Halbrand

Halbrand was a man of the Second Age who hailed from the Southlands of Middle-earth.

Biography

Halbrand at least claimed to be from the Southlands. At some point, he apparently had an encounter with the mysterious Adar, which engendered hatred of the dark Elf in Halbrand.

Subsequently, under unclear circumstances, Halbrand came to be stranded on a raft in the Sundering Seas, with Abigail, Eamon, and others. It was here that he encountered the Elf Galadriel, who was swimming eastward to Middle-earth, shortly before the sea-serpent that had destroyed their ship returned and assailed them. Halbrand survived by separating a section of raft from the others, who perished, and brought Galadriel on board, though he withheld his own story. In a storm that rolled in soon afterwards, Galadriel was dragged under by a weighted line, but Halbrand dove in and rescued her. Exhausted by the strain, the two drifted until found by a Númenórean ship commanded by Elendil.

Elendil brought them back to Númenor's capital of Armenelos and presented them to Queen-regent Míriel. Galadriel demanded passage back to Middle-earth and nearly caused hostilities before Halbrand intervened and brokered an agreement for time to be taken before a decision. Halbrand afterwards cautioned Galadriel against causing any more disturbances. He soon caused his own disturbance, however, by provoking the guildsman Tamar and several of his friends by attempting to steal Tamar's guild badge, which Halbrand desired to be able to gain working access to a blacksmith's shop. Tamar began to physically attack Halbrand, but was taken aback when Halbrand retaliated, and violently took out him and his fellows, leaving them seriously injured. For his actions, Halbrand was arrested and thrown into prison.

Galadriel soon visited him in prison and chastised him for his deeds, though she also revealed a document recovered from Númenor's Hall of Lore, which identified the insignia Halbrand wore as a necklace as the symbol of the rightful ruler of the Southlands. Halbrand was dismissive of the claim, though he implied there to be some truth to it. Eventually, after Galadriel succeeded in persuading Míriel to send an army to the Southlands to oppose Sauron, Halbrand was released from captivity and started working as a blacksmith. Galadriel finally convinced Halbrand to join the Númenórean expedition to Middle-earth after retelling her battles and losses against Sauron.

Upon reaching Middle-earth and sailing up the Anduin to the margins of the Southlands, Halbrand disembarked and rode with the Númenórean cavalry across the Ephel Dúath to Tirharad, where its inhabitants were heavily beleaguered by Adar's troops. Though the Númenóreans made quick work of the Orcs, Adar fled on horseback carrying what was believed to be a dark sword-hilt forged by Morgoth, that Adar had been seeking. Galadriel and Halbrand pursued Adar through the nearby forest, until Halbrand dismounted him and would have killed him before being stopped by Galadriel. After Galadriel questioned Adar after putting him in shackles, Halbrand was introduced by Míriel to the villagers of Tirharad as the rightful king of the Southlands. The people gladly accepted him, but shortly after were shocked when Orodruin suddenly erupted.