An encyclopedia of Middle-earth and Numenor

Amdír

Throughout the Second Age, Lothlorien was at peace, and few outsiders even knew of its existence. At some point, the Elves of Lothlorien encountered Galadriel, who was then living in Eregion on the other side of the Misty Mountains. She and her husband Celeborn may have come to live in Lothlorien for a short time after the fall of Eregion in 1697.

In 3434, Amdir responded to a summons from Gil-galad to join the fight against Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance. Amdir's forces were valiant, but they were poorly equipped for battle. At the Battle of Dagorlad, they were cut off from their allies and were driven into the marshland west of the Black Gate. Amdir and more than half his troops were killed. The marshland became known as the Dead Marshes because of the corpses of Elves, Men, and Orcs who perished there.

Sauron was defeated in 3441. Amdir's son Amroth succeeded him as the King of Lothlorien.

Names & Etymology:
The name Amdír is composed of am meaning "up" and dir which is a masculine ending. In another version of the story, he was called Malgalad, which contains the element mal meaning "gold" and galad meaning "radiant."

Sources:
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 240, 243-44, 258
The Silmarillion: "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for kal and mal
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entry for DER

Amroth

Amroth was of Sindarin descent, though most of the Elves of Lothlorien were Silvan Elves, or Wood-elves. He fell in love with a Silvan Elf named Nimrodel. Nimrodel loved Amroth, but she refused to marry him because she believed that the coming of outsiders like the Sindar had exposed Lothlorien to the dangers of Middle-earth. She lived apart from the other Elves near a river that later bore her name, and she maintained the speech and customs of the Silvan Elves.

Amroth lived on a flet - a platform in the branches of a tree - on a hill that came to be called Cerin Amroth. Flets were used by the Elves of Lothlorien as look-out posts. It was most likely Amroth who began the custom of dwelling on flets, and he may have gotten the idea from Nimrodel.

Around 1100 of the Third Age, it was learned that an evil power had built the stronghold of Dol Guldur across the Anduin from Lothlorien. This power became known as the Necromancer, although it was in fact Sauron. Galadriel and Celeborn came to Lothlorien to investigate. They remained for a time, but eventually they left.

In 1980, the Dwarves of Khazad-dum encountered the Balrog, which had lurked beneath the mountains since the end of the First Age. The Dwarves abandoned Khazad-dum and it became a place of evil known as Moria. In 1981, Nimrodel fled from Lothlorien, and Amroth pursued her. He caught up with Nimrodel in the eaves of Fangorn Forest, and she promised to marry him if he could bring her to a land of peace. They agreed to sail together to the Undying Lands.

Amroth and Nimrodel traveled south with a number of Elves from Lothlorien. Their destination was the Elf-haven of Edhellond on the Bay of Belfalas from which ships sailed into the West. On the journey, Nimrodel became lost in the White Mountains. Amroth convinced the Elves on the last remaining ship to wait for her. In the autumn, a great storm came from the north and ship was swept out into the Bay.

Amroth had been sleeping, and the ship was far from the coast when he awoke and realized what had happened. He jumped overboard and tried to swim back to shore to find Nimrodel, but he drowned. Galadriel and Celeborn returned to Lothlorien and became the rulers of the Elves that remained there.

Later, the city of Dol Amroth on the coast near Edhellond was named for Amroth. It was said by the Elves of Lothlorien that his voice could sometimes be heard on the wind that came up the Anduin from the Sea.

Note:
In one version of the story (UT, p. 234), Amroth was said to be the son of Galadriel and Celeborn, but this seems to have been a rejected idea.

Names & Etymology:
The name Amroth means "up climber, high climber" from am or amba meaning "up" and rath meaning "climb." The name is not a pure Sindarin form but was probably influenced by the Silvan language. It was said to be a nickname given to him because he lived on a flet in a tree.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," p. 353-55, 365
The Return of the King: "The Last Debate," p. 148
Appendix F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age," p. 405 note 1
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 234, 240-46, 255 note 16, 257-58; "Cirion and Eorl," p. 316 note 39

Arwen

Celeborn

Celebrían

In 2509, Celebrian was journeying over the Misty Mountains through the Redhorn Gate to her parents' home in Lothlorien when she was captured by Orcs. She received a poisoned wound and was tormented by the Orcs before her sons found her and rescued her. Elrond was able to heal her physical wounds, but Celebrian remained troubled by her memories and fear and she could no longer find joy in Middle-earth. She left Middle-earth in 2510 and sailed over the Sea to the Undying Lands.

Celebrian's sons spent many years hunting Orcs in retribution for their mother's torment. It is not known whether Elladan and Elrohir chose to remain in Middle-earth or to go to the Undying Lands. Celebrian's daughter Arwen chose mortality and lived in Middle-earth with her husband Aragorn until her death. Elrond remained in Middle-earth until after the fall of Sauron. In September of 3021 he sailed over the Sea to join his wife.

Notes:
In the first edition of The Lord of the Rings, the marriage date of Celebrian and Elrond is given as the year 100 of the Third Age.

Celebrian is mentioned in "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn" in Unfinished Tales. However, since there are contradictory versions of this tale the information cannot be considered entirely reliable. In one version, Celebrian had a brother named Amroth, and Galadriel brought her two children to dwell in Lothlorien between 1350 and 1400 of the Second Age. Elrond is said to have met Celebrian when she visited Rivendell around 1701 of the Second Age, and he fell in love with her then but did not tell her of his feelings. Celebrian is then said to have accompanied her parents to live in Belfalas.

Names & Etymology:
Celebrian means "silver queen." The word celeb means "silver." The ending rian means "crown gift" from rî meaning "crown" and anna meaning "gift."

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Many Meetings," p. 239
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The North-kingdom and the Dunedain," p. 323
Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 366, 368
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 234, 237, 240, 244, 251
The Silmarillion: "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for CELEB
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entry for RIG
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Making of Appendix A," p. 264
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #345 (meaning of Celebrian)

Celebrimbor

One source states that Celebrimbor accompanied his father and grandfather when Feanor led the Noldor to Middle-earth to retrieve the Silmarils from Morgoth. Celebrimbor's mother (whose name is unknown) is said to have refused to take part in the rebellion and remained behind in the Undying Lands. Although Celebrimbor followed his father, he was said to be more like his mother in temperament. (HoME XII, p. 318)

Curufin first lived with his brother Celegorm in Himlad, but they were forced to flee after the Battle of Sudden Flame in the year 455 of the First Age. They then went to Nargothrond, the stronghold of their cousin Finrod Felagund, and Celebrimbor dwelled there with them.

