The Three Elven Rings Explained

[@davidtatro7457]

Can we all at least give a slow clap for Cirdan, who for the most part is only recognized as a ship builder, but who actually gifted probably his most prized possession to Gandalf, once he entered the physical world? I mean, this elf was not only the architect of all the vessels that enabled our heroes to escape from their middle earth toils and wounds, but even in the early stages of this conflict, he willingly turned over a great ring of power to another. And that puts him right into the league of Bilbo.

[@marquisejefferson1648]

Cirdan is an unsung hero of Middle Earth

[@chris_2714]

Except unlike Bilbo, Cirdan had a gift of foresight and was able to see that gifting the ring to Gandalf would result in the best outcome. It was less about being selfless and more recognizing that this was the destiny of the ring.

[@taidee]

He is a great individual, who also waited building the ships until all Elves who needed to leave Middle Earth have done so, even though he had wanted for thousands of years to go to the West. A super individual indeed.

[@Wolfeson28]

IDG did a great video about Cirdan specifically a couple months ago. Well worth a watch.

[@allymoo9728]

The morgoth/melkor update was not installed properly 💍

[@etienneporras7252]

I cannot stress enough the 'fate' at play that Elrond, as the Son of Eärendil, holds the Ring of Air, just as Eärendil himself holds the Silmaril of the Skies, the Evenstar.

[@ceejay0137]

That speech of Cirdan when he passed Narya on to Gandalf gives me goosebumps: "... with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill." Wonderful writing.

[@dandiehm8414]

When Elrond says "I think this task was appointed for you, Frodo...." I have always believed that the emphasis was on "appointed" not on "you". Elrond sees the hand of Iluvatar in this - it is Iluvatar who has "appointed" Frodo. That is the key point, in my opinion.

[@thiagocardoso5533]

Iluvatar, like god, work in mysterious ways

[@annecarter5181]

@@dandiehm8414 Good point!

[@ceejay0137]

It always seemed that way to me as well, because of how Tolkien described Frodo's act of acceptance: At last with an effort he spoke, and wondered to hear his own words, as if some other will was using his small voice. "I will take the Ring," he said, "though I do not know the way."

[@dandiehm8414]

@@ceejay0137 Acceptance is a great word here. Frodo accepted the task that was laid on him. He didn't WANT to go (he wanted to stay with Bilbo). He didn't have a burning desire to destroy the ring. He wanted it destroyed but he didn't want to be the one to have do it.

[@keithgoodnight3463]

I've always thought that the primary power of Elrond's Ring was knowledge and wisdom, as Galdriel's was preservation and Gandalf's encouragement. Rivendell isn't only a house of hospitality and healing, though it is that as well, but the center of knowledge and lore in Middle-earth. Boromir journeys for a year to find Rivendell to ask for the interpretation of a dream, and does so because Elrond is the "Greatest of Loremasters." As Galdriel's Ring lets her preserve an image of the First Age in Lothlorien, Elrond's lets him preserve in Rivendell the gathered lore and history of all Middle-earth, and with it the wisdom to comprehend and interpret such massive knowledge.

[@Wolfeson28]

I think that makes good sense, in that it fits with Elrond's primary mission and skills similar to how the other rings do with Gandalf and Galadriel. I think there is also a sense that Vilya specifically was meant as a "king's ring", in that it seems to focus on what a post-First Age elven ruler would consider most important: knowledge, wisdom, and good counsel. Considering it was originally given to Gil-Galad (the last High King of the Noldor in Middle Earth) and then passed to Elrond (who was the only potential claimant to that title after Gil-Galad's death), it would be logical for it to have been crafted with that role in mind. There's also the idea of Vilya bolstering Elrond's healing magic, in line with the line about "the hands of the king are the hands of a healer".

[@SLiMBiLT]

If this is the case then why did Gandalf have to go to the White City to do “primary document research” about the One Ring? Couldn’t he have just asked Elrond?

[@keithgoodnight3463]

@@SLiMBiLT Not even a ring of power can grant complete omniscience? "Greatest of Loremasters" can still leave room for specialists in particular subjects, or for troves of documents stored and forgotten elsewhere. Gandalf says of Saruman's study of the Rings that great as his knowledge was, "it must have a source." There's no magic that would just instill true knowledge directly with no other source, so presumably even a Ring of knowledge couldn't do so either. Of course, I'm just guessing: since the powers of Elrond's ring are not specifically stated anywhere I've heard of, we can only speculate.

