11/25/2023 0 Comments Bilbo and frodo![]() ![]() He would have eventually to 'pass away': no mortal could, or can, abide for ever on earth, or within Time.Īlso stuff in Valinor happens very. The elves that bore rings of power also went there after the power of their rings was "spent" thus their domains would deteriorate.įrodo was sent or allowed to pass over Sea to heal him - if that could be done, before he died. They would still die, but the hope was that they could live the rest of the time without Suffering or if they could be healed allowed to return. The Ringbearers travel there to receive healing for the wounds (spiritual or physical) incurred as a result of ownership of the One Ring the effects of the Ring is ubiquitous (albeit differing in time) to all beings immortal or otherwise. ![]() The Undying Lands are simply named for the immortal inhabitants. The "Undying Lands" do not grant immortality, the Valar do not have the power OR the authority to bestow immortality upon mortals (though they did "bless" the Men loyal to them during the War of the Wrath, the "Numenoreans", with extended lifespans). It was a realm inhabited by Ainur (spiritual beings) and Elves whom are already immortal. No, The phrase "Undying Lands" is not a place of immortality bestowed. Their sojorn was a "purgatory", but one of peace and healing and they would eventually pass away (die at their own desire and of free will) to destinations of which the Elves knew nothing. The Valar had neither the power nor the right to confer "immortality" upon them. Letter #154Īs for Frodo or other mortals, they could only dwell in Aman for a limited time - whether brief or long. They cannot abide for ever, and though they cannot return to mortal earth, they can and will 'die' - of free will, and leave the world. I have said nothing about it in this book, but the mythical idea underlying is that for mortals, since their 'kind' cannot be changed for ever, this is strictly only a temporary reward: a healing and redress of suffering. Thus Frodo (by the express gift of Arwen) and Bilbo, and eventually Sam (as adumbrated by Frodo) and as a unique exception Gimli the Dwarf, as a friend of Legolas and 'servant' of Galadriel. It seems that Christopher Tolkien used many of his father's letters to accumulate a fair body of knowledge about Middle Earth and its rules in The Silmarillion, but that some letters specific to the life and death of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins were unclear, (perhaps intentionally so - my interpretation - The whole thread is a very interesting read).īut in this story it is supposed that there may be certain rare exceptions or accommodations (legitimately supposed? there always seem to be exceptions) and so certain 'mortals', who have played some great part in Elvish affairs, may pass with the Elves to Elvenhome. Still, he doesn't live forever.I am delivering here a relevant portion of a forum thread concerning the immortality of mortals who pass to the Undying Lands. The purity of Valinor gives Frodo relief from his wounds since the presence of evil in Middle-earth keeps them fresh, and he likely lives a considerably longer life than he would have. The Men, Hobbits, and Dwarves of Lord of the Rings could live there, and they have, but when their time comes to see Mandos, their souls are moved into the mysterious afterlife for which Tolkien gives no description. Elves are already immortal and, therefore, can live forever in the Undying Lands in peace. Instead, immortality depends on a person's race. But, after their time is done there, they go on to an afterlife that is only known of by Eru Ilúvatar, the creator of Middle-earth and principal god in The Lord of the Rings canon. When a mortal being dies, whether in Middle-earth or Aman, their soul also wanders the Halls of Mandos. Then, they are eventually granted a body by Mandos and returned to Valinor. ![]() There, the Elf can rest and contemplate their life. When an Elf's spirit is separated from its body, it travels to the domain of Mandos, which is within Aman. Even the immortal Elves can die in Valinor, though it often isn't forever. ![]()
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