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Much of this article relates to the final versions of Middle-earth's history, and as such may contain discrepancies with The Silmarillion. See LOTR:Canon for a discussion. This subject's portrayal in earlier or alternative versions is discussed in the Earlier versions of the legendarium section.

"This is Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, and I am its keeper."
Galadriel to Frodo Baggins

Galadriel was the "Lady" of the woods of Lothlórien, which she ruled with Celeborn, her husband.

One of the greatest Elves in Middle-earth, she surpassed nearly all others in beauty, knowledge, and power. She bore Nenya, one of the three Elven rings of power. J.R.R. Tolkien deemed her as one of the mightiest and fairest of all Elves remaining in Middle-earth in the Third Age.

She was the only daughter and youngest child of Finarfin, princess of the Ñoldor, and Eärwen, whose cousin was Lúthien. Her elder brothers were Finrod Felagund, Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor.[5] Galadriel was a niece of Fëanor, the most important Elf of the early First Age.

Biography

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Galadriel in Aman, by Marya Filatova

Years of the Trees

Galadriel was born in Valinor in the Years of the Trees, before the First Age. Much of Galadriel's story is confusing, and there are several distinct tales told about her collected in the Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth. According to the older account, used in The Silmarillion, Galadriel was an eager participant and leader in the rebellion of the Ñoldor and their flight from Valinor due to her desire to one day rule over lands in Middle-earth herself.

She was eager to see Middle-earth, having heard of it from Fëanor, and desired to rule a realm of her own. She swore no oaths and was like-minded to her cousin Fingon, son of Fingolfin.[6]

GaladrielByDimary

Galadriel, by Maria Dimova

Galadriel at alqualonde

Galadriel witnessing the kinslaying at Alqualondë, by Elena Kukanova

However, separated from Fëanor and his kin, she and her people did not take part in the Kinslaying at Alqualondë. They followed Fingolfin instead and crossed the Helcaraxë in the far north.[6] Although in the latest version of the story, Galadriel's story changed significantly, far from joining Fëanor's rebellion, she opposed him in nearly everything. And that she wished to leave Valinor and go to the vast world of Middle-earth, to give free rein there to her talents. She went for a time to live with her mother's relatives in Alqualondë,  where she met her future husband, Celeborn. Together they planned to build a ship and sail to Middle-earth; and they were about to ask permission to the Valar, when Melkor with Ungoliant, destroyed the light of the Trees. In Fëanor's rebellion that followed, Galadriel had no part, and together with Celeborn, fought against Fëanor defending her mother's kin in defense of Alqualondë, and Celeborn's ship was spared of the attack of the Noldor. Galadriel was horrified by Fëanor's violence and cruelty, and sailed in the night to Middle-earth without waiting for Manwë's permission.

First Age

Once in Beleriand, she lived nominally with one of her brothers, most likely Finrod, but spent much time at the court of Thingol and Melian in Menegroth, where she arrived in FA 52 and was welcomed because of her family relationship to Thingol's brother Olwë, Galadriel's maternal grandfather. She met Celeborn, a kinsman of Thingol, in Doriath.[7] She also traveled to visit her brother, Finrod, in his realm of Nargothrond multiple times. Her three other brothers were killed during various battles in the First Age.

Artanis and Fëanor, Tolman Cotton

"Artanis and Fëanor" by TolmanCotton on DeviantArt

Galadriel became friends with Melian the Maia, who wanted to know the cause of the Exile of the Ñoldor. Galadriel only briefly narrated the story to her, leaving out the death of Finwë, the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, and the burning of the ships at Losgar. She dwelt in Nargothrond with her brother Finrod, and asked him if he would take no wife. But Finrod had taken an oath only for himself, and his beloved had been left in Valinor.[8]

She had no role in the major wars of the First Age, believing that defeating Morgoth was beyond the power of the Eldar; when Morgoth was defeated by the coming of the Valar out of the West she, having played no part in the earlier Kinslaying, was offered safe return to Valinor. However, she chose not to leave Middle-earth, and was the only leader of the Ñoldor exiles to remain after the First Age.[9]

Second Age

Celeborn and Galadriel traveled first to Lindon, where they ruled over a group of Elves as a fiefdom under Gil-galad, the High King of the Ñoldor. Sometime later, they had a daughter, Celebrían. They moved eastward and established the realm of Eregion, or Hollin, which they ruled under Gil-galad. Eregion, to the west of the Misty Mountains near Khazad-dûm, was a prosperous kingdom during this time, and had open trade with the Dwarves. Also, during this time, they made contact with a Nandorin settlement in the valley of the Anduin, later to be known as Lothlórien.

