Arondir

Arondir was a Silvan Elf of the Second Age.

Biography

Arondir grew up in Beleriand, perhaps near the Mouths of Sirion, before its destruction. By the Second Age he was stationed in the Southlands of Middle-earth, for the Silvan Elves watched the land's inhabitants to ensure they did not revert to evil as their ancestors had done in serving Morgoth. Arondir remained in the Southlands for 79 years, during that time becoming acquainted with and falling in love with the woman Bronwyn, who lived in Tirharad, though her son Theo viewed the Elf with suspicion.

After being confronted by Rowan in Tirharad's tavern, Arondir briefly spoke to Bronwyn before leaving quickly to avoid attention. He returned to the watchtower of Ostirith with Médhor, who warned him of the dangers of pursuing a relationship with a human, though Arondir dismissed his concerns. It was then that a messenger from High King Gil-galad came, bearing news that the occupation of the Southlands was to end. Noticeably perturbed, Arondir was visited by the Watchwarden Revion, who urged him to be encouraged at the thought of returning home.

Instead of leaving with his fellow Elves, Arondir returned to Bronwyn, just as a farmer brought his cow to Bronwyn for medical attention. Arondir discovered that instead of milk, a foul black substance came from the cow's udders, and, alarmed, he left to investigate where the cow had been grazing. Bronwyn accompanied him towards Hordern. They reached the settlement at dusk to discover it had been burned and ransacked, though no casualties or survivors were to be seen. In one of the houses the two discovered a tunnel opening, which Arondir entered to investigate further. After being forced to crawl part of the way, Arondir was suddenly grabbed by Orcs and taken prisoner. He was taken to a large trench, where he discovered the other Silvan Elves to be imprisoned as well, and made to dig. This endeavor was learned to be the mysterious individual Adar's mission to find a sword-hilt forged by Morgoth.

At length, Arondir and the other Elves refused to cut down a tree in the way of the Orcs' excavation, and the overseer Magrot killed Médhor as punishment. This incited a revolt, which, after much bloodshed, ended with the deaths of Revion and several others, though Arondir mortally wounded Magrot. Arondir's execution was stayed in order that he might be presented to Adar himself. Adar ended Magrot's suffering before speaking to Arondir, and while he avoided revealing his identity, spoke of his time in Beleriand before its destruction. Adar then released Arondir so that he might relay his ultimatum to the people of Tirharad, that if they would not swear fealty he would destroy them.

Upon hearing the news, the man Waldreg led around half of Tirharad's former inhabitants to accept Adar's offer, leaving the remainder in the watchtower of Ostirith. Arondir remained with them, and was given the dark sword-hilt by Theo, who had found it some weeks prior. Bronwyn desired to give Adar the hilt in hopes he would spare them, though Arondir attempted to dissuade her.

Adar

A mysterious individual of the Second Age was referred to as Adar, or "Lord-father", by Orcs, because of his status as one of the first Elves to be captured and tortured by Morgoth. Some among the Silvan Elves and Men of the Southlands initially wondered if he could be a manifestation of Sauron, though Adar was angered at the suggestion.

Under Adar's command, a large contingent of Orcs destroyed settlements in the Southlands, such as Hordern, taking its people as slaves to work towards finding a powerful sword forged of old by Morgoth, which became a key to causing Orodruin to erupt.

Biography

Adar was one of the first Elves, if not the first, to be corrupted by Morgoth before the First Age in Utumno. Subsequent generations of the newly realized race of Orcs considered him to be their father, and followed him willingly. After Morgoth's defeat, Adar at first served Sauron in the latter's mission to discover a way to subdue other forms of life. However, disillusioned by Sauron's cruelty to the Orcs, Adar turned on Sauron and claimed to have killed him. For many years, Adar remained the leader of the surviving Orcs, though in secret.

Adar first became known to the other people of Middle-earth well into the Second Age, first appearing in a Orc trench-camp run by Magrot, immediately after Arondir's failed attempt to cause a fray and escape. While Arondir is pinned down, having stabbed Magrot in the neck, Lurka orders he be brought to Adar. Elsewhere in the camp, the "Lord-father" emerges as Orcs around bow, and his face is barely discerned before the episode ends. He gently tends to the dying Magrot, who had sustained a mortal wound in the Elves' escape attempt, before suddenly ending his suffering with a dagger. As the rest of the Orcs leave, Adar speaks to Arondir, learning the Silvan Elf's birthplace to be in Beleriand. Adar reminisces about his days along the river Sirion, though he evades Arondir's own questions, before releasing Arondir to take a message to the Southlanders taking refuge in the watchtower of Ostirith: that they may live if they forsake the territory and swear fealty to him. Later, as he watches one of the caged Wargs devouring fresh flesh, Adar is informed by Grugzûk that the hilt of the sword they seek is in the watchtower.

