Quote:
|
...another note Tolkien made on the blue wizards, this time naming them "Morinehtar and Romestamo." Tolkien gives both of these names meanings: "Darkness-slayer and East-helper."[The FAQ article]
|
'Darkness slayer' seems to imply that 'Morinehtar' was there to work against Sauron. 'East-helper' could mean that his companion was there for the benefit of the Easterlings; this theory about the Avari is one I have not heard before.
It may be plausible -- although I
don't think Tolkien himself has ever mentioned anything like this. The interesting thing is that, were this the case, how do we know that the Blue Wizards failed? 'Romestamo' might indeed have gathered that Avari into the West -- either straight to the sea or to Mirkwood, maybe, and thence on with the Silvar to the havens. In secret.
'East-helper', however, is more likely to have meant that this Blue Wizard was there for the succour of the Easterlings from Sauron's influence. They were, of course, very important in the wars of Gondor. The Avari are after all a small matter (although it is probable that the Valar would not have entirely forgotten them).
Actually, on the subject of the Avari; I always imagined that they did in fact 'dwindle' into the secretive and 'rustic people' that Galadriel knew she would have to if she stayed. The last representatives of the Firstborn in Middle-Earth, perhaps nocturnal, loving the stars. Perhaps dying out, and getting to Aman that way. Alternatively they may have wandered West of their own accord, as did the Edain, and gradually joined with the Nandorin Silvan Elves by themselves.