Elves of Lindon

From Tolkien Gateway
Elves of Lindon
People
Liz Danforth - Elves of Lindon.jpg
Elves of Lindon by Liz Danforth
General Information
Other namesEldar of Lindon
OriginsSurvivors of the destruction of Beleriand in the War of Wrath
LocationsLindon
AffiliationLast Alliance of Elves and Men, Host of the West
RivalriesSauron
LanguagesNandorin, Quenya, Sindarin, Westron
MembersCirdan, Gil-galad, Celeborn, Oropher, Elrond (half-elven), Galdor of the Havens
Physical Description
LifespanImmortal

The Elves of Lindon were those Elves who dwelt in Lindon in the west of Middle-earth, between the Blue Mountains and the Great Sea, in the Second and Third Ages.

Population

The original Elves of Lindon (Ossiriand) in the First Age, were Laiquendi, but were joined by other Elves of the former Beleriand: Noldorin exiles (especially from Gondolin, but also from the Houses of Fingolfin and Fëanor), and Sindar from Doriath and from the Falas.[1][2]

The Elves of Harlindon were mostly Sindar, ruled by Celeborn.[3][4]

Early in the Second Age, some of the Sindar were uneasy living among the Noldor under Gil-galad and left for the east or the south.[1]

In the Third Age, the Elves of Lindon consisted most of the High-elves that still lingered in Middle-earth. Few remained in the Fourth Age, if at all.[5]

History

The Elves built the Grey Havens in the newly-formed Gulf of Lune whence the Eldar could sail the Straight Road, but most of them were unwilling at first to forsake the lands they fought in and preferred to linger there.[6] Although many Sindar left Lindon[1] the Elves reached the height of their power in the Second Age under King Gil-galad.

A fair being calling himself Annatar, emissary of the Valar, came seeking entrance. Gil-galad and Master Elrond sensed that he was not what he seemed, and denied him. Messengers were sent from Lindon with warnings; but they were unheeded, and Annatar was received gladly, mostly in Eregion.[6] However Gil-galad and Elrond were proven correct, as Annatar was indeed Sauron and later a massive war began. Elrond came out of Lindon with Elves in battle to defend Eregion. With them, and other Elves who fled the destruction of Eregion, he established Imladris in S.A. 1697.[3] After those events, the Elf-realm of Lindon was diminished and didn't extend east of the Blue Mountains anymore.[7]

In the Dark Years Sauron had conquered most of the Westlands, but in S.A. 1700 Tar-Minastir sent a fleet to Lindon, aiding the Elves to drive Sauron out of Eriador.[3][6] Sauron's army was driven back to Sarn Ford where they were defeated and withdrew to Tharbad.[8]

At the end of the Age, Gil-galad joined the Last Alliance and led his armies to the War of the Last Alliance. Some of the Silvan Elves felt hostility towards the Noldor, and those under Oropher and Amdir attacked independently, suffering heavy losses.[1]

After Gil-galad

After the War and the death of Gil-galad, Cirdan remained the only Lord of the Havens. During the Third Age, the Elves of Lindon under Cirdan supported Arnor in the Angmar War. They assisted Arveleg and the men of Cardolan drive off the Hill-men from the Weather Hills. Later, with Círdan’s help, Arveleg's young son, Araphor, drove Angmar's armies from Fornost and the North Downs. Combining forces with Rivendell, and the Galadhrim who joined them from beyond the Misty Mountains, they subdued Angmar for some time.[5]

Angelo Montanini - Northern Waste

In T.A. 1975, Elven sailors from Lindon brought a ship to Forochel to rescue the lost king Arvedui. The crew endured a perilous journey, but Arvedui rashly attempted to return that winter, and all aboard perished. The next year the elves joined with the Dúnedain in the victorious Battle of Fornost.[5][9]

For the course of the Third Age, the Elves of Lindon built ships for the Elves who wished to return to the Blessed Realm and they didn't seem to participate in greater events. During the War of the Ring Galdor was sent to Rivendell for an errand, and incidentally he represented Cirdan in the Council of Elrond.[10]

The Last Ship, carrying Cirdan and Celeborn,[11] apparently sailed before Fo.A. 120 based on Aragorn's final words to Arwen. Aragorn suggests Arwen might still sail into the West, and one of the reasons she gives that this is impossible is that "There is now no ship that would bear me hence...".[12] This implies that the Last Ship had already sailed by Fo.A. 120, the year in which this conversation took place.[12]

References