Rivendell

**Rivendell**, or **Imladris** in Sindarin, was the name of an Elven settlement in Eastern Eriador and the valley containing it. Founded by Elrond Half-elven, it was first a stronghold and refuge in the Elves' first war with Sauron in the Second Age, but in the Third Age became a renowned, peaceful haven for wayward Elves, Rangers of the North, and other travellers. From that time, it was called by some the **Last Homely House** west of the Misty Mountains.

## Location

The peaceful, sheltered valley of Rivendell was located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the river Bruinen, but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the Misty Mountains. One of the main approaches to Rivendell passed through the nearby Ford of Bruinen.

## History

### Second Age

#### War of the Elves and Sauron

In SA 1697, Elrond established Rivendell as a refuge and stronghold. In the War of the Elves and Sauron, Eregion was laid waste and Elrond was sent from Lindon with a host of Elves to aid Eregion in resisting Sauron. However Elrond arrived too late and along with the refugees from Eregion was forced to retreat back to Rivendell, where they made a stronghold. Sauron laid siege to the valley but with the arrival of the Númenóreans the besieging force was destroyed.

#### The Last Alliance

Following the establishment of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men the hosts of Gil-galad and Elendil marched to Imladris and made camp in the valley to prepare their arms and then proceeded over the High Pass southeast to Dagorlad.

### Third Age

Following the Disaster of the Gladden Fields, the last surviving son of Isildur, Valandil, was fostered in Elrond's home in Rivendell until he was ready to take up his throne eight years later.

When Angmar rose to power in the fourteenth century of the Third Age, Rivendell was again besieged from TA 1356 to TA 1409. This siege was broken by reinforcements brought over the mountains, from Lothlórien, and Angmar was repelled and subdued for a time.

However, in TA 1974, Arthedain fell to Angmar. Elrond then sent Glorfindel and a host of Elves to meet with the armies of Eärnil II and Círdan, defeating Angmar for good at the Battle of Fornost. After the fall of Angmar the heirs of Isildur were fostered in Rivendell.

#### Quest for Erebor

During the Quest of Erebor, Bilbo Baggins and the Company of Thorin stopped off at Rivendell. After the quest, Bilbo and Gandalf returned there.

#### War of the Ring

Years later, Frodo Baggins and his Hobbit companions journeyed to Rivendell, where they met with Bilbo, who had retired there after his eleventy-first birthday. Several other Elves, Dwarves, and Men also arrived in the valley on separate errands.

#### Fourth Age

Elrond departed the valley of Rivendell in TA 3021, marking the end of the Third Age. Afterward, Rivendell was for a time the dwelling place of his sons Elladan and Elrohir and also of Celeborn. It is untold when the valley was finally abandoned.

## Inhabitants

Many notable Elves lived in the valley of Rivendell:

* Elrond, Lord of Rivendell
* Celebrían, Lady of Rivendell and Elrond's wife
* Elladan, a son of Elrond, who dwelt in Rivendell with Elrohir into the Fourth Age
* Elrohir, a son of Elrond, who stayed in Rivendell with his brother Elladan
* Arwen, daughter of Elrond, who stayed there throughout the War of the Ring
* Glorfindel
* Erestor
* Gildor
* Lindir
* Celeborn, who resided there in the Fourth Age after leaving Lothlórien, before sailing West