Of the Mightiest Elves in the Third Age

Today's reading begins early in the Third Age but spans the entire Age. It's basically a small outline of Elven settlements and deeds so I thought this was as appropriate a place as any to insert. The reading briefly covers the dwellings and actions of Elrond, Galadriel, and Círdan the three mightiest Elves who remain in Middle-earth before the dominion of Men.

Elrond remained in Imladris for the duration of the Third Age; "...the house of Elrond was a refuge for the weary and the oppressed, and a treasury of good counsel and wise lore" (p. 298, The Silmarillion).  What a beautiful description. I would love for that to be said of my home and must think about how to make that tangible. I love to dream of the good that can be done with a home that is a refuge to the weary and oppressed; a treasury of good counsel and wise lore. Elrond took care of the Heirs of Isildur, in childhood and advanced age, for he knew they would play an important role before the end of the Third Age. He also had kinship with that line being Half-elven himself. Elrond gathered many Elves to him and Imladris was often a meeting place for the wise of all races.

A remnant of Elves also resided in Lindon where Gil-galad had made his home. It was there where the Grey Havens were located. The Elves at the Haven's were always making and tending ships to transport other Elves into the uttermost West who grew weary of Middle-earth. "Círdan the Shipwright was lord of the Havens and mighty among the wise" (p. 298, The Silmarillion).

The other remaining Elven stronghold in Middle-earth was the Land of Lorien where Celeborn and Galadriel dwelt. Of Galadriel it was said, "...she was the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth" (p. 298, The Silmarillion). For she alone, in Middle-earth, had lived in the bliss of Valinor before it's marring by Morgoth. And so it was the the realm of Rivendell and Lothlorien thrived in beauty and growth throughout the Third Age.

Because of these strongholds it was perceived where the Three Rings resided. The Wise rarely spoke of them and very few Eldar knew with certainty of there whereabouts. "Therefore ere the Third Age was ended the Elves perceived that the Ring of Sapphire was with Elrond, in the fair valley or Rivendell, upon whose house the stars of heaven most brightly shone; whereas the Ring of Adamant was in the Land of Lorien where dwelt the Lady Galadriel...But the Red Ring remained hidden until the end, and none save Elrond and Galadriel and Círdan knew to whom it had been committed" (p. 298, The Silmarillion).

Yet the foreboding of Sauron did not leave the hearts of the Elves. They perceived that he would come back and either find the Ruling Ring or destroy it. Once the One Ring was destroyed the power of the Three Rings would fade and the Elves would diminish allowing for the dominion of Men.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, beginning

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 297-298