Where were the elves when the Westfold fell?

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  • čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
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Komentáře • 284

  • @OLBarbok
    @OLBarbok Před 2 měsíci +271

    Recently found the channel and have fallen in love with the videos. I use them when sleeping, cooking or anything else where i need background sound, thanks Robert.

    • @lukesayers5850
      @lukesayers5850 Před 2 měsíci +3

      Me too, Robert!

    • @annecarter5181
      @annecarter5181 Před 2 měsíci +19

      Too good to be just in the “background”!!! Sit down with a coffee or tea and hang on every word!!!! 😊

    • @JesusChrist-vq6lk
      @JesusChrist-vq6lk Před 2 měsíci +4

      Driving or washing up.. one of the only channels I've been consistently listening to for over a year or so

    • @billberndtson
      @billberndtson Před 2 měsíci +2

      I have 2 playlists; "Deep" and "Deep Tolkien." 🙂

    • @will-bp9gz
      @will-bp9gz Před 2 měsíci +3

      It's one of the best channels on CZcams!

  • @upthebracket26
    @upthebracket26 Před 2 měsíci +160

    where was mordor when Isengard fell?

    • @ArawnOfAnnwn
      @ArawnOfAnnwn Před 2 měsíci +19

      Exactly where it needed to be - on battlefields elsewhere, using the distraction they so conveniently provided.

    • @dandiehm8414
      @dandiehm8414 Před 2 měsíci +14

      @@kevting4512Sure he did. The mouth of Sauron, as part of the surrender terms, said the Men of the West will help rebuild Isengard, which they wantonly had destroyed.

    • @Daniel-rd6st
      @Daniel-rd6st Před 2 měsíci +10

      @@kevting4512Sauron is not really all seeing, in fact, he can only focus on a single point at a time. Thats why it was possible to keep him distracted, while Frodo and Sam travelled to mount Doom. Sauron didnt think about keeping watch of his own backjard.

    • @daniels7907
      @daniels7907 Před 2 měsíci +2

      Over-extended and unable to do anything about it.

  • @TheMuskokaman
    @TheMuskokaman Před 2 měsíci +111

    As Gandalf said to Elrond "It is in men we must place our hope"

    • @thing_under_the_stairs
      @thing_under_the_stairs Před 2 měsíci +10

      And then Agent Elrond Smith gave his famous "Men are weak" speech.

    • @michaelhart7569
      @michaelhart7569 Před 2 měsíci +4

      As Gildor Inglorion explained to Frodo "...Elves are little concerned with the ways of Hobbits, or of any other creatures upon the earth..."
      Elrond later spoke that in the unlikely event that the Three survived the destruction of the One, they might then heal the earth of the hurts of Sauron.
      Having had three thousand years to do so, this would appear to be an empty promise of goodness. As Tolkien paints them, the Elves usually give everybody else in Middle Earth a big FU. We're looking after number one. When the going gets tough, we're gonna quit and run for Valinor where you plebs can't go.

    • @SpottedHares
      @SpottedHares Před 2 měsíci +2

      @@michaelhart7569Middle earth was for Men Valinor was for the elves, and Numinor was for those in between. The elves promise we’re always empty and Middle Earth was never theirs they were alway just gagging around till they went to Valinor.

    • @daniels7907
      @daniels7907 Před 2 měsíci

      Let's not forget that the Elves were literally fading. Middle-earth is not designed for them and their bodies will eventually be consumed by their spirits there. Morgoth saw to that. Which is a large part of why Sauron was moving at that time. The Elves had suffered millennia of attrition in wars with Morgoth and Sauron and no longer had large realms and armies. While the Valar can reembody deceased Elves, they do so in Valinor, not Middle-earth. So whenever an Elf dies in Middle-earth, they will probably never return. Glorfindel was a special exception. Even Galadriel was resigned to the fact that she had to give up her realm and go West.
      The entire point is that the Dominion of Men was due to begin, and it was up to Men to decide the fate of Middle-earth.

  • @Scott_Silver
    @Scott_Silver Před 2 měsíci +73

    The elves arriving at Helms Deep technically should not have been in the movies, but that scene gives me shivers every time

    • @Blisterdude123
      @Blisterdude123 Před 2 měsíci +15

      It was one of Jackson's flourishes we accept because while it wasn't in the books, it 'is' a satisfying and powerful narrative moment, and another nod to Aragorn's eventual path to kingship.

    • @Sarum9nich
      @Sarum9nich Před měsícem

      I recently realised that i dislike lotr movies with great intensity, and this scene in particular is one of the main contributors. Elves arriving to save Helms Deep while rohirrim are portrayed as useless, weak and either too old or too young. I tried rewatching the movies this year but i just could not carry on after that and dropped the movies for good.

