The Downfall of Numenor - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mithadan*** · 10-03-2000, 06:22 AM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 142</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
After generations of discontent, Sauron convinces Ar-Pharazon to attack Aman with the well known result that Numenor becomes known as Atalante, a very wet place to be. JRRT implies, in Akallabeth, that the Valar turned the matter over to Eru, who drowns Numenor and changes the nature of the world, because the Valar were tasked to foster the Children of Iluvatar, not do battle with them. My question(s) is why did the Valar let it go that far and why didn't they just defeat Ar-Pharazon?

The Valar had a well-established method of preventing persons from Middle Earth from reaching Valinor via the creation of the Shadowy Isles and the hiding of their island. Surely this could have been done to prevent an invasion from Numenor. A way could have been found to allow elves to go west while keeping the way closed for mortals.

Also, it appears from Akallabeth that the Valar were not prohibited from slaying Numenoreans. Some were struck by lightning as the rebellion began. Ships were lost in the ocean. Why couldn't the Valar have defeated the rebels, leaving the faithful to restore the realm?

--Mithadan--
"The Silmarils with living light
were kindled clear, and waxing bright
shone like stars that in the North
above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>

10-03-2000, 06:22 AM	#1
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,314	The Downfall of Numenor <font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight Posts: 142</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> After generations of discontent, Sauron convinces Ar-Pharazon to attack Aman with the well known result that Numenor becomes known as Atalante, a very wet place to be. JRRT implies, in Akallabeth, that the Valar turned the matter over to Eru, who drowns Numenor and changes the nature of the world, because the Valar were tasked to foster the Children of Iluvatar, not do battle with them. My question(s) is why did the Valar let it go that far and why didn't they just defeat Ar-Pharazon? The Valar had a well-established method of preventing persons from Middle Earth from reaching Valinor via the creation of the Shadowy Isles and the hiding of their island. Surely this could have been done to prevent an invasion from Numenor. A way could have been found to allow elves to go west while keeping the way closed for mortals. Also, it appears from Akallabeth that the Valar were not prohibited from slaying Numenoreans. Some were struck by lightning as the rebellion began. Ships were lost in the ocean. Why couldn't the Valar have defeated the rebels, leaving the faithful to restore the realm? --Mithadan-- "The Silmarils with living light were kindled clear, and waxing bright shone like stars that in the North above the reek of earth leap forth." </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.