Galadriel recieves the Ring

Galadriel, Gil-galad, and Círdan receive the Three Rings of Power

In the Second Age, the Maia Annatar, "Lord of Gifts", guided Celebrimbor and the other Ñoldor of Eregion in the creation of the Rings of Power. Galadriel had immediate distrust in Annatar. Subsequently, when Celebrimbor took over the rule of Eregion, Galadriel and Celeborn left for Lothlórien by way of the mines of Khazad-dûm. After her distrust of Annatar was justified when he was revealed to be Sauron, Galadriel counseled Celebrimbor in the hiding of the rings, and when Eregion was attacked, she was entrusted with one of the Three Rings of the Elves. Her ring was Nenya, the Ring of Water.

Conscious of Sauron's power, and wishing to thwart it, she did not use the powers of her ring as long as the One Ring was in Sauron's hands. However, during the Third Age, when the One Ring was lost, she put it to good use protecting the borders of her realm, for the powers of her ring were protection, preservation, and concealment from evil.[10]

Third Age

After the death of King Amdír, in the War of the Last Alliance, and the departure of his son Amroth, Celeborn and Galadriel became the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien.

Through Celebrían's wedding to Elrond, Galadriel was the grandmother of Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen.

The tales tell little of Galadriel or of Celeborn during many centuries in the Third Age, but after the formation of the White Council in TA 2463 she put forth her might in opposition of Sauron. During the invasion of the Balchoth, Galadriel provided aid to Eorl the Young and the Éothéod in the form of a white mist that protected them both from the evils of Sauron in Dol Guldur and the sight of their enemies. This allowed the Éothéod to ride unnoticed to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. They would become the Rohirrim but regarded her and the Golden Wood with fear.

She played a pivotal role in the formation of the White Council, though her counsel to put Gandalf at its head was not followed.[10]

Lady of Light, Cavini

Galadriel at her Mirror, motioning to Frodo and Sam, by Ivan Cavini

War of the Ring

Just prior to the War of the Ring, Galadriel hosted the Fellowship of the Ring after their escape from the mines of Moria.

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Galadriel shows Frodo and Sam her mirror - by Ted Nasmith

Once in Caras Galadhon, Galadriel allowed Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee to peer into the Mirror of Galadriel, enabling them to glimpse possible events of the future. She, in turn, was tested when Frodo later offered to place the One Ring in her keeping. To illustrate what would happen if she accepted, she presented an image of herself corrupted by the ring, declaring:

In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!

Then swiftly she returned to her original form, seemingly smaller and frailer than before, declaring, "I pass the test," refusing the Ring and accepting the fate of diminishing (as the time of the Dominion of Men had come), and returning at last to Valinor. As the Fellowship departed, she gave each member a gift and an Elven cloak, and outfitted the party with boats and supplies. Gimli, in particular, was touched by Galadriel's nobility and beauty, and asked for one strand of her golden hair as an heirloom of his house; she generously gave him three (having refused the same request from Fëanor), which he later set in an impregnable crystal.

Apart from the strands of hair given to Gimli, she gave a Mallorn seed and a small box of earth from her garden to Samwise Gamgee; a green Elfstone set in silver to Aragorn, along with a scabbard for his sword Andúril; and a belt each to Boromir, Merry, and Pippin. To Legolas she gave a long, stout bow of the Galadhrim. To Frodo, she gave a magical phial which captured the light of Eärendil's star, which Frodo and Sam would later use to great effect to pass through Shelob's lair to complete their quest. After the departure of the Fellowship, Galadriel acted to ensure the success of the quest. It was she who summoned Gwaihir to rescue Gandalf off the peak of Celebdil, and it was she who nursed him back to health, dressing him in white, symbolizing his status as the new leader of the Order of Wizards.

Later, she sent word to Aragorn about the Paths of the Dead, and messages to the Rangers of the North, leading to the southward ride of the Grey Company. As Sauron put forth all his power during the War of the Ring, he was aware of the threat of the Elves and their ancient potency, so he sent armies to besiege many of their settlements in the North while simultaneously assailing the major cities of Men and Dwarves. Lórien itself was assaulted three times , but the armies of Dol Guldur were driven back due to the courage of the Elves and the power of Galadriel's ring.