[@shooter231991]

⁠@@SLiMBiLT It’s my understanding that after Sauron’s defeat, Isildur was the the only person to bear The One Ring. (With the exception of Smeagol). Isildur bore the ring for only a short while before he was killed. Then the ring was lost for millennia. The only credible information about the ring would be Isildur’s personal accounts. Elrond could possibly have had that information, but he had no reason to leave Rivendell to search through those records. He and Gandalf kept an eye on the line of kings. But not much more than that. It took Gandalf more than a decade to find that single written passage, then return to the Shire/Frodo. Elrond had more important issues to deal with. Apparently the library in Gondor didn’t use the Dewey Decimal System 😂. Also keep in mind that Gandalf frequently visited Gondor and stayed in close proximity to the line of Stewards. I believe any information about Isildur was short, and hard to come by.

[@joseandredeandrademelo9632]

Hello, Robert, this is everyone.

[@maxsalmon4980]

Basically, in a nutshell, Celebrimbor's rings use Sauron's 5G network, but he didn't install the same spyware app that Sauron put on the other 16 while they were made.

[@shokmusic_AC]

@@maxsalmon4980 well said

[@satakrionkryptomortis]

kinda...but those had some kind of backdoor celebrimbor did not account for. but he tried his best and did very well.

[@TheInselaffen]

Is that why I got an advert for a Smart Ring before this video?

[@rollinronin8125]

I won't install ring cameras. They're not all accounted for...🤔

[@Eucalypten]

Must everything be related to todays technology? Im here to get AWAY from industrial modernity, not reminded of it.

[@debrickashaw9387]

7:10 You can actually see Narya on Gandalfs finger in the return of the king, at the grey havens for the first time. Such attention to detail is astounding

[@Richard_Nickerson]

Yup!

[@PwnySlaystation01]

Gandalf's ring's "encouraging" power I think is pretty explicit in his dealings with Theoden. Not just with his initial encouragement, breaking him out of his "stupor" but throughout The Two Towers. Several times, Theoden is talking of despair or being without hope and then his demeanor changes completely when Gandalf shows up and says a few words. Like, it borders on suspicious the change is so dramatic. I really think this was meant as one of the big clues about that ring. Obviously along with the fellowship.

[@critter5248]

at least 5 power

[@thefench1]

Yeah and also when Gondor is besieged. To argue is for if Gandalf managed to remove Theoden from Sarumans Influence for the Rings power, or for he got promoted to white wizard... id say he did not use the Ring for that ... thats to aktive , something that Sauron would have felt

[@QuasarSniffer]

As an American listening to this late November of 2024, I really appreciate a video about how the best way to fight evil is through kindness and helping others. Thank you so much.

[@pkthunder7008]

I've been getting frustrated with the reuploads from Robert. But he has been doing a good job of adding a lot to them these days. Good work.

[@tpuahseiw]

Another example of Galadriel's use of Nenya is the mists she conjures up to conceal Eorl and the Éothéod while they pass Dol Guldur on their ride to the Undeeps. Without their knowledge, she hides them from the forces of Sauron. The mist even seems to give off a timeless protection, concealing them while giving them speed. Truly a wonderful ring.

[@nathaniellong4281]

Glorfindel saying he couldn't heal Frodo's wound is significant. After Glorfindel returned from the Halls of Mandos after dying in battle in the First Age, the Valar gave him a piwer upgrade, making him more powerful than any other elf, but weaker than any Maiar. Glorfindel also has a presence in the Unseen, or spiritual, world, as Frodo sees him shining brightly on the opposite riverbank when he arrives at Rivendell. So, given how powerful Glorfindel is, for him to say he can't heal Frodo's wound is saying something.

[@istari0]

Just like anyone else, Glorfindel has his own set of skills. It's likely healing was never anything he was particularly good at, at least compared to someone like Elrond.

[@Richard_Nickerson]

Frodo would see every Elf that way. I'm sure Gandalf would appear in a similar fashion too.

