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''(See also [[Celeborn, White Tree|Celeborn the White Tree]], seedling of Galathilion)''
{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
{{Pronounce|Celeborn.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{disambig-two|the Lord of Lórien|the Tree|[[Celeborn (White Tree)]]}}
[[Image:Angus McBride - Celeborn.jpg|thumb|200px|''Celeborn'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]
{{elves infobox
''' Lord Celeborn''' (pronounced with a hard ''C'' as in ''Cake'') is the [[Elves|Elven]] husband of [[Galadriel]], '''Lord of the Galadhrim''', and co-ruler along with Galadriel of [[Lothlórien]]. He was known in the [[Third Age]] as the Lord of [[Lórien]]. He was the father of [[Celebrían]], the wife of [[Elrond]], making him the grandfather of [[Arwen Evenstar]]. He was also a kinsman of the [[First Age]] Elven King [[Thingol]].
| image=[[File:Ebe Kastein - Celeborn.jpg|250px]]
| name=Celeborn
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Telerin|T.]] ''[[Teleporno]]''
| titles=Lord of [[Lothlórien|Lórien]]
| position=
| location=[[Doriath]]<br/>[[Lindon]]<br/>[[Eregion]]<br/>[[Lothlórien]]
| affiliation=[[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]]
| language=[[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| birth=Uncertain, see [[#Controversy|below]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| sailedwest=Early [[Fourth Age]]
| sailedfrom=[[Grey Havens]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=Unclear ([[#Controversy|see below]])
| siblings=Unclear ([[#Controversy|see below]])
| spouse=[[Galadriel]]
| children=[[Celebrían]], [[Amroth]]<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref> (earlier version)
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Silver, long<ref name="Mirror">{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
 
'''Celeborn''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: "silver-tall", pron. {{IPA|[ˈkeleborn]}}) was a noble of the [[Sindar]], who wedded the  [[Galadriel]] of the [[Noldor]] and eventually became [[Lord of Lórien]]. 
 
==History==
===Early life===
Celeborn was a [[Sindar|Sindarin]] prince from [[Doriath]], the grandson of [[Elmo]] (the brother of [[Thingol|Elwe/Thingol]])<ref name="Sil-13">{{S|13}}</ref> There has been many debates about his origins and early life. See ''[[#Controversy|Controversy]]''.
 
===First Age===
[[File:Līga Kļaviņa - Love at First Sight.jpg|left|thumb|Līga Kļaviņa - ''Love at First Sight'']]
In the early [[Years of the Sun]] Finrod and [[Galadriel]] came to Doriath as guests of [[Elu Thingol]], the King of Doriath. There Celeborn and Galadriel  met, fell in love and were wedded. Galadriel remained in Doriath with Celeborn after [[Finrod]] went to the [[Caverns of Narog]] to establish the stronghold of [[Nargothrond]]. <ref name="Sil-13"/>
 
For the rest of the [[First Age]] Celeborn and Galadriel are not mentioned to have played any significant role in the general course of events of the Age, while their relatives, both Sindarin and Noldorin did. The only thing that can be said for sure, is that the couple survived the [[Wars of Beleriand]], including the [[Sack of Doriath]] by the [[Sons of Feanor]]<ref>{{S|24}}</ref>. They may have escaped to the [[Havens of Sirion|Havens]] or the [[Isle of Balar]].
 
===Second Age===
After the [[War of wrath|fall of Beleriand]], Celeborn and Galadriel came to [[Lindon]] the coastal region west of the Blue Mountains. Celeborn ruled the fief of [[Harlindon]], which was composed mostly of Sindar, under the [[Gil-galad|High King Gil-galad]].<ref>{{PM|X}}</ref> They eventually came to [[Eregion]] where they dwelt for a time with [[Celebrimbor]] and the jewelsmiths of [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]]. After Celebrimbor had largely taken over, they made contact with the  [[Nandor]] of [[Lórinand]], across the [[Hithaeglir]]. Not long after they went through [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] to live there, becoming great among its people.
 
