Quote:
Originally Posted by Findegil
We have only one example of how the pure state of that fate was meant to look like, and that is Elessar.
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Wasn't that also the normal pattern of the Numenoreans in their early years? Akallabeth notes that Tar-Atanamir clung to life beyond the end of all joy and states that "
he was the first of the Numenoreans to do this, refusing to depart until he was witless and unmanned" I think there is more said about this elsewhere (not with my books right now) but it makes it sound like Elros and his descendants (and, apparently, all the people) were of the habit to lay down their lives of free will and "give back the gift" - up until the shadow fell on the land.
Still, the
details of how they viewed this returning of the gift is not spelled out except in the case of Elessar Telcontar - and that, largely, because of the contrast of having Aragorn conversing with a half-elf who chose mortality only after living as an elf for many hundreds of years --- and that is a unique conversation. The only other similar conversation in the history of Arda (Beren to Luthien as they departed Tol-Galen for the last time on their journey from Arda) was never recorded - at least, never recorded for mortal ears - so we don't know how Beren advised Luthien.
Actually, that conversation would have been doubly unique - since even Aragorn lacked the perspective of Beren (& Luthien). THEY had already died once before.
Fear not, Lu. We've walked this path before. Departing is just the start of another journey - one we will continue to walk together - on into the presence of the One who made all Ea.