Quote:
Originally Posted by Ancalagon'sFire
This adds a new dimension to the discussion of the spirits actual origin, though my own theory is mere speculation. I believe this quote in itself signifies the origin of these spirits as Men, captured, tortured and corrupted by Melkor / Sauron who died in captivity, became spirits subject to Sauron (master of phantoms) and ironically were sent to inhabit the barrows of their own kind. A mockery in itself that they re-animated the bones of the Kings of old, haunting the places that were esteemed by the Númenoreans, whom the Witch-king was charged with destroying.
Yet, consideration must be given to the fact that The Men of CarnDûm were already in the service of Sauron the Sorceror prior to their demise. We know this at least from the words of Tom Bombadil when he gave them swords from the Barrows.
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I think that you are definitely on the right track here. It seems to me that the Wights, whatever their origin, are now tied to the Barrows. Eriador is not generally haunted by evil spirits - this is evident from the fact that the Hobbits are only troubled by evil spirits in the Barrows!
So ... there seems to be something about the Barrows themselves that has kept the Wights there. Maybe they feed off the spirits of the departed? Or they are tied to the place because they are Numenoreans?
In any case ... although they were sent from Angmar by the WK, they are remained in the Barrows forever after .... as far as we know ... prior to Bombadil's intervention.