[Gorthaur the Cruel]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

As a hypothetical scenario it's an interesting exercise, but I very much doubt the Elves would have been successful against Morgoth, even aided by the Three.
First off, it took Sauron's knowledge and assistance to enable the Three to be made. That aside, it is made clear in LOTR that the Keepers of the Three could not resist even a Ringless Sauron indefinitely.
That being the case, it is that much less likely they could have done much with the Three to defend themselves against Sauron's mentor and one-time master.

But let's just suppose Celebrimbor figured out how to create the Three without Sauron's help. Let's just pretend hypothetically that the Three were free from any of Sauron's influence.

In LOTR, the elves were dwindling in number, that is probably why even Galadriel or Elrond could not resist Sauron because both kingdoms could not amass an army comparable to the 1st and 2nd age. Remember Sauron feared the Numenoreans, mortal men. But if on a one-on-one scale, Sauron (ringless) against Galadriel (w/ Nenya) or Elrond (w/ Vilya), I think they could maim him enough to remove him from the physical plane. Not to mention Elrond is a descendant of Melian and Galadriel a Calaquendi comparable to Feanor and a pupil of Melian, I can see them dying (sans Nenya or Vilya) but also killing Sauron's incarnation, ending in a stalemate. Also remember that it only took Gil-Galad and Elendiand Isildurl to beat Sauron WITH the Ring, so how much more for a ringless Sauron against Galadriel with Nenya or Elrond with Vilya? I'd say Elrond or Galadriel would have fared better (even more if they fought him together). It's just that if you calculate the risk, it would not be so wise to send Elrond or Galadriel to face Sauron in the waning 3rd age. But I think either one of them can destroy his incarnate form.

I mean look at the contest between Finrod and Sauron. Though Finrod was beaten eventually, his skill in magic was pretty high enough to support him against Sauron. Finrod at this time was on a long travel from Nargothrond, so he wasn't exactly super fresh. Then you have Fingolfin against Morgoth. Sure he died but he was able to wound Morgoth. Finrod and Fingolfin were ringless, so how much more if these elf-lords were weilding the Three? Let's not forget Ecthelion and Glorfindel who went toe-to-toe with Balrogs. Sure they also died, but if they wore rings of power, or their dwellings were protected by the elven rings, the weariness and all the negativity Melkor purged in Beleriand (and in Arda) would be warded off from them.

Therefore, if the Eldar and their great numbers were fresh-off-the-boat from Valinor, and their leaders had the Three (and they were in league with Melian and Thingol), they would have flourished in much safer havens, and the doom of Mandos (weariness) kept at bay. Thus, better chance of surviving Morgoth and his minions.

Sorry, but I can't see such a situation in a positive light when you look at which elves were in Beleriand in the First Age.

Even in the Third Age Elrond to an extent and Galadriel especially are seen as embalmers, keeping their own little pockets of unchangingness. They manage to still be good characters only because they are willing to risk that loss in order to defeat Sauron.

Embalmers to who/whom? The Valar's perspective? Sure. But I don't see anything wrong with this. The elves were born in Middle-earth. They should be able to stay there as they please. I don't see anything wrong with preserving the fair things they loved or healing the hurts of Arda.

But let's look at the First Age in contrast. About the only elf who would both have sufficient stature to justify getting one of the Three at all (assuming that they weren't made by Feanor, who would in that case have kept it within the family) and sufficient wisdom not to screw up having that kind of power was Finrod. Maybe (maybe maybe maybe) Union-era Maedhros.

Agreed, though I think his sister Galadriel would be a wise candidate as well. I don't think Turgon Finrod or Galadriel had issues, though. So I nominate them to weild the Three.

Side thought: If the Seven and the Nine (which were lesser in power than the Three) were also made free of taint from Sauron and distributed to the Elven generals/captains (Glorfindel, Ecthelion, Orodreth, Cirdan, Denethor, Mablung) of the Elven-kings (Fingolfin, Finrod, Galadriel), as well as given to the Dwarves of Belegost, I believe Morgoth would eventually fall. It'd be a long time but if there are that much rings of power weilded by his enemies, he'd exhaust his Valarian strength.