The Mysterious 10th Bearer.

[Encaitare]

::scurries off to get book, scurries back to computer, reads like mad::

Ah, thanks, Luthien. You removed some ignorance from the world just now

[drigel]

I agree with you Mithalwen. Having a part to play in that mission would indeed be a worthy reason for a return. If it was the 1st age character, I couldnt think of a better candidate for the handling. After all, the elf died, went to the Halls, and returned. That would surely alter ones perspective on power in the physical world!

[Boromir88]

Glorfindel learned a lot from his death to his "rebirth." His views on Tom Bombadil, is only a conjecture, but it would be one that I would say to be "true." This is the "conjecture" I was talking about, so everyone can see what I mean,

Erestor suggested to send the ring to Bombadil. Here's what Glorfindel had to say...

Lord of the Rings: Council of Elrond
"But in any case," said Glorfindel "to send the Ring to him would only postpone the day of evil. He is far away. We could not now take it back to him, unguessed, unmarked by any spy. And even if we could, soon or lote the Lord of the Rings would learn of its hiding place and would bend all his power towards it. Could that power be defied by Bombadil alone? I think not. I think that in the end, if all else is conquered, Bomadil will fall, Last as he was the First; and then Night will come."

This is all conjecture by Glorfindel, but in his death, he grew wiser and smarter, so I will take his word for it, and think it's fairly accurate in what he has to say. What I'm saying is I think we can trust whatever Glorfindel has to say (which isn't the case for everyone), but to keep us on track.

I think Glorfindel is a possibility, definately, he has the strength to resist the ring. However, this is the similar case made about Galadriel, being that Galadriel and Glorfindel are both Noldor, and would be tempted by the wealth and power. I would think for Glorfindel to "wield" the ring, he would fall to those temptations. He, has the strength to "see" it and to resist the evil, but to wield it would be far too dangerous, very similar to case made about Galadriel. Then we go back to Osse's point of changing the chain without touching the ring, so Glorfindel is a possibility like Elrond or Gandalf.

[drigel]

Succinct post, Boromir88! I agree, Glorfindel would, once he donned the ring, would fall under the same conditions as any other elf/mortal at the time. But I think that (still under the 1st ager premise) his passage back to ME would transcend him beyond the typical Noldor sterotypes that are implied on this thread. He's the guy who wouldnt get to that point of temptation in my book

[Witch-King]

Kinda out on a limb here, but technically there were 11 bearers, if we are to believe the chain theory. You forgot Tom Bombadil!! He put the Ring on his finger to show it had no effect on him. Cool, but it puts us Nazgul out of a job, heh.

[Man-of-the-Wold]

First, I agree with others there are only six persons who ever really possessed or "bore" the One Ring: Its maker, Sauron; the man to whom it was his bane, Isildur, and four hobbits--Smeagol, Bilbo, Frodo and Sam.

I consider the best theory is that one or two unnamed elves who attended to Frodo and assisted Elrond, simply removed the Ring from Frodo's clothing at Elrond's instructions, put aside, and then the chain was either summoned or fashioned and brought to the sick room, at which time Elrond, Gandalf or again an unnamed elf fastened it around Frodo's neck. Most any Elf in attendance would not have known what it was and would not have been affected in any profound way like a man might if briefly handling the Ring. Bilbo couldn't have done. If Sam had, it would have been mentioned at some point. Elrond certainly could have done it, but likely would've wanted not to touch so unclean a thing. Gandalf obviously could have done it and was not opposed to momentary handling of it.

[The Saucepan Man]

This question all depends on how you classify a bearer.

Further thoughts:

To bear the One Ring