    • @Blisterdude123
      @Blisterdude123 Před měsícem +7

      @@Sarum9nich Sounds like a you problem tbh

    • @theo-dr2dz
      @theo-dr2dz Před měsícem +1

      I thought it was a bit ridiculous. How would they know? How would they arrive in time? For the Rohirrim it was a breakneck race from Edoras to Helm's Deep and they arrived just before the orcs. The elves would need helicopters to get there in time. But in a movie you can get away with that kind of thing.

    • @Blisterdude123
      @Blisterdude123 Před měsícem

      @@theo-dr2dz To be fair my fantasy suspension of disbelief can generally quite easily extend to 'elves have ways and means of moving swiftly something something magic and nature'

  • @M32Mirach
    @M32Mirach Před 2 měsíci +59

    Lol elves being dwarfed. Great phrase.

  • @TherealSBlair
    @TherealSBlair Před 2 měsíci +6

    Please don't forget those cloaks when discussing Galadriel's gifts. Their impact was pretty big too.

  • @tar-elenionmaranwe1275
    @tar-elenionmaranwe1275 Před 2 měsíci +23

    Thranduil was busy with war in his own realm:
    3019 March 15th: "Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur"
    App. B
    "In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves."
    App. B

  • @Nerd_Detective
    @Nerd_Detective Před 2 měsíci +6

    Looked at from an elf perspective, one might ask, "Where was Gondor when the elves were under attack?"
    It is interesting to see it their way, as a fading people who are just barely defending a few remaining strongholds to give themselves enough to depart forever.
    The more elves that leave, the harder the task left for those remaining. I imagine it would be a bittersweet feeling for each party heading west.

  • @istari0
    @istari0 Před 2 měsíci +58

    I think Thranduil's not sending forces to Minas Tirith had less to do with any PTSD he had and more to do with his own kingdom being under attack as well. In any event, the Elves had ceased to be a significant military power after the War of the Last Alliance.

    • @boc120
      @boc120 Před 2 měsíci +5

      They did help at the Battle of Fornost in the Third Age, but you're certainly largely correct.

    • @rodrigopaim82
      @rodrigopaim82 Před 2 měsíci +2

      Which were basically their last large scale military action until LOTR@@boc120

    • @VarianAlastair
      @VarianAlastair Před 2 měsíci +8

      Can we please not minimize the mental health struggles of people with ptsd? The description in the book is clear, sorry that you disagree but that doesn't give you the right to dismiss it publicly without being thrown headfirst into check for being wrong and rude about it

    • @Robert_H_Diver
      @Robert_H_Diver Před 2 měsíci +9

      @@VarianAlastair why are you so triggered? Just because someone has PTSD doesn’t meant they have to shut down and do nothing.

    • @colejosephalexanderkashay683
      @colejosephalexanderkashay683 Před 2 měsíci +7

      Did Thranduil's forces not only work with both Galadriel in destroying Dul Guldur, but also help in the battles around the lonely mountain at the same time?

  • @dandiehm8414
    @dandiehm8414 Před 2 měsíci +43

    Elrond also sent out scouts and messengers and by him, Galadriel was made aware of the Fellowship. Elrond also sent out Glorfindel to look for Aragorn and the Hobbits. Without Glorfindel (and his horse), they would have been overwhelmed by the Black riders. Bill the Pony could not have outrun them.

    • @cogitus73
      @cogitus73 Před 2 měsíci +5

      Yes, very true. But for Glorfindel the ring would have been taken. It was also no coincidence that he specifically was sent west from Imladris to cover the direction the ring bearer was most likely coming from.

    • @davidpnewton
      @davidpnewton Před 2 měsíci +3

      Galadriel also sent the summons for the Grey Company to come south from Eriador to join Aragorn in Rohan. Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen's standard tagged along as well as Elrond and Arwen's messages.

    • @iainballas
      @iainballas Před 2 měsíci +2

      Bill the Pony is the only reason the Black Riders didn't dare approach the hobbits sooner

    • @nickahlbach5064
      @nickahlbach5064 Před 2 měsíci +2

      Don't talk shit about my man Bill. Real MVP

    • @dandiehm8414
      @dandiehm8414 Před 2 měsíci

      @@nickahlbach5064 LOL - bill Bolted in terror at the site of the Watcher in the Water (no shame there), but i doubt he could have withstood the Nine and their horses. He did is part, surely. For one thing, when they put Frodo onto Asfaloth, Bill took the Hobbits' extra baggage and allowed them to move much faster.

  • @markstott6689
    @markstott6689 Před 2 měsíci +46

    Succinct and accurate.
    The days of huge elven armies were long gone. If every elf had gone to Minas Tirith, there'd be no kingdoms to return to. 😊❤😊

  • @michaelholmes2520
    @michaelholmes2520 Před 2 měsíci +84

    I’m very much looking forward to hearing how Galadriel’s hair helped the Fellowship! 😅

    • @MrLostValentine
      @MrLostValentine Před 2 měsíci +40

      It (or rather the act of giving it to a dwarf) helped forge the bond of friendship between Gimli and Legolas.

