Elrond
mentions that going to The Undying Land which is west of Middle Earth allows Elves to be
immortal.
Does this apply to other creatures such as
Hobbits?
I know Frodo and Bilbo Baggins go there at the end
of the Lord of the Rings but do they go there to die or to be
immortal?
Answer
I am delivering here a relevant portion of a
concerning the immortality of mortals who pass to the Undying Lands. It seems that
Christopher Tolkien used many of his father's letters to accumulate a fair body of
knowledge about Middle Earth and its rules in The Silmarillion, but
that some letters specific to the life and death of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins were
unclear, (perhaps intentionally so - my interpretation - The whole thread is a very
interesting read).
Here is the relevant passage I
found:
But in this story it
is supposed that there may be certain rare exceptions or accommodations (legitimately
supposed? there always seem to be exceptions); and so certain 'mortals', who have played
some great part in Elvish affairs, may pass with the Elves to Elvenhome. Thus Frodo (by
the express gift of Arwen) and Bilbo, and eventually Sam (as adumbrated by Frodo); and
as a unique exception Gimli the Dwarf, as a friend of Legolas and 'servant' of
Galadriel.
I have said nothing about it in this book, but
the mythical idea underlying is that for mortals, since their 'kind' cannot be changed
for ever, this is strictly only a temporary reward: a healing and redress of suffering.
They cannot abide for ever, and though they cannot return to mortal earth, they can and
will 'die' - of free will, and leave the world. - Letter
#154
Or from
letter #325:
As for Frodo or
other mortals, they could only dwell in Aman for a limited time - whether brief or long.
The Valar had neither the power nor the right to confer "immortality" upon them. Their
sojorn was a "purgatory", but one of peace and healing and they would eventually pass
away (die at their own desire and of free will) to destinations of which the Elves knew
nothing.
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