The fate of Ents - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thingol · 02-17-2002, 11:03 AM

This comes up in a few threads on the board but the question still hasn't been answered; what happenes to Ents when they die? Do they share the fait of men and leave Arda or are they doomed to remain in Arda until the end of the world like elves?

Tigerlily Gamgee · 02-17-2002, 11:41 AM

Is that question ever answered in the books? I am surprised that there is nothing about them in the appendixes. From what I have read in the book I am assuming that they are not immortal - they just live for a very very long time. But they could be - ya know, I am not good at answering this question, though it is something that I would like to know as well [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

***Sharkû*** · 02-17-2002, 12:45 PM

Song of Ent and Entwife:

"When wind is in the deadly East, then in the bitter rainI'll look for thee, and call to thee; I'll come to thee again! [...]I'll look for thee, and wait for thee, until we meet again:Together we will take the road beneath the bitter rain! Together we will take the road that leads into the West, And far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest'" (Emphasis mine).

While this may be poetic and uninformed exaggeration or speculation, we also have:

"But Galadriel said [to Treebeard]: ‘Not in Middle-earth, nor until the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again. Then in the willow-meads of Tasarinan we may meet in the Spring. Farewell!’ (LR, VI, 6, 'Many Partings').

Note that Tasarinan is Nan-Tathren, that was drowned along with the rest of Beleriand. That Fangorn will still be there after the remodelling of the world after (presumably) the Dagor Dagorath, the ME apocalypse, explains that at least he is immortal. We can quite safely assume this goes for all Ents, unless Fangorn is a special spirit, fay, or maybe Maia (the latter being in my eyes and knowledge rather unlikely).

[ February 17, 2002: Message edited by: Sharku ]

Kuruharan · 02-17-2002, 04:10 PM

I assume you mean that they don't leave the circles of this world, because Beechbone at least was burned alive. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

***Sharkû*** · 02-17-2002, 04:59 PM

As with the Elves, immortality always only refers to the fëar (souls), not the hróar (physical bodies). I thought that was obvious, sorry for leaving it so vague.

Kuruharan · 02-17-2002, 06:26 PM

I thought that's what you had to mean.
Just making sure. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Lindolirian · 02-17-2002, 08:52 PM

Sounds like a good Fan Fiction topic in the making...

02-17-2002, 11:03 AM	#1
Thingol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 259	The fate of Ents This comes up in a few threads on the board but the question still hasn't been answered; what happenes to Ents when they die? Do they share the fait of men and leave Arda or are they doomed to remain in Arda until the end of the world like elves? __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

02-17-2002, 11:41 AM	#2
Tigerlily Gamgee Hostess of Spirits Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Meduseld Posts: 1,055	Is that question ever answered in the books? I am surprised that there is nothing about them in the appendixes. From what I have read in the book I am assuming that they are not immortal - they just live for a very very long time. But they could be - ya know, I am not good at answering this question, though it is something that I would like to know as well [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ ~ ExerciseJunky.com (Hobbits fitness of choice!)~ ~Lady of Rohan: An Eowyn Fansite ~ ~The NEW/OLD Barrow Downs Photo Page~

02-17-2002, 04:10 PM	#4
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	I assume you mean that they don't leave the circles of this world, because Beechbone at least was burned alive. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

02-17-2002, 06:26 PM	#6
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,593	I thought that's what you had to mean. Just making sure. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

02-17-2002, 08:52 PM	#7
Lindolirian World's Tallest Hobbit Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Where the view is long Posts: 2,117	Sounds like a good Fan Fiction topic in the making... __________________ 'They say that the One will himself enter into Arda, and heal Men and all the Marring from the beginning to the end."

02-17-2002, 12:45 PM	#3
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	Song of Ent and Entwife: "When wind is in the deadly East, then in the bitter rainI'll look for thee, and call to thee; I'll come to thee again! [...]I'll look for thee, and wait for thee, until we meet again:Together we will take the road beneath the bitter rain! Together we will take the road that leads into the West, And far away will find a land where both our hearts may rest'" (Emphasis mine). While this may be poetic and uninformed exaggeration or speculation, we also have: "But Galadriel said [to Treebeard]: ‘Not in Middle-earth, nor until the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again. Then in the willow-meads of Tasarinan we may meet in the Spring. Farewell!’ (LR, VI, 6, 'Many Partings'). Note that Tasarinan is Nan-Tathren, that was drowned along with the rest of Beleriand. That Fangorn will still be there after the remodelling of the world after (presumably) the Dagor Dagorath, the ME apocalypse, explains that at least he is immortal. We can quite safely assume this goes for all Ents, unless Fangorn is a special spirit, fay, or maybe Maia (the latter being in my eyes and knowledge rather unlikely). [ February 17, 2002: Message edited by: Sharku ]

02-17-2002, 04:59 PM	#5
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,719	As with the Elves, immortality always only refers to the fëar (souls), not the hróar (physical bodies). I thought that was obvious, sorry for leaving it so vague.