Haldir

Haldir was an Elf of Lothlórien, probably a Silvan Elf: a marchwarden who guarded the forest's northern borders. When the Fellowship of the Ring arrived in Lórien, he became their guide to Caras Galadhon. He and his companions are described as wearing grey hooded cloaks and live on platforms in the trees.

Haldir was accompanied by his brothers, Rúmil and Orophin, who interacted little with the Fellowship because they, unlike Haldir, spoke little of the Common Tongue. Little is known about them.

• Orophin may have been named after the Sindarin Lord Oropher of Mirkwood.
• Rúmil was probably named after the Elf of the same name who developed the first Elven writing system.

Haldir was one of the few Elves of Lórien who could speak Westron. He had clearly heard of Aragorn, but there is no indication that they had met previously.

In the movies

In Peter Jackson's movie trilogy he was played by Craig Parker and his role was greatly expanded. In addition to being the Fellowship's guide in Lothlórien, in the second movie he leads a regiment of Elven archers from Lórien to the Battle of Helm's Deep, where he is eventually slain, along with many of his archers.

In the books, there were no Elves at Helm's Deep, nor do Elves participate in any of the other battles. Although the Half-elven Elladan and Elrohir did turn up at Dunharrow, this was after the Battle of the Hornburg had ended. It is also doubtful that Haldir had the authority to command such a large group, since he leads only a small group of border guards.

There is also no mention of Haldir's death in any of the books. Haldir encountered the Fellowship between January 15 and February 16 3019 T.A. and it is generally believed that he lived long before and after this period. It is however likely that he was born in the Second or Third Age, since another Haldir (a Man) lived in the First Age, and Elves seldom used names which already existed.