It is said that Celeborn fought in the [[Sack of Eregion]], and he and [[Elrond]] narrowly escaped to a dell, where the latter founded [[Rivendell]].<ref name="GC"/>
 
After the Sack of Eregion, Celeborn and Galadriel came to Lórinand, the land of [[Silvan Elves]] which was ruled by King [[Amdir]]. When Amdir died in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], his son [[Amroth]] succeeded him.
===Third Age===
In early Third Age Amroth was weary of Middle-earth and wished to sail to the [[Valinor|West]]. He departed to [[Edhellond]] and by the year {{TA|1981}}, King Amroth drowned in the Bay of Belfalas. Celeborn and Galadriel took the title [[Lord and Lady of Galadhrim|Lord and Lady]] of Lothlórien, the [[Sindarin]] name for Lórinand and together they built [[Caras Galadhon]].
 
Celeborn and Galadriel had a daughter named [[Celebrían]],<ref group=note>Celebrían's exact date and place of birth are not specified.</ref> who later married [[Elrond]] Half-elven of [[Rivendell]], thus making Celeborn and his wife Galadriel the grandparents of the twins [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] and their younger sister [[Arwen|Arwen Undómiel]].
[[File:Rowena Morrill - The Swan-Boat of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|left|Rowena Morrill - ''The Swan-Boat of Galadriel'']]
In response to the growing threat of [[Dol Guldur]], the [[White Council]] was formed in {{TA|2463}}. Galadriel was on it; it is likely that Celeborn was also a member.
 
During the [[War of the Ring]] in {{TA|3019}}, Lórien received the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], composed of various travelers on the [[Quest of the Ring|quest]] to destroy [[the One Ring]]. He offered advice, and boats for the [[Anduin]], speeding them on their way.
 
Celeborn's most significant recorded actions came in the same year (in March 3019), when he repulsed three attacks by [[orcs]] of [[Dol Guldur]]. Celeborn then marshalled his forces to cross the Anduin and [[Fall of Dol Guldur|lay siege to Dol Guldur]]. He captured the fortress, and Galadriel threw down its walls and purified it.
 
===After the War of the Ring===
Celeborn attended the wedding of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] and his granddaughter [[Arwen]], and on the journey to return bade a fond farewell to [[Treebeard]] as well.
 
{{quote|I do not think we shall meet again."<br>"I do not know, Eldest.|[[Treebeard]] and Celeborn, ''[[Many Partings]]''}}.
 
Celeborn returned to Lothlórien, but the power of [[Nenya]] was broken. It no longer was filled with the light and life it had before. Galadriel shortly after passed West with the other [[Ring-bearers]], and Celeborn, weary, moved to Imladris to live with [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], Elrond’s sons. After [[Círdan]]'s departure Celeborn was the last of the [[Wise]] in Middle-earth, they that had seen the glory of [[Valinor]] and the struggles of [[Elves|Elvenkind]]. It is not recorded when he sought the [[Grey Havens]] and sailed west, but when he did so he took with him the last memory of the Elder Days in Middle-earth<sup>[[#References|7]]</sup>.
 
==Character==
What can be gleaned of his personality is that he was quick-thinking and swift to act, one of the wisest elves of Middle-earth in the Third Age. He was a warrior too, leading his followers into battle against [[Dol Guldur]] and other menaces.
 
==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
According to an alternate history of Celeborn and Galadriel in [[Unfinished Tales]], Celeborn was a [[Teler]] of noble rank in [[Alqualondë]], born '''[[Teleporno]]''', grandson of [[Olwë]], King of the [[Falmari]].<ref name="GC">{{UT|6}}</ref><ref name="Shib">{{PM|Shibboleth}}</ref>
 
[[Galadriel|Artanis]], Olwë's granddaughter and a [[Noldor]]in princess of great beauty, often spent long visits to Alqualondë and her mother’s kin. During this time the two fell in love, and Teleporno gave her the romantic epithet ''[[Alatáriel]]'', meaning "Maiden Crowned with Radiant Garland".<ref name="Shib"/> Teleporno's name gained an additional [[Quenya]] form, '''[[Telporno]]''' (pron. {{IPA|[telˈporno]}}).
 
