What were your reactions to Elrond's news?
Very interesting.
Did you feel that this was an unnecessary bit of drama?
Well, it's better than having her just sit around weaving a banner.
*yawn*
Arwen tied to the fate of the Ring?
Well, yes. It was decided by the Valar that she would stay by Elrond's
side as an Elf, or part from him and suffer the Doom of Men. Since she chose
Aragorn – and the Doom of Men- she's now part of the World of Men. And
all the bad guys have been intoning that when the Enemy gets the ring, the
World of Men Shall Fall. Seems pretty obvious.
All of Middle Earth is tied to the fate of the Ring in some way... What
makes Arwen so special?
Well, she's not. Her fate seems to be exactly the same as that of
Gilraen, who dies because she's weakened by the coming Darkness. And then
there's the Elves themselves, who have to leave when they suffer a certain
level of chronic exposure to Melkor's Taint. Indeed, in the first such
case, cited in Morgoth's Ring, the Valar come to the consensus that Míriel
Serindë's death was "unnatural" and ultimately due to Melkor's Taint on
Arda. (Also note that "Serindë" means "needlewoman", which Arwen is
too!) So really, "Arwen is dying" has clear and solid roots in the
Legendarium.
********************************************************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”
