The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Born III 130; 2,889 years old at the time of the Downfall of Barad-dûr
Race
Division
Descended from the Noldor, Sindar and Edain (and other strains, more remotely)
Culture
Pronunciation
e'lroheerr ('rr' indicates that the final r sound should be distinctly pronounced)
Meaning
Elf-knight1

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 16 December 2006
  • This entry is complete

Elrohir

The noble twin son of Elrond

With Elladan, one of the twin Sons of Elrond, born in the early years of the Third Age. Both the brothers were dark-haired and grey-eyed, and were said to be so similar that few could tell them apart.

In the year III 2509, Elrohir's mother Celebrían was captured and poisoned by Orcs in the Misty Mountains. Her sons rode to her aid, and succeeded in rescuing their mother, but though the poison was cured, the horror of her ordeal drove her to sail into the West in the following year. The torment of their mother left the brothers with a fierce hatred of the Orcs, and they pursued them in alliance with the Rangers.

Long after, in III 2933, they rode against the Orcs with Arathorn II, the then Chieftain of the Dúnedain. An Orc-arrow struck Arathorn in the eye and killed him, leaving his young son fatherless. That son was Aragorn, who was fostered by Elrond, and within a few years he joined Elladan and Elrohir in their errantry.

In the War of the Ring, the twins acted as scouts for their father, and were sent to Lórien to confer with Celeborn and Galadriel (their grandfather and grandmother). So, when the Company of the Ring came to Lórien some months later, their errand was known there. Elrohir later joined the remnant of the Company himself: he rode with Elladan in the company of Halbarad and his Rangers.2 They met with Aragorn before he passed through the Paths of the Dead, and fought beside him in the Battle of the Pelennor, and at the Gates of Mordor.3

After the War, Elrohir was present at Aragorn's coronation, and then rode north with his brother Elladan to meet their sister Arwen and escort her back to Minas Tirith for her wedding to the new King.

Little is recorded of Elrohir's later life, except that both the Sons of Elrond were known to have remained at Rivendell for a time after their father departed from Middle-earth. Ultimately, like their father and their sister, they would have had to make a choice: to depart over the Sea to the Blessed Realm, or remain as mortals in Middle-earth.


Notes

1

The element rohir in Elrohir's name has the literal meaning 'horse-lord', but Tolkien is explicit that the meaning 'knight' is intended here. The same element appears prominently in 'Rohirrim', the people of the horse-lords of Rohan.

2

During their ride with Halbarad, we have our only general description of the brothers' gear. They are described as wearing grey cloaks over bright mail, and we know from other sources that each bore a star-like jewel on their forehead. Elrohir, at least, also carried a silver horn. The metal used for their mail is not identified, but the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm were still producing mithril for much of the brothers' early lives, and it seems at least possible that their armour was made of that rare substance.

3

In all these events, it was Elrohir rather than Elladan who passed on his father's councils to Aragorn. It is hard to be sure whether this has any significance.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 16 December 2006
  • This entry is complete

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