The Life and Death of Arwen | Tolkien Explained

Arwen's story is one of both incredible joy, and overwhelming sadness. While she would live many long years with those she loved, she would one day face the bitterness of mortality.
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evening in rivendell - anotherstranger_me
Arwen and Celebrian - steamey
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The First Meeting of Aragorn and Arwen - Anke Eissmann
Rivendell - Alan Lee
Torment of Celebrian - Liiga Klavina
The Rescue of Celebrian - Peter Xavier Price
Elrond and Celebrian - kuliszu
The Shores of Valinor - Ted Nasmith
Lothlorien - Sara Morello
Elrond and Estel - kuliszu
Tinuviel Reborn - Ted Nasmith
Beren and Luthien - Sara Morello
Aragorn - kuliszu
Aragorn on a mission - Kip Rasmussen
Evenstar - Aragorn and Arwen - Aronja Art
The oath of Finrod and Barahir - Anke Eißmann
The Hall of Fire - Anke Eißmann
Arwen - Jerry Vanderstelt
Arwen - Elrodimus Flash
arwen details - Sara Morello
Arwen - Jenny Dolfen
arwen - Soni Bohemian Weasel
Elessar (Elfstone) - John_Howe
Galadriel - alystraea
Elessar - Brothers Hildebrandt
The Shadow of Sauron - Ted Nasmith
Aragorn son of Arathorn - Elrodimus Flash
the death of arwen - alystraea
arwen - kuliszu
Aragorn and King of the Dead - Jerry Vanderstelt
Thus_Came_Aragorn - Ted Nasmith
the_crowning_of_elessar - tolmancotton
Midsummer's Eve - Peter_Xavier_Price
Arwen and Aragorn - Catherine Karina Chmiel
Grey Havens - Alan_Lee
frodo cold version - bembiann
Arwen's gift - Anke_Eißmann
Lord of Rivendell - Abe Papakhian
Elrond and Arwen - Soni Alcorn-Hender
elrond and Arwen, farewell - anotherstranger_me
Queen Arwen - Elrodimus Flash
aragorn & arwen - Soni Alcorn-Hender
Aragorn’s Funeral - Unknown
Death of Aragorn
King Aragorn - Steve Airola
aragorn - Alcorn-Hender
Old Aragorn - WETA
Arwen undomiel - aegeri
Arwen in Rivendell - anotherstranger_me
Passing of Arwen - Jenny Dolfen
Lothlorien - matejcadil
arwen and aragorn, the youth - Sara Morello
#arwen #lordoftherings #tolkien

[@NerdoftheRings]

Join me on Tuesday for an interview with composer Bear McCreary (The Rings of Power, God of War: Ragnarok)! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4CzlH9_lJmdndk

[@darklancer59]

Side note, eldronds daughter marries a man of his brothers lineage. Fun thing to think about

[@helmann9265]

So the arwen in the lst Elf That still during the 4 age💔

[@LordOfTheLore123]

Aragorn: i mistook you for luthien herself! I thought i had fallen into a dream Arwen: yeah, i hear that alot.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Beren's ghost: Good one, boy! He got his charms from me, Luthien!

[@MarvinT0606]

@@valentinkambushev4968 Luthien's ghost: oh no girl, play it right this time. Let *HIM* do all of the dirty work before you seal the deal

[@valentinkambushev4968]

@@MarvinT0606 Beren's ghost: Hey, I did important stuff too!

[@MarvinT0606]

@@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 for real though, Luthien did a lot of work to get Beren out of trouble, all because of a dumb wager from her father

[@Tupibrazuka]

😂😂👏👏👏👏

[@BrettWMcCoy]

My wife is quite a bit younger than I am (over a decade) and she has lamented several times about me dying first. The scene in the movies where Arwen stands over Aragorn after his death tears her up pretty badly and she worries it's going to be the same for her. My first thought when she told me this was "Wow, did she just compare me to Aragorn?"

[@brego129]

My wife and I share a similar age difference. I am the younger one though.

[@gondolin999]

priorities in perfect place 👌

[@Lyle-xc9pg]

Thats not good

[@unnamedshadow1866]

You got a keeper then.

[@Crimsy3000]

🤣🤣🤣She’s crying and your first take is ego boost being compared to Aragorn! Men… Seriously tho she sounds like good ride or die 👍

[@tracybrennan4194]

Something I never see mentioned: Elrond (and Arwen) are more than half-elven. They are the direct lineage of Melian, a Maia. The line of Elrond and Elros (which also includes Aragorn) are of the races of elves, man, AND Maia. No other lineage can claim that.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

Melian is a great character! I always liked her!

[@Mandragara]

@@Eowyn3Pride Imagine being present at the creation of the world but also horny

[@jentree2013]

Thanx for the Melian shoutout; I ❤️ her too :)

[@thegarlicedragon3952]

So Aragorn and Arwen are related?

