Well she didn't defeat them persay, but she realy showed them up. She and Beren One-Hand succeded is stealing a silmaril off of the Morgoths iron crown. Beren unfortunatley was killed shortly after. There souls met in mandos however, and she given the choice. I agree with Legolas, only the direct family of Earendill and his sons had the choice of immortality, since they weren't truly elven. Elrond was actually, 9/16 Elven, 6/16 Human, and 1/16 Maia. I actually calculated it, i'm such a geek.
As to elves leaving middle-earth; they are leaving because all that they know and love is fading away. It was only through the three elven rings that some of middle-earth's old beauty was preserved and after the One ring was destroyed there was really nothign left for them. This is one of the reasons why the gift of death to men is actually a gift and not a curse as some of the Numenorian's belived. The elves have grown weary and sorrowfull because their long lives give them more grief then joy. All that they oncee knew and oved is passing or has already passed away. At least in the west they can find some of what they have lost. So to sum up an elf could stay behind if he wanted, but he wouldn't enjoy it very much.
[ December 09, 2002: Message edited by: Túroch ]
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For the valour of the Edain the Elves shall ever remember as the ages lengthen, marvelling that they gave life so freely of which thay had on earth so little. But it is not for thy valour only that I send thee, but to bring into the world a hope beyond thy sight, and a light that shall pierce the darkness." Ulmo - Lord of waters
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