Weekly Discussion: Ents and Elves dispute over title of "first-born".

[EG]

New Discussion
what was Sauron (through the Black Numenórean known as the Mouth of Sauron) attempting to accomplish through the parley with Gandalf at the Black Gate?

Sauron must have had many unanswered questions: was Aragorn really wielding the Ring when Gandalf, who was much more powerful, was also present? What was the "huge elf-warrior" doing near Shelob's Lair? If the West really did have the Ring, why were they attacking with such a puny force that Sauron could probably defeat them anyway?

[Beleriel]

I think he was trying to gain some of those answers though.  He was testing them.  Showing the Mithril shirt and such was to see if he was connected to them and he certainly found out the answer to THAT one. 

Secondly, I think he was trying to demoralise them too.  By showing them the shirt was to dash all their hopes, even though he hadnt guessed what they were up to.  In fact, it must have been so confusing for him .... he must have been wondering what on earth they had sent someone into Mordor for, as no way did he know the Ring was involved. 

I wonder if he thought they were trying to assassinate him?   

[Lessa]

I think he wanted some answers as well. Like why was a hobbit even in Mordor? Let alone just accompanied by a 'huge elf-warrior'. I think he was also there to demoralise the army if not it's leaders and so hopefully make them easier prey for his army.
He must have had a shock when Aragorn turned out to be the real heir of the man who killed his body, if not his essence, and not some imposter as he no doubt believed.
If he had even the remotest thought that the ring was in Mordor he would have torn the place apart looking for it and left the allies to themselves while he looked.

I wonder if he thought they were trying to assassinate him?

That's certainly possible B

[K8 Fairy Princess]

Or to spy on movements in mordor?

But then again, the alliance wouldn't have much reason to spy - i mean, mordor's movements weren't exactly rocket science. The only things the alliance wouldn't know about would be things like the surprise attack on osgilaith. ....and by the time any spies had found out about these, then relayed this information to gondor, it would be pretty useless.

But i suspect that's what sauron must have thought anyway - doesn't he make some reference to spying or spies through the Mouth of Sauron at the gates?


I also think that sauron was trying to gain answers at the gate rather than demoralise them. He was always going to defeat the army - all that would have changed by the army being demoralised would be the amount of orcs that it took to kill them. And sauron's already shown he doesn't give a toss how many orcs die.

[EG]

but dont you think its also strange he pulled out the WHOLE of his army to greet Aragorn, when Aragorn had such a small fighting force in comparision, to attack

He could have just sent a few troops!

[Lessa]

he really feared Aragorn especially as he had with him the sword that killed his body. He knew Aragorn had the strength and will to face him and possibly do him irreprable damage.

Lessa

[Beleriel]

Also, Aragorn had challenged him in the Palantir hadnt he?  He had actually managed to wrest it from Sauron's will as far as I can remember.  I think Sauron had every reason to fear him and would want to crush him and his armies as quickly as possible. 

[Lessa]

yes they had had quite a chat through the palantir and Aragorn came away the winner

Lessa

[EG]

yeah! but he hardly needed ALL his troops did he!

Maybe he thought that Aragorn might also have the Ring with him, or someone there with him had it 

[K8 Fairy Princess]

Yeh but sauron was totally at a loss for why on earth Aragorn + co would pull this kinda stunt.

Attacking the whole of mordor with a couple of thousand men?! Sauron must have thought (and would have been right) that there was something more to it than there seemed. So seeing as he had troops to kill (literally) he might as well have sent a force that size to defeat them.

If sauron's suspicions were right, and Aragorn had the ring, he wouldn't want it slipping through his fingers again.

[Lessa]

That makes a lot of sense K8. I just wonder why he never considered it was a diversion and a stalling poly on the part of Aragorn.

Lessa

[EG]

exactly!  WHY empty Mordor of troops for the pitiful army that Aragorn had left

Why not just send say, half of them

Unless... they thought theyd deal with them and move onto the next settlement

[Lessa]

yes there is that. Sauron must have thought if he wiped those led by Aragorn out then there would be next to no oppostion when he moved on.

Lessa

[EG]

New Discussion

the Eldar say that in the begetting, and still more in the bearing of children, greater share and strength of their being, in mind and in body, goes forth than in the making of mortal children. For these reasons it came to pass that the Eldar brought forth few children; and also that their time of generation was in their youth or earlier life, unless strange and hard fates befell them. But at whatever age they married, their children were born within a short space of years after their wedding

HoME

Why is it that the Eldar (the elves) had children only in the first few years of their marriage   Did they abstain from physical love once they were born   Did they remain married after the children were born Why did they only have a few children

[Lessa]

Perhaps this is because they put so much of themselves into the making of their offspring that they can only do this  few times and so can't physically reproduce later. I do believe they still have relations with thier partners though.

Lessa

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