    • @jaredwalley5692
      @jaredwalley5692 Před 2 měsíci +10

      I do believe one of her hairs was in the bowstring that she gave to Legolas.

    • @sharijackson3985
      @sharijackson3985 Před 2 měsíci +17

      Also very significant because in the Silmarillion she denied Feanor her hair, which was said to be his inspiration for making the Silmarils.

    • @npc_code
      @npc_code Před 2 měsíci

      @@sharijackson3985 really? was it said explicit or more indirect implied. I cant remember that part. (Probably i just forgot it, i need to read the Book again)

    • @ghaznavid
      @ghaznavid Před 2 měsíci +3

      there's a saying in mountaineering "you can't put a price on morale and camaraderie".

  • @amasterofone
    @amasterofone Před 2 měsíci +13

    Love Pippin's face in that last group shot at Aragorn 's coronation

  • @bbl2019
    @bbl2019 Před 2 měsíci +5

    Besides the great subject matter, I find myself coming to your videos to hear your soothingly expository voice. It’s very comforting

  • @samsherwen6912
    @samsherwen6912 Před 2 měsíci +6

    Interesting picture at 3:26 - very reminicient of Milford Sound.... Another interesting chapter, thanks for keeping them up.

  • @cah0261
    @cah0261 Před 2 měsíci +1

    "What difference would a few more elves make?"
    *Boromir stares with arrows in him.

  • @toncek9981
    @toncek9981 Před 2 měsíci +2

    I like how this whole "Where was... when the Westfold fell?" is purely movie thing, because of the elves at Helm's Deep and lax unprepared Denethor we see in PJ's adaptation. Anyone reading the book will realise that both Gondor and remaining elven forces were more than occupied with their own problems.
    And perhaps even more importantly, no Westfold actually fell... Saruman's army defeated local Rohirrim at the second battle of Isen and then burned villages on their way to Helm's Deep, but that's all. No uruk-hai roaming freely through the land bearing the white hand of Saruman, just two battles in fast succession and little bit of pillaging between. With the first battle lost and the second decisively won, Westfold and its population, sheltered in Helm's Deep, survived the war relatively unscathed.

    • @naebhor6931
      @naebhor6931 Před měsícem

      I think the "Westfold" in the movies may be a reference to the Battle of Isen. Some things were altered for movie purposes. Arwen and Glorfindel on the road, the Elves arriving at Helm's Deep to represent the battles they fought in the North at the same time period. The Houses of Healing and the finding of the Sapling, Faramir meeting Frodo and Sam and many other encounters.

  • @Seriously_Unserious
    @Seriously_Unserious Před 2 měsíci +2

    You could say in answer to "where were the elves when the Welsfold fell?" Well, they were busy fighting the armies of Moria and Dul Goldur, as well as, if I remember correctly intercepting an army from Dul Goldur or northern Mordor headed for northern Rohan and forced them to fight Lothlorien instead. So they were not only defending their own lands, but tying up 2 large orc armies loyal to Mordor who would otherwise have been able to give relief to Isengard or the armies of Mordor on the Pelenor Fields, crossing into Eastern Rohan or the sieging armies at Erabor and the Lonely Mountain. To the north, the Elves of Mirkwood stood their ground between Dul Goldur and Dale and Erabor, ensuring no army from Dul Goldur could ever reach that siege and strengthen it. How could the Rohiram have helped Gondor if they'd been forced to turn north and defend their own lands from armies sweeping down through the north form Dul Guldor and Moria? What would have happened if they had not and were left with no home to return to and enemy armies coming in at their heels? Thanks to Lothlorian and Northern Mirkwood, that never happens. Their flanks are kept free and they can all focus on the enemies before them.

  • @vkohli17
    @vkohli17 Před 2 měsíci +24

    Can we take a moment to appreciate how polite Robert is to us viewers

  • @commentator-tl9h
    @commentator-tl9h Před 2 měsíci +9

    They were getting the hell outta Dodge

  • @simonmurphy549
    @simonmurphy549 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Thranduil lost a lot of his people at Erebor too. There is a line about his host being lessened and I seem to remember something about many an elf who should lived long under leaf and bough dying.

    • @tar-elenionmaranwe1275
      @tar-elenionmaranwe1275 Před 2 měsíci +1

      "Already behind him among the goblin dead lay many men and many dwarves, and many a fair elf that should have lived yet long ages merrily in the wood."
      The Hobbit

  • @green_dragon_knight
    @green_dragon_knight Před 2 měsíci +4

    In addition to the elves already mentioned, in the book, Glorfindel is a crucial ally in getting the hobbits and the ring to Rivendell. As powerful as Aragorn was, I don’t think he could have fought the Nazgûl off at the river as well as he did without Glorfindel’s help.

    • @rikk319
      @rikk319 Před 2 měsíci +2

      For sure. A reincarnated elf lord who fought a balrog to a stalemate wasn't going to flinch at some shriveled human spirits.