Later, Teleporno and Artanis helped to defend Alqualondë from the Noldor during the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë|First Kinslaying]]. Nevertheless, Artanis’s heart was fired by the stories of [[Fëanor]] of the open lands across the [[Belegaer|sea]]. She urged Teleporno to take a ship westward to [[Endor]], and he gave in. In doing so the two fell under the [[Ban of the Valar]].
 
In [[Beleriand]], Teleporno and Artanis were greeted by [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]], High King of the [[Sindar]] and Lord of [[Doriath]]. The two gave him news of his old brothers and friends, [[Olwë]] and [[Finwë]], but they said nothing about the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë|kinslaying]]. Teleporno eventually [[Sindarin]]ized his name to Celeborn; Artanis Sindarinized the epithet Celeborn had given her, and Alatáriel became Galadriel.
 
 
 
==Controversy==
Up to the time when ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' was published, there had been no mention of Celeborn in the previously written legendarium.  [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] later attempted multiple times to fix upon the story behind such an important elf. He remains a fairly unsubstantial character in the legendarium, for despite his profound effect upon the doings of the Elder Days, there is very little direct information on him as a person.
 
In his first writings (which make up the bulk of the matter of Celeborn), the elf-lord is portrayed as a kinsman of Thingol, and met Galadriel when she came with the Noldor into exile. This was the approach chosen by [[Christopher Tolkien]] and [[Guy Gavriel Kay]] for ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. In a brief, speculative paper written by Tolkien included in ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', Celeborn is made Thingol’s grandnephew, by the King’s brother [[Elmo]].  Elmo, also linked to Círdan, appears nowhere else in the legendarium.
 
A Sindarin origin as Elmo's grandson has been the most widely accepted one of all but Celeborn as a Telerin prince seems a late development, and there is some dispute as to which should be considered canonical:
 
In Tolkien's last writings Celeborn is a [[Falmari]]n Elf from Valinor, then named Teleporno in [[Telerin]].<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, pp. 347, 364 (note 46)</ref> The name Teleporno was then "[[Sindarization|Sindarized]]" as Celeborn. In this account Celeborn is stated to have been a grandson of the Telerin king Olwë, so that he still was a kinsman of the Sindarin king Thingol.<ref name="GC"/>
 
This altered origin was not adopted into the published Silmarillion, primarily because it was not incorporated in Tolkien's drafts of the earlier parts, and therefore would have necessitated a major rewrite by C. Tolkien and Kay to account for a separate departure of Galadriel.
 
''“On the other hand, the making of Celeborn into a Telerin Elf of Aman contradicts not only statements in The Silmarillion, but also those cited already from The Road Goes Ever On and Appendix B to The Lord of the Rings”'' <sub>- [[Christopher Tolkien]], [[Unfinished Tales]]</sub>
 
A further problem was that this descent would have made the couple first or second cousin (assuming that he was still to be considered closely related to Thingol), and Elves never married close kin.


== History ==
However, in the [[Morgoth's Ring]] it is stated that the first cousins might marry, but seldom did so, or desired to do so.<ref>{{MR|Laws}}</ref>
In the ''[[Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Celeborn has a minor role. The main focus is on his wife.


He could be referred to as '''The Lord of Lórien''', '''The Lord of the Galadhrim''', or '''The Lord of the Wood''' interchangably. Within the realm of Lothlórien, he was referred to as simply '''Lord Celeborn''' or '''The Lord''' (he was more often named with Galadriel as '''The Lord and Lady''').  
==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Celeborn.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Celeborn'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, consisting of ''[[celeb]]'' ("silver") + a derivative of ''[[ornā]]'' ("tall"). ''Teleporno'', his original [[Telerin]] name, has an identical meaning. The name Teleporno was "Sindarized" as ''Celeborn'': [[Telerin]] ''[[telepi|telpe]]'' ("silver") (Quenya ''[[telpe|tyelpe]]'') was transformed to Sindarin ''celeb''.<ref>{{UT|6e}}</ref>


Celeborn's further history is as shady as his past: at one point during the [[Second Age]], Celeborn apparently ruled over Elves in [[Lindon]], but it is not certain if he fell under the overlordship of [[Gil-galad]], or ruled (perhaps together with Galadriel) as an independent lord.
He was given the epithet "the Wise" by Galadriel in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.


