Elendil

From Tolkien Gateway
This article is about the High King of Gondor and Arnor. For the earlier King of Númenor, see Tar-Elendil.
Elendil
Númenórean
Artigas - King Elendil.jpg
"King Elendil" by Artigas
Biographical Information
Other namesNimruzîr (A)
TitlesThe Fair, Great King, High King, King of all the Dúnedain, King of Arnor, King of Gondor, King of the Southern Realm, Lord of Arnor and Gondor, The Tall, Voronda (Q)
LocationNúmenor, Arnor
AffiliationFaithful, Last Alliance of Elves and Men
LanguageSindarin, Quenya, Adûnaic
BirthS.A. 3119
Númenor
RuleS.A. 3320 - 3441 (High King)
DeathS.A. 3441 (aged 322)
During Siege of Barad-dûr
Notable forFounded the Kingdoms of the Dúnedain and later the Last Alliance with Gil-Galad
Family
HouseHouse of Valandil, founded the House of Elendil
ParentageAmandil
ChildrenIsildur & Anárion
Physical Description
GenderMale
Height7'11" (2.41 m)[1] or 7' (2.13 m)[2]
Hair colorBrown
WeaponryNarsil
GalleryImages of Elendil

Elendil was the father of Isildur and Anárion, a survivor of the Downfall of Númenor, and the founder and first High King of the Realms in Exile.

Elendil was also known as Elendil the Tall, as he was the tallest of the Men who escaped the Downfall. Accounts differ as to his exact height, but he was at least seven feet tall.[1][2]

History[edit | edit source]

Elendil was born in Númenor. He was the son of Amandil, the last Lord of Andúnië and leader of the Faithful. He was probably named after his ancestor, Tar-Elendil, an ancient King of Númenor; his name also signified his and his family's devotion and friendship to the Elves as Elf-friends, preserving the old beliefs in Ilúvatar and reverence for the Valar. Like his father, he stood against the barbarous practices of Ar-Pharazôn the King and Sauron his advisor.

Abe Papakhian - Elendil and Sons

On the advice of his father, who foresaw the coming destruction of Númenor, Elendil put nine ships off the eastern coast and loaded all his people and possessions aboard them. Amandil then followed the actions of their ancestor, Eärendil and left Númenor attempting to warn the Valar of their King's folly.[3]

When the catastrophic Downfall occurred in S.A. 3319, Elendil, his sons Isildur and Anárion, and their supporters fled to Middle-earth,[4] sailing east in the nine ships. With them they took the palantíri, the "Seeing Stones" that were given to the Lords of Andúnië by the Elves of Tol Eressëa, the Sceptre of Annúminas, the Ring of Barahir, Narsil which Elendil kept as his sword, and a seedling of Nimloth, the White Tree of Númenor.[3]

Ted Nasmith - The Ships of the Faithful

The ships became separated during the tumultuous voyage to Middle-earth; while Isildur and Anárion landed in the more southerly lands near the haven of the Faithful at Pelargir, Elendil and his people arrived at the northwest near Lindon.[5] After Elendil finally landed in Middle-earth, he proclaimed an oath in Quenya: "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta" ("Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world"). His heir and great-grandson by 39 generations Aragorn II spoke these words again when he took up the crown of Gondor as King Elessar at the beginning of the Fourth Age.[6]

The Faithful colonists of Middle-earth, and other Middle Men, gathered around the Númenórean lords at the points they arrived; for this reason there were two realms of the Númenóreans in exile, Arnor in the north where Elendil landed, and Gondor in the south where his sons ended up.[5] Elendil founded the city of Annúminas in Eriador, the capital of Arnor. His son Anárion established the city of Minas Anor in Anórien, and Isildur founded Minas Ithil in Ithilien. Elendil, however, ruled as High King. In both realms were built towers for the palantíri, with which the lords kept contact.[5]