[@tracybrennan4194]

@@thegarlicedragon3952 Distant cousins.

[@colinleat8309]

Arwen's passing always makes me cry. It's bloody depressing. 😔

[@tuorofgondolin8235]

Yes, but we should take Aragorn's final words to heart and know that they were reunited in death. However, her separation from her father is, IMO, pretty hard to deal with.

[@kramhorse]

@@tuorofgondolin8235 the choice to be parted potentially for eternity from either her love or her family is pretty heart wrenching

[@datheoryof]

I felt nothing. Her choice was selfish & lustrous. Anyone who respects their bloodline would have never done that. No pride ? No elf dong to enjoy ? She was a dumba**

[@jeremiahvires7864]

It's bittersweet. Just like real life love.

[@elessartelcontar9415]

Nah, she was miserable living without Aragorn. Her death ended her misery.

[@KickYouInTheThroat]

"And two daughter for whom we are not given names" Meanwhile in the rest of the book everyone has like 3 different names or ya know maybe 27 if you are Gandalf.

[@unknowing5818]

maybe they are the main antagonist of the sequel titled the new shadow xD

[@crazy4orlando2]

I think because Tolkien was going to write a follow up book about their son but it didn't work out. He tried but with the magic gone from middle earth he didn't like the direction the book would inevitably go and didn't finsih it.

[@12classics39]

They probably named their eldest daughter after Lúthien, in honor of Arwen making the same choice she made. We are only told that they had daughterS, which means at least two. They might’ve had more than two. My personal headcanon is they had three, and named the younger two (twins) after their respective mothers, Celebrían and Gilraen.

[@weaverofbrokenthreads]

You, Sir, have one of the best storytelling voices on KZbin! Always love listening

[@jaysgamingcorner8539]

Yup

[@woodworkingphoto8083]

Only Morgan Freeman narrates better 😂

[@entropicity]

At least until he starts saying "TomDaBombadil19..." 🤣

[@lynnerose7891]

So true.

[@woodworkingphoto8083]

@@entropicity hahahaha that winds my girlfriend up

[@MrMont-ue8kh]

Don't forget that Aragorn's gift of the ring of Barahir to Arwen means that Arwen is receiving the ring of her Great-Uncle Finrod, Galadriel's brother. It was Finrod who gave it to Barahir in thanks for saving his life, and whose son Beren redeemed the favor which directly led to Finrod's death. What a tangled web!

[@xenosmoke8915]

Rewatched the trilogy again recently. Liv’s first appearance was insane. She just leaves you physically stunned.

[@taralohman6492]

Lots of makeup and filters.

[@KuK137]

@@taralohman6492 Hey, genius, you are aware that filters are a thing NOW, but were not 22 years ago when the movie was made, right? Kids these days...

[@audreydimmel6674]

Liv is so beautiful. I'm not convinced she isn't actually a goddess.

[@mightymulatto3000]

Her diverse admixture makes her uniquely stunning. Her ancestry includes Italian, Polish, German, English and African-American.

[@GordonHouston-Smith]

Liv Tyler has one fault, she's perfect. It's the only thing wrong with her.🥰🥰🥰

[@captainvalourous6668]

Knowing on how she died I cant help but to wonder on how it must be gut wretching for her son Eldarion and his sisters after losing both their parents in just 1 year. 😔

[@VibingMeike]

I hope someone took great care of them

[@deboraballes9044]

@@VibingMeike They were probably in their 80s or so🤔

[@brandtbollers3183]

I Wonder if She gave Her Son the King the Ring of Baraher?Or was it Lost When She Died?

[@captainvalourous6668]

@@brandtbollers3183 In my headcanon on the day when Arwen is about to leave she probably gave it to Eldarion before saying goodbye to her children.

[@kp4911]

It happens to many people, especially if their parents have been married a long time. Generally, the spouse doesn't last a year after one has died. My father didn't make it two years after my mother died.

[@Stettafire]

Fun fact. The name Arwen is based on the Welsh Annwen. The Annwen in Welsh mythology was the "otherworld" basically the afterlife

[@Paslayas]

😮

[@mon_moi]

I read somewhere that in the Sindarin language, the word 'west' is 'anudin' which Tolkien took from the Welsh Annwn. And we see that the West in Middle Earth is very special to the elves because it basically is the afterlife for them

[@airmanfair]

Good fun fact, do you happen to know why Tokien was obsessed with the Welsh? It comes across in other areas as well.

[@jonathanredacted3245]

I know this should be standard, but I like how tolkein makes sure aragorn didn't grow up around arwen

[@12classics39]

Exactly! It makes the age difference much less weird, and also removes any sense of incest, as he did not grow up knowing about her and thus their relationship is not at all that of “foster-siblings,” even though her dad helped raise him.

[@moonfire41]

Arwen was always one of my favorite characters, such a bittersweet story of the true power of love and sacrifice.

