The Nine Walkers

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Man-of-the-Wold

The Age of Men


An unspoken undercurrent is that Elrond and the other remnants of the Eldar had done their part over the previous thousands of years and had other concerns. They in effect did not live in the present, even if not actually in the past. Rivendell was a very special and powerful place, which had been pivotal in the Ring's coming into the hands of persons least capable of being corrupted by it or attracting attention, and in assisting and protecting those Ringbearers. It was not their part to push the envelope of destiny and fortune.

Man-of-the-Wold's comment deserves close thought, as he suggests something important about the larger picture. It is not that elves might be more powerful than men or that Gondor would have welcomed elves. It is that in the Legendarium, the elves have had their chance. They were weighed in the balance and found wanting and now are diminishing. The important aspect of the Third Age is how the focus shifts from the first born to the next born, men. Hence, Man-of-the-Wold's choice of title for his post. A fellowship comprised in the majority by men--and hobbits are men--even one that breaks-- provides for this shift. It is the chronological development of the coming of men that makes this fellowship rather than an elven fellowship meaningful. Furthermore, Elves would have made the alliance between Rohan and Gondor less significant and less strategic. The elves, after all, failed to destroy the Ring in the past. Why would they necessarily be more successful this time?

The recurrent theme that even the very small or weak have a part to play is also brought out by having the hobbits play a major role, as well as having other men--Boromir and Faramir--play out the Ring's powerful appeal. LotR is a story for a new age and not a rehash of some elven battle. And the presence of members of the older races, elves and dwarves, works to acheive some kind of rapproachment with the earlier ages, where friendship becomes at least as significant as their prowess in battle. Strangely enough, even with all its emphasis on war and battle and fighting and might, LotR, like The Battle of Maldon, makes psychology a crucial aspect of the struggle.