Ears on top: Elves of Middle-earth from best to worst. Elrond - Hugo Weaving The Lord of the Rings Lord Elrond

History of creation

Elrond in The Lord of the Rings

Pure elven blood does not flow in Elrond's veins, the hero's grandfather on his father's side was a man. Elrond, like all half-breed elves, had to choose his fate, since the paths of elves and humans in Tolkien's world are radically different. The hero chose the path of the elves and became the immortal lord of the valley of Imladris, which was also called Rivendell.

Elrond's wife was Celebrian, daughter. From this marriage were born the sons of the hero - the twins Elrohir and Elladan, as well as the daughter Arwen. Later, the hero's wife was captured by the orcs, who tortured her and inflicted a wound with a poisoned blade. The sons found Celebrian and rescued her, while Elrond healed her wounds. But Celebrian did not want to stay in Middle-earth, where she was constantly tormented by fear, and sailed west to the Lands of the Immortals.

Elrond is described as an elf of great power and good character. The age of the hero could not be determined by appearance - Elrond was beautiful in face, gray-eyed and dark-haired. In fact, Elrond was six and a half thousand years old when he sailed west to Valinor.

Elrond's name, translated from Sindarin, a fictional language of the Elves, means "elf of the cave", as the hero was found abandoned in a cave as an infant. There is another version of the translation, which can be seen in the appendix to the Silmarillion - "star dome".

Screen adaptations

In the films directed by Peter Jackson, based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, the image of the elven lord Elrond was embodied by the actor, known to the audience for his role in the trilogy "". The actor also played David, the father of the protagonist, in the series "", dedicated to the dark sides of the life of the British aristocracy.

In the film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings", the daughter of Elrond, the elf Arwen rescues, wounded by the Morgul blade. The heroine leaves on horseback from the Nazgûl, who are chasing her, and delivers Frodo to her father's castle. There the hero is healed by the lord of the elves himself.

Meanwhile, a magician arrives in Rivendell, and in the morning a council takes place, during which Elrond declares that the Ring of Omnipotence, which Frodo delivered to his lands, must be taken out and destroyed from Rivendell. This can be done by throwing the ring into the mouth of the Orodruin volcano, where it was forged.

Several members of the council volunteer to accompany Frodo on this journey. This is how a detachment is formed, which includes an elf, a son, a dwarf, warriors from the kind of people and, as well as hobbit friends devoted to Frodo. With the light hand of Elrond, the detachment receives the name "The Fellowship of the Ring."

Elrond appears once again in the finale of the last film of the trilogy "". In the scene where the last of the elves sail to the West, Elrond boards a ship with Galadriel, Gandalf and the hobbits and Frodo.

In the trilogy "The Hobbit" Elrond takes in his refuge a detachment of dwarves, led by his old friend Gandalf. The heroes dine together, and Elrond tells Thorin about the elven swords that the dwarves found along the way. At night, Elrond helps the dwarves uncover the secret of the map and find out where and when it will be possible to see the door into the Lonely Mountain, usually invisible.

Later, a council takes place, at which Elrond himself is present, as well as Galadriel, Gandalf and. Gandalf suspects that - the old enemy of Middle-earth - is rearing his head again, but Saruman takes Gandalf's concerns lightly.

In The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Elrond, along with Saruman, comes to the aid of Gandalf and Galadriel in the fortress of Dol Guldur, where the Nazgûl attack the heroes.

• Director Peter Jackson originally envisioned New Zealand actor Sam Neill as Elrond, but he declined to take on the role due to other projects he was busy with at the time.

• Fans devote a lot of fanfiction and art to Elrond, and even make cosplay, sometimes very carefully approaching the creation of costumes.
• Costumes for the heroes of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were developed by costume designer Nyla Dixon. The armor and everyday clothes of Elrond are her work. Elven robes were made from Indian silk brocade.

Quotes

"Evil is not from the beginning, it takes possession of the hearts gradually."

“Everyone has the right to put a limit on his journey, for no one knows where the limit of his courage is and what misfortunes lie in wait on the way.”

“Only the treacherous say goodbye when they see the darkness ahead,” said Gimli.

"Perhaps," said Elrond. “But let not the one who has never seen the night swear to stand in the darkness!”

Elrond - translated from Sindarin "star dome". Half-elf, son of Earendil and Elwing. At the end of the First Age, Elrond and his brother Elros, at the behest of the Valar, had to choose their fate and their people: Elros chose to stay with the Adans and became the first king of Numenor, and Elrond chose the elves and eventually became one of the most powerful and wisest Elven princes.

In 1695 of the Second Age, Elrond, at the behest of Gil-galad, came to Eregion and fought against the black hordes in the war of the elves with Sauron. In 1697, when Eregion fell, Elrond took refuge in the foothills of the Misty Mountains and built there Imladris - the Last Welcome Abode. Over the years, Imladris became one of the strongholds of the elves in Middle-earth. In the War of the Last Alliance, Elrond fought side by side with Gil-galad, and he died before his eyes.

In the year 100 of the Third Age, Elrond married Celebrian, the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. Their children were Arwen (later the wife of the sovereign Elessar), Elladan and Elrohir.

During the Third Age, Elrond aided the Dúnedain of the North; many Pathfinder chieftains were raised in Imladris. At the end of the Third Age, Elrond, along with Galadriel and the magician Gandalf the Gray, sailed across the Sea.

He owned Villa - the greatest of the three Elven rings.

The following can be said about the origin of Elrond:

• it contains 6/16 of the blood of Edain (people): his grandfather Tuor comes from the House of Hador, his great-grandfather Beren is from the House of Beor. He is also a descendant of the third House of Edain, House Haladin, through Tuor's grandmother Hareth;
• in it 5/16 of the blood of the Sindar (elves) - from his grandmother Nimloth and great-great-grandfather Thingol;
• it contains 1/16 of Mayar (Ainur) blood - from the great-great-grandmother Melian. Moreover, Elrond is a distant kinsman of Aragorn, who is a descendant of his brother, Elros, and the husband of his daughter Arwen;
• it contains 2/16 of the blood of Vanyar (elves) - from great-grandmother Elenwe and great-great-great-grandmother Indis, the second wife of Finwe;
• in it 2/16 of the blood of the Noldor (elves) - from Turgon's great-grandfather.

