[Lindril Arvilya]

Some people are simply touched by Tolkien's works. That's the reason we cry when we read the books or watch the movie. That's the reason we destest Saruman for his treachery and cheer Frodo on his "lost cause". These characters, these people are very, very real to us. Tolkien has succeeded in "creating" a place that echoes within us, people who remind us of ourselves, and gods who give us a clue to our own spirituality. How many of you have ever thought "Oh Elbereth! Gilthoniel!" when in trouble?
For people like that, Middle-Earth has ceased to be a fiction, and become very real history for us. We can remember more of Melkor and Gil-galad than we can of our own world's histories. And perhaps, that's ok. Because as long as we're rooting for the good guys, as long as we're using their sacrifices to aid us in our own little (and big) struggles, then I think we're on the right track.