    • @green_dragon_knight
      @green_dragon_knight Před 2 měsíci +2

      @@rikk319 Absolutely! I love the section in the book where Frodo, bearing the ring and suffering from his wound, can see Glorfindel in the way he can see the Nazgûl. Glorfindel is awesome

  • @luludi3
    @luludi3 Před 2 měsíci +4

    I just love the videos about the elves! I like the parts of the books were Tolkien describes their homes and ancient lore.

  • @TiredSnowBerry
    @TiredSnowBerry Před 2 měsíci +1

    You are the master of answering questions I didn't even know I had 😂 keep em coming, I always love learning new things about my favorite franchises

  • @r2dezki
    @r2dezki Před 2 měsíci +1

    Another gripe towards the two towers movie... Suddenly there's an army of elves to help Rohan just because, even though it undermines the whole point Tolkien tries to make.

  • @TomsBackyardWorkshop
    @TomsBackyardWorkshop Před 2 měsíci +3

    They were fighting Orcs in their own lands. Sauron knew if the elves, humans and dwarves fought as one army he had no hope of winning. So he attacked them separately.

  • @nickschulte3915
    @nickschulte3915 Před 2 měsíci +1

    I still hold that Elrond could have sent more than just his sons with the Grey Company. Glorfindel being the obvious name. But even if they didn’t ride south, Rivendell couldn’t supplant the rangers and defend the north at all? Maybe not stop Sharky, but Bree and the like could have had an easier time of it.

  • @JesusChrist-vq6lk
    @JesusChrist-vq6lk Před 2 měsíci +6

    I think you should read lotr and post it.. 30 mins at a time.. easy and simple content plus youve got a good voice for it

    • @andrewtyrell4795
      @andrewtyrell4795 Před 2 měsíci +2

      I would happily for an audio book of him reading The Lord of the Rings. It always feels so luxurious when he reads out a passage from the books.

  • @jonhowarth9911
    @jonhowarth9911 Před 2 měsíci +1

    It’s funny how the films have changed my memory of the book. I am re-reading it at the moment and was surprised to find the elves nowhere to be seen at Helm’s Deep or the Pelennor Fields or the Black Gate.

    • @martinbynion1589
      @martinbynion1589 Před měsícem

      Surely the elves (Legolas apart) where not AT the Pellenor Fields or The Black Gate in the movies..?!

    • @jonhowarth9911
      @jonhowarth9911 Před měsícem

      @martinbynion1589 Hmm, maybe you’re right. Now I’m going to have to watch the films again!

  • @GravesRWFiA
    @GravesRWFiA Před 2 měsíci +2

    there just weren't enough elves left to march out as they once had, the days of the nolodo armies was ages gone.

  • @Richard_Nickerson
    @Richard_Nickerson Před 2 měsíci +3

    Wasn't Thranduil's kingdom attacked along with Dale? Did the Mirkwood Elves aide Dale?

    • @tar-elenionmaranwe1275
      @tar-elenionmaranwe1275 Před 2 měsíci +4

      Thranduil was being attacked by forces from Dol Guldur.
      March 15th: "Battle under the trees in Mirkwood; Thranduil repels the forces of Dol Guldur"
      App. B
      and:
      "In the North also there had been war and evil. The realm of Thranduil was invaded, and there was long battle under the trees and great ruin of fire; but in the end Thranduil had the victory. And on the day of the New Year of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves."
      ibid

    • @Richard_Nickerson
      @Richard_Nickerson Před 2 měsíci +2

      @@tar-elenionmaranwe1275
      I knew Thranduil was actually doing something. Surprised he didn't mention it.

  • @jonrice9509
    @jonrice9509 Před 2 měsíci +1

    I always assumed that Elladan and Elrohir were also at the battle of the Moranon, with the surviving members of the Gray Company.

  • @chrissistarski
    @chrissistarski Před měsícem +1

    "the elven forces would have been dwarfed by those of sauron"
    The elves would have been very annoyed by such a statement, they have no wish to be bearded

  • @gewoonik687
    @gewoonik687 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Thranduil, had multiple reasons in addition to ptsd, the fact his armies and family were the first in battle and had the most casualties. He him slef barley survived. And after all that mankind betreat them by not destroying the ring but claiming it for them self.

  • @viggojuul
    @viggojuul Před 2 měsíci +1

    This is my new favorite Channel. Thank you so much for all your hard work. I REALLY enjoy your videoes 🤝🏼

  • @Alex-cw3rz
    @Alex-cw3rz Před 2 měsíci +6

    0:04 damn did a Dwarf write that bit

    • @BenersantheBread
      @BenersantheBread Před 2 měsíci +1

      I mean with how much elves are praised as being perfect in every way it's a pretty good question.
      I swear sometimes it feels like Tolkein predated the internet in being unreasonably horny for elves.

