Elladan

From Tolkien Gateway
Elladan
Half-elf
File:Elladan - Farien Narquelie.jpg
Biographical Information
AffiliationGrey Company
LanguagePrimarily Sindarin[1]
BirthT.A. 130
Family
HouseHouse of Elrond
HeritageHalf-elven father, Elf mother
ParentageElrond and Celebrían
SiblingsElrohir and Arwen
Physical Description
GenderMale
Hair colorDark[2]
Eye colorGrey[2]
ClothingBright mail, silver-grey cloak[2]
GalleryImages of Elladan

Elladan and his twin brother Elrohir were the children of Celebrían and Elrond. Dark-haired and grey-eyed, only those that knew them well could tell them apart. The first of the twins was named Elladan, ("Elf-Man") as a token of his ancestry; he was descended not only from the royal houses of the Noldor, the Vanyar and the Sindar, but also from the Houses of Hador, Haleth and Bëor of the Edain.

History

In the year T.A. 2509, the twins' mother Celebrían went on a journey into the south to visit her own mother, Galadriel, in the land of Lórien. In the Redhorn Pass, she was captured by orcs, and tortured in their dens. Elladan rode with his brother to rescue her, but by the time they reached her she had received a poisonous wound. Though their father healed her, she would not remain in Middle-earth, and sailed into the West the following year. After this loss, Elladan and Elrohir were filled with hatred of the orcs, often riding against them with the Northern Dúnedain.

In the early part of the War of the Ring, the brothers' main role was to scout the land and prepare the way for the Fellowship, but later they took a more active part. When Halbarad rode to Aragorn's aid with the Grey Company, Elladan and Elrohir accompanied them. They followed Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead, fought with him at Pelargir, and took part in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where they fought with stars bound to their brows.

After the War of the Ring, little is known of the brothers' fate. They returned to their father's house at Rivendell, and remained there even after he had passed across the Sea. Like their sister Arwen, the sons of Elrond Half-elven were granted the choice of whether to leave Middle-earth for the Undying Lands, or remain there and become mortal as men. So they chose for a time at least, to stay in Middle-Earth for reasons unknown.

Genealogy

     Eärendil = Elwing
              |
              |       Celeborn = Galadriel
          ____|____            |
         |         |           |
         |         |           |
       Elros     Elrond = Celebrían
                        |
                ________|________
               |        |        |
               |        |        |
Aragorn II = Arwen   Elrohir   Elladan

Portrayal in Adaptations

1979: The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series):

Elrohir and Elladan follow Halbarad and come to Aragorn's aid. No actor is credited.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Elladan and Elrohir, as in many other adaptations, look very similar. The main difference between them is that Elrohir wears a helmet, while Elladan does not.
Elladan and Elrohir were sent by their father, Elrond, to Fornost, to scout for the darkness in that city. They meet with Eradan, Andriel and Farin, who were sent by Aragorn to stop Agandaûr's army from attacking. As they have the same goal, they collaborate and fight a way to the Citadel of the city.[3] There, Elladan and his brother remove the magic spell of the Citadel gate, which protects Agandaûr against intruders.[4] Inside the citadel, Eradan, Andriel and Farin kill Tharzog - chieftain of the Orcs of Mount Gram - while Elladan and Elrohir confront Agandaûr. Agandaûr has the upper hand in the battle, but flees when Eradan, Andriel and Farin arrive. Elladan and Elrohir return to Fornost, where they inform their father about the events in Fornost.[5]

See also

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of the Elves"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company"
  3. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Chapter 1: Fornost, Inner wards
  4. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Chapter 1: Fornost, The Citadel
  5. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Chapter 1: Fornost, Citadel tower