Three Rings

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

So we all know the chief powers/purpose of the Three was for preservation, creation, and healing. And Elrond had said so himself that they were not made as weapons of war. But, Galadriel seems to imply the opposite when she said this to Frodo:

Do not be afraid! But do not think that only by singing amid the trees, nor even by the slender arrows of elven-bows, is this land of Lothlórien maintained and defended against its Enemy.

FOTR, Mirror of Galadriel

This to me verifies that the Three can be used to defend (effectively as 'weapons of war') against evil. Perhaps Elrond was in denial or did his best to cover that fact up. Or he simply did not (know how to) tap Vilya's defensive powers (except its main function [ward off decays of time]). The flood seemed to come from Vilya (or maybe not considering Vilya is the ring of air).

Furthermore, Galadriel tells Frodo:

Did not Gandalf tell you that the Rings give power according to the measure of their bearers?

FOTR, Mirror of Galadriel

Lastly, in a display of power influenced by the One's temptation, Galadriel's ring issued forth a great light that illumintated her alone, making her seem worhsipful, terrible, and beautiful beyond enduring. So don't you think the Three has some extra something-something defensive other than holding back time? I definitely do, considering the feats that Galadriel achieved (white mists that concealed the Eothed from Dol Guldor, scrying of the mirror, star-glass, etc...) were greater compared to her deeds in the 1st and 2nd age. Elrond, too, seemed more "magical" after his acquisition and usage of Vilya (Flooding of the Wraiths), compared to just fighting melee in the 2nd age.

And lastly, in the ROTK, Appendix B, it states:

Three times Lorien had been assailed from Dol Guldur, but besides the valour of the elven people of that land, the power that dwelt there was too great for any to overcome, unless Sauron had come there himself.

The passage above reinforces what Galadriel says about Lorien not merely defended by elven bows. So it's her presence but most importanlty her ring, right? It's got to be. That ring most likely enhanced her natural powers just like the other rings of power did to their bearers. I mean, Lorien could not be conquered unless Sauron was there physically. I think Tolkien was too inconsistent. One moment, he makes Gandalf answer Frodo's question by saying that Rivendell will remain safe, "until all else is conquered." Then he makes Galadriel and Lorien sound mightier by clearly stating that it cannot be conquered unless Sauron was there.

So do y'all agree that the Three definitely enhanced the natural talents of their bearers and can be utilized as weapons (albeit defensively)? Or was it just Galadriel who knew how to fully tap her ring's power?

[Morsul the Dark]

Can I propose an idea based merely on schemantics... defense is preservation.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by Morsul the Dark

Can I propose an idea based merely on schemantics... defense is preservation.

I was rather thinking the same thing. It is possible for something to be a powerful defense, powerful enough to keep a land protected from the enemy, without being a weapon. I'm thinking of the Girdle of Melian, and given the connection between Galadriel and Melian, I suspect that Galadriel was using the power of Nenya to protect Lothlorien much in the same way Melian's Girdle protected Doriath: defensively, not offensively.

[JeffF.]

Just wanted to point out that the Purpose and the Practice of power can be two very different things. Take gunpowder, the Chinse intended that it be used to create magnificent fireworks to celebrate grand occasions but the practical use of it was as a weapon of war. Every form of power can be used for ill purposes or something other than the inventor intended.

Elrond and Galadriel both spoke the truth and inmy view did not contradict each other.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by JeffF.

Elrond and Galadriel both spoke the truth and inmy view did not contradict each other.

I see no contradiction there either. Elrond speaks of 'preservation', and what more accurate word could describe what Galadriel used Nenya to accomplish?
When the Hobbits entered Lothlórien, they were struck by the timeless feel of it; Sam said he was 'inside a song'.
The same power that seemed to have made Lórien a small copy of the Deathless Land by defending it against the ravages of time and decay also kept it from conquest.
To somewhat echo previous responses, you could hardly call a wall built around a town a 'weapon of war'.