Gil-galad built for Elendil the White Towers on some hills of Eriador. In the the tallest tower he kept a unique palantír, the Stone of Elendil that could not communicate with the other six, because it was aligned westwards towards the Master-stone in the Tower of Avallonë. Elendil was able to use it to look west across the Sea and see the Undying Lands;[5] but he could not see Númenor for it was covered by the bent seas for ever.[7]

Sauron's return and Last Alliance[edit | edit source]

Sauron, having lost his shape in the Downfall, returned to Middle-earth as a shadow and a black wind over the sea. It came to Mordor, next to Gondor, where Sauron wrought a new guise.[3] In S.A. 3429 Sauron attacked, seizing Minas Ithil, causing Isildur to flee north to his father, leaving Anárion in charge of Gondor. In response, Elendil formed an alliance with Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor, to repel Sauron's assault.[4] It is said that Elendil bound the Last Alliance with an oath and invoked the name of Eru to witness it.[8]

The combined forces marched east to Imladris in S.A. 3431. In 3434, they passed the Misty Mountains and south together and fought in the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Elendil fought valiantly at the Battle of Dagorlad.[4]

Abe Papakhian I Behold

At the end of the long Siege of Barad-dûr, in the year S.A. 3441, Sauron came out to personally do battle. Gil-galad and Elendil fought Sauron and cast him down, but were both slain,[4] and Elendil's sword Narsil was broken when he fell. Isildur used the broken sword to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. However, despite the urgings of Elrond and Cirdan, Isildur chose not to destroy the Ring at Mount Doom and was eventually betrayed by the Ring in the Disaster of the Gladden Fields, slain by Orcs.[5]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Elendil was a great warrior, a wise king, and a heroic figure among the Dúnedain. Isildur built a hidden tomb for his father on the summit of the beacon hill that was named Amon Anwar ("hill of awe" in Sindarin). Its presence was considered great enough to hallow the entire hill, even to the Rohirrim, who called it Halifirien ("holy mountain" in Rohanese).[8]

After the founding of Rohan, the Steward Cirion moved Elendil's remains to the Hallows of Minas Tirith.[8]

Millennia after Elendil's death, Aragorn, the Heir of Isildur, invoked the name of Elendil as a battle cry during the War of the Ring.[9][10]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Elendil is Quenya for "Lover of the Stars".[11]

For the Edain it was intended to signify "Elf-friend", (Nimruzîr in Adûnaic ),[12] since they tended to confuse the Quenya element EL for both "Elf" and "star".[11]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elros
F.A. 532 - S.A. 442
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lords of
Andúnië
 
Kings of
Númenor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Númendil
unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amandil
Sailed west S.A. 3316
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ELENDIL
S.A. 3119 - 3441
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Isildur
S.A. 3209 - T.A. 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anárion
S.A. 3219 - 3440
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elendur
S.A. 3299 - T.A. 2
 
Aratan
S.A. 3339 - T.A. 2
 
Ciryon
S.A. 3379 - T.A. 2
 
Valandil
S.A. 3430 - T.A. 249
 
Three children
unknown
 
Meneldil
S.A. 3318 - T.A. 158
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of
Arnor
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of
Gondor

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

The chieftain of the alliance against Thû (Sauron) is named Amroth both in the outline[13] and the first version of The Fall of Númenor (chapter).[14] The name Elendil is given for first time in the second version.[15]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Elendil in adaptations

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

In the film's prologue, Elendil is played by Peter McKenzie. Unlike in the books, Elendil is killed by a blow of Sauron instead of having a part in destroying him with Gil-galad. Instead, Isildur deals the fatal blow to the still-living Sauron by cutting off his fingers with the broken blade of Narsil, and, with them, the ring of power.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game):

Elendil appears in the game's first level as a non-playable character, where he has the likeness of Peter Jackson's movie counterpart.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Elendil appears in several flashbacks depicting the the War of the Last Alliance. His ultimate fate is more accurate to the books than the film version, showing Elendil and Gil-galad both battling and defeating Sauron at the cost of their lives, with Elendil dealing the killing blow.

