[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Saurondil

The point is, that with the three later unions, we learn that important goods came of them....but I've just realised that I mistakenly thought Dior's parents were not Beren & Luthien, whereas they definitely were. Sorry about that

Okay, that's what made me wonder. He was married and had three children anyway by the time he was killed so I suppose he had played his part. The sons of Fëanor killing Elwing would've been a bigger problem, though, because it was through her that a streak of divine blood eventually passed on to the Children of Ilúvatar.

As for Thingol, he is definitely one of my favourite characters - but so are Maedhros & Maeglin (& Feanor).

See, I like villains too (points down to signature) - I've just always had a strong, inexplicable aversion to the Sindar.

But by being with Melian, Thingol was "elevated" from being an Elf (albeit one who had seen the Trees & the Valar), to being a "Mairinised" Elf. Maybe that long time with her alone was the preparation he needed for the rest of his life with her.

I've always interpreted Melian's despair at Thingol's death the way that they didn't meet again and their marriage was over, but of course there's a chance he gets a new hröa after some chilling in Mandos.
He might even have spent all of the Second Age happily in Valinor. *involuntary shudder*

If Sauron or Morgoth had come in full force against Doriath, I doubt Melian could have held them off indefinitely

True about Morgoth - but then, the fact that he didn't is quite telling because they were clearly worried about Doriath. Perhaps they knew their losses would be so heavy it wouldn't be worth the trouble. I'm not so sure about Sauron because even Lúthien (who, it can be argued, wasn't as powerful as Melian) put him down single-handedly.

Originally Posted by Belegorn

Another example of the reverse kind would be Faramir with Eowen. He was a High Man, of the Steward's House. Also in the House of the Princes at Belfast an Elf woman was supposed to have been engaged with a Numenorean ancestor named Imrazor. I'll give one more reverse example that resulted in the Kin Strife which was dreadful for Gondor in the long run, that of the hereditary King of the Southern Kingdom, Valacar, who married Vidumavi of the Northmen. When he died his son by her, Eldacar, became involved in this war in Gondor. This also resulted in the mixing of alot of the High Men with Middle Men as their numbers lessened.

This might even deserve a thread of its own, unless there already is one. Yes, the likes of Faramir and Valacar exist but they seem to be the minority.