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the lord of the rings - Why did Celeborn not go with Galadriel?


Galadriel and Celeborn are a strange couple, that's sure. But is there some reference to the reasons why Celeborn doesn't leave for the Grey Havens (which he will do, sooner or later even if we don't know when) together with his Queen?



Answer



You're right that we don't know exactly when he did leave:



It is said that Celeborn went to dwell [in Rivendell] after the departure of Galadriel; but there is no record of the day when at last he sought the Grey Havens, and with him went the last living memory of the Elder Days in Middle-earth.




However Celeborn probably stayed to ensure the success of his new Elven realm, East Lorien. Elves also only left when they were tired of Middle Earth. In Celeborn and Galadriel's case, it appears that the wife tired before the husband, though it was not unusual for Elven partners to spend years apart (see Elrond and Celebrían).



Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest; and they renamed Mirkwood Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil took all the northern region as far as the mountains that rise in the forest for his realm; and Celeborn took the southern wood below the Narrows, and named it East Lórien; all the wide forest between was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen. But after the passing of Galadriel in a few years Celeborn grew weary of his realm and went to Imladris to dwell with the sons of Elrond. In the Greenwood the Silvan Elves remained untroubled, but in Lórien there lingered sadly only a few of its former people, and there was no longer light or song in Caras Galadhon.



All quotes from the Appendices.


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