XPost: rec.arts.books.tolkien   
   From: mr@sandman.net   
      
   In article , Jerry Friedman wrote:   
      
   > > > Steve Morrison:   
   > > > We are clearly meant to understand that Minas Morgul and   
   > > > Barad-dûr communicate by palantír.   
   > >   
   > > taxalot:   
   > > Are you talking about communication between the Nazguls and Sauron   
   > > ? I always had the feeling a palantir was not required. Sauron has   
   > > direct control over them, through his connection with the one ring   
   > > and the Nine.   
   >   
   > > The biggest evidence is in the Battle of Pelennor ; Sauron recalls   
   > > the Nazguls in a desperate move as soon as Frodo puts on the ring.   
   > > I do not see the Nazguls on their fell beasts checking a palantir   
   > > once in a while as a teenager checks his smartphone.   
   >   
   > But in "The Land of Shadow":   
      
   > "...and then they saw a shape, moving at a great speed out of the   
   > West, at first only a black speck against the glimmering strip above   
   > the mountain-tops, but growing, until it plunged like a bolt into   
   > the dark canopy and passed high above them.  As it went it sent out   
   > a long shrill cry, the voice of a Nazgûl; but this cry no longer   
   > held any terror for them: it was a cry of woe and dismay, ill   
   > tidings for the Dark Tower. The Lord of the Ringwraiths had met his   
   > doom."   
      
   > So here it seems that not only was Sauron unaware that the King of   
   > the Nazgûl had died, but another one has to fly all the way from   
   > Minas Tirith to the Dark Tower to give him the news.   
      
   > Maybe Sauron could telepathy with them only in emergencies (like a   
   > phone that's deactivated except for 911?).  Or he could give some   
   > orders but couldn't get information.  Or Tolkien forgot what he'd   
   > written.   
      
   Or maybe only the witchking could communicate back to Sauron?   
      
      
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