[@istari0]

The tale of Aragorn and Arwen and the one of Beren and Lúthien have many parallels but the one thing we are missing is we really don't know much about Arwen and what she was good at. I wish we knew more.

[@glenbe4026]

I like Tolkien, and i like his writing. I just wish he developed his female characters a bit more. Arwen is one example, but so is Arwen's daughters. We get her son's name but her daughter's do not even get a name.

[@istari0]

@@glenbe4026 If you haven't read the tale of Beren and Lúthien, I think you would enjoy that.

[@tomatosoup1304]

I agree. That's probably one of the main reason why I prefer her film introduction scene over the book one, it establishes her character a lot better

[@condelevante4]

I like the film intro of Arwen but I also adore the way Tolkien explains the fire room scene at Rivendell where Frodo beholds Arwen - as one of the few mortals to do so. And the way she sends him a piercing gaze. It tells so much. She was a quiet but very involved presence in the affairs. She was an inspiration to both Frodo and Aragorn Fun fact. In one of his last letters Tolkien corrected someone by saying that Arwen was not an elf but a half elf. I think that point was not was not carried very well in the films.

[@12classics39]

@@condelevante4and Arwen is the one who enables Frodo to sail West and heal, because she gives him her place on the ship. That’s crucial.

[@Kibenwa]

Gosh, how sad and alone she must've felt in her last days. To have suffered such loss, known such love. A life well lived.

[@XeonAlpha]

The scene in the Two Towers movie when Elrond tells the story of Arwen’s future, quoted heavily from this, is beautiful and heartbreaking. Howard Shore did an *incredible* job with his score, and I still tear up every time I see it. Until this video I didn’t realize so much of it was taken verbatim from the books. 😮

[@PhoenixPhire22]

Yeah I remember when the movies came out, I had just read the books and I was like all this Arwen stuff wasn’t in the books.. but I still thought it was so beautiful... I eventually decided to read the appendices in Return of the King which was mostly lore and history tidbits and stuff about the languages. I found the story of Aragorn and Arwen and I was like wow, they pretty much word for word copied that whole part.

[@philippalinton5850]

I find Film Elrond pretty manipulative in this scene though. I dislike him asking her to put her love for him before her love for Aragorn ... what reasonable father would ask that of their daughter? One of those non-canon moments that just don't work for me. The scene where she is standing by Aragorn's tomb however is pitch-perfect though ... so haunting and sad.

[@XeonAlpha]

@@philippalinton5850 I agree with you to a point, but remember Elrond is half human and was given the choice between taking a mortal life and the “gift of death” or the eternal life afforded the elves. His brother chose a mortal life and I think he still disagrees with this. He doesn’t want to see his daughter take that same road. Not to mention Elrond is still _incredibly_ bitter about Isildur and thinks men are sad and weak. Is it deceptive and self-serving that he tells her this story, but not about his vision of a child…totally. However, he is not entirely wrong, by choosing to stay with Aragorn she will forsake her immortal life. On top of that it’s an entirely unclear as to what happens when she dies. Elves that are killed return to Valinor, but the fate of men and mortals is a question without an answer. Personally, I see this as a father, a father who has lived for thousands of years, fearful of his daughter’s fate. I think any father would likely do the same… I mean, really, what parent _wouldn’t_ use devious means if they thought that was best for their child. I disagree with his decision, but I can understand it.

[@harringt100]

@@XeonAlpha I guess that all makes sense, but the way the film portrays it Elrond comes off as selfish and meddlesome, whereas the story in the appendices really doesn't give you that impression. He of course has big reservations when Aragorn initially falls for Arwen, but she makes her own decision on meeting him again in Lorien and Elrond accepts it. (At least conditionally, having told Aragorn he must successfully claim the throne of Gondor and Arnor. But that condition was always understood by all three and there wasn't any sneaking around, trying to send Arwen off to Valinor without telling Aragorn or the "Arwen is dying," nonsense.) Of course, the film also kind of gives you the impression that Aragorn waffles back and forth about "Do I _want_ to be king? Maybe, maybe not." Which Idk, maybe Peter Jackson thought the story needed more suspense, but I didn't really think it made for a very good characterization.

[@bartosh22]

I have got a tattoo of evenstar on my middle finger. Im a man, but since i was kid I felt weird connection with Arwen. Very important character to me. Life is bittersweet , sometime too literally . Thank You for your beautiful work. Im very grateful.

[@hoo7797]

Honestly I tore up listening to the narration of Arwen and Aragorn's last conversation, especially at Arwen's comment on how she no longer sees mortal death as an amazing gift and comes to pity the Númenóreans. This, and the moments when the Elves and Ainur (particularly Melian with Lúthien, and Elrond with Arwen) mourn the eventual, permanent loss of their mortal loved ones, I think perfectly showcases just how deplorable and disgusting Sauron's corruption of Númenor was, given that he preyed on their fear of death to turn them to evil.

