Which Elf had it hardest?

[Son of Númenor]

Lúthien springs to my mind when I hear discussion of which of the Eldar 'had it hardest'. She was imprisoned by a few of the Sons of Feanor (a scary prospect for anyone), & even placed in solitary confinement by her own dear pop. She had to duel in some form or another with Sauron, Carcharoth & Morgoth, & managed to get out of each encounter alive. She married a Man & was tragically separated from her family & her people beyond the confines of the world. Although, granted, she did find truly love, unlike many of the prominent Elves of the First Age, the hardships she endured in the name of that love were among the greatest of any being of Middle-earth.

[Knight of Gondor]

I didn't think too much about Elrond, but when you put it that way, I suppose he would be an excellent candidate for "worst life". Then again, I forget whether or not the book backs up Cate Blanchett's quote in the movie: "To be a Ringbearer is to be alone". It makes sense, though, for Elrond.

The Elf that came to my mind was...and help me if I'm getting his name mixed up with someone else's...Beleg? The friend of Turin Turumbar, who Turin slew by accident, taking him for a foe in the dark light. Of course, Turin would be the most suffered man to mention...

[Gorwingel]

I have never thought of Elrond having such a terrible life. But, yes, that is all quite true. By the end he was basically alone, except for (I would think) the sons. But were always off in Middle-earth traveling around assisting with the conflicts surrounding the Ring. So he must have not seen them that much.

Turin though, he did not have it good. It was nice that he slayed the dragon, but having the Curse of Morgoth on him (and what happened to him after) would never have been a good thing.

But then I also think that Galadriel had quite a hard time just because of everything she had seen and been through during her very, very, very long life. Basically for her everything had gone downhill from the first time she awoke, and then of course she also shared the sorrow of being a ringbearer. And all of that can never be good.

I don't think though that Luthien exactly had the most sorrowfilled life. She got what she wanted, and had the most joyful of joys because of it. Though she did have to go through a lot to get there, and of course lose her immortality because of it.

I guess we can assume from all of this that it was pretty hard being an elf in Middle-earth

[Gothmog]

How about Gwindor? He started off as a great elven-lord, but then his brother Gelmir was caught by Morgoth and killed in front of Gwindor's eyes (just before Nirnaeth Arnoediad). Then he charged forward, the troops followed him and that unprepared attack was one of the things that led to the disaster in the battle.

He was than imprisoned and turned into a slave in Angband. He managed to escape but was now broken and completely changed, people didn't recognize him anymore. He met Turin and they went back to Nargothrond, where Finduilas, Orodreth's daughter fell in love with Turin instead of Gwindor (Finduilas and Gwindor were in love before Nirn. Arn.). The elves of Narg. listen more and more to Turin and less and less to Gwindor, who finally died at the battle of Tumladen, a battle which Turin more or less was responsible for.

From a mighty warrior and lord to a broken ex-slave who lost his love and many friends, much because of Turin. (of course it wasn't Turins intention, but that curse of his...it was bad )

[Hot, crispy nice hobbit]

Leave it to me to throw a spanner in!

If Luthien should be considered as having it hard, why not Arwen? (Note: I am extremely disgusted with PJ's version of Arwen, but I had no problem with the original Arwen as written)

Compare: Luthien escaped from a good many trials, but she was always content. She escaped from her father to party with Beren, had a good deal of fun with ol' Morgy and his guard dog, throw one over a couple of drunken sons of Feanor. But so what? She had the only thing that mattered to her, and she kept it even after death!

Arwen, on the other, is kept safe in her house under a watchful father. I don't suppose she is ever allowed out of sight either. The man that she love is send of to fight a war, with no more than a band of ragtag outlaws. To do Elrond credit, he send his own sons along, but Arwen is only allowed to stay at home to knit banners... No, she must have worried her head off. I am guessing that Elrond kept her under lock and chain to prevent history from repeating...

[Knight of Gondor]

It always seemed to me that both Elven Maidens were content to wait for their future husbands. No wait, I take it back. Arwen was rather content, poor Luthien had to go rescue her man. And Luthien just had a little life afterwards, diminishing and dancin'. Arwen got a kingdom. Of course, we're not told what sadness there was at Luthien's end, whereas we are told about Arwen.

[Elianna]

And interesting thought Hot, Crispy Hobbit.

(I just finished the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen, so it's fresh on my mind.) Aragorn, at their first meeting, jokingly asks if Elrond has kept Arwen locked in his horde. I suppose it might have seemed like that to Arwen, that she was inprisioned in the Hírilorn, but with no esape this time.