The star shines upon the hour of our meeting, dear reader.
In my last post, I shared that I had formed a bond with our dear Elrond Peredhel. I also provided some analysis of his portrayal in Tolkien’s main novels, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and in The Rings of Power with the ever-talented writers and Rob Aramayo.
In this post, however, I’d like to get a little bit more personal (okay, a lot more) when I talk about this bond, how it formed, and why I feel the way I do.
Uncovering My Bond with Elrond Peredhel
We know Elrond deals with a significant amount of trauma in his long life. With this in mind, it may seem like I don’t have much in common with him. After all, I don’t have the same level of trauma associated with loss as Elrond. I still have both parents as well as my brother. In addition, I don’t see myself becoming a warrior in the future like he is on the path to, nor do I imagine I will end up leading a community like Imladris.
I do, however, consider myself both an avid reader and writer. I see this reflected in Elrond’s position as herald and his love of lore. See the incident with the Barrow-wights in season two, episode four “Eldest”.
I also identify with some of the exclusion Elrond Peredhel has faced with other elves, and his being a half-elf. I often find myself in a position where I’m watching my friends reach life milestones it feels like I’m incredibly far away from. It can sometimes feel like I’m being left behind. Unlike Elrond’s exclusion, this is by no means intentional, though I think it evokes a similar feeling.
Though Elrond and I may feel like we’re outsiders from one group (most elves), we both have a smaller, close-knit group (Durin IV and Galadriel). In the end, I think it’s a matter of finding our people.
On the subject of relationships, I can even connect with Elrond not having contact with Durin IV for a while. I can also sometimes be bad at keeping in touch with my friends. Not 20 years bad, but I digress.
At the end of the day, I have found there’s just something about Elrond and Robert’s portrayal of him.
It’s in many of his lines…
In his actions…
In his relationships…
In him.
Connecting with Elrond Peredhel’s Words and Actions
Dear reader, I will now unpack some of the specific lines and scenes from The Rings of Power involving Elrond Peredhel. I’ll talk about what they have made me feel and why they’re contributing to the bond being formed.
“I promise you, if but a whisper of a rumor of the threat you perceive proves true, I will not rest until it is put right.”
(The Rings of Power, S1E1 “A Shadow of the Past”)
If but a whisper of a rumour…this line and the delivery of it hit me in my core. I feel in my bones that Elrond is the friend who would do anything for his loved ones. It doesn’t matter what it is. He might be providing comfort, fighting his friend’s enemies…anything.
Yes, I know he struggled in season two with Galadriel, and isn’t all that happy with her. I also believe he has genuine concerns (some informed by his trauma) and ultimately wants to see her safe, and Sauron destroyed. He is still, despite the conflict at the beginning of season two, an incredibly loyal friend at his core. I definitely saw this poke through at the tail end of season 2.
I see myself in this aspect of Elrond. For instance, I have told friends they can call me in the middle of the night if they need me. It doesn’t matter why. They know they can ask me for favours and I’ll do my very best help them out. I haven’t had to join the fight to defeat Sauron for my friends, but I would. I really would.
Also – this is one of the many aspects of Elrond that makes me want him to be my friend. He is extremely comforting.
“Where there is love, it is never truly dark. How can it not grow in a home like yours?”
(The Rings of Power, S1E2 “Adrift”)
I know Elrond means this as Durin and Disa’s love is what helps the tree grow in Khazad-dûm, when I watch him onscreen in this moment, I’m struck with another idea. I see that love, in whatever form it takes (whether romantic, familial, friend, etc) can act as a light when someone is feeling lost in the dark. This is a lovely thought for me, given that I struggle with my mental health at times. I need the love that allows a tree to grow in the dark like Elrond is speaking about here. Of course, as soon as I typed this, I started thinking about the Light of Eӓrendil, so there’s that too.
“Elmendëa.”
(The Rings of Power, S1E2 “Adrift”)
Not only do I like the meaning of this word (“wonderful”), but I also love Robert’s delivery of this line, and the wonder on his face as he looks around Khazad-dûm. Of course, it also sounds lovely coming from him. It’s a fantastic word to say out loud too – feels good rolling off my tongue. This moment is one I have a harder time determining its impact on my bond with Elrond Peredhel – but it has one. I guess I have it chalk it up to the unexplainable part of things.
“Please forgive the unexpected nature of my visit, but I have nowhere else to turn.”
(The Rings of Power, S2E1 “Elven Kings Under The Sky”)
My heart hurts for Elrond in this moment. He clearly feels one of his closest friends (as well as his King, but I think his friend hurts more) cannot be trusted with the Rings, and he didn’t know who he could count on. While Círdan ultimately doesn’t destroy the Rings the way Elrond hoped, I love the relationship they have all the same. I love that Elrond gets to hear his dad would’ve been proud of him. Since his dad couldn’t have said this himself, I think this was the next best thing.
Incidentally, my mom told me she and my dad were both proud of me the other day. I almost cried. Moments like these in my life make this part of Elrond’s story hit me even deeper – something tells me that he and I are linked. Not the same, but similar enough to feel linked.
