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'''Lady Arwen Undómiel''' (usually called '''Arwen Evenstar''') ([[Third Age|T.A.]] 241–[[Fourth Age|F.A.]] 121) is a [[fictional character]] from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s universe of [[Middle-earth]], the betrothed of [[Aragorn]] in Tolkien's ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. She is the daughter of [[Elrond]] Peredhil and [[Celebrían]] (and therefore grand-daughter of [[Galadriel]]). She rejects her [[Elves (Middle-earth)|Elven]] immortality (which she had the ability to do, since she was a [[half-elven|half-elf]], thus having the choice to be counted as an elf or a man) to marry [[Aragorn]] and die with him.
{{sources}}
{{half-elf infobox
| name=Arwen
| image=[[File:John Howe - Arwen.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Arwen" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Undómiel'' ([[Quenya|Q]], "Evenstar")
| titles=Queen of Gondor
| location=[[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| position=
| affiliation=
| language=Primarily [[Sindarin]]<ref name="Languages">{{App|Elves}}</ref>
| birth={{TA|241}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}}
| death={{FoA|121}}
| deathlocation=[[Cerin Amroth]], [[Lothlórien]]
| age=2,901
| notablefor=
| house=
| heritage=[[Half-elven]] father, [[Elves|Elf]] mother
| parentage=[[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]]
| siblings=[[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]
| spouse=[[Aragorn]]
| children=[[Eldarion]] and several daughters
| gender=Female
| height=
| hair=Dark<ref name="Many">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Many"/>
| clothing=Grey raiment with girdle of silver leaves;<ref name="Many"/> silver and blue mantle<ref name="Tale">{{App|A1v}}</ref>
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{quote|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] saw her whom few [[mortals]] had yet seen; '''Arwen''', daughter of [[Elrond]], in whom it was said that the likeness of [[Lúthien]] had come on earth again; and she was called [[Undómiel]], for she was the Evenstar of her people.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]<ref name="Many">{{FR|II1}}</ref>}}
'''Arwen Undómiel''' (''Arwen'' is [[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈarwen]}}; ''Undómiel'' is [[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[unˈdoːmi.el]}}), often called '''Arwen Evenstar''', was the betrothed of [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]. She is the daughter of [[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]].  


==Arwen in the films==
She was considered to be the fairest of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], resembling [[Lúthien]] of the [[First Age]] who would never again appear in [[Middle-earth]]. Her romance with [[Aragorn]] was reminiscent of that between the Man [[Beren]] and the Elf Lúthien.  Few other marriages between Man and Elf were known. Like Lúthien, she rejected her [[Elves|Elven]] immortality to marry Aragorn and die with him.


Arwen plays a far more substantial role in the [[The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy|Lord of the Rings movie trilogy]] by [[Peter Jackson]], which he defends as cinematically necessary to establish her role in the plot more firmly. (Elladan and Elrohir never appear.) In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (movie)|first movie]], but not in the books, she sneaks up on [[Aragorn]] and takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] by herself on horseback where she thwarts the [[Black Rider]]s at [[Bruinen]] with a sudden flood. In the book, it was [[Glorfindel]] who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the black riders, and [[Elrond]] and [[Gandalf]] who arranged the flood. In the book, Frodo makes his own stand against the Black Riders; in the movie Arwen defends him. In the movies, during this flight and elsewhere, Arwen wields the sword [[Hadhafang]], stated to have once been wielded by her father. This sword, however, does not appear in the books at all; in fact, in the books, Arwen is never mentioned as armed.
== History ==
[[File:Anna Lee - Evenstar.jpg|thumb|left|Anna Lee - ''Evenstar'']]
Arwen was born in {{TA|241}} and was the younger sister of [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]. From her mother she inherited the [[Elfstone]].<ref name="CG">{{UT|6}}</ref> As a [[Half-elven]] she shared the right of her father to choose her fate. She lived most of her life in her homestead in [[Imladris]] or [[Lothlórien]] with her grandparents.<ref name="Tale"/>


