Quote:
Otherwise I can't see why Bilbo and Sam were permitted to go as well, for I don't know anybody else who made the same choice as Arwen in that time, so no one should be able to give their places to them.
|
I do believe that such gifts are not measured in numbers, meaning there is no necessity to exchange places one to one, so Arwen's one ticket would be exchanged for two tickets for Frodo and Bilbo. Anyways permission of the Valar was to be obtained, but that does not eliminate symbolism and meaning of Arwen's gift. For Valar like ceremonies and rituals as far as I can guess, so willing 'middlewomanhood' (if I am permitted to coin such a word) of Arwen's was as a necessary starting point to grant Ring-Bearers' desire to pass into the West
cf how Gimli (supposedly, for it is not stated directly) goes to Aman:
Quote:
We have heard tell that Legolas took Gimli Glóin's son with him because of their great friendship, greater than any that has been between Elf and Dwarf. If this is true, then it is strange indeed: that a Dwarf should be willing to leave Middle-earth for any love, or that the Eldar should receive him, or that the Lords of the West should permit it. But it is said that Gimli went also out of desire to see again the beauty of Galadriel; and it may be that she, being mighty among the Eldar, obtained this grace for him. More cannot be said of this matter
|
Three mandatory requirements - Eldar should be willing to receive a mortal, Valar should permit it, and some intermediary of 'political weight and power" should obtain such a permit
I reckon same principle is at work with Bilbo and Frodo, and grace, though deserved, is obtained via Arwen's parting gift
cf also:
"I take it as a wergild for my father and brother" of Isildur's. Some ground for claim is always needed, and Bearers claim to pass into the West is thus supported by Arwen's gift, as was said above already.
As for Sam, there is also no direct statement of his leaving ME:
Quote:
1482 Death of Mistress Rose, wife of Master Samwise, on Mid-year's Day. On September 22 Master Sam-wise rides out from Bag End. He comes to the Tower Hills, and is last seen by Elanor, to whom he gives the Red Book afterwards kept by the Fairbairns. Among them the tradition is handed down from Elanor that Samwise passed the Towers, and went to the Grey Havens. and passed over Sea, last of the Ring-bearers.
|
Mere tradition of Fairbairns, no more (though mo less)