Which Elf had it hardest? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

symestreem · 05-11-2004, 05:36 PM

What about Finwe? Sure, elf-king and all, but had his first wife die, saw his sons not get along, voluntarily went into exile, and was slain by Morgoth.

mark12_30 · 05-11-2004, 07:27 PM

Okay, Finwe had it rough and then he died. But when elves die, it gets lots better for them; generally speaking, they get re-incarnated in Elvenhome. Not bad.

And although Galadriel was long-lived, and faced many challenges, still, she ended up in Valinor, with kin, forgiven and loved. Celebrian was waiting there for her. She would miss Arwen, doubltless, but here would be others to cheer her, and the beauty of Valinor to enjoy.

On the other hand:

Maglor had a long life, reaching back to the Two Trees. The early part of it was marred by all-out war. The climax of his life was agony, loss, and madness. All his brothers (and father) are dead and gone-- presumably, in Mandos' halls. Maglor is not with them; he's on the beach in Middle-Earth; he had a silmaril in his hand, and couldn't hold it. And he's been wandering alone on those beaches ever since, singing. No Valinor for him!

Daeron betrayed Luthien Tinuviel. How do you EVER live that down? He went East, and it is said he spends his time singing by dark waters lamenting his lost love-- andknowing it's his own doggone fault. Presumeably he is there still. No Valinor for him either!

Ugh! I'd rather die and go to Mandos, and have company and the chance to be reborn!

05-11-2004, 07:41 PM

I would say Celebrian, just because. (On a lighter note, wouldn't it be hard living with a mother who knew your thoughts?) But how would you like to be tortured by orcs, have to be rescued by your sons, and never be able to live in peace with your family in Middle-Earth again? Not to mention never see your daughter...ever. I just think she had it pretty rough.

mark12_30 · 05-11-2004, 07:44 PM

True, I've often shuddered at the thought--being captured and tortured by orcs. Ugh.

Welcome to the Downs, by the way. There is a thread in Novices And Newcomers called "Introduce yourselves here" if you would like to say a general Hello.

Mad Baggins · 05-11-2004, 08:23 PM

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the crossing of the Helcaraxe; because of that I would have to say Galadriel.

Lhunardawen · 05-11-2004, 09:18 PM

All of Feanor's sons had it rough. It must have been terrible pressure on them, having to fulfill their dreadful oath. Many times they thought life has been better, and then the oath would again awaken in their hearts. The oath would continually haunt them, leading to their deaths and the deaths of others.

Elianna · 05-12-2004, 03:13 PM

Mad Baggins : You'd say Galadriel because of the crossing of the Helcaraxe? Why not say Elenwë (wasn't that her name? Turgon's wife), who died in the crossing?

05-11-2004, 07:27 PM	#2
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Okay, Finwe had it rough and then he died. But when elves die, it gets lots better for them; generally speaking, they get re-incarnated in Elvenhome. Not bad. And although Galadriel was long-lived, and faced many challenges, still, she ended up in Valinor, with kin, forgiven and loved. Celebrian was waiting there for her. She would miss Arwen, doubltless, but here would be others to cheer her, and the beauty of Valinor to enjoy. On the other hand: Maglor had a long life, reaching back to the Two Trees. The early part of it was marred by all-out war. The climax of his life was agony, loss, and madness. All his brothers (and father) are dead and gone-- presumably, in Mandos' halls. Maglor is not with them; he's on the beach in Middle-Earth; he had a silmaril in his hand, and couldn't hold it. And he's been wandering alone on those beaches ever since, singing. No Valinor for him! Daeron betrayed Luthien Tinuviel. How do you EVER live that down? He went East, and it is said he spends his time singing by dark waters lamenting his lost love-- andknowing it's his own doggone fault. Presumeably he is there still. No Valinor for him either! Ugh! I'd rather die and go to Mandos, and have company and the chance to be reborn! __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

05-11-2004, 07:44 PM	#4
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	True, I've often shuddered at the thought--being captured and tortured by orcs. Ugh. Welcome to the Downs, by the way. There is a thread in Novices And Newcomers called "Introduce yourselves here" if you would like to say a general Hello. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

05-11-2004, 08:23 PM	#5
Mad Baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: A place where after thunder golden showers come falling like a rain of flowers. Posts: 371	I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the crossing of the Helcaraxe; because of that I would have to say Galadriel. __________________ I like buying snacks from a vending machine because food is better when it falls. Sometimes at the grocery, I'll drop a candy bar so that it will achieve its maximum flavor potential.

05-12-2004, 03:13 PM	#7
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Mad Baggins : You'd say Galadriel because of the crossing of the Helcaraxe? Why not say Elenwë (wasn't that her name? Turgon's wife), who died in the crossing? __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

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05-11-2004, 05:36 PM	#1
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	What about Finwe? Sure, elf-king and all, but had his first wife die, saw his sons not get along, voluntarily went into exile, and was slain by Morgoth.

05-11-2004, 07:41 PM	#3
Lothiriel94 Guest Posts: n/a	I would say Celebrian, just because. (On a lighter note, wouldn't it be hard living with a mother who knew your thoughts?) But how would you like to be tortured by orcs, have to be rescued by your sons, and never be able to live in peace with your family in Middle-Earth again? Not to mention never see your daughter...ever. I just think she had it pretty rough.

05-11-2004, 09:18 PM	#6
Lhunardawen Hauntress of the Havens Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IN it, but not OF it Posts: 2,538	All of Feanor's sons had it rough. It must have been terrible pressure on them, having to fulfill their dreadful oath. Many times they thought life has been better, and then the oath would again awaken in their hearts. The oath would continually haunt them, leading to their deaths and the deaths of others.