[@Richard_Nickerson]

​@@istari0 Right. Elrond was especially gifted at medicine in general. They make a point of saying only he could deal with such a wound. Maybe that has to do with his ring of power, but maybe it's just an individual skill set thing.

[@joshuawells5953]

Lets just all take a moment to remember Mr Tolkien. His story greatly shaped my life ( having read the trilogy over 20 times) and the life of everyone who's read it. Im happy that, even though he's gone, he will be forever immortalize through his works. God bless you and your family for generations to come Mr Tolkien.

[@Wolfeson28]

9:21 That line is even more powerful considering who it comes from. Aragorn had spent a good portion of his life under the alias "Estel", which literally means "hope". So the person who has been called "hope" for much of his life is now saying they must do without hope.

[@dmk_games]

On Gandalf, and his ring that helps others resist tyranny, domination, and dispair - the only being known to have ever willinging given up after holding onto it for a long time is Bilbo, with encouragement from Gandalf. Of course Tom Bombadil and Samwise Gamgee also both gave it up - but those two characters didn't have it very long, plus those two beings are unrealistically overpowered and good.

[@istari0]

I think it is important to remember that all the beings who held the 3 Elven Rings already had extraordinary abilities. Gil-Galad, Galadriel, Círdan, Elrond, and of course Gandalf accomplished great things before they ever put one of those Rings on. The Rings allowed them to do more in certain ways. They may have been similar to the One Ring in that they amplified what the bearer was already good at.

[@annecarter5181]

Thank you, Robert; beautifully done. 😊

[@NB4fun]

Had a long day at work today… this video is really what I needed. Thank you Robert 🙏🏻

[@awesomehpt8938]

Frodo: what’s the name of your ring Galadriel? Galadriel: Nenya. Frodo: really? Galadriel: Nenya business.

[@TheHFChang]

That’s the greatest thing I’ve read all week

[@nandoman4769]

Frodo: “Alright then, keep your secrets”

[@dirkness42]

You must be a dad...

[@cronistamundano8189]

ma oeeeeeeeee

[@sajjadalhachami7574]

What that mean

[@Kelnx]

Based on Tolkien's thoughts on the Hobbits, I don't think that if Frodo tried to use the One Ring to control the others it would destroy him. It simply wouldn't work. Within the Hobbits is a duality of an incapability or "non-desire" if you like of grasping power, and something like a resistance to all power. Kind of how the One Ring has no effect at all on Tom Bombadil. The Hobbits aren't like Tom exactly, but they are close enough that the power of the One Ring might affect them, but it is at a very low level. Abd the reverse of that is they can't do much with the Ring either. The outcome of Frodo trying to actually use the One Ring to put his will over others would have been...just a whimper. No harm done in either direction. In all honesty a Palantir is more dangerous to a hobbit than the Ring is short term.

[@Seven-Seas-of-Baba-O-Riley]

Wasn't there also something about Elrond supporting the line of Isildur and making sure Aragorn became king? That also lines up with healing on a larger scale.

[@shokmusic_AC]

Great post and excellent writing! I was wondering if there was anymore information concerning the ring of Air. In a way, I am glad that there isn't too much information about the rings of power. Mystery gives Middle Earth so much depth. Again, great post.

[@kriswalter560]

In troubled times, The Lord of the Rings is a beacon in the darkness for finding the way back to The Good. And short of reading the books all over again, there is no better vehicle for communicating the message than you, Robert.

[@GunsNRoses87AXL]

If Frodo can see Galadriels ring, why not Gandalfs ring if they spend so much time together?

[@FoolsMasque]

The flood triggered by an enemy stepping foot onto the Ford of Bruinen is probably a protection spell powered by Vilya. I know that Gandalf told Frodo that "Elrond commanded it" but he could not discuss the Three so fudged slightly.

[@dalegaliniak607]

So, I always assumed how the great rings gave invisibility was something that could be taught and controlled. The elvish rings clearly could all go invisible or not at the control of their owners. Sauron clearly wore the ring while being visible. I kinda figured that Sauron taught the ring wraiths how to keep from going invisible while wearing their rings, but it took will. As they became dominated, and lost their own will, their ability to stay visible faded as well. Frodo could have been taught how to stay visible, but the only people who could have taught him (Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf) wouldn't want to encourage him to wear it, nor would they want to highlight how they had rings of their own. It also would explain Gandalf's ability to slip away, though he probably was much more careful when he used it.

