Saruman and Radagast are of the same order as Gandalf. The Maiar are another angelic order of beings, below the Valar. The Valar are created beings - created by Illuvatar in the long past. The Silmarillion details the creation of the world by Illuvatar (a variant of the term "All-Father" - JRR Tolkien was a philologist and there are cognates to English, German and other languages in those spoken in Middle Earth). Men pass beyond the world - the "gift" of Illuvatar, but subverted by Morgoth. Elves and dwarves go to the Halls of Mandos (a Vala) when they die. Like the elves, and unlike men, the dwarves are tied to the world. Gimli, by the intercession of Galadriel, is also given leave to come to Valinor. It is a grace of the Vala to permit them to come to the Undying Lands. Frodo is specifically given leave to travel to Valinor because of the unhealable wound from the Morgul knife. The Vala are created and participate with Illuvatar in fashioning the world.įrodo, Bilbo and even Sam have been altered by their contact with the One Ring. There is but one creator-God in Tolkien's mythology. As noted, many of the elves, Galadriel included, returned to Middle-earth in rebellion against the Vala to wage war on Morgoth, who stole the Silmarils (gems). The Appendices to The Return of the King provide added detail. The ending of LOTR ties back to material from the Silmarillion. They are traveling to Valinor, the Undying Lands, which exist outside the human world. It seems that they have been invited to live among the gods - an unprecedented honor for anyone not an elf - as a reward for their service related to the Ring. He could probably magic himself back but it's not his style, so he travels with the elves.Īs for Frodo, Bilbo, and eventually Sam, I don't think the reasons are explicitly stated. He's only in Middle Earth because he was sent there on a mission, which is now complete. He's one of the Maiar, essentially a minor god. Gandalf goes with them because that's where he's from. After thousands of years, they have been allowed to return.They rebelled and were exiled to Middle Earth, but.The elves once lived in Valinor with the gods.It's a long story, which I encourage you to read, but to summarize very briefly: The reasons for the elves' departure are detailed in The Silmarillion. back to Valinor, the Undying Lands, across the sea to the west. The characters you mention are accompanying the elves - Galadriel, et al. All of the ring bearers left Middle-earth Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, Bilbo, Frodo, and even Sam after his children were grown and Rosie passed away. Arwen gave him her seat on the last ship (the only thing of note she ever did in the whole danged book) so that he could find rest. His journey to Mordor had scarred him, physically and emotionally. Now, as to why they made the journey, there seems to only be speculation, although the most common agreement is that Tolkien chose to have his beloved characters travel there, seemingly to remain, in order for them to live forever.ĮDIT: It has been pointed out that, as mortals, eternal life would not be an option for the hobbits, so perhaps we should consider it more of a happy retirement.Īnother, more thorough, answer could be the following, from Yahoo: They were also joined by Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, Hobbits who were among the very few mortal beings to be allowed passage to the Undying Lands.Įventually, Samwise Gamgee, another Hobbit of the Shire, and the Dwarf Gimli along with his good friend Legolas, are also said to have made the journey. In TA 3021 (Third Age), Círdan the Shipwright accompanied Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf, the Keepers of the Rings, on a voyage to the Undying Lands, where they intended to remain. This is considered a mystical land, home to the Valar, 'angelic' beings, also known as the 'masters of spirits'. Frodo leaves Middle-earth for the Undying Lands with Gandalf, Bilbo, Elrond, Celeborn, and Galadriel.
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