Which King took possession of the Stone of Orthanc?












4















In The Return of the King, when the Fellowship finally parts ways, Pippin says that he wishes they each had palantiri so they could communicate with each other over long distances. Aragorn responds:




Only one now remains that you could use, for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Stone of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing.

-The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6: "Many Partings"




I assumed that the King in question was Eomer, the King of Rohan. But in a comment on another question, someone suggested that Aragorn was talking about himself in the third person (i.e., "But the Stone of Orthanc I will keep, to see what is passing in my realm, and what my servants are doing"). This seems strange to me, and we never really hear Aragorn speak this way elsewhere in the story.



It also isn't clear why Aragorn would want two palantiri - one should be enough.



Is there any evidence to clarify this issue? Did the Stone of Orthanc go to Eomer or Aragorn?










share|improve this question




















  • 2





    Kings do tend to speak of themselves in the third person - the royal we. Also, it seems to me that Aragorn means the Kings of Gondor, including all of his successors, not just himself.

    – jamesqf
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:30











  • @jamesqf Kings do, but Aragorn doesn't. I think the Royal We is first person plural, not third person. Your second point is a very good one though.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:35











  • @WadCheber Aragorn wasn't (acting) King through most of the books, we have very little evidence for how he behaves in the confines of that role.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 19:57






  • 1





    @Jason - I like Aragorn so much that I would prefer it if he didn't let the Kingship go to his head.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 20:05






  • 1





    Tradition is not the same as formality, but really all I was alluding to was the same idea brought up by @jamesqf, the idea that he's not just speaking for himself but for the entire line of kings to come after him. It's a more formal concept than just two people talking to each other. He follows it up with "I" because those are things that he, himself, are doing during his particular reign.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 21:13
















4















In The Return of the King, when the Fellowship finally parts ways, Pippin says that he wishes they each had palantiri so they could communicate with each other over long distances. Aragorn responds:




Only one now remains that you could use, for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Stone of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing.

-The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6: "Many Partings"




I assumed that the King in question was Eomer, the King of Rohan. But in a comment on another question, someone suggested that Aragorn was talking about himself in the third person (i.e., "But the Stone of Orthanc I will keep, to see what is passing in my realm, and what my servants are doing"). This seems strange to me, and we never really hear Aragorn speak this way elsewhere in the story.



It also isn't clear why Aragorn would want two palantiri - one should be enough.



Is there any evidence to clarify this issue? Did the Stone of Orthanc go to Eomer or Aragorn?










share|improve this question




















  • 2





    Kings do tend to speak of themselves in the third person - the royal we. Also, it seems to me that Aragorn means the Kings of Gondor, including all of his successors, not just himself.

    – jamesqf
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:30











  • @jamesqf Kings do, but Aragorn doesn't. I think the Royal We is first person plural, not third person. Your second point is a very good one though.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:35











  • @WadCheber Aragorn wasn't (acting) King through most of the books, we have very little evidence for how he behaves in the confines of that role.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 19:57






  • 1





    @Jason - I like Aragorn so much that I would prefer it if he didn't let the Kingship go to his head.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 20:05






  • 1





    Tradition is not the same as formality, but really all I was alluding to was the same idea brought up by @jamesqf, the idea that he's not just speaking for himself but for the entire line of kings to come after him. It's a more formal concept than just two people talking to each other. He follows it up with "I" because those are things that he, himself, are doing during his particular reign.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 21:13














4












4








4


0






In The Return of the King, when the Fellowship finally parts ways, Pippin says that he wishes they each had palantiri so they could communicate with each other over long distances. Aragorn responds:




Only one now remains that you could use, for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Stone of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing.

-The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6: "Many Partings"




I assumed that the King in question was Eomer, the King of Rohan. But in a comment on another question, someone suggested that Aragorn was talking about himself in the third person (i.e., "But the Stone of Orthanc I will keep, to see what is passing in my realm, and what my servants are doing"). This seems strange to me, and we never really hear Aragorn speak this way elsewhere in the story.



It also isn't clear why Aragorn would want two palantiri - one should be enough.



Is there any evidence to clarify this issue? Did the Stone of Orthanc go to Eomer or Aragorn?










share|improve this question
















In The Return of the King, when the Fellowship finally parts ways, Pippin says that he wishes they each had palantiri so they could communicate with each other over long distances. Aragorn responds:




Only one now remains that you could use, for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Stone of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing.

-The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6: "Many Partings"




I assumed that the King in question was Eomer, the King of Rohan. But in a comment on another question, someone suggested that Aragorn was talking about himself in the third person (i.e., "But the Stone of Orthanc I will keep, to see what is passing in my realm, and what my servants are doing"). This seems strange to me, and we never really hear Aragorn speak this way elsewhere in the story.



It also isn't clear why Aragorn would want two palantiri - one should be enough.



Is there any evidence to clarify this issue? Did the Stone of Orthanc go to Eomer or Aragorn?







the-lord-of-the-rings books tolkiens-legendarium palantiri






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:43









Community

1




1










asked Jun 1 '15 at 14:01









Wad CheberWad Cheber

43k35403572




43k35403572








  • 2





    Kings do tend to speak of themselves in the third person - the royal we. Also, it seems to me that Aragorn means the Kings of Gondor, including all of his successors, not just himself.

    – jamesqf
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:30











  • @jamesqf Kings do, but Aragorn doesn't. I think the Royal We is first person plural, not third person. Your second point is a very good one though.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:35











  • @WadCheber Aragorn wasn't (acting) King through most of the books, we have very little evidence for how he behaves in the confines of that role.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 19:57






  • 1





    @Jason - I like Aragorn so much that I would prefer it if he didn't let the Kingship go to his head.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 20:05






  • 1





    Tradition is not the same as formality, but really all I was alluding to was the same idea brought up by @jamesqf, the idea that he's not just speaking for himself but for the entire line of kings to come after him. It's a more formal concept than just two people talking to each other. He follows it up with "I" because those are things that he, himself, are doing during his particular reign.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 21:13














  • 2





    Kings do tend to speak of themselves in the third person - the royal we. Also, it seems to me that Aragorn means the Kings of Gondor, including all of his successors, not just himself.

