: Why would you hope that the world we live in is not Ea? I’m sure that a good Norseman like yourself would be eagerly awaiting a final battle with Morgoth. I’m a Celt and I’m certainly looking forward to a damn fine punch up with the bugger, and why the concern over Turin’s sword when you have a perfectly good blade yourself, no doubt Fjörsvafnir will stand you in good stead when the time comes (and it couldn’t be as ill omened as Turin’s).

: Unfortunately, I’m not sure what the role of men will be in the final battle, cannon fodder as usual I suppose. I do remember from the Alkallabeth that the host of Ar Pharazon lies entombed in Valinor until then. In addition think of the backup, the Halls of Mandos will be emptied, the Vanyar and Noldor will stand by our side. The Teleri will probably go fishing. The Valar will be on hand to destroy any inconvenient geographical features (providing none of their precious Eldar are in the way of course). Hopefully the dwarves will come to the party as well as Hobbits (to provide the beer and pipeweed). I also seem to remember that Men will have something to do with the remaking of Arda

I am rather good at breaking swords thoug, during the last two years I have broken two and countless axes. You forgot the Silvan / Nando, they will probably go singing dancing and drinking, all the while trying to seduce our women, the dwarves will charge us for aid, the Hobbits run away and the so-called High Elves will disdain us out of pride, and who knows what side the host of Númenor will be on??- so again it appears as if we have to do all the dying, perhaps our role in remaking Arda is as fertiliser. I hope to go to Valhalla anyway. Come to think of it the Einherja there have much the same role in Ragnarok as those in the halls of Mandos (though, comparing Norse religion and outlook on life and death with that of Tolkien's England, they probably enjoy themselves more whilst waiting)- coincidence??