The wise will stay here and hope to rebuild our town...
 | |
| People | |
| Galadhrim | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Pronunciation | gal-ath-rim S, [ga'laðrim] |
| Other names | Elves of Lórien, Elves of Lórinand, Tree-people |
| Origins | Silvan Elves of Lothlórien |
| Locations | Lothlórien, East Lórien |
| Affiliation | Last Alliance of Elves and Men |
| Languages | Silvan Elvish, Sindarin, Westron |
| Members | Haldir, Rúmil, Orophin, Amdír, Amroth, Nimrodel, Mithrellas, Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Physical Description | |
| Lifespan | Immortal |
The Galadhrim or Tree-people were Elves, mostly Silvan in origin but also of Nandorin and Avarin descent, that inhabited the woods of Lothlórien.
History
First Age
Those among the Telerin Elves who abandoned the Great Journey of the Eldar on the eastern side of the Misty Mountains became known as the Nandor. Many of these settled permanently in the forests to either side of the Vales of Anduin, and they grew in number throughout the First Age.[1] The folk of Lórien on the west bank of the Anduin were neighbours and kin to those of Eryn Galen on the east bank.[2]
Second Age
Following the destruction of Beleriand and the War of Wrath, most of the Noldorin exiles and remnants of the Sindar retreated to Lindon. The Valar invited these Elves to Aman, but Amdír, among many others, was unwilling and remained in Lindon.[2] Amdír, along with his son Amroth, established himself in Lórinand, where he would lead the Silvan Elves.[3] He took over as their King, while another Sinda, Oropher, became King of Greenwood the Great.[2]
During the Sack of Eregion, Amroth led a force of Galadhrim and, together with Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, attacked Sauron's force from the rear, saving Elrond in the process. The survivors of the attack on Eregion, including many Noldor and Sindar, escaped into Khazad-dûm and were granted passage by their friends the Dwarves. Eventually coming through the Mountains to the woodlands that would long afterwards be called Lórien.[4]
Galadriel and Celeborn departed from Imladris and went to the sparsely inhabited lands between the mouth of the Gwathló and Ethir Anduin.[4] There they dwelt in Belfalas, at Edhellond,[4] near the place that was afterwards called Dol Amroth; and their company was swelled by Silvan Elves from Lórinand.[4]
Under Amdir's leadership the people of Lórien prospered and their numbers grew. He later led an army of Galadhrim to the War of the Last Alliance, where most of them, including Amdír himself, were slain in the Battle of Dagorlad.
Third Age
The Galadhrim were now ruled by Amroth, the son of Amdír. Around T.A. 1409, some Galadhrim passed over the Misty Mountains to join forces with Rivendell under Elrond against Angmar. Along with assistance with the Elves of Lindon, they were successful in subduing the witch-kingdom for some time.[5]
Around T.A. 1980 with the freeing of Durin's Bane in Moria, many of the Galadhrim fled south to Edhellond and sailed over Sea to Valinor. Amroth grew weary of Middle-earth and wished to sail, but he drowned in the Bay of Belfalas.[3][6]
In her wisdom Galadriel saw that Lórien would be a stronghold and a point of power to prevent the Shadow from crossing the Anduin, for the Galadhrim were hardy and valiant. However, they needed a ruler of greater strength and wisdom than they possessed. This is why Galadriel and Celeborn took up their permanent abode in Lórien and took charge of its governing. Under the leadership of Galadriel and Celeborn, the Galadhrim prospered and their skill grew.
During the War of the Ring the valour of the Galadhrim (with the power of Galadriel) defended their home against orcs, who attacked Lothlórien and wrought destruction on its border. Soon thereafter, Sauron met his demise, and the Galadhrim with many boats crossed the Anduin to attack Dol Guldur, Galadriel herself tearing down its walls.
Fourth Age
After the departure of Galadriel to Aman and of Celeborn to Imladris, only few of the Galadhrim remained in Lothlórien; many may have moved to East Lórien in Greenwood where the Silvan Elves remained untroubled during the early Fourth Age.[7]
Culture
The Galadhrim prospered and were instructed under their Sindarin rulers, and afterwards by their Lord and Lady. They became proficient in making Lembas, Elven rope, Elven-cloaks, and many other crafts. They lived in telain built in the trees.
They spoke Silvan Elvish and a dialect of Sindarin with an "accent".[8] Some, like Haldir, but not all, could speak Westron.
Etymology
Galadhrim is a Sindarin name meaning "Tree-people". The name consists of galadh ("tree") + rim(b) ("great number").[9][10]
In the first edition of The Lord of the Rings, Galadhrim was spelt Galadrim. In later editions, this was amended to the former, which Tolkien had decided was the correct Sindarin form.[11]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "Notes", Note 67, p. 329
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Amroth and Nimrodel"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of the Elves"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 50
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings p. 341
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 305