Unfinished Tales - Part Four - III - The Palantíri

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The first sentence in this, the final chapter of the UT, is very important:

The palantíri were no doubt never matters of common use or common knowledge, even in Númenor.

We tend to think that because we read about them in the LotR, the residents of Middle-earth knew of them as well. Was there reason to keep them, though not secret, but relatively little-known? Would there have been some kind of fight or rivalry to get them if more people had known?

At any rate, this chapter is a treasure-trove of information about the stones and their history! It also sheds light on the persons who used them, especially Saruman and Denethor. Finally it explains why they could not be used lightly or easily, and the limitations of what they could reveal.

Are you interested in the palantíri? What aspects of this chapter do you find most helpful and informative? Is there something you'd like to have read that is missing?


This closes our discussion of the Unfinished Tales. The index is helpful as a reference, but not cohesive enough to warrant additional posts.

Thanks to all of you who've read and posted on these threads! They remain open so latecomers can add their thoughts at any time.