Individual sacrifices at the end of each age

[Inziladun]

Hmm. I don't know that I would place Eärendil's sacrifice on the same level as that of Gil-galad or even Frodo. His heart was with Men, but to remain with Elwing he chose to be numbered among her race. Spending the rest of his time in Arda as an air-traveling sign of hope for the good guys doesn't really seem that bad.

As far as others go, the sacrifice of Gandalf should not be forgotten. He of course, willingly gave his physical body so that his companions could escape, and the Ring would be saved for the moment. I think he had less assurance that his sacrifice would ultimately lead to a positive end than did Gil-galad and Elendil, or Eärendil, which to me makes it more poignant.

[FerniesApple]

A lot of characters sacrificed something in LOTR, Boromir sacrificed his life for Merry and Pippin, Aragorn willingly sacrificed years of his life in the wilds to become a Ranger, Sam sacrificed his comfortable life to follow Frodo, each sacrificed something for the Greater good, as people do in war time. Those who refused to sacrifice something came to a sticky end. Denethor refused to sacrifice his pride, as did Saruman.

[Lindale]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Hmm. I don't know that I would place Eärendil's sacrifice on the same level as that of Gil-galad or even Frodo. His heart was with Men, but to remain with Elwing he chose to be numbered among her race. Spending the rest of his time in Arda as an air-traveling sign of hope for the good guys doesn't really seem that bad.

Well... there's this sad thing that Eärendil and Elwing weren't really together, despite their sacrifices. And even if Elwing had the ability to turn into a bird to greet Eärendil, all she could do was fly to him, and all he could do was watch her fly towards him, but never really land in his arms. Add this sad so-near-yet-so-far thing of the husband and wife, not to mention the fact that they would never be true parents to their children, and coupled with the original premise that in his heart he was with Men, and I think this is a noble sacrifice that shouldn't be belittled.

Frodo sacrificed his sanity, Gil-galad his life (or a huge portion of it), but Earendil (and Elwing) sacrificed their happiness as a family.