Galadriel

by Boddah

Let us start by examining the origins of Galadriel, she is the only daughter of Finarfin of the Noldor, so that makes her an Elf. Her original name however, was not Galadriel, but Artanis Nerwen. Galadriel is the Sindarin version of her name, given to her by Lord Celeborn. She was born in Valinor while the Two Tress still stood. At the start of the First Age, she, along with her four brothers Finrod, Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor, traveled to Middle-Earth. While in Beleriand, she often visited the halls of Elu Thingol and that is where she met Celeborn.

Celeborn and Galadriel both survived the War of Wrath, yet they refused the pardon offered to them by the Valar. So together, they traveled to Lindon where they ruled over a small sect of Elves. Time passed and they migrated east into Eregion it was there they came in contact with a Nandorin community in the valley of the Anduin River. The Nandorin were one of the sects of Elves who did not choose to go west to Valinor, so they stayed behind in Middle-Earth. Time took its toll once again and they moved once more, this time to join the Nandorin in the valley, or Lothlòrien.

Therefore, Galadriel and Celeborn left Eregion to Celebrimbor and in Lòrien; they had a daughter named Celebrìan who later married Elrond. Then the Second Age came and Annatar the Lore master was guiding Celebrimbor and the other Noldor of Eregion. The Rings of Power were forged and Galadriel did not trust Annatar, her mistrust was justified when Annatar turned out to be Sauron. When Eregion came under attack, Galadriel was given one of the three Elven Rings. Her Ring was named Nenya, the Ring of Water. Galadriel was wise and refused to use the Ring while Sauron had control over the One Ring. Some people think she may have used the Ring in the Defense of Lòrien or used it to make Lòrien a safe haven. Galadriel remained strong throughout the conflict and often competed with Sauron in thought. It is said Sauron greatly desired to see the mind of Galadriel, but he could not without the One Ring… Some say he still would not be able to do it with the One Ring.

Galadriel and Celeborn hosted the Fellowship of the Ring after they narrowly escaped Moria. When she met them, she gave each of them an ‘all seeing look’ to test their resolve. She however had a test of her own, Frodo Baggins offered her the Ring to keep safe, but she knew better and she passed the test. When the Fellowship departed, she gave them boats, supplies, and special gifts unique to each member of the Fellowship, and more Elven cloaks.

Galadriel departed over the Great Sea along with Elrond, Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo Baggins, this marked the end of the Third Age, she left Celeborn behind, but he soon departed as well. The only reason Galadriel was able to get to the Haven was that she refused to take the One Ring, which lifted the ban that was placed on her for not accepting the Valar’s reward.