Celeborn and Galadriel later ruled over the Elves of [[Eregion]] (at least in some accounts), before settling in Lothlórien.
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Celeborn in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:Angus McBride - Celeborn.jpg|Celeborn in ''[[Middle-earth: The Wizards]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Celeborn.jpg|Celeborn in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Celeborn 2.jpg|Celeborn in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Celeborn.jpg|Celeborn in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Celeborn.jpg|Celeborn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}


Celeborn remained behind after Galadriel left Middle-earth, but eventually, some time during the [[Fourth Age]], left for Valinor. It is said with him passed the last memory of the [[Elder Days]] from Middle-earth.
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Celeborn only has a brief, role and speaks only one line. He appeared beside [[Galadriel]] for a brief shot.


== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'''''
Celeborn's ancestry is not exactly certain. Celeborn first appeared in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', and he did not appear at all in Tolkien's (at the time unpublished) existing legends of the [[First Age]], ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. Tolkien felt that for an Elf of Celeborn's importance he had to have a good ancestry, and spent several years trying to resolve Celeborn's origins.
:Celeborn was voiced by [[Simon Cadell]]. Unusually, virtually the whole dialogue Celeborn speaks in the book is utilised in the radio adaptation.


Most existing writings portray Celeborn as a [[Sindar]]in Elf from [[Doriath]], the kingdom of Thingol. Celeborn is described as a "kinsman" of Thingol. That Celeborn and Thingol are remotely related is further alluded to by the fact they both had silver hair, a haircolour which is never mentioned outside of the royal house of the Sindar. This origin was adopted by [[Christopher Tolkien]] and [[Guy Kay]] for the ''Silmarillion'' when it was decided to publish this book after Tolkien's death, and a new paragraph about Celeborn's marriage to Galadriel was inserted. Exactly how Celeborn could have been a kinsman of Thingol was not mentioned.
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Celeborn is played by [[Marton Csokas]].  The role was extremely small in the theatrical version, but expanded slightly in the Extended Edition of ''The Fellowship of the Ring''. In that version, he participates in giving gifts to the Fellowship as they are leaving Lórien.  Notably, he gives [[Aragorn]] a dagger and warns him of the dangers the Fellowship will face while sailing down the [[Anduin]].


According to one speculative text written by Tolkien, published as part of the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', Celeborn was the grandson of Thingol's younger brother [[Elmo]] (who never appears elsewhere). Elmo was also linked to [[Círdan]], making Círdan another member of the Sindarin royal house.
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Celeborn makes a brief appearance in Lothlorien.


This simple origin Celeborn was however changed: in Tolkien's last writings Celeborn was a [[Teleri]]n Elf from [[Valinor]], then named '''''Teleporno''''' in Telerin [[Quenya]]. He met Galadriel when she was living in the Telerin city [[Alqualondë]], before the rebellion of the [[Ñoldor]]. They decided to travel together to [[Middle-earth]], without asking permission from the [[Valar]] to do so. While not involved with the rebellion of the Ñoldor at all, because they left at the same time and without permission (which would certainly not have been granted at that time), Celeborn and Galadriel were caught under the same Ban that prevented them from returning. The name Teleporno was "Sindarized" as ''Celeborn'': Telerin ''telep'' ("silver") (Ñoldorin Quenya ''tyelep'') was translated to Sindarin ''keleb''. In order to be counted as a kinsman of the Sindarin king Thingol, Celeborn must have been part of the family of the Telerin king [[Olwë]], likely one of his sons or grandsons.
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Celeborn leaves for Valinor with Galadriel and the other Ringbearers, rather than remaining behind as in the book.