In 465, Finrod left Nargothrond and accompanied Beren on a quest to steal a Silmaril from Morgoth. Celegorm and Curufin learned that Finrod and Beren had been captured by Morgoth's lieutenant Sauron, but they did not try to rescue them because they wanted to gain power for themselves. When it was later learned that Finrod had died in prison, Celegorm and Curufin were exiled from Nargothrond.

Celebrimbor had been friends with Finrod, and he renounced the treachery of his father and uncle. He remained in Nargothrond, which was then ruled by Finrod's brother Orodreth. Nargothrond was destroyed in 495 and Orodreth was slain. Celebrimbor's whereabouts during this time and for the remainder of the First Age are not known.

After the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age, many Elves returned to the Undying Lands, but Celebrimbor was among those who remained. He migrated eastward with a group of Noldorin Elves including Finrod's sister Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. In 750 of the Second Age, they settled in Eregion at the foot of the Misty Mountains. They chose this location because Celebrimbor had learned that the Dwarves of Khazad-dum had found a precious metal which Celebrimbor named mithril.

The Elves of Eregion built the city of Ost-in-Edhil, and there they established the House of the Mirdain, or jewel-smiths. They became known as the Gwaith-i-Mirdain, or People of the Jewel-smiths, and they made many beautiful things. Celebrimbor was the greatest of the Elven-smiths.

Celebrimbor befriended the Dwarves of Khazad-dum, and they shared skills and secrets with each other. The Dwarves adapted the rune system of the Elves for their own use, while Celebrimbor became highly skilled in working with mithril.

Celebrimbor was especially close friends with the Dwarf-craftsman Narvi. Narvi made the Doors of Durin at the West-gate of Khazad-dum, and Celebrimbor drew a secret inscription on the doors with a substance called ithildin - derived from mithril - which could only be seen in starlight and moonlight once activated by touch and a special incantation.

Celebrimbor may also have made the Elessar, which was a clear green stone set in a silver brooch shaped like an eagle. He gave the Elessar to Galadriel, who later gave it to Aragorn. According to one story, Celebrimbor was in love with Galadriel (UT, p. 250). In a revised version of this story, Celebrimbor is said to have also made an earlier Elessar in the First Age which ended up with Earendil. But these stories are from a different account of Celebrimbor's history in which he was a craftsman of Gondolin. (See note below.)

In 1200, Sauron came to Eregion in a fair disguise, calling himself Annatar, Lord of Gifts. He claimed to be an emissary of the Valar, and he promised to teach the Elves many things. The Elven-smiths greatly desired to improve their skills and craftsmanship. Celebrimbor in particular coveted the skills and fame of his grandfather Feanor. He was not corrupted by Sauron, but he was deceived by his lies.

According to one version of the story, Celebrimbor was convinced by Sauron to revolt against Galadriel, who left Eregion and went to Lothlorien between 1350 and 1400 (UT, p. 237). However, there is no mention of this revolt elsewhere.

Under Sauron's instruction, Celebrimbor and the Elven-smiths began to forge the Rings of Power around 1500. They made the Seven Rings and the Nine Rings with Sauron's help. Around 1590, Celebrimbor made the Three Rings - Narya, Nenya, and Vilya - by himself.

Around 1600, Sauron forged the One Ring to rule the other Rings of Power. Even the Three Rings were subject to the One because Celebrimbor had made them using skills that he learned from Sauron. When Sauron put on the One Ring, Celebrimbor realized that he had been deceived.

Celebrimbor consulted with Galadriel about what to do with the Three Rings. They could not bring themselves to destroy them, so they agreed that the Three should be hidden. In 1693, Celebrimbor gave Nenya to Galadriel and he sent Narya and Vilya to Gil-galad in Lindon.

Saruon was enraged and he declared war against the Elves. His forces besieged Eregion and broke through the defenses in 1697. Celebrimbor confronted Sauron on the steps of the House of the Mirdain, but he was captured. Sauron found the Nine Rings and other treasures in the House of the Mirdain. He torutured Celebrimbor until he revealed the whereabouts of the Seven Rings, but Celebrimor refused to tell Sauron where the Three Rings were hidden.

Celebrimbor was put to death and his body was mounted on a pole which was borne as a banner before Sauron's forces as they continued their assault on the Elves. Sauron was eventually defeated in 1701 and he returned to Mordor.

Note:
Celebrimbor is most commonly known as the son of Curufin and grandson of Feanor. However, there are other versions of his story. In one he was described as a Noldorin craftsman who worked for Turgon in Gondolin. In another version Celebrimbor was said to be a Sindarin Elf who was descended from Daeron, the originator of the runes used by the Elves. In yet another tale, he was a Telerin Elf who accompanied Celeborn from the Undying Lands to Middle-earth - though this is from a version of the story of Celeborn and Galadriel that does not fit in well with other tales.

Names & Etymology:
The name Celebrimbor means "hand of silver" or "silver fist." The element celebrim is from celebrin meaning "like silver" and the ending bor is from paur meaning "fist," implying a hand curled around a tool rather than a combative gesture.

He was also called Celebrimbor of the Silver Grasp and was referred to as the Lord of Eregion.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 255, 266; "A Journey in the Dark," p. 318
Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 363-64
Appendix E of The Lord of the Rings: "Writing and Spelling," p. 397
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 235-38, 244, 250-52, 254 note 11
The Silmarillion: "Of Beren and Luthien," p. 176; "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 286, 288; "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for celeb
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Tale of Years of the Second Age," p. 179; "Of Dwarves and Men," p. 297, 317-19 note 7

Círdan

Eärendil

As a child, Earendil lived in Gondolin which was ruled by Idril's father Turgon. The realm of Gondolin was hidden within the Encircling Mountains and its location was unknown to Morgoth until he captured Turgon's nephew Maeglin. Morgoth promised to let Maeglin rule Gondolin and to give him Idril whom Maeglin desired, and Maeglin betrayed the city and its people.

Morgoth's forces attacked Gondolin in 510 when Earendil was seven years old. Maeglin seized Idril and Earendil, but Tuor rescued them and threw Maeglin down from the city walls. The city was sacked but Tuor and Idril fled with their son and a number of others. They climbed the Encircling Mountains over the Eagles' Cleft where Glorfindel battled a Balrog to allow the survivors to escape.

Tuor and Idril led their people to settle at the Havens of Sirion by the Sea in 511. They were joined by another group of survivors from the ruin of Doriath including Elwing. Earendil grew to love the Sea. He was befriended by Cirdan the Shipwright who lived on the nearby Isle of Balar and from him Earendil learned to be a mariner. Earendil built the great white ship Vingilot with the help of Cirdan.

Around 525, Earendil married Elwing. That same year, Tuor and Idril departed over the Sea. Before she left, Idril gave Earendil the Elessar. Earendil became the lord of the people who lived at the Havens of Sirion. Elwing gave birth to twin sons, Elrond and Elros, around 532 while Earendil was at sea.

