Elf-friends

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"And though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, and Húrin, and Túrin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them."

― Elrond to Frodo Baggins

The Elf-friends were those, usually among Men, who were recognised by the Elves as providing special aid or alliance to their efforts. Elf-friend was given as title or epithet.

Notable Elf-friends

• The Edain in general
  • Hador Lórindol
  • Beren Erchamion
  • Húrin Thalion
  • Túrin Turambar
• Elrond
• Elendil
• Aragorn
• Bilbo Baggins
• Frodo Baggins
• Gimli

Other uses

The Quenya terms were technically Eldandil ("Devoted to the Eldar"), or Quendil ("Devoted to the Quendi") or Elesser.

Among the Edain and Dúnedain, the Elvish words for "Elf" and "star" were often confused, since they sounded similar. Thus Elendil or Elvellon was used by them to mean "Elf-friend", though it actually signifies "Devoted to the Stars".

The plural form Elendili (Adûnaic Nimruzîrim) was one of the names for the Faithful Númenóreans.

Inspiration

The concept of the "Elf-friend" is recurrent in Tolkien's legendarium, both in meaning and in name. The name Ælfwine/Elfwine is an actual Old English personal name that means "Elf-friend" and has survived in modern times as Alboin or Alwin/Elwin. This word has been the basis for several characters and terms:

• Elendil
• Nimruzîr
• Elvellon
• Elfwine son of Éomer
• Ælfwine of England (also known as Eriol)
• Alwin Lowdham
• Alboin

"Elwin Ransom" is also the name of the protagonist of C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy; the character is said to be based on Tolkien.

See also

• Edennil