Only one lineage?

[The Saucepan Man]

Now all those who have the blood of mortal Men, in whatever part, great or small, are mortal, unless other doom be granted to them; but in this matter the power of doom is given to me [Manwe].

Many thanks for the quote, Tar Elenion, which has cleared up a major misunderstanding of mine. Now that I look back at the Silmarillion, I see that this is the implication of the description in the Akallabeth of the choice given to the sons of Earendil:

The Valar indeed may not withdraw the gift of death, which comes to Men from Iluvatar, but in the matter of the Half-elven Iluvatar gave to them the judgement; and they judged that to the sons of Earendil should be given the choice of their own destiny.

So, presumably the Valar could have given any of Half-elven descent the same choice, had they judged it appropriate to do so. What I remain unclear about is the basis upon which that judgment was exercised. OK, so Earendil was responsible for bringing the Valar to the aid of ME and this was felt sufficient to allow his sons to be given the choice. And it follows that Elrond's children should be given the choice too. But why should all others of Half-elven descent (including the children of those of Elrond's children who chose to be mortal) be denied the choice?

[ March 23, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]