Around 534, Earendil began to sail far into uncharted seas. He hoped to find his parents, and he also sought a way to the Undying Lands in order to ask the Valar to help the Elves and Men of Middle-earth in their struggle against Morgoth. But he found the way obscured by shadows and enchantments and his ship was driven back by strong winds. He decided to return to his family in Middle-earth.

But in 538, before Earendil reached home, the Havens of Sirion were attacked by the sons of Feanor who wanted the Silmaril that Elwing possessed. Many Elves were slain and Elrond and Elros were taken captive. Elwing jumped into the Sea with the Silmaril. She was turned into a bird by Ulmo, the Vala of the Waters, and she flew to find Earendil's ship. She collapsed on the deck of Vingilot and the next morning she returned to her true form.

Earendil and Elwing despaired that their sons would be killed, though in fact Maglor spared the children's lives. Earendil believed that the Valar were the only hope left for Middle-earth and he resumed his quest to find the Undying Lands accompanied by Elwing and three mariners - Falathar, Erellont, and Aerandir.

Earendil wore the Silmaril on his brow and the jewel which held the light of the Two Trees of Valinor guided him past the Enchanted Isles and through the Shadowy Seas. Vingilot reached the Bay of Eldamar on the shores of the Undying Lands around 542. Earendil went ashore and told Elwing and the mariners to wait aboard Vingilot, but Elwing followed him.

Earendil travelled inland alone and saw no one until he was summoned by Eonwe, the herald of Manwe, chief of the Valar. Eonwe brought Earendil before the Valar. As one who had the blood of both Elves and Men, Earendil was able to plead on behalf of the two peoples who had fought a losing battle against Morgoth for centuries, and the Valar listened and agreed to intervene.

But Earendil's fate also had to be determined. It was forbidden for mortal Men and the exiled Elves of the Noldor to come to the Undying Lands, and Earendil was of both races. Manwe judged that Earendil and his kindred the Half-elven should have the choice whether to be counted among Men or Elves. In either case, Earendil and Elwing would not be allowed to return to Middle-earth.

Earendil let Elwing decide first and she chose the kindred of the Elves. Earendil felt closer to the kindred of Men but he made the same choice as Elwing for her sake. When their sons later faced the same decision, Elrond chose to be counted among the Elves while Elros chose Men and became the first King of Numenor.

The mariners who had accompanied Earendil were sent back to Middle-earth in another ship. Vingilot was hallowed and it was taken through the Door of Night to sail across the heavens with Earendil at the helm. He wore the Silmaril on his brow and appeared as a star traversing the night sky. It was a beacon of hope to the peoples of Middle-earth, and Morgoth grew doubtful though he believed no one could defeat him.

The Valar fought Morgoth in the War of Wrath from around 545 to 590. Near the end of the war, Morgoth unleashed winged Dragons led by Ancalagon the Black. Earendil flew Vingilot to fight the Dragons with the help of Thorondor, King of the Eagles, and other great birds. The battle lasted a day and a night and in the end Earendil slew Ancalagon. Morogth was defeated by the Host of the Valar and was banished from the world.

Earendil continued to sail the heavens in Vingilot while Elwing awaited him in the Undying Lands. The Star of Earendil was most often seen near dawn and dusk as the Morning Star and Evening Star. The Star of Earendil led the Men who had helped fight Morgoth to their new home of Numenor in 32 of the Second Age. Among these Men was Earendil's son Elros.

The light of the Star of Earendil was captured by Galadriel in the Phial that Frodo Baggins carried on his quest to destroy the One Ring. In Mordor, Sam Gamgee saw the Star of Earendil through break in the clouds in the western sky.

The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
The Return of the King: "The Land of Shadow," p. 199

Eärendil's mother-name - given to him by Idril - was Ardamir or Ardamírë meaning "Jewel of the World," a prophetic reference to the Silmaril that he would carry across the night sky.

In Adunaic, the language of Numenor, he was called Azrubêl. The word azar means "Sea." He was also called Eärendil Halfelven, Eärendil the Blessed, Bright Eärendil, and Eärendil the Mariner.

Sources:
The Silmarillion: "Of Men," p. 105; "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin," p. 241-44; "Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath," passim; "Akallabeth," p. 259-61, 264, 270, 275-76, 281; "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 286; "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for ear and (n)dil
The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Knife in the Dark," p. 206; "Many Meetings," p. 246-50; "The Council of Elrond," p. 256; "The Mirror of Galadriel," p. 380; "Farewell to Lorien," p. 393
The Two Towers: "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol," p. 321; "Shelob's Lair," p. 329
The Return of the King: The Tower of Cirith Ungol," p. 191; "The Land of Shadow," p. 199
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Numenorean Kings," 314 and note 6, 315
Unfinished Tales: "Of Tuor and His Coming to Gondolin," p. 30, 55 note 26; "Narn i Hin Hurin," p. 156; "A Description of the Island of Numenor," p. 171 and note 2; "The Line of Elros," p. 218; "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 249-51
The History of Middle-earth, vol. IX, Sauron Defeated: "The Norton Club Papers (Part Two)," p. 305; "The Drowning of Anadune," p. 431
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Tale of Years," p. 348-49, 351-52
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Shibboleth of Feanor," p. 348; "The Problem of Ros," p. 372-73 note 10, 376 note 18; "Last Writings," p. 386-87
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #131 and #297

In 2509, Celebrian was captured by Orcs in the Redhorn Gate of the Misty Mountains. Elladan and Elrohir rescued their mother, but not before she was wounded and tormented. Celebrian was so troubled by her experience that she chose to leave Middle-earth and sail to the Undying Lands the next year.

Elladan and Elrohir never forgot what had happened to their mother and they spent many years pursuing Orcs and journeying in the Wild on quests of errantry. Often the brothers rode in the company of the Dunedain of the North, including Aragorn, the Chieftain of the Dunedain who had been raised in Rivendell as a foster-son by Elrond.

After the Council of Elrond in October of 3018, Elladan and Elrohir rode out with Aragorn to determine what had become of the Nazgul that had been swept away at the Ford of Bruinen. The brothers then continued on their own to Lothlorien to bring news of the Council's decision to Galadriel. They were the last of the scouts to return to Rivendell before the Fellowship's departure in December.

Galadriel later sent word to Rivendell that Aragorn was in need of his kindred, and the Grey Company comprised of 30 Rangers led by Halbarad headed south to join him. Elladan and Elrohir accompanied them, for they wanted to take part in the coming war with Sauron. The brothers were clad in bright mail and silver-grey cloaks.

The Grey Company caught up with Aragorn near the Fords of Isen in Rohan in the early hours of March 6, 3019. Elrohir delivered a message from Elrond, saying: "The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead." (RotK, p. 48) Aragorn decided to take the Paths of the Dead after looking in the palantir and realizing that the Corsairs posed a threat to Gondor from the south.