  • @midnightroadstudios
    @midnightroadstudios Před 2 měsíci +5

    I love these videos.

  • @daniels7907
    @daniels7907 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Another point is that Sauron was making a huge gamble. He sent armies to attack Lothlorien, the Woodland Realm, Dale, and Erebor. What if he had sent those armies to Minas Tirith instead? Likely, the combined forces of Gondor and Rohan would have been completely crushed by sheer weight of numbers and the city taken. But Sauron had to balance that against the risk that those other realms might have sent armies south if they could and then maybe the city wouldn't be taken. He was moving sooner than he wanted to after all. He thought that Aragorn had done away with Saruman and taken the One Ring from what turned out to be the wrong Hobbit. That gave him a sense of urgency and required him to divide his forces.

    • @Calintares
      @Calintares Před 2 měsíci +1

      Logistics would make it impractical to send those armies to Minas Tirith. The size of the armies already there compared with the food and supplies they needed compared with the available roads meant that their logistics system was already taxed to the limit. Adding in extra armies on top would mainly have lead to thousands of orcs dying of starvation which would be bad for morale

    • @daniels7907
      @daniels7907 Před 2 měsíci

      @@Calintares - Pray tell, where in the entire Legendarium does Tolkien even try to explain the logistics of war *or* peace? Fans debate where Dwarves got food in their underground cities. Only Thranduil's Elves have known trade agreements. Where do the Grey Havens, Rivendell and Lothlorien get food? Are they buying from the Hobbits?
      We know virtually nothing about the East and South of Middle-earth and how they provision themselves even in their own lands. Do the Corsairs use their ships to fish, for example? How did the Haradrim move Oliphaunts so far and keep them fed? Why does it seem like huge numbers of Easterlings can march/ride into the West without negatively impacting their production of food and other goods in their own lands?
      And how the heck does Sauron feed vast armies of Orcs outside of Mordor? How was Saruman feeding them with only Isengard as his holding?
      That's not even getting into the legendary wars of the First Age, which invariably made even less sense logistically.

    • @daniels7907
      @daniels7907 Před 2 měsíci

      @@Calintares - Tolkien doesn't devote much attention to logistics. You'll notice this even more if you read the Silmarillion.

    • @Calintares
      @Calintares Před 2 měsíci +1

      @@daniels7907 i have to disagree there. In LOTR at least. Notice how all the distances traveled by armies and how long they take to get places line up with realistic figures for army movements. That doesn't happen accidentally, the professor must've spent quite some time on that

    • @daniels7907
      @daniels7907 Před 2 měsíci

      @@Calintares - But he does not really address supply lines or where food comes from (even in peacetime). How much food do you think hordes of rampaging Orcs require? How do Dwarves live inside of mountains and focus entirely on mining and crafting? How do people just build entire fortresses and cities because they want to? How did the Elves learn to fight wars immediately after Feanor dragged them back to Middle-earth, when they had no experience with wars in Valinor?

  • @IndigoIndustrial
    @IndigoIndustrial Před 2 měsíci +2

    Superb editing of the visuals.

  • @PleaseNThankYou
    @PleaseNThankYou Před 2 měsíci +1

    On yet another roll, mellon. Great work.

  • @davidrobertson5996
    @davidrobertson5996 Před 2 měsíci +1

    As always, excellent content. I always learn something from your posts, despite having read Tolkien for more than forty years. Keep up the good work!

  • @RodrigoGarcia-ly5cy
    @RodrigoGarcia-ly5cy Před 2 měsíci

    As always a great video!!

  • @annecarter5181
    @annecarter5181 Před 2 měsíci +1

    I always learn so much from these topics!! Thanks, Robert!

  • @dinkmartini3236
    @dinkmartini3236 Před 2 měsíci

    Another fantastic video. Thank you.

  • @anom5389
    @anom5389 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Here’s a question that’s always bothered me about the movies: why was Gandalf acting as if he forgot his name when Aragorn called him Gandalf when he came back as Gandalf the white? Gandalf already met with Merry & Pippin and they surely would have called Gandalf by his name… But when Gimly and Aragorn say it, Gandalf responds “yes that was what they used to call me”… I know Gandalf met with merry and pippin before meeting Aragorn and crew because Gandalf says to Gimly “merry/pippin are quite safe, in fact they’re quite safer than [gimly’s] about to be. So it doesnt make sense for Gandalf not to remember his name when he meets with Aragorn and summons Shadowfax.

  • @billybob01234567
    @billybob01234567 Před 2 měsíci

    Love this! Brilliant video!

  • @PiraticalBob
    @PiraticalBob Před 2 měsíci +1

    Galadriel gifting Sam with Elvish rope had nothing to do with Tolkien, of course; that was all Peter Jackson. Sam took a length of the rope provided with the boats; his gift from Galadriel was a small box of earth from her garden, and a seed for a mallorn tree also.