The three mentions described above and a brief mention of her arrival at Aragorn's coronation are her ''only'' appearances in the books. In the movie trilogy, howerver, various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted which deviate from the books. These include a scene in which Aragorn is injured and has a dream about Arwen, a scene where Arwen has a fight with her father about leaving for [[Valinor]], and a scene where she (with [[Figwit]]) actually departs for Valinor and then suddenly returns when she sees an image of her future son, [[Eldarion]]. In the books, it can hardly have been surprising to Arwen that she and Aragorn might have children together, since she herself is the descendant of two similar unions.
Her father fostered the sons of the [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]], who were the exiled [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]].<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> It was in {{TA|2952}} when she returned from Lothlórien to Rivendell when she met a young foster-son of her father, [[Aragorn]]. The young [[Dúnadan]] fell in love when he first saw her, but Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]]. Whatever Arwen's choice, she would be parted from either Elrond or Aragorn for ever.<ref name="Tale"/>
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|left|Stephen Hickman - ''Aragorn and Arwen'']]
It was not until they met many years later in Lórien that she returned in love, and in {{TA|2980}} they plighted their troth on [[Cerin Amroth]]. Aragorn gave her the [[Ring of Barahir]]. After Aragorn left for his travels and deeds, Arwen continually served as inspiration and motivation for him, who had to become King before he could wed her and devoted many long years to this cause.<ref name="Tale"/>


Of all the changes made in the films, the changes to the role of Arwen have been the most controversial, particularly with [[Tolkien fandom|fans]]. Arwen's role in the movies was originally planned to be even greater: in earlier copies of the script (when the movies were supposed to be filmed in two parts under a different publisher), she actually fought in the [[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]], and it was Arwen who brought the sword [[Narsil]] to Aragorn. It was after a leaked copy of this script made it online that fan outrage against the much expanded role of Arwen began, along with the comparisons with [[Xena: Warrior Princess]] (inspiring the satirical moniker ''Xenarwen'').  These scenes were altered, downplaying Arwen's role.
When Aragorn brought the [[Hobbits]] to [[Rivendell]], during the [[War of the Ring]], he reunited with Arwen. [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] saw Aragorn with her at one point—the first hint of their relationship.<ref name="Many"/> Later, when the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] came to [[Lothlórien]], Aragorn  remembered their earlier meeting on Cerin Amroth. When the Fellowship departed and [[Galadriel]] offered them [[gifts of Galadriel|her gifts]], Arwen's Elfstone was the gift for Aragorn, which he would wear ever after.<ref>{{FR|II8}}</ref>. This giving held the function of a wedding gift from the family of the bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.<ref>{{MR|Laws}}</ref>


Some argue that the substitution of Arwen for Glorfindel, other changed scenes, and the insertion of additional scenes, is a major departure in the film version of the story, and even less acceptable than the substitution of [[Legolas]] for Glorfindel in the [[Ralph Bakshi]] version. As with other changes in character and plot, this is a common hazard encountered in the adaptation of a story from a literary to a film format.  
When [[Éowyn]] fell in love with Aragorn it was his fidelity to Arwen that forbade him from reciprocating, thereby motivating Éowyn's subsequent actions.<ref>{{RK|Houses}}</ref>


However, it should be noted that many fans of the film, particularly those who read the books ''after'' watching the film, appreciate the expansion of Arwen's role, enjoy her increased screentime, and may even prefer the film's version of her character.  The film gives Arwen a voice of her own, whereas Tolkien was forced to relegate her appearance to the Appendix. Arwen is also made into a much stronger female character, and while many would claim that, based by Tolkien's writings, this conflicts with her character in the book, some feel that the movie's plot should be judged independently of the book, and that this interpretation is entirely justified. They also feel the film elegantly employs the principle of "economy of characters", thus making the plot tighter and more comprehensible to the audience; in the book, many characters, such as Glorfindel, appear once to perform one task, then sink into the background, and never to be heard from again.  This builds up a mass of confusing, trivial characters.
While Aragorn was out in the War, Arwen made, with her hands, the [[Livery of Elendil]] in [[mithril]], gems and gold on black cloth. This was taken by her brothers and a group of [[Rangers of the North]] to Aragorn before taking the [[Paths of the Dead]], and was an encouraging sign for him to take the difficult path.<ref>{{RK|V2}}</ref> It was unfurled at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] to triumphantly announce the King's return.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref>
[[File:Janka Latečková - King and his Queen.jpg|thumb|right|Janka Latečková - ''King and his Queen'']]
Aragorn wed Arwen after the War of the Ring when he finally became a King of the new [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Arwen chose a fate different from her father's and did not sail to the [[Aman|West]]. As Queen of Gondor, Arwen bore one son, [[Eldarion]], and several daughters. Even after Aragorn's death, Arwen did not repent, and eventually gave up her life in {{FoA|121}}, at [[Cerin Amroth]] in Lórien, and she was buried there.<ref name="Tale"/>


