The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Born I 532; departed over the Sea 29 September III 3021
Race
Divisions
Cultures
Family
Multiple, but in patrilinear terms, Elrond was descended from the House of Hador2
Settlements
Raised at the Havens of Sirion, but later dwelt in Lindon before founding Rivendell, where he remained until the end of the Third Age
Meaning
'Elf of the cave'3
Pronunciation
e'lrond
Titles

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About this entry:

  • Updated 1 September 2004
  • Updates planned: 36

Elrond

Master of Rivendell

Eärendil
Elwing
Celebrían
Elrond
Elros
Elladan
Elrohir
Arwen
Aragorn

(Aragorn was a descendant of Elrond's brother
Elros through many generations of Men)

One of the greatest Elves in the history of Middle-earth, Elrond was born at the Havens of Sirion late in the First Age. During their sack, he and his brother Elros were taken captive by the Sons of Fëanor, but Maglor took pity on them and released them. When they were rescued, Elrond was found playing in a cave beneath a waterfall, and so received his name.

Both of Elrond's parents were half-elven, and after the War of Wrath he was given a choice; whether to be counted amongst the kindred of Elves or of Men. He chose the Firstborn, and remained in Lindon with High King Gil-galad.

After the invasion of Eriador by Sauron in the mid-Second Age, Elrond founded a refuge there in a deep hidden valley; this was named Imladris, or Rivendell in the Common Speech. After Sauron's defeat by Tar-Minastir of Númenor, Elrond remained in Rivendell, where he prospered with the aid of the Great Ring, Vilya.

Elrond played a great part in the histories of the Second and Third Ages; he marched with Gil-galad and Elendil to the War of the Last Alliance, and was a leading member of the White Council. At the time of the Council of Elrond in III 3018, he had dwelt in Middle-earth for some 6,500 years.


Notes

1

Though he is known as 'Half-elven', Elrond's lineage is much more complicated than that title suggests. He could claim descent from all the main branches of the Eldar, each of the Three Houses of the Edain, and even from the Maiar. To be completely correct, he was slightly more than half-elven: actually nine sixteenths of his ancestors were Elves. A full breakdown of his descent works out like this:

2

Elrond could claim descent from various great houses and families, but tracing back his patrilinear line takes us through his father Eärendil, his grandfather Tuor, and so through Huor and Galdor to Elrond's great-great-great-grandfather Hador Lórindol, founder of the House of Hador. On his mother's side, Elrond could reckon his descent from King Turgon of Gondolin, and thus from the House of Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor.

3

In a letter of 1958, Tolkien gives a very detailed derivation of Elrond. When the Sons of Fëanor attacked the Exiles of Gondolin, Elrond and his brother Elros (both at that time small children) were carried off, but later found near a waterfall; Elrond was discovered in a cave behind the fall - hence 'Elf of the Cave'. However, in a much later letter (1972), Tolkien interprets the name 'Vault of Stars', and Christopher Tolkien gives the similar 'Star-dome' in his Appendix to The Silmarillion. Whether it was Tolkien's intention to change the derivation of Elrond, or whether the older story simply slipped his mind, cannot now be known.

See also...

Ainur, Angmar, Annatar, Annúminas, Aragorn Elessar, Aragost, Arahael, Arassuil, Arathorn II, Arwen Evenstar, Bëorians, Black Riders, Blue Ring, Celebrían, Chieftain of the Dúnedain, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 1 September 2004
  • Updates planned: 36

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