Shadows of former glory

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

The LOTR is obviously a much more toned down (in terms of power & might) version of the elder days of the Silmarillion. I've found some very interesting similarities.

For instance, in the elder days (1st age), Luthien & Beren were confronted by Carcaroth & Luthien was somehow posessed by some native strength & commanded the beast to slumber. And then In the 3rd age, Sam subconsciously murmured some elvish lingo that caused the lady's star-glass to burst into bright white fire damaging Shelob, and like Luthien, he used it to break the will of watchers of Cirith Ungol. Talk about identical situations.

Another example is the silmarils making a semi comeback. As I said I the Luthien vs Galadriel thread (& Tolkien), Galadriel was somewhat the equal of Feanor so it was totally fitting that she alone of the elves was able to replicate the light of the Silmarills through creating the star-glass which btw did not lose its "magic light" (though its power was subdued at the heart of the realm of Sauron) even after her ring lost its powers.

And then of course you have Arwen described as having the likeness of Luthien, although she seemed more regretful & bitter in her death bed. And let's not forget the eagles.