Elrond was one of the wisest and most powerful Elves of Middle-earth during the "Second and Third Ages". It was at the Council convened by Elrond that the decision was made to destroy the One Ring in order to destroy the Dark Lord Sauron. Elrond the half-elf chose the immortality of the Elves and left Middle-earth at the end of the "Third Age", but his beloved daughter Arwen remained, it was her choice.

Elrond-Elfid was born in A.E. 532. in the family of Eärendil the Sailor and Elwing later of his brother Elros, they spent their childhood among a mixed people - refugees from Doriath and Gondolin at the mouth of Sirion. Their father was the owner of the Silmaril, which caused the wrath of the Sons of Feanor on their people.

The father of Elrond and Elros was Earendil the Sailor, and his mother was Elwing. Eärendil was considered a half-elf due to the fact that his mother is Idril (of the Elven family), and his father is Tuor (Man). Elwing was from the Elf family, and her father Dior was the son of Beren (Mortal) and Luthien (daughter of Elf and Maia). Thus Elrond and Elros are descended from Men and from Elves and are considered half-elves or Peredil (sind. Peredhil).

When Elrond was only 6 years old, the Sons of Feanor and their army massacred many of the people of Eärendil when he sailed off to seek the lands of Aman in the western seas. Their mother, along with the Silmaril, disappeared, but magically survived and arrived with the sacred stone to Earendil on the ship. Elros and Elrond were spared by Maedhros and Maglor, and because they were dear to them, the Sons of Feanor left them to live among the surviving elves of their people.

After the War of Wrath, the brothers were informed that their parents were staying in Valinor. By the will of the Valar, the elves were given the opportunity to choose their fate, everyone could choose which race to completely reincarnate into, elves or humans. Elros chose the fate of people, for he was closest to his father and his people. He became king of the Dúnedain. those who were granted the lands of Numenor in the midst of the Great Ocean. He was named King Tar-Miniatar, he lived a long time even for the Numenoreans, who had their lifespan extended, and even for his descendants - 517 years.

Elrond, however, chose the fate of the elves and became a friend and vassal of the king of the Noldor, and after the king of all the elves of Middle-earth. He and all the elves who remained in Middle-earth went beyond Ered Luin and settled there.

Around the year 1200 of the "Second Age" - a survivor of the War of Wrath, Sauron (Servant of Morgoth), appeared among the Elves in a beautiful guise and tried to win their trust. Gil-galad and Elrond did not recognize him, but they did not trust him and forbade him to appear in Lindon.

Against the warnings of Gil-galad and Elrond, the Elven Smiths of Eregion accepted Sauron and around 1500 began to forge the Rings of Power under his direction. Around 1600 Sauron forged the One Ring (to rule over the others), Celebrimbor (head of the Smiths) realized that they had been deceived.

Celebrimbor hid the Three Rings of the Elves from Sauron by giving Vilya (Ring of Air) to Gil-galad. In 1695 Sauron declared war on the Elves and attacked Eregion. Elrond led an army against him, but they arrived too late and Sauron's forces were too great. Eregion was sacked and Celebrimbor slain.

Elrond gathered the survivors and retreated with them north, where in 1697 he founded a hidden settlement called Rivendell. Sauron's forces invaded Eriador (but failed to capture either Rivendell or Lindon). In 1700, the fleet of Numenor arrived and Sauron was expelled from Eriador.

It was not possible to help Elrond. Gil-galad asked for help from the Queen of Numenor Tar-Telperien, a year later, under the command of Prince Tar-Minastir, the 40,000th army of the Numenoreans landed in Enedveit, the heavy infantry of the Dúnedain destroyed the orcs, and only the trolls could stop them.

Sauron hastily lifted the siege of Rivendell and removed the troops from Lindon, and from there came a large army (although twice as small as the Númenóreans) of the elves. The Battle of Gwatlo took place, in which Elrond himself participated. Almost all of Sauron's troops were defeated, and he himself received a serious wound for his elven disguise. A year later, every last evil creature was banished beyond the Misty Mountains.

After the Heroic Defense of Rivendell, Elrond gained great fame as a warrior and commander. They began to address him as "Lord Elrond". After another 500 years of peace, the Numenoreans began to move away from the elves. This greatly upset Elrond, for the kings of Numenor were his kindred. There is information about the new, most powerful servants of Sauron - the Nazgul, slaves of the 9 rings.

Elrond communicates with the princes of the Faithful, who are the second branch of the Elros family. After 200 years, the harbor of the Faithful is built at the mouth of the Anduin. Elrond still hopes that the kings of Numenor will come to their senses. But soon all the elves turn their backs on the Numenoreans, including the elves of Valinor.

• In 1701 - the Elves convened a Council and it was decided that the stronghold in eastern Eriador would be Rivendell. Elrond was appointed steward of Gil-galad in Eriador. Perhaps then Gil-galad gave Elrond Vilya (or it happened later, during the War of the Last Alliance).
• In 3261 B.E. Sauron surrenders to Ar-Pharazon, king of Numenor, who is advancing on Mordor with a huge army. Like all lords, Elrond calms down, hoping that if the Numenoreans do not give the Dark Lord to the elves, then they themselves will execute a fair trial on him. But with the Enchantment, Sauron is transformed from a prisoner into the head of the council by the king. He seduces the Numenoreans and inspires the king to march on the Outer West, for immortality! A grandiose fleet was assembled, but you can’t argue with the strength of the Valar. The fleet was sunk, and those who managed to land in Aman and the King receive immortality and are imprisoned underground. The world becomes round, Numenor is sunk, Sauron has lost his elven disguise, part of his abilities, Aman disappears from the circles of the world, and only the elves can find a way there, and of all the Numenoreans, only the Faithful part of the elves, led by Elendil, survives. They land in Middle-earth and found Gondor and Arnor.
• In the year 3430 of the "Second Age" the Last Alliance of Men and Elves was forged to counter the growing menace of Sauron.
• In 3431, the armies of Gil-galad and Elendil gathered at Rivendell and marched from there to Mordor. Elrond was the messenger of Gil-galad and one of his generals.
• 3434 - Elrond fought at the Battle of Dagorlad and throughout the Siege of Barad-dur.
• In 3441 - he was on the slopes of Mount Doom when Gil-galad and Elendil killed Sauron (although both died in this fight). Isildur (son of Elendil) took the Ring of Sauron for himself. Elrond and Cirdan advised to destroy the Ring in the fire of Mount Doom, but Isildur decided to keep the Ring.

