Council of Elrond

The **Council of Elrond** was a secret meeting held by Elrond in Rivendell on October 25, 3018 of the Third Age, in order to decide what should be done with the One Ring.

Those present at this council represented the three free races of Middle-earth: Men, Elves, and Dwarves.

## Synopsis

Elrond had not sent out summons beforehand for the council; instead, many of its attendees such as Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, and others had happened to convene at Rivendell in that week, each for different reasons. Elrond called the meeting upon this convenience, most importantly because Frodo, bearer of the Ring in question, had been brought there by Glorfindel earlier.

At the Council, the full story of the Ring was told by Bilbo and Gandalf. Elrond and the others agreed that the Ring brought by Frodo was indeed the One Ring, based on evidence provided by Gandalf.

Gandalf related his meeting with Saruman and subsequent imprisonment by the traitor in Orthanc.

Boromir described the dream he and his brother Faramir had experienced, and which led him to come to Rivendell. He pleaded that the Ring should be used to aid Gondor in her struggle against Mordor, but was told that it would inevitably corrupt anyone who used it. Only a mighty person could hope to wield the Ring against Sauron, and they would in time become a new Dark Lord whether they wished it or not. Boromir reluctantly accepted this conclusion.

Glóin, Gimli's father, spoke of evil messengers who had come to the Lonely Mountain promising the return of one or more of the Seven rings if they would reveal the location of Bilbo Baggins. The possibility of war with Sauron's allies in the region was troubling, but Gandalf was relieved that at least Smaug the dragon was no longer around for the Dark Lord to use. They had also came seeking news of what happened to Balin, who went to Moria in TA 2989 with Ori and Óin.

Legolas conveyed the bad news that Gollum had escaped captivity and disappeared. Aragorn had gone to great lengths to capture the debased creature, who had possessed the Ring for centuries under the Misty Mountains. After his capture, Aragorn and Gandalf had interrogated the miserable Gollum, and found to their dismay that he had been to Mordor. Apparently, while under torment there, Gollum had confessed both that he had held the One Ring and that Bilbo had taken it to the Shire.

A number of different fates were suggested for the Ring, including casting it into the sea, or bringing it to Valinor to be guarded by the Valar. Ultimately, it was decided that the only way to be free of Sauron's evil was to cast the Ring into the Cracks of Doom in Mount Doom (in Mordor), where it would be unmade. This might well undo the power of the three Elf-rings, but would certainly render Sauron impotent and free Middle-earth from his menace forever.

Tom Bombadil was also mentioned as a possible ring bearer since the ring took no effect on him, but Gandalf stated that Tom, who was quite nonchalant about the War of the Ring, would likely lose it.

It then became necessary to decide who should take responsibility for such a perilous undertaking. Bilbo offered to finish the job he had started, but Gandalf told him he could not take back the Ring. Frodo surprised everyone (including himself) by announcing that he would take the Ring, and after some thought Elrond agreed. At this point Sam emerged from hiding and demanded to accompany Frodo, and Elrond consented.

The matter of who else should accompany Frodo (later to be known as the Fellowship of the Ring, hence the title of the book and subsequent movie) was decided later.

## Attendees

Those present at the Council had arrived at Rivendell by different paths and on separate errands, yet were all ultimately concerned with the Ring and its threat to Middle-earth.

Important participants at the Council were:

* Elrond - Half-elven conveyor, member of White Council and Lord of Rivendell.
* Erestor - An Elf-lord, advisor, and the chief of the House of Elrond.
* Gandalf the Grey - A Wizard, one of the Istari, and member of the White Council.
* Aragorn - A Ranger, heir of Isildur, and Chieftain of the Dúnedain in the North.
* Frodo Baggins - A Hobbit of the Shire, member of The Fellowship, and Ring-bearer.
* Bilbo Baggins - A Hobbit of the Shire, former Ring-bearer, uncle of Frodo and long resident in Rivendell.
* Boromir of Gondor - Son and heir of Denethor II, the Ruling Steward of Gondor.
* Glóin of the Lonely Mountain - Representative of the King under the Mountain, Dáin II Ironfoot of the Dwarves.
* Gimli - Son of Glóin and a Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain.
* Legolas - A Sindar Elf of the Woodland Realm (Mirkwood), son of Thranduil the Elvenking.
* Glorfindel - An Elf-lord of Rivendell, rescuer of Frodo and his company from the Nine.
* Galdor of the Havens - Messenger from Círdan of the Grey Havens.