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Ingwë
04-25-2005, 02:18 PM
Elrond Halfelven

Elrond was one of the wisest and most powerful Elves in Middle-earth during the Second and Third Ages. He fought to oppose Sauron, and it was at a Council held by Elrond that the decision was made to destroy the One Ring and bring about the Dark Lord's downfall. Elrond had chosen to live the immortal life of the Elves and he left Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age, but he left behind his beloved daughter Arwen, who had made her own choice.

Elrond Halfelven was born in First age 525 of the Havens of Sirion. His parents both are half-elven - Eärendil, born in Gondolin before its Fall and Elwing, daughter of Dior and Nimlot. Eärendil is inheritant of Tuor, son of Huor of the house of Hador, and Idril Celebrindal, daughter of Gondolins King Turgon, son of Fingolfin. Turgon was High Elf - Noldor. Dior was son of Beren and Lúthien; Beren is of the House of Bëor, and Lúthien is daughter of Thingol, King of Doriath and Melian the Maia. Elrond is Vanyar through his great-grandmother Elenwë, and also through his great-great-great-grandmother Indis second wife of Finwë.

Though he is known as half-elven, Elrond's lineage is much more complicated than that little suggests. He could claim descent from all the main branches of the Eldar, each of the three Houses of Edain, and even from the Maiar.

We don't know what does Elrond mean. In a letter of 1958 Tolkien gives a very detailed derivation of Elrond. When the Sons of Fëanor attacked the Exiles of Gondolin, Elrond and his brother Elros (both at that time small children) were carried off but later found near a waterfall; Elrond ws discovered in a cave behind the waterfall - hence 'Elf of the Cave'. However, in a much later letter, Tolkien interprets the name "Vault of the Stars'', and Christopher Tolkien gives the similar 'Star-dome'

Here follows a description of Elrond (LotR: Many meetings)
The face of Elrond was ageless, nether old nor young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful. His hair was dark as the shadows of twilight, and upon it was set a circlet of silver. His eyes were grey as a clear evening and in them was a light like the light of the stars. Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fulness of his strenght. He was the Lord of Rivendell and mighty among the both Elves and Men.
The Vala Manwë decreed that Earendil and Elwing, as well as Elrond and Elros and their descendants, should have the choice whether to be counted among Elves or Men. Earendil and Elwing chose to be counted among the Elves, and they remained in the Undying Lands. Earendil sailed the heavens in his ship with the Silmaril bound to his brow, and the light of the Star of High Hope brought comfort to the peoples of Middle-earth. After the War of Wrath Elrond was given a chance: whether to be counted amongst the kindred of the Elves or of Men. Elrond chose the fate of the Elves. He was immortal and could choose to sail across the Sea to the Undying Lands, but Elrond decided to remain in Middle-earth with the High King Gil-galad. They dwelled in Lindon, a land west of the Blue Mountains that had once been part of Beleriand before the land was ruined in the War of Wrath. His brother Elros choose the Men and thus became the first King of Númenor - Elros Tar-Miniatur.

In the Second age Elrond still lived in Lindon with Gi-Galad. At this time were forged the Rings of power in Eregion. Celebrimbor rised when he was told that Sauron made o ne Ring. Then Sauron attacked Eriador. When Gil-Galsd was told about this events he send Elrond Halfelven to Eregion but that land was too far. When the army of Sauron came near Hollin Celeborn attacked it and drove it back. Then the armies of Elrond and Celeborn merged in o ne army but they couldn't reach Eregion.
I would say Elrond was leader of that army because later it is said Elrond was attacked, Elrond was driven back, etc.
After destroying Eregion Sauron decided to attack Elrond. He would be destroyed if the dwarves wouldn't attack the Enemy. Then Elrond drove out and found the hidden refuge Imladris (1697 S.A.). It lays in a deep valley in the western foothills of the Misty Mountains.
Sauron attacked Gil-Galad but he was sieged and Elrond destroyed his army but Eriador was overruned.
Then they formed a Council (maybe the first White Council) and they decided to keep Imladris (Rivendell) as elven keep east of Eriador. And then Gil-Galad gave Elrond his Ring.
Elrond's Ring is Vilya, the most powerful of the Three Rings. It was given to Elrond by Gil-Galad. Maybe the hIgh King wanted to presence a power east of Eriador. With this Ring Elrond kept Rivendell and made it an island of lore.
We see that Elrond plays part in the WAr between the Elves and Sauron. Mighty among the Wise he was leader of o ne of Gil-Galad's armies. Halfelven was good leader and the Elves won.
After founding of Imladris Elrond dwell in there until the end of the Third age and departing over the Sea.

