Wrote this thread to explore the Tolkien concept of Incarnates (Mirröanwi) to possibly explain why mithril is not the solution to Elven death.
This is really just an excuse to share some summarizing thoughts before the @LOTRonPrime finale.
#TheRingsOfPower 🧵
1/7. All living things in Arda are classified as either being of the Incarnates ("spirits put into flesh") or not.
Nature of ME— Incarnates include the likes of Eruhíni, Ents, Eagles, etc. Their bodies have 'souls' as Eru has endowed. Plants & most animals are not Incarnates.
2/7. The Great Tree of Lindon isn't an Incarnate.
The Life of the Tree (being w/o a soul) is not equal to the Life of the Eldar (beings w/ souls).
Yet Elves value life in all. Violence upon trees involves the death & ending of its own physical life— it grieves Elves. (NOME)
3/7. The Tree is a 'symbol' of Elven strength and vitality.
Gil-galad describes the decaying Great Tree as carrying a blight... "An outer manifestation of an inner reality."
The Tree seems to act like a sensor. The decay tells the Elves of their declining 'vitality'.
4/7. Yet the Tree has no soul. Why then are the Elves basing their 'vitality' on that of the Tree?
Perhaps this is the "lie" the Elves choose to believe— That their death goes beyond their bodies... That it involves the "perishing" of their immortal souls.
5/7. Consequences— Who will deter evil if not the Elves?
Gil-galad reminds us that the Elves have had a stake in the peace & prosperity of Middle-earth for many millennia. Abandoning it all now, within such a short-time, means death & decay to all other peoples of Middle-earth.
6/7. Elves consider mithril (a lifeless object) to be a 'power' that will revitalize the Elves.
We see the effect mithril has on a leaf— It removes some signs of decay.
Yet the leaf itself is souless. Mithril seems to have the power to embalm a body, but what of the soul?
7/7. Is mithril 'salvation'?
Despite its wonders, mithril might not be sufficient to 'restore' soul to that which is doomed to die.
It will, perhaps, help preserve a 'body' long enough to prevent death, but its eternal impact on the soul of an Incarnate is unknown.
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