The Passing of Aragorn and Arwen

Aragorn and Arwen had lived together for 60 years. She was now a mortal woman forsaking the gift of Erú for the Eldar: immortality. She had parted from her father Elrond in bitterness. For it was her doom to lose all that she had gained. Aragorn felt that his life was waning and she understood. She asked if he would pass before his time when all the people looked to him. Aragorn was confident their son, Eldarion, was ready to be King. Aragorn gave the crown to his son and laid himself down in the House of Kings. Arwen, now understanding the sting of death, went with him. "'Lady Undomiel,' said Aragorn, 'the hour is indeed hard, yet it was made even in that day when we met under the white birches in the garden of Elrond where none now walk...Take counsel with yourself, beloved, and ask whether you would indeed have me wait until I wither and fall from my high seat unmanned and witless. Nay, lady, I am the last of the Númenoreans and the latest King of the Elder Days; and to me has been given not only a span thrice that of Men of Middle-earth, but also the grace to go at my own will, and give back the gift'" (p. 343, The Return of the King).

Arwen finally understood the fall of the Númenoreans and had pity on them. Still she said to Aragorn: "'For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men, it is bitter to receive'" (p. 344, The Return of the King). Aragorn encouraged her not to despair; they would not be bound to the confounds of Middle-earth. He was certain there was more than just memories once they passed the threshold of death. He kissed her hand and the passed away. "Then a great beauty was revealed in him, so that all who after came there looked on him in wonder; for they saw that the grace of his youth, and the valour of his manhood, and the wisdom and majesty of his age were blended together" (p. 344, The Return of the King). Arwen was left grief. Saying goodbye to Eldarion she walked the abandoned woods of Lorien until winter came. She died on Cerin Amroth.

Middle-earth timeline: Fourth Age, 120
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 342-344