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JennyHallu · 10-26-2006, 07:50 AM

How old does one have to be before he or she can be away from home for twenty years? I'm sure Gandalf hit that aeons ago.

The essential thing to remember is that Olorin was at root an exile, doomed to wander far from his true home until his task was complete. But so are all the rest of the Valar: their home is not Valar, but wherever Eru is, and they are exiled on Arda until their own task is complete: the remaking of the world. Exiled from his own land of exile, I think Olorin must have made his home where he could, whenever he could. Home was a concept impossibly far gone from him.

Perhaps that explains Melian's quickness to attach herself to the Elves, and her zeal in protecting the Greenwood: rather than 'Melian's girdle' being a sign of her strength, it could easily be a sign of her weakness, that she is unable to live as the other Maiar and Valar, as an exile.

10-26-2006, 07:50 AM	#22
JennyHallu The Pearl, The Lily Maid Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my luxury Barrow, snuggled up in a pile of satin pillows, eating fresh fruit. Posts: 1,628	How old does one have to be before he or she can be away from home for twenty years? I'm sure Gandalf hit that aeons ago. The essential thing to remember is that Olorin was at root an exile, doomed to wander far from his true home until his task was complete. But so are all the rest of the Valar: their home is not Valar, but wherever Eru is, and they are exiled on Arda until their own task is complete: the remaking of the world. Exiled from his own land of exile, I think Olorin must have made his home where he could, whenever he could. Home was a concept impossibly far gone from him. Perhaps that explains Melian's quickness to attach herself to the Elves, and her zeal in protecting the Greenwood: rather than 'Melian's girdle' being a sign of her strength, it could easily be a sign of her weakness, that she is unable to live as the other Maiar and Valar, as an exile. __________________ <=== Lookee, lookee, lots of IM handles!