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'''Half-elven''' ([[Sindarin|Elvish]] singular '''Peredhel''', plural '''Peredhil'''), are the children of the union of [[Elves]] and [[Men]].  Half-elven are not a distinct race ''per se''.
{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
'''Half-elven''' ([[Sindarin]] singular '''Peredhel''', plural '''Peredhil'''), are the children of the union of [[Elves]] and [[Men]].  Half-elven are not a distinct race ''per se''; rather, they were fertile offspring as the result of a union between Elves and Men.


==Overview==
The first bond between Elves and Men was the marriage of [[Beren Erchamion]] and [[Lúthien Tinúviel]], from which a single son, [[Dior Eluchíl]], was born. Dior Eluchíl wed [[Nimloth of Doriath]], and the two of them had three children: twin sons [[Eluréd]] and [[Elurín]], and daughter [[Elwing|Elwing the White]]. Eluréd and Elurín were abandoned in the woods outside Doriath by the vengeful servants of Celegorm in retribution for their father's killing of their master; they were never found, even when [[Maedhros|Maedhros Fëanorion]] searched for them.
The next bond came about through the union of [[Tuor]] son of [[Huor]] and [[Idril Celebrindal]], from which another son, [[Eärendil]], was born. These two lines of Peredhil were then joined by the marriage of Eärendil and Elwing. The aforementioned pair begat another pair of twin sons: [[Elrond|Elrond Peredhel]] and [[Elros Tar-Minyatur]]. Elros chose the fate of Men, and thus bore no more descendants bearing the title of "Half-Elven," but his brother Elrond chose the fate of Elven-kind.
Elrond wed [[Celebrían]], daughter of [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]], and bore three children: twin sons [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], and daughter [[Arwen Undómiel]]. This order of offspring was oddly reminiscent of the children of Elrond's grandfather, Dior Eluchíl. Arwen Undómiel wed [[Aragorn II Elessar]], a distant descendant of Elros Tar-Minyatur, thereby uniting the long-sundered lines of those descended from both Elves and Men. Aragorn and Arwen were parents to a son, [[Eldarion]], as well as several daughters, thus leaving a remnant of the proud Elven lineage even after the Firstborn had long passed over the sea and out of time and memory.
==History==
The half-elven were given a choice to be counted as one of the [[Eldar]] (Elves), thus being immortal, or one of the [[Edain]] (Men), thus being mortal. In the list below, those who were counted as Eldar are italicized; those who were counted as Edain are not. Their actual mathematical descent from elves is in a fraction in parentheses.
The half-elven were given a choice to be counted as one of the [[Eldar]] (Elves), thus being immortal, or one of the [[Edain]] (Men), thus being mortal. In the list below, those who were counted as Eldar are italicized; those who were counted as Edain are not. Their actual mathematical descent from elves is in a fraction in parentheses.


The important half-elven were:
The important half-elven were:
* [[Dior Eluchíl|Dior]], son of Man [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and Elf{{ref|1}} [[Lúthien Tinúviel|Lúthien]]. (1/4)
* [[Dior]]<ref group=note>''"Then Manwë gave judgement and he said: 'To Eärendil I remit the ban, and the peril that he took upon himself out of love for the Two Kindreds shall not fall on him; neither shall it fall upon Elwing who entered into peril for love of Eärendil: save only in this: they shall not ever walk again among Elves or Men in the Outer Lands. '''Now all those who have the blood of mortal Men, in whatever part, great or small, are mortal, unless other doom be granted to them'''..."'' - {{LR|Quenta}}</ref>, son of Man [[Beren]] and Elf<ref>Lúthien was considered to be of the Eldar, not the half-elven; however, she was technically half-elven since only her father was an Elf. Her mother, [[Melian]], was one of the [[Maiar]], an angelic holy being. Though she did actually give up her mortality so her husband would be brought back to life, she was still considered one of the Eldar and never of the half-elven or Edain.</ref> [[Lúthien]], grandson of the [[Maia]] [[Melian]]. (1/4)
* ''[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]'', son of the Man [[Tuor]] and Elf [[Idril]]. (1/2)
 
* ''[[Elwing]]'', daughter of Dior and Elf [[Nimloth]]. (5/8)
* ''[[Eärendil]]'', son of the Man [[Tuor]] and Elf [[Idril]] (1/2)<ref>Among all the [[Half-elven]] whose Elvish ancestry is documented, Eärendil is the most [[Vanyar]]in of them, being five-sixteenths Vanyarin through his five-eighths Vanyarin mother [[Idril]].</ref>
* [[Eluréd and Elurín]]{{ref|2}}, sons of Dior. (5/8)
 
Eärendil would rather have chosen the kindred of Men, but he chose the Elves for his wife Elwing's sake, who chose the Elves. Eärendil's fate was special, however: he was not allowed to stay in [[Valinor]], but had to sail the heavens in his ship [[Vingilótë]], the [[Silmaril]] of Beren and Lúthien on the prow, as a sign of hope for [[Middle-earth]]. Elwing built a tower in the Shadowy Seas and met him upon his return.
 