[@tuorofgondolin8235]

They were already falling to Evil. Sauron just quickened and deepened it. All you need to do is see how their relations to the Men of Middle-earth changed over the years, from wise helpers and friends at the beginning, to slavers who willfully cut down huge swaths of forest and built great ships for acquiring treasure and other resources. They were doing that well before the capture of Sauron.

[@audreydimmel6674]

I never thought about Sauron like that. Whoa, that makes me so angry.

[@iloveplumpgrannies174]

Instead of placing the blame on Sauron why not blame the creator himself?

[@marcognudi664]

Wow... The end gave me chills Really profound

[@1996pola]

She is my favorite character from Tolkien Beautiful, patient, wise, faithful, brave, selfless, determinated

[@F0R35T3R]

Yes, she and Galadriel are Tolkien’s representation of the true strength of femininity.

[@colleenross8752]

​@@F0R35T3REowyn too

[@SuperDaveP270]

It is funny how I actually enjoy listening to you list your patreons, all the cool and funny or bizarre names that suddenly ends with "...and Debbie." I do not know why I enjoy that so much, but I laugh every time.

[@catdragon2584]

“MA-LI-BU BAR-BIE!”

[@eimanb3887]

Arwen is definitely my favorite female character in the series, and seeing her die is probably one of the most heartbreaking things in the series.

[@midimusicforever]

History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. So also in Tolkien's writings.

[@davidgoldsworthy1640]

My childhood crush! Finally.

[@JohnSmith-wr7lg]

Can’t wait for Amazon to make her a flaming SJW.

[@NolanDraconis]

Woah slow down there David Goldsworthy, she is around 2800 years old.

[@obdulio1]

X2

[@audreydimmel6674]

@@Aurora-qn2dx As a girl lemme just say that for me, it wasn't Frodo or Legolas. To this day I am proud of myself and my taste to say that Aragorn is one of just a few men that my asexual/arospec(?) ass has ever loved. I read The Lord of the Rings as a preteen, and all my newly-developing hormones zeroed in on that man and he has been ruining my life for almost a decade now. 🤣

[@Fan_Made_Videos]

It seems that even though Arwen became Mortal her body maintained a slower sojourn to old age that outlasted Aragorn's own life.

[@12classics39]

I think since she was biologically mostly Elf, and only 1/16 human, it was impossible for her body to physically age and wrinkle.

[@nathaniellong4281]

Arwen taking on the Nazgul in the Fellowship of the Ring movie, while not actual canon, is still epic. "If you want him," draws sword, "come and claim him!"

[@philippalinton5850]

I don't mind Arwen replacing Glorfindel. It was a pretty good way to introduce her to the audience. But that line makes me cringe. I also dislike how the film version of the Ford of Bruinen takes away Frodo's agency, reducing him to a dying duck. But then the films do that to Frodo pretty much all the way through.

[@tuorofgondolin8235]

@@philippalinton5850 It's one of the many reasons why I detest Jackson's rendition of LotR. :(

[@philippalinton5850]

@@tuorofgondolin8235 well, there are many things that are done really well in the films. So I don't detest them overall. But they should have been better - and they would have been, had PJ been more faithful to some of the book characterisations.

[@JamesNYCGuy3]

Liv Tyler was PERFECT for this role. I love how the artist drawing them as the movies' ages.

[@tuorofgondolin8235]

@@philippalinton5850 Well, that's fine. People like what they like. I would never tell anyone that they *shouldn't* like the movies, only that *I* don't like them.

[@melaniea8239]

Imagine being Elrond and thus losing another loved one, and again forever, like his brother Elros. This must habe hurt so much. When I was younger I was always angry at Elrond (films) that he was so against the union, but considering all I have learned afterwards… That scene of their parting, if anyone would ever do that, would be oscar worthy.

[@basilforth]

Indeed, Elrond has seen much.

[@KuK137]

Though he was kinda selfish considering he had her for what, 2500 years? And I like how Tolkien thinks choosing your race is something you can do by flipping a switch after not being able to decide for two millennia. Also, Arwen becoming human is kinda shitty and makes no sense, considering she could love him and have his kids as an elf, giving said kids option of immortality too - but nooo, she decided to become mortal and throw it all away for the sake of, I dunno, growing old, weak, and dying right after your husband (instead, of, I don't know, help and guide her kids with all these millennia of wisdom) like a good slave and extension of her husband, not a person in her own right...

[@andrewralte4844]

@@KuK137 Elves are immortal but bound to earth or the realm of elves. Men/mortals had the gift of death and go somewhere beyond the realms of the earth.

[@harringt100]

@@KuK137 There was a big difference between Arwen's situation and Earendil's and Elwing's (and Elrond's and Elros's by proxy) situation. The Valar were directly involved in the first case--because Earendil asked them to involve themselves in the fight against Morgoth, at great personal risk and for the sake of others. They gave him and his family a choice. The end of the Third Age was such a different time. The Elves were supposed to be leaving Middle Earth, returning to Valinor and allowing Men to come into their dominion. Elrond's children had to sail to Valinor, like him, or they would become mortal. That was the nature of Arwen's choice, and staying with Aragorn settled it.

