I’ve discussed this before someplace, here or on another forum.
Since this is the cordial of
Imladris, it was probably made in
Rivendell. I see no reason why something with an origin in
Valinor could not be, at least in part, remade by the Eldar of
Middle-earth provided that it was not a false copy or substitute for Valinor:
That was the downfall of the Smiths of Eregion, who when tempted by
Sauron in disguise as “
Annatar” attempted to make their own
Utopia or “Heaven on Earth”, an act that always ends badly. Annatar tempts them in
Silmarillion “Of
the Rings of Power”,
Wherefore should Middle-earth remain for ever desolate and dark, whereas the
Elves could make it as fair as Eressëa, nay even as Valinor? And since you have not returned thither, as you might, I perceive that you love this Middle-earth, as do I. Is it not then our task to labor together for its enrichment, and for the raising of all the Elven-kindreds that wander here untaught to the height of that power and knowledge which those have who are beyond the Sea?
Laying aside temptation, however, in the essay “Of
Lembas” found in
Peoples of Middle-earth, we read that
The Eldar say that they first received [lembas] from the
Valar in the beginning of their days in the Great Journey. For it was made of a kind of corn which
Yavanna brought forth in the
fields of
Aman, and some she sent to them by the hand of
Oromë for their succor upon the long march [from Cuiviénen to the Western Sea]. …
Since it came from Yavanna, the queen, or the highest among the Elven-women of any people, great or small, had the keeping and gift of the lembas, for which reason she was called massánië or besain: the Lady, or breadgiver.
The seed of this corn (“wheat” to us North Americans) originated in Aman and retained some of the strength of that hallowed land, “which it could impart to those who had the need and right to use the bread.”
Melian sent lembas to
Turin by the hand of his friend Beleg Strongbow, and
Galadriel her student in turn gave it to the Company of
the Ring.
If lembas could be used
for rightful purposes in Middle-earth, I suspect miruvor could, too. The notion that
Gandalf’s vintage must have originated in Valinor proper seems to me a stretch: at least he would have called it the cordial of
Valinor or some such; instead he refers to its source as Imladris and tells the others that
Elrond himself gave it to him. It is
precious, no doubt: its ability to revive the Company after the disastrous attempt to cross the Redhorn Pass and the terrifying experience at the West-gate of
Moria were considerable. It was moreover shared by
nine people both times, so its scarcity was paramount: “precious”. Notice that it was used in much the same way that Europeans or Americans would use brandy or cognac.
