October 10, 2003

Definitely Not An Elf
Niphredil

Frodo_Lives, in response to your poll about what Tolkien race I would wish to be a part of, I would have to say, the Race of (Wo)Men. I would definitely not want to be an Elf. If you ask me, immortality is not all it’s cracked up to be. Take Elrond for example. He has lost his Wife and Daughter and is destined to spend eternity without them in the Undying Lands. I know the inhabitants of Eldamar are supposed to live in everlasting earthly bliss, but I don’t see how he could do that without them (I certainly couldn’t). OK, let’s say I make it to the Undying Lands with all those I hold dear with me. I suppose I could be happy for a century or two, but what exactly is ‘earthly bliss’. Is it more of the same of what Elves do in peace time in Middle Earth? Or is it tailored to suit the individual? I think there is only so much singing, story-telling, eating, laughing, being in the one place, I could stand. After a certain amount of time, I would know all the stories, have sung all the songs, have seen all the sites there is to see etc. I would need something new and different and exciting. If this is catered for by the Valar, then maybe that would make a difference. I might then reconsider.

I’m afraid I’m a bit too adventurous to be completely happy as a Hobbit (even one with a Tookish streak). Mining and being underground for long periods of time is not that appealing either (so that rules out dwarves). I’m much too impatient/hasty to be an Ent. I like to think of myself as one of the good guys, so you can rule out all those nasty Orcs etc. So I guess I’m left with the Race of Men. I think in order to appreciate your life and what you have, there must be some risk of losing it. Otherwise even the greatest ‘earthly bliss’ becomes mundane.