A bit of confusion

[The Evenstar]

Tolkien says Elves can die in battle or of a broken heart, but are also immortal. How can this be, then? It’s a little confusing.

[MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie]

They are immortal in a sense that they will not die of old age. In other words, their bodies don't really age. They just keep on living, but that does not mean that they can't die. If an elf just stayed at home in Rivendell and never went to war and was completely safe from any sort of danger, then that elf would live forever. They are not completely immortal, just immortal of age.

[Phrim]

In addition, immortal folk are not prone to disease, or other maladies of the body. They were still subject to being slain and afflictions of the spirit.

[The Evenstar]

Hey friends!

Thanks for the info, Greatly appreciated.

[Selmo]

In Tolkien's universe, it's not Elves, but Men (including Hobbits) who are truly immortal.

Elves will exist only as long as the world exists. The spirits of Elves who are killed go to the Halls of Mandos in Amman which, although separated from Middle Earth, is still part of the physical world. When the physical world comes to an end, so do the Elves.

Men, on the other hand, are physically mortal but spiritually immortal. After death their spirits can leave the circles of the world and will continue to exist after the end of the world.

[lathspell]

Men, on the other hand, are physically mortal but spiritually immortal. After death their spirits can leave the circles of the world and will continue to exist after the end of the world.

How do you know that? It is indeed said that the spirits of Men leave Arda, but it not stated where they are truly going and I never saw a statement that they went on living.

[Mornie Alantie]

I do not agree with you that Elves will just end. Just because it is known they go to the halls doesn't mean that they will become nonexistent at the end of the world.

[Niluial]

In away I agree with Mornie Alantie. They cant just be nonexistent! Their spirits must go on!