In the movie trilogy, Arwen is portrayed by [[Liv Tyler]].
== Genealogy ==
[[File:Abe Papakhian - Lord of Rivendell.jpg|thumb|Arwen in Rivendell]]
Arwen was actually a very distant relative of Aragorn, being his first cousin sixty-three times removed. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref>{{App|A1}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the Three Kings of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Olwë]] and [[Elwë]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]]in blood through Arwen's great-great grandmother, [[Melian]].


==Arwen in the books==
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| FIN |y| EAW | | GLN | | TUO |y| IDR | | DIO |y| NIM | |FIN=[[Finarfin]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1230}}''</small>|EAW=[[Eärwen]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|GLN=[[Galadhon]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>|TUO=[[Tuor]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|472}}''</small>|IDR=[[Idril]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|DIO=[[Dior]]</br><small>''{{FA|470}} - {{FA|506|n}}''</small>|NIM=[[Nimloth]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|506}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | GAL |~|y|~| CEL | | | | EAR |~|~|y|~|~| ELW | | | |GAL=[[Galadriel]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1362}}''</small>|CEL=[[Celeborn]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>|EAR=[[Eärendil]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|503}}''</small>|ELW=[[Elwing]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|503}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | CLB |~|~|~|y|~|~|~| ELR | | | ELS | | | | | | |CLB=[[Celebrían]]</br><small>''b. {{SA}}''</small>|ELR=[[Elrond]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|532}}''</small>|ELS=[[Elros]]</br><small>''{{FA|532}} - {{SA|442}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | | |:| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | ELL | | ELO | | ARW |~|y|~| ARA | | | | | | |ELL=[[Elladan]]</br><small>''b. {{TA|130}}''</small>|ELO=[[Elrohir]]</br><small>''b. {{TA|130}}''</small>|ARW='''ARWEN'''</br><small>''{{TA|241}} - {{FoA|121}}''</small>|ARA=[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]</br><small>''{{TA|2931}} - {{FoA|120}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | EDN | | DAU | | | | | | | |EDN=[[Eldarion]]</br><small>''b. {{FoA}}''</small>|DAU=''unknown<br/>daughters''}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>


''Arwen'' means "noble woman" in [[Sindarin]]. Her [[epessë]], "'''Undómiel'''", means "Evenstar". She was held to be the reappearance in likeness of her ancestress [[Lúthien]] Tinúviel, most fair of all the Elves. Arwen's [[epessë]] also relates to Lúthien: ''Tinúviel'' translated to [[Quenya]] would be ''Tindómiel'', which means "Nightingale," and shares the ''-miel'' evening/night-time suffix.
== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Arwen Undomiel.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''''Arwen''''' means "Noble Maiden" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ara]]-'' = "noble" and ''[[gwenn]]'' = "maiden").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 205</ref> Tolkien remarked that it also means "greatly blessed" in Welsh.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Mr Joukes|Letter to S.E.O. Joukes, 28 August 1967]]"</ref>


The romance between Aragorn and Arwen is reminiscent of that between the Man [[Beren]] and the Elf [[Lúthien]], but as with many other tales of the Third Age, theirs is considered to be a pale copy of the deeds of earlier ages. (Lúthien, for example, once defeated [[Sauron]] to rescue Beren.) Still, few other marriages between Man and Elf are recorded in the annals of Tolkien.  
The [[Quenya]] form of her name is not entirely certain, but in his Quenya greeting, Aragorn refers to her again as "Arwen" (''Arwen vanimelda, namárië!'').<ref>{{FR|Farewell}}</ref> This suggests that the form '''Arwen''' itself is also coincidentally a valid, or at least understandable, Quenya calque (using ''[[ar]]-'', stem ''Arwend-'').


