Were Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen Elves? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mankáno · 01-31-2002, 11:14 AM

We know that Earendil was the son of an elf (Idril) and a man (Tuor). Elwing was the daughter of Nimloth (an elf) and Dior who in turn was the son of Luthien (elf) and Beren (man), so, both were half-elves.
But in recognition for their services in the war against Morgoth they were given the chance to choose, and they both wanted to be elves.
They already had two children: Elrond and Elros, so, they were given the choice too and Elrond chose to be an elf but Elros wanted to be a man.
All Elros' descendants were men, which makes sense, none of them were born when Elros made his decision and when Elros' children were born, he was a man.
For me it was then clear that, since Elrond was an elf after the choice and he married Celebrian (an elf) that his children would be elves, without the choice to be men.

And that seems to be clear, by the time of the war of the ring, they were over 3,000 years old.

However, I read one of Tolkien's letter that says they were given the choice too, and it wasn't clear if they had made that choice by the time of war of the ring, that Arwen wanted to be a mortal to marry Aragorn but it wasn't known what decision Elladan and Elrohir made afterwards.

That I think was an idea that Tolkien had at some point, then rejected. It wouldn't make much sense. First, what would they be until they make a choice? having living 3,000 years they obviously were not simple mortals, and what if they died before making the choice? would they follow the men or the elves' destiny?
About Arwen, she resigned her right to go to Aman, but not to her elf condition, the reasons why she couldn't go to Valinor after Aragorn died would be a matter of discussion for another topic but, she didn't need to become a woman to marry Aragorn. Idril didn't, and Luthien did only because Beren was already dead and he obtained his life in exchange.

What are your thoughts?

01-31-2002, 11:14 AM	#1
Mankáno Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tirion Posts: 30	Were Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen Elves? We know that Earendil was the son of an elf (Idril) and a man (Tuor). Elwing was the daughter of Nimloth (an elf) and Dior who in turn was the son of Luthien (elf) and Beren (man), so, both were half-elves. But in recognition for their services in the war against Morgoth they were given the chance to choose, and they both wanted to be elves. They already had two children: Elrond and Elros, so, they were given the choice too and Elrond chose to be an elf but Elros wanted to be a man. All Elros' descendants were men, which makes sense, none of them were born when Elros made his decision and when Elros' children were born, he was a man. For me it was then clear that, since Elrond was an elf after the choice and he married Celebrian (an elf) that his children would be elves, without the choice to be men. And that seems to be clear, by the time of the war of the ring, they were over 3,000 years old. However, I read one of Tolkien's letter that says they were given the choice too, and it wasn't clear if they had made that choice by the time of war of the ring, that Arwen wanted to be a mortal to marry Aragorn but it wasn't known what decision Elladan and Elrohir made afterwards. That I think was an idea that Tolkien had at some point, then rejected. It wouldn't make much sense. First, what would they be until they make a choice? having living 3,000 years they obviously were not simple mortals, and what if they died before making the choice? would they follow the men or the elves' destiny? About Arwen, she resigned her right to go to Aman, but not to her elf condition, the reasons why she couldn't go to Valinor after Aragorn died would be a matter of discussion for another topic but, she didn't need to become a woman to marry Aragorn. Idril didn't, and Luthien did only because Beren was already dead and he obtained his life in exchange. What are your thoughts?