[@richardhaas1989]

Seems to me control of Air might have a lot to do with Rivendell not being easy to find even from above to spying birds.

[@robertsmall5168]

I like to look at it as the reason the Elven Three could still sense Sauron with his Ring even while they don’t have his connected influence is because they are still crafted in such a way that they’re still able to hook up to that magical-radar like the other 17

[@EdMcF1]

Given the small World of the Elves and Valar, it is astonishing that no one sussed Annatar as how could he have been accounted for as either Elven or Maiar, given his power?

[@adelkayani2595]

Pretty sure he was seen as someone sent by the valar to gift the elves and people were suspicious. I also do think people knew he was a maiar, just not Sauron himself lol.. wasn't Elrond, gil-galad and galadriel mistrusting towards him to the point where they basically refused to interact with him? with that said, pretty sure there is a good amount if maiar people have no clue about or have ever heard of. In terms of notoriety the valar were more known individually

[@RollMeAFat1]

He called himself the lord of gifts and posed as the equivalent of a god, and there weren’t many elves in eregion that had been in the undying lands, and he stayed away from the elves that had been there

[@spaceyote7174]

Galadriel actually canonically did *exactly* this: she suspected Annatar because she couldn't remember him from back in Valinor

[@richardthomas598]

Huge Kruger - Dunning vibes here

[@Bolano75]

Was there a real Annatar? If so, why didn't he jump in and boot the faker out?

[@1kevintron]

💯 Vilya is responsible for the horses in the river. Foam is basically just aerated liquid. Elrond shook that river up like a cocktail and dumped right over their heads.

[@beefabob]

It was actually Gandalf that was responsible for the white horses in the river. Gandalf tells us so in book two, chapter one 'Many Meetings' when he is talking to Frodo in Rivendell after the Hobbit first wakes up.

[@황중현-r9i]

6:24 Hi Robert, you mentioned something about the wear of the three and one being able to telepathically communicate. Could this be how Gandalf the White magically told Frodo to take the ring off the ring when he was at the Seat of Seeing on Amon Hen?

[@MrNicoJac]

No, as explained elsewhere, it's due to tbe chair there

[@kathykuecker]

So we have air, water and fire. What of earth? Was the One ring actually the earth ring, or was Celebrimbor going to make an earth ring and was interrupted by Sauron forging the One?

[@ChinrettemnovSnemelk]

He got a copyright strike from a 1970's disco band when he tried to forge the earth ring

[@crowbar_the_rogue]

Everything changed when the ... uh ... Earth ring attacked.

[@tobiasunbekannt3541]

Good question.🤔 Maybe earth is too dwarfy for the elves?

[@chasestrub]

The One Ring was forged by the lava/magma of Orodruín. Lava/Magma is specifically "Raw Earth" so, Sauron made His Ring from the Earth. Full circle if you will.

[@Variable-2-actual]

Earth went to the dwarves.

[@corrinflakes9659]

Healing the Past, Preserving the Now, Encouraging the Future.

[@kendallcurtis7863]

Great and exhaustive content, as always!

[@enoughothis]

This excerpt from the Council of Elrond is the closest that Tolkien comes to defining the powers of the Three elven rings. ‘Ah, alas!’ cried Glóin. ‘When will the day come of our revenge? But still there are the Three. What of the Three Rings of the Elves? Very mighty Rings, it is said. Do not the Elf-lords keep them? Yet they too were made by the Dark Lord long ago. Are they idle? I see Elf-lords here. Will they not say?’ The Elves returned no answer. ‘Did you not hear me, Glóin?’ said Elrond. ‘The Three were not made by Sauron, nor did he ever touch them. But of them it is not permitted to speak. So much only in this hour of doubt I may now say. They are not idle. But they were not made as weapons of war or conquest: that is not their power. Those who made them did not desire strength or domination or hoarded wealth, but understanding, making, and healing, to preserve all things unstained. These things the Elves of Middle-earth have in some measure gained, though with sorrow. But all that has been wrought by those who wield the Three will turn to their undoing, and their minds and hearts will become revealed to Sauron, if he regains the One. It would be better if the Three had never been. That is his purpose.’

