Elrond

**Elrond** was a supporting character in both *The Hobbit* and a major character in *The Lord of the Rings* film series. He is a supporting protagonist in *The Fellowship of the Ring*, and a minor but supporting protagonist in *The Two Towers* and *The Return of the King* and appears as a supporting character in *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey* and a minor character in *The Battle of the Five Armies*.

## Character overview

Elrond was half-Elven, half-human individual who would eventually rule the realm, Rivendell. He was a descendant of Luthien and her husband, Beren and son of Eärendil and Elwing. He and his twin mortal brother, Elros were taken away from their parents and raised by the sons of Maedhros and Maglor. In the second age, he chose to be an elf while his brother went on to be a mortal man. He eventually was given the Ring of Barahir and Vilya, the Elven Ring of power. Elrond also fostered many of heirs from the long line of Gondor's Kings. Married to Lady Celebrían, daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. Arwen was his youngest while he had two twins, Elladon and Elrohir. Elrond was also an important figure in the War of the Ring and the Quest of Erebor.

In the Fourth Age, at the beginning of the age of Men, Elrond left with his friends, Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf with his parents-in-law to the Grey Havens to reunite with those across the sea.

## Background

### The First Age

Elrond was born to Earendil and Elwing in the Havens of Sirion on the shore of Beleriand, in FA 532. His father left on a voyage to call the aid of the Valar and High Elves of Valinor to overthrow Morgoth, the first Dark Lord.

Meanwhile, the Havens were attacked by the Sons of Feanor, who sought the Silmaril of Luthien, currently held by her grand-daughter, Elwing, who escaped and joined Earendil. Elrond and his twin-brother Elros were captured, but Maglor son of Feanor spared them and fostered them. Elrond inherited his mother's sword, Hadhafang (or Gwemegil).

When Earendil returned with the Host of the West, Morgoth was overthrown in the War of Wrath that shattered and sundered Beleriand. Earendil became the Morning Star, while the Valar gave the brothers a choice of being either mortal Men or Elves: Elros chose the former and became the first king of Numenor, while Elrond chose the later and joined the court of Gil Galad (now High King of the Noldor) in Lindon.

### The Second Age

A fair being calling himself Annatar, emissary of the Valar, came seeking entrance to Lindon during the Second Age. Elrond and Gil-galad sensed that he was not what he seemed, and denied him. He went to the realm of Eregion, instead, where he advised the king Celebrimbor (grandson of Feanor) in the creation of Rings of Power. The mightiest of the three, Vilya, was given to Gil Galad. However, Elrond and Gil Galad's suspicions were proven correct when Annatar was revealed as Sauron, servant of Morgoth. Styling himself as the new Dark Lord, he created the One Ring, and attacked Eregion.

Elrond led Elves from Lindon in battle to defend Eregion. With them, and other Elves who fled the destruction of the capital Ost-in-Edhil, he established Imladris as a haven in SA 1697.

Many more refugees joined Elrond's host as Sauron ravaged Eriador during the course of the war. By SA 1700, Imladris, despite being besieged, was the only part of Eriador not under Sauron's control. It was liberated by the forces of Gil-galad and Tar-Minastir, an heir of Elros'.

After Sauron's was routed from Eriador, a Council was held which establishing Elrond as Gil-galad's vice-regent in Eriador and that Imladris should be maintained as an Elvish stronghold.

### Last Alliance of Men and Elves

A young elf in the year SA 3434, Elrond participated in the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, serving as Gil-galad’s herald. He witnessed Sauron coming out to fight and the subsequent deaths of Elendil and Gil Galad. When Isildur cut the Ring off of Sauron's finger, destroying the Dark Lord's physical form, Elrond and his troops were nearly blown away by the shockwave.

After recovering, Elrond saw Isildur pick up the evil ring and took him to Mount Doom. He urged Isildur to cast the ring in the fires of the mountain. However, Isildur was corrupted by the Ring's influence and refused. Though Elrond yelled  for the young King of Gondor, he watched as Isildur walked away. From that day, Elrond realized Sauron's influence could have ended that day if Isildur made the right choice.