Elladan and Elrohir and the Rangers went with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. They walked through the Paths of the Dead on March 8. Elladan brought up the rear, and the Dead followed behind. At the Stone of Erech, Elrohir gave Aragorn a silver horn which he used to summon the Dead to fulfill their oath to fight servants of Sauron. The Army of the Dead followed the Grey Company to Pelargir, where they captured the fleet of the Corsairs.

At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, Elladan and Elrohir fought wearing stars upon their brows. After the battle, Aragorn gave the Elendilmir - the symbol of royalty of the North-kingdom - into the safekeeping of Elladan and Elrohir, for he decided that the time was not yet right for him to claim the kingship. The brothers labored through the night at Aragorn's side helping the wounded.

At the debate of the Captains of the West on March 16, Elrohir declared that he and his brother were prepared to ride to war against Sauron in order to give Frodo Baggins time to fulfill his quest to destroy the One Ring. The Host of the West left Minas Tirith on March 18. Elladan and Elrohir rode in a company of 500 horsemen with the Rangers and the Knights of Dol Amroth. The brothers fought on the front line at the Battle of the Morannon until the Ring was destroyed and the realm of Sauron fell.

Elladan and Elrohir attended the victory celebration at the Field of Cormallen on April 8. On May 8 - a week after Aragorn's coronation - the brothers left Minas Tirith and rode north. They returned to Minas Tirith on Midsummer's Eve at the head of the company escorting their sister Arwen, who married Aragorn the next day. Elladan and Elrohir attended the funeral of King Theoden in Rohan, and at Edoras on August 14 they said farewell to Arwen.

Elrond left Middle-earth in 3021, but his sons remained at Rivendell for many years. Elladan and Elrohir delayed their choice whether to remain in Middle-earth as mortal Men or to pass over the Sea to dwell in the Undying Lands with the Elves. What they ultimately decided is not known.

Names & Etymology:
The names Elladan and Elrohir both loosely translate as "Elf-Man" and indicate the brothers' dual heritage. The element el means "star" and the Elves were called the Eldar, or "People of the Stars."

Elladan includes the element adan the singular of Edain, the fathers of Men who became the Numenoreans. Thus Elladan may be translated as "Elf-Numenorean."

Elrohir contains the word rohir meaning "horse-lord" or "knight." The name Elrohir may be translated as "Elf-knight."

Genealogy:
For the family tree of Elladan and Elrohir, see Arwen: Genealogy.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Prologue - A Note on the Shire Records," p. 25; "Many Meetings," p. 239, 245; "The Ring Goes South," p. 286-87
The Return of the King: "The Passing of the Grey Company," p. 48-49, 51, 54, 56, 60-63; "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields," p. 123; "The Houses of Healing," p. 137, 147; "The Last Debate," p. 154, 157-58; "The Black Gate Opens," p. 159, 164, 168; "The Field of Cormallen," p. 232; "The Steward and the King," p. 248, 250-51; "Many Partings," p. 254, 256
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Numenorean Kings," p. 314-15; "The North-kingdom and the Dunedain," p. 323; "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," p. 338
Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 366
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #153 (Elladan & Elrohir's choice); Letter #211 (meanings of Elladan & Elrohir)

Elrond

Elwing

When Elwing was born, her parents lived in a house by the waterfall of Lanthir Lamath on the River Adurant in the region of Ossiriand in eastern Beleriand. Shortly after her birth, they moved to the halls of Menegroth in Doriath. Thingol had been slain by Dwarves who coveted the Silmaril that Thingol possessed. As the son of Thingol's only child Luthien, Dior was Thingol's heir and he became King of Doriath.

Luthien kept the Silmaril for a time but she died and it was brought to Dior in Doriath. The sons of Feanor had sworn to recover the Silmarils made by their father, and they launched an attack on Doriath around 506. Dior and Nimloth were killed and their sons Elured and Elurin were taken into the woods and abandoned to an unknown fate.

But Elwing survived along with some of her kin. They escaped with the Silmaril and settled at the Mouths of Sirion by the Sea. Soon afterwards another group of refugees arrived from the ruin of Gondolin. The newcomers were led by Tuor and Idril who brought with them their young son Earendil. Tuor and Idril departed over the Sea around 525 and Earendil became the lord of the people who lived at the Havens of Sirion.

About the same time, Earendil married Elwing. They had twin sons, Elrond and Elros, born around 532. Earendil was a mariner and he spent much time at Sea, seeking his parents and trying to find a way to the Undying Lands to beseech the Valar to help the peoples of Middle-earth defeat Morgoth.

Around 538, while Earendil was at Sea, the remaining sons of Feanor demanded that Elwing give them the Silmaril. When she refused, the sons of Feanor attacked the Havens of Sirion. Many Elves were killed and Elrond and Elros were captured. Elwing took the Silmaril and dove into the Sea. She was turned into a white bird by Ulmo, the Vala of the Waters, and she flew to find Earendil's ship Vingilot.

Elwing was exhausted from her flight and she collapsed on the ship's deck near death but awoke the next morning in her own form. Elwing and Earendil believed their sons would be killed, though in fact their lives were spared by Feanor's son Maglor. Earendil decided to continue his search for the Undying Lands and Elwing remained with him.

Vingilot finally reached the Undying Lands around 542. Earendil told Elwing to wait for him aboard the ship, but she came ashore. He went alone to seek the Valar while Elwing went to Alqualonde, the Haven of the Swans, and met the Elves of the Teleri who lived there.

Mortal Men were not permitted to come to the Undying Lands. Elwing and Earendil both had the blood of Men, but Manwe - the chief of the Valar - judged that they should be spared though they were not permitted to return to Middle-earth.

Since they were Half-elven, Elwing and Earendil and their sons were given the choice whether to be counted among the mortal Men or the immortal Elves. Elwing chose to be an Elf, and Earendil chose the same for her sake though he had greater affinity with Men.

The Valar set the ship Vingilot in the heavens and Earendil sailed the skies with the Silmaril on his brow. The Star of Earendil gave hope to the peoples of Middle-earth and caused Morgoth to doubt. The Valar heeded Earendil's request and they defeated Morgoth in the War of Wrath.

Elwing did not accompany Earendil on his voyages. She lived in a white tower on the coast in the north. Sea-birds came to the tower and Elwing learned their languages and she also learned to fly using wings that were white and silver-grey. Sometimes she flew to meet Earendil when he returned to the Undying Lands.

Elrond and Elros were given the same choice as their parents. Elros chose to be a Man and he became the first King of Numenor and died in the year 442 of the Second Age. Elrond chose to be counted among the Elves and he remained in Middle-earth for many millennia until he sailed to the Undying Lands at the end of the Third Age.