A very young Aragorn encountered Arwen for the first time at [[Rivendell]], where he had been living; she had been staying with her grandmother in [[Lórien]]. He fell in love with her when he first saw her, but it was not until they met many years later in Lórien that she fell in love with him.
Her [[epessë]], '''[[Undómiel]]''', means "Evenstar", from ''[[Undómë]]'' "evening twilight" and ''[[elen|el]]'' "star".


Arwen's first appearance in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is at Rivendell, when the [[Hobbit]]s arrive there, and Aragorn is seen with her at one point&mdash;the first hint of their relationship. Later, when the [[Fellowship of the Ring (characters)|Fellowship]] come to [[Lórien|Lothlórien]], he remembers their earlier meeting.
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Arwen in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:Arwen viv lotr.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Arwen 3.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:Arwen-LOTRO.jpg|[[Arwen]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Arwen does not appear.


She enters the story again when, before taking to the [[Paths of the Dead]], Aragorn is met by a group consisting of [[Dúnedain]], his people, from the North, and Arwen's brothers, [[Elladan and Elrohir]]. They bring to him a banner on black cloth: a gift made by the hands of Arwen, and a sign that encourages him to take the difficult path. When it is unfurled at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] to reveal the emblem of [[Elendil]] in [[mithril]], gems, and gold, it is the first triumphant announcement of the King's return.
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Arwen is voiced by [[Sonia Fraser]].


Arwen is mostly a minor character in Tolkien's ''Lord of the Rings'', but she is nevertheless described in detail in the Appendices after the third volume, ''[[The Return of the King (book)|The Return of the King]]''. She does, however, play a role in the plot which is disproportionate to the number of scenes in which she appears. When [[Éowyn]] falls in love with [[Aragorn]] it is his fidelity to Arwen that forbids him from reciprocating, thereby motivating Éowyn's subsequent actions during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] which have major repercussions for the defence of Middle-earth. Arwen continually serves as inspiration and motivation for Aragorn, who must become King before he may wed her&mdash;not an insignificant task, considering the many long years he devotes to this cause.  
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Arwen appears in Rivendell after the [[Council of Elrond]]. She has a brief dialogue with Aragorn, and recites several lines from the [[The Riddle of Strider|Riddle of Strider]]. No voice actress is specified, but it is likely [[Kath Soucie]].  


Arwen was actually a very distant relative of Aragorn, being his first cousin sixty-three times removed. By their marriages the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined. Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the Three Kings of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and the brothers [[Olwë]] and [[Elwë]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]] blood through her Arwen's great-great-great grandmother, [[Melian]].
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''


Arwen gave up her life in 121 of the [[Fourth Age]], at [[Cerin Amroth]] in [[Lórien]], after the death of Aragorn. At the time, she was 2,901 years old.
Arwen is played by [[Liv Tyler]]. Various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted, some of which deviate from the books and some of which seem inspired by ''[[The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen]]''.
 
[[Category:Middle-earth Half-elven]]
In the first film, she rescues [[Frodo Baggins]] from the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] at [[Bruinen]], thwarting them with a sudden flood, summoned by an incantation. In the book, it was [[Glorfindel]] who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the Black Riders, and Elrond and [[Gandalf]] arranged the flood. Also, in the book, Frodo defends himself against the Black Riders, whereas in the movie Arwen defends him.  Arwen wields the sword [[Hadhafang]],a non-canonical sword that belonged to her father.
 
There are  scene in which Aragorn has a dream about Arwen in which they kiss, a scene where Arwen has an argument with her father about leaving for [[Valinor]], and a scene where she actually departs for Valinor and then changes her mind and returns when she sees a vision of her future son, Eldarion.
 
In addition, towards the end of the cinematic trilogy she apparently becomes sick with grief possibly over Aragorn's seemingly hopeless cause and his impending death. Elrond takes the reforged [[Narsil]], now [[Andúril]], to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and tells him that her fate has become bound with [[the One Ring]], and that she is dying. However, no explanation is ever given for these statements. Later, after the Ring is destroyed, Arwen is present at Aragorn's coronation without any signs of illness.
 
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Arwen is a non-playable character and can be found in a gazebo overlooking the path from Rivendell into the Misty Mountains. She was not involved in the main storyline - or any side-quests for that matter - until 2010, when she passed Halbarad the banner she had made for Aragorn during the Epic Book [[Oath of the Rangers]].
 
