Elves, immortality and reproduction - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Mouth of Sauron · 09-27-2009, 04:45 AM

As far as I can calculate, Celeborn and Galadriel were an "item" for at least 5,000 years, maybe longer.

Now Elves don't age - and Galadriel was by all accounts a very attractive female - and presumably Celeborn liked to sleep with her. So how come they and other Elven couples didn't have kids continuously throughout the ages ? Even at the comparatively modest breeding rate of one child every 10 years, why didn't Celeborn and Galadriel not have at least 500 children ?

Elmo · 09-27-2009, 04:57 AM

It's all explained in Morgoth's Ring. Elves give part of their spirit to their children. Which is why Feanor's mother Miriel was absolutely knackered after giving birth to such strong, energetic spirit. So after a few children (Feanor's 7 was the greatest number in history I believe) they lose enthusiasm for more so they devote their attentions to other Elvish pastimes like singing and looking down on dwarves.

Elmo · 09-27-2009, 05:40 AM

Whether they still sleep with each other when they stop having children I'm not sure. Maybe they only have sex for procreation or maybe they can choose whether they want to have children or not when they have sex - no unwanted Elvish children. Tolkien doesn't seem to be a fellow too keen on contraception though.

skip spence · 09-27-2009, 05:58 AM

Elves are the Catholic Church's ideal subjects, always keeping their hands to themselves and on top of the blanket, unless they're in in for the money so to speak. Whether this causes frustration for Celeborn or not is anyone's guess.

As Elmo says, it's all explained in Laws and Customs of the Eldar in HoME X.

Pitchwife · 09-27-2009, 06:22 AM

MoS, there's an old thread on this subject you may like to look up (if you haven't found it yet). Lots of discussion and speculation there to fuel your imagination!

09-27-2009, 04:45 AM	#1
The Mouth of Sauron Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Barad-Dur Posts: 196	Elves, immortality and reproduction As far as I can calculate, Celeborn and Galadriel were an "item" for at least 5,000 years, maybe longer. Now Elves don't age - and Galadriel was by all accounts a very attractive female - and presumably Celeborn liked to sleep with her. So how come they and other Elven couples didn't have kids continuously throughout the ages ? Even at the comparatively modest breeding rate of one child every 10 years, why didn't Celeborn and Galadriel not have at least 500 children ?

09-27-2009, 04:57 AM	#2
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 641	It's all explained in Morgoth's Ring. Elves give part of their spirit to their children. Which is why Feanor's mother Miriel was absolutely knackered after giving birth to such strong, energetic spirit. So after a few children (Feanor's 7 was the greatest number in history I believe) they lose enthusiasm for more so they devote their attentions to other Elvish pastimes like singing and looking down on dwarves. __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

09-27-2009, 05:40 AM	#3
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 641	Whether they still sleep with each other when they stop having children I'm not sure. Maybe they only have sex for procreation or maybe they can choose whether they want to have children or not when they have sex - no unwanted Elvish children. Tolkien doesn't seem to be a fellow too keen on contraception though. __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

09-27-2009, 05:58 AM	#4
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,127	Elves are the Catholic Church's ideal subjects, always keeping their hands to themselves and on top of the blanket, unless they're in in for the money so to speak. Whether this causes frustration for Celeborn or not is anyone's guess. As Elmo says, it's all explained in Laws and Customs of the Eldar in HoME X. __________________ "You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way" ~ Bob Dylan Last edited by skip spence; 09-27-2009 at 06:37 AM. Reason: grammar

09-27-2009, 06:22 AM	#5
Pitchwife Wight of the Old Forest Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Unattended on the railway station, in the litter at the dancehall Posts: 3,341	MoS, there's an old thread on this subject you may like to look up (if you haven't found it yet). Lots of discussion and speculation there to fuel your imagination! __________________ Und aus dem Erebos kamen viele seelen herauf der abgeschiedenen toten.- Homer, Odyssey, Canto XI