Of the Three and the Fading of the elves

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Let us not forget that Aragorn was raised in Rivendell, and lived there with his mother Gilraen after the death of his father. Nowhere does Tolkien (or any of his characters) mention that Aragorn's longevity was the result of his life in Rivendell; rather, it is attributed to the strength of his Numenorean blood.

Also to be considered is the matter of the Elessar, which was extraordinary in its healing abilities. Whether or not the one that was passed on to Aragorn is the original is not really important; the fact that Galadriel desired its power because it could help stave off the fading of the land is. Regardless of the version of the story in UT, the words are nearly the same:

"I grieve in Middle-earth, for leaves fall and flowers fade; and my heart yearns, remembering trees and grass that do not die. I would have these in my home."

Then Olorin said: "Would you then have the Elessar?"

And Galadriel said: "Where now is the stone of Earendil? And Enerdhil is gone who made it."

"Who knows?" said Olorin.

"Surely," said Galadriel, "they have passed over Sea, as almost all fair things beside. And must Middle-earth then fade and perish forever?"

"That is its fate," said Olorin. "Yet for a little while that might be amended, if the Elessar should return. For a little, until the Days of Men are come."

After which he returns the Elessar to her. In the other version, which is nearly identical save that Olorin is now Celebrimbor, the Elessar is remade for Galadriel in the Second Age by him. When he gives her Nenya, "she needed it (as she thought) no more, and she gave it to Celebrian her daughter, and so it came to Arwen and to Aragorn."

I find the "as she thought" part interesting, because it implies that she was mistaken. Regardless of whether or not she was, it would seem that the Elessar had great healing power over the land in which it was kept -- which, apparently, was first in Lorien, then in Rivendell, then back in Lorien again after Arwen gave it to Galadriel to give to Aragorn (a progression of possession that is stated in LotR when the Elessar is given to Aragorn). It may be that the Elessar has equal, if not greater, power to retard the fading of a land and its people.

Just a stray thought.