Riddles in the Downs

[Mithalwen]

Since I have a busy week and to encourage new participants, Ivriniel may take the turn. Have a good trip Galadriel.

[Ivriniel]

Mith, I'll post one. Are you going to pop in to check it out?

[Mithalwen]

Of course but don't panic if you don't get an instant reaction. Internet may be a few minutes a lunchtime only this week.

[Corsair_Caruso]

So I'm a very new member, and have just read the rules. I understand that, after 10 days, the quiz-thread is considered "stagnant" and a new turn can be posted. If I'm going out of turn, please accept my humble apologies.

"Of darkness and light was I born long ago,
From secret, to hidden, from both friend and foe,
From low to exalted and back down again
One love saved my life, another brought its end."

[Mithalwen]

Well yes, I had wondered if I should take the turn back since Ivriniel hadn't posted but I am as happy to guess as set so....

[Mithalwen]

Ok a not very confidrnt guess of Turin Turambar, son of blond Hurin and eponymously dark Morwen, saved by Beleg who loved him and dead in part as a consequence for his unwittingly incestuousclove for Nienor.

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Ok a not very confidrnt guess of Turin Turambar, son of blond Hurin and eponymously dark Morwen, saved by Beleg who loved him and dead in part as a consequence for his unwittingly incestuousclove for Nienor.

An excellent guess, but not the answer I had in mind.

[Mithalwen]

Well I wasn't sure, I will carry n thinking

[Galadriel55]

Welcome aboard, Corsair! And I'm glad to see this thread back up on its rails!

My best guess is Maeglin.

Of darkness and light was I born long ago, - Eol the Dark Elf and Aredhel the White Lady
From secret, to hidden, from both friend and foe, - no clue.
From low to exalted and back down again - nobody to high status in Gondolin to traitor
One love saved my life, another brought its end. - as they say, a man loves only 2 women - his mother and his wife. Aredhel took the dagger for him, but his desire for Celebrindal brought about the Fall of Gondolin and indirectly his own death.

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Welcome aboard, Corsair! And I'm glad to see this thread back up on its rails!

My best guess is Maeglin.

Of darkness and light was I born long ago, - Eol the Dark Elf and Aredhel the White Lady
From secret, to hidden, from both friend and foe, - no clue.
From low to exalted and back down again - nobody to high status in Gondolin to traitor
One love saved my life, another brought its end. - as they say, a man loves only 2 women - his mother and his wife. Aredhel took the dagger for him, but his desire for Celebrindal brought about the Fall of Gondolin and indirectly his own death.

Absolutely correct! The second line refers to the his early life secreted away in Eol's household in Nan Elmoth without any of Aredhel's kin knowing her fate or of the existence of Maeglin, fleeing from there to the hidden city of Gondolin.

[Mithalwen]

My thoughts had led me to Maeglin, but too late... well done Galadriel

[Galadriel55]

Thanks! To be back with a riddle, hopefully sooner than last time. Mith, if in the meantime you have a riddle ready, feel free to post, because I do not have much faith in my memory...

[FerniesApple]

I was lost but now I am found
hidden under the stony ground
far away came a sweet sound
silver trumpets and a king crowned
He toiled long over hill and dale
the new moon shining pale
he found me lying White and frail
on that lonely mountain trail
in the morning Towers bright
shimmering in the silver light
homewards came to my delight
and in that ancient lofty space
did I return and show my face
and blossom did grace that blessed place

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by FerniesApple

I was lost but now I am found
hidden under the stony ground
far away came a sweet sound
silver trumpets and a king crowned
He toiled long over hill and dale
the new moon shining pale
he found me lying White and frail
on that lonely mountain trail
in the morning Towers bright
shimmering in the silver light
homewards came to my delight
and in that ancient lofty space
did I return and show my face
and blossom did grace that blessed place

The sapling of the White Tree found by King Elessar on Mindolluin, planted in Minas Tirith to replace the Tree that died in 2872, with the death of the Ruling Steward Belecthor II.

[FerniesApple]

yes indeed. Do you want a prize? How about some Mithril underpants that fell off the back of a troll, only lightly soiled.

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by FerniesApple

yes indeed. Do you want a prize? How about some Mithril underpants that fell off the back of a troll, only lightly soiled.

lol

More loyal by far than northern kin
The kings we served, but fell to sin.
A tower built and raised up high
Told of our victory 'neath the sky
'Gainst darkest foe, who bent the knee
to lords and warriors 'cross the sea.
That tower fell, now long ago,
the stones and crystal o'erthrow,
high blood was spent, and dear the cost,
our power and majesty were lost.
But still we travel, far and near,
our name doth still inspire fear.
From sceptre to crown to lords unnamed,
to ring we go, still unashamed.
Though humbled many times, we stand
for all the ages, on the strand.

[FerniesApple]

Originally Posted by Corsair_Caruso

lol

More loyal by far than northern kin
The kings we served, but fell to sin.
A tower built and raised up high
Told of our victory 'neath the sky
'Gainst darkest foe, who bent the knee
to lords and warriors 'cross the sea.
That tower fell, now long ago,
the stones and crystal o'erthrow,
high blood was spent, and dear the cost,
our power and majesty were lost.
But still we travel, far and near,
our name doth still inspire fear.
From sceptre to crown to lords unnamed,
to ring we go, still unashamed.
Though humbled many times, we stand
for all the ages, on the strand.

