Departure of the Galadhrim

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

And if the loss of Galadriel's influence weighed heavily on them, why would they not follow Celeborn (who would probably rule like Galadriel), and they tranfer over to Amon Lanc and to Thranduil's kingdom (lesser than their culture)? Yet some elves still lived in Rivendell. Did they (those of Rivendell) not feel as much loss after the departure of Elrond? Or was it because Galadriel seemed to use the full powers of her ring, Nenya, that it had some profound effect on the Galadhrim compared to those in Rivendell (Elrond uses Vilya conservatively or that he couldn't tap Vilya's full power like Galadriel can with Nenya)?

Personally, I see no reason why any of the people of Elrond would have wished to stay after the Third Age ended, unless it was due to an ideal of 'penance' of some sort. Perhaps those who remained still had a feeling of guilt for things they'd done long ago while following Fëanor. Actually, there seems to be some question as to whether or not any of them (not including the sons of Elrond) did stay behind. I know there is a quote in the Prologue which says that 'some of the High-elven folk' were still dweliing in Rivendell after Elrond left, but there's also this from The Silmarillion:

....the power of the Three Rings also was ended, and to the Firstborn the world grew old and grey. In that time the last of the Noldor set sail from the Havens and left Middle-earth for ever.

Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

I don't know which is the 'true' version, but I think there's room for debate anyway.
Regardless, I don't think you can put the Noldor and the Lórien elves in the same boat (no pun intended ).
When I said the Galdhrim likely went to Mirkwood, I was including Celeborn's East Lórien there. Once he deserted them, why wouldn't they have stayed in Mirkwood? They had kinsfolk who spoke their language, a Sindarin king, and they weren't bound to hang around in Lórien and watch it decay.

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

When I said the Galdhrim likely went to Mirkwood, I was including Celeborn's East Lórien there. Once he deserted them, why wouldn't they have stayed in Mirkwood? They had kinsfolk who spoke their language, a Sindarin king, and they weren't bound to hang around in Lórien and watch it decay.

But did not Mirkwood decay also (far more faster as it did wasn't subject to any of the Three)? Remember Haldir's words concerning the roots of the trees of Mirkwood striving against each other and their branches rotting and withering away. I just find it contradictory if they left Lórien that soon. I mean the lingering elves could have made use of Galadriel's earth in her orchard (what Sam used to grow the mallorn in the Shire) to maintain what they can of the Golden Wood. And the Mallorns! Why would they forsake it so readily? Mallorns were still there even when Arwen came to pass away. So what if Nenya and Galadriel had gone? I'm sure Lórien of the 4th age was still fairer than Mirkwood will ever be.

Miscellaneous question: The elves that beautified Ithilien... could they have been of the Galadhrim who carried some of the earth from Galadriel's orchard?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

But did not Mirkwood decay also (far more faster as it did wasn't subject to any of the Three)? Remember Haldir's words concerning the roots of the trees of Mirkwood striving against each other and their branches rotting and withering away. I just find it contradictory if they left Lórien that soon. I mean the lingering elves could have made use of Galadriel's earth in her orchard (what Sam used to grow the mallorn in the Shire) to maintain what they can of the Golden Wood. And the Mallorns! Why would they forsake it so readily? Mallorns were still there even when Arwen came to pass away. So what if Nenya and Galadriel had gone? I'm sure Lórien of the 4th age was still fairer than Mirkwood will ever be.

Those are good points, and the only real answer I can posit is that Galadriel had so become the 'heart' of Lórien in the years she had dwelt there that upon her departure what was left seemed hollow and empty, mallorns or not. If Celeborn himself saw no reason to remain in Lórien into the Fourth Age, something must have been missing.

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

Miscellaneous question: The elves that beautified Ithilien... could they have been of the Galadhrim who carried some of the earth from Galadriel's orchard?

I don't see why not. That brings to mind Legolas's words to Gimli as they strolled through Minas Tirith.

'They need more gardens,' said Legolas. 'The houses are dead, and there is too little here that grows and is glad. If Aragorn comes into his own, the people of the Wood shall bring him birds that sing and trees that do not die.'

ROTK The Last Debate

'The Wood' could mean Mirkwood, I guess, but the 'trees that do die'? That certainly has a Lórien connotation.

[mark12_30]

Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel

But did not Mirkwood decay also (far more faster as it did wasn't subject to any of the Three)? Remember Haldir's words concerning the roots of the trees of Mirkwood striving against each other and their branches rotting and withering away. I just find it contradictory if they left Lórien that soon. I mean the lingering elves could have made use of Galadriel's earth in her orchard (what Sam used to grow the mallorn in the Shire) to maintain what they can of the Golden Wood. And the Mallorns! Why would they forsake it so readily? Mallorns were still there even when Arwen came to pass away. So what if Nenya and Galadriel had gone? I'm sure Lórien of the 4th age was still fairer than Mirkwood will ever be.

Miscellaneous question: The elves that beautified Ithilien... could they have been of the Galadhrim who carried some of the earth from Galadriel's orchard?

There's Mirkwood and Mirkwood. Nearer Thranduil's palace, I doubt the trees were so ill-behaved. And Mirkwood was cleansed and became Greenwood again.

[Gorthaur the Cruel]

Originally Posted by mark12_30

There's Mirkwood and Mirkwood. Nearer Thranduil's palace, I doubt the trees were so ill-behaved. And Mirkwood was cleansed and became Greenwood again.

Sure, Mirkwood was cleansed but I doubt it was more beautiful than the Galadhrim's former abode. Maybe they too were affected by Nenya, ring of water, like Galadriel, and awoke their desires to cross the Sea. It doesn't make sense for them to adapt back into their rustic lifestyle like the elves of Mirkwood.