Date of Birth: Around 532 of the First Age
Left Middle-earth: September 29, 3021 of the Third Age
Residence: Last Homely House in Rivendell
Parents: Earendil & Elwing
Siblings: Twin brother - Elros
Spouse: Celebrian
Children: 2 sons - Elladan & Elrohir; 1 daughter - Arwen
Ring: Vilya
Hair & Eye Color: Dark hair & grey eyes
Detailed Biography:
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 the Half-elven 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 and his twin brother Elros were born 58 years before the end of the First Age. There is no definitive chronology of the First Age, but according to one version of "The Tale of Years" in The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels, Elrond and Elros were born in the year 532 and the First Age ended in 590. Other chronologies differ.
The father of Elrond and Elros was Earendil the Mariner and their mother was Elwing. Earendil was Half-elven: his mother Idril was an Elf and his father Tuor was a Man. Elwing's mother Nimloth was an Elf and her father Dior was the son of Beren – a Man – and Luthien – the daughter of an Elf and a Maia. Thus Elrond and Elros were descended from both Elves and Men and were counted among the Half-elven, or Peredhil.
Elrond and Elros were born in Middle-earth. Their family lived near the mouths of the river Sirion on the southwestern coast of Beleriand. While Earendil was away at Sea, the sons of Feanor attacked the Havens of Sirion seeking the Silmaril that Elwing had in her possession. Elrond and Elros were taken captive. Feanor's son Maglor took pity on them and spared their lives. It is said he cherished the two children and fostered them for a time, though according to another story the twins were left by their captors in a cave behind a waterfall where they were later found safe and sound.
Elwing escaped with the Silmaril and found Earendil's ship. They despaired at the loss of their children, and they did not return to Middle-earth. Together they sailed to the Undying Lands and Earendil sought the help of the Valar in the war against Morgoth. At the end of the First Age, the hosts of the Valar defeated Morgoth in the War of Wrath.
The Vala Manwe 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.
Elrond and Elros faced the same choice as their parents. Elros chose the fate of Men and was thus mortal. He became the first King of Numenor, and from him were descended the Kings of Numenor and of Gondor and Arnor, including Aragorn, King Elessar. Elros lived 500 years and died in the year 442 of the Second Age.
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.
Morgoth's servant Sauron survived the War of Wrath, and around 1200 of the Second Age he went among the Elves in a fair disguise and tried to win them over. Gil-galad and Elrond did not recognize him, but they did not trust him and they refused him admittance to Lindon.
Despite the warnings of Gil-galad and Elrond, Sauron was accepted among the Elven-smiths of Eregion, and under his instruction they began forging the Rings of Power around 1500. Around the year 1600, Sauron forged the One Ring to rule the others, and Celebrimbor the master smith realized they had been deceived. He hid the Three Rings of the Elves from Sauron, entrusting Vilya, the Ring of Air, to Gil-galad.
Sauron declared war on the Elves and attacked Eregion in 1695. Elrond led a force to stop him, but they arrived too late and Sauron's forces were too great. Eregion was destroyed and Celebrimbor was slain. Elrond gathered the survivors and retreated to the north, where he established the refuge of Rivendell in 1697. Sauron's forces overran Eriador, but he was unable to conquer Rivendell or Lindon. In 1700, a fleet arrived from Numenor and Sauron's forces were driven out of Eriador.
In 1701, the Elves held a Council and decided that Rivendell would be their stronghold in eastern Eriador. Elrond was appointed Gil-galad's vice-regent in Eriador. Gil-galad may have given Vilya to Elrond at this time, or he may have done so later during the War of the Last Alliance.
The Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed in 3430 of the Second Age to confront the growing threat of Sauron. In 3431, the forces of Gil-galad and Elendil gathered at Rivendell and from there they marched to Mordor. Elrond was Gil-galad's herald and acted as his commander on the battlefield.
Elrond fought in the Battle of Dagorlad in 3434 and throughout the Siege of Barad-dur. He was on the slopes of Mount Doom in 3441 when Sauron was overthrown by Gil-galad and Elendil, who both died in the struggle. Elendil's son Isildur took the One Ring from Sauron, and Elrond and Cirdan counseled him to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. But Isildur refused and kept the Ring for himself.
Isildur was slain by Orcs in the Gladden Fields, but his youngest son Valandil had remained in Rivendell. During the Third Age, Elrond continued to give aid and refuge to the Heirs of Isildur, who were related to him by descent from his brother Elros. Elrond knew that one day a descendant of Isildur would play a crucial role in the fate of Middle-earth.
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 appearance, he seemed ageless and his face was fair and he had dark hair and grey eyes.
In the year 109 of the Third Age, Elrond married Celebrian, the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. Their twin sons Elladan and Elrohir were born in 130, and their daughter 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.
Around 1300, the Lord of the Nazgul came to Eriador and established the realm of Angmar. At one point, Rivendell was besieged by forces aligned with Angmar. In 1409, the forces of Angmar attacked the three kingdoms of the Dunedain. Elrond brought help from Rivendell and Lothlorien and they joined forces with Cirdan from the Grey Havens to help the Dunedain. The Lord of the Nazgul was finally driven from Eriador after the Battle of Fornost in 1975, to which a force from Rivendell had been led by Glorfindel.