Elrond gladly accepts new friends and distant relatives. But the Dark Lord survives and gains power again. When Elrond turns 3948, an alliance of Men and Elves, as well as Dwarves, is formed, Elrond leads the army of Eregion, and indirectly commands the armies of the elves of Clear Bor and Lothlorien in the War with Sauron.

Elrond chose eight companions to accompany

The sons of Elrond followed him and fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. When Gandalf offered to go to the Black Gate to give Frodo a chance to complete his search, the sons of Elrond replied that their father had given the same advice. March 25, 3019 - Elladan and Elrohir marched with the Host of the West and fought at the Battle of the Morannon until the Ring was destroyed and the kingdom of Sauron fell. May 1 - The Coronation of Aragorn took place and on the same day Elrond and Arwen left Rivendell. They arrived in Minas Tirith on Midyear's Eve.

Elrond gave Aragorn the Scepter of Annuminas, symbolizing the dignity of King Arnor, and gave his consent to his marriage to Arwen. The wedding of Aragorn and Arwen took place on Mid Year's Day. After the funeral of King Theoden of Rohan, Elrond and Arwen climbed into the hills near Edoras. There they said goodbye to each other, for this was their last meeting.

Elrond had to leave Middle-earth with the Elves and go to the Undying Lands, while Arwen chose the Fate of Men and remained in Middle-earth. The choice of Elladan and Elrohir is unknown, but the sons of Elrond remained in Middle-earth for some time into the "Fourth Age".

Elrond returned to Rivendell with Gandalf and the Hobbits. When Frodo went home, Elrond blessed him. Elrond knew that Frodo was too deeply wounded and could not find peace in Middle-earth. He said that Frodo would find him in the autumn in the woods of the Shire.

September 22, 3021 - Elrond met Frodo in the Shire and the Ringbearers set off on their Last Journey to the Gray Havens. Elrond had lived in Middle-earth for 6520 years and it was time for him to leave.

September 29 - Elrond boarded a ship sailing across the Sea to the Undying Lands, where he again met with his wife Celebrian.

Daria Tatarkova

Premiered yesterday the last part of the epic adaptation of The Hobbit - The Battle of the Five Armies. Over the past fifteen years, Peter Jackson, along with excellent actors, has created a completely separate image of Middle-earth. No matter how Tolkien's fans imagine the imaginary world of his works and the characters inhabiting it, it cannot be denied that without the films of the New Zealand director, he would have been much poorer. The main characters of the new trilogy are dwarfs and a hobbit, but the audience continues to be lured by more elegant characters: for example, Jackson inserted Legolas into the arrangement of the book, where, in fact, there is no hero. We decided to recall all the elves from the films of Peter Jackson and find out who is the coolest and who is not.

Galadriel

elf, mistress of Lorien

Galadriel is one of the most important characters in the history of Middle-earth. The daughter of kings, she was one of those who led the rebellion of the elves and led them away from Valinor. Tolkien described her as "the greatest elf" and the most powerful and beautiful of those left in Middle-earth at the time of the events of The Lord of the Rings. With the gradual understanding of the true nature of her past, all her actions became a kind of atonement for sins. The help she rendered to the Brotherhood is an excellent illustration of this. Despite the fact that her pride would never allow the heroine to possess the ring of omnipotence, she shows real strength of character by acknowledging this and refusing it. Galadriel can read the minds of other beings and see into their souls. She lived an incredibly long life, becoming a witness and a feasible participant in Tolkien's imaginary world - at the time of her last mention, the elf was seven thousand years old.

Arwen

half-elf, daughter of Elrond, queen of Gondor

Evening star Arwen Undomiel was out of sight in the books. Tolkien dignified it with a passing description and vaguely identified it as Aragorn's motivation in his campaign to save Middle-earth. In the film - and I would like to believe that without screenwriters Francis Walsh and Philippa Boyens it could not have done here - Arwen becomes no less courageous than her husband - the future king. Replacing the elf Glorfindel, she herself saves Frodo from the Nazgul, delivering him to his father in Rivendell. Arwen is present in all films, but not as a motivating prize, but as a catalyst for the fate of Aragorn. Without her self-sacrifice and decision to stay, the processes that would then lead the forces of good and Aragorn to victory would not have started. The final decision of the elf to be with her husband is partly saturated with bitterness: she is forever forced to say goodbye to her family and her people, who completely left Middle-earth. In the book, after her husband died and the children grew up, she went to the forests of Lorien and decided not to live anymore, thereby falling into the halls of the dead in Valinor.

Legolas

Elf, son of Thranduil, Prince of Mirkwood

Legolas became something of a Middle-earth rock star thanks to the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Jackson, along with Bloom, came up with new levels of swagger for him, about which there could be no talk in the book. For example, on a shield, like on a surf, he slides down the stairs and at the same time fires a burst of arrows - there is no need to even explain anything. Despite the fact that the original spirit of the book character in the films was preserved in full, the impudence inherent in youth (by elven standards) and Jacksonian humor provided this incarnation of the Prince of Mirkwood with an army of devoted fans almost instantly. At the same time, Legolas inherited from his father a dislike for gnomes and a family temper.

His presence in the new part looks, of course, somehow quite awkward. Bloom looks more like the beefier uncle of the boy who was in the 2000s, and computer rejuvenation completely turns him into a wax figure. One gets the feeling that he is out of place there, like an escaped exhibit of Madame Tussauds, who unexpectedly got on the set. Nevertheless, we are proud of Legolas for the fact that he was able to outgrow his father's influence and, despite centuries of hostility, his best friend is a dwarf, whom, according to Tolkien, he even took with him to Valinor.

Elrond

half-elf, lord of Rivendell

Elrond was not exactly an elf, if you look strictly. Both his parents, Eärendil and Elwing, came from the unions of elves and men, so Elrond was given the choice between the fate of an elf and a man. Unlike his twin brother Elros, who settled on the second option and eventually founded the human kingdom of Numenor, Elrond decided to become an elf. In Jackson's films, the role of Elrond went to Hugo Weaving, and if at first the audience poked a finger at him and shouted - “this is Agent Smith”, by the end of the 2000s, any associations with The Matrix evaporated.

