The power and nature of the Girdle of Melian - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Iarhen · 03-12-2003, 09:16 AM

How did it worked? I know Melian used it to protect Doriath. And, somehow, her apprentice Galadriel did the same to protect Laurelindorenan. But what was its effect on foes? Against whom was it raised? How long did it endure the attacks? Why it is not working anymore?

the guy who be short · 03-13-2003, 04:14 PM

its not working anymore because beleriand sunk under the sea, which had the slight consequence of killing melian (it did didnt it?) it was used against orcs and all evil things to keep them from finding the path into doriath. but i think that if there were enough evil things they could penetrate it.

Inderjit Sanghera · 03-13-2003, 05:08 PM

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its not working anymore because beleriand sunk under the sea, which had the slight consequence of killing melian (it did didnt it?)

No, she left for Aman, to go into Lorien, and maybe serve Irmo again. Or cry. Or wait till Elwe is re-incarnated. Or write for The Wall Street Journal.

Tolkien fiddled around with Melian's actions after Elwe's death. In BoLT 2, she met and lived with Beren and Luthien, until passing to Aman, whilst in the more up-to-date verisons, of HoME 11, in which the Fall of Doriath is incomplete, there are several (sketchy) versions of it, but all culminate in her leaving for Aman.

Salix · 03-13-2003, 06:40 PM

The Girdle of Melian is no longeer working because (as I recall) at Thingol's death, Melian became distraught, and let her power lapse, in effect destroying the Girdle. That was my impression.

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How did it worked?

Melian created it by using the power that she had.

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But what was its effect on foes?

I believe that the foes just couldn't get through to Doriath.

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Against whom was it raised?

Servants of Morgoth and unwelcome visitors.

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How long did it endure the attacks?

Until Melian let her power lapse.

Please note that I haven't read the Silm recently, and I am working from memory. I am answering according to the impressions I had from reading the book.

Meoshi · 03-13-2003, 06:54 PM

It would confuse and bewilder anyone who tried to enter without Melian's permission. It could still be broken, however, by something very powerful, as in Carcharoth.

ainur · 03-14-2003, 07:15 AM

If you remember the hobbits journey through the Old Forest, I believe it was similar to that. No matter how hard they tried, the winding paths led them to the Withywindle and Old Man Willow. Trying to enter Doriath, which was surrounded by forests, the paths would seem to shift and turn you round until they led you back out again. It always seemed like that to me.

Iarhen · 03-14-2003, 08:49 AM

Pardon my ignorance, but who or what was Carcharoth?

drigel · 03-14-2003, 08:59 AM

Wasnt it described as a shadowy mist that bewildered foes? I see it more like some kind of magical fog (mfog?) spiritual fog = spog?

ainur · 03-14-2003, 01:23 PM

drigel--Spog? Lol. I never heard that description. I'll admit I didn't do a lot of review except the "Beren and Luthien" chapter in SILMARILLION, and not even all of that. It said:

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And he passed through the mazes that Melian wove about the kingdom of Thingol, even as she had foretold;

He was able to pass through because he was half-mad from grief for his father and his journey through the wilderness of Dungortheb

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where the sorcery of Sauron and the power of Melian came together

I don't off-hand know where to find any more detailed descriptions.

03-12-2003, 09:16 AM	#1
Iarhen Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Laurelindorenan Posts: 225	The power and nature of the Girdle of Melian How did it worked? I know Melian used it to protect Doriath. And, somehow, her apprentice Galadriel did the same to protect Laurelindorenan. But what was its effect on foes? Against whom was it raised? How long did it endure the attacks? Why it is not working anymore? __________________ "In place of a Dark Lord you will have a Queen! Not dark but beatiful and terrible as the Dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despair!" --- Galadriel when tempted by the One Ring.

03-14-2003, 07:15 AM	#6
ainur Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 72	If you remember the hobbits journey through the Old Forest, I believe it was similar to that. No matter how hard they tried, the winding paths led them to the Withywindle and Old Man Willow. Trying to enter Doriath, which was surrounded by forests, the paths would seem to shift and turn you round until they led you back out again. It always seemed like that to me. __________________ Yet all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

03-14-2003, 08:49 AM	#7
Iarhen Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Laurelindorenan Posts: 225	Pardon my ignorance, but who or what was Carcharoth? __________________ "In place of a Dark Lord you will have a Queen! Not dark but beatiful and terrible as the Dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despair!" --- Galadriel when tempted by the One Ring.

03-13-2003, 04:14 PM	#2
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	its not working anymore because beleriand sunk under the sea, which had the slight consequence of killing melian (it did didnt it?) it was used against orcs and all evil things to keep them from finding the path into doriath. but i think that if there were enough evil things they could penetrate it.

03-13-2003, 06:54 PM	#5
Meoshi Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Atop the peak of Kalormë Posts: 163	It would confuse and bewilder anyone who tried to enter without Melian's permission. It could still be broken, however, by something very powerful, as in Carcharoth.

03-14-2003, 08:59 AM	#8
drigel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: commonplace city Posts: 518	Wasnt it described as a shadowy mist that bewildered foes? I see it more like some kind of magical fog (mfog?) spiritual fog = spog?