Letter 211

Letter 211 is the two-hundred-and-eleventh letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien in the ordering of Humphrey Carpenter's The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Summary

The letter was from Tolkien to Rhona Beare, answering a series of eleven questions Rhona had asked about his legendarium for a meeting of enthusiasts. Here are most of the questions followed by Tolkien's answer, simplified:

1. Why does Sam say O Elbereth Gilthoniel instead of A Elbereth Gilthoniel (first edition)?

This was an error. The O was an English translation, but since Sam's invocation is in pure Elvish it should be, A...

2. What is the meaning of this invocation and of Frodo's words, Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima?

A Elbereth Gilthoniel means "O Elbereth Starkindler". Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima means "Hail Eärendil, brightest of the stars!" (a referral to a line from Crist).

3. Why is Glorfindel's horse (in the first publication of The Fellowship of the Ring) said to have a 'bridle and bit' when elves ride without any tack?

This chapter was written early before he considered the elves' way with animals. Glorfindel's horse would have had a headstall instead of a bridle.

4. How could Ar-Pharazôn defeat Sauron when he had the One Ring?

Ar-Pharazôn defeated Sauron's subjects, not Sauron himself. Sauron's personal 'surrender' was to gain entrance to Númenor to fully corrupt them leading to their downfall.

5. What were the colors of the two unnamed Istari?

Tolkien replies that he did not know - however, in later writings, "they are called the Blue Wizards".

7. What the winged crown of Gondor like? A. It was tall, like that of Egypt, but the wings were attached and at an angle.

8. What is the meaning of El- in Elven names (like Elrond) and when does it means elf and when does it mean star?

The basic element El means "star." As the first element in a compound it could mean either "star" or "elf". Some Elf names are then translated: Elwing ("Elf-foam"), Elrond ("Star cavern", "Vault of stars", "Star dome"), Elros (ros = "dew/spray"), Elrohir ("Elf-knight"), Elladan ("Elf-Númenórean").

9. What does Legolas mean?

Legolas means 'green-leaves'.

10. Did the Witch-king ride a pterodactyl at the siege of Gondor?

It was not intended to be a pterodactyl, but it is obviously pterodactylic in many ways.

11. Who is the Elder King in the song of Eärendil? Is he the One?

The Elder King is Manwë.