: : That's what I've been trying to say. In the chapter THE MIRROR
: : OF GALADRIEL it states,

: : "They remained some days in Lothlórien, so far as they could
: : tell or remember."

: There is no reason for their memories to have been affected. Tolkien specifically stated the Rings held back Time. I don't understand why you guys are so reluctant to accept his explanation of what happened.

: : Besides, the elves did not care about time itself, they cared
: : about what time brought, death to things they loved and fading.
: : Personally I believe, and I think it is stated somewhere in
: : Tolkien's work, that the Three simply slowed or stopped the
: : aging of things. This could have something to do with Bilbo's
: : longevity, though I realize it is mostly due to the powers of
: : the One.

: The Rings of Power, according to J.R.R. Tolkien, held back Time. That was their original purpose. The Elves did very much care about time -- they observed its passing as did everyone else, and they observed the seasons, the days, and the years.

: Bilbo's longevity was due mainly to the fact that any Mortal who possessed a Great Ring would not die, but would simply continue. They would be preserved but eventually would fade.

: Elrond said (in "The Council of Elrond") that in making the Rings the Elves hoped to achieve making, healing, understanding, and "to preserve all things unstained". However, the POWER of the Rings, according to Tolkien, was to hold back Time (they had other powers as well, but this was their primary function).

But what Elrond said "to preserve all things unstained" IS holding back time. If something is not being effected by time, time is being held back from it. SO it is quite possible when Tolkien said their power was to hold back time, he indeed meant what Elrond was saying.

As for memory of their stay, I point to Tom Bombadil. Time seemed to be messed up there. They became so involved with the music and dance that they simply lost track. A similar thing happens in Rivendell. When they are in the room where Frodo meets Bilbo (the Hall of Fire?) Frodo speaks of being captivated by the elvish songs.

They say they could remember "a number of days" but how many is that. Since it really can't be determined by other means, we must use the appendix and say 30.