  • @masterofdisaster1633
    @masterofdisaster1633 Před 2 měsíci

    That was what needed by me today. Thanks!

  • @arturleperoke3205
    @arturleperoke3205 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Robert is creating grudges where there were none before😂

  • @PaszerDye
    @PaszerDye Před 2 měsíci +2

    IDK but Legolas killed 42 orcs at the battle of Helm's Deep. If each elf could manage half or even a quarter of that, sending even just 20 archers to assist Rohan would have taken care of 200-400 orcs. That is not a small number. And I get the theme that it was time for the age & dominion of man. But as contentious as it was, one of the reason people love the Elves coming in to bolster Helm's Deep was the matter of brotherhood. Elves are eldar and men are edain, the 1st & 2nd children of Eru. Although that notwithstanding (since movie goers wouldn't know about it) and more than who the age belonged to, taking a stand with your brother in times of hardship is a far more noble and resonant in both cause and value.

  • @saladinbob
    @saladinbob Před 2 měsíci +2

    I wouldn't exactly say the Elves in the movie came in and saved the day, there was only a small contingent of them and narratively it changes nothing and if you argue it does, then you must take the same position on Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Downs, the latter of which definitely should have been in the films (I'm still waiting for that 12 hour cut, Peter!). As far as Thranduil is concerned, sure he had PTSD and I agree he had to do right by his own people but more broadly, the guy wasn't a good dude, nor a wise leader with greed that would make a Dwarf proud. Of the Elven leaders in Middle Earth he was without doubt the worst. That particular apple fell very far from Oropher.

  • @lukesayers5850
    @lukesayers5850 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Sinfonia per i sensi.. exquisite!

  • @danacoleman4007
    @danacoleman4007 Před 2 měsíci

    What a WONDERFUL video!!!! Thank you!!!!

  • @pedrogomesalmeidadesouza2144
    @pedrogomesalmeidadesouza2144 Před 2 měsíci +2

    Craving for the galadriel's gift video

  • @samuelleask1132
    @samuelleask1132 Před 2 měsíci

    Beautiful video and breakdown

  • @magnusnilsson1962
    @magnusnilsson1962 Před 2 měsíci

    Thank you for this one.

  • @steveozone4910
    @steveozone4910 Před 2 měsíci +5

    They were busy helping Santa?

  • @ericpalahniuk6013
    @ericpalahniuk6013 Před 2 měsíci +1

    I love these videos so much.

  • @IDontBuyIt50
    @IDontBuyIt50 Před 2 měsíci +1

    The messenger sent to Rivendell to ask directly for assistance was following a Hoarfoot migration said to lead to the elves when he slipped on discarded fruit, sprained an ankle and the Hoarfoot left him for dead, since he couldn't march and all.

  • @shinjinobrave
    @shinjinobrave Před 2 měsíci

    Could you make a video addressing where the elves were when our enemies closed in around us?

  • @krzysztofgradalski3584
    @krzysztofgradalski3584 Před 2 měsíci

    I'd like to see an episode about history of Eorlingas. Why there was an alliance between Gondor and Rohan? When did it start? It's really interesting

  • @joeybox0rox649
    @joeybox0rox649 Před 2 měsíci +2

    I want not only more, I would like longer stories as only you can tell them, Robert. Please.

    • @samuelvine
      @samuelvine Před 2 měsíci +3

      I believe he still has his second CZcams channel, "The Well Told Tale" he narrates the various books that he can. Might be what you're needing :)
      *Edit* Yes, he does still have that channel, the link to it is near the top of the drop down description page just under the video. Good luck and enjoy!

  • @jimkeller1354
    @jimkeller1354 Před měsícem

    Thanks!

  • @charlesbopp1870
    @charlesbopp1870 Před 2 měsíci +1

    What a good video title

  • @rodgerbane3825
    @rodgerbane3825 Před 2 měsíci +1

    All except for Ciridan were engaged militarily by the forces of Mordor near their own homes as well.

  • @jamesm1494
    @jamesm1494 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Where was the quote regarding Thranduil and the shadow of Mordor from? I didn't recognise it.

    • @tar-elenionmaranwe1275
      @tar-elenionmaranwe1275 Před 2 měsíci +2

      "But there was in Thranduil’s heart a still deeper shadow. He had seen the horror of Mordor and could not forget it. If ever he looked south its memory dimmed the light of the Sun, and though he knew that it was now broken and deserted and under the vigilance of the Kings of Men, fear spoke in his heart that it was not conquered for ever: it would arise again."
      Unfinished Tales, The History of Galadriel and Celeborn, Appendix B, The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves

  • @robertlanger6359
    @robertlanger6359 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Did the elves always bail men out though.. the arrival of men in Beliraind fortified the elves… the men during the eldar days respected the elves wisdom and experience but I’d argue the courage of valor of men did more to hold the line then just being bailed out by the elves

  • @Cyballistic
    @Cyballistic Před 2 měsíci

    Would love seeing you add Wheel of Time lore to your channel portfolio!