Elrond subsequently returned to Rivendell, which prospered the coming years with the aid of the Ring of Air, Vilya, that Elrond had received from Gil-galad.

It has been argued that following Gil-galad’s death, Elrond was heir appearant to the position of High King of the Noldor, but even though Gil Galad's crown was held at Rivendell, Elrond never claimed the title, although he held its authority, in effect. Indeed, after the Second Age ended, there were very few Noldor left in Middle-earth, and most of them resided in Rivendell anyway.

### Third Age

Following Isildur's death, Elrond received the shards of Narsil, which he preserved for many years. He began his long tradition of fostering the heirs of Isildur by helping to raise Isildur's son Valandil, who had been left in Rivendell during the War of the Last Alliance.

In TA 109, Elrond married Celebrían, the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. Their first children, the twins Elladan and Elrohir, were born in 130, and their daughter Arwen in 241.

During the late reign of Arveleg I, Rivendell was besieged by Angmar. After an incursion by Angmar into Eriador in TA 1409, the Elvenfolk of Rivendell joined those of Lindon in subduing the power of the Witch-king for many years. Elrond became a member of the White Council, established by Galadriel, in order to guard against the possible return of evil.

Elrond was once friends with Thrór when he ruled the mountain before Smaug attacked Erebor. He recalled Thrór and told Thorin years later that he resembled his grandfather.

Throughout the years, Elrond harbored the heirs of Isildur in Rivendell, one of them being Aragorn, son of Arathorn. He gave him the name "Estel," translating to "hope" in Sindarin. Over time, he saw Aragorn as another son. He raised Aragorn into adulthood before the man left Rivendell and became the chieftain of the Dúnedain

Aragorn wished to marry Elrond's daughter, Lady Arwen, and attempted to get Elrond's blessing. Knowing that in taking Aragorn's hand and becoming mortal his daughter would be separated from him for eternity, Elrond resisted this, and conditioned the marriage on Aragorn claiming the throne of Gondor, a duty he hesistated to take and subseqnetly relinquished.

## The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

In setting up the Quest of Erebor, Gandalf tried to convince Thorin to pass through Rivendell, thinking Elrond could help decipher the hidden text on Thror's map. Thorin, bitter from his experiences with the Elvenking of Mirkwood, refused.

Gandalf, however, continued to pursue the idea, arguing over the matter with Thorin when they arrived at the Staddle Farmhouse, which Gandalf was worried to see destroyed. It appears he made contact with Elrond informing him of the company's arrival, as in the evening after the company's arrival, Galadriel and Saruman were already in Rivendell, summoned to the Council over the matter of the Quest.

When the company was chased by Orc Warg-Riders, Gandalf led them towards Rivendell. In drawing the Orcs past the Bruinen, the border of Elrond's realm, the Elflord and his riders set-out to hunt down the Orcs. They later arrived to greet Gandalf, although the Dwarves were so alarmed by the look of a company of Elvish cavalry they nearly came to blows, and even accused Elrond (who commanded his people in their tongue to prepare a feast) of offering them insults. However, once the issue has been cleared, the Dwarves took part in Elrond's feast, although the music and some of the food weren't to their taste, being that the Rivendell Elves kept to a vegeterian diet. Elrond himself was suspicious of the group's intention, inquiring Gandalf. Only when he helped them decipher the moon runes was the aim of their quest finally revealed to him.

Elrond later spoke with Bilbo, wandering in Rivendell apart from the company. This would be the basis of the Elflord's friendship with the Hobbit, which almost compelled Bilbo to ditch the Quest and return to Rivendell. Elrond wasn't as overjoyed, however, when the Dwarves bathed in the Elves sacred fountains.

That evening, unaware that they were within earshot of Thorin, Elrond later reminded Gandalf of the Dragon Sickness that plagued Thror and Thrain, expressing concerns over Thorin's own mental stability. He said its not up to any of them, in isolation, to "redraw the map of Middle Earth", and that failing to slay Smaug might result in a calamity.

