Galadriel’s gifts

[Silky Gooseness]

I always wondered particularly about the gift to Gimli. She asks him what he wants - but doesn’t that imply that she hasn’t prepared anything for him? and make him feel like something of an afterthought?

Compare that to, say, Sam’s gift, particularly tailored to his nature, and it seems a little off - it’s not as though he hasn’t been there long enough for them to find out about him, even though Galadriel’s gift in the end is extremely generous and meaningful especially in the context of Feanor

[Aikári Salmarinian]

`And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves? ' said Galadriel turning to Gimli.`None, Lady,' answered Gimli. `It is enough for me to have seen the Lady of the Galadhrim, and to have heard her gentle words.'

Hey Silky: I think myself that she didn't know exactly how to approach the Dwarf without any form of offense, as it was pretty delicate. I guess in her wisdom she knew that Gimli could surprise her people and even herself, as she surely witnessed the changes with him since arrival and during their stay. She offered him the free choice than gives the others something of her choice.

Galadriel had more words for Gimli than for Legolas on arrival:

'Welcome son of Thranduil! Too seldom do my kindred journey hither from the North.'
`Welcome Gimli son of Glóin! It is long indeed since we saw one of Durin's folk in Caras Galadhon. But today we have broken our long law. May it be a sign that though the world is now dark better days are at hand, and that friendship shall be renewed between our peoples.' Gimli bowed low.

And he was often with the Galadrim in presence of Legolas than the rest of the Fellowship.

Legolas was away much among the Galadhrim, and after the first night he did not sleep with the other companions, though he returned to eat and talk with them. Often he took Gimli with him when he went abroad in the land, and the others wondered at this change.

I think these little things present something Gimli was accepted in full so friendship could be renewed along Galadriel's hope.

[Arothir]

I concur with the notion that it was probably to avoid offense given the mixed history between the two peoples. I am also curious if the open offer was the gift itself? Allowing Gimli to make the choice, and if there is to be an offense given, it would be by him, though, as Aikári noted, Galadriel was wise enough to guess that no offense would occur.

[Priya]

Hello Silky Gooseness

I don’t have my TLotR books with me - so I can’t provide any quotes. But from what I remember, Galadriel (using an innate power) in some fashion tempted each of the Company. And in doing so she read their primary desire(s). I don’t think Gimli was an exception.

Dealings between dwarves and the elves of Lothlórien had not taken place for a very long time - but Galadriel, I’m sure, was well aware that dwarven lust for treasures of the earth was at the forefront of their desires - being ‘children’ of Aulë.

From (with my underlined emphasis) The Hobbit:

We must away, ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold

We must away, ere break of day
To claim our long-forgotten gold

We must away, ere break of day
To win our harps and gold from him!


I suspect heaps of ‘gold’ was the temptation.

But from what I recall, Gimli was smitten by Galadriel’s beauty. In particular those beautiful locks: her ‘golden hair’.

Galadriel … means ‘Maiden crowned with gleaming hair’ - Letter #348

Here was ‘living gold’ far more beautiful than the metal. And It wouldn’t be the first time that Galadriel’s hair was viewed with wonder and desire (Fëanor).

Perhaps then a slightly different passion was aroused in Gimli?

So I think Galadriel read Gimli’s mind. I think she had a fair idea of what Gimli would ask from her!

[Silky Gooseness]

I agree the idea of free choice as a gift in itself is very meaningful and tactful, @Arothir given the history between the two peoples.

I suppose my question is if Gimli had asked for anything that might have taken any more time to prepare, or that the Elves did not immediately have to hand, that could have been embarrassing - and as you say @Aikári Salmarinian they had had the chance to get to know him as Legolas had been taking him amongst the Galadhrim.

Perhaps they knew him well enough from this acquaintance that Galadriel knew the free offer would be appreciated! Especially interesting as when Dwarves were first created, it is their action showing their own free will - cowering before their Maker - that melts the heart of the One.

@Priya i like how you draw the comparison between living gold and earthen gold here, very apt! So instead of choosing the gold of ancestry, treasure long-wrought and full of tragic memories, Gimli asks for living gold with which to make a fresh jewel of beauty.

[Drífa]

I believe Galadriel's gift was given to Sam with foresight, based on what she saw and offered him, as well as what he saw in Galadriel's mirror.

