Elrond

Elrond was a mighty Half-elf ruler of old who dwelt in Middle-earth from the First Age to the beginning of the Fourth Age. He was the Lord of Rivendell, the father of Elladan and Elrohir and Arwen Undómiel, the eventual wife of Aragorn II. He was given the epithet of Peredhel, Sindarin for Half-elven. 
== Biography ==
=== First Age ===
Elrond Peredhel 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., Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXIV: "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath" 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.
=== Second Age ===
Elrond and Elros were given the choice at the end of the First Age to be counted among Men or Elves. Elros chose the Fate of Men and became Elros Tar-Minyatur, the first King of Númenor. Elrond Half-elven chose to be counted among the Elves,The Silmarillion, Akallabêth (The Downfall of Númenor) and remained in Lindon as captain and herald of Gil-galad, the High King of the Ñoldor., Introduction, Part Two, IV: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
With the start of the War of the Elves and Sauron in SA 1695, Elrond was sent to Eregion by Gil-galad in an attempt to protect it from the invading forces of Sauron. Unfortunately, Elrond's host arrived too late and was not large enough on its own to defeat Sauron's army. He retreated north with the refugees of Eregion, including Celeborn, only escaping because the forces of Durin III assailed Sauron's army in the rear. It was during the following two years (SA 1697) that Elrond founded Rivendell at the feet of the Misty Mountains, as a sanctuary and stronghold. For the next four years, Rivendell was besieged by Sauron's forces.
	 
With the arrival of the Númenóreans, the army besieging Rivendell was caught between the forces of Gil-galad and Elrond and destroyed. Elrond remained in Rivendell and hosted the first White Council, attended by Galadriel, at which it was decided that Elrond's home, the Last Homely House, would remain the last stronghold west of the Misty Mountains, and that the Three Rings then held by Gil-galad and Galadriel would remain hidden. According to one account Gil-galad at this time gave Elrond Vilya the Blue Ring, though in other accounts Gil-galad kept both Narya and Vilya until the end of the Second Age. It was also here that Elrond first met Celebrían, the daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel.
	 	
	 	
Near the end of the Second Age, Elrond rode beside Gil-galad in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, which set out from Rivendell to Mordor in SA 3431. Elrond was Gil-galad's herald during the war against Sauron. The Alliance, which also included Elves from Lothlórien, Men from Arnor and Gondor, and Dwarves likely led by Durin IV, defeated Sauron's army at the Battle of Dagorlad and laid siege to Barad-dûr for seven years. Eventually, Sauron himself was defeated by Elendil and Gil-galad, allowing Isildur to cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and claim it for himself.
	
The war took a toll on the forces of both Elves and Men. Gil-galad, Elendil, and his younger son Anárion were killed in the siege. Elrond and Círdan only remained as the commanders of the Elves, and Isildur as High King of the Realms in Exile. Upon discovering that Isildur had claimed the One Ring for himself, Elrond urged Isildur to throw the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, but the seduction of the Ring made Isildur refuse. Isildur claimed the Ring as a weregild for his father and brother, and Elrond (perhaps not fully understanding the nature of the One Ring) acknowledged his claim. Elrond then returned to Rivendell at the end of the war., Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
=== Third Age ===
In the year TA 109, Elrond wedded Celebrían. In the year TA 130, the twins Elladan and Elrohir were born, and in TA 241 a daughter, Arwen Undómiel. Elrond lost Celebrían in TA 2510 when she was waylaid by Orcs crossing the Misty Mountains and, unable to recover, took a ship to the Undying Lands., Appendix A: Annals of the Kings and Rulers, I: The Númenórean Kings, (iii): "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands), "The Third Age"
In the later years, he was instrumental in harboring the heirs of Isildur while the line lasted, the most famous of these sons of men was Aragorn II, whom he took in and fostered as his own after his father Arathorn II died in TA 2933. Elrond, foreseeing the boy's difficult future gave him the name Estel, Sindarin for hope. Aragorn grew up in Imladris unaware of his royal lineage until Elrond told him when he had reached his manhood., Appendix A: Annals of the Kings and Rulers, I: The Númenórean Kings, (v): "The tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
He also was a member of the White Council, which was often held in Rivendell, and was a great friend of Gandalf the Grey. He helped Thorin II's expedition to retake the Lonely Mountain by discovering and translating the Moon Writing on Thorin's map., Chapter III: "A Short Rest"
Upon learning that Aragorn and Arwen had become betrothed in TA 2980, Elrond was sorrowful, knowing that his daughter had made a choice to become mortal and therefore decreed that for such a price she could marry no less a man than the King of Arnor and Gondor. 