[@nappa1413]

@@KuK137 You need to think twice before beliving immortality is a gift, she WANTED to become mortal and no it wasnt selfish her "kids" were grown ass adults when she died,did you also expected for her to be immortal and see everyone around her in gondor die(even if her kids were immortal its way different from her life at rivendell to see everyone you know die)? also your whole comment screams" i dont know anything about lotr and what it represents"

[@jamesfry8983]

I shed a single tear the first time I read of this as a young teen

[@bradleyc328]

He couldn’t help but write about the bitterness of mortality. Even letting us experience it through the eyes of an elf. I like how Tolkien calls it a gift, but all the true qualities of mortality remain in this world.

[@veramae4098]

The gift is that there's something beyond death. The elves have no hope of that. When they die, in battle or however, they are gone forever.

[@pamelaevans-schink8707]

Actually, they usually resurrect. Their spirits spend time in the halls of Mandos and eventually are given a new body, identical to their former one. Most are never permitted to leave the undying lands and return to M.E. after resurrection, but there have been a few exceptions the Valar have allowed.

[@pamelaevans-schink8707]

Their spirits are bound to Arda until the remaking of the World.

[@KuK137]

Except that was not a 'gift'. Tolkien was just trying to square the circle, make sense of idiotic fundie stone age delusions made up by bored goat herders in Palestine indoctrinated into him when he was little. There is no way any good deity would think aging/death is a good thing and trying to invent vague justifications for it never worked despite greatest human minds wasting tons of time (that could be spent doing anything productive) pointlessly to do it and always failing...

[@shazzakip2]

The conversation Arwen and Aragorn have at his death is so beautiful, knowing what the numenoreans had done, Tolkien really was such a marvelous writer. But you presented it so beautifully too Thank you

[@mbvoelker8448]

I hate seeing all the comments about how Arwen is somehow lesser and boring because she spent 2000 years perfecting her creftsmanship in textile work instead of waving a sword around. Don't people realize that she is almost certainly on of Galadriel's "maidens" who wove the magical fabric for the Fellowship's cloaks?

[@teresaa96289]

She also sewed a banner that was delivered by her brother. Moved Aragorn to silence. Probably cried when no one was looking. She was in his mind throughout it all.

[@lukemimnagh2594]

Small wonder that Arwen was mistaken for Luthien, she is the great granddaughter of Luthien after all

[@lukemimnagh2594]

Just finished Appendix A of the Appendices, goddamn that last part between Arwen and Aragon is a genuine tear jerker!

[@teresaa96289]

I wish they kept the scene of Arwen dancing with young Aragorn in Lothlorien (They filmed it but chose Boromir instead). Just like Luthien and Beren. It also happens to be the place she lays down to die.

[@matthewcarlton5693]

Absolutely love the story of Arwen. This video is fantastic. The sadness of her in empty Lorien - risking becoming rustic folk in the new age is truly Tolkien's finest writing.

[@JaymesMedia]

The way you tell these these stories are so so majestic. Are you Gandalf???

[@stanyu2029]

I’ve waited years for Nerd of the Rings to profile Arwen, arguably the Lord of the Rings character most beautifully adapted for the Peter Jackson film adaptation. Thank you @NerdoftheRings for a presentation worthy of both the original and the embellished Arwen.

[@TheXalkos]

this is the purest form of love ever in existence and nothing will ever be better than this cause sadly even the best form of love ends in sadness due to death...

[@makeupboss3568]

Aragorn and Arwen symbolically represented true love. Something mortals of our world have a hard time finding .

[@Em4gdn1m]

You're a great storyteller. Your lore videos like this are what make your channel one of the very best LotR channels on KZbin.

[@BelindaFarage]

Love all of this - the artwork is just STUNNING! Arwen's story needs to be told - so heartbreaking but so beautiful!

[@kittycasino29]

Oh my goodness this is so completely sad 😭 arwen didn't get that much time with aragorn I mean yeah he lived to be 210 but she only had him for a hundred and some years, and compared to how long she would have lived if she hadn't chose a mortal life, I wish there would have been a way for her to somehow give her aragorn a gift of even longer life, but I mean I know that's just not how it happens or possible, but I just wish they could have been together for so much longer they were so happy and just a beautiful thing.

[@audreydimmel6674]

I like to think that, like Beren and Lúthien, the Valar granted them some special gift after they passed. I imagine that the most Tolkienian possibility is that they are able to be together for eternity now in the halls of Illúvatar - no longer bound to the circles of the world, perfectly free and perfectly happy, and all that they have suffered back on Arda has become worth it.

[@musathembeliphi1015]

I would love to see you cover the character of Huan the Hound of Valinor.