[@jamesharmer9293]

"To preserve all things unstained" is a very Elvish motive, they are immortal after all and it's why Rivendell and especially Lothlorien appear so different to the rest of Middle Earth.

[@SkylerinAmarillo]

Very well done. You explain the three rings better than I’ve ever heard before.

[@PaoloDurham]

Very interesting as always, Robert

[@charleslarrivee2908]

I appreciate the healthy balance of visual aids from across adaptations of Tolkien's legendarium, both in art and on screen 😊

[@boromirstark9]

Love these lore vids. They help clear up certain confusing segments of the Silmarillion, and even pointing out details I'd never noticed during some scenes of the main books. I'd really love a deep dive into the 1st & 2nd Ages. (Unfinished Tales, etc.) Thank you for your work regardless!

[@namelesstemple]

This is such a great video. I absolutely love this channel.

[@dresinss]

Favorite essay so far

[@steamr0ll]

This is perhaps my favo(u)rite In Deep Geek video to date. For some reason it really "hit me in the feels" as the kids say.

[@cabbage9999]

I really wish you wouldn't use imagery from Rings of Power. There are so many other sources of imagery. That aren't a mockery of Tolkein.

[@ryanwalker3453]

Great video and detail! Thank you for your content.

[@rciafardone]

Love your channel. But seeing Amazon series images is almost painful 😂

[@procrastinator9]

Fire magic would be awesome to have. But growth and preservation power is that which I would truly want to wield. My woods are hit by a blight. Yearly, beautiful old oaks die. If I had the power to rid the blight and let the old ones tower and the saplings thrive, I would count myself blessed. Still, it gives me plenty of fuel to keep warm through cold Minnesota winters.

[@matthewalanrain5839]

Great Video!

[@cruiserflyer]

Nobody has ever said "Welcome" the way Robert says welcome and made me feel truly welcome.

[@alonys]

Elrond and Galadriel are sadly unable to help Celebrian. Is that Tolkiens way of saying not even Elves are perfect?

[@wsxyz]

Actually Elrond healed her - physically. But she no longer found any joy in Middle Earth, so she left.

[@steveaustin4013]

That was brilliant. Thank you for this. What a positive and insightful take

[@DProductions0]

If only they had the rings of earth and heart, they could've summoned Captain Planet

[@freethefib8357]

Whoa!?! What a fantastic video! Thank you

[@Tar-Elenion]

"The chief power (of all the rings alike) was the prevention or slowing of decay (i.e. ‘change’ viewed as a regrettable thing), the preservation of what is desired or loved, or its semblance - this is more or less an Elvish motive. But also they enhanced the natural powers of a possessor - thus approaching ‘magic’, a motive easily corruptible into evil, a lust for domination. And finally they had other powers, more directly derived from Sauron (‘the Necromancer’: so he is called as he casts a fleeting shadow and presage on the pages of The Hobbit): such as rendering invisible the material body, and making things of the invisible world visible. The Elves of Eregion made Three supremely beautiful and powerful rings, almost solely of their own imagination, and directed to the preservation of beauty: they did not confer invisibility." Letter 131 "Now these were the Three that had last been made, and they possessed the greatest powers. Narya, Nenya, and Vilya, they were named, the Rings of Fire, and of Water, and of Air, set with ruby and adamant and sapphire; and of all the Elven-rings Sauron most desired to possess them, for those who had them in their keeping could ward off the decays of time and postpone the weariness of the world." Silm., OtRoP "The Three were not made by Sauron, nor did he ever touch them. But of them it is not permitted to speak. So much only in this hour of doubt I may now say. They are not idle. But they were not made as weapons of war or conquest: that is not their power. Those who made them did not desire strength or domination or hoarded wealth, but understanding, making, and healing, to preserve all things unstained. These things the Elves of Middle-earth have in some measure gained, though with sorrow." LotR, Council of Elrond Tolkien does not say Nenya supports Galadriel's Mirror. Correct, you do not know that the river unleashed by Elrond was a result of "wind". The supportable, 'conclusion' or accurate 'surmise' would be drawn from Letter 131 quoted above: *"they enhanced the natural powers of a possessor"* Elrond had the ability to command the river, and Vilya enhanced that power.