After Frodo's departure from the Shire with the One Ring, Elrond sent out riders to help guide him back to Rivendell. One of these, Glorfindel, successfully found Frodo and helped him reach Rivendell., , Book One, Chapter XII: "Flight to the Ford" On October 25, 3018 he held the Council at which it was decided to attempt to destroy the One Ring. He appeared to have selected the members of the Fellowship other than Frodo and Sam., , Book Two, Chapter II: "The Council of Elrond"
Five months later, Elrond sent his sons Elladan and Elrohir with the Rangers of the North to Rohan. Through his sons, Elrond advised Aragorn to take the Paths of the Dead., , Book Five, Chapter II: "The Passing of the Grey Company"
Elrond remained in Rivendell until the destruction of the One Ring and of Sauron, after which he went to Minas Tirith to surrender the Sceptre of Annúminas to King Elessar and give his daughter Arwen Undómiel away to be married., , Book Six, Chapter V: "The Steward and the King" On September 29, 3021, Elrond left Middle-earth to go over the sea with the other Ring-bearers, never to return., , Book Six, Chapter IX: "The Grey Havens"
== 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")., Index of Names, Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin names, Vol. XII: , XII: "The Problem of Ros"
== Character ==
Elrond was a skillful warrior in battle and had commanded various Elven armies, including the Last Alliance. He was as effective at leadership and giving counsel. He also had the gift of foresight, through which he could view lands or events far away from Rivendell.
A notable demonstration of the power of his ring, Vilya, included the summoning a great flood on the Bruinen to sweep away the Nazgûl that pursued Frodo and Glorfindel. Elrond was familiar with ósanwe, the skill of entering others' minds. After the destruction of the One Ring, Elrond communicated telepathically with Galadriel and Gandalf on their return journey from Minas Tirith., , Book Six, Chapter VI: "Many Partings"
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.
== In adaptations ==
thumb|Elrond (1977)
===The Hobbit (1977 animated film)===
In the 1977 film , Elrond is voiced by Cyril Ritchard.
=== The Lord of the Rings (1978) ===
thumb|Elrond (1978)
In (1978), Elrond is voiced by André Morell.
=== The Return of the King (1980) ===
thumb|Elrond (1980)
In by Rankin and Bass (1980), Elrond is voiced by Paul Frees.
=== The Lord of the Rings film trilogy ===
Elrond appears extensively in Peter Jackson's film trilogy. He appears in all three films, portrayed by Hugo Weaving.
Jackson's characterization of Elrond departs in several ways from Tolkien's own. Like the other Elves, Elrond is somewhat aloof in the films. He distrusts the race of Men, although he knows that the time of the Elves is over. In a significant change from the books, he is distressed at the thought of Arwen becoming mortal for the sake of Aragorn, and initially suggests she leave Middle-earth for Valinor. Though wise and virtuous, Jackson's Elrond appears unconvinced that Sauron can be defeated. Some have drawn similarities between Jackson's portrayal of the Elves, and of Elrond in particular, and the portrayal of the highly rational Vulcan race in Star Trek, or to Tolkien's own characterization of the Elf Thingol, who does not appear in the films. 
