Elrond

by Haleth-(V)
June 25, 2005
Elrond

Elrond is one of the Peredhil, the Half-Elven. He is the son of Eärendil and Elwing and brother of Elros, as well as the father of Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen. He was born in Arvernien, and captured by Fëanor’s sons when they attacked to recover the Silmaril. However, Maglor cared for both Elrond and Elros, and love eventually grew between them.

At the end of the First Age, the Valar gave Elrond a choice: to choose either the fate of the Eldar or the Edain. Elrond chose to become an Elven lord of great power and wisdom, while Elros led the Edain to Númenor to become the First King of the Dúnedain.

Gil-galad permitted Elrond to dwell in Lindon until he sent Elrond to Eregion to help defend the area against Sauron. When it was overrun, Elrond led the surviving Noldor to found Imladris (Rivendell), which eventually became one of the greatest Elven havens.

During the War of the Last Alliance, Elrond accompanied Gil-galad as his herald. He and Círdan urged Isildur to cast the One Ring into Orodruin, but Isildur refused. Elrond would see the Ring once more when Frodo bore it to Imladris in hopes of shelter.

Gil-galad gave Elrond Vilya, greatest of the Three Rings. Vilya was why Elrond was able to keep Imladris a haven for Elves against Sauron. He also aided the Edain by sending military aid, and shelter for the Dúnedain, especially for the line of Isildur. He also guarded the shards of Narsil until Aragorn could take it up again.

Elrond eventually wedded Celebrían, daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. She bore him three children: the twin brothers Elladan and Elrohir and Arwen, their daughter. When Elrond sailed over Sea with the other Ring-Keepers, none of his children went with him, and Celebrían had gone over Sea before him. Arwen wedded Aragorn, and Elladan and Elrohir chose to stay beside their sister and friend rather than accompany their father to Valinor.

References: Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion
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