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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fusangite" data-source="post: 2038681" data-attributes="member: 7240">So, why is the prophecy about his hands, then? Why not his knowledge?And none of this could be communicated to a person actually authorized the enter Minas Tirith? Also, wasn't Gandalf actually more familiar with this magic? How about the Sons of Elrond?This seems problematic as its only function is to treat wounds magically inflicted by the Nazgul.Yes. But when else in the books does knowledge, by itself, allow Aragorn to perform a physical action of which others are incapable?There is no indication that the plant is associated with Numenor, per se. There is simply a pretty unequivocal association of the plant with kingship.Textually, then, why is it so important for Tolkien to let us know that Athelas is also called Kingsfoil? When one combines the name of the plant with Aragorn's identity, things look clearer.And why is it that those who know Gondor's ancient healing lore do not believe it has any healing properties? Furthermore, why is it that the successful use of the Athelas is, by itself, sufficient for Ioreth to conclude that Aragorn is the king? Furthermore, you'll recall that there is a big deal about Aragorn entering the city before the right time; he has to be smuggled in, incognito. Why does he specifically have to do the healing? We know that the procedure he uses with the plant is very physically simple. If he could just tell someone else how to use the plant, he would have done so. Then he would not have had to enter the city under cover. It's a big deal that Aragorn is engaging in subterfuge here; and when he gets in, he doesn't do anything fancy or difficult -- he just crushes up the leaves. For goodness sake, Pippin could do that. But, as the text clearly indicates, only Aragorn can perform his particular feat of healing, which entails healing wounds inflicted by sorcery....who would also have shared the properties of a medieval king.</blockquote>

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