In , Elrond is first seen in the prologue at the Battle of Dagorlad as a lieutenant of the Ñoldor. He later appears in Rivendell, having summoned a council of Men, Dwarves, and Elves to decide the fate of the One Ring. He learns from Gandalf that Saruman, head of the White Council, has betrayed them by becoming one of Sauron's allies, which causes him to acknowledge that their allies were reducing. He tells Gandalf that the ring cannot stay here. He then recounts a flashback to Gandalf in which he witnesses Isildur's refusal to destroy the Ring, an event that makes Elrond forever suspicious of men. After some heated discussion, Elrond declares that the Ring must be destroyed in Mount Doom. Frodo volunteers to be the Ring-bearer, and Elrond titles Frodo and his companions the Fellowship of the Ring. 
In , Elrond tries to convince Arwen to choose immortality and depart for Valinor, where her love for Aragorn may "bloom evergreen." After Elrond tells Arwen that he has foreseen her widowhood and eventual death, she emotionally agrees to take his father's counsel and leave Middle-earth. Later in the film, Elrond communicates telepathically with Galadriel regarding the fate of Rohan. He agrees to send a contingent of Elvish warriors to aid Théoden's men at Helm's Deep. (Strangely, the Elves that arrive at Helm's Deep near the beginning of the Battle of the Hornburg are from Lothlórien, not Rivendell.)
In , Arwen confronts Elrond early in the film after witnessing a vision of her own future son, Eldarion. Realizing that Arwen's love for Aragorn cannot be overcome, Elrond agrees to reforge Narsil, the sword of Elendil, into Andúril. Later, Elrond delivers Andúril to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and urges him to reclaim the throne of Gondor and take command of the Army of the Dead. Elrond does not appear again until the film's epilogue, where he presents Arwen to Aragorn at the latter's coronation. Elrond appears one last time at the Grey Havens, where he departs Middle-earth with Gandalf, Celeborn, Galadriel, Bilbo, and Frodo.
=== The Hobbit film trilogy ===
Hugo Weaving reprises his role as Elrond in Jackson's , appearing in the and instalments. His role is expanded from his brief appearance in Tolkien's original novel.
Elrond initially appears in An Unexpected Journey when the Elves of Rivendell ambush the Warg-riders chasing Thorin and Company. Elrond wields Hadhafang (Arwen's sword in The Fellowship of the Ring) and is accompanied by Lindir. He warmly welcomes Gandalf and Thorin into Rivendell and identifies their respective swords, Glamdring, Orcrist and the morgul-blade.
When Elrond inquires as to why they were journeying on the East-West Road, Gandalf persuades Thorin to show Elrond the map of Erebor. Thorin is reluctant, but in his desperation he hands Elrond the map. Elrond realizes that the writing is written in moon runes. He holds the map under the moonlight and translates the ancient writing, revealing the secret passage into the Lonely Mountain. He then deduces that Thorin intends to enter the mountain and reclaim the treasure. Elrond is skeptical of the Dwarves' ability to succeed, knowing of the sickness Thorin's grandfather Thrór developed that attracted Smaug in the first place.
Elrond feels that Gandalf should explain Thorin's quest to the White Council, and the two meet with Galadriel and Saruman. Elrond at first is doubtful of Gandalf's warnings about the possibility of Sauron's return, but when Gandalf reveals the Morgul-blade from Dol Guldur, Elrond is horrified. He explains that the tombs of the Nazgûl are protected by powerful spells. He is then notified by Lindir that the Dwarves have left Rivendell.
Elrond reappears in in which he, Saruman, and Galadriel rescue Gandalf from Dol Guldur. Elrond and Saruman reveal themselves just as Galadriel and Gandalf are surrounded by the specters of the Nazgûl. Elrond duels with them, visibly wielding his ring Vilya, and notably holds his own against several wraiths at once, before they are all defeated. He attempts to defend Galadriel as Sauron manifests before them, along with all of the Nine. Elrond then watches on in amazement as Galadriel takes on a terrifying form to repel Sauron. After Sauron and the Nazgûl are cast into the East, Elrond urges a pursuit of Sauron, to warn Gondor of his return that they must set up a watch on Mordor. Saruman denies it and instructs Elrond to take Galadriel back to Lothlórien, promising to pursue Sauron himself.
