[Bekah]

I must say, I was disappointed in the way PJ portrayed these three. Or at least, the actions of Arwen I found to be not at all like the book. As someone pointed out, it might have been Tar, the holding of the sword at Aragorns throat was not in keeping of her character. In the book, she is quiet, beautiful...and simply there. She is there, and always will be, for Aragorn to fall back on. She forgives and she comforts, although she does not forget - it is not in her people to do so. But...she is no warrior-princess. Her speeches such as "What's this? A ranger, caught off his guard?" and "If you want him, come and claim him!" are not like her character as portrayed in the book.<P>Also, I found the scene in the movie where Elrond tells Arwen her future if she marries King Aragorn - seeing as she can't marry him without him being king. But...I did not like the result. If PJ had stayed more faithfully to the book, she would have stayed with Aragorn nevertheless. She knew that this would happen, anyway. But, in the movie, she decided to sail to the Grey Havens with her people, and tells Aragorn of her decision. Which, as Tar said, puts him in a different position, at least as far as match-making movie-goers who haven't read the book go.<P>Aragorn. He is faithful to Arwen. He met her in his twenties in Rivendell, to where she had returned after staying in Lothlorien for a while. She, of course, is already older by far than Aragorn, although she looks no older than he. They betrothed themselves on Cerin Amroth in Lothlorien when he is much older, 49. (Incidentally, this means he's 89 at the time of the Fellowship.) Although he loved her from the first, it was only when Arwen saw him in Lothlorien that she did and knew it. Which knocks down your argument of chivalrous romance, my lady. Anyway, Aragorn loves Arwen and is faithful to her and vice versa. And PJ is more or less faithful up until the bit where Arwen decides to leave after all in the movie.<P>If you check the book, you'll see that the relationship between Aragorn and Eowyn is a lot different to the one portrayed in the movie. One reason, as aforesaid, is the absence of Arwen's faithfulness in the movie, which makes Aragorn...how shall I put it...single. Even though he wasn't married in the first place, it's about the best I can come up with. "And he beheld Eowyn, and thought her fair. Fair...but cold as the morning sun." That's how it goes more or less, anyway. I didn't check it up, I'm sorry, seeing as I know the essence of it. If I'm way out, correct me. Anyway, she came around with the wine cup later and he smiled at her...until he felt her hand tremble when he touched it in taking the cup. Then his face was troubled, and he thought no more on...er...whatever he was thinking. Again, I didn't look it up, but I think he was just joining in the merry atmosphere of the table. Until he felt Eowyn's hand tremble. At no time did he feel physically or otherwise attracted to her, although when he refused Eowyn's request to accompany him, he felt pain at doing so - denying the request of a lady - though only his closest friends could tell. I mean more here, but I can't put it into words. I'm sure book-readers will understand, though.<P>I'll get back to the movie portrayal of this. But first...Eowyn. The book version, first. She beholds Aragorn, and thinks he possesses <I>virtitis</I> - manliness, and courage, and virtue and all the things a man should possess. Besides, his looks were nothing to sneer at...nor his kingship. So all in all, it was the beginning of a crush. She fancied him - nothing more - but she did not let go of her fancy quickly, rather holding it - a treasured dream - close to her, until Faramir wiped this image away after a lot of work. And replaced it, not with the image of a man, but rather with a man she knew and loved, regardless of his faults. Anyway...<P>In the movie, they come across as equals, as Tar mentioned. Which is not so. She has not the experience - sheild-maiden though she be - that Aragorn has of battle.<P>Also in the movie, Aragorn evidently thinks that Arwen is going away. And so he starts thinking like a modern day guy who's just been dumped. In other words, he looks at Eowyn in another light, thinking 'hmmm...she's certainly attractive....' Eowyn, of course, obviously fancies him. Which he knows. As Tar said, 'she's one ripe tomato'. And Arwen has left the scene...<P>I think I'm going to have to see the movie again, because I can't remember the separation of Eowyn and Aragorn. But then, I don't want to see PJ ruin Faramir again. I'm going to fast-forward that bit when I buy the video. Anyway, can someone tell me on what terms they take leave of each other?<P>Yours thoughtfully,<P>~ Elentari II<p>[ February 23, 2003: Message edited by: Bekah ]