The Dunedain became a scattered, wandering people. Elrond fostered the sons of the Chieftains of the Dunedain at Rivendell in their youth and he kept safe the heirlooms of the House of Isildur: the Sceptre of Annuminas, the Elendilmir, the Ring of Barahir, and the shards of Narsil.
In 2463, the White Council was formed in response to the threat of an evil power that had occupied Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Elrond was a member of the White Council along with Galadriel, Cirdan, Gandalf the Grey, and Saruman the White – who became the leader of the Council.
In 2509, Elrond's wife Celebrian was captured by Orcs in the Redhorn Gate while she was journeying to Lothlorien. She received a poisoned wound and was tormented by the Orcs before her sons Elladan and Elrohir found her and rescued her. Elrond was able to heal her physical wounds, but Celebrian remained troubled by her memories and fear and she could no longer find joy in Middle-earth. She left Middle-earth in 2510 and sailed over the Sea to the Undying Lands.
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."In 2933, Elrond took Aragorn into his home after the two-year-old boy's father was killed by Orcs. Aragorn was the sixteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain, but Elrond did not tell him of his heritage at first and called him Estel, meaning "Hope." Elrond came to love Aragorn like his own son.
The Silmarillion: "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 301
Elrond was visited by Gandalf and a company of thirteen Dwarves and one Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins in June of 2941. Elrond identified the swords that Gandalf and Thorin had found as Glamdring and Orcrist, and he also discovered secret moon-letters on their map of the Lonely Mountain that told of a way to find the hidden door.
Later that year, the White Council met and decided to attack Dol Guldur. Sauron was driven out, but unbeknownst to the Council, he returned to Mordor the next year. Sauron openly declared himself in 2951. The White Council learned that Sauron was seeking the One Ring, but Saruman lied and assured them that he had determined that the Ring was in fact at the bottom of the Sea where Sauron would never find it.
When Aragorn turned 20, Elrond revealed to him that he was Isildur's heir. He was pleased that Aragorn had grown strong and noble and saw that in time he would become greater still. Elrond gave Aragorn the shards of Narsil and the Ring of Barahir, but he kept the Sceptre of Annuminas, which was the chief mark of royalty of the North-kingdom, because Aragorn was not yet ready to become King.
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."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.
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," p. 340
"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."Bilbo came to live at Rivendell as a guest of Elrond in 3002, and in 3009 Elrond summoned Arwen to return home from Lothlorien. The dangers east of the Misty Mountains were increasing as Sauron's power grew.
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," p. 342
On October 8, 3018, word came to Rivendell from Gildor Inglorion that Frodo Baggins was headed there followed by the Nazgul. Glorfindel was sent out to find him the next day. Frodo was pursued to the Ford of Bruinen on October 20, and Elrond caused the waters of the river to rise against the Nazgul and they were swept away by the floodwaters. Their horses were killed and their forms were lost and they returned to Mordor empty and shapeless.
Frodo had been seriously wounded by the Lord of the Nazgul. Elrond tended him day and night until at last on the night of October 23 he found a sliver of the Morgul-knife in Frodo's shoulder, working its way to his heart. Elrond removed it and Frodo awoke the next day. That evening Elrond brought Frodo to see Bilbo in the Hall of Fire.
On October 25, the Council of Elrond was held. Among those in attendance were Frodo and Bilbo, Aragorn, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Elrond's chief counsellor Erestor, Galdor from the Grey Havens, Gloin and Gimli from the Lonely Mountain, Legolas of Mirkwood, and Boromir of Gondor. Elrond said that though he had not summoned them, it was preordained that those gathered at the Council should decide the fate of the One Ring that Frodo bore.
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?Elrond chose nine companions to accompany Frodo on his quest. The first he named was Sam Gamgee, Frodo's faithful servant who had snuck into the Council without being invited. He selected others to represent each of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth: Gimli for the Dwarves, Legolas for the Elves, and Aragorn and Boromir for the Men. Gandalf also went, and the Wizard suggested that Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took be allowed to come as well. Elrond had intended to send the two younger Hobbits back to the Shire, which he feared was in danger, but he agreed with Gandalf in the end. The Fellowship left Rivendell on December 25, 3018."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
In February of 3019, Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir went south to join Aragorn. Elrond sent word to Aragorn reminding him of an ancient prophecy concerning the Paths of the Dead, and Aragorn took that dark road to prevent the Corsairs from attacking Minas Tirith. The sons of Elrond accompanied him and fought at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
When Gandalf proposed that they march to the Black Gate to give Frodo time to fulfill his quest, Elrond's sons said that their father had given this same counsel. Elladan and Elrohir went with the Host of the West and fought in the Battle of the Morannon on March 25, 3019, until the Ring was destroyed and the realm of Sauron fell.
Aragorn was crowned King on May 1, and Elrond was thus prepared to allow Arwen to marry him as he had promised. Elrond and Arwen set out that same day from Rivendell and they arrived in Minas Tirith on Mid-year's Eve. Elrond presented Aragorn with the Sceptre of Annuminas signifying the Kingship of Arnor and he gave his daughter's hand to Aragorn. Aragorn and Arwen were married on Mid-year's Day.
After the funeral of King 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.
On September 22, 3021, Elrond met Frodo in the Woody End in the Shire and the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings set out for the Grey Havens. Elrond had lived in Middle-earth for 6,520 years and the time had come for him depart. On September 29, Elrond set sail across the Sea to the Undying Lands, where he was reunited with his
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