What we must keep in mind is the 'High Elves' changephobia, as exemplified by Galadriel, is unnatural and due to their stay in 'timeless' Aman. Which is btw as unnatural an enviroment for them as it is for Men, (though the harm is less immediate and obvious).
The Professor in his letters says that one of the less worthy reasons the Exiles like Middle Earth because there they're at the top of the tree instead of at the foot as in Aman. But they dread 'fading' and ultimately giving way to Men and some of them, (Galadriel and Celebrimbor most notably) tried to slow or halt the rate of change, not caring what such intereference might do to the development of Middle Earth. Or maybe thinking their judgment was better than Eru's!
Elves born in ME, such as Elrond and Gil-Galad, though no more thrilled about 'fading' than anybody else were resigned to accepting the inevitable. 'Fading' is the fate Eru designed for the Elves, as their age gave way to the age of Men. We must therefore assume it is not a bad thing, whatever the Elves may think, and trying to prevent or resist it is as impious and unwise as Mortal Men's attempt to escape their Gift.
Fading may indeed prove to be preferable to endless eons in Aman, Tolkien does say even the Powers will come to envy the Gift of Men.
[ June 13, 2003: Message edited by: Morwen Tindomerel ]
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