This altered origin was not adopted into the published ''Silmarillion'', primarily because it would have necessitated a major rewrite of the earlier parts to account for a separate departure of Galadriel. A further problem was that this descent would have made Celeborn Galadriel's first or second cousin, and Elves never married close kin.
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Celeborn only appears during the "Evil" campaign, when is he is slain by the Forces of Sauron.


It is unfortunately not known what Tolkien's "final word" on Celeborn's origin was, as he never returned to the question. While it is likely the Aman origin of ''Teleporno'' was the final intent, it is equally likely Celeborn would have been portrayed in the eventual "author's Silmarillion" as related more distantly to Thingol&mdash;the relationship could have been through other family members not mentioned. (See [[Daughters of Finwë]] for an example of significant family members not named in ''The Silmarillion''.)
'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Celeborn can be found alongside Galadriel on a main talan in [[Caras Galadhon]]. He is involved in various storylines, including negotiations with the Dwarves of the Iron Hill Garrison and organization of a military assault against [[Dol Guldur]] in [[Mirkwood]].


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
==See also==
[[Image:Celeborn from PJ's LotR.jpg|thumb|[[Marton Csokas]] as Celeborn from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
*[[:Category:Images of Celeborn|Images of Celeborn]]
In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Celeborn is played by [[Marton Csokas]].  The role was extremely small in the theatrical version, but expanded slightly in the Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring.  In that version, he participates in giving gifts to the Fellowship as they are leaving Lórien.  Notably, he gives [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] a dagger and warns him of the dangers the Fellowship will face while sailing down the [[Anduin]].  In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]], Celeborn leaves for Valinor with Galadriel and the other Ringbearers, rather than remaining behind as in the book.


== See Also ==
{{references|notes}}
* [[:Category:Images of Celeborn|Images of Celeborn]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[The Lord of the Rings Appendices|Appendices]] [[Appendix A|A]] and [[Appendix B|B]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Lord of the Rings Prologue|Prologue]]''


[[Category:High Elves]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Falmari]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Celeborn (Elb)]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:teleri:sindar:celeborn]]
[[fi:Celeborn]]

Revision as of 05:01, 4 August 2015

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
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This article is about the Lord of Lórien. For the the Tree, see Celeborn (White Tree).
Celeborn
Elf
Ebe Kastein - Celeborn.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesT. Teleporno
TitlesLord of Lórien
LocationDoriath
Lindon
Eregion
Lothlórien
AffiliationGwaith-i-Mírdain
LanguageSindarin, Westron
BirthUncertain, see below
Sailed westEarly Fourth Age
Grey Havens
Family
ParentageUnclear (see below)
SiblingsUnclear (see below)
SpouseGaladriel
ChildrenCelebrían, Amroth[1] (earlier version)
Physical Description
GenderMale
Hair colorSilver, long[2]
GalleryImages of Celeborn

Celeborn (S: "silver-tall", pron. [ˈkeleborn]) was a noble of the Sindar, who wedded the Galadriel of the Noldor and eventually became Lord of Lórien.

History

Early life

Celeborn was a Sindarin prince from Doriath, the grandson of Elmo (the brother of Elwe/Thingol)[3] There has been many debates about his origins and early life. See Controversy.

First Age

Līga Kļaviņa - Love at First Sight

In the early Years of the Sun Finrod and Galadriel came to Doriath as guests of Elu Thingol, the King of Doriath. There Celeborn and Galadriel met, fell in love and were wedded. Galadriel remained in Doriath with Celeborn after Finrod went to the Caverns of Narog to establish the stronghold of Nargothrond. [3]

For the rest of the First Age Celeborn and Galadriel are not mentioned to have played any significant role in the general course of events of the Age, while their relatives, both Sindarin and Noldorin did. The only thing that can be said for sure, is that the couple survived the Wars of Beleriand, including the Sack of Doriath by the Sons of Feanor[4]. They may have escaped to the Havens or the Isle of Balar.