Elves head to Valinor

Galadriel, her husband Celeborn, and Elrond about to leave for Valinor

It is said that the power of her Ring could not be overcome unless Sauron himself would come to do battle. After the fall of Sauron she, with Thranduil of Mirkwood and their Elven allies, crossed the Anduin to Dol Guldur, where they tore down its walls and "laid bare its pits". She then traveled to Minas Tirith for the wedding of King Elessar and Lady Arwen and returned to Lórien until TA 3021 when she journeyed to the Grey Havens and, with the remaining Ring-bearers, took a ship and returned at last to the Undying Lands whence she had come so long ago.[11]

Character

Galadriel RD

Galadriel as Lady of Lórien, as seen by Ralph Damiani

Lady Galadriel, Lady of Lórien, had extraordinary beauty, with her timeless features and long, golden hair.

Galadriel was highly praised for her unrivaled beauty, particularly that of her hair, which was a deep and radiant gold, shot with silver. It was said by the Elves of Tirion to have ensnared the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin, and possibly to have inspired the creation of the Silmarils by Fëanor. She was also the tallest of elf-women, standing at around 6 feet 4 inches, or 193 centimeters. Because of her wisdom and power, she had very important roles throughout the history of Middle-earth, especially during her time in Eregion and during the War of the Ring. She had a penchant for dressing in the purest white.

She was known, especially in her younger days, as being quite prideful. However, this pride was tempered by her "noble and generous" spirit.

[...] and she grew to be tall beyond the measure even of the women of the Noldor; she was strong of body, mind, and will [...] Yet deeper still there dwelt in her the noble and generous spirit of the Vanyar, and a reverence for the Valar that she could not forget.

Even among the Eldar she was accounted beautiful, and her hair was held a marvel unmatched. It was golden like the hair of her father and of her foremother Indis, but richer and more radiant, for its gold was touched by some memory of the starlike silver of her mother; and the Eldar said that the light of the Two Trees, Laurelin and Telperion, had been snared in her tresses.


Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"

Regarding her decision to remain in Middle-earth, a passage says:

After the overthrow of Morgoth at the end of the First Age a ban was set upon her return, and she had replied proudly that she had no wish to do so.
The Road Goes Ever On[citation needed][note 1]

Naming and titles

Galadriel was originally named Artanis ("noble woman"), her father-name, and Nerwen ("man-maiden"), her mother-name referring to her height and strength. Galadriel is the Sindarin translation of Telerin Quenya Alatáriel, the name given her by Celeborn, meaning "maiden crowned with a garland of bright radiance" in reference to her hair.

The name Galadhriel was used outside Lórien by the people who did not know the ancient days and Galadriel's history, confusing her name with the Elvish word galadh ("tree") and the name of the Galadhrim, the people of Lórien.

She is referred to as The Lady of Lórien, Lady of Light, The Lady of the Galadhrim, or The Lady of the Wood interchangeably. Within the realm of Lothlórien, she was referred to as simply Lady Galadriel or The Lady.

When she and Celeborn were being referred to collectively, they were known as The Lord and Lady.

Faramir of Gondor referred to her as a Mistress of Magic when Frodo and Sam were with him in Henneth Annûn.[12]

Powers

Mirror of Galadriel

Galadriel filling the Mirror in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring film

Galadriel was magically very powerful, mastering telekinesis, telepathy, clairvoyance and ergokinesis; she was said to be the greatest of the Ñoldor, second only to Fëanor.

When she still lived in the Undying Lands, she had been a pupil of Yavanna and Aulë, and she later became a friend of Melian the Maia. Hence, it can be deduced that she had learned to control her powers from these three illustrious personages, though the nature of her magic is still not well-understood. In The Unfinished Tales, it is suggested that her powers of divination and seeing into the minds of others were innate:

From her earliest years she had a marvellous gift of insight into the minds of others, but judged them with mercy and understanding, and she withheld her goodwill from none save only Fëanor. In him she perceived a darkness that she hated and feared, though she did not perceive that the shadow of the same evil had fallen upon the minds of all the Noldor, and upon her own.
Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"

Some believe that the majority of Galadriel's powers came from her ring: Nenya, the Ring of Water. In a 1951 letter to his friend Milton Waldman, however, Tolkien stated that Rings of Power could only enhance the "natural powers of the possessor" but not grant entirely new powers.[13] In addition to this, Galadriel's power to perceive the thoughts of others was apparent from her early youth, long before she obtained Nenya. In some tales, she was also depicted with the powers of communicating over vast distances, predicting the future, and even cloaking her mind from other powerful beings (she once stated that Sauron could not perceive her mind, though she could perceive his). This power was the most closely connected to her Ring, as The Silmarillion tells us the Elves were able to perceive the mind of Sauron when they put on their rings. It is also possible that her powers of divination were either derived from or accentuated by her mirror, which could reveal events of the past, present, and future.

