I think the problem is spiritual rather than physical seperation. Aredhel had run away from Eol deliberately flouting his known wishes. Now granted he was more than a little unreasonable in the requirements he laid on her, (though she didn't find them to onerous until her son started working on her) but it was dishonest and deceptive to sneak away behind his back. You might say he forced her to behave that way but two wrongs don't make a right. And Aredhel never even tried to get his permission for a visit to Gondolin. Eol does love her, he just *might* have given in eventually to her pleas and arguments even to the extent of letting his son go, but he isn't given the chance.
As for Morwen, it isn't so much her seperation from Hurin that leads to disaster as her disobeying his wishes. He tells her if the worst happens she must flee at once, to Brethil or Doriath, instead she clings to her home and an unreasonable hope. Understandable but a grave mistake.
Aldarion was definitely pressured into marriage, and it didn't help that his parents made clear they hoped a 'good wife' would keep him at home. Naturally enough he came to regard marriage as a prison sentence.
I think he may have been attracted to Erendis precisely because she spiritedly opposed him, (over the trees). Aldarion likes independence, unfortunately for him Erendis isn't really independent at all but a natural clinging vine.
The really unfortunate thing is there must have been one or two among those suitors Erendis refused who would have been the adoring, inseperable husband she wanted. And doubtless there were ladies at court of genuinely independent temperment who would have accepted Aldarion's absences easily enough, waving him off with a smile and welcoming him home cheerfully and without reproaches.
[ June 15, 2003: Message edited by: Morwen Tindomerel ]
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