As in the books, Elrond appears as one of the wisest elves in Middle-earth, who really cares about the fate of the rest of the inhabitants of his world. He lived for several thousand years, having managed to take part in the war against Sauron long before the events of The Lord of the Rings. In addition, Elrond had the gift of foresight and elven telepathy, which in the film, even the vast distances were not a hindrance. On top of all that has been said, Elrond was entrusted with the most powerful of the elven rings Vilya - so, frankly, there is practically no one to compete with him.

Tauriel

elf from Mirkwood

This elf was invented specifically for the films, and if you think that the story of the relationship between Arwen and Aragorn was complicated, then what can we say about Tauriel, who fell in love with a dwarf. Tolkien did not allow himself such liberties: for him, the union of elves and people was something incredibly tragic, and there were only three of them in the entire history of Middle-earth. In the on-screen "The Hobbit", the difference, even external, let's be frank, between elves and dwarves (at least this one) is not so cardinal, and Tauriel Kili's chosen one could well pass for an elf, provided there are ears and no bristles. To top it all, Tauriel rebelled against her king and, contrary to orders, went to help the dwarves fight off the orcs. As a captain of the guard, she knows how to fight no worse than any man, and besides, she guarded the lands of Mirkwood, feeling, unlike the others, that dark forces are gathering, no matter what Thranduil says.

Haldir

elf, captain of the guards of Lorien

One of the chiefs of the guards of Lorien, Haldir in the book was the guide of the Fellowship through Lorien when they reached the domain of Galadriel. Jackson decided to give the elf a much more significant role, thereby turning him from a casual acquaintance into a tragic figure of an important moment in the relationship between humans and elves. In The Two Towers, Haldir is shown as the captain of the squad that the elves sent to help in the defense of Helm's Deep. The unexpected decision not to leave people in trouble, even though, most likely, they are sent to their death, helped to strengthen the belief that the peoples will still be able to rally their forces in the fight against a common evil. The relationship between Haldir and Aragorn is shown as more of a friendship, with a hint that the two may have known each other before. Haldir is killed in battle by an orc sword.

Celeborn

elf, lord of Lorien

Celeborn is a uniquely positive character, and the most boring of all. Little is known about him, and he became famous for being the husband of Galadriel. Despite the status of one of the wisest elves in Middle-earth, Celeborn always remains somewhere on the sidelines and has no direct relation to what is happening - accordingly, he appears very little in films. In the books, unlike the last film in the first trilogy, he was the last elf to leave Middle-earth, and with him the last living memory of them.

Thranduil

elf king of Mirkwood

Thranduil, King of the Wood Elves, is an incredibly proud character whose arrogance has played tricks on him more than once. Unlike the rest, he appears in The Hobbit, which makes him one of the first elves of Tolkien who once saw the light, then, however, without a name. In the film version, quite a lot of attention is paid to the forest king, simply because it would be impossible to resist and not use such a character. For his grand entrance, Thranduil, played by Lee Pace, chose a huge deer with branching antlers - such an exit in a split second tells us quite a lot about a character who loves to show off.

Thranduil himself brought his relationship with the dwarves to an alarming strain because of his complexes about wealth and gems, which he was always short of. In the film, the aggressiveness and greed of the king put him on a par with villains rather than allies. With all the sins of Thranduil, nevertheless, he will side with the people and the dwarves in the Battle of the Five Armies against the orcs. In the future, his son Legolas, whom he will send to Rivendell during the events of The Lord of the Rings, drew attention to himself.

Figwit/Lindir

Elf of Rivendell

Figwit is the most stupid, but perhaps the funniest character in the entire list of screen adaptations of elves. Judge for yourself: his name is actually an abbreviation of the phrase "Frodo is grea... who is THAT?!?" So the hero of the third plan of the Jackson Ring trilogy was called, of course, not by the director himself, but by a trio of Wellington documentary filmmakers who later shot the film of the same name about the Figwit phenomenon. A stupid name is better than none - so you can at least somehow identify it, after all, “elf from the retinue” does not mean anything at all. One could forget about him, like about any other nameless elf, if not for the actor who played him. Bret McKenzie is one half of Flight of the Conchords, the comedy duo Brett and Jamaine, who made their HBO series about them conquering New York. Despite the fact that Mackenzie is not recognizable at first glance, vigilant fans still managed to make out him.

In the first film, Figwit sat on the board, but after the hilarious buzz surrounding the character, Jackson decided to give him a whole line in the third film. He says only one phrase: “Lady Arwen, we cannot delay! My lady!" (seriously, just that), which did not stop him from earning his fan base and becoming a regular fanfiction hero of all sorts. In The Hobbit, Mackenzie played another elf from Rivendell - Lindir, the right hand of Elrond himself.

Etymology

Elrond, from then on, ruled over Imladris (later known as Rivendell), which, as it was decided, was to become the main stronghold of the elves in the east of Eriador. Gil-galad appointed Elrond as his viceroy in Eriador and gave him one of the Rings of Power - the Ring of Vilya.

At the end of the Second Age, Galadriel and her daughter Celebrian arrived in Imladris in search of Celeborn. There Elrond saw Celebrian for the first time and fell in love with her, although he kept silent about it.

In 3430 of the Second Age, the war with Sauron began. Elrond took part in it as one of the commanders of Gil-galad and fought in the field of Dagorlad. Elrond witnessed the fight between Elendil and Gil-galad with Sauron on the slope of Orodruin and the disincarnation of Sauron when Isildur cut off his finger with the One Ring. After the battle, Elrond and Cirdan advised Isildur to throw the One Ring into the fire of Orodruin, but he did not heed the advice (3441 of the Second Age).

Third Age

Soon Isildur died, as did his three eldest sons (year 2 of the Third Age), but Elrond's wife and youngest son, Valandil, lived in Imladris with Elrond. Okhtar, Isildur's squire, brought them the wreckage of Narsil (year 3 of the Third Age), and they were kept as a relic by Elrond until Valandil was an adult. Elrond predicted that Narsil would not be reforged until the One Ring was found and Sauron returned, but Elves and Men hoped that this prophecy would never come true.