    – jamesqf
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:30











  • @jamesqf Kings do, but Aragorn doesn't. I think the Royal We is first person plural, not third person. Your second point is a very good one though.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 17:35











  • @WadCheber Aragorn wasn't (acting) King through most of the books, we have very little evidence for how he behaves in the confines of that role.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 19:57






  • 1





    @Jason - I like Aragorn so much that I would prefer it if he didn't let the Kingship go to his head.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 20:05






  • 1





    Tradition is not the same as formality, but really all I was alluding to was the same idea brought up by @jamesqf, the idea that he's not just speaking for himself but for the entire line of kings to come after him. It's a more formal concept than just two people talking to each other. He follows it up with "I" because those are things that he, himself, are doing during his particular reign.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 21:13








2




2





Kings do tend to speak of themselves in the third person - the royal we. Also, it seems to me that Aragorn means the Kings of Gondor, including all of his successors, not just himself.

– jamesqf
Jun 1 '15 at 17:30





Kings do tend to speak of themselves in the third person - the royal we. Also, it seems to me that Aragorn means the Kings of Gondor, including all of his successors, not just himself.

– jamesqf
Jun 1 '15 at 17:30













@jamesqf Kings do, but Aragorn doesn't. I think the Royal We is first person plural, not third person. Your second point is a very good one though.

– Wad Cheber
Jun 1 '15 at 17:35





@jamesqf Kings do, but Aragorn doesn't. I think the Royal We is first person plural, not third person. Your second point is a very good one though.

– Wad Cheber
Jun 1 '15 at 17:35













@WadCheber Aragorn wasn't (acting) King through most of the books, we have very little evidence for how he behaves in the confines of that role.

– Jason
Jun 1 '15 at 19:57





@WadCheber Aragorn wasn't (acting) King through most of the books, we have very little evidence for how he behaves in the confines of that role.

– Jason
Jun 1 '15 at 19:57




1




1





@Jason - I like Aragorn so much that I would prefer it if he didn't let the Kingship go to his head.

– Wad Cheber
Jun 1 '15 at 20:05





@Jason - I like Aragorn so much that I would prefer it if he didn't let the Kingship go to his head.

– Wad Cheber
Jun 1 '15 at 20:05




1




1





Tradition is not the same as formality, but really all I was alluding to was the same idea brought up by @jamesqf, the idea that he's not just speaking for himself but for the entire line of kings to come after him. It's a more formal concept than just two people talking to each other. He follows it up with "I" because those are things that he, himself, are doing during his particular reign.

– Jason
Jun 1 '15 at 21:13





Tradition is not the same as formality, but really all I was alluding to was the same idea brought up by @jamesqf, the idea that he's not just speaking for himself but for the entire line of kings to come after him. It's a more formal concept than just two people talking to each other. He follows it up with "I" because those are things that he, himself, are doing during his particular reign.

– Jason
Jun 1 '15 at 21:13










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















8














Aragorn keeps possession of the stone. The following quote from Many Partings given by @MattGutting is enough to establish this.




'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you
would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you.
But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing
in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget,
Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release
you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall
you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also
in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




To conclude from this that Aragorn wanted Eomer to watch over a Gondorian knight living in the jurisdiction of Arnor would be bizarre, and can be discounted. But, since Aragorn would clearly have the strength to control the Anor (Minas Tirith) stone, why did he need two? There are two further references that have a bearing on this. At the end of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields (Unfinished Tales), it is stated that Aragorn and Gimli searched Orthanc,




where he [Aragorn] proposed to set up again the palantir recovered
from Saruman.




Why here? Why not entrust the Orthanc stone to his closest and most powerful ally, Eomer,
and place it at Edoras? Why not place it in Annuminas, to stay in contact with his Northern realm, or even place it in Dale, since future threats to Gondor were likely to come from the East? This took some working out, but the answer is given in note 18 to The Palantiri (Unfinished Tales again).




The greater palantiri could look much further than the lesser; for the
lesser the 'proper distance' was of the order of five hundred miles,
as between the Orthanc-stone and that of Anor.




(Emphasis mine.) Only by returning the Orthanc-stone to its original place and assigning a suitable warden there could Aragorn establish a means of immediately finding out what was happening in Arnor. The major stones (Amon Sul and Osgiliath) were lost. A single minor stone held in Minas Tirith would have insufficient range.






share|improve this answer
























  • Note - "Anor" is Minas Tirith. If the Orthanc Stone can see 500 miles, it would still only see about as far as Bree, not quite as far as Fornost. Northern and Western Arnor would still be out of range.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 21:59





















4














There's no direct evidence. Orthanc, Isengard, and the Stone were of course the property of Gondor and therefore of the King. In that very chapter you cite, Aragorn makes a big deal of specifically ceding Orthanc and Isengard to the Ents:




[Gandalf:] 'But the Tower of Orthanc now goes back to the King, to whom it belongs. Though maybe he will not need it.'



'That will be seen later,' said Aragorn. 'But I will give to Ents all this valley to do with as they will, so long as they keep a watch upon Orthanc and see that none enter it without my leave.'




He says nothing specific about giving the palantír to anyone—in particular, he certainly seems not to have given it to the Ents (who probably wouldn't have wanted it in any case); and it seems unlikely that he would have just left it in a locked building. The context of the quote you give in your question, however, may give a clue:




'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget, Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




(Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6, "Many Partings"; emphasis added)



The fact that Aragorn first speaks of a king watching what his servants are doing, and immediately follows that by a reminder to Pippin that he is a servant of (that is, one in service to) Aragorn's kingdom, and that Aragorn may have cause to know what Pippin is doing and summon him, strongly suggests to me that Aragorn is speaking of himself here.






share|improve this answer





















  • 1





    I was just about to edit the context about Pippin into my own answer; +1

    – Jason Baker
    Jun 1 '15 at 14:37











  • But this map makes it look like Isengard is not part of the Reunited Kingdom. The Ring of Isengard was obviously ceded to the Ents, but the surrounding land was part of Rohan, wasn't it? And why would Aragorn need two stones? He has enough willpower to use the Stone of Minas Tirith without seeing Denethor BBQ, right? Still, your expanded quote is hard to argue against. (+1, by the way)

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 14:49













  • Aaaaaaaaand I just realized that Aragorn is going to spy on Pippin without his knowledge. Creepy.

