Were there other wraiths and wights

[Vorondil]

Were there wraiths other then the Ringwraiths, created by lesser rings? And were there wights other then the Barrow-Wights, if the Barrow-Wights were wights that dwelt in the bones (is this correct?) of the chaps buried in the barrows, could there be wights that possessed other bodies?

 

[Ent]

Yes. Remember it is said of the morgul-knife it would turn the person it stabbed into a 'wraith like the wielder of a morgul-knife.' Many undoubtedly became wraiths in that way. Frodo was in danger of becoming one.

Also with regard to wight, a wight is simply a 'thing, creature, demon'. an 'evil spirit.' "evil spirits from Angmar inhabited the dead..." The Barrow-wights were simply called that as they were lesser spirits dwelling among the Barrows after the final fall of the North.

The spirits are everywhere spoken of in the Canon. Yavanna calls the "spirits from afar" to inhabit the Ents, though we have no idea who the 'spirits from afar' were, nor is it relevant. Melkor corrupted many lesser spirits to his service. It is felt by some Wargs were wolves inhabited by evil spirits.

It's essentially just another label.

 

[Vorondil]

So there could be quite a few wraiths mooching around.

 

[Ent]

quite a few wraiths

Yup. They 'kind of' exist in both worlds at the same time... but are mostly lost to the wraith world. if Ent grasps the little written regarding them correctly.

 

[Vorondil]

Yup. They 'kind of' exist in both worlds at the same time... but are mostly lost to the wraith world. if Ent grasps the little written regarding them correctly.

That is most interesting.

 

[Ent]

That is most interesting.

Indeed. Similar to the Ring-wraiths themselves, who though they could interact with both worlds, and could possibly appear as a 'shadowy something', needed to put on garb etc. to 'have a form' in this world. When they were unseated from their horses on trying to cross the river into Rivendell, they were "crippled" for a time and 'there was nothing more to fear from them at present." (Gandalf to Frodo in Rivendell.)

As Gandalf also says of Frodo after his rescue at the ford: "
‘Yes, it would. You were beginning to fade,’ answered Gandalf. ‘The wound was overcoming you at last. A few more hours and you would have been beyond our aid. But you have some strength in you, my dear hobbit! As you showed in the Barrow. That was touch and go: perhaps the most dangerous moment of all. I wish you could have held out at Weathertop.’ Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Lord Of The Rings (p. 219). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

‘They tried to pierce your heart with a Morgul-knife which remains in the wound. If they had succeeded, you would have become like they are, only weaker and under their command. You would have become a wraith under the dominion of the Dark Lord; and he would have tormented you for trying to keep his Ring, if any greater torment were possible than being robbed of it and seeing it on his hand.’ Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Lord Of The Rings (p. 222). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

 

[d4rk3lf]

@Ent
That's great explanation and perspective.
Thanks.

@Aethelwulf
They exist, but I am pretty sure, even they are wraith's, they are all still scarred of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins.

 

[Vorondil]

Another thing I've wondered is if you can't kill a ringwraith, then how could Eowyn and Merry both wound the Witch-King?

 

[Ent]

You have said it correctly. Merry and Eowyn "wound" the Witch-King.

Hear what is said:
"So passed the sword of the Barrow-downs, work of Westernesse. But glad would he have been to know its fate who wrought it slowly long ago in the North-kingdom when the Dúnedain were young, and chief among their foes was the dread realm of Angmar and its sorcerer king. No other blade, not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will.

It is not said he was 'killed'. The great likelihood... he was simply undone, similar to Sauron and Melkor. His 'spell' was broken.

That said, he WAS a human, whose blessing is to die eventually. Ent is uncertain when and how that happens... something has been said about the spirits of man too going to the Halls of Mandos until the time of renewal, or such things.

The Witch King was man, not Maia or Elf, endowed with the same 'life' they were. Ent needs to leave the full details of this part to others whose knowledge far exceeds his.