=== Voice dubbing actors ===
Foreign Language 	Voice dubbing artist
Spanish (Latin America) 	Humberto Solórzano (The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit)Carlos Segundo (The Lord of the Rings re-dubbing)
Spanish (Spain) 	Abel Folk
Portuguese (Brazil) (Television/DVD)	Luiz Laffey / Hélio Ribeiro (The Hobbit trilogy)
German 	Wolfgang Condrus
Italian (Italy) 	Luca Biagini
French (France) 	Feodor Atkine
Polish 	Adam Bauman (The Hobbit trilogy)
Czech 	Vladislav Beneš
Slovak 	Ivan Gogál
Turkish 	Ali Düşenkalkar
Hungarian 	Sándor Rosta
=== Video games ===
*In , Elrond makes his first appearance in the game if the player selects to play an Elf. Elrond is with the player as the Dwarves attack. He gives the character items that vary depending on the character's class. After this, he brings the player to another room where the player's master/teacher is waiting. After a brief tutorial battle between the player and the teacher Elrond tells the pair to go out to confront the enemy while he hides the relics sought by the Dwarves. Elrond next makes an appearance when the player's character returns to the shrine, just before it collapses on their former master. Elrond is outside and tries to comfort the player character, saying that "you can blame his death on me". He remarks on what they have just witnessed before the screen fades to black and the game advances in time by 600 years. Thereafter, Elrond is a frequent quest-giver and an active participant in game's story.
*In , Elrond is a playable warrior in the instant action mod for Rivendell and the Hero Arena at the Black Gate. He has a long elvish blade and an elvish throwing axe, similar to the other Elven warriors. Tsunami Blade, River of Bruinen, and Water Sphere are his special abilities. He is the narrator for both campaigns. In the evil campaign, Elrond is seen during the Rivendell mission. He can be killed by Uruk-hai, or by Sauron himself. It is said that Elrond is a king, and the player must obtain his ring of power after his death. However, at the end, he returns and must be killed again, together with Legolas.
*In , Elrond is a hero of the Elf faction. His powers include two healing spells: Athelas, which heals himself and all nearby heroes, and a magical spell which restores heroes' health and abilities. His most powerful spell is a whirlwind (possibly an allusion to Elrond's ring of air), which can be used to sweep the map and instantly wreak havoc upon attacking units. He is the narrator for both of the campaigns, as he does in Conquest. In the Good Campaign, Elrond is playable in the first mission, where the player must defend Rivendell. He is also playable during the last mission, when the player must destroy the fortress of Dol Guldur. In the Evil Campaign, he must be killed in the last mission at Rivendell.
*In the 1994 SNES game J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Volume 1, the player can talk to Elrond and give him the six amulets for leveling up the player's units. Elrond will say to bring the Ring through Moria to Lothlórien, where it will be safe from Sauron.
*In the 2002 Playstation, Xbox, PC and Gameboy Advance game The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Elrond makes a cameo at the Council of Elrond.
=== The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ===
Elrond is a central character of Amazon Studios' series , in which he is portrayed by Robert Aramayo. 
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. 
At Elrond's invitation, Durin returns with him to Lindon at the behest of Gil-galad for a meeting intended to a solidify a new alliance between Elves and Dwarves. After the meeting, Elrond expresses frustration with Gil-galad, believing the king to be deceiving him. To explain, Gil-galad has Elrond recount the Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir, which describes the supposed origin of mithril, and shows him a black sickness that has begun to infect the trees of Lindon. Gil-galad attempts to make Elrond reveal the existence of mithril in Khazad-dûm, which he believes can undo the corruption and impending doom it brings for Elves, though Elrond refuses because of his oath to Durin. Celebrimbor later elaborates after examining the mithril shard from Durin, reiterating the conviction that large quantities of mithril can bring salvation to the Elves. Elrond reluctantly reveals the entire gambit to Durin on the journey back to Khazad-dûm, and though skeptical, the Dwarf-prince agrees to ask his father.