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 14:58






  • 1





    Of course Aragorn doesn't need two stones; but he doesn't take them because he needs them or even because he necessarily plans to use them; he takes them because they're the property of his Kingdom and of his people. (Further, it's not necessarily the case that he's going to spy on Pippin; he may or may not be totally serious in that remark.)

    – Matt Gutting
    Jun 1 '15 at 15:02






  • 1





    He's not threatening anything. He's merely taking the opportunity to remind Pippin of his fealty, in context he's accomplishing several things at once: (1) He's establishing his intention to fully embody the administrative duties of his throne, an open question for most considering his wandering history and (2) he's establishing that he values Pippin's service to his kingdom - it's a compliment.

    – Jason
    Jun 1 '15 at 20:07



















2














This is unclear.



Unfinished Tales implies that Aragorn did claim it for himself (bold is my emphasis, italic is in-text):




It must however be noted with regard to the narrative of The Lord of the Rings that over and above such deputed authority, even hereditary, any "heir of Elendil" (that is, a recognized descendant occupying a throne or lordship in the Númenórean realms by virtue of this descent) had the right to use any of the palantíri. Aragorn thus claimed the right to take the Orthanc-stone into his possession, since it was now, for the time being, without owner or warden; and also because he was de jure the rightful King of both Gondor and Arnor, and could, if he willed, for just cause withdraw all previous grants to himself.



Unfinished Tales Part 4 Chapter III: The Palantíri




However, it's not clear whether this refers to Aragorn claiming the Orthanc-stone in The Two Towers, rather than the line under discussion:




'There is one who may claim it by right. For this assuredly is the palantír of Orthanc from the treasury of Elendil, set here by the Kings of Gondor. Now my hour draws near. I will take it.'



Gandalf looked at Aragorn, and then, to the surprise of the others, he lifted the covered Stone, and bowed as he presented it.



'Receive it, lord!' he said: 'in earnest of other things that shall be given back. But if I may counsel you in the use of your own, do not use it - yet! Be wary!'



The Two Towers Book III Chapter XI: "The Palantír"




Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Tolkien ever resolved the ambiguity (or, indeed, if he ever considered it ambiguous); there's nothing I can find in Letters or History of Middle-earth that comes down one way or the other.






share|improve this answer
























  • +1. The words "de jure" make me think he wasn't crowned yet, so it probably refers to him using the stone in The Two Towers. Also, Isengard was granted to the Ents in RotK, so the stuff inside Orthanc had at least a warden by the time Aragorn says the lines I quoted. Still not a clear answer either way. Sigh...

    – Wad Cheber
    Jun 1 '15 at 14:39



















0














Aragorn, as the King, took possession of the stone. When he uses third person, I think he refers to himself but also to each King that will come to rule in his stead. The stones are the property of the King (which ever one is currently ruling).
As for the stone in Minas Tirith, I'm sure I've read somewhere that it became unusable after the incident with Denethor. It would only show some horrible image of a burning person, or some such. Gonna have a look at the exact quote.






share|improve this answer































    0














    It is unquestionably Aragorn who retained the Palantir, not only for the reasons outlined already, but also because Gondor retained the tower as an exclave




    the Stewards retained under their own rule the Tower of Orthanc and the Ring of Isengard (Angrenost); the keys of Orthanc were taken to Minas Tirith, the Tower was shut, and the Ring of Isengard remained manned only by a hereditary Gondorian chieftan and his small people.



    -- Appendix II, The Battle of the Fords of Isen, Unfinished Tales




    The King over Isengard, and the owner of the Palantir - whose forebears placed it in the tower millennia beforehand, were one and the same: Aragorn II.





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      5 Answers
      5






      active

      oldest

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      5 Answers
      5






      active

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      active

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      active

      oldest

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      8














      Aragorn keeps possession of the stone. The following quote from Many Partings given by @MattGutting is enough to establish this.




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you
      would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you.
      But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing
      in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget,
      Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release
      you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall
      you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also
      in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      To conclude from this that Aragorn wanted Eomer to watch over a Gondorian knight living in the jurisdiction of Arnor would be bizarre, and can be discounted. But, since Aragorn would clearly have the strength to control the Anor (Minas Tirith) stone, why did he need two? There are two further references that have a bearing on this. At the end of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields (Unfinished Tales), it is stated that Aragorn and Gimli searched Orthanc,




      where he [Aragorn] proposed to set up again the palantir recovered
      from Saruman.




      Why here? Why not entrust the Orthanc stone to his closest and most powerful ally, Eomer,
      and place it at Edoras? Why not place it in Annuminas, to stay in contact with his Northern realm, or even place it in Dale, since future threats to Gondor were likely to come from the East? This took some working out, but the answer is given in note 18 to The Palantiri (Unfinished Tales again).




      The greater palantiri could look much further than the lesser; for the
      lesser the 'proper distance' was of the order of five hundred miles,
      as between the Orthanc-stone and that of Anor.




      (Emphasis mine.) Only by returning the Orthanc-stone to its original place and assigning a suitable warden there could Aragorn establish a means of immediately finding out what was happening in Arnor. The major stones (Amon Sul and Osgiliath) were lost. A single minor stone held in Minas Tirith would have insufficient range.






      share|improve this answer
























      • Note - "Anor" is Minas Tirith. If the Orthanc Stone can see 500 miles, it would still only see about as far as Bree, not quite as far as Fornost. Northern and Western Arnor would still be out of range.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 21:59


















      8














      Aragorn keeps possession of the stone. The following quote from Many Partings given by @MattGutting is enough to establish this.




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you
      would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you.
      But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing
      in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget,
      Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release
      you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall
      you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also
      in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      To conclude from this that Aragorn wanted Eomer to watch over a Gondorian knight living in the jurisdiction of Arnor would be bizarre, and can be discounted. But, since Aragorn would clearly have the strength to control the Anor (Minas Tirith) stone, why did he need two? There are two further references that have a bearing on this. At the end of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields (Unfinished Tales), it is stated that Aragorn and Gimli searched Orthanc,




      where he [Aragorn] proposed to set up again the palantir recovered
      from Saruman.




