But there is also the situation with Beren and Luthien, who were also allowed back to Middle Earth, and that was just for *love*. No deed of sacrifice or anything like that! Beren had done his bit, copped a fang in the chest and snuffed it! Luthien *died* and slipped over to Namo, where she sung him a song and got Beren released! *HOW* easily!

The point being neither seemed to have warrented such special treatment, especially when their deeds, great though they may have been, that cumulated in the recovery of the Silmarill brough so much more grief to Middle Earth. Of course in the end the recovery of the Silmaril lead to the War of Wrath, so that was a good thing!

What I am saying is that there seem to have been a lot of elves that deserved a release from the Halls of Mandos that never seem to get it. Finrod and Glorfindel's acts of self sacrifice make them the obvious candidates and they do indeed get their prison sentence commuted. But what about the others.

Finwe, for instance. The first being to be slain (and only one wasn't he?) in Valinor, just because he *loved* (there's that word again) he son so much!

Fingon. He risked everything in his successful rescue of Maedhros, which lead to Maedhros' selfless act of giving up the exiled Lordship of the Noldor.

Maedhros, for said act. If he had kept the High Kingship then I am sure the Noldor would have been spilt for ever, but he didn't. He realised that the House of Feanor had not acted very well at all and selflessly gave up his claim, and therefore the claim of the House of Feanor, to hold the High Kingship.

Maglor. I can't believe this chap got *SUCH* a raw deal. Not only did he want to repudiate his Oath, but he also looked after the two children, Elrond and Elros, who were destined to effect the rest of the history of Middle Earth.

I am sure there are others, but I can't think of them at the moment, though I am sure Beleg's friendship and acts of sacrifice in his attempt to aid Turin would give his claim the credance it needed.

Cheers

Padster