Names & Etymology:
The name Elwing means "Star-spray" in Sindarin from el meaning "star" and wing meaning "foam, spray." She was named for the starlight shining in the waterfall near her parents' house on the night of her birth. She was called Elwing the White.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Knife in the Dark," p. 206; "Many Meetings," p. 247; "The Council of Elrond," p. 256
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Numenorean Kings," p. 314
The Silmarillion: "Of Men, p. 105; "Of the Coming of Men into the West," p. 148; "Of the Ruin of Doriath," p. 235-37; "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin," p. 244; "Of the Voyage of Earendil," p. 246-51, 254
Unfinished Tales: "A Description of the Island of Numenor," p. 171 note 2; "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 233
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Tale of Years," p. 348-52

Erestor Elf of Rivendell; chief counsellor of Elrond. Erestor attended the Council of Elrond on October 25, 3018. During the discussion about what to do with the One Ring, Erestor asked whether Tom Bombadil could be called upon to help, or whether the Ring could be sent to him for safe-keeping, but that option was rejected. When it seemed clear that destroying the Ring was the only option, Erestor said, "That is the path of despair. Of folly I would say, if the long wisdom of Elrond did not forbid me." But Gandalfreplied, "let folly be our cloak, a veil before the eyes of the Enemy!" (FotR, p. 282) After the War of the Ring, Erestor was among the party that accompanied Arwen to Minas Tirith for her wedding to Aragorn. They arrived in the city on Midsummer's Eve of 3019. It is not known whether Erestor left Middle-earth with Elrond in September of 3021, but it is likely that he passed over the Sea into the West at some point. Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 253, 278-79, 280, 282 The Return of the King: "The Steward and the King," p. 250

Jonathan Harding as Erestor in the New Line film

Galadriel

Names & Etymology:
The name Galdor may be composed of gal meaning "shine" and dor, a variation of tor, meaning "high, noble." But in earlier stories, there was a character named Galdor whose name came from galdon meaning "tree" in Gnomish, an early version of Sindarin. In Sindarin, galadh means "tree."

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 253, 263, 279-80
The History of Middle-earth, vol. II, The Book of Lost Tales Part Two: "Appendix - Names in The Lost Tales Part Two," p. 340
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," p. 411, entries for GAL and TA/TA3

Galion

Names & Etymology:
Galion's name may come from gal meaning "shine" or gala meaning "thrive, prosper, be glad." The ending -ion may mean "son of" or it may simply be a masculine ending.

Source:
The Hobbit: "Barrels out of Bond," p. 189-95

To the Hobbits, Gildor and the Elves appeared to shimmer as they walked through the night. The starlight glimmered in their hair and eyes. They camped in a clearing in the Woody End near Woodhall and the Elves provided the Hobbits with bread and fruit and a fragrant drink.

Frodo stayed up late talking to Gildor. Frodo had greeted Gildor by saying, "Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo" (A star shines upon the hour of our meeting) and the Elf commended Frodo on his knowledge of the the Ancient Tongue and named him Elf-friend. Gildor perceived that the Enemy was after Frodo, though he did not know why. He was reluctant to give Frodo any advice in Gandalf's absence.

"That Gandalf should be late, does not bode well. But it is said: 'Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.' The choice is yours: to go or wait."
"And it is also said," answered Frodo: " 'Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes.' "
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Three Is Company," p. 93

Gildor and the Elves continued on their way. Gildor had told Frodo they were tarrying in Middle-earth before heading to the Grey Havens to pass over the Sea to the Undying Lands. Where they wandered is not known, but on September 22, 3021, Gildor and Frodo met once again in the same spot in the Woody End where they had met three years earlier. Along with Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf, they journeyed to Grey Havens and together they departed over the Sea into the West.

Note: Gildor told Frodo that he was of the House of Finrod. However, he may actually have been of the House of Finarfin. Finarfin was originally called Finrod by Tolkien, but when he changed the name he did not revise this particular passage.

Names & Etymology:
Gil means "star"; the suffix dor is a form of tor or taur meaning "noble." Thus Gildor may be translated as "noble star" or "star lord."
The suffiix -ion denotes "son of," so Gildor may have been the son of an Elf named Inglor. Inglor is a combination of the Quenya indo meaning "heart, mood" and glor, meaning "golden," thus a possible translation is "golden heart."

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Three Is Company," p. 88-94; "In the House of Tom Bombadil," p. 143; "Strider," p. 184; "Flight to the Ford," p. 222
The Return of the King: "The Grey Havens," p. 308
The History of Middle-earth, vol. VI, The Return of the Shadow: "From Hobbiton to the Woody End," p. 72

Gil-galad

Glorfindel in the First Age:
Glorfindel was the lord of the House of the Golden Flower. He was among the Elves who left the Undying Lands in defiance of the Valar on a quest to retrieve the Silmarils from Morgoth. It is said that Glorfindel took part in the rebellion because of his kinship and allegiance with Turgon and that Glorfindel did not participate in the killing of other Elves known as the Kinslaying.

In Middle-earth, Glorfindel and his people settled in Gondolin, the hidden realm founded by Turgon. Glorfindel fought in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears in the year 472. When the battle was lost, Glorfindel helped guard the flanks as Turgon and his remaining forces retreated to safety.

Gondolin was attacked by the forces of Morgoth in the year 510. Turgon's daughter Idril escaped along with her husband Tuor and her son Earendil and other survivors. They fled over the high pass called the Eagles' Cleft, but they were waylaid by Orcs and a Balrog. Glorfindel allowed the others to escape by engaging the Balrog in battle. They fell together into the abyss and died. Glorfindel's body was retrieved by the Great Eagle Thorondor and he was buried near the pass under a green mound covered with yellow flowers.

Glorfindel's Return:
Elves were immortal and thus did not die of natural causes, but they could be killed by violence as Glorfindel was. When this happened, their spirits went to the Halls of Waiting to be judged, and after a time their spirits could be restored to their bodily forms to live again.

Like all those who participated in the rebellion, Glorfindel was banned from returning to the Undying Lands, but it is thought that this restriction was waived in Glorfindel's case because of his noble sacrifice in defense of the people of Gondolin. He was reincarnated and dwelled for a time in the Undying Lands. He may have become a friend and follower of the Maia Olorin, who was later known as Gandalf.

When Glorfindel returned to Middle-earth is uncertain. He may have accompanied Gandalf around the year 1000 of the Third Age. But it is more likely that Glorfindel came earlier, possibly around the year 1600 of the Second Age at the time when Sauron forged the One Ring. Glorfindel may have gone to Middle-earth to help Gil-galad and Elrond defend against Sauron's growing power.

