A Complete Story of Celeborn and Galadriel

Today we are going to take a look at Celeborn and Galadriel. You may have heard of them from Lord of the Rings, but did you know they have a long and intense history? Let’s dive deep on where it all started!

Galadriel

Their origin was compared in earlier drafts to the Lord of the Rings, App B. Galadriel is known to go east into the Mountains and Beleriand alone, even through the Fellowship of the Ring but a later version appeared in the appendices saying they went to the mountains together. 

Galadriel was the daughter of Finarfin, who was the second son of Indis as well as the sister of Finrod Felagund. She was born in Valinor and had no peace from within. Proud, strong, and self-willed like all of the other descendants of Finwë (maybe aside from Finarfin), and especially Finrod her brother – she had dreams of ruling lands from far away, but also had a noble and generous spirit, which came from the Vanyar. She had a strong reverence to the Valar she couldn’t forget. 

Her name, Alatáriel, is Telerin in form, meaning ‘maid of the glittering coronal.’ 

Galadriel had an incredible insight into other people’s minds, and judged them with mercy and understanding. Maybe except with Fëanor, with whom she had perceived a darkness she hated and feared, she withheld her goodwill.  

Celeborn and Galadriel: meeting

She met Celeborn in Doriath – grandson of Elmo the brother of Thingol. She didn’t go west at the downfall of Melkor, for the love of Celeborn and some pride of her own, as they refused to leave Middle-earth. 

His name, Telepornë, is also Telerin in form, like Galadriel’s, meaning ‘silver tree.’ It was also known to be named after the White Tree of Valinor.

Instead, they went into Eriador – where there were many Grey-elves and Green-elves – and dwelt in Lake Nenuial (Evendim, North of the Shire) for a little bit. 

Celeborn and Galadriel were regarded as Lord and Lady of the Eldar.

Galadriel became aware of Sauron being left behind. She had perceived of him being evil before he even had a name! 

Then, around 700 S.A. she and Celeborn went east to Noldorin realm of Eregion. Galadriel may have chosen it because she knew of the Dwarves of Khazad-dum , or Moria – and looked upon them with great esteem as they were the finest ones to pit against the Orcs. She had a natural sympathy greater than that of many of the Eldar as she was a Noldo. 

She and Celeborn had Celebrimbor, a Noldorin craftsman, who was also one of the survivors of Gondolin. He had an obsession with crafts similar to that of the Dwarves.

After the building of  Ost-in-Edhil, the chief city in Eregion, in 750 S.A., Galadriel’s and Celeborn’s power had grown. Assisted by the friendship with the Dwarves of Moria, Galadriel came into contact with Lórinand on the other side of the Misty Mountains. 

In Eregion, Sauron posed as an emissary of the Valar that were giving aid to the Elves. Galadriel scorned, but permitted him to remain in Eregion. Galadriel defended against Sauron in Lórinand and Sauron left Eregion in 1500, with Celebrimbor corrupted, as he had accepted Sauron as what he was until he discovered the existence of the One Ring. After Celebrimbor repented hiding the three rings, Sauron’s wrath was revealed and he began invading Eriador from the south, besieging Eregion.

Galadriel and Celeborn had great access to the great Nandorin Realm, on the other side of the Mountains which was where Lorien was. They had went to Moria in 1300 S.A. through Lórinand.

However, after the failing of the light of Valinor, Galadriel refused the Valar’s orders to stay in Valinor, and came under the Doom of Mandos even after an assault upon the Teleri. She was still moved by pride, especially around the time when she was fighting directly against Fëanor and after the final overthrow of Morgoth. Thus, she refused to leave Middle-earth.

Finally, Galadriel had a strong longing for sea, which grew so strong that she had desired to leave Lórinand to go there. However, she went to Imladris, seeking Celeborn, where they dwelt for a long time. After they left there, they went to the little-inhabited lands and eventually dwelt in Belfalas, which was eventually called Dol Amroth. 

Departure

While Celeborn and Galadriel were preparing to depart and leave Middle-earth they welcomed Amroth, but were unwilling to wait for Nimrodel as her coming seemed beyond hope. 

“If she came through the settled lands of Gondor, she would not be molested, and might receive help; for the Men of Gondor are good, and they are ruled by descendants of the Elf-friends of old who can still speaker tongue, after a fashion; but in the mountains are many unfriendly Men and evil things” (UT: “The History of Galadriel and Celeborn”)

Then, the year was approaching autumn, and by the time it came, there was a large storm. Many of the ships of Men were lost after being swept by the Bay of Belfalas. Amroth was already far from land – and he cried out for Nimrodel, but no one ever saw him again after that.

The people of Lórien were even – and Silvan Elves were ruled by Sindarin princes. Elrond went west, and established Imladris (which is also Rivendell) but Celeborn went to Lórien to keep Sauron from crossing the Anduin, by fortifying it. He rejoined Galadriel in Lindon after Sauron withdrew to Mordor.

Third Age: Lord of the Rings

During the Third Age, the fading years of the Eldar, Celeborn and Galadriel went to Lórien, and stayed there with Amroth, to learn about Mirkwood and the dark stronghold in Dol Guldur. They dwelt there after the disaster of Moria, they didn’t take any title of King and Queen and were guardians. 

However, they were called the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien after Amroth perished in T.A. 1981. 

Lothlórien received the Fellowship of the Ring with various travelers on the quest in T.A. 3019, during the War of the Ring. 

Galadriel was especially attentive to Frodo, the Ring-bearer. Frodo offered her the One Ring, and she resisted it successfully. She sent the Fellowship off with these gifts, including:

Aragorn – Elfstone which she and daughter Celebrian and worn and created by Celebrimbor in Eregion to remember the lost Elfstone

Gimli – a single strand of her hair (per his request) – and later three strands.

Gandalf – new staff, reclothing and refurnishing

Celeborn offered guidance and boats for the Anduin. After the Galadhrin repelled Dol Guldur three times, he took the fortress across Anduin while Galadriel threw down its walls, purifying the forest.

After the destruction of the Ring, Celeborn and Galadriel went to Aragorn and Arwen’s wedding and returned to Lóthlorien shortly after.