From the Toysit archive
Lord of the Rings Barbie and Ken
Arwen’s pale green gown and Aragorn’s crowned costume inspire an original garden-gate welcome with paper banners and peaceful greetings.
The play at a glance
Two elaborate costumes at a storybook gate
Arwen’s pale green gown and long dark hair stand beside Aragorn’s crown, cloak and dark armor. Silvery details brighten the flowing dress, while the crowned figure gives the pair a ceremonial presence. Imagine a quiet arrival at a garden gate: banners are ready, guests are approaching and the hosts have a special greeting to offer.
Let costume details shape the setting
The gown’s long sleeves and silvery trim suggest flowing lines for a banner. The crown offers a different motif: a row of points above a formal entrance. Choose a detail from either costume and repeat it in a paper setting.
Mattel presents the pair as collector dolls. Keep a surviving set arranged for display according to its own guidance, and let paper figures carry out the story if preferred. A greeting, a banner and an imagined guest can make a complete scene around stationary figures.
The pictured sword is part of Aragorn’s costume. This scene gives the characters a welcoming role, with the story told through words and the decorations around them.
Create a welcome at the garden gate
Fold a sheet of paper so it stands upright and draw a wide gate. Add vines, stars or curling leaves around its arch. Beside it, place two paper banners with a repeated motif borrowed from the costume details.
Invent a peaceful celebration for the garden: the opening of a new fountain, the first evening of a lantern festival or a gathering to hear the town’s storytellers. Give the celebration a name of your own.
Write two original greetings, one for each host. One might welcome the visitors to the garden; the other might invite them to notice the new fountain. Keep the lines short enough to say aloud as a guest arrives.
Let a partner invent a visitor who brings a story, a song title or a drawing as a gift. The hosts respond with a thank-you and show the visitor a favorite part of the garden. Change the guest for a second arrival, then add the greetings to the back of the gate as a record of your celebration.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The complete earlier product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
Collectible Barbie and Ken Dolls Capture the Magic and Majesty of Arwen and Aragorn of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Considered by millions throughout the world to be the greatest adventure ever told, The Lord of the Rings trilogy has ignited the imaginations of millions of readers throughout the world. New Line Cinema brought this classic legend to the motion picture screen and introduced movie audiences to the extraordinary world of Middle-earth.
Based on New Line Cinema's upcoming film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel, "The Return of the King," Barbie doll and Ken doll portray the romance and drama of Arwen and Aragorn. The characters from the mystical world of Middle-earth are brought to life with exquisite detail in a commemorative Collector Edition gift set to coincide with the third release titled "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" on December 17.
"Barbie Collectibles is dedicated to bringing the most beautiful and detailed renditions to life for `The Lord of the Rings' and Barbie fans alike," said Deanna Kangas, Director at Mattel. "The film provides vividly rich images to work with, and we are excited to be part of the project."
Barbie doll captures the essence of Arwen, considered to be the most beautiful of all living beings in Middle-earth, dressed in a gown with silvery details on the bodice and sleeves. The doll's beautiful long flowing hair is adorned with a beaded butterfly-patterned hair ornament.
Off on another adventurous journey to defend the Fellowship, Ken doll wears an elaborate warrior costume featuring a cloak, body armor, crown and sword.
The Lord of the Rings Barbie and Ken gift set was available in November 2003 carrying a suggested retail price of $59.95.
New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" film was released in theaters nationwide on December 17, 2003.
Sources and editorial notes
Mattel’s B3449 record and boxed product photograph support the costume details and 14+ collector marking. Its database lists release in 2004; Toysit’s November 14, 2003 report records November 2003 availability. Both source-specific dates are retained. The original price, film release information, quotation and all seven paragraphs remain historical coverage. The peaceful garden-gate scene is an original Toysit activity, not a film scene or articulation claim. No physical testing was performed.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site image reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Mattel Arwen and Aragorn B3449 record — Official costume description, collector age marking and boxed photograph; release-year difference retained explicitly.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete historical account retained, including its original claims and wording.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
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