Arwen Undómiel

Arwen was the beautiful Elda daughter of Elrond and Celebrian. Born in T.A. 241, she lived with her family in Rivendell (S. "Imladris") throughout her early life, until after the War of the Ring. When she married Aragorn in T.A. 3019 (after a 39 year engagement), she was over twenty-seven hundred years old. Arwen moved to Minas Tirith in Gondor following her wedding, and she lived there as Queen until her husband's death in F. A. 120. She then retreated to Lorien, where she spent her last months. Upon her passing in the winter of F.A. 121, she was buried on the Cerin Amroth, where she and Aragorn had pledged their love some 162 years before. Like her father Elrond and her uncle Elros, Arwen had the choice of life accorded to all Half-elves (S. "Peredhil"). She could live and die as a mortal human or she could select the course of the immortal Firstborn. After marrying Aragorn, she chose his fate, and thus became mortal. Arwen gave Aragorn a number of children, including one son, Eldarion, and together they enjoyed many golden years before sharing the "gift of death." Arwen was known for her glowingly dark beauty, which was reminiscent of her ancestor Luthien. Because of her exquisite countenance and sublime nature (and the waning of the Elves' presence in Endor), she was known as the Evening Star of her people.