* ''[[Elwing]]'', daughter of Dior and Elf [[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]]. (5/8)
 
Elwing's father, Dior, was the son of Beren and Lúthien, and he was therefore also counted as Half-elven, as were his children with the Elf Nimloth of [[Doriath]]: Eluréd, Elurín, and Elwing. Eluréd and Elurín were killed, but Elwing was given her choice of kindred. Dior and his descendants also descend from the angelic beings the [[Maiar]], through Dior's grandmother, and Luthien's mother, Melian.
 
* [[Eluréd]] and [[Elurín]]<ref>Eluréd and Elurín were captured by the servants of [[Celegorm]] and abandoned in the forest, thus dying before their decision as to their kindred could be made.</ref>, sons of Dior and Nimloth. (5/8)
 
* ''[[Elrond]]'', son of Eärendil and Elwing. (9/16)
* ''[[Elrond]]'', son of Eärendil and Elwing. (9/16)
The heirs of Elrond, including Arwen Undómiel, also had the free choice of kindred, therefore Arwen could choose to be counted amongst the Edain even though her father had chosen to be counted as Elven. The heirs of Elros were not given this choice, but their lifespan was enhanced many times that of normal Men. In later times the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] Kings, descendants of Elros, regretted their forefather's choice, and this helped lead to the downfall of Númenor.
* [[Elros]], also son of Eärendil and Elwing. (9/16)
* [[Elros]], also son of Eärendil and Elwing. (9/16)
* [[Arwen]], daughter of Elrond and Elf [[Celebrían]]. (25/32)
* [[Arwen]], daughter of Elrond and Elf [[Celebrían]]. (25/32)
* [[Elladan and Elrohir]], sons of Elrond{{ref|3}}. (25/32)
*[[Galador]], son of [[Imrazôr]] and [[Mithrellas]]{{ref|4}} (1/2)
Eärendil would rather have chosen the kindred of Men, but he chose the Elves for his wife Elwing's sake, who chose the Elves. Eärendil's fate was special however: he was not allowed to stay in [[Valinor]], but had to sail the heavens in his ship [[Vingilótë]], the [[Silmaril]] of Beren and Lúthien on the prow, as a sign of hope for [[Middle-earth]]. Elwing built a tower in the Shadowy Seas and often met him on his return.


The heirs of Elrond, including Arwen Undómiel, also had the free choice of kindred, therefore Arwen could choose to be counted amongst the Edain even though her father had chosen to be counted as Elven. The heirs of Elros were not given this choice, but their lifespan was enhanced many times that of normal Men. In later times the [[Númenórean]] Kings, descendants of Elros, regretted their forefather's choice, and this helped lead to the Downfall of Númenor.
Arwen, daughter of Elrond, married [[Aragorn]], heir of Elros, and thus the two Half-elven lines were merged in the [[Fourth Age]]. Their son [[Eldarion]] and their daughters were not counted as Half-elven, but rather as [[Dúnedain]] restored.


Dior was the son of Beren and Lúthien, and he was therefore also counted as Half-elven, as were his children with the Elf Nimloth of [[Doriath]], Eluréd, Elurín, and Elwing. Eluréd and Elurín were killed, but Elwing was given her choice of kindred.
* [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], sons of Elrond<ref>It is uncertain whether Elladan and Elrohir chose to be of the Edain or the Eldar; this information is not given in the books. However, since their choice was expressed by whether they would follow their father to [[Valinor]] at the time of his own departure, and they were described as remaining in [[Rivendell]], they are often said to have chosen the Edain.</ref> and Celebrían. (25/32)


[[Arwen]], daughter of Elrond married [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] heir of Elros, and thus the two Half-elven lines were merged in the [[Fourth Age]]. Their son [[Eldarion]] and their daughters were not counted as Half-elven, but rather as [[Dúnedain]] restored.
==See also==
*[[Kinship of the Half-elven]]
==Notes==


== Notes ==
{{references}}
#{{note|3}} Lúthien was considered to be of the Eldar, not the half-elven; however, she was technically half-elven since only her father was an Elf. Her mother, [[Melian]], was one of the [[Maiar]], an angelic holy being. Though she did actually give up her mortality so her husband would be brought back to life, she was still considered one of the Eldar and never of the half-elven or Edain.
#{{note|2}} Eluréd and Elurín were captured by the servants of [[Celegorm]] and abandoned in the forest, thus dying before their decision as to their kindred could be made.
#{{note|3}} We are not sure of whether Elladan and Elrohir chose to be of the Edain or the Eldar; this information is not given in the books. However, since their choice was expressed by whether they would follow their father to [[Valinor]] at the time of his own departure, and they were described as remaining in [[Rivendell]], they are often said to have chosen the Edain.
#{{note|4}} This is a less known legend, which explains why the [[Princes of Dol Amroth]] were of Elven descent, but this (and perhaps other unaccounted instances) are less famous and are not usually mentioned among the half-elven.
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Revision as of 11:29, 5 November 2015

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Half-elven (Sindarin singular Peredhel, plural Peredhil), are the children of the union of Elves and Men. Half-elven are not a distinct race per se; rather, they were fertile offspring as the result of a union between Elves and Men.

