Elven Eyes

Today you get a double-dose. But this is a short one.

Lu and I were discussing sleep in Middle-earth last night. Gandalf was lying under his cloak with the Orthanc Stone to-hand. Pippin wanted it, and was creeping up to get it when he noticed the wizard’s eyes weren’t fully closed.

Lucy questioned this, and I reminded her of what was said of Legolas a few chapters previously:

With that [Aragorn] fell asleep. Legolas already lay motionless, his fair hands folded upon his breast, his eyes unclosed, blending living night and deep dream, as is the way with Elves.

‘I think I know why Elves sleep with their eyes open!’, Lucy says. ‘It’s because you told me that they were born under the stars before the sun and moon existed. So I think they like to fall asleep with the stars in their eyes.’

I gotta tell you folks: I was blown away. I can’t think of a more convincing argument for this theory, and can think of no solid argument against it either.

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Works Cited:

Tolkien, J.R.R., The Lord of the Rings, iii,2,’The Riders of Rohan’