Glorfindel in the Third Age:
Glorfindel lived at Rivendell, the realm of Elrond. In 1974, the Witch-king of Angmar invaded the North-kingdom of Arnor. Glorfindel led an army from Rivendell to the Battle of Fornost in 1975 and helped defeat the Witch-king's forces. Then the Witch-king himself came onto the battlefield and challenged Earnur, Captain of Gondor. Earnur's horse bolted and the Witch-king mocked him, but Glorfindel approached and the Witch-king fled from him. Glorfindel counselled Earnur not to follow, saying: "Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall." (LotR, App. A, p. 332)

In October of 3018, word came to Rivendell from Gildor Inglorion that Frodo Baggins was heading for Rivendell pursued by the Nazgul led by the Witch-king. Glorfindel was one of the few in Rivendell powerful enough to face the Nine Nazgul. On October 9, he set out on his white horse Asfaloth and followed the Great East Road to the Last Bridge on the River Hoarwell.

There on October 11, Glorfindel found three Nazgul including Khamul waiting and they fled before him. Glorfindel left a green stone on the bridge as a token that it was now safe to cross and he pursued the Nazgul westward. He found two more Nazgul including the Witch-king who fled southward from him.

Aragorn found the green stone on October 13 and led the Hobbits safely across. Glorfindel picked up their trail on October 16 and at dusk on October 18 he caught up to them. To Frodo, Glorfindel appeared to shine with an inner light, and when the Elf touched the wound he had received from the Witch-king, Frodo felt the chill and pain lessen and his vision cleared. Glorfindel set Frodo on Asfaloth and they headed toward Rivendell.

At the Ford of Bruinen on October 20, the Nine Nazgul appeared. Frodo felt compelled to stop, but Glorfindel called out to Asfaloth to ride on and the horse carried Frodo across the river. On the far side, Frodo once again felt commanded to halt and he turned to face the Nazgul. Glorfindel was aware that Elrond would command the waters of the river to rise against the Nazgul, so he and the others kindled fire to drive the Nazgul into the river. Glorfindel revealed himself as a mighty Elf-lord in all his wrath, and he shone with a brilliant white light as he advanced. The Nazgul were swept away by the floodwaters and returned to Mordor.

Glorfindel attended the Council of Elrond on October 25. When it was suggested that the Ring might be sent to Tom Bombadil, Glorfindel replied that Tom would not be able to keep the Ring safe from Sauron forever. He said that the Ring would have to be sent over the Sea or cast into the Sea or destroyed - even though the destruction of the One Ring would mean that the Three Rings of the Elves would lose their power. At length it was determined that the only option was to destroy the Ring, and Frodo Baggins volunteered for this task.

In the matter of selecting Frodo's companions, Gandalf supported Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took by saying: "I think, Elrond, that in this matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom. Even if you chose for us an elf-lord, such as Glorfindel, he could not storm the Dark Tower, nor open the road to the Fire by the power that is in him." (FotR, p. 289)

Nothing further is known of Glorfindel's activities during the War of the Ring. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, 3019, the words spoken by Glorfindel over 1,000 years before came to pass when the Witch-king was defeated at the hands of a woman - Eowyn - and a Hobbit - Merry Brandybuck. After the war, Glorfindel came to Minas Tirith for the wedding of Arwen and Aragorn.

Glorfindel's ulitmate fate is not known, but it seems likely that he would have eventually returned over the Sea to the Undying Lands.

Note:
Glorfindel of Gondolin is not equated with Glorfindel of Rivendell in any of J.R.R. Tolkien's published works. It was not until late in his life that Tolkien addressed the issue of the two Glorfindels in a pair of essays that were later published by Christopher Tolkien in The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth. In these essays, Tolkien concluded that both Glorfindels were the same Elf, but the matter remains a topic of debate and discussion among Tolkien fans.

Names & Etymology:
Glorfindel means "golden haired" from glor meaning "gold" and fin meaning "hair."

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Flight to the Ford," p. 213, 221-227; "Many Meetings," p. 232, 234-37; "The Council of Elrond," p. 252-53, 279-80, 282; "The Ring Goes South," p. 289
The Return of the King: "The Steward and the King," p. 250
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 331-35
The Silmarillion: "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad," p. 194; "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin," p. 243-44; "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for fin
The History of Middle-earth, vol. II, The Book of Lost Tales, Part Two: "The Fall of Gondolin," p. 173, 175, 182-83, 186, 192-94, 196, 211-12, 216
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entry for GLAW(R)
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "Last Writings - Glorfindel," p. 377-82
The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull: "Flight to the Ford," p. 194

On January 15, 3019, the brothers encountered the Fellowship near the Nimrodel in the eaves of the forest. Haldir was able to speak to the Fellowship, for he knew the Common Language. Haldir welcomed Legolas as one of his kindred from the north and recognized Aragorn as a friend to Galadriel. He was prepared to lead the Fellowship into Lorien, but he hesitated on learning that one of the party was a Dwarf. After consulting with his brothers, Haldir agreed that Gimli could enter if he went blindfolded.

They spent the night on a flet, a platform in the trees. During the night, Haldir and his brothers heard Orcs passing and lured them away from the Fellowship. When he returned to the flet, Haldir saw a strange creature at the base of the tree, which Frodo guessed to be Gollum.

In the morning, Haldir fashioned a rope bridge for the Fellowship to use to cross the Silverlode. When dissension arose among the Fellowship over the need to go blindfolded, Haldir remarked:

"Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," p. 362

After guiding the Fellowship to Caras Galadhon, Haldir returned to his duties guarding the northern borders. But he returned when the Fellowship was about to depart and guided them to the banks of the Silverlode where boats awaited them.

Nothing further is known of Haldir's activities. It is likely that he participated in the defense of Lothlorien when it was attacked by the forces of Dol Guldur in March of 3019. He may have also been a member of the host from Lothlorien that crossed the Anduin and took Dol Guldur after the passing of the Shadow. It is unknown whether Haldir survived the War of the Ring. If he did, he may have eventually passed over the Sea with the rest of his people.

Movie Note:
In Peter Jackson's film version of The Lord of the Rings, Haldir led a troop of Elves to the Battle of Helm's Deep, where he fought and died. This does not occur in the book.

Names & Etymology:
The name Haldir is defined as "hidden hero" in the Etymologies (HoME V, p. 386). The element hal means "veiled, hidden." (Note that it also means "exalted, high.") The element dir is a masculine ending.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," passim; "The Mirror of Galadriel," p. 368-70, 374; "Farewell to Lorien," p. 386-88
Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 375
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entries for DER and SKAL

Legolas

Lindir

Names & Etymology:
Lin means "sing" and lind means "fair (especially of voice)" so Lindir may have been a singer himself.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Many Meetings," p. 249
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," p. 411, entries for LIN and LIND

Mithrellas

Mithrellas was given shelter by a Man of Numenorean descent named Imrazor who lived in Belfalas. She married Imrazor and they had two children - a son named Galador and a daughter named Gilmith. One night, Mithrellas slipped away and was never seen by her husband again. She may have gone to wander in the woods, or she may have sought the havens to depart over the Sea, although Edhellond had apparently been abandoned by the Elves by that time.