Elrond has participated in the War of the Last Allince. He marched with Gil-Galad. In the LotR he himself tells many things about that events:
'I have seen three ages in the West of the World, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories.'
'I was the herald of Gil-Galad and marched with his host. I was at the Battle of Dagorlad before the Black Gate of Mordor, where we had the mastery; the the Spear of Gil-Galad and the Sword of Elendil, Aiglos and Narsil, none could withstand. I beheld the last combat o n the slopes of Orodruin where Gil-Galad died and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke beneath him; but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shard of his father's sword and took it for his own.
'Isildur took it as should have not been. It should have been cast then in Orodruin's fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in the last mortal contest; and by Gil-Galad only Cirdan stood, and I. But Isildur would not listen to our councel
' 'This I will take as weregild for my father, and for my brother' he said'
Second age ended up with the defeat of Sauron but he hasn't been destroyed. Elrond hasn't been killed and he knows what reaaly happened:
'Fruitless did I call the victory of the Last Allince? Not wholly so, yet it didn't achieve its end. Sauron was diminished but not destroyed. His Ring was lost but not unmade. The Dark Tower was broken but its foundations weren't removed for they were made with the pwer of the Ring and while it remains they will endure. many Elves many mighty Men had perished in the War. Anarion was slain, and Isildur was slain; and Gil-Galad and Elendil were no more. Never again shall there be any such league of Elves and Men; for Men multyplay, and the Firstborn decrease, and the two kindreds are estranged.'

Ingwë
04-25-2005, 03:44 PM
Elrond was a master of wisdom, and at Rivendell he sought to preserve the lore and history of the Elves and of Middle-earth. He wrote a number of books himself, and he welcomed Elves and other visitors into his home for learning and counsel and refuge. Elrond was strong and powerful, and he was also kind.

In Third age 109 Elrond wed Celebrian, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel. It is said that Elrond was in love with Celebrian when he saw her beauty. It was great wedding, ah?
Elrond and Celebrian have three children. Elladan and Elrohir were born in 190, and Arwen was born in 241. Elrond's children faced the same decision that he had over whether to be counted among Elves or Men, but they were able to delay their choice for a long while.

Elrond is an important person in the War between Arnor and Angmar.
Elrond also plays part it that War. Arveleg son of Argeleb, with the help of Cardolan and Lindon drove back his enemies from the hills. It is said that at this time Rivendell was besieged.
It is said that Angmar was for a time subdued by the Elvenfolk coming from Lindon and from Rivendell, for Elrond brought help over the Mountains out of Lorien.
What would happen if Angmar wouldn't be subdued? Elrond and his people were in danger. If the Elvenfolk of Lindon haven't come Rivendell would have been destroyed. But Elrond himself brought help.Maybe he had escaped before the attack, or he went to Lorien seeking help when the War began?
The White Council was formed in 2463 by the chief among the Eldar and Istari to combat the power of Dol Guldur. Elrond Halfelven was its member. The Council met in Rivendell.

I must say that Elrond was told by Cidan who are the Istari and where did they come from.

In 2509 Celebrian was attacked by orcs in the Misty Mountains journeying to Lorien. She was rescued by her sonsElladan and Elrohir but Elrond couldn't heal her and she has left Middle earth. Maybe Elrond met his wife in Valinor.

