Gondor, Rohan and Lorien

[The Mouth of Sauron]

LOTR reveals that in both Gondor and Rohan there was very little knowledge of Lorien and even less trust .

Surely however, particularly in the case of Rohan, geography was against this ignorance and fear . The northern border of Rohan was the River Limlight , no more than 100-125 miles from Lorien . Surely over the 500 years of Rohan's existence before the War of the Ring contact would have been established ?

They were after all on the same side .

In some of Tolkien's writings Rohan has dealings with the Beornings, men in the Vale of Anduin and the Woodmen in Mirkwood so surely there must have been some dealings with Lorien .

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

well we are told in the UT that even though Galadriel seemingly assisted Eorl with safe passage, he did not trust that she was a friend. . . (when he came to Gondors aid)
Lorien was feard by both Rohan and Gondor, more or less everybody avoided it, like if it had been a land under the controll of orcs.

It is hard to get contact with a people you are afraid of and do not wish to see.

[Raynor]

Moreover, Galadriel was using magic, something that Men apparently weren't capable of (cf Letter #155) and something that they did fear; they also weren't capable of discerning between magic done by the elves and the "deceits of the enemy", as stated in the Mirror of Galadriel chapter. On top of all this, we have Wormtongue whispering in Theoden's ears against Lorien (most certainly, Imo); Denethor could have extended his despise of Gandalf to his ally in Lorien - plus he might have been induced to doing that by the palantir that was controlled by Sauron.

[Lalwendë]

Really good question! Not least because these divisions between Men and Elves show just how far apart they had grown in a mistrustful world, possibly due to the threat of Mordor. Sauron's might could only have grown seeing Men and Elves grow even more separate, bet he was rubbing his hands to see it.

I think if you look at what some of the ordinary Rohirrim and Gondorians we meet in the book say, it's clear they were all suspicious, even superstitious about the Elves who lived in Lorien. The Rohirrim have plenty of old tales, fairy tales even, about Lorien, but they do seem to more quickly accept that it is not dangerous or an enemy once Theoden has been won round/cured. They seem to be more open to new ideas, but they are a new culture, still in the process of growing in the place they've found. Whereas the Gondorians are an old culture, and seem to ahve drawn in on themselves a lot more - understandable being so close to Mordor, but possibly also influenced by Denethor who has grwon increasingly suspicious.

Either way, both cultures are quite insular out of necessity, just because they have to expend so many energies in self-protection. I've mentioned this idea before, but this time I'm going to include Lorien in that criticism, as they too are incredibly insular! It's not just the fault of Men!

[Boromir88]

I've always wondered what the difference with Rivendell is. Even though if we eventually see Boromir not accept and believe what the Council decided. But of course he went to Rivendell to get answers to the dream, and he said he came since Elrond was known to be wise and give good advice. I just wonder what the difference in belief is to go to Rivendell, then vehemently refusing to go to Lorien. Is it perhaps because of the fact that Rivendell is a known place for Council where all races go if they are seeking advice, so it would be a more welcomed place?

[Raynor]

I've always wondered what the difference with Rivendell is.

Elrond was more active in his fight against evil (or, at least, more known - seeing that one could perceive that Lorien is protected by singing in the trees); he fough directly against Sauron in Eregion and at the last alliance, he sends his sons into battle, he houses the dunedain, and, very importantly, is descending from human himself. The very name and description of the Homely House, as told in A short rest, the Hobbit, quoted in the Many Meetings, FotR:

His house was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all

seems to suggest that this was a haven for not only the resistance, but for visitors too.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I've always wondered what the difference with Rivendell is. Even though if we eventually see Boromir not accept and believe what the Council decided. But of course he went to Rivendell to get answers to the dream, and he said he came since Elrond was known to be wise and give good advice. I just wonder what the difference in belief is to go to Rivendell, then vehemently refusing to go to Lorien. Is it perhaps because of the fact that Rivendell is a known place for Council where all races go if they are seeking advice, so it would be a more welcomed place?

Originally Posted by Raynor

Elrond was more active in his fight against evil (or, at least, more known - seeing that one could perceive that Lorien is protected by singing in the trees); he fough directly against Sauron in Eregion and at the last alliance, he sends his sons into battle, he houses the dunedain, and, very importantly, is descending from human himself.

You do get the impression that Rivendell has always been a place which was more welcoming to other races, even though it remains hidden (see Boromir's wanderings in the wilderness, though I think he'd found himself a really good Holiday Inn somewhere and was holed up with some beer having a good time on expenses ).

Anyway, Elrond clearly does have lots of links with Men in particular, and its not unlikely that either Denethor or Faramir would have known of the Last Homely House, maybe even from Gandalf in Faramir's case.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

I've always wondered what the difference with Rivendell is.

It is only that men fear powerful women...