[@AdamKadmon-cg5qs]

I had to wonder why Gandalf or someone else didn't have the One Ring immersed in a small brick of brass or some other metal, to prevent it being worn. Then, Frodo could wear it on a chain and no one without some Sight could know what it was.

[@LKHEMA]

When entering Mordor Sam briefly wears the ring and uses it to save Frodo. Gandalf with his Foresight was perhaps aware that the ring had to be used before its destruction.

[@PiraticalBob]

I've thought for a while now that the only reason that Gandalf was able to call out to Frodo upon Amon Hen was because of the link between Narya and the One Ring - - the only instance in which the link between all the Rings of Power was ever used.

[@MrNicoJac]

No It's the chair Explained in the Gandalf or Ring videos, iirc

[@VonUndZuGeist]

Call it a hint, call it coincidence but there's more too Vilya: a connection to Aragorn. Well, kind of. Before Aragorn became king it was said "The hands of the king are the hands of a healer" or something similar. Vilya allows Elrond to be a great healer. And when Vilya still belonged to Gil-galad he was given healing abilities. Gil-Galad, a High King of the elves. So back then it was also true that "The hands of the king are the hands of a healer". And maybe, just maybe, that's where this old saying in Gondor comes from.

[@geogolf4311]

There are various weather (air) related incidents in the Return of the King where the hand of Elrond is implied. Notably the change in wind that allows Aragorn and Co. in their captured ships to arrive at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields in the nick of time, the off and on beating back of volcanic gloom from Mt. Doom, and the arrival of the eagles on a northerly wind at the Black Gate, just in the nick of time to attack the Nazgul and ultimately rescue Frodo and Sam.

[@connosaurus]

Everyone's happy when the wizard walks by

[@cieskokid]

Never talking, just keeps walking Spreading his magic

[@emikke]

The three rings of power still corrupt the wearers. Since power corrupts. But the one ring and the sixteen probably contain Sauron's spirit. Even if they are all linked to Sauron, and they are all linked to Morgoth since Middle-Earth is Morgoth's ring.

[@PopCultureCat]

You are pne of my favourite narrators on KZbin, mate.

[@1984oldblue]

Here's something else worth mentioning about the Elven Rings: Celebrimbor's grandfather, Feanor crafted the 3 Silmarils. At the end of the 1st Age, one of the Silmarils becomes a star in the sky, one is thrown into the sea, and the last one was cast into a fiery pit in the Earth. Celebrimbor's true masterpieces were the 3 Elven Rings: Vilya the Ring of Air, Nenya the Ring of Water, and Narya the Ring of Fire. Coincidence? I think not.

[@Alaedious]

Great video! 😊❤🎉

[@midnight7703]

In addition to the insights from this video, I believe the Elven Rings enhanced the bearer's ability for telepathic communication to each other, and their foresight skill.

[@carlkim2577]

Didn't Arwen tell Elrond you have the gift of foresight? I airways thought the ring gave him glimpses of the future, as part of the wisdom it provided.

[@andrewg8791]

I wonder what the relative 'power' of Saruman's forged ring would be, in relation to the 3 rings. I also wonder why Saruman didn't try to take it from Gandalf by force, when he was imprisoned in Orthanc. Certainly he was aware of it, as he held a grudge against Gandalf being gifted it by Cirdan. Perhaps Gandalf's will, and the concealing powers of the ring, prevented a forceful removal.

[@OenopionOenopion]

I was definitely one of the readers who was amazed to discover at the end of the Lord of the Rings that Gandalf was not human. Even then, it was not clear that Gandalf was not an elf, but a powerful Maiar sent to Middle Earth. One question not answered here is why the three rings of power were taken from Middle Earth to Valinor. If the rings were corrupted by some part of Sauron, even after his downfall, it would still be a strange item to bring to Valinor.

[@MemphiStig]

You always have excellent and enjoyable videos. Thank you for such great work.

[@MarkhamShawPyle]

Would submit further that each of the Elven Rings had some correspondence, 'sympathy', or relation to the corresponding member of the Aratar charged with the element each ring represented.

[@FltCaptAlan]

Question, when Gandalf was encouraging Frodo to take off the ring late in Fellowship, was the link between the rings helping him connect with Frodo? in other words, did Gandalf reverse the connection between the rings for a moment?

