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SPOILER ALERT. Today
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SPOILER ALERT. Today...
SPOILER ALERT. Today I was reading and I just finished the chapter 'Lothlorien' and at the end, Aragorn said his heart would 'dwell forever in that forest' and then he took Frodo's hand, and stepped off Cerin Amroth and 'came there never again as a living man.'
I get the feeling that you aren't really supposed to rightly know what it means, but what do any of you think it means?
submitted by Blackberry E., age 12 and 1\2
(July 25, 2012 - 4:59 pm)
(July 25, 2012 - 4:59 pm)
Oh. Right. Well, Cerin Amroth is where Aragorn and Arwen were betrothed. Galadriel and Celeborn are Arwen's grandparents and also her great-great grandfather's first cousins. (Peculiarities of Elven marriage- Elrond and Celebrian are second cousins, and Aragorn is descended form Elrond's brother Elros. Inbreeding, I know. Beats me why.)
Hang on- you weren't asking about Elven inbreeding at all. SORRY!
Yes, that scene is very touching. Aragorn has a very deep and poignant connection to the Elves- he knows many of their ancient royalty, and he also was raised in Rivendell. He is descended from the line of the Numenorean kings, who have always been Elf-friends.
The chapter in Lothlorien is a farewell- for Aragorn, especially. He's saying goodbye to his past life, to his romance with Arwen, who will become mortal to marry him. He's stepping into his new role as King of Gondor- a King of mortals. Even with his Elven blood and connection, he's saying goodbye.
(July 26, 2012 - 4:40 pm)
On the other hand, there are and have been times and places in real life when marrying your first cousin wouldn't be too out of the ordinary.
(July 30, 2012 - 10:16 pm)
Didn't ancient Egyptian pharaohs sometimes marry their sisters?
(August 2, 2012 - 10:07 am)
@Mattie: Thanks a lot. That's really extreme....... and kinda sad..............
(August 4, 2012 - 1:27 pm)