However, due to her incredibly enigmatic nature, even the immensely skillful Saruman and an Elf as perceptive as Elrond found it difficult to understand her powers, and they were such to bring doubt to the minds of the non-Elven inhabitants of Middle-earth. Whatever they might have been, it must still be noted that Galadriel had used them for good: protecting Lórien from any attack. She also used this formidable power to destroy the very foundations of Dol Guldur (a fortress whose power was multiplied by Sauron's magic). Galadriel also possessed the skill of ósanwe (the ability to communicate with others through thoughts), this can be seen after the destruction of the One Ring, when Galadriel communicated mentally with Elrond and Gandalf on their return journey from Minas Tirith.[14]

Besides her magical powers, Galadriel was also very wise and intelligent: she was one of the very few who were not fooled by Sauron in the Second Age, and therefore suggested to Celebrimbor to hide the Three Rings. She also refrained from using the powers of Nenya while the One Ring was in Sauron's possession, and only did so after the One Ring was lost (for it was only then that it was safe enough for her to do so). When Frodo offered her the One Ring, Galadriel managed to reject the undeniable temptation, for she was wise enough to know that, though she might start off with good intentions with the One Ring in her possession, she would only become a tyrant as terrible as Sauron in the end. This could be viewed as a testament to her excellent understanding of the seductive nature of power, as well as her awareness of her own personal limitations.

GaladrielPlayingHarp Hickman

Galadriel depicted by Stephen Hickman

House of Finarfin

The Heraldic Device of the House of Finarfin
The Heraldic Device of King Finrod of Nargothrond
The Heraldic Device of High King Gil-galad

Finwë
   
   
Indis
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Fingolfin
   
   
Finarfin
   
   
Eärwen
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Finrod
   
   
Angrod
   
   
Eðellos
   
   
Aegnor
   
   
Galadriel
   
   
Celeborn
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Orodreth
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Celebrían
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Finduilas
   
   
   
   
   
   
Gil-galad


In adaptations

Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings

LOTR78 Galadriel

Galadriel in Ralph Bakshi's 1978 adaptation.

In Ralph Bakshi's 1978 Lord of the Rings, Galadriel is voiced by Scottish actress Annette Crosbie with Jeri Lea Ray doing the modeling.

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
Galadriel to Frodo Baggins

Galadriel is portrayed by Cate Blanchett in Peter Jackson's film trilogy. She appears in all three films as a supporting character.

LadyGaladriel

The Lady Galadriel as portrayed by Cate Blanchett

Galadriel narrates the opening prologue to The Fellowship of the Ring, describing the War of the Ring and the initial defeat of Sauron. She is shown receiving one of the Elven Rings of Power. Galadriel appears in person later when the Fellowship arrive in Lórien, greeting them alongside her husband Celeborn. She speaks telepathically with Frodo and leads him to her mirror, in which he sees a vision of Sauron's victory. Galadriel warns Frodo that Boromir will try and take the One Ring, upon which Frodo offers the One Ring to her. In that moment, Galadriel herself is tempted by the Ring, but she is able to overcome the temptation and "pass the test." She gives Frodo a phial of light when the Fellowship departs Lothlórien.

In the extended edition, Galadriel and Celeborn give the other members of the Fellowship various gifts as well. Besides Frodo and Sam, she gives Merry and Pippin an Elven dagger, Aragorn a curved Elvish hunting knife, Legolas a Bow of the Galadhrim and three strands of her hair to Gimli.

In The Two Towers, Galadriel appears in a single scene, warning Elrond telepathically that the One Ring is tempting Faramir. She then urges him to send aid to the people of Rohan at Helm's Deep. Strangely, the Elves that do arrive at Helm's Deep under Haldir are from Lothlórien, not Rivendell. Although there is mention of osanwe ("thought speech") in Tolkien's writings, Galadriel's scenes from The Two Towers have no direct counterparts in the novels.

In The Return of the King, Galadriel appears in a vision to Frodo near Cirith Ungol, urging him to continue his quest. She also appears at the very end of the film alongside Elrond and Celeborn at the Grey Havens. She departs with them, Gandalf, Frodo, and Bilbo to Valinor.

The Hobbit film trilogy

Galadriel in The Hobbit AUJ

Galadriel in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Galadriel's role in Jackson's The Hobbit film trilogy is entirely invented for the adaptation, as she does not appear in the original novel. However, some of these scenes may have been based on material from The Unfinished Tales which accounts for what she was doing during the time when the events of The Hobbit took place. She appears in all three films as a supporting character.