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Arwen resides in Rivendell, where players can discuss with her both historical and present subjects. While spotting appearance of [[Liv Tyler]], her role is closer to the book that in the movie: for example, she provides Halbarad and the Grey Company the banner she had made for Aragorn, an event omitted from movie adaptation. She is voiced by [[Courtenay Taylor]].
 
== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Arwen|Images of Arwen]]
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Feminine names]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[de:Arwen]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:semi-elfes:arwen]]
[[fi:Arwen]]

Revision as of 22:12, 27 April 2017

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Arwen
Half-elf
John Howe - Arwen.jpg
"Arwen" by John Howe
Biographical Information
Other namesUndómiel (Q, "Evenstar")
TitlesQueen of Gondor
LocationRivendell, Lothlórien, Reunited Kingdom
LanguagePrimarily Sindarin[1]
BirthT.A. 241
RuleT.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120
DeathFo.A. 121 (aged 2,901)
Cerin Amroth, Lothlórien
Family
HeritageHalf-elven father, Elf mother
ParentageElrond and Celebrían
SiblingsElladan and Elrohir
SpouseAragorn
ChildrenEldarion and several daughters
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorDark[2]
Eye colorGrey[2]
ClothingGrey raiment with girdle of silver leaves;[2] silver and blue mantle[3]
GalleryImages of Arwen
"Frodo saw her whom few mortals had yet seen; Arwen, daughter of Elrond, in whom it was said that the likeness of Lúthien had come on earth again; and she was called Undómiel, for she was the Evenstar of her people."
The Fellowship of the Ring, Many Meetings[2]

Arwen Undómiel (Arwen is S, pron. [ˈarwen]; Undómiel is Q, pron. [unˈdoːmi.el]), often called Arwen Evenstar, was the betrothed of Aragorn II. She is the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían.

She was considered to be the fairest of the Children of Ilúvatar, resembling Lúthien of the First Age who would never again appear in Middle-earth. Her romance with Aragorn was reminiscent of that between the Man Beren and the Elf Lúthien. Few other marriages between Man and Elf were known. Like Lúthien, she rejected her Elven immortality to marry Aragorn and die with him.

History

Anna Lee - Evenstar

Arwen was born in T.A. 241 and was the younger sister of Elladan and Elrohir. From her mother she inherited the Elfstone.[4] As a Half-elven she shared the right of her father to choose her fate. She lived most of her life in her homestead in Imladris or Lothlórien with her grandparents.[3]

Her father fostered the sons of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, who were the exiled Heirs of Isildur.[5] It was in T.A. 2952 when she returned from Lothlórien to Rivendell when she met a young foster-son of her father, Aragorn. The young Dúnadan fell in love when he first saw her, but Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both Gondor and Arnor. Whatever Arwen's choice, she would be parted from either Elrond or Aragorn for ever.[3]

Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen

It was not until they met many years later in Lórien that she returned in love, and in T.A. 2980 they plighted their troth on Cerin Amroth. Aragorn gave her the Ring of Barahir. After Aragorn left for his travels and deeds, Arwen continually served as inspiration and motivation for him, who had to become King before he could wed her and devoted many long years to this cause.[3]

When Aragorn brought the Hobbits to Rivendell, during the War of the Ring, he reunited with Arwen. Frodo saw Aragorn with her at one point—the first hint of their relationship.[2] Later, when the Fellowship came to Lothlórien, Aragorn remembered their earlier meeting on Cerin Amroth. When the Fellowship departed and Galadriel offered them her gifts, Arwen's Elfstone was the gift for Aragorn, which he would wear ever after.[6]. This giving held the function of a wedding gift from the family of the bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.[7]

When Éowyn fell in love with Aragorn it was his fidelity to Arwen that forbade him from reciprocating, thereby motivating Éowyn's subsequent actions.[8]

While Aragorn was out in the War, Arwen made, with her hands, the Livery of Elendil in mithril, gems and gold on black cloth. This was taken by her brothers and a group of Rangers of the North to Aragorn before taking the Paths of the Dead, and was an encouraging sign for him to take the difficult path.[9] It was unfurled at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields to triumphantly announce the King's return.[10]

Janka Latečková - King and his Queen

Aragorn wed Arwen after the War of the Ring when he finally became a King of the new Reunited Kingdom. Arwen chose a fate different from her father's and did not sail to the West. As Queen of Gondor, Arwen bore one son, Eldarion, and several daughters. Even after Aragorn's death, Arwen did not repent, and eventually gave up her life in Fo.A. 121, at Cerin Amroth in Lórien, and she was buried there.[3]

Genealogy

Arwen in Rivendell

Arwen was actually a very distant relative of Aragorn, being his first cousin sixty-three times removed. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the Half-elven were joined.[11] Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the Three Kings of the High Elves (Ingwë, Finwë, and brothers Olwë and Elwë) as well as the only line with Maiarin blood through Arwen's great-great grandmother, Melian.

Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
Eärwen
b. Y.T.
 
Galadhon
b. F.A.
 
Tuor
b. F.A. 472
 
Idril
b. Y.T.
 
Dior
F.A. 470 - 506
 
Nimloth
d. F.A. 506
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Galadriel
b. Y.T. 1362
 
 
 
Celeborn
b. F.A.
 
 
 
Eärendil
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
Elwing
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celebrían
b. S.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elrond
b. F.A. 532
 
 
Elros
F.A. 532 - S.A. 442
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elladan
b. T.A. 130
 
Elrohir
b. T.A. 130
 
ARWEN
T.A. 241 - Fo.A. 121
 
 
 
Aragorn II
T.A. 2931 - Fo.A. 120
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eldarion
b. Fo.A.
 
unknown
daughters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Etymology

Arwen means "Noble Maiden" in Sindarin (from ara- = "noble" and gwenn = "maiden").[12] Tolkien remarked that it also means "greatly blessed" in Welsh.[13]

The Quenya form of her name is not entirely certain, but in his Quenya greeting, Aragorn refers to her again as "Arwen" (Arwen vanimelda, namárië!).[14] This suggests that the form Arwen itself is also coincidentally a valid, or at least understandable, Quenya calque (using ar-, stem Arwend-).

Her epessë, Undómiel, means "Evenstar", from Undómë "evening twilight" and el "star".

Portrayal in adaptations

Arwen in adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Arwen does not appear.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Arwen is voiced by Sonia Fraser.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Arwen appears in Rivendell after the Council of Elrond. She has a brief dialogue with Aragorn, and recites several lines from the Riddle of Strider. No voice actress is specified, but it is likely Kath Soucie.

2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):

Arwen is played by Liv Tyler. Various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted, some of which deviate from the books and some of which seem inspired by The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen.

In the first film, she rescues Frodo Baggins from the Black Riders at Bruinen, thwarting them with a sudden flood, summoned by an incantation. In the book, it was Glorfindel who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the Black Riders, and Elrond and Gandalf arranged the flood. Also, in the book, Frodo defends himself against the Black Riders, whereas in the movie Arwen defends him. Arwen wields the sword Hadhafang,a non-canonical sword that belonged to her father.

There are scene in which Aragorn has a dream about Arwen in which they kiss, a scene where Arwen has an argument with her father about leaving for Valinor, and a scene where she actually departs for Valinor and then changes her mind and returns when she sees a vision of her future son, Eldarion.

In addition, towards the end of the cinematic trilogy she apparently becomes sick with grief possibly over Aragorn's seemingly hopeless cause and his impending death. Elrond takes the reforged Narsil, now Andúril, to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and tells him that her fate has become bound with the One Ring, and that she is dying. However, no explanation is ever given for these statements. Later, after the Ring is destroyed, Arwen is present at Aragorn's coronation without any signs of illness.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Arwen is a non-playable character and can be found in a gazebo overlooking the path from Rivendell into the Misty Mountains. She was not involved in the main storyline - or any side-quests for that matter - until 2010, when she passed Halbarad the banner she had made for Aragorn during the Epic Book Oath of the Rangers.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Arwen resides in Rivendell, where players can discuss with her both historical and present subjects. While spotting appearance of Liv Tyler, her role is closer to the book that in the movie: for example, she provides Halbarad and the Grey Company the banner she had made for Aragorn, an event omitted from movie adaptation. She is voiced by Courtenay Taylor.

See Also

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of the Elves"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings" Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Many" defined multiple times with different content
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Farewell to Lórien"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Houses of Healing"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings"
  12. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 205
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Letter to S.E.O. Joukes, 28 August 1967"
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Farewell to Lórien"