Second Age

After the fall of Beleriand, Celeborn and Galadriel came to Lindon the coastal region west of the Blue Mountains. Celeborn ruled the fief of Harlindon, which was composed mostly of Sindar, under the High King Gil-galad.[5] They eventually came to Eregion where they dwelt for a time with Celebrimbor and the jewelsmiths of Gwaith-i-Mírdain. After Celebrimbor had largely taken over, they made contact with the Nandor of Lórinand, across the Hithaeglir. Not long after they went through Khazad-dûm to live there, becoming great among its people.

It is said that Celeborn fought in the Sack of Eregion, and he and Elrond narrowly escaped to a dell, where the latter founded Rivendell.[6]

After the Sack of Eregion, Celeborn and Galadriel came to Lórinand, the land of Silvan Elves which was ruled by King Amdir. When Amdir died in the Battle of Dagorlad, his son Amroth succeeded him.

Third Age

In early Third Age Amroth was weary of Middle-earth and wished to sail to the West. He departed to Edhellond and by the year T.A. 1981, King Amroth drowned in the Bay of Belfalas. Celeborn and Galadriel took the title Lord and Lady of Lothlórien, the Sindarin name for Lórinand and together they built Caras Galadhon.

Celeborn and Galadriel had a daughter named Celebrían,[note 1] who later married Elrond Half-elven of Rivendell, thus making Celeborn and his wife Galadriel the grandparents of the twins Elladan and Elrohir and their younger sister Arwen Undómiel.

Rowena Morrill - The Swan-Boat of Galadriel

In response to the growing threat of Dol Guldur, the White Council was formed in T.A. 2463. Galadriel was on it; it is likely that Celeborn was also a member.

During the War of the Ring in T.A. 3019, Lórien received the Fellowship of the Ring, composed of various travelers on the quest to destroy the One Ring. He offered advice, and boats for the Anduin, speeding them on their way.

Celeborn's most significant recorded actions came in the same year (in March 3019), when he repulsed three attacks by orcs of Dol Guldur. Celeborn then marshalled his forces to cross the Anduin and lay siege to Dol Guldur. He captured the fortress, and Galadriel threw down its walls and purified it.

After the War of the Ring

Celeborn attended the wedding of King Elessar and his granddaughter Arwen, and on the journey to return bade a fond farewell to Treebeard as well.

"I do not think we shall meet again."
"I do not know, Eldest.
"
Treebeard and Celeborn, Many Partings

.

Celeborn returned to Lothlórien, but the power of Nenya was broken. It no longer was filled with the light and life it had before. Galadriel shortly after passed West with the other Ring-bearers, and Celeborn, weary, moved to Imladris to live with Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond’s sons. After Círdan's departure Celeborn was the last of the Wise in Middle-earth, they that had seen the glory of Valinor and the struggles of Elvenkind. It is not recorded when he sought the Grey Havens and sailed west, but when he did so he took with him the last memory of the Elder Days in Middle-earth7.

Character

What can be gleaned of his personality is that he was quick-thinking and swift to act, one of the wisest elves of Middle-earth in the Third Age. He was a warrior too, leading his followers into battle against Dol Guldur and other menaces.

Other Versions of the Legendarium

According to an alternate history of Celeborn and Galadriel in Unfinished Tales, Celeborn was a Teler of noble rank in Alqualondë, born Teleporno, grandson of Olwë, King of the Falmari.[6][7]

Artanis, Olwë's granddaughter and a Noldorin princess of great beauty, often spent long visits to Alqualondë and her mother’s kin. During this time the two fell in love, and Teleporno gave her the romantic epithet Alatáriel, meaning "Maiden Crowned with Radiant Garland".[7] Teleporno's name gained an additional Quenya form, Telporno (pron. [telˈporno]).

Later, Teleporno and Artanis helped to defend Alqualondë from the Noldor during the First Kinslaying. Nevertheless, Artanis’s heart was fired by the stories of Fëanor of the open lands across the sea. She urged Teleporno to take a ship westward to Endor, and he gave in. In doing so the two fell under the Ban of the Valar.