Some time afterwards, Adar is told by Grugzûk that the tunnel is complete and their forces ready. The "Lord-father" asks his minion to hold his arm in the sunlight to emphasize, by burning the Orc's skin, his claim that the sun's light will soon be overshadowed. He then releases Grugzûk, ordering him to summon the legions. Later, temporarily encamped in Tirharad, Adar is approached by a group of the village's former inhabitants led by Waldreg, who seek to swear fealty in exchange for their lives and better status. Following Waldreg's suggestion that his new master was, in fact, Sauron - whom he had long awaited to pledge his undying service to - Adar expresses his frustration with the old man's insistence and impertinence by throwing him to the ground. He then forces Waldreg to murder Rowan with a dagger in order to seal his oath of loyalty, claiming only blood could bind.

Adar leads his army to Ostirith to destroy those who refused to obey him, and finds the tower empty. He is then surprised by Arondir, who triggers a mechanism rigged to destroy the tower, which kills a number of Orcs and forces Adar's forces to regroup. His attack comes after nightfall on Tirharad, where the townspeople have returned to; the inhabitants defeat the initial force after much exertion, only to become horrified when they found the majority of those they slew were their kinsmen who had followed Waldreg. Adar's main force then easily occupies the village, and begins murdering villagers in an attempt to force Arondir to reveal the location of the dark sword-hilt. Only when the Orcs threaten to kill Bronwyn does her son Theo hand over the hilt. Just then, a company of Numenorean cavalry commanded by Míriel arrive and make short work of the Orcs. Adar gives the hilt to Waldreg and escapes on horseback; Galadriel and Halbrand, believing Adar to still have the hilt, pursue and capture him. Galadriel tries to interrogate Adar, and learns something of his origins, as well as his claim that he killed Sauron for his cruelty to the Orcs. In the meantime, Waldreg has returned to Ostirith and uses the sword to unlock the dam holding back the lake behind the watchtower. The waters run through tunnels in the earth into the caverns of magma below Orodruin, creating such a reaction that the volcano is reawakened, covering the Southlands in ash. In the chaos following, Adar escapes.

Etymology

Adar is a Sindarin word meaning "father".

Elrond

Elrond (Sindarin: "Star-dome") Half-elf, Lord of Rivendell, was a mighty Elf-ruler of old who dwelt in Middle-earth from the First Age to the beginning of the Fourth Age. He was the father of Elladan and Elrohir and Arwen Undómiel, the eventual wife of Aragorn II Elessar.

Biography

Elrond Half-elf was the son of Eärendil and Elwing, and great-grandson of Lúthien. He was born in the refuge of the Havens of Sirion in Beleriand late in the First Age, soon before its sack by the Sons of Fëanor. Elrond and his twin brother Elros were captured and raised by Maglor, a son of Fëanor. Though at first there was no great love between them, eventually Maglor took pity on them and cherished them, and eventually grew to love them. By the end of the First Age and the War of Wrath, the Sons of Fëanor were again working alone, suggesting that by this time, Elrond and Elros had left their nominal captivity and traveled to Lindon.

Etymology

Elrond is a Sindarin name that means "Star-dome" or "Elf of the cave", from el ("Elf" or "star", interchangeably) and rond ("cave, vault").

Character

Elrond was a skillful warrior in battle and had commanded various Elven armies, including the Last Alliance. He was just as effective at leadership and gave much wise counsel. He also had the gift of foresight, through which he could view lands and events far away from Rivendell. He was also adept at healing others, though whether through medical knowledge or magic isn't known. The latter may be more probable in that Elrond managed to cure a Morgul wound, something which is almost invariably fatal due to its association with dark sorcery. While it is unknown just how powerful Elrond was compared to other Elf Lords, he certainly held vast potential, being descended from the angelic Maia Melian and being the wielder of the ring of power Vilya. A notable demonstration included Elrond summoning a great flood on the River Bruinen to sweep away the Nazgûl. Elrond was also familiar with ósanwe, the skill of entering others' minds. After the destruction of the One Ring Elrond communicated mentally with Galadriel and Gandalf on their return journey from Minas Tirith.

