I know most new topics are a question, but this one is more of a statement. I've heard the question "what happened to Shadowfax when Gandalf sailed sailed away?" And just now came across the answer in Christopher Tolkien's the end of the third age.
Sam's son Merry asks in the epilogue of the lord of the rings; "how many horses did the Riders lose in the battle, and have they grown lots more? And what happened to Legolas's horse? And what did Gandalf do with Shadowfax? And can I have a pony soon? He ended breathlessly"
To which Sam replies "That's a lot more than one question: you're worse than Gollum,' said Sam 'you're going to have a pony next birthday, as I've told you before. Legolas let his horse run back free to Rohan from Isengard; and the Riders have more horses than ever, because nobody steals them any longer; and Shadowfax went in the White Ship with Gandalf: of course Gandalf couldn't have a'left him behind. Now that'll have to do. No more questions. At least not till after supper"
Christopher Tolkien says at the bigining of this chapter "The words that end the lord of the rings, '"well, I'm back," he said', were not intended to do so when my father wrote them in the long draft manuscript A which has been followed in the previous chapters. It is obvious from the manuscript that the text continued on without break; and there is in fact no indication that my father thought of what he was writing as markedly separate from what preceded."
So with that I state that without arguement Shadowfax sailed west with Gandalf. As was intended by J.R.R. Tolkian. :)
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But no wizardry nor spell, neither fang nor venom,nor devil's art nor beast-strength, could overthrow Huan of Valinor;
Jaidoprism7, Shadowfax was the Lord of all horses in Rohan. A Meara would be costly to afford. I remember how much of a stud fee my father had to pay for just a simple Norwegian mare to get stud service. I'd like to think that he is roaming free either in the Blessed Realm or somewhere on Middle-earth.
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Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo! Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow! Tom Bom, Jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!
Shadowfax, a meara, had strength and intelligance beyond a normal horse. Pure speculation, but I think this was a horse that could do as he pleased. Could travel whatever paths he chose, but chose Gandalf as his rider; almost like a companion. The fact that he'd come at a whistle by Gandalf shows how devoted he was, and respectful.
About Gandalf. It was he, and not Saruman that recieved the red elvish ring, he that Galadriel wanted to head the white counsel instead of Saruman. Perhaps Shadowfax could see in him what Cirdan and Galadriel could. He would have no other rider.
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Write in your heart that today is the best day in the year.
I think any individual with Gandalf's ranking could have managed Shadowfax. Gandalf was wise and let us not forget; as great as Shadowfax was, he was still a horse. Only Gandalf could master him or perhaps Radagast? Gandalf chased Shadowfax for three days or so in the Westfold or in the Rohan at any length until he convinced the horse to abide. It was his patience and perhaps a few tricks shown to him by Master Radagast, who was able to speak to beasts which both Saruman and Gandalf used along the way. Could Saruman also coerce the Maera (Shadowfax) into his service?
-- Edited by Jaidoprism7 on Monday 10th of October 2011 05:09:55 AM
I'm curious about your opinion Jaido. I wouldn't go as far as to say Gandalf could manage Shadowfax. It seems they were as much equals as anything else.
And imagineer, I lover your point about how Shadowfax came to Gandalfs whistle. From a average Jo's percpective, when someone whistles to get my atention or to call me over; it generaly does not go over well. But if someone who I respect, or a very close friend has need to use this method to get my atention its different. Its somehow less insulting when its necissary and when its someone I'm close to. Not to say Shadowfax and I have similar feelings about the matter obviously but it makes sense in my mind.
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But no wizardry nor spell, neither fang nor venom,nor devil's art nor beast-strength, could overthrow Huan of Valinor;
In my perspective: If Gandalf and Shadowfax were equals... Shadowfax would have chosen to speak and walk on two legs like Gandalf does. He chose Beast, while Gandalf chose to be a humanoid. Therefore the Meara of Middle Earth was free!, While Gandalf took the burden of all other creatures...I don't think that any Maia would hate on the other. If it chose it... it will live it!!
Either way Gandalf dominated Shadowfax, whether Shadowfax was on one side or the other. I think (and prepare yourself) Tolkien used Shadowfax as a writing device to give us the impression that Gandalf had Maiar properties... just saying...hate to burst the bubble...
