All this carnivore stuff
This conversation kind of got my attention as I took up deer hunting in my old age. Before deer season, at night I sometimes dream with dread of actually being the deer, looking for safety, but once in the woods I am the happy predator... The family feast, later, which includes wine and vodka along with the venison, is joy.
But this has got me thinking about all that sword fighting in LOTR (and medieval times). Think of what it must feel like hacking away at someone (and being hacked at). You'd think the blood, gore and pain might be horrific.
Still, I admire the swords, they are simple, elegant and lethal. I think Tolkien must have considered them to be companions for their owners as well as works of art as they mostly seem to have been given names.