Galadriel first appears in An Unexpected Journey at a meeting of the White Council alongside Elrond, Gandalf, and Saruman. She believes Gandalf when he claims that the Necromancer is becoming a bigger threat and that something must be done with Dol Guldur.

In The Desolation of Smaug, Galadriel telepathically encourages Gandalf to investigate the tombs of the Nine in the High Fells of Rhudaur and to confront the Necromancer.

BotFATrailer30

Galadriel aiding a wounded Gandalf in Dol Guldur, surrounded by The Nine

In The Battle of the Five Armies, Galadriel rescues Gandalf from Dol Guldur. Initially, it seems that she has come alone; she disintegrates an Orc with a blast of magic from Nenya. However, she is quickly cornered by the spectral forms of the Nazgûl as the disembodied voice of Sauron begins taunting her in Black Speech. The Dark Lord mocks her for being alone in the shadow, a singular light in the dark.

However, Galadriel reveals that Saruman and Elrond have accompanied her to Dol Guldur, and the two battle the Ringwraiths while Galadriel attempts to heal Gandalf with a kiss, an action which drains her energy. Radagast arrives to take Gandalf away, and Galadriel resists Gandalf's plea to have her join him. After the Ringwraiths are defeated, Sauron himself manifests and restores the Nazgûl as he bears down on the White Council, threatening them with the fall of the West and the rise of Angmar. While Saruman and Elrond recoil in horror in the presence of the Dark Lord, an enraged Galadriel rises in her darker ethereal form to challenge Sauron.

She easily overpowers the Nazgûl and casts them away as her and Sauron engage in a duel of wills with the latter trying to assert his power. Galadriel, however, proves herself unyielding and declares Sauron as "Nameless, Faceless, and Formless" and demands that he returns to the Void from whence he came. Ultimately Galadriel overpowers Sauron, who's Necromancer disguise is obliterated, and flees into the East as an orb of fire. The encounter saps Galadriel's energy, however, and Saruman instructs her to retreat to Lórien while he promises to handle the threat of Sauron himself.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

An alternate version of Galadriel is the most central character in the Amazon Studios series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, portrayed by Amelie Child Villiers (as a young Galadriel) and Morfydd Clark (as an adult). This version of Galadriel expands-on and deviates considerably from her character as described by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings and the Silmarillion.

Early life & first attempts to hunt Sauron

Galadriel in Valinor - The Rings of Power

Galadriel, as a child, speaking to Finrod in Valinor.

She is first seen as a child while dwelling in Valinor, making a paper ship, as her brother Finrod taught her; Finrod gives her counsel, after stopping her from striking another child in retaliation for destroying the ship.

Many years pass and, following the catastrophe in which Morgoth destroyed the Two Trees, Finrod joins his kindred in sailing to Middle-earth and waging war against Morgoth. This section of the episode is narrated by Galadriel. Her version of events omits several important details about the Elves and why they left Valinor (including the Revolt of the Noldor and the First Kinslaying).

Though the Dark Lord is eventually defeated, his chief servant (Sauron) escapes, and Finrod takes the lead in finding him. Sauron kills Finrod, however; Galadriel pledges to continue his mission. In the Legendarium, we are told Finrod died saving the human warrior Beren (on a quest to retrieve a Silmaril), and that this happened several decades before the defeat of Morgoth. Yet the series and Galadriel's narration both give different, canon variant versions of this.

By the middle of the Second Age, Galadriel had led an expedition into Forodwaith to search for evidence of Sauron's whereabouts; despite her companions' hesitancy, and the harsh environment, an abandoned fortress of Morgoth is found. Here, Galadriel and Thondir discover evidence of dark magic and an anvil bearing Sauron's sigil, still-hot, centuries later. Her company is attacked by a snow-troll, which Galadriel quickly slays. Upon announcing her intent to continue the expedition further north, the rest of her company refuses, and she, albeit unwillingly, returns with them to Lindon.

Galadriel in Lindon - The Rings of Power

Galadriel, as an adult wandering Lindon in the evening.

Upon returning to Lindon, she is met by her friend, Elrond, who—although glad to see her—warns her that the High King Gil-galad disapproves of her insistence that Sauron still poses a threat to Elf-kind. Galadriel agrees to hold her tongue, and she is honoured with the rest of her companions by the King, who gives them the gift of returning to Valinor; it is unclear why Galadriel had to earn this journey, as the Elves were allowed to travel freely to Valinor, and did not have to earn it. While Galadriel leaves with the others on a ship to Valinor, she changes her mind at the last moment, diving into the sea. Nonetheless, Galadriel was still banned from returning to Valinor at this point, since she had rejected the pardon of the Valar—so it is unclear why Gil-galad thought that she would be allowed into Aman.