After the death of Gil-galad, Elrond remained the last male - a descendant of Finwe in Middle-earth, but he was no longer called the High King of the Noldor, because there were too few of them left and each settlement had its own ruler (the inhabitants of the Gray Havens were ruled by Kirdan, the inhabitants of Lorien - Amroth). Elrond continued to live in Imladris, strengthening and beautifying it with his Ring. Many elves and other inhabitants of Middle-earth, strong and wise, took refuge there, and the house of Elrond became a refuge for all weary, a stronghold of wisdom and knowledge. Imladris was the main settlement of the Noldor at that time, and with the help of his Ring, Elrond managed to preserve the beauty and bliss of the elves there.

In 109 of the Third Age, Elrond married Celebrian. In 130 of the Third Age he had twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, and in 241, a daughter, Arwen. The children of Elrond, too, could choose the fate of elves or men, but while Elrond lived in Middle-earth, their life was as long as the life of elves.

At the beginning of the Third Age, Celeborn and Galadriel lived in Imladris for a long time with Elrond.

Around the year 1000 of the Third Age, the Istari, magicians, arrived in Middle-earth. Only Cirdan knew that they came from Valinor, and only Elrond and Galadriel did he reveal it. One of the magicians - Mithrandir, or Gandalf, as people began to call him, made friends with the elves more than others and always consulted with Elrond.

Elrond was always allied with the kings of Arnor, and later with the chiefs of the Dúnedain of the north, and only in Imladris, at Elrond, was it remembered whose descendants these chiefs were. In 1976 of the Third Age, the relics of Isildur's family were given to Elrond for safekeeping.

In the house of Elrond lived the families of the chieftains of the Dúnedain, for he never forgot his kinship with them. After the death of her husband Arathorn, chief of the Dúnedain, Gilraen settled there with her young son Aragorn (2933 of the Third Age), and he was brought up there as the adopted son of Elrond, who loved him as his own sons. While the boy was growing up, he was not told who his father was, for Sauron was looking for Isildur's heir. But when Aragorn was twenty years old (2951 of the Third Age), Elrond revealed to him his real name and family and showed him the relics of the Isildur family: fragments of the sword of Narsil, the scepter of Annuminas and the Ring of Barahir. Elrond gave the broken sword and the ring to Aragorn, but for the time being he kept the scepter, for Aragorn had not yet earned the right to own it. He also predicted to his adopted son that his life would be long, longer than the life of ordinary people, if he could endure the ordeal in the future. On the same day, Aragorn met Arwen and fell in love with her. Elrond, learning about this, was saddened, for he knew that only because of this love Arwen could choose the fate of people and part with his father forever. Later, he made a condition to Aragorn: Arwen would become his wife if Aragorn received the crown of Gondor and Arnor.

In the autumn of 3018 of the Third Age, Frodo, on the advice of Aragorn and Gandalf, went to Rivendell with the One Ring to decide what to do with it. Elrond, having learned about his campaign and the appearance of the Black Riders (Nazgul), sent scouts to the north, west and south to meet the travelers and protect them. One of them, Glorfindel, sought out Frodo and his companions and helped them get to Rivendell. When Frodo was almost overtaken by the Nazgûl while crossing the Bruinen, Elrond and Gandalf, who were in the House of Elrond in Rivendell, caused the river to rise and drown the Nazgûl and their horses (October 20, 3018). Then the Nazgûl disincarnated and therefore could no longer pursue Frodo and his companions, and they were able at last to reach the house of Elrond. Elrond healed Frodo, who was wounded by a Morgul blade (he removed a shard of the blade, which almost reached Frodo's heart). When Frodo recovered, a council took place in the house of Elrond, at which the fate of the Ring was decided (October 25, 3018). After many stories and disputes, Elrond advised against going west and offered to destroy the Ring by throwing it into the fire of Orodruin. Then Boromir said that the Ring should be used as a weapon against Sauron, but Elrond objected to him, saying that great power was needed to possess the Ring - but even if there was someone so strong besides Sauron - he himself would become the Black Lord. He added that he himself was afraid to take the Ring in order to hide it, and did not want to own it (3). In the end, the Ring was decided to be destroyed, although Elrond knew perfectly well that if the One Ring perished, then the other Great Rings would lose their power, and then the western elven kingdoms that they keep (Rivendell and Lorien) were threatened with withering and death. But Elrond was ready to go for it, because he did not want his own good to the detriment of the good of all the peoples of Middle-earth (4).

Elrond advised Frodo (the Keeper of the Ring) (5) to take eight comrades as companions, so that there would be as many of them as the Nazgûl - nine. When six members of the squad were elected, two more places remained, and Elrond offered to take the elves from his house - but Merry and Pippin did not want to part with Frodo and also fell into the squad, which was called the Fellowship of the Ring. Elrond did not want to let them go, saying that he foresaw trouble in the Shire and two hobbits (or at least the youngest, Pippin) should be sent there to warn their relatives and help them cope with the trouble (6).

Elrond sent many spies and heralds into the east to spy out the paths that the Fellowship of the Ring was to follow and bring news to Lorien. By order of Elrond, the Broken Sword, Narsil of Elendil, was reforged, given the name Anduril, and thus the prophecy of the lord of Rivendell was fulfilled.

When the Fellowship of the Ring left Rivendell (December 25, 3018), Elrond admonished them, saying that they could accompany Frodo all the way to Orodruin, or they could turn to another path if it seemed necessary to them, for they were not bound either by word or oath. Gimli objected that those who say goodbye on the dark path are unreliable, and that an oath will strengthen a weak heart. "Or break it," replied Elrond (7).

At parting, Elrond gave Gandalf the flask of miruvor, which helped the Fellowship of the Ring to endure the cold night on Caradhras.

To help Aragorn from the settlements of the Dúnedain came the Gray Company under the command of Halbarad. With him rode the sons of Elrond, to whom their father gave the royal banner of Aragorn, embroidered by Arwen. Elladan and Elrohir at the meeting conveyed to Aragorn Elrond's advice to use the Paths of the Dead (March 6, 3020).

