The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
III 241 - IV 121 (lived 2,901 years)1
Race
Half-elven, but ultimately counted among Men
Divisions
Descended from the Noldor, Sindar and Edain (and other strains, more remotely)
Culture
Originally dwelt in Rivendell, and later among the Gondorians
Family
Numerous lines of descent, but notably from the House of Hador and the royal house of Doriath (through her father) and the House of Finarfin (through her mother)
Settlements
Raised at Rivendell, but also dwelt at times in Lórien
Pronunciation
a'rrwen (where 'rr' indicates that the 'r' sound should be distinctly pronounced)
Meaning
Arwen means 'noble maiden'
Titles

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  • Updated 10 November 2006
  • This entry is complete

Arwen Evenstar

Noble Queen to Aragorn Elessar

The daughter and youngest child of Elrond and Celebrían, born in the third century of the Third Age. She lived out her long life at her father's House at Rivendell, and also at times among her mother's people in Lórien. In the year III 2951, when she was 2,710 years old, she returned to Rivendell after a time in Lórien and there she encountered the young Aragorn, who was at that time being fostered by her father Elrond.

Soon after that encounter, Aragorn left to adventure in the Wild, but Arwen met him again in Lórien some twenty-nine years later. On the mound of Cerin Amroth, the two plighted their troth. Aragorn's horse Roheryn was a gift from Arwen, and when he went to war at the end of the Third Age, Arwen made a jewelled banner for him. It was this banner that he flew from the captured ships of the Corsairs at the Battle of the Pelennor.

After Aragorn became King, they wed at midsummer in the year of the Downfall of Barad-dûr. Arwen gave up her immortality to wed a mortal, the only Elf since Lúthien to do so. She remained Aragorn's Queen for more than a hundred years, but when at last he died, Arwen passed into the empty land of Lórien, and was never seen again. It is said that her life ended on the same mound of Cerin Amroth where she had stood with Aragorn so long before.


Notes

1

As the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían, Arwen was Half-elven, and thus effectively immortal during the Third Age. She abandoned her immortality to wed the mortal Aragorn in III 3019, and so lived as a mortal for 123 years.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 10 November 2006
  • This entry is complete

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