  • @iowaredneck9416
    @iowaredneck9416 Před 2 měsíci +1

    It wasn’t their battle to fight. The world had other plans for them. That doesn’t mean they weren’t playing chess while Sauron and Sauroman were playing checkers

  • @RX7FDfreak
    @RX7FDfreak Před 2 měsíci

    Exact video I was looking for however could you do a video on what an Army of Elves would look like if they had amassed on the field of battle? To see the Noldor march one last time and what could they have done exactly. Just a thought

  • @davidv4018
    @davidv4018 Před měsícem

    The elves sent Legolas, and hoped that was enough.

  • @FRESHNESSSSSS
    @FRESHNESSSSSS Před 2 měsíci

    Great stuff as usual.
    I'd like to get your take on the amount of "fake outs" when it comes to character deaths in LOTR. Are there a bit too many of them?

  • @etherraichu
    @etherraichu Před 2 měsíci

    The elves showing up in the movie really just felt like a way for them to say "We're still your friends!"

  • @jenibnlaahad5398
    @jenibnlaahad5398 Před 2 měsíci

    Glorfindel saved Grodo, Galadrial destroyed dol guldur these events are also insane to the shaping of the story. These 2 deeps are more than MOST people who joined the fights did combined.

  • @omulu4007
    @omulu4007 Před 2 měsíci

    You forgot to mention that Elrond made sure that the Fellowship could depart safely from Rivendell!!!

  • @geitalew7677
    @geitalew7677 Před 2 měsíci

    Just watched the first 3 episodes of shogun, i think it's right up your alley to do reviews and vids on. Its not fantasy but based on a novel that tells dramatised version of events of real history of fuedal Japan. Ive never read the book or watched the old 80s version of the show but know a fair bit about the real history it copies from a few history channels and its awesome so far.

  • @bjarkefromsejer394
    @bjarkefromsejer394 Před 2 měsíci

    So speaking of elves staying home.. The war of the ring happened, and the elves leave middle-earth to go to Valinor..
    And what do they do there, then..? Just sit around and waiting for the end times..? Are they honing their skills, or practice out their love, and hapiness.. Or do they have another grand history to themselves, adventures and tragic, outside of human recording..?

  • @dragonkingofthestars
    @dragonkingofthestars Před 2 měsíci +1

    I predict the next video to be : Where where the dwarfs when the Westfold fell?

  • @adriannalockhart9639
    @adriannalockhart9639 Před 2 měsíci

    Could you do a video of the War of the Ring and its lead up from Elrond's perspective? He's one of my favorite characters. Hugo Weaving made me really love his character, but despite his importance he's very behind the scenes during the books.

  • @duncansargent
    @duncansargent Před 2 měsíci

    I have a question?
    What do you think would have happened if the Balrog had gotten hold of the one ring, I am not sure it would have felt obliged to give it to Sauron. Would it have known of its providence even?

  • @kojinaoftheinvertedeye810
    @kojinaoftheinvertedeye810 Před měsícem +1

    Théoden after one too many beers:
    "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Rivendell when the Westfold fell? Where was Loth Lorien when the Westfold fell? Where was Mirkwood when the Westfold fell? Where were Dale, Lake Town and Erebor when the Westfold fell? Where was Itilien when the Westfold fell? Where was the Shire when the Westfold fell? Where was Bree when the Westfold fell?! WHERE WAS VALINOR WHEN THE WESTFOLD FELL?!!? WHERE WAS ERU WHEN THE WESTFOLD FELL?! WHERE WERE THEY WHEN OUR ENEMIES CLOSED IN AROUND US?! WHERE WERE THEY WHEN-... Actually... WHERE WERE THE SPIRITS OF DUNHARROW WHEN THE WESTFOLD FELL?!!?"

  • @teehasheestower
    @teehasheestower Před 2 měsíci

    "you see old friend? I brought more soldiers than you."

  • @douglasharley2440
    @douglasharley2440 Před 2 měsíci

    4:11 lol, i wasn't ready for busty galadriel! 😍

  • @npc_code
    @npc_code Před 2 měsíci

    I think "dominion" is such a cute word for such a strong meaning.

  • @camerongooch9606
    @camerongooch9606 Před 2 měsíci

    Truly there was only ever one way good won in middle earth, similar to endgame there were thousands of possibilities the story could have failed but only one way it could have succeeded.

  • @BachZhaa
    @BachZhaa Před 2 měsíci

    Are you thinking of doing Dune lore? I'd think that be right up your alley and would love to hear it broken down. I know you'd do it justice.

  • @sharijackson3985
    @sharijackson3985 Před 2 měsíci +2

    Protecting their own borders with the few they have left.

  • @cystarkman
    @cystarkman Před 2 měsíci

    One thing I have never understood. It was time for humans to inherit, it was their fight. So what of the hobbits? Their history and writing survive till found by Tolkien as the red book. But them? Beside them not being mentioned in illuvitar’s plan, where did they go?

