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Old 08-25-2009, 03:19 PM   #1
Gorthaur the Cruel
Wight
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mordor
Posts: 150
Gorthaur the Cruel has just left Hobbiton.
Silmaril Galadriel's power

So I was wondering just how powerful Galadriel is against Sauron's forces and Sauron himself without his Ring. We all have some knowledge as to what she can do and of her supposed stature among the Eldar. But political power aside, how would the potency of her spirit measure up against the maiar in general? Wasn't it said that Glorfindel came close to the might of the maiar when he was reincarnated (I can't find the quote but it's there)? And yet even as he came back to ME in the 3rd age, Galadriel remained as the fairest and mightiest of the elves:
Quote:
"A queen she was of the woodland elves, wife of Celeborn of Doriath, yet she herself was of the Noldor and remembered the Day before days in Valinor, and she was the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth." -- The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
So we can't really say that Galadriel, in the 3rd age, was a big fish in a small pond considering her standing against powerful elves like Glorfindel (reincarnated and enhanced), Elrond (weilder of Vilya, and descendant of Melian the maia), and Cirdan (great gift of foresight and eldest of the elves).
In addition, taking her history in Valinor into account, she grew while the Two Trees lived. Their lights had a profound effect on those elves exposed to them. Then there's her supposed equal--albeit different--stature with Feanor, if you consider the unfinished tales as canon. She was also a friend and pupil of Melian, a maia of great power. But unlike Melian, she took the reigns in ruling.
During the mirror scene, she reveals to Frodo that she knew Sauron's mind. I've never heard of the other bearers say so. Sauron gropes ever to see into her thoughts. And in the Unfinished Tales, it is said that when Sauron came to Eregion, he immedietly perceived that Galadriel would be his chief adversary.
Galadriel tells Frodo that she and Celeborn have fought the long defeat. And in the scene where Frodo asked what she'd wish, she says:
Quote:
"Yet I could wish, were it of any avail, that the One Ring had never been wrought, or had remained for ever lost." -- FotR, The Mirror of Galadriel
This gives me the impression that she'd be able to maintain Lothlorien against Sauron so long his Ring remained lost. In addition, she alone knew how many times Frodo had slipped the One on (Thrice). I don't think Gandalf or Elrond ever knew since it was never stated nor implied. Lastly, she's a remote vision that Frodo and Sam hearken back to time and time again, especially in moments of despair and hoplessness... an inspiration Gandalf and Elrond didn't evoke (seemingly). So what do y'all think? Was she worthy of the ultimate echelon of Eldarin might (along with Feanor and Luthien)? Was she close to a maia in terms of spiritual potency (remember the Istari were powered down versions of themselves)?
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