2022: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Season One:

Elendil is portrayed by Lloyd Owen as a captain. He first appears in the third episode, in a plotline created for the series in which he rescues Galadriel and Halbrand from the sea and takes them to Númenor. Unlike in the source materials, his Númenórean nobility is uncertain, as he is unknown to Queen Míriel.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields", "Appendix: Númenórean Linear Measures", note concerning the different routes from Osgiliath to Imladris, first paragraph
  2. 2.0 2.1 Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 272 citing from a note written by J.R.R. Tolkien approximately in the year 1969
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain, entry for King Arvedue, footnote about the palantíri, p. 1042
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring passim.
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers passim.
  11. 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Author's Notes to Quendi and Eldar", Note 10, p. 410
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Two: The Notion Club Papers Part Two: Night 67", p. 247
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (i) The original outline", p. 12
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (ii) The first version of The Fall of Númenor", p. 18
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (iii) The second version of The Fall of Númenor", pp. 28-29
Elendil
House of Valandil
Cadet branch of the House of Elros
Born: S.A. 3119 Died: S.A. 3441
None
New title
1st High King of the Realms in Exile
S.A. 33203441
Followed by:
Isildur
1st King of Arnor
S.A. 33203441
1st King of Gondor
(as High King)

S.A. 33203441
Followed by:
Isildur & Anárion


The Northern Line and the Heirs of Isildur
Kings of Arnor: Elendil (S.A. 3320 - 3441) · Isildur (S.A. 3441 - T.A. 2) · Valandil (T.A. 2 - 249) · Eldacar (249 - 339) · Arantar (339 - 435) · Tarcil (435 - 515) · Tarondor (515 - 602) · Valandur (602 - 652) · Elendur (652 - 777) · Eärendur (777 - 861)
Kings of Arthedain: Amlaith (861 - 946) · Beleg (946 - 1029) · Mallor (1029 - 1110) · Celepharn (1110 - 1191) · Celebrindor (1191 - 1272) · Malvegil (1272 - 1349) · Argeleb I (1349 - 1356) · Arveleg I (1356 - 1409) · Araphor (1409 - 1589) · Argeleb II (1589 - 1670) · Arvegil (1670 - 1743) · Arveleg II (1743 - 1813) · Araval (1813 - 1891) · Araphant (1891 - 1964) · Arvedui (1964 - 1975) ·
Chieftains of the Dúnedain: Aranarth (1975 - 2106) · Arahael (2106 - 2177) · Aranuir (2177 - 2247) · Aravir (2247 - 2319) · Aragorn I (2319 - 2327) · Araglas (2327 - 2455) · Arahad I (2455 - 2523) · Aragost (2523 - 2588) · Aravorn (2588 - 2654) · Arahad II (2654 - 2719) · Arassuil (2719 - 2784) · Arathorn I (2784 - 2848) · Argonui (2848 - 2912) · Arador (2912 - 2930) · Arathorn II (2930 - 2933) · Aragorn II (2933 - 3019)
Kings of Arnor: Elessar (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120) · Eldarion (Fo.A. 120 onwards)
The Southern Line and the Heirs of Anárion
