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Old 07-01-2006, 04:29 PM   #27
Boromir88
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Boromir88 is wading through the Dead Marshes.Boromir88 is wading through the Dead Marshes.Boromir88 is wading through the Dead Marshes.Boromir88 is wading through the Dead Marshes.Boromir88 is wading through the Dead Marshes.Boromir88 is wading through the Dead Marshes.
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Quote:
What we do know is that Gandalf is afraid of Angmar, whereas Angmar not only has no fear of Gandalf, he actually states 'Die now and curse in vain!"~davem
I'd like to make note that this still has yet to be proven. I haven't seen anything to suggest Gandalf was afraid of the Witch-King, in fact it wouldn't make sense for him to be afraid. He did perfectly fine battling them on Amon Sul he did perfectly fine driving them away from the retreating Faramir (though the WK was not present at this moment)...still he encountered the Nazgul on a few occasions, and never showed any hesitation or doubt, now as Gandalf the White, both enhanced in power and wisdom why would he suddenly fear the Witch-King?

The two quotes that have been used to look like Gandalf feared the Witch-King, is when asked by Denethor if he was overmatched, saying "It might be so." And here:
Quote:
"Old Fool!" he said. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
On the surface it looks like Gandalf may have doubted his abilities in fighting the Witch-king, but as I've remarked both have been taken out of context.

The first one being the opposite of what Pippin expected. Pippin expected wrath from Gandalf towards Denethor, but instead Gandalf is calm and replies 'softly.' Not 'softly' as in grim, and meek which what's been suggested. But 'softly' as in a calm tone, because Pippin was fearing Gandalf would let lightning strike down upon Denethor after his comments.

The second one is The Witch-King's attempt to install fear in Gandalf. It's important to know the Nazgul's patterns. Anytime they enter into an encounter they first, right from the start, try to install fear in their opponents, because that is when they are at their greatest, when they are feared. This is simply the Witch-King's attempt to put fear into Gandalf, he does some fancy tricks, lights up a sword, insults him, tells him to die, in order to put fear in Gandalf, but it doesn't work...'Gandalf did not move.' The fear card didn't work and the Witch-King leaves.
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