A chattel is a peice of private property. When used to refer to a person, it denotes a slave. I guess in this context, Tolkien used the word to indicate someone who was completely under the control of another to the extent that they were unable to think or act for themselves.
[ September 01, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ]
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I prefer Gillaume d’Férny, connoisseur of fine fruit.
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