Can an Elf become a Ringwraith?

[Bess the Bard]

I searched the posts here back to the beginning and didn't see one that addressed this question. If I've missed a discussion about it, I'm sorry.

I've wondered about this off and on. If Sauron had obtained the One Ring, would Elrond and Galadriel have become completely subject to his power, like the Nazgul? Or would they have been able to resist, possibly by fleeing West? I'm assuming Gandalf, being a Maiar, is a special case and leave his fate as a Ringwraith to another discussion.

I seem to remember in the Council of Elrond that the One Ring would not have been allowed into Valinor. Would the same apply to bearers of the Three that were now subject to the One Ring?

[Lady Ashley]

Well, I don't believe any Elven Ringbearer would become a Ringwraith, specifically. They would have become subject to the One, but prolly not in the Nazgul form, shapeless and void.

'Course, I don't know. The Elves took their Rings off once they knew they were betrayed and never got the chance to find out.

[Sindarin]

I agree, Lady Ashley. I doubt an Elf would become a Wraith such as the Kings of Men did, yet a Nazgul-like Elf could be possessed by the One and therefore under its control in a hypnotic-like state of mind.

Although another question arises, could an Elf become a Wraith if stabbed by a Morgoth blade? I believe they could, if they weren't saved by magic in time.

[Finrod Felagund]

1. I'm not sure what the connection was between the One and the Elven rings but Celebrimbor made them with increased knowledge from Sauron. Sauron never touched the 3 elven rings nor helped Cebrimbor make them. So, I don't think he would have the power over them that he had over the 9. I think the 3 were more or less tools, neither good nor evil. Just power.

2. I believe Tolkien says somewhere that while Sauron wore the Ring, he could percieve the thoughts of the wearers though in the case of the Elven rings he couldn't control the weilders.

3. The Dwarves did not become wraiths but the rings increased their greed which worked to Sauron's benefit anyway. "It was said that at the heart of every Dwarven hoard was a golden ring " or something like that.

Therefore I don't believe there could have been any Elven Ringwraiths

[Iarfirithwen]

Weren't the elven rings made in secret?

Also didn't Gil-Galad fight in the war against Sauron with Isildur Elrond etc. Wouldn't he have been wearing his ring?
I don't know enough about these things, maybe somebody else could clairfy.

[Lalaith]

The elven rings were made in secret by Celebrimbor but Saruon was aware of their existance. They were the fairest of the rings and he longed to possess them.
Celebrimbor gave them away before Sauron came storming into Eregion to claim back the seven and the nine.
The three Elven rings had the power to ward off the wearing effect of time. I doubt they could be used to give physical strength in battle. If you look, Elrond used his to make Rivendell into a place of sanctuary and Galadriel used hers to preserve Lothlorien. Gandalf was given Narya, because Cirdan perceived that he would bear many burdens, and therefore he himself required the restorative power of the Elven RIng in order to carry out his work in Middle Earth.

Elves wouldn't become Wraiths because they could perceive Sauron's intentions and would not wear the rings openly for precisely that reason.

That's about as much as I can come up with for now - I hope it makes it a touch clearer...

[Tar-Ancalimë]

i think bess might mean, could they become ringwraiths if they didnt take off the rings... imo the answer is yes, just because there are no facts contrary to that answer...

[Finrod Felagund]

Galadriel was wearing hers when she showed Frodo the Mirror

[Tar-Palantir]

Hmmm, interesting matter.
I think that an elf could become a wraith, but only through a morgul blade. Wasn't it stated in the Lord of the Rings that all the rings of power were very dangerous to mortals?

[Lady Melody]

Dwarves are creatures that could never be submitted by anyone, they're stubborn as hell, thus even the rings doesn't have any much effect on the like the other rings, such as prolonging their life for one... the only thing that those rings ever did was make them greedier than was usual.

As for the elves, nah, they're old (in age, not appearance) and wise, and besides the rings weren't used as was the other rings that was forged, it wasn't obvious really. All they did was yes, ward of the effects of time and just that I guess.

Men, well, you're all well aware of it I think...

No, Elves will not turn into ringwraiths... they're far too wise and sensible for that...

[Celebriel_Esgaledhel]

Suilad, mellyn, a mae govannen!
I just skimmed through this thread, so if i go over anything already posted, goheno anim.
The Nazgul were great kings of Men, who, with the rings that they were gifted, desired greed and power, and that is what finally corrupted them. The Elven rings were made only for Healing, Knowledge, Wisdom, and stuff like that that would preserve their "culture". THey did not weild the rings greedily, in search of power. Sauron was able to decieve easily, and he most likely led the Men, in their greed, to corruption. lol. So i'm posting on the defense of my people, the Elves!! lol.
Cuio mae, boe anim baded.

[anduril]

The minds of men are easily corrupted.

[Ruin's Fate]

Here's a more intresting question, would Sauron even WANT elves to be his ringwraiths? Don't know about you but I'd prefer having Men over Elves, Men just seem to do more of the *** kicking and name taking during battles.

[Tar-Palantir]

Sauron would definetly want elves to be his Ringwraiths, but they are not as easely corrupded as men, thus making men more worth the effort. Also there were not too many elves that would be powerful enough for Sauron to put forth all his skills in deception and persuasion to make them his servants.