Sundering Seas & Númenor

The following plotline involving Númenor was invented for the series. There is no mention of Galadriel ever visited the island kingdom in any of Tolkien's writings.

After some time, Galadriel is found by several castaways on a makeshift raft (one of whom identifies himself as "Halbrand"), who is actually Sauron, in-disguise. The castaways are terrified of a creature known only as "the worm" that had destroyed their ship, and soon their fears are realized, as the worm returns and kills all the castaways excepting Halbrand, who retains the raft. Halbrand takes a keen interest in Galadriel while remaining silent about his own story. When a fierce storm arises, Galadriel is pulled beneath the water’s surface by a weighted rope; Halbrand rescues her and the two survive, though the stress of the storm leaves them weakened. They then drift, helplessly, until they are found by a Númenórean ship, commanded by Elendil.

Galadriel & Elendil in the Hall of Lore - TRoP

Galadriel realizes the significance of an uncovered document

Elendil takes Galadriel and Halbrand back to Armenelos, capital city of Númenor, and brings the two before Queen-regent Míriel. Galadriel immediately demands passage back to Middle-earth, inciting the ire of the Númenóreans; Halbrand is able to negotiate a tentative peace, while Míriel decides what to do. Míriel appoints Elendil to keep watch over Galadriel in the meantime, which initially irks the Elf, until Elendil reveals himself to be an Elf-friend, and a speaker of Quenya. Elendil takes Galadriel to the great Hall of Lore, upon her request, and a significant discovery is soon made in the vast archives—an ancient document, bearing the same sigil as was left on Finrod's body. From this document, Galadriel discovers that the sigil is a crude map, signifying the region of the Southlands which Sauron, apparently, intends to conquer, as his own. She also discovers a document bearing the same insignia as borne by Halbrand, indicating him to be the rightful king of the Southlands, though Halbrand says he took it off of a dead man.

[The Southlands were also created for the series. Tolkien's work and various notes suggest Mordor already existed and was called by that name because of its volcanic activity by this point in the 2nd Age]

Returning to Armenelos, Galadriel is granted an audience with Míriel, and requests an army to counter Sauron in the Southlands. Upon being denied, Galadriel angrily demands an audience with Tar-Palantir, the actual ruler and, for this, is thrown into prison, where Halbrand advises her to learn to be more nuanced in her approach. Soon, Pharazôn, Míriel's chief councilor, arrives to inform Galadriel she will be sent back alone to Middle-earth. Galadriel evades the guards and escapes, breaking into the tower where Tar-Palantir dwelt. Míriel had expected this and is waiting for her there, where Galadriel sees the aged king to be near the point of death. Míriel takes Galadriel to a separate room where there is a palantír; she has her look-into the artifact, which shows Galadriel the same vision of Númenor's destruction that Míriel had witnessed herself.

In the legendarium, Míriel was never Regent, as her father ruled until the end of his natural life. He was not deposed, as the series mentions. Pharazôn was, in fact Míriel's cousin, as was Elendil.

Galadriel & Halbrand setting sail - TRoP

Galadriel thanks Halbrand upon departing Númenor

Nonetheless, Míriel makes Galadriel to depart alone as planned, though just as she enters her boat, the leaves of Nimloth began to fall, indicating a grave warning. Seeing this, Míriel changes her mind and announces that Númenor will send an army to the Southlands after all. In the days following, Galadriel assists in giving training to the recruit volunteers. Becoming aware that Halbrand desires not to go to Middle-earth but to remain in Númenor, Galadriel attempts to persuade him to accept the mantle of king, only after much argument succeeding. She departs Armenelos on the tenth day since Míriel's decision aboard one of three ships bound for Middle-earth.

The Southlands

Galadriel catches sight of Middle-earth's coast well before the Númenóreans do, and briefly meets Isildur. The following day, having crossed the Ephel Dúath, she, Halbrand, and the Númenórean cavalry ride to Tirharad, halting Adar's aggression, though not before he acquires the artifact he searched for: a Hilt forged by Morgoth. She kills many Orcs at Tirharad, which Arondir and Bronwyn's refugees had fortified, and captures Adar with Halbrand's help, after entreating her horse to run quickly after him. She convinces Halbrand to spare Adar and takes him prisoner, learning of his claim to have killed Sauron. Galadriel nearly cuts Adar's throat, desiring justice, but is stopped by Halbrand, who she later thanks, and is thanked in return for the help Halbrand perceives having received from her.

