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

mark12_30 · 05-11-2004, 06:24 AM

I tend to feel the most sorry for the elves who end up imprisoned by their own brokenness and despair... forever.

Maglor, singing on the seashore; Daeron, far to the east, sitting by dark waters lamenting his loss of Luthien.

Neither of them were angels and they had plenty to regret. Living with the guilt must make it that much worse.

Rilwen Gamgee · 05-11-2004, 04:31 PM

I would say Galadriel had it the hardest. She lived a long life and much of it was sorrowful. First of all, her brother, Finrod, died. Also, if I'm not mistaken, she traveled to and from Aman and Middle-earth twice, which is not an easy trip! Next, she bore a Ring for almost all of her life, which put stress on her to keep the land she was the Lady of safe. Her daughter, Celebrían, became overcome with grief, and sailed over the Sea; another family member was gone (however they would reunite after Galadriel returned to the Undying Lands). Next, there was the dilemma of Arwen and her choice of mortality. A quote from "FotR" also describes Galadriel's tragic life:

Quote:

...a living vision of that which has already been left behind by the flowing streams of Time.

3 (or 2, not counting Celebrían) family members lost and the burden of being a Ring-bearer. Certainly not a life everyone would want.

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.

05-11-2004, 06:24 AM	#1
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	those sorry minstrels I tend to feel the most sorry for the elves who end up imprisoned by their own brokenness and despair... forever. Maglor, singing on the seashore; Daeron, far to the east, sitting by dark waters lamenting his loss of Luthien. Neither of them were angels and they had plenty to regret. Living with the guilt must make it that much worse. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

05-11-2004, 07:27 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	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	#6
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	#7
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.

05-11-2004, 05:36 PM	#3
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	#5
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.