After the destruction of the Ring and the disincarnation of Sauron, Elrond, along with his daughter Arwen, arrived in Minas Tirith (June 30, 3019), where Arwen married Aragorn (July 1, 3019). Then Elrond handed over to Aragorn, who became king of Arnor and Gondor, the scepter of Annuminas. So Elrond fulfilled his promise.

And on August 13, 3019, in Edoras, Elrond said goodbye to his daughter, the Queen of Gondor, who accepted the death lot. Father and daughter parted forever - after all, even after death, elves and people were not destined to meet, and this farewell, which no one saw, was bitter - for Elrond and Arwen retired to the hills and talked there for a long time.

When Elrond said goodbye to Frodo in Rivendell, he predicted to him that they would see each other very soon and also in the fall.

And so it happened. On September 29, 3021 of the Third Age, Elrond, along with other owners of the Elven Rings (Gandalf and Galadriel), as well as with the former Keepers of the One Ring (Bilbo and Frodo), set off from the Gray Havens across the Sea to Valinor (8). And with their departure, the Third Age of Middle-earth ended.

Other names

The name "Elrond" belonged to this character originally and never changed, but his epic has undergone several changes. The first option was the nickname "Beringol" (Beringol), then - "Peringol" (Peringol) and "Peringiul" (Peringiul).

Other versions

This character appeared in the legendarium in Mythology Sketches, and readers got to know him while reading the story The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. But as J.R.R. Tolkien himself said, Elrond from The Hobbit is not quite Elrond from the legends of The Silmarillion, the writer simply borrowed this name and some character traits from his drafts (as he did more than once with other characters of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings). And only in The Lord of the Rings does Elrond become that very Elrond of the legends - a half-elf, a descendant of Luthien and the son of Eärendil.

In The Hobbit, Elrond is simply the leader of the "elves and people of the north, in whom the blood of elves flowed" (it is understood that there were many "half-elves" then) (9).

In the drafts of The Lord of the Rings, his smile and laughter are compared to a "sunny summer".

In the same place, Elrond is called the "minstrel and adviser" of Gil-galad. Erestor is his blood relative and also a half-elf. In one version, Galadriel is called Elrond's wife. In early versions, Elrond is the only son of Earendil and Elwing, and only from him did the blood of the elves and the Valar (Mayar) appear among people.

According to the Quanta, Elrond and Maedhros had a special love for each other, and not Maglor, as in later versions. In the Quenta Silmarillion, it is mentioned that Maglor, after throwing away the Silmaril, lived for a long time in Middle-earth with Elrond.

In one of the letters, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote that Elrond and Elros were "kidnapped by the sons of Feanor", and then - "left in the forest", where they were found after some time - Elrond was in a cave, and Elros was splashing in the water (obviously, here the author hints at their names - “rond” - “dome”, as well as “cave vault”, and “ros” - “water splashes, water foam”). However, this version does not fit in with the rest of the texts, and it can be assumed that Tolkien confused Elrond and Elros with Elured and Elurin, the twin sons of Dior, whom the servants of Celegorm really "left in the forest."

In The Later Annals of Beleriand, after the capture of Erebus by Morgoth, Maedhros and Maglor (and apparently Elrond with them) fled to the island of Balar.

In one of the additions to The Downfall of Numenor, it is said that Elrond's choice of fate was not irreversible, he could change his mind, choose a mortal destiny and die as a man. The Mythology Outline states that Elrond remained in Middle-earth because of "his mortal half"

And the Third Age. It was at the Council convened by Elrond that the decision was made to destroy the One Ring in order to overthrow the Dark Lord Sauron. Elrond Half-elf chose the immortality of the Elves and left Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age, but left his beloved daughter Arwen there, for such was her choice.

Elrond and his twin brother Elros were born 58 years before the end of the First Age. There is no single chronology of the First Age, but according to one of the versions ( "The Tale of Years" in The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels) Elrond and Elros were born in 532, and the First Age ended in 590. Other chronologies differ.

The father of Elrond and Elros was Eärendil the Sailor, and his mother was Elwing. Eärendil was also a Half-elf: his mother, Idril, was from the line of Elves, and his father, Tuor, was a Man. Elwing's mother was from the Elf family, and her father Dior was the son of Beren - the Mortal - and Luthien - the daughter of the Elf and Maya. Thus, Elrond and Elros are descended from both Men and Elves, and are considered Half-elves, or Peredil (sind. Peredhil).

Elrond and Elros were born in Middle-earth. They lived at the mouth of Sirion, on the southwest coast of Beleriand. While Earendil traveled across the Sea, the sons of Feanor attacked the Havens of Sirion, wanting to take possession of the Silmaril, which belonged to Elwing. Elrond and Elros were captured. Feanor's son Maglor took pity on them and spared their lives. It is said that he took care of the children and raised them for a while. Although according to another version, the twins were left by their captors in a cave behind a waterfall, where they were later found alive and unharmed.

Elwing escaped with the Silmaril and found Earendil's ship. Despair seized them because of the loss of their children, and they did not return to Middle-earth. Together they reached the Undying Lands, and Eärendil asked the help of the Valar in the war against Morgoth. At the end of the First Age, the Host of the Valar defeated Morgoth in the War of Wrath.

The Dunedain were few, they became a wandering people and lived in isolation. The leaders of the Dunedain were brought up in Rivendell, and there Elrond kept the relics of the House of Isildur: the Scepter of Annuminas, Elendilmir, the Ring of Barahir and the fragments of Narsil.

In 2463, the White Council was formed in response to the threat of a dark force that settled in Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Elrond was a member of the White Council along with Galadriel, Cirdan, Gandalf the Gray and Saruman the White, who became the head of the Council.

In 2509 Elrond's wife Celebrian was captured by the Orcs at the Crimson Horn Pass on their way to Lothlórien. Orcs tortured her and wounded her with a poisoned dagger before her sons, Elladan and Elrohir, managed to find and save their mother. Elrond managed to heal the wounds, but fear and memories tormented Celebrian, she could no longer find joy in Middle-earth. Therefore, in 2510, Celebrian left Middle-earth and went beyond the Sea to the Undying Lands.

The White Council met again in 2851. Gandalf visited Dol Guldur, and found out that the dark power is Sauron himself, and the Mage called on the White Council to attack him. But Saruman convinced the Council that the One Ring had been taken to the Sea, from whence it could not be returned, and that without it Sauron could not regain his former power. The council agreed to wait and watch, but Elrond was seized with apprehension.