During the ensuing White Council, Elrond mostly took the side of Saruman, arguing for complacency, in spite of the Orc attack and the Troll attack on the outskirts of Staddle. He grew more convinced over mentions of a sickness falling over the Greenwood and finally when Gandalf brandished a Morgul Blade (retrieved from Dol Guldur by Radagast), property of the Witch King of Angmar.

## The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Radagast called upon Galadriel to help Gandalf, incarcerated in Dol Guldur. When she was cornered by the nine Nazgul, revealed to be released by Sauron, Elrond and Saruman showed up to help and engaged the wraiths in combat, managing to defeat them before Sauron himself appeared.

Galadriel spent her power banishing the Dark Lord, and while Elrond wanted to pursue Sauron to Rhun, Saruman convinced him to take Galadriel back to her realm of Lothlorien and leave Sauron to him. In the following years, with Galadriel's power spent and Sauron's evil rising, the Elves started leaving Middle Earth at an increased rate.

## The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

In TA 3000, Bilbo settles in Rivendell after leaving the Shire. He completes the writing of the Red Book while there.

In TA 3001, Gandalf uncovered the Account of Isildur, which rouses his suspicions about Bilbo's Ring being Sauron's. He informs Elrond, who calls a meeting of delegates from all the realms of Middle Earth. Gandalf arrives at Rivendell on October 16, bringing news that Saruman has turned towards Sauron's cause and that the Hobbits, bearing the One Ring, are in Eriador with Aragorn, pursued by the Nazgul. Elrond sends his daughter Arwen, armed with Hadhafang, and she finds the company and rescues Frodo, struck by the Morgul Blade. Elrond later heals Frodo and welcomes him to Rivendell.

Elrond observes that Frodo is getting better and that he has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil, implicitly suggesting Frodo bear the Ring to Mount Doom, which Gandalf denies. When he learns of Saruman's breeding of Uruk Hai he makes it clear to Gandalf that he cannot withhold both Mordor and Isengard as his own forces dwindle, and that the fate of the Quest will be decided in the council. Gandalf suggest Aragorn lead the Quest, but Elrond says he has chosen exile.

In the council, Elrond clarifies that the races of Middle Earth must unite to fight Sauron, and that the Ring can only be destroyed in Mount Doom by one of the memebers of the Council. After a brief spat, Frodo volunteeres. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir join him (as Gandalf and Elrond amusedly anticipate), as do Gandalf and Sam, and - to Elrond's surprise - Merry and Pippin.

On the morning of their departure, Elrond confronts Aragorn who visits the grave of his mother, trying to convince him to take up Narsil and the mantle of king, which Aragorn refuses. Elrond then tries to convince Aragorn to let Arwen go to Valinor so she could remain immortal, and Aragorn feigns to end his relationship with her in order to do so. Elrond bids the Fellowship farewell.

## The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Elrond tries to convince Arwen to leave for Valinor with the last group to depart Rivendell, which she initially refuses. He reveals to her that, even as a mortal, she will outlive Aragorn and return to the woods of the abandoned Rivendell until she would be spent, which convinces her to leave.

Elrond himself stays behind where Galadriel informs him that Saruman will destroy the people of Rohan and that Sauronh will soon attack Gondor, while the Ringbearer is captured by Faramir who might claim the Ring. Elrond relents, and sends the forces of Lorien under Haldir to assist Aragorn at Helm's Deep, where they perish but help hold the fort long enough for Gandalf to arrive with assistance and win the battle.

## The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Arwen sees a vision of the future in which she sees her son, which motivates her to abandon the journey to the Grey Havens and return to Rivendell. She is weakened by the evil that spreads from Mordor and before she falls ill, convinces her father to reforge Narsil and bring it to Aragorn.

When Elrond does so, he informs Aragorn of the arrival of Corsair Ships from the South and tells him to go through the Dimholt and use the sword to recruit the Dead Men of Dunharrow. Later, he attends Aragorn's coronation, where Arwen is made queen.

Four years later, Elrond leaves with Galadriel, Celeborn, Gandalf, Bilbo and Frodo to Valinor.

## The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Having been born toward the end of the First Age, Elrond is approximately 1,500 years old in the setting of the series.

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.