[@deanzaZZR]

Followed by an episode on Tevildo (evil) Prince of Cats!

[@dlxmarks]

6:21 The fourth but the story of Imrazôr and Mithrellas is usually overlooked.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

I like to believe that the only ones who witnessed Arwen's death were her brothers, who chose immortality and and to stay in Middle Earth (I know it is unknown what became of them) and that they are the ones who buried her.

[@BelindaFarage]

They did? OMG - I've read all the Tolkien books and I didn't remember that! Is that in the Silmarilion? I've always wanted a one-off (solo) movie on Arwen.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

@@BelindaFarage it's a head canon of mine, not a fact.

[@BelindaFarage]

@@valentinkambushev4968 sorry - I was reading the staying in Middle Earth as "fact" and burying Arwen as your wish. Got it! Yeah - there are lots of things I wish Tolkien wrote more on - lol - as if he didn't write a lot!

[@harringt100]

Can elves really remain in Middle Earth forever and still be immortal?

[@veramae4098]

@@harringt100 They will slowly fade and become mere shadows of themselves. Yet, knowing that, some chose to stay.

[@12classics39]

Honestly I see a great parallel between, of all characters, Arwen and Sam. They both sacrificed the fates of their own people to be with someone they loved. Arwen gave up her immortal life with her fellow Elves to die with Aragorn. Sam gave up his chance at a resting place in the Shire among his family and fellow hobbits to be with Frodo in the West. It amazes me how much Sam’s story parallels that of Elves, including Lúthien, who, like him, saved a loved one from imprisonment in Sauron’s tower by singing a song. Sam started off just wanting to catch a glimpse of Elves, but by the end, he had *become* an Elf all but literally. Just as Frodo had.

[@Lostinamomentillnevergetback]

I’ve watched so many of these videos more than once just to hear a nice voice. In the cruel crappy world we live in

[@gentlebabarian]

Man elronds life is tragic. He had to say farewell to his brother. Had to miss his wife for a long time. And had to also say farewell to her daughter!

[@joshuastrittmatter4188]

Just remember everyone, that Arwen was alive when Khazad-Dum fell to Durin’s Bane. Arwen is older than Erebor. Mind-blowing facts aside, I love Arwen. I wish she actually went with the Fellowship instead of staying behind the entire time, because I can only imagine how much more formidable it would’ve been with her in their ranks.

[@chrish.7563]

Without telling us anything, Tolkien created one of the most endearing and consoling visions of human after-life ever. The grey curtains of the world roll back and all turns to silver glass. And then you behold a far green country under a swift sun-rise.

[@philippalinton5850]

Tolkien did tell us though. The vision of a far green country under a swift sunrise is Frodo's ... he dreams it in the house of Tom Bombadil. And it's not a vision of the after-life, as the films (inaccurately) imply. It's a vision of the Undying Lands, to which Frodo and the other Ring-bearers sail at the end of the story. It's the Elvish paradise, Valinor, and Frodo will eventually die there, after having experienced peace and healing, because he's mortal. This is explained in The Silmarillion, ie the difference in the fates of immortals (Elves) and men. The immortality of Elves is tied to the fate of Arda.

[@olympusentertainment2638]

This, has pulled some hearth strings, thank you.

[@enderex1239]

dude i love your videos thanks so much for making these they have so much effort put into them. keep up the great work man!

[@jesuscoyt-munoz2753]

@Nerd of the rings great video and character choice for this weeks video. I’ve always loved Arwen because she embodies that sometimes love is stronger than whatever choices are thrown upon us and to me her and Aragorn are like a different version of Beren and Luthien which is another incredible love story told by Tolkien!

[@ChristaCrow]

Such a beautiful reading, especially the end of Arwen’s life. Wonderful as always, Matt. ❤🖤

[@jentree2013]

Wow ✨ Matt this one got me teary eyed… so well done. Btw an earlier comment pointed out Melian (her place in Arwen & Elrond’s history) & it reminded me I’ve been meaning to suggest you might try to do a vid on her… she’s kinda secret fave of many 😊 - her story is fascinating (Thingol; her protective magic in Doriath etc.)… Anyway, xclnt Arwen Evenstar vid 👍🏻

[@wandamundy1759]

So happy to have found this channel. Great narration with names correctly pronounced - and clear diction. So easy to understand. Not to mention the output gain on your audio is perfect. So many are so low as to be almost inaudible. Just a really superior channel in so many ways. Thank you so much. PS - ALSO - no snide, supercilious, condescending comments about Peter Jackson's contribution to the saga. Impressed with the level of integrity, there.

[@nightingalecat]

Three children is a lot for the elves living through tough times. Celebrian should have been very happy with Elrond to give birth to so many children.

[@princesstamina21]

Elladan and elrohir were twins iirc

[@mpb3481]

Elladan and Elrohir were identical twins. So you might say Celebrian gave birth twice.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

I was fascinated by her when I was a teenager. I would imagine what she looked like.

