Other Mearas? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

symestreem · 04-10-2004, 07:11 AM

Considering the elvish gift of linguistics, is it outside the realm of possibility that an elven rider and a Mearas (we'll say part-Mearas to meet Tolkien's canon) would be able to communicate with each other? Legolas talked to his non-Mearas horse.

Hookbill the Goomba · 04-10-2004, 11:49 AM

My point exactly, symestreem, It would make more sense to do so. If The Eldar, with there linguistic talent, could teach the horses the languages of Westerness and others, that way there would be more understanding between horse and rider, and a horse could tell someone to get off them if they did not wish them to ride them.

Besides, Orome may have thought his horse to comprehend the tong that he used (would that be Valinorian or something like that?) And Nahar being the father of the Mearas could have passed on the knowledge to his offspring, who passed it to theirs and so on. Plus the fact that the Mearas had to breed with other types of horse, the linguistic skills they had may have passed into other breeds also. If this is so, then this may explain why the Rohirum had such a close bond with there horses, Maybe, even if the Rohirum were not aware of the fact that the horses could understand them, that would be the reason behind the amassing faithfulness of the rohirum's horses.

galadriel'smaiden · 04-10-2004, 12:47 PM

Excuse` Moi, I have a question...

Were the Mearas simply an incredible breed of horse, like an Andalusion or Appaloosa? Or were they...you know, something else? Like how Elves and Men were similair in appearance but really very different? I am relatively forgetful, I probably read about this then forgot

Peace

symestreem · 04-10-2004, 01:14 PM

The Mearas were a great breed of horse that lived as long as men, but there is speculation that they were descended from Valinorian horses. That would certainly make them special.

Hookbill the Goomba · 04-10-2004, 01:23 PM

You don’t have to speak French to us! We're not French, nor are We Tourists!

(Don’t take that personally, I'm not a fan of the French language, We fight wars against the French and... sorry I’m rambling)

Any way, I think that the Mearas are sort of a special breed of Horses. Seeing as they were bred from a horse from Valinor. So, if Huan (The Hound Of Valinor) had survived and had offspring, they may have become a special breed of wolf.

Osse · 04-10-2004, 11:37 PM

Huan was defineately nothing like a wolf... in fact, he was the complete opposite; a wolf hound. And i distinctly remember in one of the tales of Rohan that Eorl's horse could 'understand' the speech of Men... I always believed not only could he understand it, but was able to communicate, either in speech or other ways. Eorl rode him without bridle if i remember and would speek his commands/wishes... much like the Elvish riding style.

The Mearas were still horses... just... well special. Superhorses yes, but still horses. Nothing at all like men and elves <hint of sarcasm>

Hookbill the Goomba · 04-11-2004, 07:30 AM

Super horses? I can see what you mean, although they didn’t have anything distinctly different in appearance to normal horses, like say, an enormous growth, that would probably be the best way of describing them.

I assume that the mane difference would be that they would have longer endurance, run faster and perhaps live longer. SO I think that comparing Horses and Mearas to Elves and Men is a good analogy. Although it is rather easy for people to tell between Elves and men, as Elves have leaf shaped ears and are fair of face. But In Lotr an elf says that "To other sheep, sheep may look different" so that may be the case. Or could it be a case of "Sheep get like Shepard and Shepard’s get like sheep, but it is closer with horses and Mearas"?

Perhaps the Mearas looked some how different, being descended from a horse of Valinor that would be likely. As for Huan, what I meant was that If he had had offspring they would have become a new form of wolf, or wolf hound if you like. One could argue that Wolf and Wolfhound are perhaps as different as Elves and men also!

Firefoot · 04-11-2004, 08:29 AM

I think there must have been some physical difference. Not obvious, perhaps, but to someone who knew horses well they would be able to tell them apart relatively easily. For example, Legolas's "But there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his like before." What made Shadowfax (and the other Mearas) great horses that you could tell just by looking at them? Perhaps they were larger, sleeker, and faster. Maybe it was just in their bearing, the way they acted. For myself, I think it is a combination of all of the above. They had all the attributes of normal horses, but they were mightier, stronger, more "powerful" horses.

