The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Did the Valar abandon Middle Earth

***Mithadan*** · 09-21-2000, 08:14 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit
Posts: 86</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
<img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Did the Valar abandon Middle Earth - Third Age?

Man, being mortal, should not live in Valinor. The precise quote is in the Akallabeth, something like "man would wither like a moth in the light". However, Tuor spoke with Ulmo, and the men who fought alongside the West in the Battle of Wrath at the end of the First Age must have seen a Vala or two.

It could be that the Valar used subtle means to aid in Sauron's defeat out of fear of causing catastrophic damage to Middle Earth. Men being more fragile would suffer greatly. That's sort of the stock answer, but I'm not sure its right.

The Valar aided men and elves at the end of the First Age only after they had faced utter defeat. Perhaps the Valar would wait for the same with Sauron before intervening. But Gandalf seems to think otherwise. He says that if Sauron recovers the Ring the darkness' victory would be so complete that none could foresee its overthrow. This sounds like Gandalf doesn't think the Valar will help.

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09-21-2000, 08:14 PM	#5
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,394	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haunting Spirit Posts: 86</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> <img src="http://www.barrowdowns.com/images/posticons/sting.jpg" align=absmiddle> Re: Did the Valar abandon Middle Earth - Third Age? Man, being mortal, should not live in Valinor. The precise quote is in the Akallabeth, something like "man would wither like a moth in the light". However, Tuor spoke with Ulmo, and the men who fought alongside the West in the Battle of Wrath at the end of the First Age must have seen a Vala or two. It could be that the Valar used subtle means to aid in Sauron's defeat out of fear of causing catastrophic damage to Middle Earth. Men being more fragile would suffer greatly. That's sort of the stock answer, but I'm not sure its right. The Valar aided men and elves at the end of the First Age only after they had faced utter defeat. Perhaps the Valar would wait for the same with Sauron before intervening. But Gandalf seems to think otherwise. He says that if Sauron recovers the Ring the darkness' victory would be so complete that none could foresee its overthrow. This sounds like Gandalf doesn't think the Valar will help. </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.