In Beleriand, Teleporno and Artanis were greeted by Elu Thingol, High King of the Sindar and Lord of Doriath. The two gave him news of his old brothers and friends, Olwë and Finwë, but they said nothing about the kinslaying. Teleporno eventually Sindarinized his name to Celeborn; Artanis Sindarinized the epithet Celeborn had given her, and Alatáriel became Galadriel.


Controversy

Up to the time when The Lord of the Rings was published, there had been no mention of Celeborn in the previously written legendarium. Tolkien later attempted multiple times to fix upon the story behind such an important elf. He remains a fairly unsubstantial character in the legendarium, for despite his profound effect upon the doings of the Elder Days, there is very little direct information on him as a person.

In his first writings (which make up the bulk of the matter of Celeborn), the elf-lord is portrayed as a kinsman of Thingol, and met Galadriel when she came with the Noldor into exile. This was the approach chosen by Christopher Tolkien and Guy Gavriel Kay for The Silmarillion. In a brief, speculative paper written by Tolkien included in Unfinished Tales, Celeborn is made Thingol’s grandnephew, by the King’s brother Elmo. Elmo, also linked to Círdan, appears nowhere else in the legendarium.

A Sindarin origin as Elmo's grandson has been the most widely accepted one of all but Celeborn as a Telerin prince seems a late development, and there is some dispute as to which should be considered canonical:

In Tolkien's last writings Celeborn is a Falmarin Elf from Valinor, then named Teleporno in Telerin.[8] The name Teleporno was then "Sindarized" as Celeborn. In this account Celeborn is stated to have been a grandson of the Telerin king Olwë, so that he still was a kinsman of the Sindarin king Thingol.[6]

This altered origin was not adopted into the published Silmarillion, primarily because it was not incorporated in Tolkien's drafts of the earlier parts, and therefore would have necessitated a major rewrite by C. Tolkien and Kay to account for a separate departure of Galadriel.

“On the other hand, the making of Celeborn into a Telerin Elf of Aman contradicts not only statements in The Silmarillion, but also those cited already from The Road Goes Ever On and Appendix B to The Lord of the Rings” - Christopher Tolkien, Unfinished Tales

A further problem was that this descent would have made the couple first or second cousin (assuming that he was still to be considered closely related to Thingol), and Elves never married close kin.

However, in the Morgoth's Ring it is stated that the first cousins might marry, but seldom did so, or desired to do so.[9]

Etymology

Celeborn is a Sindarin name, consisting of celeb ("silver") + a derivative of ornā ("tall"). Teleporno, his original Telerin name, has an identical meaning. The name Teleporno was "Sindarized" as Celeborn: Telerin telpe ("silver") (Quenya tyelpe) was transformed to Sindarin celeb.[10]

He was given the epithet "the Wise" by Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings.

Portrayal in adaptations

Celeborn in adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings:

Celeborn only has a brief, role and speaks only one line. He appeared beside Galadriel for a brief shot.

1981: The Lord of the Rings

Celeborn was voiced by Simon Cadell. Unusually, virtually the whole dialogue Celeborn speaks in the book is utilised in the radio adaptation.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Celeborn is played by Marton Csokas. The role was extremely small in the theatrical version, but expanded slightly in the Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring. In that version, he participates in giving gifts to the Fellowship as they are leaving Lórien. Notably, he gives Aragorn a dagger and warns him of the dangers the Fellowship will face while sailing down the Anduin.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Celeborn makes a brief appearance in Lothlorien.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Celeborn leaves for Valinor with Galadriel and the other Ringbearers, rather than remaining behind as in the book.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Celeborn only appears during the "Evil" campaign, when is he is slain by the Forces of Sauron.

2007-: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Celeborn can be found alongside Galadriel on a main talan in Caras Galadhon. He is involved in various storylines, including negotiations with the Dwarves of the Iron Hill Garrison and organization of a military assault against Dol Guldur in Mirkwood.

See also

Notes

  1. Celebrían's exact date and place of birth are not specified.

References