An Elf and a Ranger were camping out in Eriador one night. As they lay in their blankets, the Elf nudged the Ranger and said, […]
Continue readingAuthor: Michael Martinez
Michael Martinez is the author of three books on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. An active member of science fiction and fantasy fandom for many years, he has created and promoted fan Websites since 1996.
Michael founded Xenite.Org in March 1997 to be a home for a growing collection of personal science fiction and fantasy Websites. He has since gone on to launch many other domains, including SF-Fandom.
Visit Michael's official Website: Michael-Martinez.com
Politics: Just Politics
The conflicts between various Númenorean factions can be portrayed as clashes between conservative and liberal elements. Is there sufficient evidence to deduce what went wrong […]
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The French Connection
Why did Tolkien use the word ‘corsair’ for his pirates? He needed special pirates with a storied history as rich and detailed as Middle-earth itself. […]
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What Do We Know About The Dwarves Of Dunland?
Q: What Do We Know About The Dwarves Of Dunland? ANSWER: Lindis left this comment in October 2018: “Any thoughts about the existence of a […]
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Hobbitry-in-Armchairs: Philandering Tolkien’s Philology
An armchair investigation of tongue-in-cheek or pen-in-hand Biblical passages which might have, could have, would have, never did, and may still be influencing Tolkien preternaturally, […]
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Pedo Barbarians A Minno
Why are there no barbarians in Middle-earth? Are they too mundane for a heroic age or too simple for a complex world? What is a […]
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Questions About Tharbad
Q: Questions About Tharbad ANSWER: People have asked many questions about Tharbad. And while I’ve written a few articles about the city, I haven’t been […]
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Waiting for a King Like You
Why did the line of the High Kings of Arnor and Gondor come to an early end with the death of Eärendur? Tolkien offers us […]
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How Did Middle-earth Realms Fund Their Governments?
Q: How Did Middle-earth Reams Fund Their Governments? ANSWER: I have blended several questions people have asked me (and asked openly on the Web). To […]
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Did Glóin Imply He Had Met Legolas?
Q: Did Glóin Imply He Had Met Legolas? ANSWER: Peter Jackson’s inclusion of Legolas in the ‘Hobbit’ films continues to weigh on the thoughts many […]
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Why Didn’t The Dwarves All Arrive Together In ‘An Unexpected Party’?
Q: Why Didn’t The Dwarves All Arrive Together In ‘An Unexpected Party’? ANSWER: This is a question that someone asks every few years. It was […]
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Why Did Elrond Stay In Middle-earth After The Second Age?
Q: Why Did Elrond Stay In Middle-earth After The Second Age? ANSWER: I received this question in July 2024: Why do you think Elrond stayed […]
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What Professions Did Tolkien’s Dwarves Actually Practice?
Q: What Professions Did Tolkien’s Dwarves Actually Practice? ANSWER: An online fan asked if Dwarves do anything other than “mining and smithing” in Tolkien’s stories. […]
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Why Would Galadriel Have Allowed Sauron To Stay In Eregion?
Q: Why Would Galadriel Have Allowed Sauron To Stay In Eregion? ANSWER: This question is not connected with Amazon’s Rings of Power show. A Tolkien […]
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If Sauron Controlled The Orcs, Why Didn’t They All Get Along?
Q: If Sauron Controlled The Orcs, Why Didn’t They All Get Along? ANSWER: This is an amalgam of several questions people have asked through the […]
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Was J.R.R. Tolkien Woke?
Q: Was J.R.R. Tolkien Woke? ANSWER: I saw someone drop a comment on social media to the effect of “at least Tolkien isn’t woke”. That’s […]
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Popular Questions
Do Tolkien Elves Have Pointy Ears
The definitive explanation of how J.R.R. Tolkien described elves.
Where Do Hobbits Come From?
A deep exploration of the origins of Hobbits in Middle-earth history.
Who Was King Bladorthin In 'The Hobbit'?
A discussion of everything we know about King Bladorthin.
Why Does Gandalf Say 'Fly, You Fools!'
An explanation for the most popular quote from ‘The Lord of the Rings’.