Post
by Lindariel » Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:41 pm
I think it is also interesting that so many people assume that the gifts the Fellowship received in Lothlorien were from the Lady Galadriel alone, when in fact Galadriel herself tells the Fellowship:
". . . the Lord of the Galadhrim is accounted the wisest of the Elves of Middle-earth, and a giver of gifts beyond the power of kings."
When the Fellowship prepares to leave Lothlorien, they are given lembas, elven cloaks, boats, and hithlain rope. The lembas and the cloaks were made by Galadriel and her maidens, but all are given by the grace and goodwill of the Lord of the land. Then, on the island of Egladil, when Galadriel presents the gifts of parting, she says:
"I have brought in my ship gifts which the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim now offer you in memory of Lothlorien."
Again, as Marnie points out, Galadriel is serving her ceremonial function as the Lady and wife of the Lord of the land, but the gifts themselves come from his bounty. When Galadriel says "I give you this . . ." it is understood that she means "On behalf of the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood, I give you this gift."
The only gifts that really fall outside of this category are the Elessar stone, but that gift truly does not come to Aragorn from Galadriel but from Arwen; the three strands of hair that she gives to Gimli; and the phial she gives to Frodo, since this is a magical gift she made herself. Even so, none of these gifts could have been bestowed without the advice, consent, and goodwill of Celeborn.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Feanor learns of Galadriel's gift to Gimli. In Aman, before the Exile, Feanor had asked Galadriel (then called Artanis/Nerwen) on three occasions for a strand of her hair, and she refused him all three times. Gimli "names" one hair as his wish, but does not ask for it, and Galadriel gives him three. That's quite a statement of her opinion of Feanor, isn't it? No wonder Celeborn "gazed at the Dwarf in wonder."
Lindariel
“Therefore I say: Eä! Let these things Be! And I will send forth into the Void the Flame Imperishable, and it shall be at the heart of the World, and the World shall Be.”