      Why here? Why not entrust the Orthanc stone to his closest and most powerful ally, Eomer,
      and place it at Edoras? Why not place it in Annuminas, to stay in contact with his Northern realm, or even place it in Dale, since future threats to Gondor were likely to come from the East? This took some working out, but the answer is given in note 18 to The Palantiri (Unfinished Tales again).




      The greater palantiri could look much further than the lesser; for the
      lesser the 'proper distance' was of the order of five hundred miles,
      as between the Orthanc-stone and that of Anor.




      (Emphasis mine.) Only by returning the Orthanc-stone to its original place and assigning a suitable warden there could Aragorn establish a means of immediately finding out what was happening in Arnor. The major stones (Amon Sul and Osgiliath) were lost. A single minor stone held in Minas Tirith would have insufficient range.






      share|improve this answer
























      • Note - "Anor" is Minas Tirith. If the Orthanc Stone can see 500 miles, it would still only see about as far as Bree, not quite as far as Fornost. Northern and Western Arnor would still be out of range.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 21:59
















      8












      8








      8







      Aragorn keeps possession of the stone. The following quote from Many Partings given by @MattGutting is enough to establish this.




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you
      would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you.
      But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing
      in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget,
      Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release
      you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall
      you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also
      in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      To conclude from this that Aragorn wanted Eomer to watch over a Gondorian knight living in the jurisdiction of Arnor would be bizarre, and can be discounted. But, since Aragorn would clearly have the strength to control the Anor (Minas Tirith) stone, why did he need two? There are two further references that have a bearing on this. At the end of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields (Unfinished Tales), it is stated that Aragorn and Gimli searched Orthanc,




      where he [Aragorn] proposed to set up again the palantir recovered
      from Saruman.




      Why here? Why not entrust the Orthanc stone to his closest and most powerful ally, Eomer,
      and place it at Edoras? Why not place it in Annuminas, to stay in contact with his Northern realm, or even place it in Dale, since future threats to Gondor were likely to come from the East? This took some working out, but the answer is given in note 18 to The Palantiri (Unfinished Tales again).




      The greater palantiri could look much further than the lesser; for the
      lesser the 'proper distance' was of the order of five hundred miles,
      as between the Orthanc-stone and that of Anor.




      (Emphasis mine.) Only by returning the Orthanc-stone to its original place and assigning a suitable warden there could Aragorn establish a means of immediately finding out what was happening in Arnor. The major stones (Amon Sul and Osgiliath) were lost. A single minor stone held in Minas Tirith would have insufficient range.






      share|improve this answer













      Aragorn keeps possession of the stone. The following quote from Many Partings given by @MattGutting is enough to establish this.




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you
      would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you.
      But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing
      in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget,
      Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release
      you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall
      you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also
      in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      To conclude from this that Aragorn wanted Eomer to watch over a Gondorian knight living in the jurisdiction of Arnor would be bizarre, and can be discounted. But, since Aragorn would clearly have the strength to control the Anor (Minas Tirith) stone, why did he need two? There are two further references that have a bearing on this. At the end of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields (Unfinished Tales), it is stated that Aragorn and Gimli searched Orthanc,




      where he [Aragorn] proposed to set up again the palantir recovered
      from Saruman.




      Why here? Why not entrust the Orthanc stone to his closest and most powerful ally, Eomer,
      and place it at Edoras? Why not place it in Annuminas, to stay in contact with his Northern realm, or even place it in Dale, since future threats to Gondor were likely to come from the East? This took some working out, but the answer is given in note 18 to The Palantiri (Unfinished Tales again).




      The greater palantiri could look much further than the lesser; for the
      lesser the 'proper distance' was of the order of five hundred miles,
      as between the Orthanc-stone and that of Anor.




      (Emphasis mine.) Only by returning the Orthanc-stone to its original place and assigning a suitable warden there could Aragorn establish a means of immediately finding out what was happening in Arnor. The major stones (Amon Sul and Osgiliath) were lost. A single minor stone held in Minas Tirith would have insufficient range.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Jun 1 '15 at 18:48









      Ian ThompsonIan Thompson

      6,0871841




      6,0871841













      • Note - "Anor" is Minas Tirith. If the Orthanc Stone can see 500 miles, it would still only see about as far as Bree, not quite as far as Fornost. Northern and Western Arnor would still be out of range.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 21:59





















      • Note - "Anor" is Minas Tirith. If the Orthanc Stone can see 500 miles, it would still only see about as far as Bree, not quite as far as Fornost. Northern and Western Arnor would still be out of range.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 21:59



















      Note - "Anor" is Minas Tirith. If the Orthanc Stone can see 500 miles, it would still only see about as far as Bree, not quite as far as Fornost. Northern and Western Arnor would still be out of range.

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 21:59







      Note - "Anor" is Minas Tirith. If the Orthanc Stone can see 500 miles, it would still only see about as far as Bree, not quite as far as Fornost. Northern and Western Arnor would still be out of range.

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 21:59















      4














      There's no direct evidence. Orthanc, Isengard, and the Stone were of course the property of Gondor and therefore of the King. In that very chapter you cite, Aragorn makes a big deal of specifically ceding Orthanc and Isengard to the Ents:




      [Gandalf:] 'But the Tower of Orthanc now goes back to the King, to whom it belongs. Though maybe he will not need it.'



      'That will be seen later,' said Aragorn. 'But I will give to Ents all this valley to do with as they will, so long as they keep a watch upon Orthanc and see that none enter it without my leave.'