Overview

The first bond between Elves and Men was the marriage of Beren Erchamion and Lúthien Tinúviel, from which a single son, Dior Eluchíl, was born. Dior Eluchíl wed Nimloth of Doriath, and the two of them had three children: twin sons Eluréd and Elurín, and daughter Elwing the White. Eluréd and Elurín were abandoned in the woods outside Doriath by the vengeful servants of Celegorm in retribution for their father's killing of their master; they were never found, even when Maedhros Fëanorion searched for them.

The next bond came about through the union of Tuor son of Huor and Idril Celebrindal, from which another son, Eärendil, was born. These two lines of Peredhil were then joined by the marriage of Eärendil and Elwing. The aforementioned pair begat another pair of twin sons: Elrond Peredhel and Elros Tar-Minyatur. Elros chose the fate of Men, and thus bore no more descendants bearing the title of "Half-Elven," but his brother Elrond chose the fate of Elven-kind.

Elrond wed Celebrían, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel, and bore three children: twin sons Elladan and Elrohir, and daughter Arwen Undómiel. This order of offspring was oddly reminiscent of the children of Elrond's grandfather, Dior Eluchíl. Arwen Undómiel wed Aragorn II Elessar, a distant descendant of Elros Tar-Minyatur, thereby uniting the long-sundered lines of those descended from both Elves and Men. Aragorn and Arwen were parents to a son, Eldarion, as well as several daughters, thus leaving a remnant of the proud Elven lineage even after the Firstborn had long passed over the sea and out of time and memory.

History

The half-elven were given a choice to be counted as one of the Eldar (Elves), thus being immortal, or one of the Edain (Men), thus being mortal. In the list below, those who were counted as Eldar are italicized; those who were counted as Edain are not. Their actual mathematical descent from elves is in a fraction in parentheses.

The important half-elven were:

Eärendil would rather have chosen the kindred of Men, but he chose the Elves for his wife Elwing's sake, who chose the Elves. Eärendil's fate was special, however: he was not allowed to stay in Valinor, but had to sail the heavens in his ship Vingilótë, the Silmaril of Beren and Lúthien on the prow, as a sign of hope for Middle-earth. Elwing built a tower in the Shadowy Seas and met him upon his return.

Elwing's father, Dior, was the son of Beren and Lúthien, and he was therefore also counted as Half-elven, as were his children with the Elf Nimloth of Doriath: Eluréd, Elurín, and Elwing. Eluréd and Elurín were killed, but Elwing was given her choice of kindred. Dior and his descendants also descend from the angelic beings the Maiar, through Dior's grandmother, and Luthien's mother, Melian.

  • Elrond, son of Eärendil and Elwing. (9/16)

The heirs of Elrond, including Arwen Undómiel, also had the free choice of kindred, therefore Arwen could choose to be counted amongst the Edain even though her father had chosen to be counted as Elven. The heirs of Elros were not given this choice, but their lifespan was enhanced many times that of normal Men. In later times the Númenórean Kings, descendants of Elros, regretted their forefather's choice, and this helped lead to the downfall of Númenor.

  • Elros, also son of Eärendil and Elwing. (9/16)

Arwen, daughter of Elrond, married Aragorn, heir of Elros, and thus the two Half-elven lines were merged in the Fourth Age. Their son Eldarion and their daughters were not counted as Half-elven, but rather as Dúnedain restored.

See also

Notes

  1. "Then Manwë gave judgement and he said: 'To Eärendil I remit the ban, and the peril that he took upon himself out of love for the Two Kindreds shall not fall on him; neither shall it fall upon Elwing who entered into peril for love of Eärendil: save only in this: they shall not ever walk again among Elves or Men in the Outer Lands. Now all those who have the blood of mortal Men, in whatever part, great or small, are mortal, unless other doom be granted to them..." - J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion"

References

  1. Lúthien was considered to be of the Eldar, not the half-elven; however, she was technically half-elven since only her father was an Elf. Her mother, Melian, was one of the Maiar, an angelic holy being. Though she did actually give up her mortality so her husband would be brought back to life, she was still considered one of the Eldar and never of the half-elven or Edain.
  2. Among all the Half-elven whose Elvish ancestry is documented, Eärendil is the most Vanyarin of them, being five-sixteenths Vanyarin through his five-eighths Vanyarin mother Idril.
  3. Eluréd and Elurín were captured by the servants of Celegorm and abandoned in the forest, thus dying before their decision as to their kindred could be made.
  4. It is uncertain whether Elladan and Elrohir chose to be of the Edain or the Eldar; this information is not given in the books. However, since their choice was expressed by whether they would follow their father to Valinor at the time of his own departure, and they were described as remaining in Rivendell, they are often said to have chosen the Edain.