“Nevertheless, I feel that the One Ring will be found, and then there will be war again, and with that war the Age will end. And it will end in a second darkness, unless some accident saves us, which I cannot foresee. The Silmarillion: "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" p. 301

In 2933, Elrond took two-year-old Aragorn to his house after the Orcs killed the boy's father. Aragorn was the sixteenth Leader of the Dunedain, but Elrond did not reveal his origin to him for a long time and called him Estel, which means "Hope". Elrond loved Aragorn like a son.

In June 2941, Gandalf came to the house of Elrond in the company of thirteen Dwarfs and one Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Elrond recognized the swords found by Gandalf and Thorin as Glamdring and Orcrist. He also discovered secret moon runes on the map of the Lonely Mountain, which pointed the way to a hidden door.

Later that year the White Council met and it was decided to attack Dol Guldur. The necromancer was expelled, but the very next year he secretly settled in Mordor. And in 2951, Sauron openly declared himself. The White Council learned that he was looking for the One Ring, but Saruman lied and convinced them that the Ring was forever lost at the bottom of the Sea, where Sauron could never find it.

When Aragorn was 20 years old, Elrond told him that he was Isildur's heir. Elrond was pleased that Aragorn had grown strong and noble. He saw that in time Aragorn would become stronger both in body and spirit. Elrond gave Aragorn the fragments of Narsil and the Ring of Barahir, but kept the scepter of Annuminas, which was the sign of royalty in the Northern Kingdom, for the time being, because Aragorn was not yet ready to become King.

At that time, Elrond's daughter Arwen came to Rivendell to visit her father, and Aragorn fell in love with her as soon as he saw her. Elrond guessed this, and was worried, because he knew that if Arwen married Aragorn, she would have to choose the fate of Men and give up immortality, and then he would forever part with his daughter.

“But Arwen, my beloved daughter, will not have to choose if you, Aragorn son of Arathorn, do not come between us. And then one of us, me or you, will face a bitter parting that will last until the end of the existence of the world. You still don't understand what you want from me." Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen" p. 340

Aragorn and Arwen got engaged in 2980. When Elrond found out about this, he was saddened and spoke about it for the last time with Aragorn.

“My son, the time is coming when hope will fade away, and then almost everything is hidden from me. And now a shadow lies between us. Perhaps it was destined that through my loss the royal family would be reborn. Therefore, although I love you, I will say this: Arwen Undomiel will not sacrifice his immortality for less. She will not be the bride of any Mortal but the King of Arnor and Gondor. And then even victory will bring me only grief and parting, but you - hope and joy. Alas, my son! I'm afraid that Arwen The Fate of Men may seem too hard." Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," p. 342

In 3002 Bilbo settled in Rivendell as Elrond's guest, and in 3009 Elrond asked Arwen to return home from Lothlórien. East of the Misty Mountains, as Sauron's power grew, so did the danger.

On October 8, 3018, news came to Rivendell from Gildor Inglorion that Frodo Baggins was heading there, pursued by the Nazgul. The next day Glorfindel was sent to look for Frodo. The Hobbit was pursued as far as the Ford of Bruinen, and on October 20, Elrond caused a flood that washed away the Nazgul. Their horses drowned, they lost their form and were forced to return to Mordor empty and shapeless.

When Gandalf offered to go to the Black Gate to give Frodo a chance to complete his search, the sons of Elrond replied that their father had given the same advice. Elladan and Elrohir marched with the Host of the West and fought at the Battle of the Morannon on March 25, 3019 until the Ring was destroyed and the realm of Sauron fell.

Aragorn's coronation took place on May 1, and on the same day Elrond and Arwen left Rivendell. They arrived in Minas Tirith on Midyear Eve. Elrond gave Aragorn the Scepter of Annuminas, symbolizing the dignity of King Arnor, and gave his consent to his marriage to Arwen. The wedding of Aragorn and Arwen took place on Mid Year's Day.

After the funeral of King Theoden of Rohan, Elrond and Arwen climbed into the hills that were near Edoras. There they said goodbye to each other, for this was their last meeting. Elrond had to leave Middle-earth with the Elves and go to the Undying Lands, while Arwen chose the Fate of Men and remained in Middle-earth. The choice of Elladan and Elrohir is unknown, but the sons of Elrond remained in Middle-earth for some time during the Fourth Age.

Elrond returned to Rivendell with Gandalf and the Hobbits. When Frodo went home, Elrond blessed him. Elrond knew that Frodo was too deeply wounded to find peace in Middle-earth. He said that Frodo would find him in the autumn in the woods of the Shire.

On September 22, 3021, Elrond met Frodo in the Shire, and the Ringbearers set out on their Last Journey to the Gray Havens. Elrond had lived in Middle-earth for 6520 years, and it was time for him to leave. On September 29, Elrond boarded a ship sailing across the Sea to the Undying Lands, where he again met his wife Celebrian.

Additional sources:

The Silmarillion: "Of the Voyage of Earendil" tells of the capture of Elrond and Elros while "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" has further information on Elrond's role in the Third Age.

The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Tale of Years" p. 348-49 gives varying dates of the birth of Elrond and Elros and also mentions that they were twins.

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #211 tells the story of Elrond and Elros being left in a cave behind a waterfall.

Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn" tells about Elrond leading a force to Eregion to fight Sauron and the Council in 1701 where Elrond was appointed Gil-galad's vice-regent.

Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen" discusses Elrond's acceptance of Aragorn as a foster son and his thoughts on the romance between Aragorn and his daughter.

Important dates

First Age:

The dates of the First Age are inaccurate. Here the dates are given according to the "Tale of the Years" of the XI volume of the "History of Middle-earth". Other chronologies differ.

532 - the birth of Elrond and Elros.

538 Elrond and Elros are captured by Maglor son of Feanor.

545-587 - War of Wrath against Morgoth.

590 Morgoth is banished from the world. The First Age has ended.

Second Age:

1 - Gil-galad and Elrond settled in Lindon.

32 - Elrond's brother Elros became the first King of Numenor.

442 - death of Elros.

