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Originally Posted by Gordis
But "three were great lords of Númenórean race"- Akallabeth, not some barbarians. In the same text the Numenoreans are described
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Sorry I was not clear. I was referring to the 'warriors' of the Nazgul that Tolkien referred to (along with kings and sorcerors). In any case, the three Numenorean Nazgul were undoubtedly kings of barbarian races, such as the Haradrim or Umbarians.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordis
And don't try to persuade me that Khamul didn't have enough fighting skills to kill an anarmed hobbit farmer.  He simply chose not to (for the reasons you stated), which proves he could control his temper. |
As I said, Maggot was not alone. There were many farmhands about (check out the kitchen table scene a page or so later). Raising the alarm (as Fredegar did in Crickhollow) would prove counterproductive in their search.
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Originally Posted by Gordis
The guard of Rangers at the Sarn Ford had been exterminated by the nazgul.
As for Aragorn at Weathertop, he was most surprised himself when the nazgul withdrew: " I cannot think why they have gone and do not attack again," he said. He didn't know that Frodo happened to have the only type of blade perilous for the Witch-King and nearly killed him. (RC, the Hunt for the Ring).
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The rangers at Sarn Ford were 'dispersed', weren't they (I am not near a book)? In any case, dead rangers, 'outsiders', would not raise alarm among Hobbits. It would seem the Nazgul were cowardly, whatever the excuse. On Weathertop it was dark, it was a lonely place, their primary prey was wounded -- all the elements where nazgul were supposedly at their best. A major blunder on the part of the Nazgul that can be only equated to cowardice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordis
Right. It is like THE ENEMY always has "spies" while OUR country has "intelligence officers" |
*Shrugs* Tolkien was certainly a 'homer' rooting for one side (the poor orcs never get a eucatastrophe!); nevertheless, the word 'sorceror' remains a pejorative.
And with that, I think I'll bow out of this conversation, having reached the point where the phrase 'agree to disagree' becomes apparent.