Arwen

The books and movies of The Lord of the Rings have grown into a predominant aspect of pop culture over the years. Even when the Lord of the Rings movies concluded, fans were still able to explore Middle Earth, thanks to The Hobbit film trilogy as well as the video game Shadow of Mordor. It seemed like there was just no scarcity of J.R.R. Tolkien’s content around us that we could delve into. This, of course, includes the fan most beautiful Elven Princess who ever existed in Middle Earth. Arwen is one of the most favorite characters in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. She was best known for her beauty and alluring charm, but she’s more than just that. Arwen was Half-Elven. Born to her parents, Elrond and Celebrían, the fair Elf was usually referred to as “Evenstar” or Arwen Undómiel. Arwen became the Queen of Arnor and Gondor’s Reunited Kingdom. This happened upon the conclusion of the War of the Ring when she married Aragorn II Elessar. Through harmony and peaceful love, she was able to unite both Man and Elf, just like Lúthien and Beren, who came before her. Arwen also became a mortal in this process.

In TA 241, Arwen was birthed by her parents Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrían of Rivendell. Just like her father, as well as her brothers, she had the freedom to make a choice from either mortal or immortal life. Arwen spent a large chunk of her life in Lothlórien and Rivendell.

When Arwen was over 2,700 years old, she crossed paths with Aragorn in Rivendell the first time around. Aragorn was only 20 years old at that time and lived under the guidance and protection of Lord Elrond. At that time, Arwen just got back to Rivendell after staying for a long time in Loríen together with Lady Galadriel, her grandmother. Aragorn became enamored with Arwen the first time he saw the fair Elf. At first, Aragorn thought that she was Lúthien because they resemble each other, and he also thought that was dreaming. Arwen also admits that she looked very similar indeed to her ancestress Lúthien.

Moreover, she also seemed to share the same fate as her. Lúthien also fell in love with a mortal man, although Lúthien and Beren’s love story was quite different. When Arwen and Aragorn met, she had already been matched with eleven noblemen. Due to Elves being immortal in nature, Aragorn was, in actuality, very young, compared to her. With that said, Elrond had a talk with him to discourage Aragorn from pursuing Arwen.

He told Aragorn that she was way above him and that he was unworthy of the fair Elf. Moreover, he said to Aragorn that the only way he could prove himself worthy of Arwen is if he becomes King. Thirty years have passed, and the two of them crossed paths once again in Lórien. This time, Arwen was able to correspond with the love that Aragorn was showing her. They then made a promise to one another on the hill of Cerin Amroth. This was when Arwen made a choice to be mortal. She gave up the prospect of sailing across the sea to forever live in the Blessed Realm. She was indeed faithful to her other half and remained that even when Aragorn went to war. During the War in the South, she made a banner, especially for Aragorn.

This banner would be used as Aragorn’s standard when he became a king. Just as Aragorn took the Paths of the Dead, he met with a group that included Elladan and Elrohir, which were Arwen’s brothers & Dúnedain. They gave Aragorn a gift that Arwen made. It was a black cloth banner, as well as a sign which urges him to go on a difficult path. This banner was unraveled during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. In gold and gems, it unveiled the Elendil in Mithril’s emblem. This was the very first victorious announcement that the king has indeed returned.

After the War of the Ring ended, Aragorn was coronated as King of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor, and he wed Arwen Evenstar on Loëndë (Mid-Years Day, or Midsummer's Day), becoming Queen of the Reunited Kingdom. The marriage was allowed by Arwen's father Elrond because Aragorn had achieved the conditions that Elrond set before him years before in Rivendell:

"I say to you: Arwen Undómiel shall not diminish her life's grace for less cause. She shall not be the bride of any man less than the King of both Gondor and Arnor."

Arwen then gave a great gift to Frodo Baggins:

"A gift I will give you. For I am the daughter of Elrond. I shall not go with him now when he departs to the Havens; for mine is the choice of Luthien, and as she so I have chosen, both the sweet and the bitter. But in my stead you shall go, Ring-bearer, when the time comes, and if you then desire it. If your hurts grieve you still and the memory or your burden is heavy, then you may pass into the West, until all your wounds and weariness are healed. But wear this now in memory of Elfstone and Evenstar with whom your life has been woven!'
And she took a white gem like a star that lay upon her breast hanging upon a silver chain, and she set the chain around Frodo's neck. 'When the memory of the fear and the darkness troubles you,' she said, 'this will bring you aid.” (The visualization of this white gem on a silver chain was popularized in the Lord of the Rings movies)

Arwen and Aragorn would have a son which they name Eldarion, and he would become king when Aragorn lays down his life in the year 120. They also have at least two daughters who are not named.