[@MrNicoJac]

No It's the chair Explained in the Gandalf or Ring videos, iirc

[@FltCaptAlan]

@@MrNicoJac Sure the chair had an effect, but it may not have been the only thing influencing the connection, all I'm suggesting is that the bond between the rings made Gandalf connecting to Frodo easier

[@dandiehm8414]

Hello robert - excellent video (as always). But where is it written that Galadriel counseled destroying The Three. I don't recall ever reading that before.

[@gregcampwriter]

Frodo spends a lot more time with Gandalf, including times when the latter uses his power. It's odd that Frodo never saw Narya.

[@aaron9541]

The One Ring - command others ( skill check ) - detect enchantments - invisibility - detect life - detect death - drain personality - drain willpower - increasing carry weight

[@Variable-2-actual]

Carries the soul of Sauron , provides energy to the wearer, constant corruption of character, slowly infuses Sauron's soul into acceptable host. (Men, elves,)

[@Karl.Jayce-DE]

You're always the Best Robert ❤

[@rothbardfreedom]

12:52 - Galadriel fell in love with Gollum and had a daughter

[@victornjoku8250]

😂😂😂😂. I know right? That face 😂😂😂😂

[@adamsterrett9482]

Two big moments always stand out as important and odd Gandalf moments to me. You've mentioned before that the voice calling out to Frodo at Amon Hen to take off the ring is almost certainly Gandalf. And you've also mentioned that, right at the end, rather than participating in the final battle, Gandalf watches from above, and seems to be aware right at the end that the conclusion is imminent. I realized only while watching this video that these are both moments when Frodo is wearing the ring. When Sauron first forged the One Ring and put it on, the elves wearing the original rings of power could sense his intentions and hear his voice, and took off their rings. Maybe it was Gandalf's possessing of Narya that permitted him to understand what was happening to Frodo in these moments?

[@SioraCorder]

I think that Elronds ring being the ring of air isn’t necessarily an elemental power like the ring of fire or water, but rather an atmospheric power. Bilbo said something along the lines of “Rivendell is the perfect place. Rather Elvish, but whether you want to sing or read or write or just relax and enjoy the weather and pipe, this place is the best for it.” I’m paraphrasing a lot but perhaps Elrond used his ring to provide a place of home for the elves, akin to Valinor, where they can rest and heal and feel comfortable.

[@SullyRose15]

Getting close to 1 Million!

[@Boonton2010]

So in terms of software, the method to make the rings included a 'back door' that could be accessed by the One Ring. The back door was created before the One Ring even was made.

[@XFATALxERRORXPRO]

A breath of fresh air...

[@Debba521]

Thanks for an in depth reading on The Three. When I first read these stories as a kid, I had a lot of trouble understanding why and how the three were distributed. After all, the rhyme says, "Three rings for the Elven Kings under the sky". Who were the three Kings? But as I got older, I realized it wasn't necessary to be so literal. Pretty much. Okay, it still bugs me a little 😆. Maybe Elrond was meant to have the ring associated with air because of his father, Earendil. I'd give anything for a great visual of a flying ship speeding in and Earendil doing battle with Ancalagon the Black! Hoo, that would be fab. Maybe someday. 😊

[@Daviesng007]

Easily summarised~ fire, water, air corresponding respectful to inspiration, preservation, restoration. One thing though. It isn’t that the 3 wouldn’t be effective in warfare, but rather that the power of the 3 is not offensive in nature. This is opposed to the power on the 9 which was very much aggressive in nature.

[@Thufir42]

Question: are we sure the ONE ring always make the wearer invisible? it doesnt turn tom or sauron invisible, and i think ist never said in the books it turns isildur invisble. it only turns hobbits invisible. since they are a natural stealthy folk, the invisiblity could just be a extension or empowerment of the stealthyness of hobbits. with isildur or sauron it probably makes them grander or scarier while worn, enhancing their natural strenghts i think the ring is more of a catalysator of natural strengths than an invisiblity-ring.

[@michaelmedlinger6399]

Yes, it turned Isildur invisible. When attacked by the orcs, he put on the ring so that he could escape, but the ring betrayed him and slipped from his finger, revealing him to the orcs and giving them the opportunity to kill him. I believe you will find that in the annexes. Or do I misremember that?

