Question...
 

Hello! I don't know newbie jumping straight in with a question! ^.^ I read the books several times over a good while before the film was released, and am snailing my way back through them. In which book do Legolas an Gimli go over the Sea? I could have sworn it was at the end of ROTK, but apparently I'm wrong? (trying to settle heated debate!)

I think it talks about them in the appendix of ROTK.

Yes. On one of the pages in the appendix it talks of how Gimli and Legolas and Arargorn made a pact that they would stay together until the fellowship broke (I am somewhat shaky on that part though). Legolas I think built a ship and after Aragorn died I think at age 140, something like that? They went across the sea and Gimli was allowed to accompany.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I got it right for the most part? Maybe? No?


-Aylwen

I believe you're right on the dot, but I never could understand why Gimli was allowed to accompany Legolas to Valinor...

[ October 28, 2002: Message edited by: Iarwain ]

I always thought Gmli was allowed to cross into the Grey Havens because he was part of the fellowship, but more importantly, because he helped mend the conflict between elves and dwarves.

I thought maybe it had to do with Galadriel. Maybe she helped get him in??
Arwen, Princess of Rivendell

Appendix B:
I believe that is all that is given.

[ October 28, 2002: Message edited by: Tigerlily Gamgee ]

Also at the end of the section in the RotK appendices entitled " Durin's Folk" we read

It is in the Timeline in the appendix

Thank you! ^.^ That solves it, the person claiming it wasn't in the book got the editions released for the film, and the only Apendix is the tale od Aragorn and Arwen...

Then maybe they was looking in the wrong spot because I recently bought the editions that came out for the movie as well as owning ones from the seventies. The new books have the same information as the older copies. Just look a little closer next time. ^_^

No i have an old edition too, and it only has the story of Aragorn and Arwen as well. You get some that only have that bit, and some that only have A and B i believe. Most have all of them (7 or 8 or 9 something like that).

All the more reason to shell out the twenty quid or so that they charge for the hard-back single-volume edition, which I did because my venerable paperback was missing most of the appendices and was falling to pieces as well.

Actually, I belive Aragorn died at the age of 240, not 140. Not quite sure though.

At the very end of ROTK in Appendix B: The Tale of Years: Chronology of the Westlands it says that in 1541 when Aragorn "King Elessar" dies, Legolas and Gimli saled down Anduin and over the sea. They are the last of the Fellowship to leave Middle Earth. I have the single volume edition published 1994.

[ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ]

Aragorn was 207 when he died. And Squatter, I've got the one volume hardback edition, too. Not very easy to hold, but it looks impressive. "Ahem, yes, I read great big fat books!" *sighs* Ego...

[ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: Diamond18 ]

ok, I have the smaller paperback versions with pics from the movies on the front. Frodo is on FOTR, Saruman on TTT, and Strider on ROTK. ROTK has appendices A through F, and I think 3 indexes. Is that what it is supposed to have?
Arwen

As seen in the posts of those who quoted Appendix A and B, it is only stated that "it is said" Gimli went West, so there is not certainty to it to begin with, but it can be taken as accurate. Also, In Letter 154 Tolkien writes that Gimli went to Aman "as friend of Legolas and 'servant' of Galadriel."

I don't really think that Legolas had the ability to get Gimli into the west, but the rekindled friendship between dwarf and elf was an important feat that may have helped influence the Lords of the West. Galadriel was much more important than Legolas, but she had also undergone a falling out with the Noldor (In Letter 246 Tolkien writes that Galadriel (whose lock of hair Gimli recieved as a gift) wouldn't have influence because of her staying in Middle-Earth, but this in reference to Frodo's departure. She would have regained the Valar's favor after her return to Aman, although this might not mean enough influence).

Also, being Gandalf's friend would have helped him earn the favor of the Valar, as he is of fundamentally the same race, although less powerful as a Maia. Furthermore, after his return from death he is given pretty much a role as the messenger of Eru, who sent him back and enlarged his role in Middle-Earth.