Only one lineage?

[Legolas]

Yes, obviously.

If your logic was true, Morwen, then Elrond and Elros would not have received the choice for they were the children of two half-elven and would have mortal blood.

Thus, instead of Elrond and Elros dying as mortals, they had the choice to have their fundamental fate as they would without Manwe's grant (mortality) or to remain with their parents.

Legolas: the Gift of Men is from Eru Himself and not to be lightly interfered with, certainly not for sentimental reasons. Your theory is possible but to me unconvincing. Like I said, let's agree to disagree.

The Gift of Men was changed for Luthien and Beren SOLELY for 'sentimental' reasons. Love, whether it lies between husband and wife or parent and children, is very important in Tolkien's world, and obviously so in this matter, as Earendil chose immortality for Elwing's sake, Luthien chose mortality to be with Beren, Arwen chose mortality to be with Aragorn (and the grief at parting with her father is also emphasized). All these decisions were based primarily (even totally) on 'sentimental' reasons. It is obvious that this was part of Tolkien's thoughts behind his decisions.

Your theory is possible but to me unconvincing.

Again, if Tolkien's own motivations and decisions about his world aren't acceptable to you, I'm not sure why you taken such interest in the topic. Whether you think they are good reasons or not is another story, but I'm simply presenting to you how his world was.

[ March 31, 2003: Message edited by: Legolas ]