[@Jonathan-ic9ef]

Never mind how the Fellowship lost Gandalf in Khazad-dum, look at fast things went south for Thorin's company when Gandalf left them before they entered Mirkwood! Gandalf severely overestimated how capable they were without his presence. With the exception of Bilbo, of course.

[@opesam]

I wonder if the "depowered" post destruction rings were still viewed as beautiful artefacts of great craftsmanship and still imbued with an iota of power, or were they just common trinkets.

[@EdMcF1]

The One Ring, a sort of Middle-Earth Stuxnet.

[@michaellyons5208]

Maybe one way to look at this is that the three rings are rings that pull. Encouraging in a positive way is pulling someone along wherein they move forward by a desire to do so. Sauron's ring is a ring that pushes. It is behind the person with a whip forcing them to move when they don't really want to. Technically we heal ourselves, we don't actually heal anyone else. We have to expel the poison and reconnect the cells and the tissues. So honestly Elrond's ring worked to encourage Frodo's body more vigorously to heal itself. Galadriel's ring worked to encourage the trees to grow bigger and stronger and to in many ways deflect invasion. And as already stated, Gandalf's ring encourages strength and power from within They are truly two different philosophies of power. Just my fault in the matter.

[@richardmather1906]

On the rings making people invisible: I have always thought that was something at the will of those wearing the rings, provided they had the power to control them. And whether wearing the one or the three or the seven or the nine, a mortal man would be turned into a wraith by any of them. It is their nature as Elven rings, putting the wearer into the twilight zone, where mortal men do not belong, that makes it have that effect, IMO.

[@timbotron4000]

This excellent video just throws the failure of Rings of Power into even shaper contrast. This video had longer screen time than the forging of the Three in the show that has a total of 16 hours of run time

[@richardmather1906]

Also, I don't think you are right about the ring giving Elrond healing powers. The descendants of his brother Elros also have healing power. Consider Aragorn. And recall, after he has healed Merry, Faramir and Eowyn, Aragorn sends for Elros and Elrohir to come into the City to help him heal the sick and wounded in Gondor. And Aragorn explicitly says at one point that he wished Elrond was there, because he was the eldest of that "race" and had the greatest power. Elrond could not have passed a "ring power" to his sons. They have healing power because they are his sons.

[@edithengel2284]

I think the ring augments the healing powers Elrond already has.

[@kinesta]

Amazing!

[@randyfant2588]

I think you got those backwards, Elrond's blue ring was the ring of water, hence the tidal wave he created and his land of Rivendell or land of rivers. That is also why it is blue.

[@rollinronin8125]

Air is subtle and vast, Water is deep and refreshing, Fire is fierce and warm. Where's Captain Planet while this was going on?

[@tempodan]

He doesn't show up when you substitute the Heart ring with the One ring 😢 Instead a horde of orcs ate him.

[@Variable-2-actual]

Dwarves

[@benjaminkenney3706]

21 minutes?!!! Let’s goooo

[@jdub6909]

Well said.

[@erickelley9647]

At Amon Hen when Frodo hears “Take it off! Take it off! Fool, take it off! Take off the Ring!"

[@Spiethstar]

Perhaps the elements share properties of the astrological aspect as well. Air goes well with wisdom I believe. Was JRR Tolkien valuing astrology in ways?

[@haga2519]

I've always wondered how Gandalf regained his ring after he died fighting the balrog. And his staff for that matter. Did Gwaihir pick up his belongings as well?

[@roderickfemm8799]

This was suggested to me when I asked the same question: Gandalf's spirit left his body for what seemed to him like a long time, but was not; and when his spirit was revived, it returned to the same body that was in the same place. So his staff, his sword and his ring were all still there with that body. His clothes had been destroyed by the battle with the Balrog, which is why he was naked. His revived spirit was strong enough to change his hair from grey to white, but that was the only visible change.

[@haga2519]

@@roderickfemm8799 Ah thank you! I've been wondering about this for 50 years 😀 Good explanation.

[@Jacob-W-5570]

But in secrecy another ring was made, the Ring of Earth, it's travels are lost, but in end it landed on the hand of Gimli.

[@ΣωτήρηςΚαρ]

Bravo!