Posted: August 30, 1999 at 04:01:11: by Goodgulf
: Is there any extra info about who of Numenor (or Arnor) made the
: sword Tom picked for Merry? The maker certainly knew what he
: (or she?)was doing. Pity no-one used it properly sooner or Arnor
: may not have been lost. But Tom picked four "short swords" from
: the barrow. Didn't each sword have similar spells against the
: Witch King? Each hobbit used his sword at one time or another but
: without such legendary results as Merry's. Was his different? If
: so, Tom DID get involved in the War of the Ring. (Beyond helping
: the Ringbearer who came his way I mean.) Any thoughts?When I re-read the scene where Merry goes to retrieve his sword after the demise of the Nazgul, I get the feeling that whoever made that sword made it for the express purpose of dispatching the Nazgul Lord, but for whatever reason never got the chance. But don't take my word for it. Read the passage again and see what you think. Like many of Tolkien's passages, there can be more than one interpretation. Sometimes I read too much into a passage, but that may have come from trying to figure out James Joyce, or more importantly, trying to guess what my English lit. prof. wanted me to get out of James Joyce. To this day I hate Joyce. :)
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