Greetings All...
I know this is an old toppic and another Aredhel in the forrest, but I feel I could write few lines about it
She became my the most favourite character long time ago, I study her a lot because I am interrested in mytology globally. I made my account for this so it is my first review and I am not native english speaker, so, pleas, exuse mistakes. It was also hard for me to read all the text here but I think I have main lines... You described many ideas I have about it. Lush, thank you, you protected the fortress very well in 2002 ;o) Maybe it is understanding between all white ladies
For me she was the self-seeker. She didn't want the power (she was highking's sister and very noble but she preffered wandering), was extravagant (wears only white and silver) and not afraid of impediments in her way to herselve (Helcaraxe, leaving of Gondolin, Ereth Gorgoroth, leaving Elmoth ;o) ).
She didn't want happines forever but true relationship, even complicated, with those she loved. So she still saw Feanorians through they were cursed.
Oh yes and I believe they were in love with Eöl. Elves could leave their bodie very easily if they realy didn't like things which happend to it
(fea and hroa conception, somewhere in earlier texts, not sure where). Eol had temper very similar to Feanorians, actually. He could be very exotic for her. He was Black, she was White. He was Moredhel she was Aredhel. Eöl's strange courting could overdone her cold and distance (she was very tired when she came to his house) and hesistancy. One of his characteristics was "huggermugger" - I see him almoust like "bowler" shy about his feelings, aim in action instead of words ;o) Their love may be strange, complicated, hidden in tweilight. Kind of forbidden relationship which may grew when two are alone but died in confrontation with reality. Well, there could be something unhealthy about it. That is why I meet gothic, vampire Aredhels usually ;o)
She was not perfect. And that is the most interresting about her. I agree her proclamations to Turgon about escape and her escape from Elmoth were temerite, almoust like adolescent behaviour. Aredhel was lady full of contrast - she was restless and not sure what she wants, but when she found it she gave all into it. She wanted to be free and to be herselve. She was noble, pride a little bit, from her soul... Flaming soul close to Feanor's kind. Trying hard to describe herselve. Pride is not so unusual in elven kind and very typical for Noldor ;o)But temper and flame was inborn, so from Eru Iluvatar and so it had it's place in music of Arda ;o)