I don't see why Aredhel should be judged so harshly. She wasn't happy in Gondolin, felt hemmed in, and missed her friends, the sons of Feanor.
Given that many of the Noldor women had the option of staying behind in Valinor during the rebellion, we can take it as read that those who did decide to leave, (particularly those like Aredhel who were still unmarried and weren't following from loyalty to their husbands) did so because they had the same questing spirit as the menfolk.
I never really got a vibe of romance from Eol/Aredhel. Saying she didn't actually hate him is not the same as love....
And as for Aldarion...I have *very* little sympathy for him. He kept blowing hot and cold on the wretched Erendis instead of doing the decent thing and letting her forget about him...and remember he betrayed all the traditions of Numenorian family life by rushing off when his daughter was still very young.
[ June 08, 2003: Message edited by: Lalaith ]
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Out went the candle, and we were left darkling
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