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Old 07-23-2012, 06:40 PM   #7
Inziladun
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Puddleglum View Post
Wasn't that also the normal pattern of the Numenoreans in their early years? Akallabeth notes that Tar-Atanamir clung to life beyond the end of all joy and states that "he was the first of the Numenoreans to do this, refusing to depart until he was witless and unmanned" I think there is more said about this elsewhere (not with my books right now) but it makes it sound like Elros and his descendants (and, apparently, all the people) were of the habit to lay down their lives of free will and "give back the gift" - up until the shadow fell on the land.
Having viewed the responses here, I found another reference to the matter by Tolkien in Letters.

Quote:
As for Frodo or other mortals, they could only dwell in Aman for a limited time - whether brief or long. The Valar had neither the power to the right to confer 'immortality' upon them. Their sojourn was a 'purgatory', but one of peace and healing and they would eventually pass away (die at their own desire and of free will) to destinations of which the Elves knew nothing.
Letter # 325

That indicates that Frodo, Bilbo, Gimli, and later, Sam, would after arrival in Aman be able to choose voluntarily to lay down their lives and die, even as the Númenóreans. So the 'weariness' felt by Aragorn would come upon them, and then they would know their time had come. Would 'clinging' to life then lead to the loss of their faculties, as happened to Tar-Atanamir?
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