      He says nothing specific about giving the palantír to anyone—in particular, he certainly seems not to have given it to the Ents (who probably wouldn't have wanted it in any case); and it seems unlikely that he would have just left it in a locked building. The context of the quote you give in your question, however, may give a clue:




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget, Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      (Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6, "Many Partings"; emphasis added)



      The fact that Aragorn first speaks of a king watching what his servants are doing, and immediately follows that by a reminder to Pippin that he is a servant of (that is, one in service to) Aragorn's kingdom, and that Aragorn may have cause to know what Pippin is doing and summon him, strongly suggests to me that Aragorn is speaking of himself here.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 1





        I was just about to edit the context about Pippin into my own answer; +1

        – Jason Baker
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:37











      • But this map makes it look like Isengard is not part of the Reunited Kingdom. The Ring of Isengard was obviously ceded to the Ents, but the surrounding land was part of Rohan, wasn't it? And why would Aragorn need two stones? He has enough willpower to use the Stone of Minas Tirith without seeing Denethor BBQ, right? Still, your expanded quote is hard to argue against. (+1, by the way)

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:49













      • Aaaaaaaaand I just realized that Aragorn is going to spy on Pippin without his knowledge. Creepy.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:58






      • 1





        Of course Aragorn doesn't need two stones; but he doesn't take them because he needs them or even because he necessarily plans to use them; he takes them because they're the property of his Kingdom and of his people. (Further, it's not necessarily the case that he's going to spy on Pippin; he may or may not be totally serious in that remark.)

        – Matt Gutting
        Jun 1 '15 at 15:02






      • 1





        He's not threatening anything. He's merely taking the opportunity to remind Pippin of his fealty, in context he's accomplishing several things at once: (1) He's establishing his intention to fully embody the administrative duties of his throne, an open question for most considering his wandering history and (2) he's establishing that he values Pippin's service to his kingdom - it's a compliment.

        – Jason
        Jun 1 '15 at 20:07
















      4














      There's no direct evidence. Orthanc, Isengard, and the Stone were of course the property of Gondor and therefore of the King. In that very chapter you cite, Aragorn makes a big deal of specifically ceding Orthanc and Isengard to the Ents:




      [Gandalf:] 'But the Tower of Orthanc now goes back to the King, to whom it belongs. Though maybe he will not need it.'



      'That will be seen later,' said Aragorn. 'But I will give to Ents all this valley to do with as they will, so long as they keep a watch upon Orthanc and see that none enter it without my leave.'




      He says nothing specific about giving the palantír to anyone—in particular, he certainly seems not to have given it to the Ents (who probably wouldn't have wanted it in any case); and it seems unlikely that he would have just left it in a locked building. The context of the quote you give in your question, however, may give a clue:




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget, Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      (Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6, "Many Partings"; emphasis added)



      The fact that Aragorn first speaks of a king watching what his servants are doing, and immediately follows that by a reminder to Pippin that he is a servant of (that is, one in service to) Aragorn's kingdom, and that Aragorn may have cause to know what Pippin is doing and summon him, strongly suggests to me that Aragorn is speaking of himself here.






      share|improve this answer





















      • 1





        I was just about to edit the context about Pippin into my own answer; +1

        – Jason Baker
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:37











      • But this map makes it look like Isengard is not part of the Reunited Kingdom. The Ring of Isengard was obviously ceded to the Ents, but the surrounding land was part of Rohan, wasn't it? And why would Aragorn need two stones? He has enough willpower to use the Stone of Minas Tirith without seeing Denethor BBQ, right? Still, your expanded quote is hard to argue against. (+1, by the way)

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:49













      • Aaaaaaaaand I just realized that Aragorn is going to spy on Pippin without his knowledge. Creepy.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:58






      • 1





        Of course Aragorn doesn't need two stones; but he doesn't take them because he needs them or even because he necessarily plans to use them; he takes them because they're the property of his Kingdom and of his people. (Further, it's not necessarily the case that he's going to spy on Pippin; he may or may not be totally serious in that remark.)

        – Matt Gutting
        Jun 1 '15 at 15:02






      • 1





        He's not threatening anything. He's merely taking the opportunity to remind Pippin of his fealty, in context he's accomplishing several things at once: (1) He's establishing his intention to fully embody the administrative duties of his throne, an open question for most considering his wandering history and (2) he's establishing that he values Pippin's service to his kingdom - it's a compliment.

        – Jason
        Jun 1 '15 at 20:07














      4












      4








      4







      There's no direct evidence. Orthanc, Isengard, and the Stone were of course the property of Gondor and therefore of the King. In that very chapter you cite, Aragorn makes a big deal of specifically ceding Orthanc and Isengard to the Ents:




      [Gandalf:] 'But the Tower of Orthanc now goes back to the King, to whom it belongs. Though maybe he will not need it.'



      'That will be seen later,' said Aragorn. 'But I will give to Ents all this valley to do with as they will, so long as they keep a watch upon Orthanc and see that none enter it without my leave.'




      He says nothing specific about giving the palantír to anyone—in particular, he certainly seems not to have given it to the Ents (who probably wouldn't have wanted it in any case); and it seems unlikely that he would have just left it in a locked building. The context of the quote you give in your question, however, may give a clue:




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget, Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      (Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6, "Many Partings"; emphasis added)



      The fact that Aragorn first speaks of a king watching what his servants are doing, and immediately follows that by a reminder to Pippin that he is a servant of (that is, one in service to) Aragorn's kingdom, and that Aragorn may have cause to know what Pippin is doing and summon him, strongly suggests to me that Aragorn is speaking of himself here.






      share|improve this answer















      There's no direct evidence. Orthanc, Isengard, and the Stone were of course the property of Gondor and therefore of the King. In that very chapter you cite, Aragorn makes a big deal of specifically ceding Orthanc and Isengard to the Ents:




      [Gandalf:] 'But the Tower of Orthanc now goes back to the King, to whom it belongs. Though maybe he will not need it.'



      'That will be seen later,' said Aragorn. 'But I will give to Ents all this valley to do with as they will, so long as they keep a watch upon Orthanc and see that none enter it without my leave.'




      He says nothing specific about giving the palantír to anyone—in particular, he certainly seems not to have given it to the Ents (who probably wouldn't have wanted it in any case); and it seems unlikely that he would have just left it in a locked building. The context of the quote you give in your question, however, may give a clue:




      'Only one now remains that you could use,' answered Aragorn, 'for you would not wish to see what the Stone of Minas Tirith would show you. But the Palantír of Orthanc the King will keep, to see what is passing in his realm, and what his servants are doing. For do not forget, Peregrin Took, that you are a knight of Gondor, and I do not release you from your service. You are going now on leave, but I may recall you. And remember, dear friends of the Shire, that my realm lies also in the North, and I shall come there one day.'