Galadriel covered in ash - TRoP

Galadriel upon awakening from being rendered unconscious by Orodruin's eruption

Shortly after this, she and her allies realize they have been deceived, for Adar had switched the dark hilt with a decoy, and Waldreg had used the Orc Sigil Hilt to activate a mechanism causing Orodruin to erupt, sending forth flame and ash over all the Southlands. Though nearly smothered in ash, she survives the eruption and comes across Theo in the chaos, with whom she travels towards the Númenórean camp, both giving him counsel and helping him to evade Orcs along the way. Upon arriving at the camp, she learns of Míriel's plans to leave and return to Middle-earth, and of Halbrand's status. She finds he has been severely wounded in the abdomen, and concludes he needs Elvish medicine, and so rides with him to Eregion.

Eregion

Galadriel reacts to Halbrand's true identity - TRoP

Galadriel reacts to "Halbrand" revealing himself to be Sauron

Galadriel arrives six days later in Ost-in-Edhil, where Halbrand receives medical attention and soon recovers, finding his way to Celebrimbor's forge and quickly gaining his trust by revealing his knowledge of metallurgy. Galadriel, however, becomes suspicious of Halbrand after Celebrimbor voices a number of phrases she first heard from Adar, who had heard them from Sauron. Halbrand continues to act kindly towards her and make advances in helping Celebrimbor in making a design from mithril that would keep the Elves from dying.

In the meantime, Galadriel discovers a document disproving Halbrand's claim as King of the Southlands, and she confronts him about his identity. Here Halbrand reveals himself to her as Sauron, and through a vision attempts to draw her to his side, arguing that he wishes to heal Middle-earth. Though persuasive, Galadriel ultimately rejects his offer, though she keeps his identity a secret so that Celebrimbor will go through with forging the needed artifacts. She opines to Celebrimbor that three rings are needed instead of Sauron's proposed two, and the Master-smith proceeds to forge the Three Rings: Vilya, Nenya, and Narya.

Radio series

Galadriel was voiced by Marian Diamond in BBC's The Lord of the Rings 1981 radio series.

The Lord of the Rings Online - Galadriel

Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings Online

Video games

  • In The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth, Galadriel appears as one of the "Ring Heroes", and is one of the two most powerful units in the game. She has the appearance of her corrupted image seen briefly in Jackson's films. She wields magic that can swipe dozens of enemy units off of their feet in a single hit. Her power is to summon a tornado, as the one she supposedly used to destroy Dol Guldur.
  • Introduced in The Mines of Moria expansion, Galadriel plays a prominent role in the Epic storyline in The Lord of the Rings Online. She gives the player guidance by showing them a personalized vision on her Mirror, assists the Dwarves of the Iron Garrison who attempt to reclaim Moria, and authorizes an assault on Dol Guldur to distract the Enemy's eye from the Fellowship leaving Lothlórien. She sends the message to Elrond urging him to assemble the Grey Company and lead them south to Aragorn's aid; when the player returns to Lothlórien in the company of a girl from Dunland, Galadriel sends them and another Lórien Elf to follow the path of the Fellowship along the Great River and discover what had happened on Amon Hen. During the final days of the War of the Ring, Galadriel assembles the Council of Elven Lords, where it is decided to bring their armies against Dol Guldur even though it would hasten the decline of their race in Middle-earth, such as her Mirror's power being spent forevermore. After she brings down the walls of Dol Guldur, Galadriel meets Arwen on her journey south to her wedding and they visit the site of Celebrían's captivity in the Misty Mountains together. Afterwards, she and Lord Celeborn join the procession of Elrond's house and travel to Minas Tirith to attend the wedding of Arwen and Aragorn.
  • Galadriel is mentioned by name several times along with few and far between physical appearances in The Lord of the Rings. Eltariel as the last Blade of Galadriel references her several times. During the Blade of Galadriel DLC campaign, Galadriel projects herself to Eltariel numerous times over the course of the game's story to provide Eltariel with objectives and quests.

In popular culture

The name Galadriel has moved outside of Tolkien's work and into the wider world. Parents occasionally give it to their daughters. The Led Zeppelin songs Stairway to Heaven and The Battle of Evermore contain many references to Galadriel. The band Barclay James Harvest wrote a song entitled "Galadriel". Galadriel was the given name of the main character in the Katherine Paterson novel The Great Gilly Hopkins. The novel Panic describes a group of computer hackers known simply as "Galadriel Jones and the Elves". Since Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was released, the Elven names of Galadriel, Legolas, and Elrond have often been used by fans to name their characters.

