An Elf with shapeshifting ability? Why? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Meriadoc1961 · 09-13-2007, 02:35 PM

It is obvious to me that I need to re-read the Silmarillion. It's been at the very least 15 years.

Thanks for the interesting topic.

Merry

cesar.ewok · 09-20-2007, 02:27 PM

Furthermore, I don't really think that anyone but the Valar had shapeshifting abilities (except for skin-changers like Beorn; but note that he could only shapeshift to a bear), because it's told in HoMe X that "Only the Valar and the Maiar are intelligences that can assume the forms of Arda at will." (My italics.)

Moreover, Elwing wasn't capable of shapeshifting into a bird without Ulmo's hand: "For Ulmo bore up Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Eärendil her beloved."

09-13-2007, 02:35 PM	#1
Meriadoc1961 Wight Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 101	It is obvious to me that I need to re-read the Silmarillion. It's been at the very least 15 years. Thanks for the interesting topic. Merry __________________ "If I yawn again, I shall split at the ears!"

09-20-2007, 02:27 PM	#2
cesar.ewok Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 25	Furthermore, I don't really think that anyone but the Valar had shapeshifting abilities (except for skin-changers like Beorn; but note that he could only shapeshift to a bear), because it's told in HoMe X that "Only the Valar and the Maiar are intelligences that can assume the forms of Arda at will." (My italics.) Moreover, Elwing wasn't capable of shapeshifting into a bird without Ulmo's hand: "For Ulmo bore up Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Eärendil her beloved." Last edited by cesar.ewok; 06-12-2008 at 12:22 AM.