Why did Arwen do that??

[The Saucepan Man]

I must say that I tend to agree with Squatter on this one:

Arwen did indeed have children, and although they had all long since come of age by the time Aragorn died, it does seem rather dismissive of them simply to disappear to fading Lothlórien and lie down to die

I find it difficult to understand why Arwen would not wish to spend what time she could with her children, notwithstanding that they were grown to adulthood.

Bêthberry said:

To expect her to stay and provide counsel to her children would be, I think, to demand that she continue to play a role of mother years after her child are responsible adults.

But, even though it was no longer necessary for her to provide guidance to her children, it seems strange to me that her maternal love for them would not outweigh any desire that she might have to depart Middle-earth on the death of Aragorn. It is not a question of denying her a choice in the matter. It just seems to me that her choice would more naturally be to remain with her children out of love for them.

I have the same difficulty with Sam's decision to join Frodo in the Undying Lands. However strong the bond between Sam and Frodo (and it certainly was very strong), I would have thought that his bond with his children would be greater.

Back to Arwen, though. One thought does occur to me. Although she chose mortality, my understanding is she was nevertheless blessed with great longetivity and was likely thereore to have outlived her children (and possibly her grandchildren and more), had she chosen to remain. Perhaps, having already grieved for the death of Aragorn, she could not face further grief on the deaths of her children.

[ September 03, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]