the storm? Perhaps because the storm appears to personify the focus of
Sauron's attention, and moves on first to Minas Tirith, then to Helm's Deep
(the "storm of Mordor," as Gandalf calls it, that lights up the sea of orcs in
flashes of lightning). After all, the Nazgul might prefer to fly in the dark of
the storm. Bombadil said that no one on two legs was a weathermaster, but
Sauron seems to have some skills in that area. But as we will see later,
Manwe is still the true Weathermaster.
Frodo's blindness and the shimmer of the elven rope are typical of Tolkien's
magic. It could be a natural effect, or it could be magic. I judge
it to be magic, as magic appears in Tolkien's world. I wonder what would
have happened if Frodo had remembered the vial of Galadriel, instead of Sam
remembering the elven-rope. But I have a theory that Sam and Frodo's
forgetfulness is also a bit of elven magic. The rope lay hidden until
needed, and the vial is still hidden, awaiting the time when it will be
needed. So, by the way, is Sam's box of dirt. Elven items have a
way of laying hidden until needed. Heck, Glamdring and Sting lay hidden
for thousands of years, then found the people who needed them
most!
________________________________________
"‘I think he was a silly little man,' said Councillor Tompkins. ‘Worthless, in fact; no use to Society at all.'
"‘Oh, I don't know,' said Atkins, who was nobody of importance, just a schoolmaster. ‘I am not so sure: it depends on what you mean by use .'
"‘No practical or economic use,' said Tompkins. . . .
. . .
"‘It is proving very useful indeed,' said the Second Voice. ‘As a holiday, and a refreshment. It is splendid for convalescence; and not only for that, for many it is the best introduction to the Mountains. It works wonders in some cases. I am sending more and more there. They seldom have to come back.'"
