J.R.R. Tolkien discussion

I just completed a full re-read and for the first time noticed that Celeborn did not accompany his wife to the Havens. Anyone else notice this? Was it referred to in earlier chapters? Seems like he's a glutton for punishment if he decided to remain in Middle Earth as the Age of Man begins.

Richard wrote: "I just completed a full re-read and for the first time noticed that Celeborn did not accompany his wife to the Havens. Anyone else notice this? Was it referred to in earlier chapters? Seems like he..."

Hello Richard,

In the appendix B (quite near the end of the chapter) it is stated that Celeborn went to dwell in Imladris, with the sons of Elrond, for some time.

I don't remember where I've read it but after some time he too went to the Grey Havens and sailed to the West.

His motives are a riddle for me too and I hope someone in this group can provide further information on that ;-)

Have a great day!

Joey wrote: "I don't remember where I've read it but after some time he too went to the Grey Havens and sailed to the West."

It's not stated in either The Silmarillion nor The Lord of the Rings that Celeborn sailed for the West after his time with the sons of Elrond, but in The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth, Foster speculates that "Perhaps after that he went over Sea." Could that be where you read it?

As to why Celeborn chose to stay on in Middle-earth after Galadriel went West, again there is no direct information, so it becomes necessary to speculate further. The Silmarillion says that at the end of the First Age, Celeborn, along with some other Eldalië, were not "willing to leave the Hither Lands where they had long suffered and dwelt". So it may, perhaps, be the same reason that kept Celeborn there at the end of the Third Age - much of his long life had been spent in Middle-earth and it seems he felt his work there was not yet done.

Appendix B of LoTR says that after the War of the Ring, Celeborn established the realm of East Lórien in the south of the former Mirkwood, perhaps in order to rid it of the evil that Sauron had established there when he took the guise of the Necromancer of Dol Guldur. If so, it would perhaps seem that such evil had lost its power with the destruction of the One Ring and, finding little there to accomplish, Celeborn sought out the company of Elrond's sons at Imladris. Speculation, but perhaps it fits?