February 7, 2003

Elves and the Undying Lands
Turin Turambar

Elves are leaving Middle earth because

1) the last of the rebel Noldor (Galadriel, Gildor) and their descendants are returning to the undying lands. They are going home. They only came back to Middle earth to fight Morgoth. At the beginning of FotR Frodo encounters some of them going to the Grey Havens.

2) All elves, but particularly the Sylvan (Legolas people) and the Sindar (Lorien) are still in ME because the natural order was damaged or diverted by Morgoth. By rights they should have all passed over into the undying lands long ago.

3) Whether Sauron wins or loses the rings that sustained Lorien and Rivendell from change are passing away as well. In Middle EArth things change - they die - in the immortal lands this does not happen. Elves belong in Valinor. They have made their home in Middle Earth, but they were not meant to stay there forever.