[Guinevere]

I am very fond of this beautiful, bittersweet, haunting lovestory.
And I agree with Bêthberry that they are mythic characters and belong to faerie.

Originally posted by Lalwendë:
This is also is a wonderfully subtle love story, just the kind that I prefer, without too much detail, but with the kind of detail that reveals just enough to demonstrate the love between the characters. Tolkien is able to do this - his tale of Eowyn and Faramir is also subtle, leaving plenty to the imagination which is where the best stories are constructed.

That’s my opinion, too!

One of the most touching and beautiful descriptions I ever have read is this one of Aragorn:

“His ways were hard and long, and he became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile; (……..)
Thus he became at last the most hardy of living men, skilled in their crafts and lore, and was yet more than they; for he was elven-wise, and there was a light in his eyes that when they were kindled few could endure.
His face was sad and stern because of the doom that was laid on him, and yet hope dwelt ever in the depth of his heart, from which mirth would arise at times like a spring from the rock.

This tale greatly enhances the characters of Aragorn, Elrond and – as far as possible- Arwen.
Only after reading it did I fully understand several allusions in the book itself. Eg When Strider sings about Beren and Luthien - the special meaning of this story to him; when Frodo sees Aragorn standing beside Arwen in Rivendell, and especially Aragorn's dreamy behaviour and mysterious words on Cerin Amroth.
Btw, since Esty asked this question: That would perhaps have been a possible place to bring in Aragorn's memories of his youth in Rivendell and his meeting and later betrothal to Arwen (but not the future, of course) However, this wouldn’t have worked, since the tale is, as Tolkien says “hobbito-centric” and we can never read Aragorn’s thoughts. Neither would he have told his personal memories in detail to Frodo at this point.
For me, it is perfect as it is, and I even think it’s fun to piece together the scattered informations in the appendices and joining them to what I know from the story itself. It somhow adds to the feeling of historical reality. But I feel sorry for those who don’t get the chance because they don’t have the appendices in their edition!

I must say, when I read the tale for the first time I was rather shocked that Aragorn wanted to die voluntarily, inspite of Arwen’s pleas. She had given up her immortal life for his sake, and he just left her to die alone and despairing!
I know, I know, it’s quite different to Denethor’s suicide
(To whom Gandalf says: "authority is not given to you, Steward of Gondor, to order the hour of your death.")
Aragorn has “the grace to go at my will and give back the gift”.
And he prefers leaving this world before he “withers and falls from his high seat unmanned and witless.”

Originally posted by Lalwendë
When Tolkien has Death as portrayed through Aragorn as something noble and correct, as something which makes the body even more beautiful, he seems to be telling us that it is better to bow out at the height of our powers rather than to become diminished. The hero never becomes decrepit, he remains the hero until he dies and afterwards.

Tolkien wrote in letter #212

It was also the Elvish (and uncorrupted Númenorean) view that a "good" Man would or should die voluntarily by surrender with trust before being compelled (as did Aragorn). This may have been the nature of unfallen Man; though compulsion would not threaten him: he would desire and ask to be allowed to "go on" to a higher state.

I am a bit astonished that Tolkien, as a Catholic, saw this as an ideal!
I believe indeed that many people would wish for this ability to “fall asleep” at a time and under circumstances that they could choose themselves, rather than lingering on while the infirmities and indignities of old age assail the body. Especially in our time where modern medicine creates often problematic situations where life (and suffering) are artificially prolonged. Hence the huge success of “Exit” and other “Right-to-die-Societies” !
I do wonder what Tolkien would have said to that?!

The sad thing is that Arwen wasn't "weary of her days" at that moment (didn't she age since she "became as a mortal woman"?)- yet was unable to live on after Aragorn had died and so went to die all alone. I wish they could have found a compromise and lay down hand in hand to die. ( Beren and Luthien died simultaneously the second time, if I remember rightly)
Well, that's only me being too romantic...

At least Aragorn’s last words

In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory.

speak of hope or rather “Estel”, trust in Eru.
(btw I think those beautiful words would be very suitable for an obituary!)