'I never thought no such thing,' answered Sam, in no mood for jest. 'If you want to know, I felt as if I hadn't got nothing on, and I didn't like it. She seemed to be looking inside me and asking me what I would do if she gave me the chance of flying back home to the Shire to a nice little hole with – with a bit of garden of my own.' TFOTR

'Hi!' cried Sam in an outraged voice. 'There's that Ted Sandyman a-cutting down trees as he shouldn't. They didn't ought to be felled: it's that avenue beyond the Mill that shades the road to Bywater. I wish I could get at Ted, and I'd fell him!' TFOTR

' And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?' TFOTR

Could it simply be that the skill and craft of the Dwarves was equal in ways to that of the Elves, and what could the Elves possibly give that would match it? So to speak? That is how I understand Galadriel's question.

Not to railroad the topic, but what about the Law of Lothlorien, which does not allow Dwarves into their realm? Is this simply a result of Celeborn's past prejudices? How did he influence Galadriel to accept this Law when the Dwarves aided them during the downfall of Eregion? What happened from then to the present Third Age to create such a law? And could it be that allowing Gimli entrance was a gift enough?

It's not the first time the question of the Law comes up; I am sure. Yet, it is interesting to get new perspectives.

[Arothir]

I would also question why Galadriel would not share the same prejudices, given her ties to Doriath and Thingol being just as related to her as Celeborn.

But between the fall of Eregion and the 3019 T.A. perhaps the greediness of dwarves from the Seven's influence may have helped sour relations?

[Silky Gooseness]

Perhaps Galadriel’s glances into the Mirror, or her usage of Nenya, gave her deeper wisdom and further insight than Celeborn? On the topic of Thingol, Galadriel would presumably also be aware that the craft of greatest beauty was the work of both Dwarves and Elves combined: the Nauglamir, and in gifting her hair to Gimli to make a brooch, their craft and beauty will be combined once more.

Sauron had also made overtures to the Dwarves as well, seeking for their rings, and the Elves would have no way to be certain of whether the Dwarves had been able to resist such influence.

[Priya]

Hello Silky Gooseness

Perhaps Galadriel’s glances into the Mirror, or her usage of Nenya, gave her deeper wisdom and further insight than Celeborn?

Except (withstanding modesty) Galadriel herself says:

“ For the Lord of the Galadrim is accounted the wisest of the Elves of Middle-earth, and a giver of gifts beyond the power of kings.”
- The Fellowship of the Ring, The Mirror of Galadriel

Galadriel would presumably also be aware that the craft of greatest beauty was the work of both Dwarves and Elves combined: the Nauglamir, and in gifting her hair to Gimli to make a brooch, their craft and beauty will be combined once more.

I like this thought

[Silky Gooseness]

Excellent point @Priya - if Celeborn is the one famed both for wisdom and gift-giving, why is he not stepping up at this point? (Even if his wife does have nicer hair than him?)

[Drífa]

Perhaps they discussed the gifts privately, and then Celeborn "allowed" Galadriel to present them. I wonder if, like all good ladies back in the day, the lord had the final say?

To quote Priya, to be continued!

[Priya]

Hello Drifa & Silky Gooseness

Perhaps they discussed the gifts privately, and then Celeborn "allowed" Galadriel to present them. I wonder if, like all good ladies back in the day, the lord had the final say?

I tend to agree.


In my opinion, the gifts themselves appear a bit ‘too contrived’ for decent ‘secondary belief’. Some of them are absolutely crucial to the remaining quest. Or, for that matter, they too neatly jigsaw into the remaining story. Their criticality comes across as ‘forced’.

(a) The torch like phial was essential to get past Shelob.

(b) Sam’s rope was a necessity otherwise the Emyn Muil would have defeated them.

(c) The great bow of Legolas was used to ‘unhorse’ one of the Nine. Otherwise, much information might have got back to Sauron, and/or an assault (more dire than Saruman’s) might have been coordinated on the party.

(d) Lembas - there were just enough to get to Mount Doom.

(e) Without the ‘invisibility’ cloaks Frodo/Sam would never even have made it to Mordor uncaptured.

(f) Unsinkable boats - one of which allowed a dead Boromir to make it over a massive waterfall without being ejected.

(g) The giving to Aragorn of the elf-stone already announcing/heralding the return of the king.

