Lords and Ladies of the Rings

[Legolas]

Only Gandalf.

Letter No. 246:

Of the others only Gandalf might be expected to master him – being an emissary of the Powers and a creature of the same order, an immortal spirit taking a visible physical form. In the 'Mirror of Galadriel', 1381, it appears that Galadriel conceived of herself as capable of wielding the Ring and supplanting the Dark Lord. If so, so also were the other guardians of the Three, especially Elrond. But this is another matter. It was part of the essential deceit of the Ring to fill minds with imaginations of supreme power. But this the Great had well considered and had rejected, as is seen in Elrond's words at the Council. Galadriel's rejection of the temptation was founded upon previous thought and resolve.

'others' in this case means other than Aragorn and Frodo, whom Tolkien had discussed in previous paragraphs - he expected Frodo would be dominated instantly, and Aragorn wouldn't have done much better (he won the contest with the Palantir because it was at distance, and he was the rightful owner).

It might be that Tolkien meant 'of the others (that would oppose Sauron),' thus leaving out First Age figures, but Galadriel was said to be greatest of the Noldor (along with Feanor), and as her approximate equal, I can't see Feanor fairing much better. The only greater elf mentioned is Luthien, greatest of all the Eldar - who knows how she would have faired? Osse? Melian? Eonwe? Hard to speculate about these others, far-removed from the tales of the late Third Age.

(Just saw Saucepan Man's post above - here it is [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )

[ May 23, 2003: Message edited by: Legolas ]