[@kepaloha]

You always tell these stories to wonderful.. Love it!!

[@mattheworsack3454]

absolutely lovely video, like always you do tolkien and his works great honors love the videos

[@garymiller_85]

Wow, that was a great video. The images are incredible.

[@erikbender1967]

WOW! Great story telling sir! Until next weekend, have a wonderful week, and take care.

[@robertturner1308]

That was amazing! Well done.

[@marissabulso6439]

This was beautifully told. Thank you. ❤

[@beriadan77]

Gorgeous video thank you!

[@NemieVlog]

This is one of the best channels I've ever watched.

[@paulwerner3259]

Beautifully written and read . Would love to see what Peter Jackson could do with this .. truly a masterpiece

[@calick7208]

He worked with that, sort of, during Arwen’s vision of the future in The Two Towers, where Elrond predicts her final days if she decides to stay and linger on middle Earth.

[@Cabin_Pat]

Beautifully told, thanks!

[@penneyburgess5431]

Thank you. Beautifully done.

[@jennifercogzell748]

First time I've seen this site. Love the title and the illustrations too.

[@ArJay1688]

I wonder if Elrond regretted his decision of being an Elf and envied more the gift of Men? He could no longer see his brother and daughter (and if ever, his two sons as well should they have chosen the fate of Men). He'd experienced such loss but has kept himself level headed. Imagine his whole life has only been more of sorrow than joy? I couldn't contain that much my whole life if it were me, let alone an eternity.

[@mpb3481]

Although Tolkien stated in his books that Elrond’s children had to take ship with him if they were to be of Elvenkind, he also wrote: "The end of his sons, Elladan and Elrohir, is not told; they delay their choice, and remain for a while." (Letters, #153) His intentions regarding the twins’ ultimate fates are unknown and it’s not clear how he proposed to get around the condition he set regarding the choice of the Peredhil. But this passage suggests that Elladan and Elrohir may not have become mortal as Arwen did when they decided to stay on in Middle-earth after Elrond sailed to Valinor.

[@ghostdreamer7272]

We actually don’t know how many daughters they had, we just know it’s a minimum of two since it’s used as a plural, but no number is given.

[@takz0743]

Three things have always bothered me: 1) Instead of remaining in Gondor where she has children, Arwen chooses to go to a place where no one she knows exists, if anyone at all. That is very strange. 2) Arwen "gives Frodo her place in the ship," which implies that the number of seats/passengers is set, and also implies that Frodo is given a great and rare privilege. However, since Bilbo also boards the same ship without any talk of taking someone's place, we are left to assume that perhaps it's no big deal --- anyone the Great Elvenfolk deem worthy to take ship may do so. If that's the case, why make it especially known that Frodo is going in Arwen's place? Furthermore, we learn later that Sam also takes ship and "goes the Elven way" without taking someone else's place, reinforcing the above --- anyone can go if deemed worthy. 3) Like Arwen, Sam leaves family behind (children and grandchildren at least) to take ship. As wonderful as a friendship bond can be, I personally cannot imagine one that would take a beloved grandfather away from children and grandchildren. Not being an Elf or other folk of Middle-Earth, to me it is very odd.

[@syruscloud7277]

the reason bilbo, frodo and sam went to valinor was because of the ring and the emotional damage they went through(especially Frodo). By the time Sam came to Valinor, Frodo was most likely long dead, so I doubt he did it for the friendship. I guess the reason Sam stayed in middleearth in the first place was because he was needed. he had a wife, children etc. but they grew up and i guess he figured he could also leave now. i also wondered what the whole "here´s my ticket to Valinor" thing was. I guess Arwen was just dramatic.

[@veramae4098]

@@syruscloud7277 Valinor is "the undying land". Frodo doesn't die, he's healed and lives on. So will Bilbo, and Sam.

[@syruscloud7277]

@@veramae4098 I really don´t say that to be mean, I wish it was that way too. But Tolkien actually explains what happens to beings that aren´t immortal when they come to Valinor: "they burn up faster, like moths flying into a flame that is too bright". their emotional wounds heal, yes. but their mortal bodies can´t withstand the pure light of Valinor. it´s definitely better than withering away in pain in middleearth. kinda bittersweet, but that´s what the whole Lord of the rings story is about I guess.

[@audreydimmel6674]

@@syruscloud7277 "I guess Arwen was just dramatic." Lol I like that take. Faramir: Lord Aragorn, Lady Arwen, my wife and I have brought some food for the potluck. Éowyn: * holding a steaming pot * Arwen: *You bring great evil here!* Éowyn: Oh no, don't worry, I don't do our cooking. Faramir made it! Arwen: Oh, oh okay. Table's in the back. Aragorn: * rolls his eyes slightly but is also laughing and secretly relieved *

[@bmb201]

Remember that all people and beings grieve differently. While many find comfort in family, others are so consumed with their grief that they isolate themselves. Arwen is so haunted by loss that she could felt she could remain in the world of men.

