Grey Havens - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age · 04-09-2002, 11:33 PM

Aragorn wasn't the only mortal who was allowed to chose when they died. Tolkien confirms that any mortal in the Blessed Land--man, hobbit, or even presumably dwarf--got to chose when he would pass on to the circles beyond the world. Presumably, this group would have included Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, and Gimli. I figure Bilbo chose to move on first, and Frodo was probably at his side when he died. Then Frodo might have waited for Sam so they could go on together.

But what about poor Gimli? No way Legolas is going anywhere like that! I've never truly understood Gimli's time in Tol Eressa. I know about his service for Galadriel, but it still seems strange. He was the only one who wasn't a Ringbearer, and what special pains did he have to heal? We know about Bilbo and Frodo's difficulties. Even Sam might have had a guilty conscience since he had a nice long, healthy life and marriage plus lots of kids in the Shire, which is in contrast to what happened to his beloved Frodo. But Gimli?... Is there any more information about Gimli sailing from Grey Havens in the history of middle earth or anywhere?

04-09-2002, 11:33 PM	#20
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Aragorn wasn't the only mortal who was allowed to chose when they died. Tolkien confirms that any mortal in the Blessed Land--man, hobbit, or even presumably dwarf--got to chose when he would pass on to the circles beyond the world. Presumably, this group would have included Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, and Gimli. I figure Bilbo chose to move on first, and Frodo was probably at his side when he died. Then Frodo might have waited for Sam so they could go on together. But what about poor Gimli? No way Legolas is going anywhere like that! I've never truly understood Gimli's time in Tol Eressa. I know about his service for Galadriel, but it still seems strange. He was the only one who wasn't a Ringbearer, and what special pains did he have to heal? We know about Bilbo and Frodo's difficulties. Even Sam might have had a guilty conscience since he had a nice long, healthy life and marriage plus lots of kids in the Shire, which is in contrast to what happened to his beloved Frodo. But Gimli?... Is there any more information about Gimli sailing from Grey Havens in the history of middle earth or anywhere? Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 01-24-2005 at 05:44 PM.