Why cant nazgul cross water

This is likely due to the fact that most of their power comes from fear, and the cold makes people feel more vulnerable. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm long.

If you ever worked at a job where your boss never took his eyes off of you, you certainly know how terrible of a rule this is. This is similar to how Sauron can see the One Ring if someone is wearing it. Unlike the characters we saw who used the One Ring, though, the nine rings that the kings had would cause them to "fade. Gandalf described it best by saying that one who uses the rings too much " becomes in the end invisible permanently, and walks in the twilight under the eye of the dark power that rules the Rings.

Yes, sooner or later -- later, if he is strong or well-meaning to begin with, but neither strength nor good purpose will last -- sooner or later the dark power will devour him. However, this doesn't mean that they were complete slaves with no independent thoughts, but rather that their intentions and actions were completely controlled by Sauron. Christopher Tolkien, who for years upheld the legacy of his father's works, wrote in Unfinished Tales that "my father nowhere explained the Ringwraiths' fear of water" and that the author conceded the notion was "difficult to sustain" going forward.

Most likely, the idea was incorporated as a plot device to prevent the Hobbits from being captured, derived from European folklore, which portrayed unholy creatures, such as vampires, as being unable to cross running water. Despite Tolkien's own admission that a clear reason for the Ringwraith's fear was never provided, some fans have attempted to conjure up an in-universe explanation. One of the more convincing theories centers on the role played by Ulmo, also referred to as the Lord of Waters.

Ulmo was an Ainur, one of the original gods of the Lord of the Rings universe and held dominion over all bodies of water. Sharku has a point though - lack of fear, though I don't know if Merry was so much fearless as just overcome by despair - the frame of mind that says "I might as well, I'm dead either way. It also makes you wonder, why on earth did the Ringwraiths wear robes and ride steeds winged or hoofed in the first place?

Certainly "their chief power was to inspire terror" and the black robes certainly help, but they're also quite a Look At Me - Frodo could see them from quite a distance. Wouldn't it have made more sense for them not to wear anything so they could sneak up on the Ringbearer unnoticed if not unfelt?

I've never gotten the feeling that the Nazgul DID fear water. They didn't follow the hobbits across the Brandywine at the ferry because it was too deep for their horses to swim. And they were perfectly willing to cross at the Ford of Bruinen; it was only the Guardian of the Ford that defeated them. That is the reason some held back and had to be driven into the Bruinen by the rear attack of Glorfindel. They knew their horses would die in the rocks and waves. But Glorfindel in all his "First Born" glory scared them and drove their horses into a panic, so they dived blindly into the water to be swept away.

I think it might have been the same with Aragorn. They feared the light of his spirit more than the torch he was carrying. I don't know about them being physically impotent, Sharku. I do not envision much fighting in the scene, let alone the Nazgul actually being driven off by Aragorn. I did not like the movie portrayl at all, I've always believed that the Nazgul chose to retreat. Perhaps they were afraid of being robbed of their raiment or even being slain by Aragorn and they did not want to take a chance.

It is easy to underestimate the power of the Ulari, but remember Gandalf says that not even Glorfindel a very, very powerful elf that killed a Balrog and Aragorn could stand against the 9 alone.

Find More Posts by Thingol. Without garments we can't do anything and it takes a long time to get a new one. So it makes a strange kind of sense that xwe'd stay away from fire which would burn our cloaks up and water which could sweep it off and away. Does that make sense? Exactly, N. Fire and water do no harm to Ring Wraiths themselves. But it can harm their steeds or the cloaks they have to wear.

More of an inconvenience than anything else. It's not like they're going to melt or anything. Q: What do you call a Nazgul in a river? A: Soggy. About the Nazgul fearing fire When the Lord of the Nazgul was at the top of his strength was during the siege of Minas Tirith. And most of the terrain of the Pelennor was covered with fire, Orcs had torches, catapults threw fireballs Everything was closely orchestrated by the head Nazgul.

So I don't think they feared fire. Ever seen Predator? Personally I think fire might have had a similar affect on the Nazgul. Although I really have no clue. Maybe fire does hurt them. Because Aragorn said on Weathertop, Quote:. Oh hey, I'm a wight now. I think that the RingWaiths did fear fire. Yes, as Gorin said, quote: Sauron can put fire to his evil uses, as he can all things, but these Riders do not love it, and fear those who wield it.

When those that are good weild the fire, it is fearsome to the enemy. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Find More Posts by Joy. Thingol, loved your post about how the nazgul simply waited for the blade to do its work. The wraiths probably could have won, but they may have lost a couple of their number. Why not wait untill they can command Frodo? Would you risk your life if you felt it was just a matter of time.

Tolkien "The Lord of the Rings". JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Ringwraiths and water. Gandalf White Gone Missing. Questions, questions I've been wondering about this, and can't seem to find anything on it. Possibly because I haven't had the time to look! A friend told me that the ringwraiths couldn't touch water unless their master ordered them to or something, and that's why they stood awhile waiting to cross the River in the movie.

Is this in the books , and if so where? Thanks for the help. BlackCaptain Vast Menace of Despair. Most people after watching the movie think that just because the Ringwraiths dont go through the water, that they're afraid of it. I, however, think that the Nazgul knew that once they'ed cross the Ford, the "magic" of the elves was at work, and could take them out. And since their need for the Ring more like Saurons will was so great, they decided to cross anyway, and thats when disaster struck.

They didnt cross cuz they were afraid But Saurons will took over them and made them cross, and led them to a watery Maeglin Active Member. I agree, they did not want to go into the water even if they could get across, for as soon as they reached the other side they were overlooking the valley of Rivendell , where the magic of the Elves was at work and the Nazgul could not enter there, especially since if they dared to cross it really would have ticked off the elves and they would go and kill them all.

This makes you think Perhaps the Nazgul slightly had a will of their own?