[@LetBBB6345789]

2000+ year old Arwen falls for 49 year old Aragorn. Those Numenorians must have had a way to build up and harness life experience way faster than elves. Aragorn not being the only one favorably comparing to Elves in that way

[@brandtbollers3183]

Long ForeTold.Why She Did Not Wed before.

[@makoyoverfelt3320]

Im not crying, YOURE CRYING!

[@Sam-ig2jm]

Hope you are preparing for us a good longawaited ROP full season review, including what you liked about, hate about, honest fan opinion, what you expect in S2 etc... despite all the reviews available so far personally I am waiting for yours Matt !

[@robertherring9277]

Awesome narrative, bro! Thanks!

[@joeyjones9041]

Damn, what a bittersweet life she lived...

[@VoiceoftheRings]

Amazing Character! Great video !

[@pimp22fly]

It’s so interesting how the elven / human branches of this family interact over thousands of years. The love between the 2 brothers extends into the future of middle earth and most of the time the Numenorians/ Gondorians help out the elves and vice versa

[@bradnitram8406]

i learn a lot of origin and story from you so thanks a lot nerdy.....

[@LadyOfTheLake77]

This was incredibly emotional.

[@kevinmoore4845]

When I first read this in the Return of the King Apendices, I stoked up. Arwen almost asked Aragorn to turn his back on everything he believed in. The words bitter was their parting... so sad and profound.

[@magical_universe793]

Exactly she makes me soo mad i always disliked her cuz she stole eowyns place as tolkien intended aragorn to be with eowyn and good for nothing arwen ruined everything she choose her fate and now wants to live longer too 😂😂😂

[@GaryElliston]

Simply Awesome! explanation. 👍🏿

[@Hellstaff01]

One of the most beautiful scenes in the LOTR: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZqWcqtqjq-sick&ab_channel=EgalmothOfGondolin01 Take some time to read the commentary.

[@AndrewCarlisle11B]

Great video Matt!

[@justinb3195]

The stories we want. And the stories Tolkien himself would be happy to hear being retold.

[@allisonkreutzberg6079]

Loved the video ❤

[@ac4th371]

You are 1 of the 2 greatest lore masters on KZbin. Nerd of the Rings = Everything LOTR Luetin09 = Everything Warhammer 40k Every other film/tv/game lore I'm interested in need at least 3 different content creators to cover the subject. I wish all the other lore masters I listen to were as Clear and knowledgeable as you 2 are.

[@Paslayas]

Beautifully explained.

[@leaiplussize]

this video was beautiful made and great voice work telling the love story of Arwen and Aragorn. As it brings tears to my eyes of their ending, I should like to think their is a story of true love that endure until the very end. I like to think they spent as much of their long livesas they good. I just wish ( and I am not sure) she could have ben buried next to him. The king and queen resting together. but I guess the spirit of their love will go on forever

[@WhoIsCalli]

Such a beautiful and yet sad tale. One of my favourite parings in Tolkien. Thanks Matt

[@pendragon2012]

Great video!

[@JustTanya.]

I always wondered if she would have found some peace by going to The Shire instead. Kind of like Gandalf did. I think they would have welcomed her and though she was heartbroken, I think the way the Hobbits live like salt of the earth kind of people, may have been a bit of a balm for a time. At least she wouldn't have had to die alone and broken hearted. It's the saddest part to such an incredible character. They also casted the perfect choice of Liv Tyler for the role in the movies. She embodied the character very well, in my opinion. 😎👍

[@powerfulpropertysolutionsw4384]

Good idea about the shire.

[@johnvarricchio6856]

Beautiful thank you 🙏🏻

[@christinebyrd8859]

Could you do a video about Ghan-buri-ghan and his people?!

[@christinebyrd8859]

They’ve always been a bit of a mystery to me!

[@sundownaruddock]

Greetings kingship,, I am sooo greatful 🙏 ✨️ to have met you honestly, your passion is second to none ❤️ thank you soo much 😊 for your awesome Gift 🎁

[@Julie-bq6iz]

That was utterly beautiful.

[@luudest]

5:18 What I always wondered: How did the Sons Of Elrond and The Grey Company find Aragorn? How did they know where to look for him?

[@luudest]

@@Drabkikker many thanks for the quotes! I do love exact answers ;)

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Such a lovely story

[@0bi-wan_Kenobi]

Tom de Bombadil 19 is the real MVP of the Patreons, but otherwise another great video. Thankyou.

[@kittycasino29]

So I haven't read the books and I'm thinking wow maybe I need to read the books but back when these movies first came out they were freaking amazing and I didn't realize that arwen gave frodo her place on the white ship I knew that he got to go to the undying lands but I didn't realize that arwen gave up her spot for him I mean I knew that she decided to stay but I didn't realize I'm like you know that's really beautiful ☺️