XPost: rec.arts.books.tolkien   
   From: mr@sandman.net   
      
   In article <20121229165729.24F11EAAA3@snorky.mixmin.net>,   
    Igenlode Wordsmith    
    wrote:   
      
   > Two omissions that did puzzle me somewhat -- with all the background   
   > that they put in, why omit Elrond's suggestion that the swords Orcrist   
   > and Glamdring might have found their way from Gondolin into the   
   > troll-hoard via an intermediate stage of dragon loot or out of Moria (a   
   > concept which actually happened to have been inserted into the film   
   > prior to this point)? As it was, the idea of having swords of the High   
   > Elves ("my kin") just turn up in the mud came across as very incongruous   
   > in such a situation, and it wasn't until I went back to the book that I   
   > discovered that an explanation had in fact been provided.   
      
   Also, it would add more power or weight to the swords, so when Thorin   
   smashes with the goblin kings huge swords, who is instantly repelled,   
   it would further that statement even more.   
      
   > And secondly, having added all that extra stuff, why leave out mention   
   > of Thorin's relationship with Fili and Kili? It doesn't have any plot   
   > implications that I can think of, but if you're trying to add backstory   
   > and create greater character depth it would seem to offer potential for   
   > additional loyalty networks/conflicts, as it were...   
      
   Yes, in fact, Fili and Kili seem to be rather unaware about their   
   uncles story, given the fact that Balin sees the need to tell them   
   about how their uncle got his name and why he dislikes orcs so much.   
   The exposition is for us, I know, but it would be more natural for   
   Balin to tell Bilbo this, rather than Thorins nephews, who surely   
   heard the story hundred of times.   
      
   > The other thing that I was wondering referred to Gollum and Bilbo's   
   > bargain, but I see that I have already posted that :-)   
   > http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.tolkien/msg/613ce9a2a4551913   
      
   I've always figured that Bilbo only assumed that a game of riddles   
   with a seemingly dimwitted half-creature living under the mountain   
   would be a walk in the park. Also, he had Sting and probably felt   
   confident enough about it.   
      
      
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