In the Fourth Age’s 121st year, the Queen died because of grief—more specifically, her heart was shattered. This was a year after Aragorn passed away. Arwen died in Lórien at Cerin Amroth. At that time, she was married to Aragorn for 122 years and was 2901 years old. When Aragorn passed away, Arwen just couldn’t endure the loss. She left behind her children to travel towards Cerin Amroth—and died of a broken heart. This was the place where she first met Aragorn. Although the end of their story was somewhat dreadful, it was necessary to remember that she was able to spend her life and grow old with her beloved Aragorn. They had a happy family, indeed. The throne was then passed on to their son Eldarion.

Arwen is equivalent to “Noble Maiden.” This was from ar (a), which meant royal and noble, as well as wen, which means maiden in Sindarin. Undómiel, Arwen’s epessë, is equivalent to “Evenstar.” This was derived upon the Quenya language’s Undómë or evening twilight and el or star.

Arwen was characterized as the fairest of all the High within Middle Earth’s last generation. She was described to have an outstanding likeness to Lúthien, her ancestress. As for Tolkien, she was described as a fair lady who seems to look very young but is indeed not so young. She had dark hair and a flawless face. She also had fair skin. Tolkien also added that she had bright grey eyes that are similar to the stars’ light. Moreover, she looked like a queen overflowing with knowledge and thought, just like someone who’s learned a myriad of things over the years.

The youngest child of Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrían, Arwen, also had twin older brothers named Elrohir and Elladan. Arwen was also the granddaughter of the Mariner, Eärendil, through her father. Furthermore, she was a great-grandchild of Gondolin’s Tuor. This, therefore, makes her a straightforward descendant of Hador, an ancient house. She was furthermore a scion of Ñoldor’s King Turgon through Idril, Arwen’s great grandmother.

Arwen was also Lady Galadriel’s granddaughter, as well as the great-grandchild of Finarfin through her mother Celebrían. Éomer of Rohan thought she was fairer than her grandmother, Lady Galadriel. However, Gimli, the son of Glóin, had another notion. Arwen was a straightforward scion of Finwë, an archaic Elven House, through her father and mother. Nevertheless, she was a scion of Beren, as well as Lúthien Tinúviel — who had a somewhat similar story as hers. Arwen was heavily regarded to have a very similar appearance like Lúthien. Lúthien was the most beautiful among all the Elves and was called 'Morningstar' and 'Nightingale'. Arwen was also a somewhat far-off relative of Aragorn, her beloved husband.

Elros Tar-Minyatur, Númenor’s first King and an ancestor of Aragorn, was a brother of his father, Elrond. Elros, rather than living as part of the Eldar, also decided to live as a man. Thus, Aragorn can be said to also have an Elvish ancestry, although very distant. Elros died way before Arwen even came into existence. When Arwen married Aragorn, she became Queen of Arnor and Gondor; the Reunited Kingdom [1], and she and Aragorn would soon become parents to Eldarion, heir to the throne, and his sisters. With Aragorn and Arwen’s marriage, the sundered lineage of the Half-Elven was again united. It also serves to safeguard and strengthen the Three Kings of the High Elves’ bloodlines.

In the books, Arwen is first mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring [2] in the chapter 'Many Meetings'. She is also mentioned in The Return of the King in the chapter 'Passing of the Grey Company' when her brothers Elrohir and Elladan bring Aragorn a banner she had made. She is later mentioned as arriving in Minas Tirith after the war is over. The story of Arwen and Aragorn is presented as part of Appendix A.

In Peter Jackson's film adaptations, Arwen is portrayed by American actress Liv Tyler, and first appears in the Weather Hills when she finds Aragorn looking for Athelas after Frodo was stabbed by the Witch-king's Morgul-blade. It is Arwen who helps Frodo get to Rivendell on her horse, and stops the Nazgul at the Ford of Bruinen. In the books, Glorfindel carries Frodo on his horse, and Elrond and Gandalf stop the Nazgul at the river crossing.

She appears in The Two Towers a couple times in Aragorn's dreams, and in scenes with Elrond in Rivendell. An early script had Arwen accompanying Aragorn in the Battle of Helms Deep, however, the filmmakers decided to forego these scenes and not include Arwen in the battle. Arwen appears in scenes throughout Return of the King, and is reunited with Aragorn in Minas Tirith after the war.

In Ralph Bakshi’s previous film, The Lord of the Rings, Arwen was not featured or mentioned. Sonia Fraser voiced Arwen Undómiel’s character in the 1981 radio series of The Lord of the Rings. Moreover, in the video game, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Arwen was voiced by Kath Soucie. In the Hunt for Gollum, a fan film, Arwen was one of the characters portrayed by Rita Ramnani.

In the games, The Hunt for Gollum, The Lord of the Rings: Conquest, and The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Arwen is a character that you can play through DLC. You can also go to Rivendell to visit her as well as choose a quest on the side and locate Mithril so you can help her craft Aragorn’s banner.

1. ^Reunited Kingdom
2. ^The Fellowship of the Ring