Gallery

Voice dubbing actors

Foreign Language Voice dubbing artist
Spanish (Latin America) Gabriela Gómez (The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit)
Irina Índigo (The Lord of the Rings re-dubbing)
Verónica López Treviño (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies)
Spanish (Spain) Nuria Mediavilla
Portuguese (Brazil) (Television/DVD) Neuza Azevedo / Miriam Ficher (The Hobbit trilogy)
German Dörte Lyssewski
Italian (Italy) Cristiana Lionello
Japanese Tomoko Shiota
French (France) Déborah Perret
Polish Danuta Stenka (The Hobbit trilogy)
Czech Republic Simona Postlerová
Slovak Daniela Kuffelová (The Lord of the Rings)

Dagmar Sanitrová (The Hobbit)

Turkish Özden Ayyıldız

Trivia

  • Galadriel is the last child of Finarfin, and additionally, the last remaining grandchild of Finwë (with the possible exception of Maglor).
  • She is one of only four characters to appear in all six films of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, the other three being Gandalf, the Witch-king, and Sauron.

Translations

Foreign Language Translated name
Amharic ገላደልኤል
Arabic جلادريل
Armenian Գալադրիել
Belarusian Cyrillic Галадрыэль
Bengali গ্যালাড্রিয়েল
Bulgarian Cyrillic Галадриел
Burmese ဂလက်ဒရီးယယ်
Catalan Galàdriel
Chinese (Hong Kong) 凱蘭崔爾
Danish Galadriel ("Den strålende mø med det skinnende guirlandepandebånd")
Georgian გალადრიელი
Greek Γαλαδριελ
Gujarati ગૅલાડ્રિયેલ
Hebrew גלדריאל
Hindi ङलद्रिएल
Japanese ガラドリエル
Kannada ಗಲಾಡ್ರಿಯಲ್
Kazakh Галадриэль (Cyrillic) Galadrïél (Latin)
Korean 갈라드리엘
Kyrgyz Cyrillic Галадриэл
Macedonian Cyrillic Галадриел
Marathi गॅलाड्रीएल
Mongolian Cyrillic Галадриел
Nepalese गालाद्रियल
Russian Галадриэль
Pashto عالادریېل ?
Persian گالادریل
Polish Galadriela
Punjabi ਗਲਾਡ੍ਰੀਏਲ
Sanskrit ङलद्रिएल्
Serbian Галадријела (Cyrillic) Galadrijela (Latin)
Serbo-Croatian Galadrijela
Sinhalese ගලාද්‍රියෙල්
Slovak Alatáriel
Tajik Cyrillic Галадриел
Tamil கலத்ரிஎல்
Telugu గాలడ్రిల్
Thai กาลาเดรียล
Ukrainian Cyrillic Ґаладріель
Urdu گالدریل
Uzbek Галадриел (Cyrillic) Galadriyel (Latin)
Yiddish גאַלאַדריעל
Lady of Lothlórien
Preceded by
Amroth (As King of Lórien)
Galadriel Succeeded by
None, sailed to the Undying Lands
Mid-Third Age - September 29, 3021
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People: Faramir · Sauron · Witch-king of Angmar · Gollum · Elrond · Frodo Baggins · Samwise Gamgee · Meriadoc Brandybuck · Peregrin Took · Gandalf · Aragorn II · Legolas · Gimli · Boromir · Galadriel · Elves · Hobbits
Locations: Middle-earth · Gondor · Mordor · Rohan
Other: Mithril · Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game · The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings · Works inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien · The Lord of the Rings · The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) · Ainulindalë · Tolkien vs. Jackson · Tengwar · Quenya

References

  1. The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Four, Ch. V: "The Window on the West"
  2. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. X: Morgoth's Ring, The Annals of Aman
  3. 3.0 3.1 The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands), "The Third Age"
  4. Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, Part Three: The Third Age, I: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields, Appendix: "Númenórean Linear Measures"
  5. The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter V: "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"
  6. 6.0 6.1 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter IX: "Of the Flight of the Ñoldor"
  7. The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XIII: "Of the Return of the Ñoldor"
  8. The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XV: "Of the Ñoldor in Beleriand"
  9. The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXIV: "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
  10. 10.0 10.1 Unfinished Tales, Part Two, Chapter IV: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
  11. The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, The Grey Havens
  12. The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Four, Ch. V: "The Window on the West", pg. 667 (50th Anniversary One-Volume Edition)
  13. The Silmarillion: " From A Letter from J.R.R Tolkien to Milton Waldman, 1951" p3.
  14. The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Book Six, Chapter VI: "Many Partings"
  1. This passage is also mentioned in the Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"

Notes

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