1200 Gil-galad and Elrond forbid Sauron from entering Lindon.

circa 1500 - The Elven Smiths of Eregion, with the help of Sauron, begin making the Rings of Power.

circa 1590 - The Three Rings of the Elves are created.

circa 1600 - Sauron forged the One Ring.

1693 - the beginning of the war between Sauron and the Elves. The Three Rings are hidden.

1695 - Sauron invades Eriador. Elrond leads an army against him.

1697 - Sauron's troops ravaged Eregion. Elrond retreated and founded a hidden settlement called Rivendell.

1699 - Sauron captures Eriador.

1700 - Sauron's attack is repelled with the help of Numenor.

1701 - Elrond appointed governor of Gil-galad, Rivendell becomes stronghold of the Elves in Eriador. Perhaps then Elrond received Vilya.

3430 - The Last Union of Men and Elves is concluded.

3431 - The troops of the Last Alliance gather in Rivendell.

3434 War of the Last Alliance begins. Sauron is defeated at the Battle of the Fields of Dagorlad, and the Siege of Barad-dur begins.

3441 Sauron is defeated. Gil-galad and Elendil died. Elrond and Cirdan advise Isildur to destroy the One Ring, but he refuses. The Second Age has ended.

Third Age:

2 - the death of Isildur. The One Ring is lost.

3 - fragments of Narsil brought to Rivendell.

109 - Elrond marries Celebrian.

130 Birth of Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir.

241 Birth of Elrond's daughter Arwen.

circa 1300 - The Lord of the Nazgul founded the kingdom of Angmar.

1409 Elrond helps the Dunedain repel Angmar.

1975 - The Lord of the Nazgul is defeated at the Battle of Fornost.

1976 - Elrond receives the relics of the House of Isildur for safekeeping.

2463 - The White Council is created. Elrond is one of its members.

2509 - Celebrian captured by orcs. Elladan and Elrohir saved her, Elrond healed her wounds, but the memories continued to torment the woman.

2510 - Celebrian decides to leave Middle-earth and sails to the Undying Lands.

2851 - Gandalf convinces the White Council to attack Sauron in Dol Guldur, but Saruman gains the upper hand. Elrond is overwhelmed with forebodings.

2933 - After Arathorn died, Elrond took Aragorn to raise

2941 June - Gandalf, Thorin and his companions arrived in Rivendell, including Bilbo Baggins at the end of summer - beginning of autumn - the White Council meets again, they attack Dol Guldur. Sauron is banished.

2942 Sauron secretly returns to Mordor.

2951 - Sauron declares himself openly. Elrond reveals to Aragorn that he is Isildur's Heir. Aragorn falls in love with Arwen.

2953 - The White Council met for the last time. Sauron lies and convinces them that the Ring is lost at the bottom of the Sea.

2980 - Aragorn and Arwen are engaged. Elrond says that he will consent to the marriage only if Aragorn becomes King of Arnor and Gondor.

3002 - Bilbo settled in Rivendell as a guest of Elrond.

3009 - Elrond asks Arwen to return to Rivendell because the threat of Mordor is growing.

October 8 - Elrond receives word that Frodo is on his way to Rivendell, pursued by the Nazgul. October 9 - Glorfindel sets out to look for Frodo. October 18 - Gandalf arrives at Rivendell. October 20 - Elrond raises a flood against the Nazgul. Wounded Frodo is brought to Rivendell. October 23 - Elrond finds a fragment of a Morgul blade and retrieves it. October 24 - Frodo woke up. October 25 - Council of Elrond. December 18 - Elrond names the members of the Brotherhood. December 25 - The Fellowship leaves Rivendell.

February - Elladan and Elrohir travel south with the Dunedain. May 1 - Aragorn's coronation. Elrond and Arwen leave Rivendell. May 20 - Elrond and Arwen arrive in Lothlórien. May 27 - Elrond and Arwen leave Lothlórien. June 14 - Elrond and Arwen meet Elladan and Elrohir and travel to Edoras. June 16 - They leave for Gondor. Midsummer's Eve - Elrond and Arwen arrive in Minas Tirith. Elrond hands Aragorn the Scepter of Annuminas. Midsummer Day - the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen. July 22 - Elrond leaves Minas Tirith with the funeral procession of King Theoden. 10 August – Elrond attends Theoden's funeral. August 14 - Arwen and Elrond say goodbye and part forever. August 22 - Elrond says goodbye to Aragorn and leaves for Rivendell. October 5 - Elrond blessed Frodo.

September 22 - Elrond and Galadriel meet Frodo in the Shire. September 29 - Elrond sailed across the Sea to the Undying Lands, and there he met Celebrian again.

Etymology

Elrond:

Elrond's name means "Vault of the Stars". Word el means "star". Word rond means "vault, vaulted roof", it was also used in the meaning of "firmament"

The Silmarillion - Index and "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names" Letter #345

Another interpretation of Elrond's name is Elf of the Cave, because it was said that he was found in a cave after he was captured by the sons of Feanor. Word el can also mean "Elf" (People of the Stars), and the word rond used in the meaning of "cave".

Letter #211

Elerondo (Elerondo):

Variant of Elrond's name in Quenya. The name itself is not given in the texts, but it can be reconstructed from Arwen's patronymic - Elerondiel, "Elrond's daughter".

Parma Eldaramberon #17 p. 56

Half-elf (Half-elven):

Elrond was called the Half-elf because both Elves and Men were his ancestors. And so he could choose which race to belong to.

Peredel / Peredil (Peredhel / Peredhil):

Elvish equivalent of the word Half-elf. Peredhel- units number, Peredhil- pl. number. Element per means "half". Word edhel means "Elf"; pl. number - edhil.

The Silmarillion - Index (under Half-elven) and "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names" (under edhel).

Vice-regent:

Gil-galad appointed Elrond as his steward in Eriador in 1701 of the Second Age.

Lord of Rivendell:

Elrond founded Rivendell in 1697 of the Second Age and lived there until the end of the Third Age.

Master Elrond:

Elrond was often addressed by Master Elrond as a sign of respect and because he was the keeper of wisdom and lore.

Genealogy

On the father's side:

On the mother's side:

Translations

The name Elrond in most Russian translations is transliterated as "Elrond", however, according to Appendix D to Lord of the Rings, "l" undergoes some palatalization after "e" and "e". Therefore, the correct spelling and pronunciation of this name is Elrond.