Mithrellas' son Galador was the first Lord of Dol Amroth. His descendants thus had Elven blood, as was noted by Legolas when he met Prince Imrahil.

Names & Etymology:
The name Mithrellas may be composed of mithren meaning "grey" and las meaning "leaf."

Sources:
The Return of the King: "The Siege of Gondor," p. 98; "The Last Debate," p. 148
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 248; "Cirion and Eorl," p. 316 note 39
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entries for LAS and MITH
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," p. 220-22

Nimloth

Around 497 of the First Age, Nimloth married Dior, the son of Thingol's daughter Luthien and Beren. Nimloth went to live with Dior in a house near the waterfall Lanthir Lamath on the River Adurant in the region of Ossiriand. Their sons Elured and Elurin were born around 500 and their daughter Elwing was born around 503.

That same year, Thingol was killed by Dwarves who coveted the Silmaril in his possession. Dior was Thingol's heir and he became the King of Doriath. He and his family returned to Doriath around 504.

Around 506, Doriath was attacked by the sons of Feanor, who had sworn an oath to recover the Silmarils made by their father. Nimloth and Dior were killed. Their young sons Elured and Elurin were taken into the woods and abandoned to an unknown fate. But some Elves of Doriath escaped and they took Elwing and the Silmaril with them. Elwing later married Earendil and was the mother of Elrond and Elros.

Names & Etymology:
The name Nimloth means "white blossom" in Sindarin from nim meaning "white" and loth meaning "flower."

Genealogy:
See Celeborn: Genealogy.

Sources:
The Silmarillion: "Of the Ruin of Doriath," p. 234-36; "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for loth and nim
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 233, 266
The History of Middle-earth, vol XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Tale of Years," p. 349-51

Nimrodel

Nimrodel loved Amroth, the King of Lothlorien, but she refused to marry him. Amroth was a Sindarin Elf, and Nimrodel was unhappy that many Sindarin and Noldorin Elves had come to Lothlorien because she believed that they exposed her peaceful woods to the war and unrest of Middle-earth. She preferred to live apart from them and maintain the ways of the Wood-elves.

Nimrodel lived alone near the river that later bore her name. Her home was near the northwestern border of Lothlorien. She may have dwelled in a grotto - or small cave - by a waterfall, but when Orcs from the nearby Misty Mountains began encroaching on the forest she may have started living high in the branches of a tree. This may have inspired the creation of flets - platforms used as dwelling places in the trees by the Elves of Lothlorien.

In 1980, a Balrog awoke under the Misty Mountains, and the next year the Dwarves abandoned their realm of Khazad-dum which became a place of evil called Moria. Nimrodel was distraught and she fled alone from Lothlorien. She reached the eaves of Fangorn Forest but she found the trees there frightening and some of them - which may have been Huorns - moved to prevent her from entering the forest.

Amroth followed Nimrodel and found her near Fangorn. She promised to marry him if he could bring her to a land of peace. Amroth agreed to leave Lothlorien and go with Nimrodel to the Undying Lands. They set out for the Elf-haven of Edhellond on the Bay of Belfalas in the south. They were accompanied by other Silvan Elves from Lothlorien. One of Nimrodel's companions was an Elf-maiden named Mithrellas, who later wed the forefather of the Princes of Dol Amroth.

When they reached the White Mountains, Nimrodel and Amroth became separated. Amroth reached Edhellond and waited for Nimrodel aboard their ship, but a storm swept the ship out into the bay. Amroth leaped overboard trying to return to land to find Nimrodel, but he drowned in the rough waters.

Nimrodel wandered for a while in the mountains until she came to the River Gilrain, which reminded her of the stream she had lived near in Lothlorien. She sat by a pool, listening to the water and looking at the stars reflected in it, and her heart was lightened. Nimrodel fell into a long, deep sleep. When she awoke, she came down from the mountains into Belfalas, but the ship was long gone and Amroth was lost. What became of Nimrodel afterwards is not known.

It was said that in springtime her voice could be heard singing in the falls of the River Nimrodel in Lothlorien, while the voice of Amroth came up the Anduin on the south wind.

Names & Etymology:
Nimrodel means "Lady of the White Grotto," probably in reference to her dwelling place near the waterfall. The name is of Silvan origin adapted to Sindarin. The element nim means "white" and rod means "cave, grotto."

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," p. 353-55
The Return of the King: "The Siege of Gondor," p. 98; "The Last Debate," p. 148
Appendix F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age," p. 405 note 1
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn - Amroth and Nimrodel," p. 240-48, 255, 257, 261; "Cirion and Eorl," p. 316 note 39; and Index entry (definition of Nimrodel)
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entries for NIK-W and ROD
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," p. 221-23

Oropher

Oropher was said to be a Sindarin Elf from Doriath, the realm of King Thingol in Beleriand. After the destruction of Beleriand at the end of the First Age, Oropher and some followers came to the great forest east of the Anduin called Greenwood the Great where many Wood-elves lived. Oropher and his followers wanted to return to the simple woodland life, which they believed was the natural way of life for Elves. They merged with the Wood-elves and adopted their customs and learned their language. Oropher became the King of the Woodland Realm.

In the early part of the Second Age, Oropher and his people lived near the southwestern edge of Greenwood around the hill called Amon Lanc. But as Sauron grew in power in Mordor south of the forest, Oropher began to move his people northward. He may also have been trying to distance his realm from the realms of Lothlorien and Khazad-dum across the Anduin. The Wood-Elves settled in the fir-covered mountains of Emyn Duir north of the Old Forest Road. The population of Elves increased and they roamed far and wide throughout the forest.

Oropher and his people did not want to get involved in the affairs of Middle-earth, but Oropher realized that his people would never have peace if Sauron was allowed to expand his power unchecked. So when the Last Alliance was formed to confront Sauron, Oropher gathered a large army of his people to join them.

The Elves of the Woodland Realm fought in the Battle of Dagorlad in 3434. Oropher's soldiers were valiant but they were poorly equipped for battle and two-thirds of them were killed. Oropher kept his forces independent of the supreme command of Gil-galad. When the assault began on the Black Gate, Oropher rushed forward without waiting for Gil-galad's signal and he was killed. After the War of the Last Alliance, Thranduil returned home and became King of the Woodland Realm.

Names & Etymology:
The name Oropher may mean "high beech" from oro meaning "high" and pher meaning "beech."

