Arwen's Grave Choice

[mark12_30]

I think there's also something else to consider that weaves into all this.

I strongly suspect that Aragorn's abilities in Osanwe (Black Gate & Mouth of Sauron; Houses of Healing.... ) were as a result of his relationship with Arwen. From the appendix:

So it stood afterwards between Elrond and Aragorn, and they spoke no more of this matter, but Aragorn went forth again to danger and toil. And while the world darkened and fear fell on Middle-earth, as the power of Sauron grew and the Barad-dûr rose ever taller and stronger, Arwen remained in Rivendell, and when Aragorn was abroad, from afar she watched over him in thought; and in hope she made for him a great and kingly standard, such as only one might display who claimed the lordship of the Númenoreans and the inheritance of Elendil.

Likely, she was the reader, he was the open book-- at first, until his skills grew. But all during his long journeys, her mind was aware of his.

I suspect that there were very few times-- from their betrothal onward-- that she was unaware of his presence somewhere in Middle-Earth. I wonder whether, when he died, she lost touch with his thoughts for the first time in over 140 years.

If that was the case then no wonder the light was gone from her eyes; and it's very plausible to me that she went to Lorien seeking an echo of his presence there. I also suspect that she did not find what she sought, and so, finally followed him into the unknown.