Elrond was one of the most incorruptible of leaders of Middle-earth. Aragorn speculated that among the few capable of completely resisting Saruman's power of speech were Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf. Elrond also rejected and opposed Sauron when the latter offered partnership with the Elves.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Elrond is a central character of Amazon Studios' series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, in which he is portrayed by Robert Aramayo. Having been born toward the end of the First Age, Elrond is approximately 1,500 years old in the setting of the series.

Elrond, the Herald of High King Gil-galad, is first seen in a verdant glade, writing a speech for the king. Informed that his friend Galadriel has returned to Lindon from her expedition to Forodwaith, Elrond quickly goes to meet her. Though elated to see her, Elrond soon informs her that Gil-galad does not approve of her recklessness in seeking to continue the search for Sauron, and warns her not to press any further. Thereafter Gil-galad chooses to overlook her perceived insolence and honor her along with her companions in an ornate ceremony for their heroism, and even gifting them with the opportunity to return across the sea to Valinor. Elrond speaks to Galadriel afterwards and learns of her intention to refuse this offer, and counsels her to reconsider, and expresses his belief that the Enemy is gone. Galadriel does heed his counsel to take the ship to Valinor, though she changes her mind at the last moment.

Gil-galad soon afterwards tasks Elrond with a new mission: to work with the Elven-smith Celebrimbor on a new pursuit of great importance. Elrond accompanies Celebrimbor back to Ost-in-Edhil, the capital of Eregion. There, Celebrimbor shows Elrond his grandfather Fëanor's hammer, and after reminiscing about the significance of Fëanor's work, declares his intention to create something of rivaling significance. This, he explains, will require a new forge, the likes of which the Elves have not the skill to make. Elrond opines that the Dwarves could create such a forge, and volunteers to journey to Khazad-dûm to attempt an alliance, on account of his friendship with its prince, Durin IV.

Celebrimbor goes with Elrond to the Dwarf-city's West-gate, where the two are denied entry. Elrond alone gains entrance by resorting to challenging Durin through the rite of Sigin-tarâg: a test of endurance undergone by breaking rocks with a hammer. Durin wins, and gruffly attempts to escort Elrond out, at which point Elrond learns that the Dwarf's hostility is based out of Elrond's neglect to visit for the span of twenty years. Elrond convinces Durin to let him apologize to the Dwarf's family, and he meets Durin's wife Disa, who insists he stay for dinner. Through Disa' intercession, Durin makes amends with Elrond and listens to the proposal he brings on Celebrimbor's behalf. The proposal is agreed to by the elder Durin, and soon construction on the great forge has begun.

Elrond returns to Ost-in-Edhil and converses with Celebrimbor, who comments that Durin IV seems to be avoiding him. Elrond shares the sentiment, and returns to Khazad-dûm, where he inquires of Disa as to Durin's whereabouts, only to be told the prince is mining quartz. Elrond suspects a ruse, and soon overhears Durin remarking to his wife on a secret excavation underneath the Mirrormere. Elrond discovers the entrance to the old mine and enters, where he is soon discovered by Durin, who is aggravated to be found out. Elrond mollifies the Dwarf, and in exchange for a solemn oath of secrecy, is told the true nature of what is being mined. Durin reveals a small fragment of a new ore discovered by Disa, one that far surpasses other metals in strength and beauty. Elrond translates the description made by Durin into Sindarin, giving the metal its common name: mithril. Just then, a cave-in occurs, trapping four dwarf-miners. While waiting for news of the rescue operation, Elrond witnesses a somber song performed by Disa; a plea to the rocks to release the miners. Durin soon bears news that they have been rescued, though Durin III has shut down all mithril mining, greatly angering the prince. Elrond gently offers council to his friend, advising him to treasure the time he has left with his father, and invites him to return with him to Lindon at the behest of Gil-galad.

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.

Galadriel

Galadriel was the "Lady" of the woods of Lothlórien, which she ruled with Celeborn, her husband.

One of the greatest of the Elves in Middle-earth, she surpassed nearly all others in beauty, knowledge, and power. She bore Nenya, one of the three Elven rings of power. J.R.R. Tolkien thought of her as one of the mightiest and fairest of all Elves remaining in Middle-earth in the Third Age.

She was the only daughter and youngest child of Finarfin, prince of the Ñoldor, and Eärwen, whose cousin was Lúthien. Her elder brothers were Finrod Felagund, Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor. Galadriel was a niece of Fëanor, the most important Elf of the early First Age.

