XPost: rec.arts.books.tolkien   
   From: tkoenig@netcologne.de   
      
   Barry Schwarz  schrieb:   
   > Since the only power in the Ring was what Sauron put there himself,   
      
   All the Rings' power source was Morgoth's power dispersed through   
   Middle-Earth.  This was concentrated in the Rings and thus removed   
   from Arda (though some remained). Sauron used the One Ring to   
   enhance his own power.   
      
   When the One Ring was destroyed, the total amount of evil in the world was   
   considerably reduced.  This may have been Iluvatar's plan all along.   
      
   Leaving Sauron free to torment Middle-Earth had a net positive effect,   
   which is one of the central themes in Tolkien's work - good may come   
   from evil.   
      
   What inkling the Valar had of all this I have no idea.  After the Fall   
   of Numenor, it was certainly clear to them that they understood the   
   Children of Eru very little, and Men hardly at all.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)