The Warg and Warg Rider Appreciation Thread

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

Formendacil, a brilliant observation. Remember the mysterious green hue on the hill when the Fellowship were assailed by Wargs? Possibly Sting related; maybe Sting was an especially mighty sword, powerful enough to call for help from the hilltops, such was the danger the Fellowship faced at that time.

My search for a tale thus far has been entertaining; Elrond's libraries are highly interesting. Though, of course, you have to be wary enough to sift through the lies that Elrond spreads when Wargs are the the topic. Remember that this thread throws doubt on Elrond's nobility that you don't usually find in books on Tolkien.

Don't forget that Glamdring was also on that hill, and as it said to have been the sword of the king (Turgon), it must have been a mighty sword.

I seem to recall a reference in the Book of Extra-Lost Tales that there was an alliance between the Wargs and the Gondolindrim. I think that the greenish-hue on the swords was a way for the Elves to know when their allies were coming to aid them.

As I recall, the reason Gondolin fell was that the Wargs were delayed from coming to their assistance as they were guarding Elwing and Silmaril's journey to the sea. Earendil always held this against them, although it was entirely an accident, the fault of the forces of Morgoth, and it may explain Elrond's antipathy towards the Wargs, in part. The Wargs were also not present when the Feanorians sacked the Havens, because they were busy holding off the massive host of Morgoth that was coming against them. A greater threat than the Feanorians, but Elrond WAS very attached to his mother...

I'm pretty sure this is the case. The Book of Extra-Lost Tales IS written in an obscure branch of Nandorin, so it's devilishly hard to be certain what they are saying, but this seems to be the conclusive explanation.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

The Wargs were also not present when the Feanorians sacked the Havens, because they were busy holding off the massive host of Morgoth that was coming against them. A greater threat than the Feanorians, but Elrond WAS very attached to his mother...

I'm pretty sure this is the case. The Book of Extra-Lost Tales IS written in an obscure branch of Nandorin, so it's devilishly hard to be certain what they are saying, but this seems to be the conclusive explanation.

I've been doing a bit more research into this branch of Warg history, and there seems to have been a bit of a misunderstanding at the time of the destruction of Beleriand.

As everybody knows, the Edain under Elros pretty much all removed to Numenor at this time, thus leaving behind Middle-earth and the Wargs for many long years.

However, it seems that Numenor was originally not intended for Men at all, but was- in fact- intended by the Valar to be the reward of the Wargs, whose part in the War of Wrath was, naturally, much greater than that of Men.

As a result of this mysterious misunderstanding, the Men of Numenor and the Wargs were somewhat estranged. Indeed, the Faithful of Numenor were not originally those loyal to the Valar, but those loyal to the Wargs as well. It wasn't until later, when the Numenoreans and the Valar fell out that the Faithful became allies of both.

The Wargs, in fact, were all but ready to intervene and squash Sauron when Ar-Pharazon landed in middle-earth. In fact, the reason the Numenoreans met no evil army was because the orks and them were off fighting the Wargs- unsuccessfully, I might add.

The Wargs, in a spat of spitefullness occassionally seen even among these benificent creatures, sadly allowed Sauron to live- thus allowing him to escape their grasp and flee to Numenor.

More can be said on Second Age history of the Warg-Numenorean relations, but the Awfullabeth is awfully hard to decipher, being written in a mazelike series of Haradric Metaphors. Improperly translated, it appears as a recipe for edible cement (Which, by the way, doesn't turn out as promised. Trust me, I know!).

I'll say more when time allows...

~Aspiring Warg Scholar - Formendacil~

[SamwiseGamgee]

Please, Formendacil, do not underrate yourself. You are no mere aspirer to Warg knowlege, but an esteemed purveyor thereof. Once again I am intrigued, fascinated and yet unsuprised by your revalations. As I learn more and more about Wargs and their great ways I become more and more convinced that almost everything ever done or said by anyone is anti-Warg propoganda. Some feel I have become paranoid and dellusional in my outlook. To them I say: BOO!

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by SamwiseGamgee

Please, Formendacil, do not underrate yourself. You are no mere aspirer to Warg knowlege, but an esteemed purveyor thereof.

But can anyone truly claim anything more than aspirations where Wargs are concerned? These marvellous, mysterious, magnificent creatures transcent human understanding. I may consider myself an accomplished scholar in their historical relations with Man, but can I truly claim to fathom their inner being?

[SamwiseGamgee]

A fair point, my esteemed peer. Even the greatest of Warg scholars can never truly grasp how deep, wide and high the glory of the Warg is.

If all the sky were parchment, and the oceans filled with ink,
if every blade of grass a quill, and every man a scribe,
yet still though each had one thousand years the sky could not contain,
the deeds of Wargs and all the joy one gains from knowing them.

By the Unknown Poet

[Kath]

I have now (finally) read through this fascinating thread from beginning to end and feel I must post my admiration for those who have taken such time and effort to search through the history of both worlds to find the truth behind wargs. I am also incredibly jealous of those such as Fingolfin who have had the (possibly somewhat mixed) belssing of meeting such amazing creatures.

I had always felt a little off about PJ's interpretation of the wargs but I never realised quite how wrong he had got it! Although as I recall from a couple of pages ago, Neurion did find some evidence for their predilection for jumping off precipices .

Now whilst reading this thread my sister was hanging over my shoulder demanding an explanation for my interminably long time on the computer. When I told her of what I was reading she said, and I quote, "What, those hyena things in the movie?" I then realised quite how into this I had become as I proceeded to tell her of the history of the wargs and their shameful treatment by the biased writers of history (and berated her for using the word movie when she is, in fact, English). Needless to say by the end of my diatribe she was cowering in a corner professing her love of wargs and all they entail.

I will keep a keen eye out for wargs from now on. I am going to Spain in the summer and I believe Eomer that you said this was quite a hotspot for warg knowledge so if I find any I will of course inform you.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Welcome Kath and thank you to everyone for breathing new life into the Appreciation Thread.

Your powers of persuasion are mighty Kath (and bonus points for that 'movie' deal). Indeed, Spain is a country where Wargs are held in the highest esteem. Not by all, of course, but if a man ever tried to organize an anti-Warg march in Spain then he would likely be ripped apart by frenzied Warg enthusiasts. Whereas in Britain such marches are held almost weekly. Fact.

This also explains the great love and admiration felt for Wargs in South America. In fact, it is probably only in Hispanic countries, much of Africa and a hefty section of Asia where Wargs are truly loved. People differ from place to place, obviously.

Formendacil, that was inspiring stuff you presented and I hope to comment on it before too long. Thanks!