🧝Galadriel and Nenya

[Ithrynluin]

Unfinished Tales: The History of Galadriel and Celeborn
Sauron himself departed from Eregion about the year 1500, after the Mírdain had begun the making of the Rings of Power. Now Celebrimbor was not corrupted in heart or faith, but had accepted Sauron as what he posed to be; and when at length he discovered the existence of the One Ring he revolted against Sauron, and went to Lórinand to take counsel once more with Galadriel. They should have destroyed all the Rings of Power at this time, "but they failed to find the strength." Galadriel counselled him that the Three Rings of the Elves should be hidden, never used, and dispersed, far from Eregion where Sauron believed them to be. It was at that time that she received Nenya, the White Ring, from Celebrimbor, and by its power the realm of Lórinand was strengthened and made beautiful; but its power upon her was great also and unforseen, for it increased her latent desire for the Sea and for return into the West, so that her joy in Middle-earth was diminished. 9 Celebrimbor followed her counsel that the Ring of Air and the Ring of Fire should be sent out of Eregion; and he entrusted them to Gil-galad in Lindon. (It is said here that at this time Gil galad gave Narya, the Red Ring, to Círdan Lord of the Havens, but later in the narrative there is a marginal note that he kept it himself until he set out for the War of the Last Alliance.)

Have you ever wondered why Galadriel recieved the Ring of Water, and not one of the other two rings? Or why did she not receive 2 of the Rings, and had only one of them sent to Lindon?

Looks like it was her counsel to bear two of the rings to Gil-galad, but did she choose which ring she would take by herself or was she given one at random?

If she did choose Nenya specifically, why do you think this was?

If not, why do you think Celebrimbor had given Nenya to her, and not one of the others?

Keep in mind that Celebrimbor loved Galadriel, and that he would probably have done pretty much anything for her, which makes me think that most, if not all, decisions regarding this were made by Galadriel.

Unfinished Tales: The History of Galadriel and CelebornBut now Sauron attempted to gain the mastery of Eriador: Lórinand could wait. But as he ravaged the lands, slaying or drawing off all the small groups of Men and hunting the remaining Elves, many fled to swell Elrond's host to the northward. Now Sauron's immediate purpose was to take Lindon, [color=sky blue]where he believed that he had most chance of seizing one, or more, of the Three Rings[/color]; and he called in therefore his scattered forces and marched west towards the land of Gil-galad, ravaging as he went. But his force was weakened by the necessity of leaving a strong detachment to contain Elrond and prevent him coming down upon his rear.

What did Sauron base this belief on? How could he have guessed that Lindon would be the place most likely to hold at least one of the Three? Because Gil-galad was the High King? Why did he even assume that Celebrimbor would give the work of his hands away at all, and not stash it away to a secret location?

Opinions?

 

[Snaga]

The Ring of Fire seems to be a more 'aggressive' type of ring than the others. Galadriel is not a warlike person, so maybe she thought that one would help Gil-Galad more. I can't see any great reason why Nenya would be preferred over Vilya. I have wondered often how much she used that ring to use/make the Mirror.

As for why Sauron guessed that the Rings were with Gil-Galad... he sees things always in terms of power. Gil Galad was most powerful, so he would assume that Celebrimbor would send the rings that way. That is my guess for what its worth.

 

[Ithrynluin]

The Ring of Fire seems to be a more 'aggressive' type of ring than the others.

What are you basing this on, snags? The Three were made solely for the purpose of preservation and had no violent properties whatsoever. This is said of Narya:

The Silmarillion; Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
‘Take now this Ring,’ he said; 'for thy labours and thy cares will be heavy, but in all it will support thee and defend thee from weariness. For this is the Ring of Fire, and herewith, maybe, thou shalt rekindle hearts to the valour of old in a world that grows chill.

There's no aggressive power to it, only the power to encourage and give strength of will - to 'kindle' (a very appropriate word, since this is the Ring of Fire).

The Three could not be used for any kind of war, so I think it's safe to conclude that this was not a factor in deciding which ring(s) would be sent to Gil-galad.

Perhaps Galadriel chose only one because of modesty?

Or maybe she chose Nenya specifically, because deep down she was longing for the Sea (which in turn means she was longing for the Undying Lands of her home), and the ring is said to have increased her latent desire for the sea. Perhaps Nenya gave Galadriel some power over water, or some affinity to it.

As for why Sauron guessed that the Rings were with Gil-Galad... he sees things always in terms of power. Gil Galad was most powerful

More powerful only in terms of the subjects he had under his control, not personal power. But I think that's what you meant in the first place.

 

[Inderjit S]

Perhaps Galadriel chose only one because of modesty?

I think it would have been more acceptable for the High-King to have two Rings then Galadriel, though she was the 'greater' Elf.

Because Gil-galad was the High King? Why did he even assume that Celebrimbor would give the work of his hands away at all, and not stash it away to a secret location?

If Celebrimbor was the stash it anywhere then it would have been in Ost-in-Edhil. And who more to trust then the High-King who had the most powerful Elven realm?

They wouldn't have used the Rings anyway.