March 10, 2003

Answers for Thorden
Matt Mcnabb

Before the beginning of the First Age the Elves first awoke at Cuivienen. When the Valar (the Powers) discovered them they summoned them all to Valinor, the land of the Valar, to dwell there in eternal bliss. Some of the Elves answered the call and others stayed behind. Others still began the journey but turned aside and remained in Middle-Earth. After many ages some of the Noldorin Elves returned to Middle-Earth to contest the power of Morgoth (Sauron's master). These are the Exiles and they were banned from Valinor.

At the end of the War of the Ring, however, the Ban was lifted and the remaining Noldor were allowed return to Valinor. Elves who didn't answer the original summons could also sail to the land of the gods.

The Grey Havens are the departure point for all Elves returning to Valinor. Frodo, Bilbo, Sam, and Gimli, though mortals, are permitted to come there to live the remaining years of their lives in peace.

Though some have asserted that Frodo became immortal when he entered the Blessed Realm, Tolkien stated in a letter that this is not true. However, Tolkien was constantly rethinking the details of his universe and was sometimes deliberately contradictory, so, who knows, maybe somewhere outside the confines of the world Frodo still lives.