Kings of Gondor: Elendil (S.A. 3320 - 3441) · Isildur (S.A. 3441 - T.A. 2) and Anárion (S.A. 3320 - 3440) · Meneldil (T.A. 2 - 158) · Cemendur (158 - 238) · Eärendil (238 - 324) · Anardil (324 - 411) · Ostoher (411 - 492) · Rómendacil I (492 - 541) · Turambar (541 - 667) · Atanatar I (667 - 748) · Siriondil (748 - 830) · Tarannon Falastur (830 - 913) · Eärnil I (913 - 936) · Ciryandil (936 - 1015) · Hyarmendacil I (1015 - 1149) · Atanatar II Alcarin (1149 - 1226) · Narmacil I (1226 - 1294) · Calmacil (1294 - 1304) · Rómendacil II (1304 - 1366) · Valacar (1366 - 1432) · Eldacar (1432 - 1437) · Castamir the Usurper (1437 - 1447) · Eldacar restored (1447 - 1490) · Aldamir (1490 - 1540) · Hyarmendacil II (1540 - 1621) · Minardil (1621 - 1634) · Telemnar (1634 - 1636) · Tarondor (1636 - 1798) · Telumehtar Umbardacil (1798 - 1850) · Narmacil II (1850 - 1856) · Calimehtar (1856 - 1936) · Ondoher (1936 - 1944) · Eärnil II (1945 - 2043) · Eärnur (2043 - 2050)
Stewards of Gondor: Húrin of Emyn Arnen (c. T.A. 1630s) · Pelendur (before T.A. 1944 - 1998) · Vorondil (1998 - 2029) · Mardil Voronwë (2029 - 2080) · Eradan (2080 - 2116) · Herion (2116 - 2148) · Belegorn (2148 - 2204) · Húrin I (2204 - 2244) · Túrin I (2244 - 2278) · Hador (2278 - 2395) · Barahir (2395 - 2412) · Dior (2412 - 2435) · Denethor I (2435 - 2477) · Boromir (2477 - 2489) · Cirion (2489 - 2567) · Hallas (2567 - 2605) · Húrin II (2605 - 2628) · Belecthor I (2628 - 2655) · Orodreth (2655 - 2685) · Ecthelion I (2685 - 2698) · Egalmoth (2698 - 2743) · Beren (2743 - 2763) · Beregond (2763 - 2811) · Belecthor II (2811 - 2872) · Thorondir (2872 - 2882) · Túrin II (2882 - 2914) · Turgon (2914 - 2953) · Ecthelion II (2953 - 2984) · Denethor II (2984 - 3019) · Faramir (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 82) · Elboron (Fo.A. 82 onwards)
Kings of Gondor: Elessar (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120) · Eldarion (Fo.A. 120 onwards)
Non-ruling stewards are in italics
Númenor
Andor · Atalantë · Elenna · Mar-nu-Falmar · Númenórë · Westernesse
Regions Andustar · Arandor · Emerië · Forostar · Hyarastorni · Hyarnustar · Hyarrostar · Mittalmar · Nísimaldar · Orrostar
Towns and cities Almaida · Andúnië · Armenelos · Eldalondë · Moriondë · Nindamos · Ondosto · Rómenna
Buildings Calmindon · Eämbar · King's Court · Temple · White House of Erendis
Natural features Bay of Eldanna · Bay of Rómenna · Firth of Rómenna · Hallow of Eru · Meneltarma (mountain) · Nísinen (lake) · North Cape · Nunduinë (river) · Oromet (mountain) · Siril (river) · Sorontil (mountain) · Tarmasundar (ridges) · Tompollë
Plants and trees Fragrant Trees · Lairelossë · Laurinquë · Lavaralda · Nessamelda · Nimloth · Oiolairë · Taniquelassë · Vardarianna · Yavannamírë
Heirlooms Aranrúth · Bow of Bregor · Dramborleg · Elendilmir · Narsil · Palantíri · Ring of Barahir · Sceptre of Annúminas · Sceptre of Númenor · Tile and Textiles · Helmet
Concepts Adûnaic · Ban of the Valar · Council of the Sceptre · Downfall of Númenor · Great Bear-dance · Heirship · Númenórean Sindarin · Three Prayers (Eruhantalë · Erukyermë · Erulaitalë)
Key people Aldarion · Amandil · Anárion · Captain of the King's Ships · Elendil · Elros (House of Elros) · Erendis · Faithful · Great Armament · Guild of Venturers · Guild of Weaponsmiths · Isildur · Kings and Queens of Númenor · King's Archers · King's Men · Lords of Andúnië · Meneldur · Miriel · Palantir · Pharazôn · Sauron · Silmariën
Main texts The Silmarillion ("Akallabêth") · Unfinished Tales ("A Description of the Island of Númenor" · "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife" · "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor") · The Lord of the Rings ("Appendix A" · "Appendix B") · The Nature of Middle-earth ("Lives of the Númenóreans" · "Of the land and beasts of Númenor")