Durin III allows Elrond to make his proposal, in which Elrond offers the wood and game of Eriador for 500 years in exchange for access to mithril. Durin refuses, however, and the younger Durin bids a tearful farewell to Elrond before he witnesses the mithril fragment actually undo the corruption found on the leaf Elrond brought. Durin IV then takes Elrond to the mithril mine to look for the metal, and while laboring confesses how he considers Elrond a brother. He attempts to share his secret name with Elrond, who tells him to wait. Durin then breaks through a wall to discover a shaft with enormous veins of mithril, just as Durin III finds the clandestine operation and has Elrond thrown out of the kingdom.
Elrond then returns to Ost-in-Edhil to tell Celebrimbor that the plan has failed. Galadriel then arrives with the one called Halbrand, much to Elrond's surprise, and he learns of Galadriel leaping from the boat and her return to Middle-earth. After Halbrand recovers from a wound and begins offering promising suggestions to Celebrimbor about how to amplify the small mithril fragment's light, Elrond convinces Gil-galad to give the Elven-smith three months to work on a solution. Many attempts are made, each growing closer, while Galadriel becomes suspicious of Halbrand. After she finds a document proving that the line of Southland kings ended centuries ago, Halbrand reveals himself as Sauron to Galadriel, who becomes ensnared in a vision of Sauron's making. Elrond rescues her from drowning in the Glanduin, though she does not reveal Halbrand's identity and rushes to Celebrimbor, telling him to make three rings instead of the two Sauron had proposed. Celebrimbor does so, though just before the rings are complete, Elrond discovers the document Galadriel had found and realizes what she did, though he returns to find the Three Rings have been finished.
== Gallery ==
== Appearances ==
=== Books ===
* - First appearance
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=== Television ===
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== Translations ==
Foreign Language 	Translated name
Amharic 	ዐልሮንድ
Arabic 	الروند
Armenian 	Ելրոնդ
Belarusian Cyrillic	Элранд
Bengali 	এলরন্ড
Bulgarian Cyrillic 	Елронд
Catalan 	Élrond
Chinese (Hong Kong)	愛隆
Danish 	Elrond ("stjernehvælv")
Georgian 	ელრონდი Elrondi (Latin)
Greek 	Ελρονδ
Gujarati 	એલરોન્ડ
Hebrew 	אלרונד
Hindi 	एल्रोन्द्
Japanese 	エルロンド
Kannada 	ಎಲ್ರಾಂಡ್
Kazakh 	Элронд (Cyrillic) Élrond (Latin)
Korean 	엘론드
Kyrgyz Cyrillic 	Элронд
Macedonian Cyrillic	Елронд
Malayalam 	എല്റോണ്ട്
Marathi 	एल्रोन्द
Mongolian Cyrillic 	Элронд
Pashto 	ېلروند
Persian 	الروند
Punjabi 	ਏਲ੍ਰੋਨ੍ਦ
Russian 	Элронд
Sanskrit 	एल्रोन्द्
Serbian 	Елронд (Cyrillic) Elrond (Latin)
Sinhalese 	එල්රොන්ඩ්
Tajik Cyrillic 	Елронд
Tamil 	எல்ரோந்து
Telugu 	ఏల్రొన్ద్
Thai 	เอลรอนด์
Ukrainian Cyrillic 	Ельронд
Urdu 	الرونڈ
Uzbek 	Елронд (Cyrillic) Elrond (Latin)
Yiddish 	עלראָנד
== References ==
Category:Canon characters in The Rings of Power
Category:Characters in Beren and Lúthien
Category:Characters in Unfinished Tales
Category:Elf friends
Category:Elves
Category:Elves of Rivendell
Category:The Fellowship of the Ring (film) characters
Category:The Two Towers (film) characters
Category:The Return of the King (film) characters
Category:Half-elves
Category:The Hobbit characters
Category:The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey characters
Category:The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies characters
Category:The Lord of the Rings characters
Category:Major characters (The Lord of the Rings)
Category:Ring bearers
Category:The Rings of Power characters
Category:The Silmarillion characters
Category:Sindarin names & words
Category:Twins
Category:White Council
Category:Elves of Beleriand
ca:Élrond
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he:אלרונד
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ru:Эльронд
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uk:Ельронд