      (Return of the King, Book VI, Chapter 6, "Many Partings"; emphasis added)



      The fact that Aragorn first speaks of a king watching what his servants are doing, and immediately follows that by a reminder to Pippin that he is a servant of (that is, one in service to) Aragorn's kingdom, and that Aragorn may have cause to know what Pippin is doing and summon him, strongly suggests to me that Aragorn is speaking of himself here.







      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited Jun 1 '15 at 14:59









      Wad Cheber

      43k35403572




      43k35403572










      answered Jun 1 '15 at 14:36









      Matt GuttingMatt Gutting

      16.4k25488




      16.4k25488








      • 1





        I was just about to edit the context about Pippin into my own answer; +1

        – Jason Baker
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:37











      • But this map makes it look like Isengard is not part of the Reunited Kingdom. The Ring of Isengard was obviously ceded to the Ents, but the surrounding land was part of Rohan, wasn't it? And why would Aragorn need two stones? He has enough willpower to use the Stone of Minas Tirith without seeing Denethor BBQ, right? Still, your expanded quote is hard to argue against. (+1, by the way)

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:49













      • Aaaaaaaaand I just realized that Aragorn is going to spy on Pippin without his knowledge. Creepy.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:58






      • 1





        Of course Aragorn doesn't need two stones; but he doesn't take them because he needs them or even because he necessarily plans to use them; he takes them because they're the property of his Kingdom and of his people. (Further, it's not necessarily the case that he's going to spy on Pippin; he may or may not be totally serious in that remark.)

        – Matt Gutting
        Jun 1 '15 at 15:02






      • 1





        He's not threatening anything. He's merely taking the opportunity to remind Pippin of his fealty, in context he's accomplishing several things at once: (1) He's establishing his intention to fully embody the administrative duties of his throne, an open question for most considering his wandering history and (2) he's establishing that he values Pippin's service to his kingdom - it's a compliment.

        – Jason
        Jun 1 '15 at 20:07














      • 1





        I was just about to edit the context about Pippin into my own answer; +1

        – Jason Baker
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:37











      • But this map makes it look like Isengard is not part of the Reunited Kingdom. The Ring of Isengard was obviously ceded to the Ents, but the surrounding land was part of Rohan, wasn't it? And why would Aragorn need two stones? He has enough willpower to use the Stone of Minas Tirith without seeing Denethor BBQ, right? Still, your expanded quote is hard to argue against. (+1, by the way)

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:49













      • Aaaaaaaaand I just realized that Aragorn is going to spy on Pippin without his knowledge. Creepy.

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:58






      • 1





        Of course Aragorn doesn't need two stones; but he doesn't take them because he needs them or even because he necessarily plans to use them; he takes them because they're the property of his Kingdom and of his people. (Further, it's not necessarily the case that he's going to spy on Pippin; he may or may not be totally serious in that remark.)

        – Matt Gutting
        Jun 1 '15 at 15:02






      • 1





        He's not threatening anything. He's merely taking the opportunity to remind Pippin of his fealty, in context he's accomplishing several things at once: (1) He's establishing his intention to fully embody the administrative duties of his throne, an open question for most considering his wandering history and (2) he's establishing that he values Pippin's service to his kingdom - it's a compliment.

        – Jason
        Jun 1 '15 at 20:07








      1




      1





      I was just about to edit the context about Pippin into my own answer; +1

      – Jason Baker
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:37





      I was just about to edit the context about Pippin into my own answer; +1

      – Jason Baker
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:37













      But this map makes it look like Isengard is not part of the Reunited Kingdom. The Ring of Isengard was obviously ceded to the Ents, but the surrounding land was part of Rohan, wasn't it? And why would Aragorn need two stones? He has enough willpower to use the Stone of Minas Tirith without seeing Denethor BBQ, right? Still, your expanded quote is hard to argue against. (+1, by the way)

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:49







      But this map makes it look like Isengard is not part of the Reunited Kingdom. The Ring of Isengard was obviously ceded to the Ents, but the surrounding land was part of Rohan, wasn't it? And why would Aragorn need two stones? He has enough willpower to use the Stone of Minas Tirith without seeing Denethor BBQ, right? Still, your expanded quote is hard to argue against. (+1, by the way)

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:49















      Aaaaaaaaand I just realized that Aragorn is going to spy on Pippin without his knowledge. Creepy.

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:58





      Aaaaaaaaand I just realized that Aragorn is going to spy on Pippin without his knowledge. Creepy.

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:58




      1




      1





      Of course Aragorn doesn't need two stones; but he doesn't take them because he needs them or even because he necessarily plans to use them; he takes them because they're the property of his Kingdom and of his people. (Further, it's not necessarily the case that he's going to spy on Pippin; he may or may not be totally serious in that remark.)

      – Matt Gutting
      Jun 1 '15 at 15:02





      Of course Aragorn doesn't need two stones; but he doesn't take them because he needs them or even because he necessarily plans to use them; he takes them because they're the property of his Kingdom and of his people. (Further, it's not necessarily the case that he's going to spy on Pippin; he may or may not be totally serious in that remark.)

      – Matt Gutting
      Jun 1 '15 at 15:02




      1




      1





      He's not threatening anything. He's merely taking the opportunity to remind Pippin of his fealty, in context he's accomplishing several things at once: (1) He's establishing his intention to fully embody the administrative duties of his throne, an open question for most considering his wandering history and (2) he's establishing that he values Pippin's service to his kingdom - it's a compliment.

      – Jason
      Jun 1 '15 at 20:07





      He's not threatening anything. He's merely taking the opportunity to remind Pippin of his fealty, in context he's accomplishing several things at once: (1) He's establishing his intention to fully embody the administrative duties of his throne, an open question for most considering his wandering history and (2) he's establishing that he values Pippin's service to his kingdom - it's a compliment.

      – Jason
      Jun 1 '15 at 20:07











      2














      This is unclear.



