions that a dragon had once attacked the lands of Rohan and/or Gondor, either during the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Age.
Did a dragon ...
user143126
3
votes
1
answer
439
views
Can Gandalf magically manipulate smoke rings?
In the Lord of the Rings movie, Gandalf is shown manipulating smoke rings in a clearly magical way.
Is there any evidence in the books that he can do this?
I recall he blew smoke rings in LOTR but don’...
- 20.1k
20
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Why does Éowyn shieldmaiden of Rohan "not desire the speech of living men"?
Faramir smiled, though his heart was filled with pity. ‘Your window does not look eastward?’ he said. ‘That can be amended.
In this I will command the Warden. If you will stay in this house in our ...
- 225
9
votes
3
answers
1k
views
"Regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness"?
From The Return of the King, either in the middle or toward the end:
And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver ...
- 99
25
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Why would Sam NOT note the date when his own daughter was born?
In the end of The Return of the King:
Time went on, and 1421 came in. Frodo was ill again in March, but with a great effort he concealed it, for Sam had other things to think about. The first of Sam ...
- 309
-7
votes
1
answer
448
views
Are there meaningful anagrams in Lord of the Rings character names?
Motivation
I just observed that "Denethor", the human steward who thought himself king has all the same letters as the word "dethrone" which is what he intended to do to Aragorn, ...
- 2,452
0
votes
0
answers
288
views
Was it not inexcusably foolish of Sauron to not guard the Ring-destroying lava pit? [duplicate]
I know that he did not think that anyone would want to destroy it, but rather that somebody would instead claim it and try to fight Him with it, but if there is only one place on the planet where the ...
- 17
14
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How did Frodo's and Sam's non-Orc clothes get back from Mount Doom?
When Frodo and Sam wake up after being rescued by the Eagles, Gandalf mentions that the clothes that they wore to Mordor have been "rescued", and that they shall wear them in a ceremony.
He ...
- 157
1
vote
4
answers
729
views
Why does Frodo act as if the world is coming to an end when they have fulfilled the Quest?
At the moment when they should be overflowing with joy, when they have just saved Middle-earth by finally managing to drop The One into the uniquely Ring-destroying lava pit, Frodo is talking about ...
- 71
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Are there any battle speeches given by Elven commanders in Tolkien's legendarium?
I am looking for battle speeches like the one Théoden gave prior to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields in The Return of the King:
Arise! Arise, riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall ...
- 91
-2
votes
1
answer
579
views
What is the Tengwar transliteration of this Gandalf quote fom the Lord of the Rings
I searched the web for someone to trust to make a transliteration in Tengwar and no one that I have asked has gotten back to me, so here I am.
I want to make a tattoo in Tengwar (preferably the italic/...
- 5
29
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Is Sam exclusively Frodo's gardener, or his general servant?
Sam felt that he could sit like that in endless happiness; but it was not allowed. It was not enough for him to find his master, he had still to try and save him. He kissed Frodo’s forehead. ‘Come! ...
- 291
1
vote
0
answers
82
views
What happened to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings as the text that existed in Middle-Earth? [duplicate]
Excuse me for not having read the books, I just rewatched the movies while beginning The Silmarillion, with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to follow.
At the end of Return of the King as he ...
- 111
19
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Why did the gate before Minas Tirith break so very easily?
Unless I got something wrong, it took only three (3) bashes with the huge door-breaker for the "mighty" gate before Minas Tirith to burst open.
Isn't it strange? Is that really how a real ...
- 225
24
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Did Sauron suspect that the Ring would be destroyed?
In The Lord of the Rings, the strategy is to infiltrate the One Ring into Mordor undetected and destroy it in Mount Doom.
However in "The Choices of Master Samwise", Shagrat and Gorbag have ...
- 20.1k