December 6, 2003

Half-elven Questions
Eonwe

OK, these are the questions I've wanted to put to some Tolkien fans for a long time. This forum seems perfect. And they will allow you to get your Tolkien fix for the day without being reminded of the films or how much you want to see The Return of the King. Oops. There are a couple different issues, but all have to do with the Half-elven, people who descend from both Elves and Men. I would LOVE to hear some replies.

1) Does anyone else find it odd that Elros' decision to be a Man also holds for all his descendants but that Elrond's children are free to choose for themselves whether to belong to Men or Elves? In all other respects, Elros and Elrond are presented symmetrically. They are brothers, face the same decision, and simply choose differently. One becomes a lord of Men, the other a lord of Elves. But the effect on their children is very different. Along these same lines ...

2) What about Elrohir and Elladan, the sons of Elrond? I believe it says that Elrond's children can postpone their choice between Manhood and Elfhood (mortality and immortality) until Elrond departs from the Grey Havens. Then each has to decide to depart with him and become an Elf, or to remain in Middle-earth and become a Man. Is that correct? It fits with how Arwen's decision is presented in LotR. Now I'm pretty sure mention is made of her brothers still dwelling in Rivendell into the Fourth Age, after Elrond leaves (eg. at the very end of the LotR prologue). That would mean they are mortal. But if that's true, it should be a big deal and it's never treated that way! A huge deal is made of how emotional Arwen's choice is for Elrond since they will be separated forever (an angle being played up in the films), but he doesn't seem too bothered about the prospect of never seeing his sons again.

3) OK, last one. Tolkien is usually very clear on the fate of Half-elven characters in his stories, whether they become Men or Elves or are given a choice. I was wondering if it is ever said clearly to which race Dior and his two sons Elured and Elurin belong? All three are killed when the sons of Feanor attack Doriath. Dior's daughter Elwing escapes with the Silmaril. On the one hand, Dior, as the son of mortals Beren and Luthien, seems to be a Man. But he lives a very Elvish life. He marries the Elf Nimloth (interracial marriages are always a big deal in Tolkien, but not this marriage) and rules the Elf kingdom of Doriath. Further muddying things up, his daughter Elwing, the sister of Elured and Elurin, is granted the grace to choose her fate.

All right, I'm done with the questions. Let's hear some answers or guesses or whatever!

Eonwe