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And exactly that idea of preservation was the original sin of the elve-smith. And in my interpretation it is exactly Saurons ability to grand that desire, that was the foundation of his success with the Elves of Eregion. Anyhow we can be sure that the means to do what the Elves wished were provided by Sauron at least in a big part.
All examples so fare discussed have a connection to the rebellion of Melkor (not to use the term ‘the dark side’): What Húrin suffered was done by Melkor himself, the Rings that brought about the Ringwraiths, Gollums and Bilbos prolonged lifespan were made at least with Sauron excessive help and the Man of Dunharrow were most probably cursed by Isildur while he was in possession of the One Ring. This connection does lead me to believe that probably the Valar/Maiar could do such thinks, but that they were forbidden by Ilúvatar. Then Melkor and his agents would do such deeds freely since they did not care about Ilúvatars rules.
Another point is the death of people affected by such means:
- We are told that Húrin could not die. But the curse is never put to the test, neither is Húrin long enough on Thangorrodrim to be in risk of dying of old age nor does anybody come there to harm him and we are explicably told in ‘Hùrins Wanderings’ that Morgoth cared for his physical well being.
- From the Ringwraiths we have one example. The Witch-king and his end on the Field of Pelennor. But in his letters Tolkien does tell us that he was not dead but reduced to impotence.
- Neither Gollum nor Bilbo die before the Ring is destroyed. But we have two earlier examples: Isildur being killed, after he had lost the Ring and Deagol being murdered while he still possessed it. We hear of neither of them coming back or being around as a ghost.
- The Man of Dunharrow are called dead, but for a men to die his féa has to leave Ea. That is clearly not the case with the Men of Dunharrow. In addition Legolas tells as that they were able to fight (that must mean affecting the physical world directly). That would mean they are in similar state as that of the Ringwariths: The flesh is invisible but still there.
It seems that the evidence given is very indifferent. In such a case speculation may go wild. Here is mine: Féa of Men as that of Elves were commanded by Mandos to the houses of the Dead once the body was not longer able to sustain the féa. Men were also able to (at least) postpone the call. See the example of Gorlim who cursed himself and in that way managed to warn Beren or in the case under discussion the Witch-king after the fight with Merry and Eowyn. We are told that Elves denying Mandos command were very vulnerable to the call of Melkor (or his agents, I would add). The same might be true for men. Thus Isildur and Deagol might have gone to Mandos since they were both not entirely corrupted while the Witch-king clearly slipped back to Sauron.
One farther point comes to mind: Did it make difference when the Rings were destroyed? Reading about the very long life of Samwise and his reported last journey one could mean that it did not.
Respectfuly
Findegil
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