The 21st Ring of Power? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

ainur · 10-25-2002, 04:12 AM

First--"He wore a ring on his finger" is one of the most telling character descriptions Tolkien has ever devised. These are seven words that convey both history and character--not only the character being spoken of, but also the character speaking. It's brilliant. I can't believe so many people missed it. But anyway, here's my question in the midst of all this.

Celebrimbor and his people made many rings, some of greater power, some of lesser (Yes, it's even possible that Gollum's grandmother owned one of the earliest of these) Gollum mentions it to Gandalf when he is being interrogated, and who is to say whether there is some grain of truth in something that he says. No where that I found does it mention how many of them there were. As few as a dozen? As many as a thousand? No one knows. Not even Tolkien (at least as much as I've read.)
So, Did Gollum's Grandmother have a ring? Was Saruman's ring (that he WORE)of his own making? Did he make one at all? (I'm guessing, probably yes.) Was it the one he was wearing when he met Gandalf as described in The Council of Elrond? What happened to all the "Minor" rings that Celebrimbor made to practice making the "Great" rings? Just how many rings were there (both major and minor.)

10-25-2002, 04:12 AM	#1
ainur Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 72	First--"He wore a ring on his finger" is one of the most telling character descriptions Tolkien has ever devised. These are seven words that convey both history and character--not only the character being spoken of, but also the character speaking. It's brilliant. I can't believe so many people missed it. But anyway, here's my question in the midst of all this. Celebrimbor and his people made many rings, some of greater power, some of lesser (Yes, it's even possible that Gollum's grandmother owned one of the earliest of these) Gollum mentions it to Gandalf when he is being interrogated, and who is to say whether there is some grain of truth in something that he says. No where that I found does it mention how many of them there were. As few as a dozen? As many as a thousand? No one knows. Not even Tolkien (at least as much as I've read.) So, Did Gollum's Grandmother have a ring? Was Saruman's ring (that he WORE)of his own making? Did he make one at all? (I'm guessing, probably yes.) Was it the one he was wearing when he met Gandalf as described in The Council of Elrond? What happened to all the "Minor" rings that Celebrimbor made to practice making the "Great" rings? Just how many rings were there (both major and minor.) __________________ Yet all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.