(h) The garden box - replenishing/enriching the beauty of a devastated Shire. The single Mallorn nut and subsequent growth, all too conveniently replacing the Party Tree.

So the majority of the gifts came in ever so useful. Simply too incredible and hard to swallow for my liking.

But, there again, the Professor might have retorted that Celeborn and Galadriel were so far above my intelligence level that, knowing the fate of the world depended upon the Ring’s destruction, they put immense thought into how best to equip the remaining Company. Plus he might have said, Galadriel received some foresight from viewing her mirror with Frodo.

Yes, we could speculate using logic who out of the Lord and Lady was the major backer or source behind each gift. But it doesn’t really matter, because ultimately, both were in agreement.

[Arothir]

Perhaps between Galadriel and Celeborn, as a member of the Calaquendi and descended from kings (unlike Celeborn being descended from Elmo), she perhaps held precedent? Also out of the two of them, Galadriel is better known for her pride and possibly could have insisted on taking primacy?

[Silky Gooseness]

Galadriel does say: “what would a Dwarf ask of the Elves”, as opposed to: “what would a Dwarf ask of me,” or even of the Galadhrim, thus lending credence to the idea it’s a symbolic gift between the two peoples.

@Priya raises a good point that all the gifts are crucial for the Fellowship to succeed: or at least, for it to succeed in the manner that it did (you might also have mentioned Merry and Pippin’s gifts, for example); but I don’t think the Mirror is an unreasonable explanation here, especially given Galadriel’s warnings about the quest being on a knife-edge, that she might have had a look to guide her choosing of the gifts?

@Arothir She is historically proud, yes; but by the point of the gift-giving she has also passed the test where she is willing to give up glory in her own name, so I’m not so sure. Perhaps it is that the Lady is the traditional gift-giver and kin-keeper? Do we have other records of Elves giving gifts and their customs?

[Priya]

Hello Silky Gooseness

you might also have mentioned Merry and Pippin’s gifts

The belt gifting is interesting!!!

One thing, I think we should not forget, is that belts are essential equipment for war. As well as holding hobbit pants up, they provide the means for attachment of a sword scabbard. Yes, I imagine there is nothing worse than at that vital moment when reaching for a sword to stab a Nazgûl or a troll, a belt failure results in breeches falling to their ankles!

We know Pippin and Merry’s belts had seen some use (and possibly some wear and tear) by the time the Company reached Lothlórien. The daggers and scabbards received from Tom at the Barrow were unforeseen additions and were hung off these leather waist bands. But they were not originally designed for such use. The hobbits must have improvised - and I wonder how robust the resulting combination was? It makes me ask myself whether these hobbit belts were still fit for purpose by the time of the Galadriel/Celeborn audience?

Perhaps Galadriel/Celeborn recognized a need for an upgrade?
No doubt slender, unbreakable and light elven belts would have been a boon for the hobbits.

Naturally, being made of silver and beautiful too - they would have looked impressive to locals upon the return of these two large lordly hobbits to the Shire. However, I think they were specifically chosen to be of silver so as not to upstage and outrank the gold of Boromir’s belt - a true lord of Gondor.

Yet after saying all that in my attempt to employ logic, Tolkien might just have thought they were handsome gifts and acted as a counterbalance to the more critical ones which I have already discussed.

[Drífa]

I am not sure whether I would categorize the boats, the cloaks, the rope, and the lembas with the other gifts. I think of these items as more of an aid to help the Fellowship on their journey. The word "gift" can be interpreted in various ways, including offering, contribution, or bonus.

[Priya]

Hello Drifa

I am not sure whether I would categorize the boats, the cloaks, the rope, and the lembas with the other gifts.

To my knowledge, Tolkien didn’t distinguish. Gifts are gifts!

I think it’s best to defer to the text.

From Chapter 11, Farewell to Lórien:

“Elves that could speak their tongue came to them and brought them many gifts of food and clothing for the journey.”

“ ‘Ropes indeed!’ answered an Elf from the boats. … They are made of hithlain,’ said the Elf, ‘… you must be content with our gift. …”.

“Aragorn thanked Celeborn many times. The gift of boats comforted him much, …”.

[Silky Gooseness]

They are, but I guess we can distinguish from practical gifts, and personal gifts of fellowship and sentiment? Legolas’ bow is a practical yet personal gift; the Elfstone is almost purely personal, and of great significance. Along with Sam’s seed, it is a gift which is implied to be used in the future: a gift of hope. The same might be said even for Gimli’s gift, as whilst he treasures it for itself, it cannot be set into a keepsake until after the War.

