Summary

  • Frodo's journey to the Undying Lands was a reward for his bravery and role in moving the world forward.
  • Only immortal beings like Elves typically entered Valinor, but Ringbearers like Frodo and Bilbo were exceptions.
  • Frodo received special permission from the Valar to enter the Undying Lands, orchestrated by Gandalf.

Frodo Baggins is perhaps the most important character in Witch-king of Angmar and the sting from Shelob both continued to cause him pain long after he had returned home.

As a result, Frodo never truly recovered from the task that nearly claimed his life. After the completion of his story The Lord of the Rings, which he added to Bilbo's There and Back Again, Frodo leaves on the White Ship from the Grey Heavens, bound for the Undying Lands, which includes the heavenly realm of Valinor. Frodo's journey there required special permission from multiple parties, and was unique in the history of Middle-Earth at that point in time.

Aragorn, Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit, and Hera from War of the Rohirrim
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The Normal Rules For Entering The Undying Lands Explained

Typically only immortal beings can enter

Elrond (Hugo Weaving), Celeborn (Marton Csokas) and Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) standing at the Grey Havens in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Valinor means "land of the Valar", and is literally the home of the Valar, who are the gods of the world who operate under

Eru Ilúvatar, the supreme deity. The Valar each controlled different elements of the world, very similar to the Greek or Roman gods. Valinor was also the home to the Maiar, primordial spirits who were typically associated with one of (or several of) the Valar, but less powerful. The Five Wizards actually began as Maiar before transitioning to their physical form. Valinor was geographically located on the continent of Aman, which lay to the west of Middle-Earth. Generally speaking, only immortal beings were ever allowed in Valinor, which is why the Elves all journey there when they leave Middle-Earth. After the First Age, Valinor actually ceased to be part of the physical world and transcended into a more spiritual realm, which was only accessible by Elven ships that took the Straight Road, an invisible bridge that allowed for age between the different planes. Once in Valinor, the beings there would continue to live forever.

All Ringbearers Were Allowed Into Lord Of The Rings' Undying Lands

Frodo wasn't even the only Hobbit

Elderly Bilbo Baggins ready to board the ships to the Gray Havens in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The primary reason that Frodo was allowed into the Undying Lands was because he bore the One Ring. As a ringbearer, Frodo was not the only mortal being allowed to cross into the Undying Lands. As Frodo narrates in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Bilbo Baggins was accorded "a special honor" by the Elves. That's why both he and Frodo were allowed to leave on the White Ship with Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel.

All Mortal Beings Allowed In The Undying Lands

Mortal

Reason

Frodo Baggins

Bearer of the One Ring

Bilbo Baggins

Bearer of the One Ring

Samwise Gamgee

Bearer of the One Ring

Gimli

Brought by Legolas

Samwise Gamgee is later allowed to journey to the Undying Lands where he likely reunited with Frodo. Sam technically bore the One Ring as well when he believed Shelob had killed Frodo, making him an important part of Sauron's demise. The Ringbearers ultimately were allowed into the Undying Lands because they were part of the Valar's plan to reinvigorate the world of Men, which began with Aragorn's ascension to the throne and Sauron's destruction.

Why Frodo Being Let Into The Undying Lands Was Such A Big Deal

Frodo received special permission from the Valar

In the movies, there is virtually no mention of the immortal beings and spirits that control the world, and so Frodo and Bilbo's inclusion on the White Ship is explained as a special honor from the Elves. In the novels, Frodo actually receives permission from the Valar themselves, albeit indirectly. It was actually Arwen's idea to send Frodo west, and she prayed to the Valar to permit it. She even offered to give up her own right to travel west so that Frodo might be permitted.

Interestingly, Gimli later broke the rules of the Undying Lands when Legolas took him there on his own journey, and as a result their friendship lasted forever.

Per one of Tolkien's own letters, it was Gandalf who accepted her proposal, as a direct representative of the Valar. Gandalf had much more influence than the movies imply, and therefore the final decision to allow Frodo and Bilbo to the Undying Lands rested with him. As Tolkien himself puts it, Gandalf was "virtually their plenipotentiary in accomplishing the plan against Sauron." Frodo's journey to the Undying Lands was a reward for his vital role in essentially moving the world forward.

Source: The Tolkien Estate

The Lord of the Rings Franchise Poster with Gold Words Resembling a Ring
The Lord of the Rings
Created by
J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.