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the lord of the rings - Why did all the Ringbearers leave Middle-earth in the end?


At the end of The Return of the King, Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel left Middle-earth on a ship, along with other elves. I named those five because they were all ringbearers and it seems to be a common trait. Frodo and Bilbo bore the One Ring and the three others bore the three elven Rings.


Why did they have to do that? Why didn't they stay and have a peaceful life now that the Dark Lord was gone?



Answer



Gandalf was Istari and did not properly belong to the mortal lands of Middle-Earth anyhow.


Elrond (by his choice) and Galadriel (by her blood) were Elvenkind and destined to grow weary of Middle-Earth. They long to take the Straight Road1 to the Blessed Realm as time goes on; they do not pass their days forever in Middle-Earth.



The Hobbits Frodo and Bilbo (and later Samwise), although of Mortal kind, by virtue of having borne the One Ring also bore a weariness in their bones. But in Middle-Earth they could find no relief from this. Although the Gift of Men (halflings being of Mankind) might bring them relief upon their death, they were granted a boon to travel to the West and pass their long days in peace until the Gift was granted them.2


1Since the Bending of the World, the only way to travel to Aman was by Elven ships following the Straight Road.


2It is also told in the Red Book of Westmarch that Gimli son of Glóin travelled to the Undying Lands in the company of his steadfast Elven companion Legolas, and for his love of Galadriel.


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