Biography

Galadriel was born in Valinor in the Years of the Trees, before the First Age. Much of Galadriel's story is confusing, and there are several distinct tales told about her collected in Unfinished Tales. According to the older account, used in The Silmarillion, Galadriel was an eager participant and leader in the rebellion of the Ñoldor and their flight from Valinor due to her desire to one day rule over lands in Middle-earth herself.

She was eager to see Middle-earth, having heard of it from Fëanor, and wanted to rule a realm of her own. She swore no oaths and was like minded with her cousin Fingon, son of Fingolfin.

However, separated from Fëanor and his kin, she and her people did not take part in the Kinslaying at Alqualondë. They followed Fingolfin instead and crossed the Helcaraxë in the far north.

The Lady Galadriel - "Lady of Light" - grandmother of Lady Arwen, was an Elven Queen of extraordinary beauty, with her timeless features and golden river of hair.

Galadriel was highly praised for her beauty, particularly that of her hair, which was a deep and radiant gold, shot with silver. It was said by the Elves of Tirion to have ensnared the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin, and possibly to have inspired the creation of the Silmarils by Fëanor. She was also the tallest of elf-women, standing at around 6 feet 4 inches, or 193 centimeters. Because of her wisdom and power, she had very important roles throughout the history of Middle-earth, especially during her time in Eregion and during the War of the Ring. She had a penchant for dressing in the purest white.

She was known, especially in her younger days, as being quite prideful. However, by the end of the Third Age, that pride had been tempered a great deal by age.

Powers

Galadriel possessed a tremendous amount of magical powers, and was said to be the greatest of the Ñoldor after Fëanor.

When she still lived in the Undying Lands, she had been a pupil of Yavanna and Aulë, and she later became a friend of Melian the Maia. Hence, it can be deduced that she had learned her powers from these three illustrious personages, though the nature of her magic is still not well-understood.

The majority of Galadriel's powers were said to stem from the artifact she controlled: Nenya, the Ring of Water. In some tales, she was also depicted with the powers of communicating over vast distances, predicting the future, and even cloaking her mind from other tremendously powerful beings (she once stated that Sauron could not perceive her mind, though she could perceive his). It is also possible that her powers of divination were either derived from or accentuated by her mirror, which could reveal events of the past, present, and future.

However, due to her incredibly enigmatic nature, even the immensely skillful Saruman and an Elf as perceptive as Elrond found it difficult to understand her powers, and they were such to bring doubt to the minds of the non-Elven inhabitants of Middle-earth. Whatever they might have been, it must still be noted that Galadriel had used them for good: protecting Lórien from any attack. She also used this formidable power to destroy the very foundations of Dol Guldur (a fortress whose power was multiplied by Sauron's magic). Galadriel also possessed the skill of ósanwe (the ability to communicate with others through thoughts), this can be seen after the destruction of the One Ring, when Galadriel communicated mentally with Elrond and Gandalf on their return journey from Minas Tirith.

Besides her magical powers, Galadriel was also very wise and intelligent: she was one of the very few who were not fooled by Sauron in the Second Age, and therefore suggested to Celebrimbor to hide the Three Rings. She also refrained from using the powers of Nenya while the One Ring was in Sauron's possession, and only did so after the One Ring was lost (for it was only then that it was safe enough for her to do so). When Frodo offered her the One Ring, Galadriel managed to reject the undeniable temptation, for she was wise enough to know that, though she might start off with good intentions with the One Ring in her possession, she would only become a tyrant as terrible as Sauron in the end. This could be viewed as a testament to her excellent understanding of the seductive nature of power, as well as her awareness of her own personal limitations.

Etymology

Galadriel was originally named Artanis ("noble woman") which was her father-name, and Nerwen ("man-maiden"), her Mother-name referring to her height and strength. Galadriel is the Sindarin translation of Telerin Quenya Alatáriel, the name given to her by Celeborn, meaning "maiden crowned with a garland of bright radiance" in reference to her hair.

The name Galadhriel was used outside Lórien by the people who did not know the ancient days and Galadriel's history, confusing her name with the Elvish word galadh ("tree") and the name of the Galadhrim, the people of Lórien.

Names and titles

She is referred to as The Lady of Lórien, Lady of Light, The Lady of the Galadhrim, or The Lady of the Wood interchangeably. Within the realm of Lothlórien, she was referred to as simply Lady Galadriel or The Lady.

When she and Celeborn were being referred to collectively, they were known as The Lord and Lady.

Faramir of Gondor referred to her as a Mistress of Magic when Frodo and Sam were with him in Henneth Annûn.