[Lostgaeriel]

I like the Tale of Tinúviel the best. It has such resonance with the romance of Aragorn and Arwen. I imagine that when Aragorn decides on this poem or song to chant to the hobbits, it is because he misses Arwen (the image of Lúthien Tinúviel that the song brings to his mind is like looking at Arwen). He knows that he will see her soon, but then must part from her to complete his "test". His marriage to her is riding on the next stage of his life; they cannot wed unless he EARNS the kingship. This just adds to the melancholy mood of the piece.

I think it's one of Tolkien's better poems. The rhyme scheme is more complex than most of his stuff - ABACBABC. And the words have a rhythm echoing Tinúviel dancing in the woods. Maybe the rhyming pairs "glistening" and "listening", "shimmering" and "glimmering" are used ONCE too often. But repetition can be good too - reinforces the imagry and mood.

And it's just so darned romantic!