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ELVES AND EGO
The land around the beautiful figure darkened, a shadow she had never known. Eldamar's only daylight, once given by the glow of the jewels, went black. Hours later she knew why. Not long ago a certain being had forfeited his position among the other angelic hosts, or Valar; now Morgoth, the first rebel, had stolen the Elves' very joy. Galadriel, the white lady, had one thought: the light must return.
Confused yet? Pardon my sketchy first paragraph and let the Middle-earth history lesson begin. The female elf above and the 'Lady of the Wood' played by Cate Blanchett in the movies are one and the same. Even fans of the movie mistakenly call Galadriel an "elf witch," quoting a member of the Fellowship of the Ring who later took back his words. Naturally, Christians who have issues with the first 'Rings' movie point out these scenes as creepy and certainly not edifying.
An elf, or at least a wise person, would want to know some of Galadriel's back-story before making judgment.
Early in the First Age, a third of the Elves were taken from Middle-earth to Eldamar (or "the West") where the powerful Valar taught them the ways of Iluvatar (God). The shining jewels had been the work of an elf--a charismatic artist who perhaps took too much pride in his work. While Morgoth's lust had driven him to steal, this elf's actions were no better.
Filled with anger, the artisan gathered together his Elvish kinfolk. They swore an Oath "vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred" Morgoth and any other who stood between them and the jewels (The Silmarillion 90).
Galadriel did not swear, yet nor did she heed her father's counsel to stay in Western lands: the white lady joined the rebellion. "To rule a realm at her own will" (Ibid.) was Galadriel's wish, and she would seek it in Middle-earth. The Valar despaired of their "children" leaving safety. Such is free will, making lovers enemies in a day's time.
The bite of cold waters--and sword blades--met the rebels as they set out, for the ships they stole were guarded; and they barely avoided ice at one point in the voyage. Upon landing, the Elves' leader arrogantly burned the ships. Surely Galadriel could echo the words of Job 17:7, "My eye has also grown dim because of sorrow, and all my members are like shadows."
In Middle-earth, the exiles found even the Elves to be different and unchanged. This the rebels used to their advantage, accepting the new name and exalted position of "Noldor," the Wise.
Soon they took up their cause with weapons. In round after round of pursuit and falling back, the Noldor were led into a well-laid trap. Their tactics were elegant, but without enough trickery. Morgoth tested their defenses for a time, then unleashed forces unknown on the Elf-artist and his kinsmen. Of war he knew much.
Generations later, a great procession headed for the sea. The remnant of Noldor returned to Eldamar by the Straight Way--except Galadriel, and those who fell in battle. Most accounts say she refused their pardon. Now that the Valar had intervened and slain Morgoth, she and her husband Celeborn could establish a place. How could they give up their high stature in Middle-earth to return and be one of many?
Nothing significant came of this desire until the Rings were forged. An unmatched friendship between Elves and Dwarves resulted in the union of great skill and great strength. Underground they quarried, shaping rock into a beautiful kingdom later known as the Mines of Moria.
One day a noble visitor came to the excavations. He convinced the Noldor that they should attain to make the deepest halls in the most beautiful styles, and even think up new works. From this manner of striving and grasping came nineteen rings: three for the Elves, seven for the Dwarf-lords and nine for the kings of Men, as The Fellowship of the Ring film presents in its opening narration (spoken by Galadriel).
"In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring to control all others." The mysterious, apparently virtuous being who came to the mines was, in fact, Sauron.
Yet one twist remains. Sauron had never touched the three rings given to Elves, though they had been forged by his knowledge. To the three who wore them, a secret was revealed. "As soon as Sauron set the One Ring upon his finger [the Elves] were aware of him--in anger and fear they took off their rings" (The Silmarillion 345).
This wouldn't do, for Sauron would rather lose all Middle-earth than withdraw his hand from the Wise. He warred against them to recover "his" rings. Thus three ring-bearers were appointed in secret. Galadriel received the Ring of Water.
The white lady's realm of Lothlórien, a haven for Elves both high and earthly, flourished for millennia under the influence of this ring--for its power was redemptive, if she never wore it. Rather than domination, her attitude towards her ring and her realm became one of stewardship.
The story goes on, without a true resolve until The Return of the King. Still, we can examine Galadriel's words from the first film with new understanding: "I passed the test. I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." Incidentally, the Lothlórien scenes in The Fellowship of the Ring have been drastically changed in the 'Extended Edition' DVD, which released Nov. 12--a version that is much more true to Tolkien and worth checking out.
This tale also illuminates a much higher Word. "For we have become partakers of Christ," reads Hebrews 4:14-15. "If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: 'Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'"
To be sure, this vast story is no direct allegory. Yet a redeemed imagination, a thing possessed by J.R.R. Tolkien, can teach many lessons without preaching. Of love he knew much.
- Josh M. Shepherd
Reprinted from The Oracle, Nov. 22, 2002
Reprinted from The Oracle, Nov. 22, 2002
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