04-10-2004, 11:49 AM	#2
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	My point exactly, symestreem, It would make more sense to do so. If The Eldar, with there linguistic talent, could teach the horses the languages of Westerness and others, that way there would be more understanding between horse and rider, and a horse could tell someone to get off them if they did not wish them to ride them. Besides, Orome may have thought his horse to comprehend the tong that he used (would that be Valinorian or something like that?) And Nahar being the father of the Mearas could have passed on the knowledge to his offspring, who passed it to theirs and so on. Plus the fact that the Mearas had to breed with other types of horse, the linguistic skills they had may have passed into other breeds also. If this is so, then this may explain why the Rohirum had such a close bond with there horses, Maybe, even if the Rohirum were not aware of the fact that the horses could understand them, that would be the reason behind the amassing faithfulness of the rohirum's horses. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

04-10-2004, 12:47 PM	#3
galadriel'smaiden Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vilnius Posts: 73	Excuse` Moi, I have a question... Were the Mearas simply an incredible breed of horse, like an Andalusion or Appaloosa? Or were they...you know, something else? Like how Elves and Men were similair in appearance but really very different? I am relatively forgetful, I probably read about this then forgot Peace __________________ "For God's sake Ed, just take the stupid call!" said Justin. "Hello, Mum, I'm on stage," said Ed casually. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGH!" screamed Justin.

04-10-2004, 01:23 PM	#5
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	You don’t have to speak French to us! We're not French, nor are We Tourists! (Don’t take that personally, I'm not a fan of the French language, We fight wars against the French and... sorry I’m rambling) Any way, I think that the Mearas are sort of a special breed of Horses. Seeing as they were bred from a horse from Valinor. So, if Huan (The Hound Of Valinor) had survived and had offspring, they may have become a special breed of wolf. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket... Last edited by Hookbill the Goomba; 04-11-2004 at 07:35 AM.

04-10-2004, 11:37 PM	#6
Osse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Encircling Sea, deciding which ship to ruin next...could be yours. Posts: 274	Huan was defineately nothing like a wolf... in fact, he was the complete opposite; a wolf hound. And i distinctly remember in one of the tales of Rohan that Eorl's horse could 'understand' the speech of Men... I always believed not only could he understand it, but was able to communicate, either in speech or other ways. Eorl rode him without bridle if i remember and would speek his commands/wishes... much like the Elvish riding style. The Mearas were still horses... just... well special. Superhorses yes, but still horses. Nothing at all like men and elves <hint of sarcasm> __________________ 'A thinking tyrant, it seemed to Vetinari, had a much harder job than a ruler raised to power by some idiot system like democracy. At least HE could tell the people he was THEIR fault.'

04-11-2004, 07:30 AM	#7
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	Super horses? I can see what you mean, although they didn’t have anything distinctly different in appearance to normal horses, like say, an enormous growth, that would probably be the best way of describing them. I assume that the mane difference would be that they would have longer endurance, run faster and perhaps live longer. SO I think that comparing Horses and Mearas to Elves and Men is a good analogy. Although it is rather easy for people to tell between Elves and men, as Elves have leaf shaped ears and are fair of face. But In Lotr an elf says that "To other sheep, sheep may look different" so that may be the case. Or could it be a case of "Sheep get like Shepard and Shepard’s get like sheep, but it is closer with horses and Mearas"? Perhaps the Mearas looked some how different, being descended from a horse of Valinor that would be likely. As for Huan, what I meant was that If he had had offspring they would have become a new form of wolf, or wolf hound if you like. One could argue that Wolf and Wolfhound are perhaps as different as Elves and men also! __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket... Last edited by Hookbill the Goomba; 04-11-2004 at 07:33 AM. Reason: Spelling

04-10-2004, 07:11 AM	#1
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	Considering the elvish gift of linguistics, is it outside the realm of possibility that an elven rider and a Mearas (we'll say part-Mearas to meet Tolkien's canon) would be able to communicate with each other? Legolas talked to his non-Mearas horse.

04-10-2004, 01:14 PM	#4
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	The Mearas were a great breed of horse that lived as long as men, but there is speculation that they were descended from Valinorian horses. That would certainly make them special.

04-11-2004, 08:29 AM	#8
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	I think there must have been some physical difference. Not obvious, perhaps, but to someone who knew horses well they would be able to tell them apart relatively easily. For example, Legolas's "But there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his like before." What made Shadowfax (and the other Mearas) great horses that you could tell just by looking at them? Perhaps they were larger, sleeker, and faster. Maybe it was just in their bearing, the way they acted. For myself, I think it is a combination of all of the above. They had all the attributes of normal horses, but they were mightier, stronger, more "powerful" horses.