      Unfinished Tales implies that Aragorn did claim it for himself (bold is my emphasis, italic is in-text):




      It must however be noted with regard to the narrative of The Lord of the Rings that over and above such deputed authority, even hereditary, any "heir of Elendil" (that is, a recognized descendant occupying a throne or lordship in the Númenórean realms by virtue of this descent) had the right to use any of the palantíri. Aragorn thus claimed the right to take the Orthanc-stone into his possession, since it was now, for the time being, without owner or warden; and also because he was de jure the rightful King of both Gondor and Arnor, and could, if he willed, for just cause withdraw all previous grants to himself.



      Unfinished Tales Part 4 Chapter III: The Palantíri




      However, it's not clear whether this refers to Aragorn claiming the Orthanc-stone in The Two Towers, rather than the line under discussion:




      'There is one who may claim it by right. For this assuredly is the palantír of Orthanc from the treasury of Elendil, set here by the Kings of Gondor. Now my hour draws near. I will take it.'



      Gandalf looked at Aragorn, and then, to the surprise of the others, he lifted the covered Stone, and bowed as he presented it.



      'Receive it, lord!' he said: 'in earnest of other things that shall be given back. But if I may counsel you in the use of your own, do not use it - yet! Be wary!'



      The Two Towers Book III Chapter XI: "The Palantír"




      Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Tolkien ever resolved the ambiguity (or, indeed, if he ever considered it ambiguous); there's nothing I can find in Letters or History of Middle-earth that comes down one way or the other.






      share|improve this answer
























      • +1. The words "de jure" make me think he wasn't crowned yet, so it probably refers to him using the stone in The Two Towers. Also, Isengard was granted to the Ents in RotK, so the stuff inside Orthanc had at least a warden by the time Aragorn says the lines I quoted. Still not a clear answer either way. Sigh...

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:39
















      2














      This is unclear.



      Unfinished Tales implies that Aragorn did claim it for himself (bold is my emphasis, italic is in-text):




      It must however be noted with regard to the narrative of The Lord of the Rings that over and above such deputed authority, even hereditary, any "heir of Elendil" (that is, a recognized descendant occupying a throne or lordship in the Númenórean realms by virtue of this descent) had the right to use any of the palantíri. Aragorn thus claimed the right to take the Orthanc-stone into his possession, since it was now, for the time being, without owner or warden; and also because he was de jure the rightful King of both Gondor and Arnor, and could, if he willed, for just cause withdraw all previous grants to himself.



      Unfinished Tales Part 4 Chapter III: The Palantíri




      However, it's not clear whether this refers to Aragorn claiming the Orthanc-stone in The Two Towers, rather than the line under discussion:




      'There is one who may claim it by right. For this assuredly is the palantír of Orthanc from the treasury of Elendil, set here by the Kings of Gondor. Now my hour draws near. I will take it.'



      Gandalf looked at Aragorn, and then, to the surprise of the others, he lifted the covered Stone, and bowed as he presented it.



      'Receive it, lord!' he said: 'in earnest of other things that shall be given back. But if I may counsel you in the use of your own, do not use it - yet! Be wary!'



      The Two Towers Book III Chapter XI: "The Palantír"




      Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Tolkien ever resolved the ambiguity (or, indeed, if he ever considered it ambiguous); there's nothing I can find in Letters or History of Middle-earth that comes down one way or the other.






      share|improve this answer
























      • +1. The words "de jure" make me think he wasn't crowned yet, so it probably refers to him using the stone in The Two Towers. Also, Isengard was granted to the Ents in RotK, so the stuff inside Orthanc had at least a warden by the time Aragorn says the lines I quoted. Still not a clear answer either way. Sigh...

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:39














      2












      2








      2







      This is unclear.



      Unfinished Tales implies that Aragorn did claim it for himself (bold is my emphasis, italic is in-text):




      It must however be noted with regard to the narrative of The Lord of the Rings that over and above such deputed authority, even hereditary, any "heir of Elendil" (that is, a recognized descendant occupying a throne or lordship in the Númenórean realms by virtue of this descent) had the right to use any of the palantíri. Aragorn thus claimed the right to take the Orthanc-stone into his possession, since it was now, for the time being, without owner or warden; and also because he was de jure the rightful King of both Gondor and Arnor, and could, if he willed, for just cause withdraw all previous grants to himself.



      Unfinished Tales Part 4 Chapter III: The Palantíri




      However, it's not clear whether this refers to Aragorn claiming the Orthanc-stone in The Two Towers, rather than the line under discussion:




      'There is one who may claim it by right. For this assuredly is the palantír of Orthanc from the treasury of Elendil, set here by the Kings of Gondor. Now my hour draws near. I will take it.'



      Gandalf looked at Aragorn, and then, to the surprise of the others, he lifted the covered Stone, and bowed as he presented it.



      'Receive it, lord!' he said: 'in earnest of other things that shall be given back. But if I may counsel you in the use of your own, do not use it - yet! Be wary!'



      The Two Towers Book III Chapter XI: "The Palantír"




      Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Tolkien ever resolved the ambiguity (or, indeed, if he ever considered it ambiguous); there's nothing I can find in Letters or History of Middle-earth that comes down one way or the other.






      share|improve this answer













      This is unclear.



      Unfinished Tales implies that Aragorn did claim it for himself (bold is my emphasis, italic is in-text):




      It must however be noted with regard to the narrative of The Lord of the Rings that over and above such deputed authority, even hereditary, any "heir of Elendil" (that is, a recognized descendant occupying a throne or lordship in the Númenórean realms by virtue of this descent) had the right to use any of the palantíri. Aragorn thus claimed the right to take the Orthanc-stone into his possession, since it was now, for the time being, without owner or warden; and also because he was de jure the rightful King of both Gondor and Arnor, and could, if he willed, for just cause withdraw all previous grants to himself.



      Unfinished Tales Part 4 Chapter III: The Palantíri




      However, it's not clear whether this refers to Aragorn claiming the Orthanc-stone in The Two Towers, rather than the line under discussion:




      'There is one who may claim it by right. For this assuredly is the palantír of Orthanc from the treasury of Elendil, set here by the Kings of Gondor. Now my hour draws near. I will take it.'



      Gandalf looked at Aragorn, and then, to the surprise of the others, he lifted the covered Stone, and bowed as he presented it.



