I personally don't like the word pity because it has all these horrible personal connotations for me -- I prefer using mercy and sympathy even when pity is closer to the probable intent. But that's a personal thing. Quirk, I guess.

This is related to people disliking the idea that Aragorn might want to save Middle-Earth because Arwen is dying (which I really do relate to her giving up her immortality, which does mean she's dying and Elrond would totally think that that counted as imminent doom, since he still is immortal) instead of just because it needs saving. But I think it's good to have both impersonal and personal reasons. Yes, it's all well and good to say people should fight because It's The Right Thing To Do, but it's easier to do the right thing if it means protecting your honey Mary-Jo back home in Boston, you know?

Mixing the personal and the global isn't wrong -- it helps clarify the fight. It's good to see both forest and trees.

In other words? Yep. Totally agree with you.