  • @JojenReed
    @JojenReed Před 2 měsíci

    So what's the deal with the gunpowder/bombing of helm's deep? that seemed pretty revolutionary in the movies to grima

  • @Welverin
    @Welverin Před 2 měsíci

    Between the Bruinen and Misty Mountains.

  • @paulafrida9515
    @paulafrida9515 Před 2 měsíci

    Actualy Sam received a mallorn tree seed and soil from Lothlorien,not only rope🙂

  • @Hektorofthegoldhelm
    @Hektorofthegoldhelm Před 2 měsíci +1

    I don't know, when you have a force of warriors who are naturally better than humans at everything, and for whom death is only a temporary setback, for them to just 'peace out' of Middle Earth during the war against their sworn enemy just seems... heartless? Negligent? I get the whole 'humans must learn to fight for themselves' thing but they picked a hell of a time to teach them that lesson.

    • @kojinaoftheinvertedeye810
      @kojinaoftheinvertedeye810 Před měsícem +1

      That's what I was thinking, morally speaking that's really callous, like imagine your friends are being attacked and you're like... Sorry... I'm gonna bail out instead of lemme help you, like that's just kinda selfish, like sure they had dwindling numbers but Rohan couldn't muster their full force and they still helped Gondor as best as they could, so why couldn't the elves, if they cared for the others they surely would have helped, the Grey Havens makes sense, they're too far, Thranduil's traumatized so likely even if he could bring himself the strength he'd be strategically unsound, I think because his emotions would cloud his judgement too much but Loth Lorien and Rivendell? I understand thematically it wouldn't have worked and I'm not bashing Tolkien but surely they could do something? Like did the Elves who left just simply value themselves more? (Which I like ngl, I like Elves being snobs in stories)

  • @christophcookit6334
    @christophcookit6334 Před 2 měsíci

    The elves had a work at home day.

  • @MrBottlecapBill
    @MrBottlecapBill Před 2 měsíci +1

    I mean, if they were able to repel constant attacks from orc armies there must have been a lot of elves left. Just saying. It's not like Sauron ever went into battle with small numbers. Sure their numbers were not what they used to be but neither were the human numbers. 4 elven strongholds as opposed to what.......two human?

  • @ElliottA7
    @ElliottA7 Před 2 měsíci

    The idea of Cirdan marching to Gondor is silly. He had boats and Gondor is on the coast

  • @Mechadondada
    @Mechadondada Před 2 měsíci

    They were packing up their $hit to get out of Middle Dodge.

  • @ahmedshaharyarejaz9886
    @ahmedshaharyarejaz9886 Před měsícem

    Surely the Elves of Cirdan, Rivendell, Mirkwood and Lothlorien could have spared 20 skilled warriors between them all.
    20 Elves each the equal of Legolas in skill would have made the journey to Mordor a lot easier.

  • @party4keeps28
    @party4keeps28 Před 2 měsíci

    The title of this video is very poetic.

  • @c.j.nyssen6987
    @c.j.nyssen6987 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Not to nit-pick (much) but Galadriel did not "gift" any of the Fellowship with rope, it was simply stowed in each boat, and Sam helped himself (technically, Galadriel was responsible for the boats and everything in them). But she did gift Sam with a box of soil from her garden, something she admitted would do nothing to aid the Fellowship on the road, but that would reward them if Sam managed to carry it through all the foreseen and unimagined perils of the Quest.

    • @peterjay3257
      @peterjay3257 Před měsícem

      Not to nitpick, but "gift" isn't a real verb.

    • @c.j.nyssen6987
      @c.j.nyssen6987 Před měsícem

      @@peterjay3257 Actually, it is. Go pick up a dictionary.

  • @robinsteeden7466
    @robinsteeden7466 Před měsícem

    Lorien and the Forest Realm were nations, but they were in decline and as mentioned they were both under attack. I don't believe Thranduil was a coward or had PTSD, those are conclusions made with minimal basis.
    Rivendell is not a nation, it's a large household or at best a small private realm. It's military might would be small, like it's population although containing some notable heroes.
    But it's role was to act as a sanctuary and a way station for elves and elf friends passing (mostly westwards) through the Misty Mountains. What military power it has was tied up in guarding the passes and assisting the Rangers in keeping Eriador clear of Orcish and trollish raiders.
    The Grey Havens might be considered a nation, but again, it's role is as a sanctuary and point of departure. Most of the elves there were pilgrims headed to Valinor or who were lingering before departing. These two groups were "done", few if any would be willing or able to fight Sauron.
    7:10 The other Elves remaining there were either building ships for the elves going west, maintaining the ports or defending them in order to keep the way to Valinor open for the departing ones. They would not make up much of an army and any force they sent out to fight would leave the havens open to being over run, so they would have to stay to defend them.