Letter 211 was one of Tolkien's written communications in the published collection of The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. It was Tolkien's message to Rhona Beare about a set of eleven questions she inquired for a gathering of his fans.
Summary
The summarized list of questions and their corresponding answers were as follows:
- Question: Why did Samwise Gamgee utter O Elbereth Gilthoniel, when the first edition mentions A Elbereth Gilthoniel?
Answer: It was a mistake as the O was the English version, and as Sam was calling in the Elvish tongue, it must be A.
Details: A Elbereth Gilthoniel means O, Elbereth Starkindle. Samwise Gamgee spoke these words while fighting the spider Shelob, as he used the Phial of Galadriel against the beast. The Elvish words illuminated the light of the Phial, driving Shelob away. - Question: What did Frodo intend to say when he expressed the words Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima?
Answer: A Elbereth Gilthoniel indicates "O Elbereth Starkindler" while Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima's translation was "Hail Eärendil, brightest of the stars!". The words in Crist inspired this expression.
Details: Frodo Baggins spoke the Elvish words Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima to also activate the starlight of Galadriel's Phial upon their encounter with the spider Shelob on their way to Mordor. - Question: In the first publishing, why does Glorfindel's steed have a bit and bridle when the Elves mount their horses without this equipment?
Answer: Tolkien wrote this part of the narrative earlier than his first reference to the Elves' manner of horse riding. Therefore, Glorfindel's horse will have a headstall instead of a bit and bridle.
Details: Asfaloth was the name of Glorfindel's horse. It was the same horse that took Frodo to Rivendell when the Nazguls attacked the Hobbits in Weathertop. The wise Elven horse received his master's command well and rode swiftly without Frodo's instruction. - Question: How did Ar-pharazon overcome Sauron when the Dark Lord has the One Ring?
Answer: Sauron willingly yielded to Ar-pharazon's men instead of Numenor's ruler himself. This voluntary submission was Sauron's plan to infiltrate Numenor and to gain their trust, so he could successfully destroy them. Details: Ar-Pharazon set out to meet Sauron, upon hearing of the Dark Lord's conquest in Middle-earth. When Ar-Pharazon's massive army arrived, Sauron's armies utterly escaped. But Sauron had an ulterior motive. He intended to deceive Al-Pharazon by pretending to be struck in awe of his majestic forces. Ar-Pharzon was suspicious and took Sauron back to Numenor as his prisoner. Later on, Sauron gained Ar-pharazon's trust and continued his schemes that eventually resulted in Numenor's destruction. - Question: What were the assigned colors of the two unidentified Istari?
Answer: Tolkien wrote in his reply that he does not know, although, in his later writings, he then specified Blue.
Details: Tolkien later wrote of the two Istaris as Pallando and Alatar the Blue. They appeared in the land of Middle-earth wearing cloaks in the shade of the blue sea. Although he revealed very few details about their actions and fate, Gandalf once mentioned in the story that the two may have founded magical factions and developed their art, influencing Middle-earth of their crafts. During Tolkien's late years, he again wrote of the Blue Wizards with alternate names of Morinehtar and Rómestámo. - Question: What kind of clothing do people of Middle-earth use to adorn themselves?
Answer: Tolkien responded that he did not know their clothing manner, although certain concepts depend on their civilization. Men have a variety of clothing customs, mainly depending on their heritage. The Bayeux Tapestry was suitable for the Men of Rohan, while Numenoreans had similar clothing to Egyptians. - Question: What does the crown of Gondor appear like with its winged embellishment?
Answer: It was large and high similar to Egyptian designs, but the wings incline and fasten to the crown.
Details: King Aragorn Elessar wore Gondor's crown worn upon his coronation in the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor. Its height was high and had the color of the purest white. The wings attached to the crown was of a seabird made of silver and pearls. Seven jewels embellished it and one placed on the crown's helm, shining like a blazing fire. - Question: What does El in Elven names such as Elrond stand for? And how does it differ in use for Elves and stars?
Answer: The word El's translation is a star. But as a prefix in a set of words, it could indicate elf or star. Several names with El- vary in meaning. Examples are Elrond (meaning Star cave, Star Vault, Dome of stars), Elros (-ros translates as mist or droplets), Elrohir (which means Elf-knight), and Elladan (translated as Elf-Numenorean) - Question: What is the meaning of the name Legolas?
Answer: Legolas means Green Leaves.
Details: The name Legolas comes from the classic Sindarin form Laegolas. The Sindarin term laeg means green while golas translates as a bunch of foliage or leaves. Laiqualassë was also the Quenya form of his name. There was a note that laeg was an ancient term for green, and not usually used. Green is often calen as in the evolved Parth Galen. The Sindar rarely use laeg except with the First Age's Green-Elves. Thranduil may have meant for his son's name to retain a trace of reference to the Green Elves as they were the Silvan Elves' forefathers, whose multitude he rules over in Mirkwood. - Question: Is the Witch-King mounted to a pterodactyl during the battle in Gondor?
Answer: Although it was not thought of as a pterodactyl, in some ways, it is very similar to that creature.
Details: The flying creatures ridden by the Witch-King of Angmar and the Nazgul were the Fell beasts. They were massive beasts with vast wings. They have no feathers on their dark skin, and the outer part of their wings branch with finger-like protrusions and horns. The bodies of these atrocious beasts also give off a foul smell. The Dark Lord produced these creatures and gave them to his Nazgul servants after they lost their horses in the Ford of Bruinen. Tolkien fans often see Fellbeasts as similar to Pterosaurs. However, they are far different from Pterosaurs' scientific description as these ancient dinosaurs were hairy while the Fellbeasts were featherless. - Question: In Earendil's song, was the referenced Elder King, the One?
Answer: Manwe was the Elder King in the lyrics.
Details: Manwe was the Valar of the sky, the King, and chief of the Valar of the West. His Sindarin name is Aran Einior, which translates as the Elder King. Bilbo Baggins composed The Song of Earendil with several lines of the lyric made by Aragorn. The verse which mentions this described when Earendil came to the land of the West. He remained there for a while as they presented songs, tales, and gold harps to him. They also adorned him with Elven's clothing in white and gave him seven lights as he went onto the concealed area of Calacirian. He arrived in the Halls of Ilmarin later, Manwe and Varda's residence, in the summit of the mountain Taniquetil. The Eldar King was Manwe, who resided in the mountain's halls. They spoke words about Elves and Men and showed him visions that they could not permit others to witness.
Categories:
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
