Departure of the Galadhrim

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

But did not Mirkwood decay also (far more faster as it did wasn't subject to any of the Three)? Remember Haldir's words concerning the roots of the trees of Mirkwood striving against each other and their branches rotting and withering away. I just find it contradictory if they left Lórien that soon. I mean the lingering elves could have made use of Galadriel's earth in her orchard (what Sam used to grow the mallorn in the Shire) to maintain what they can of the Golden Wood. And the Mallorns! Why would they forsake it so readily? Mallorns were still there even when Arwen came to pass away. So what if Nenya and Galadriel had gone? I'm sure Lórien of the 4th age was still fairer than Mirkwood will ever be.

Miscellaneous question: The elves that beautified Ithilien... could they have been of the Galadhrim who carried some of the earth from Galadriel's orchard?

There's Mirkwood and Mirkwood. Nearer Thranduil's palace, I doubt the trees were so ill-behaved. And Mirkwood was cleansed and became Greenwood again.

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

There's Mirkwood and Mirkwood. Nearer Thranduil's palace, I doubt the trees were so ill-behaved. And Mirkwood was cleansed and became Greenwood again.

Sure, Mirkwood was cleansed but I doubt it was more beautiful than the Galadhrim's former abode. Maybe they too were affected by Nenya, ring of water, like Galadriel, and awoke their desires to cross the Sea. It doesn't make sense for them to adapt back into their rustic lifestyle like the elves of Mirkwood.