      'Receive it, lord!' he said: 'in earnest of other things that shall be given back. But if I may counsel you in the use of your own, do not use it - yet! Be wary!'



      The Two Towers Book III Chapter XI: "The Palantír"




      Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Tolkien ever resolved the ambiguity (or, indeed, if he ever considered it ambiguous); there's nothing I can find in Letters or History of Middle-earth that comes down one way or the other.







      share|improve this answer












      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer










      answered Jun 1 '15 at 14:34









      Jason BakerJason Baker

      142k34786701




      142k34786701













      • +1. The words "de jure" make me think he wasn't crowned yet, so it probably refers to him using the stone in The Two Towers. Also, Isengard was granted to the Ents in RotK, so the stuff inside Orthanc had at least a warden by the time Aragorn says the lines I quoted. Still not a clear answer either way. Sigh...

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:39



















      • +1. The words "de jure" make me think he wasn't crowned yet, so it probably refers to him using the stone in The Two Towers. Also, Isengard was granted to the Ents in RotK, so the stuff inside Orthanc had at least a warden by the time Aragorn says the lines I quoted. Still not a clear answer either way. Sigh...

        – Wad Cheber
        Jun 1 '15 at 14:39

















      +1. The words "de jure" make me think he wasn't crowned yet, so it probably refers to him using the stone in The Two Towers. Also, Isengard was granted to the Ents in RotK, so the stuff inside Orthanc had at least a warden by the time Aragorn says the lines I quoted. Still not a clear answer either way. Sigh...

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:39





      +1. The words "de jure" make me think he wasn't crowned yet, so it probably refers to him using the stone in The Two Towers. Also, Isengard was granted to the Ents in RotK, so the stuff inside Orthanc had at least a warden by the time Aragorn says the lines I quoted. Still not a clear answer either way. Sigh...

      – Wad Cheber
      Jun 1 '15 at 14:39











      0














      Aragorn, as the King, took possession of the stone. When he uses third person, I think he refers to himself but also to each King that will come to rule in his stead. The stones are the property of the King (which ever one is currently ruling).
      As for the stone in Minas Tirith, I'm sure I've read somewhere that it became unusable after the incident with Denethor. It would only show some horrible image of a burning person, or some such. Gonna have a look at the exact quote.






      share|improve this answer




























        0














        Aragorn, as the King, took possession of the stone. When he uses third person, I think he refers to himself but also to each King that will come to rule in his stead. The stones are the property of the King (which ever one is currently ruling).
        As for the stone in Minas Tirith, I'm sure I've read somewhere that it became unusable after the incident with Denethor. It would only show some horrible image of a burning person, or some such. Gonna have a look at the exact quote.






        share|improve this answer


























          0












          0








          0







          Aragorn, as the King, took possession of the stone. When he uses third person, I think he refers to himself but also to each King that will come to rule in his stead. The stones are the property of the King (which ever one is currently ruling).
          As for the stone in Minas Tirith, I'm sure I've read somewhere that it became unusable after the incident with Denethor. It would only show some horrible image of a burning person, or some such. Gonna have a look at the exact quote.






          share|improve this answer













          Aragorn, as the King, took possession of the stone. When he uses third person, I think he refers to himself but also to each King that will come to rule in his stead. The stones are the property of the King (which ever one is currently ruling).
          As for the stone in Minas Tirith, I'm sure I've read somewhere that it became unusable after the incident with Denethor. It would only show some horrible image of a burning person, or some such. Gonna have a look at the exact quote.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Jun 2 '15 at 13:50









          MaksimMaksim

          2,972624




          2,972624























              0














              It is unquestionably Aragorn who retained the Palantir, not only for the reasons outlined already, but also because Gondor retained the tower as an exclave




              the Stewards retained under their own rule the Tower of Orthanc and the Ring of Isengard (Angrenost); the keys of Orthanc were taken to Minas Tirith, the Tower was shut, and the Ring of Isengard remained manned only by a hereditary Gondorian chieftan and his small people.



              -- Appendix II, The Battle of the Fords of Isen, Unfinished Tales




              The King over Isengard, and the owner of the Palantir - whose forebears placed it in the tower millennia beforehand, were one and the same: Aragorn II.





              share




























                0














                It is unquestionably Aragorn who retained the Palantir, not only for the reasons outlined already, but also because Gondor retained the tower as an exclave




                the Stewards retained under their own rule the Tower of Orthanc and the Ring of Isengard (Angrenost); the keys of Orthanc were taken to Minas Tirith, the Tower was shut, and the Ring of Isengard remained manned only by a hereditary Gondorian chieftan and his small people.



                -- Appendix II, The Battle of the Fords of Isen, Unfinished Tales




                The King over Isengard, and the owner of the Palantir - whose forebears placed it in the tower millennia beforehand, were one and the same: Aragorn II.





                share


























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  It is unquestionably Aragorn who retained the Palantir, not only for the reasons outlined already, but also because Gondor retained the tower as an exclave




                  the Stewards retained under their own rule the Tower of Orthanc and the Ring of Isengard (Angrenost); the keys of Orthanc were taken to Minas Tirith, the Tower was shut, and the Ring of Isengard remained manned only by a hereditary Gondorian chieftan and his small people.



                  -- Appendix II, The Battle of the Fords of Isen, Unfinished Tales




                  The King over Isengard, and the owner of the Palantir - whose forebears placed it in the tower millennia beforehand, were one and the same: Aragorn II.





                  share













                  It is unquestionably Aragorn who retained the Palantir, not only for the reasons outlined already, but also because Gondor retained the tower as an exclave




                  the Stewards retained under their own rule the Tower of Orthanc and the Ring of Isengard (Angrenost); the keys of Orthanc were taken to Minas Tirith, the Tower was shut, and the Ring of Isengard remained manned only by a hereditary Gondorian chieftan and his small people.



                  -- Appendix II, The Battle of the Fords of Isen, Unfinished Tales




                  The King over Isengard, and the owner of the Palantir - whose forebears placed it in the tower millennia beforehand, were one and the same: Aragorn II.






                  share











                  share


                  share










                  answered 1 min ago









                  ubersejanusubersejanus

                  995714




                  995714






























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