: As I recall, Michael posted an excerpt from one of Tolkien's letters in which he mentions the fact that Elves were not immortal, but very long-lived. He used the word "immortal" in reference to Elves, but the word doesn't convey his real meaning. But the Elves seem to be so long-lived that for all intents and purposes they seem immortal to us. And does seem rather peculiar that Gandalf and Saruman had to gather old tomes together to search out "forgotten" lore about the One Ring and the fate of Isuldur while living witnesses to that time were available.

Elrond mostly. I don't think Galadriel and Celeborn were on the scene at the fall of Sauron II (where were they?)Yes, Cirdan was there, but he is a very shadowy figure, the ultimate beachcomber. Elrond, however, got only a brief glimpse of the Ring: it was on Sauron's finger, then Isildur cut it off and, against advice, pocketed it. Gandalf and Saruman would need to find some record of Isildur's for further info. Elrond had no knowledge of such a document, far as I can tell, Arwen's wedding was his first visit to Minas Tirith.

Not that the Elves witnessed Isildur's demise, but surely they received news of the event. Do Elves forget such things?

I doubt Elrond forgot the ambush: the survivor limped back to him and Rivendell was Isildur's heir's refuge. But he wouldn't know details. BTW, when I first read "Shadow of the Past," my believability stumbled here. "You mean this guy helped overthrow Sauron himself, then he lets a few Orcs do him in?" The essay in _Unfinished Tales_ really clears all that up, I buy it now, another case of hybris, assuming it's safe to let down your guard.

Evidently. And as aloof as they seem to be, it's possible that what for men are monumental events are to the Elves of little consequence. But I doubt it, since they knew that the fate of the One Ring was tied directly to their own. Had I been Gandalf I would have wisked Bilbo off to Rivendell upon first seeing the Ring (or soon thereafter), and let Elrond get a look at it.

Good idea. Maybe Bilbo hadn't yet told Gandalf about the Ring, and the 10 surviving dwarves were sworn to secrecy...

To leave Bilbo in the Shire for years and years, and yet suspecting the true nature of the Ring doesn't seem plausible when we start unraveling Tolkiens tapestry,

True, considering how unique and important that Ring was Gandalf does seem a little slow on the uptake.

and yet I prefer the tapestry flaws and all and it seems to make sense when your in the heat of reading the book. I suspect this is the kind of scrutiny that Tolkien felt ruined a good fairy story.