Nice! I want to say Dunedain but I bet its not. or maybe those naughty chaps in the Dunharrow? hmmm.

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by FerniesApple

Nice! I want to say Dunedain but I bet its not. or maybe those naughty chaps in the Dunharrow? hmmm.

Neither one, keep trying! Your first guess is closer than the second.

[FerniesApple]

Originally Posted by Corsair_Caruso

Neither one, keep trying! Your first guess is closer than the second.

Ringwraiths?

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by FerniesApple

Ringwraiths?

Nope, not Ringwraiths.

[FerniesApple]

Originally Posted by Corsair_Caruso

Nope, not Ringwraiths.

is it LOTR related?

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by FerniesApple

is it LOTR related?

It is. Your closest answer was the Dunedain. Keep thinking!

[FerniesApple]

aaarg! this is difficult! is it something to do with Minas Morgul?

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by FerniesApple

aaarg! this is difficult! is it something to do with Minas Morgul?

Nope, unrelated.

[FerniesApple]

Originally Posted by Corsair_Caruso

Nope, unrelated.

sorry I give up then, all out of ideas.

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by FerniesApple

sorry I give up then, all out of ideas.

I'll wait one or two more days to see if any other regulars pop in. Would you like me to PM you the answer, seeing as you've taken yourself out of the running?

[FerniesApple]

Originally Posted by Corsair_Caruso

I'll wait one or two more days to see if any other regulars pop in. Would you like me to PM you the answer, seeing as you've taken yourself out of the running?

I will wait a bit, its probably staring me in the face.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Corsair_Caruso

I'll wait one or two more days to see if any other regulars pop in. Would you like me to PM you the answer, seeing as you've taken yourself out of the running?

Hold your horses..sometimes this thread is a marathon not a sprint. I can't make it all work yet but I am thinking

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Hold your horses..sometimes this thread is a marathon not a sprint. I can't make it all work yet but I am thinking

Lol, sorry. I'll wait. Hoping everyone is enjoying the riddle.

[Galadriel55]

I have also thought of the Dunedain, but since it's not the answer, perhaps it is a bit broader - Numenorians?

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I have also thought of the Dunedain, but since it's not the answer, perhaps it is a bit broader - Numenorians?

Hmm... I'd say that answer is as close as Dúnedain, but still not exactly right. This group/place is very closely related to Numenor and its people, but I'm afraid if I give anything else I'll give it away.

[Mithalwen]

Black Numenoreans?

[Corsair_Caruso]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Black Numenoreans?

Yes. Specifically I was thinking of the Black Numenoreans of Umbar, but you've got it.

More loyal by far than northern kin: Umbar being south of Numenor, and full of King's Men
The kings we served, but fell to sin.: Full of King's Men, and perpetuated evil ways
A tower built and raised up high: the tower built after Earnil I conquered the city to commemorate the victory of Ar-Pharazôn over Sauron
Told of our victory 'neath the sky: see above
'Gainst darkest foe, who bent the knee: see above
to lords and warriors 'cross the sea.: see above
That tower fell, now long ago,: the tower destroyed after its leaders swore loyalty to Sauron
the stones and crystal o'erthrow,: see above
high blood was spent, and dear the cost,: most of the Black Numenoreans were killed in the wars against Gondor, leaving the cit populated mostly by Haradrim
our power and majesty were lost.: Umbardacil utterly decimated the city, leaving it nearly in ruins
But still we travel, far and near,: the Corsairs of Umbar still wreak havoc on the coasts of Gondor
our name doth still inspire fear.: see above
From sceptre to crown to lords unnamed,: their rulers included the Kings of Numenor (Sceptre), the Kings of Gondor (crown), then various lords, including Black Numenoreans and Exiles and Rebels from Gondor
to ring we go, still unashamed.: they then served Sauron
Though humbled many times, we stand: defeated many times, nearly destroyed
for all the ages, on the strand.: strand being another word for beach

[Urwen]

There is a prophecy
That relates to me
Him who shuns the Light
I shall push back into Night

My heart is black
My weapon is dark
Upon his final downfall
Everything will be reset

And when everything is reset
My family will have a happy end as well
This is the goal I had in mind
When I made him fall.

*The last verse was based on my own speculation as well as some notes left by the writer and his son*

[Nerwen]

Lalaith, right?

[Mithalwen]

Her brother the mormegil I think... but f if so the apple hasn't fallen so far...

[Pervinca Took]

I hope Mr Turambar is acquiring a sense of humour during his (unconscious) waiting period.

I like that poetic riddle, Urwen. "Everything will be reset" reminded me of the "millenium bug" hype ... fourteen years ago!

[Tar-Jêx]

I can be sold, bought and acquired
I can live beyond your death
I will never be held, but instead be shaken upon
I am found in all living things, great, or small
I will stay by your side
But I shall never leave a single soul



(My riddle making skills need some serious work.)

[Mithalwen]

Um. We haven't had confirmation of the previous riddle being solved yet.

[Urwen]

Yes, I am confirming it. I will try to solve riddles properly from now on.