: Beren and Luthien themselves - rescued the Silmaril from Morgoth's crown.
: Yes, this was a valiant deed, but besides proving their undying love for
: each other, I'm not sure what else it did.
: Dior - killed some of Feanor's sons. Besides that, I don't think he did
: anything spectacular.
: Elwing - the wife of Earendil. Again, a character based around love and the
: Silmaril
: Elrond - hmm. fought in a few battles, gave some good advice.
: Elros - I'd consider Elros to be one of the most important descendents of
: Luthien, since without him, there would not have been Aragorn (who I would
: think would have a great amount of responsibility for overthrowing Sauron).
: Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir - Arwen's the wife/love of Aragorn. That's
: basically her only role. The boys look like Noldor lords and are messengers
: for dad. (excuse the chipiness here) Although, I suppose it could be said
: that without Arwen, Aragorn wouldn't have had the incentive to do
: everything he did.

: and just for fun, let's look at Idril and Tuor
: themselves - survived the fall of Gondolin, Tuor gets to be the first man
: counted among the elves in Valinor.
: Earendil - This I can understand. He played a major role in the Great War,
: by killing Ancalagon and thereby destroying Thangorodrim. Plus, he's the
: father of Elros.

: oh yes, I almost forgot:
: Eldarion - who, as far as we know, took the throne and admired the peace
: that his father established.

: So, there was Earendil and Aragorn (and possibly Arwen as a catalyst for
: Aragorn). Were these two the greater purpose for the joining of elves and
: men? Obviously for Earendil, Huor even knew that. Then is it safe to say
: that the purpose of Beren and Luthien was to be foreparents of Aragorn and
: Arwen?
: This might be a pointless post here. If it is..please ignore.
: -----

Before the Valar would "pardon" the Noldor and intevene in the hopeless war against Melkor, they would have to have some very special circumstances fulfilled; a messenger from Beleriand asking for the pardon (preferably one from an innocent race that had become embroiled in the struggle without cause), great suffering endured by the Elves, a great strike against Morgoth done, return of the light of the Two Trees kept in the Silmarils- do you see where I am aiming? Eärendil brought back a silmaril, the Silmaril that had been taken from Morgoth by Beren and Luthien, in him and his wife, Man, Elf, and Maia was united- only this mixture carrying a silmaril could reach Valinor and attain the help of the powers. The Silmaril had to be attained somehow, attained through an unselfish deed of love, uniting the races (I could not go with all my pride, pain and rage. I can hardly put more words to it- you have to reread Sil. and think of what I have stated. As for Elrond he is one of The Wise and a stable presence to advice and succour those in need through the ages, further, he seems to host the meetings of the White Council (not us). The Númenóran royal line did other things than just gather power to produce Aragorn, they helped the elves, annihilated Sauron, held him at bay for milleniums and sacrificed so much for the peace of the rest of the world.
There is more, but my girlfriend needs me- ;-) Neithan Turambar (I would have abased myself for no-one and forced the Valar to acquisit to help!)