[Priya]

Hello Silky Gooseness

I guess we can distinguish from practical gifts, and personal gifts of fellowship and sentiment?

I guess we could! With some overlap occurring - as you have mentioned.


But also, we can subcategorize the gifts in other ways. Such as which were essential to fulfilling the quest, and which weren’t. Or which were of monetary value, and which were low down the scale. Or group them in terms of which were little and which were large … etc. … etc.

My only point is that such subcategorization would be a personal matter.

[Silky Gooseness]

I suppose my question has morphed into “How essential were the Elves to the quest?” The Prof said Legolas was the lowest achiever of the Walkers; but without the Light given to Frodo I cannot think of a way they would have gotten past Cirith Ungol and Minas Morgul.

[Priya]

Hello Silky Gooseness

without the Light given to Frodo I cannot think of a way they would have gotten past Cirith Ungol and Minas Morgul.

Agreed!


Galadriel’s phial has niggled me at times. Here we have a flashlight that is supposedly continuously on? Or does it activate only upon hand contact and is on ‘low mode’ otherwise’? TLotR text is a bit ambiguous, but seems to point to the latter:

“She held up a small crystal phial: it glittered as she moved it, and rays of white light sprang from her hand.”

“For a moment it glimmered, faint as a rising star struggling in heavy earthward mists, and then as its power waxed, and hope grew in Frodo’s mind, it began to burn, and kindled to a silver flame, a minute heart of dazzling light …”.

“… he drew slowly out the phial of Galadriel and held it up. Its white light quickened swiftly, …”.

Anyway, it’s accessible easily enough at Frodo’s bosom; yet if it is always on (even on low mode) - any rays that inadvertently escape (for whatever reason) could alert the enemy since so much travel is done in gloom and darkness:

“It will shine still brighter when night is about you.”

It’s a bit of a dangerous gift then, is it not?
Or is it a fabulous bit of elvish engineering?

Or is it both?

What do you, or anyone else, think?

[Silky Gooseness]

Thank you for sharing these quotations, Priya!

The white star seen shining through Galadriel’s hand is also seen to represent Nenya - as Sam views it, when not a Ringbearer, this is how it appears.

But the Phial is not a Ring: instead, like the Silmarilli of old, it holds light; and the light in particular of Earendil. It is also filled with the water of the fountain, through which Galadriel has some measure of foresight.

So thinking on Earendil, and the continuity of this starlight, that has been preserved - as the nature of the Elves’ rings is, to preserve, and to keep safe, the light is a protective one. The gifts of the Elves are made to conceal from danger as well as to illuminate (hence the cloaks). The jewel is a symbol of hope and continuity. But what is interesting to me is as you say how it burns brighter when called upon at need. Is this part of elvish engineering: very possibly, because both the rope and the boats seem to know when they are needed and react accordingly. But also I’m minded of the Elfstone, the other jewelled gift given to Aragorn: himself named Hope - and which is a hope of betrothal and the continuance of light and love after the shadow.

I believe Verlyn Flieger has a great deal written about this, but I haven’t yet read it! I probably should!!

[Priya]

Hello Silky Gooseness

Hmm - ‘protective light’. That’s worth pondering on!

The light from the trees captured in the Silmarils appears to have a sort of life of its own. In Morgoth’s dungeon, and in his presence, the light from the jewels is subdued. But as far as I know, the Silmarils are not able to be totally ‘switched off’. That’s why Galadriel’s phial (possessing light captured from a Silmaril), I would have thought, emitted light at all times.

But surely light is light? It’s such a primeval thing. Once it leaves its source - it ought to be detectable by any of Sauron’s servants, and particularly Orcs. The phial is potentially a perilous beacon then if its light is unintentionally exposed. But I guess Tolkien would have told us that he omitted a detail and argued that Frodo kept it in a deep pocket sewn into the inside of a leather tunic impermeable to light. That’s my guess - because Sam had one:

“… in a pocket of his tunic next his breast the phial of Galadriel and the little box that she gave him for his own.”

I haven’t read Flieger’s Splintered Light in quite a while. I don’t remember, when it comes to the phial, whether she commented on the method used to control its intensity.