Sources:
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn - Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves," p. 258-59; "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 280-81 note 14
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," ORO and PHER

Orophin

Elf of Lothlorien. Orophin was the brother of Haldir and Rumil. He and his brothers were wardens on the borders of Lothlorien. Orophin's language was Sindarin as it was spoken in Lothlorien and he knew little of the Common Speech. On January 15, 3019, the brothers encountered the Fellowship near the Nimrodel in the eaves of the forest. They led the Fellowship to their flet. During the night a troop of Orcs passed and the brothers lured them away. Orophin then went with great speed to alert the other Elves of Lothlorien of the Orcs' intrusion. Names & Etymology: The word oro means "high" and the word phin means "skill" so a possible translation of Orophin is "highly skilled." Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," p. 357, 360 The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," ORO and PHIN entries

Jason Secto as Orophin in the New Line film

Rúmil Elf of Lothlorien. Rumil was the brother of Haldir and Orophin. He and his brothers were wardens on the borders of Lothlorien. Rumil's language was Sindarin as it was spoken in Lothlorien and he knew little of the Common Speech. On January 15, 3019, the brothers encountered the Fellowship near the Nimrodel in the eaves of the forest. They led the Fellowship to their flet. During the night a troop of Orcs passed and the brothers lured them away. While Orophin went to warn the other Elves of Lothlorien of the Orcs' intrusion, Rumil accompanied Haldir and the Fellowship to the banks of the Silverlode and helped them cross using ropes. Rumil remained on the west bank and returned to the Nimrodel to keep watch. Sources: The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," p. 357, 360-61

Jørn Benzon as Rumil in the New Line film

Thranduil

By some accounts, it was Thranduil who founded the Woodland Realm; by other accounts it was Oropher. According to the latter accounts, Thranduil and Oropher fought in the War of the Last Alliance. Oropher was killed in battle, and after the defeat of Sauron in 3441 of the Second Age Thranduil led his remaining forces back to Greenwood. Around 1050 of the Third Age, a shadow fell on Greenwood and it came to be known as Mirkwood. Great Spiders and other creatures came to dwell in Mirkwood, and at Dol Guldur a stronghold was built by an evil force that was later discovered to be Sauron.

Thranduil and his people retreated to the northeastern corner of Mirkwood and built their halls near the Forest River in underground caverns guarded by great gates. Despite the dark presence in Mirkwood, the Wood-Elves still loved the forest. In the autumn, King Thranduil wore a crown of red leaves and berries in his golden hair, and in the spring his crown was made of woodland flowers.  He and his people enjoyed hunting and feasting among the trees.

One day in 2941, Thranduil and a company of Elves were feasting in the woods when they were interrupted by a company of Dwarves and one Hobbit. The Elves relocated but the intruders followed them. On the third occasion the Elves captured the leader of the Dwarves, Thorin Oakenshield, and brought him before King Thranduil. Thorin was imprisoned when he would not reveal what he was doing in Mirkwood and the Elvish sword Orcrist was taken from him. His twelve Dwarf companions were caught soon after. Bilbo Baggins evaded capture by using his magic Ring and later managed to help his companions escape in barrels down the Forest River.

After the death of Smaug the Dragon, word came to Thranduil from the birds of the woods and from the messengers he had sent out after the Dwarves' escape. The King set out toward the Lonely Mountain with a company of Elves armed with bows and spears. En route they met messengers from Bard of Lake-town and went to the aid of the Lake-men whose town had been destroyed. The Elves gave them food and helped them build shelters against the oncoming winter. Then Thranduil and Bard led their armies to the foot of the Lonely Mountain, where they were surprised to find Thorin and company still alive.

Thorin was not interested in listening to Bard's claims upon a share of the treasure, and he was particularly displeased to see Thranduil who had imprisoned him. He sent for help from his cousin Dain Ironfoot and was prepared to fight, but then Bilbo brought the Arkenstone to Bard and Thranduil to use to negotiate with Thorin. Thranduil was impressed with Bilbo and urged him to remain and avoid Thorin's wrath, but Bilbo declined.

Thorin agreed to pay one-fourteenth share of the treasure in exchange for the Arkenstone, but then Dain's forces arrived. Thranduil was reluctant to start a war over gold. Then the Orcs and Wargs from the Misty Mountains came and Thranduil, Bard, and Dain agreed to join forces to fight them in the Battle of the Five Armies. Thranduil's forces were positioned on the southern spur of the Mountain, and they were the first to charge. Many Elves were killed and things looked grim until Bilbo - who had taken his stand among the Elves - cried out that the Eagles were coming. Then the tide was turned and the battle was won.

After the battle, Thranduil laid Orcrist on Thorin's tomb, where it was said to glow in warning when foes approached. Thranduil received the Emeralds of Girion from Bard and Bilbo gave Thranduil a necklace of silver and pearls. Thranduil named the Hobbit "Elf friend."

On March 21, 3018, Aragorn brought Gollum to Thranduil in Mirkwood to be held prisoner. Gollum was guarded day and night, but the Elves took pity on him and allowed him to climb a tree that stood alone. One night in June of 3018, Gollum refused to come down. The Wood-Elves were then attacked by Orcs and Gollum escaped in the confusion. Thranduil sent his son Legolas to Rivendell to inform Elrond, and Legolas was selected as one of the nine members of the Company of the Ring.

During the War of the Ring, Mirkwood was invaded by Sauron's minions and the woods were set on fire. Thranduil's Elves fought them, and on March 15, 3019, they repelled the forces that attacked them from Dol Guldur. In the middle of the forest on April 6, Thranduil met Celeborn, whose forces from Lothlorien had taken Dol Guldur. The Shadow was lifted, and they renamed the forest Eryn Lasgalen, the Wood of Greenleaves. Thranduil's realm was in the northern part of Eryn Lasgalen, north of the mountains in the forest, and there the Wood-Elves remained untroubled for many years.

Names & Etymology:
The meaning of Thranduil is not given. One possible interpretation is "across the Great River." The element thar means "across, beyond." The element anda means "long" and duin or duil means "river." These elements are also combined in the name of the Great River Anduin.

In The Hobbit, Thranduil is referred to only as the Elvenking. Thranduil was also called King of the Woodland Realm and the King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood.

Sources:
The Hobbit: "Flies and Spiders," p. 162-65, 178-81; "Barrels out of Bond," p. 182-85 and passim; "Fire and Water," p. 265-67; "The Gathering of the Clouds," p. 275-78; "A Thief in the Night," p. 282-84; "The Clouds Burst," p. 286, 291, 293-97; "The Return Journey," p. 303, 305-6
The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 253, 268-69
Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 363, 366, 368, 372, 375
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn, Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves," p. 257-60
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," p. 411, entries for THAR, ANAD/ANDA, & DUI
The Encyclopedia of Arda

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