The White Council met again in 2851. Gandalf had visited Dol Guldur and discovered that the evil presence was Sauron, and he urged the White Council to attack him. But Saruman told the Council that he believed the One Ring had been washed down to the Sea, where it could not be recovered, and that without it Sauron could not regain his strength. The Council agreed to continue to wait and watch for the time being, but Elrond had misgivings.
"Nonetheless I forebode that the One will yet be found, and then war will arise again, and in that war this Age will be ended. Indeed in a second darkness it will end, unless some strange chance deliver us that my eyes cannot see."
The Silmarillion: "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 301
In 2933 Gilraen mother of Aragorn send his son to Elrond in Rivendell. Elrond called Aragorn Estel, which means hope. Maybe he saw hope in thet young boy (heir of the Dunedain) and he knew what will happen with that child

Elrond's daughter Arwen was visiting her father at the time, and when Aragorn saw her he fell in love with her. Elrond realized this, and he was troubled because he knew that if Arwen married Aragorn she would have to choose the fate of Men and give up her immortality, and thus in the end Elrond would be parted from his daughter forever.
"But there will be no choice before Arwen, my beloved, unless you, Aragorn, Arathorn's son, come between us and bring one of us, you or me, to a bitter parting beyond the end of the world. You do not know yet what you desire of me."
Appendix A of LotR: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," p. 340
Aragorn and Arwen became betrothed in 2980. When Elrond heard the news, he was grieved, and he spoke to Aragorn about the matter for the last time.
"My son, years come when hope will fade, and beyond them little is clear to me. And now a shadow lies between us. Maybe, it has been appointed so, that by my loss the kingship of Men may be restored. Therefore, though I love you, I say to you: Arwen Undómiel shall not diminish her life's grace for less cause. She shall not be the bride of any Man less than the King of both Gondor and Arnor. To me then even our victory can bring only sorrow and parting - but to you hope of joy for a while. For a while. Alas, my son! I fear that to Arwen the Doom of Men may seem hard at the ending." Appendix A of LotR: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," p. 342

The Council of Elrond met in October 3018. Then Elrond told about the events of the past, about his life. He has plays part when they decided what to do with the One Ring. Finally they decided to destroy the Ring but that means three Rings to loose their power. And that also means Elrond to leave Middle earth.
When Boromir suggested that they use the Ring against Sauron, Elrond refused to take it himself because he knew that the Ring would corrupt anyone who tried to wield it. Elrond said it was clear to him that the Ring must be cast into the fires of Mount Doom, even though he believed that when the One Ring was destroyed, the Three Rings of the Elves would lose their power and all that they had wrought would fade. Frodo volunteered to undertake the quest.
Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him, and Frodo felt his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of the glance. "If I understand aright all that I have heard," he said, "I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will. This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck?
"But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, I will say that your choice is right; and though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, and Hurin, and Turin, and Beren himself were assembled together your seat should be among them."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 284

Elrond has visited Gondor before hid departure - for the wedding of his daughter Arwen. Probably this is Elrond's last journey in the Middle earth. After the funeral of Theoden in Rohan, Elrond and Arwen went up into the hills near Edoras. There they said their final farewells to one another, for they would never see each other again. Elrond would leave Middle-earth with the Elves to live in the Undying Lands, but Arwen had chosen the fate of Men and would remain in Middle-earth until she died. The choice of Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir is not known, but they remained in Middle-earth for some time into the Fourth Age. Elrond returned to Rivendell with Gandalf and the Hobbits. When Frodo set out for home, Elrond blessed him. Elrond perceived that Frodo had been deeply wounded and would not be able to rest in Middle-earth. He told Frodo to look for him in the woods in autumn.

Elrond Halfelven departed over the Sea on September 29 3021 (Third age). He played part in the histories of the Second age and Third age. At the time of the Council of Elrond (3018) he had dwell in Middle earth for some 6500 years. He was mighty among the Wise.


Sources:
Lord of the Rings
Silmarilion
Unfinished Tales
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Thain's book