Elrond was born in FA 532 to his halfelven parents Eärendil and Elwing who chose to be among the Firstborn (Elves).
He was also the twin brother of Elros, who will eventually start the line of the Númenóreans – the Line of Elros.
Halfelven
Elrond is half-elven. Thus he, along with his brother Elros and his daughter Arwen will be able to choose either to live among immortal Elves; or live among mortal Men.
The half-elven line started from Beren and Luthien. Lúthien was the daughter of Thingol and Melian, the latter of which is a Maia of the race of the Valar.
Lúthien fell in love with Beren, a mortal man. After passing into the Halls of Mandos the first time, she was given two choices after the quest of the Silmarils:
- Be released from Mandos and go to Valimar to live among the Valar or
- Return to Middle-earth and take Beren with her.
Lúthien chose the latter and thus she would become mortal and her fates and Beren’s were to be joined. Thus she would start a halfelven family line, and they will be known to have Elves and Men as ancestors.
Elrond’s parents would choose to be among the Eldar after Eärendil would set sail, and he and Elwing would be summoned to Valimar by Manwë.
Lindon
Elrond would go to Lindon at the end of the First Age. Lindon is a region in Ossiriand west of the Blue Mountains.
This name was adapted at the end of the First Age during the Great Battle, as well as mighty convulsions and a broken Beleriand due to the tumults from the Fall of Thangorodrim.
Along with many of the Eldar, Elrond, along with Gil-galad: “dwelt there, lingering, unwilling yet to forsake Beleriand where they had fought and labored long” (The Silmarillion, “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”)
The Elves built their havens naming them Mithlond, and they had built many ships. “From the Grey Havens the Eldar ever and anon set sail, fleeing from the darkness of the days of the Earth; for by the mercy of the Valar the Firstborn could still follow the Straight Road and return, if they would, to their kindred in Eressëa and Valinor beyond the encircling seas.” (The Silmarillion, “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”)
The Teleri, or the survivors of Doriath and Ossiriand, established realms among the Silvan Elves. However, a lasting realm was located in Eregion, which Men called Hollin, was the only place where Elves of Noldorin race established realms beyond Ered Luin.
Founding of Rivendell (Sauron’s Invasion)
Sauron would be rejected by Gil-galad in 1200 SA and would visit Eregion where he would be rejected by Celeborn and Galadriel. Then, Sauron would notice an obstacle in Galadriel.
Finally, Sauron saw in Celebrimbor, the maker of the Three Elven Rings, the anxiousness “needed” to rival the skill and fame of Fëanor. Thus, for a brief period of time, Sauron had success with the Noldor and concentrating on Celebrimbor. He was able to get the Smiths of Eregion under his influence and thus, besiege Eregion.
However, Celebrimbor repented and the three rings, as he had noticed Sauron’s motives and designs. Celebrimbor was slain by Sauron as a result, but Sauron didn’t get the Three Rings.
As a result, Elrond founded Rivendell as a stronghold for the refugees from Eregion, drawing them away northwest. This remained an Elvish stronghold throughout the Second and into the Third Ages.
Thus Sauron tried to invade Rivendell but failed in the Second Age.
After the Last Alliance of the Second Age, many Elves dwelled in Rivendell, making it the chief dwelling of the High Elves in Eriador.
Elrond’s Ring
Elrond bore the ring Vilya, the Ring of Air – one of the Three Rings of the Elves. Vilya would be used to heal the hurts in the Third Age. It was the mightiest of the three rings, and would help Elrond’s healing powers and deeds in Rivendell.
He had obtained the ring from Gil-galad before he died as Elrond was his vice reagent in Eriador as part of the Last Alliance of the Second Age, where Gil-galad and Elendil fought and perished.
Elrond in the Third Age
Elrond would remain in Rivendell for all of the Third Age, the fading years of the Eldar especially in Middle-earth.
“For long they were at peace, wielding the Three Rings while Sauron slept and the One Ring was lost; but they attempted nothing new, living in memory of the past.” (LOTR App. B)
Angmar’s Witch-kingdoms
Around T.A. 1300, the witch-king of Angmar was established in the northeast, causing danger to Eriador. During the reign of Arveleg I, which was when Arveleg the ‘mighty king’ tried to claim lordship over Rhudaur, Rivendell was besieged by Angmar.
On T.A. 1409, after the incursion by Angmar into Eriador, the Elves joined those of Lindon and Galadhrim whom Elrond brought over the Mountains, subduing the power of the Witch-king.
In T.A. 1974 the power of Angmar rose again, and the witch-king captured Fornost. Arvedui had hid in the tunnels of the old dwarf-mines for a while.
The end of the North-kingdom occurred a year later, and Aranarth, the first Chieftain of the Dúnedain, had his son fostered in Rivendell, as well as all subsequent sons of the chieftains.
Elrond and Celebrían
Across the Misty Mountains between Imladris and Lothlórien, Elrond wed Celebrían, the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn.
Celebrían would sail to the Undying Lands in 2509 TA after being waylaid in the Redhorn Pass and assaulted by the Orcs while journeying to Lorien.
She was rescued by their sons Elladan and Elrohir but already suffered torment before they were able to come to her rescue. While Elrond was able to heal her in Rivendell, she lost all delight in Middle-earth the year after the event.
Years later, Elrond’s sons fought the Dúnedain, as orcs were multiplying in the Misty Mountains, later entering the Shire.
Elrond in LOTR
During the Quest of the One Ring and the Quest of Erebor, Elrond stuck to his healing roles.
“Elrond symbolises throughout the ancient wisdom, and his House represents Lore – the preservation in reverent memory concerning the good, wise, and beautiful. It is not a scene of action but of reflection.”
JRR Tolkien, letter # 131
In the Quest of Erebor, Thorin and Company had visited Rivendell.
He had befriended Bilbo as a result, which was why Bilbo spent his remaining days in Elrond’s home after his 111th birthday.
Just before the Council, Elrond commanded the flood that would carry away the horses ridden by the Black Riders.
His folk met the Fellowship on the way to Rivendell, (carrying an injured and wounded) Frodo.
Thus in both cases after escaping from imminent pursuit of evil, “…the hero [can go face it in] a wholly new direction.” ( Letter #131)
In the Council, Elrond traced the ring, spoke of Númenór and recalled the Ring bearing of Isildur, citing that he would refuse to listen to the counsel of Elrond and his people. Sauron was diminished but not destroyed, his ring lost but not unmade. The Dark Tower was broken but its foundations were not removed.
Thus, while the last alliance of the Second Age didn’t achieve its end, it ended in victory.
Elrond was also Aragorn’s foster-father, and demanded that he become the King of Gondor and Arnor before marrying his daughter, which Aragorn eventually will.
And after the Quest of the One Ring, Elrond, along with the bearers of the Three Rings, would no longer remain in Middle-earth as the powers of the Three Rings fade.