Although the Undying Lands are primarily for immortal beings,The Lord of the Ringssees severalmortals traveling to Valinor, including Frodo and Bilbo Baggins.The Return of the King’s endingshows both former Ring-bearers departing from Middle-earth alongside Gandalf, boarding a ship to the Undying Lands. Samwise Gamgee doesn’t join them until later, but he’s yet another Hobbit who winds up there. And this raises questions about why Merry and Pippin don’t journey to the Undying Lands afterThe Lord of the Rings,as both Hobbits boast heroic feats during the War of the Ring.
But heroics don’t automatically grant one passage to Valinor, and evenAragorn doesn’t go to the Undying LandsafterThe Lord of the Rings.Legolas ventures there because it’s standard for the Elves, andGimli is granted entrybecause of his bond with Legolas. However, the Hobbits' that are allowed entry to the Undying Lands go there under special circumstances.This explains why Merry and Pippin don’t end their journeys there, even though Frodo and Sam both do.
Why Frodo Went To Valinor At The End Of Lord Of The Rings
Being A Ring-bearer Grants Frodo Passage To The Undying Lands
Despite the Undying Lands being inaccessible to most mortal beings, Frodo and Bilbo are given passage to the realm after the events ofThe Lord of the Rings.The two Hobbits are exceptions to the rule because they’re Ring-bearers, a role that comes with great responsibility — and also takes a massive toll on the person stepping into it. This iswhy Frodo leaves Middle-earth: he still suffers the devastating effects of wearing the One Ring, even years after destroying it. The injuries Frodo sustains carrying the ring and the emotional weight of his journey push him to seek peace.
Elves and other beings who venture to the Undying Lands find rest and tranquility there, so this is why this realm is the ideal place for Ring-bearers to go.
Elves and other beings who venture to the Undying Lands find rest and tranquility there, so this is why this realm is the ideal place for Ring-bearers to go — especially after facing as much trauma as Frodo. He’s permitted there because he carried the One Ring, buthe makes the choice to leave Middle-earth behind because he needs to heal. It’s a fitting and deserved end for Frodo, even if it’s a bit bittersweet. And Frodo and Bilbo aren’t the only Hobbits who go to the Undying Lands afterThe Lord of the Rings,though it takes Sam longer to travel there.
How, When & Why Sam Went To The Undying Lands After LOTR
Sam Is Also Technically A Ring-bearer
J.R.R. Tolkien’s appendices confirm that Samwise Gamgee goes to the Undying Lands after Frodo and Bilbo, also sailing there — though he waits until after Rosie’s death. Upon returning to the Shire after the War of the Ring, Sam and Rosie Cotton get married and start a family. Sam also becomes mayor of the Shire, so he has a long and happy life there before he joins Frodo in Valinor.He embarks on his own journey to the Undying Lands in the 61st year of the Fourth Age, after Rosie dies on Mid-year’s Day.
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Sam being allowed into the Undying Lands may seem surprising at first, but it makes sense when you realize that he’s also technically a Ring-bearer. Although Sam doesn’t carry the One Ring nearly as long as Bilbo or Frodo, but he does take it following Frodo’s near-fatal encounter with Shelob. When Sam believes Frodo is lost, he takes the One Ring in the hopes of completing their quest himself. Fortunately, Shelob doesn’t actually manage to kill Frodo, so Sam doesn’t bear the object for very long.
Sam isn’t tempted by the Ringthroughout their journey inThe Lord of the Rings, and judging by the life he builds after the War of the Ring, he isn’t as affected by the object as Frodo. Even so,he’s given passage to the Undying Lands because of his brief stint as Ring-bearer.
They Never Carried The One Ring
While Merry and Pippin face their share of trauma during the War of the Ring, neither of them has a reason to go to the Undying Lands after it ends. Unlike Frodo and Sam,neither of the other Hobbits carry the One Ring. They don’t accompany Frodo all the way to Mordor like Sam does. Instead, they’re taken by Orcs, find their way to Isengard, and eventually reunite with the rest of the Fellowship. There’s no denying that the other two Hobbits play pivotal roles in the fight against Sauron, but they don’t struggle with the effects of the Ring.
Since they’re not Ring-bearers, they aren’t among the mortals who can go to Valinor — but they also have little reason to seek out such a fate.
Since they’re not Ring-bearers, they aren’t among the mortals who can go to Valinor — but they also have little reason to seek out such a fate. Never bearing the weight ofSauron’s One Ring,they’re able to move on from the War of the Ring in a way that Frodo, and even Sam to some extent, simply cannot. And Tolkien suggests that both Merry and Pippin lead happy lives afterThe Lord of the Rings,so their fates are satisfying, even though they don’t go to the Undying Lands.
What Happened To Merry & Pippin After Lord Of The Rings?
They Both Become Leaders
The Hobbits' return to the Shire inThe Lord of the Ringsmoviesdiffers from Tolkien’s books, as Peter Jackson’s filmscut the Scouring of the Shire. But their homecoming is presumably followed by the same events in both versions of the story, andMerry and Pippin continue to have interesting livesafterLOTR.On the heels of Frodo’s departure to the Undying Lands, Merry throws himself into scholarly pursuits, writing about his adventures during the War of the Ring.He also becomes the eighth Master of Buckland, allowing him to have more adventures and a position of authority.
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Pippin’s life afterThe Lord of the Ringsisn’t as studious as Merry’s, but it also sees him taking on an important position. Following the death of his father, Pippin becomes the Thain of the Shire, a role that involves overseeing its governing body and military. Pippin also continues to travel and maintain his relationships outside the Shire, something that’s unthinkable for many Hobbits, especially prior toThe Lord of the Rings.Merry and Pippin’s fates prove that there are many ways to be of use in Middle-earth, even if they don’t grant one access to the Undying Lands.