“You are a courtier. More suited to wielding a scroll than a sword.” “You’ve never seen me wield either.”
(The Rings of Power, S2E7 “Doomed to Die”)
This response to Adar…Elrond really is growing. He was incredibly calm, confident, and defiant. Well, he is confident enough that the elves could hold things off for a night. However, I do believe Elrond knew they couldn’t win alone and needed help. And who better to ask than his dear friend Durin IV?
Elrond is every inch the sword-wielding hero here. I would also like to add that I feel he is more than a hero – his experience as a courtier, a herald…I think it gives him the ability to be a politician on the battlefield and deftly conceal his plan from Adar. He even manages to pass Galadriel the pin that helps her escape.
Like many, the kiss startled me initially. However, I believe it was a brilliant plan – Adar definitely never thought Elrond would think of something like that, which increased the distraction in my opinion. Elrond is using his mind here, not just his sword (though I loved seeing that too). Of course, I do also appreciate Elrond believes he is saying goodbye to a dear friend in this moment, though he clearly wishes to give her even a slight chance of survival.
He is the kind of hero and strategist I’d want to be. Frankly, I probably would be a fair amount like this – I have seen interviews where Rob talks about Elrond not being experienced. Neither am I, but I believe that, like Elrond, I have tools I can use to my advantage despite the inexperience. Another thread to add to this bond.
“Durin will come.”
(The Rings of Power, S2E7 “Doomed to Die”)
I felt Elrond’s faith in his old friend rise and then fall as he kept repeating this line. Instead of the his faith staying strong, I begine to feel it mix with a rising grief that maybe his friend won’t come and he (Elrond) will not make it.
I share this faith in several of my friends, though thankfully I have yet to experience the level of grief and the feeling of abandonment Elrond is dealing with in this moment. My heart broke for him, and, instead of wanting him to comfort me, I felt the tables turn, and I wanted to comfort him. I wanted to shoulder some of his grief and make it better.
Crossing out words while writing a speech and mouthing along with the speech when Gil-galad is giving it.
(The Rings of Power, S1E1 “A Shadow of the Past”)
How could you not find Elrond mouthing along to the speech he wrote for Gil-galad endearing? He’s too cute here. I’d say he should stop, but also no, I don’t want him too.
It’s in these kind and endearing moments where I want to protect him from all the bad things in the world. But at the same time, as I’ve seen more of his story, I know he is more than capable of handling everything thrown his way.
Here, he is still in the background. He isn’t a hero, and the speech he writes, Gil-galad gets the credit for. Other elves will hail Gil-galad as a well-spoken and great king. While I believe Gil-galad is, I also Elrond deserves some of this admiration. He is showing intelligence here, and the seeds for what kind of leader he is going to be in the future (parts of which we are already seeing in season two).
This moment also stuck out as a contribution to the deep bond I have forged with Elrond because I also see myself reflected in him in this moment. I wouldn’t be able to hold back from mouthing along to a speech I wrote, either!
The Rite of Sigin-tarâg
(The Rings of Power, S1E2 “Adrift”)
I loved Elrond asking for this rite. I am of two minds; this is either an incredibly early indicator of his love of the lore or something his friend Durin IV told him about – or, perhaps, a mixture of both. In any case, I love this scene and the rite itself. You can see Elrond is trying incredibly hard, but you can also see the moment he realizes what winning would actually cost. He definitely laid his axe down on purpose even though he could have kept going. Elrond probably would have won too (sorry, Durin).
I think he knew the right thing to do, not only for getting Durin’s ear regarding what he came for, but also for starting to repair their friendship, was to put the axe down and let Durin win. Elrond, to steal a line from another of the show’s characters…he is good. He is directly appealing to Durin’s pride here and makes the correct choice in doing so. I don’t believe Durin would have heard Elrond out if he didn’t.
Elrond really knows his friends. I see this as more evidence that he would do anything for those he loves. As discussed, so would I.
Jumping off the cliff with the three Rings and the look/pain on his face when he does so.
(The Rings of Power, S2E1 “Elven Kings Under The Sky”)
I’m one of many who saw his action here reflecting his mother (Elwing) throwing herself into the sea with a Silmaril to prevent the Sons of Fëanor from taking it. She was successful, of course, and Eärendil, her husband and Elrond’s father, journeys with it across the sky. The Valar Ulmo transformed her into a great white bird for her efforts. If only Elrond were successful as well.
With the look of grief on his face as he looks down at the cliff drop, I believe he is not just thinking he has to get the Rings away to prevent more of Sauron’s corruption. I think he now understands more of the desperation his mother must have felt when she was forced to abandon him and his brother for the benefit of Middle Earth. After all, without these Rings, the elves will definitely fade and be forced to leave the shores of Middle Earth. Once again, my heart hurt for him and I just wanted to wrap my arms around him and give him the biggest hug I possibly could.
The Siege of Eregion
(The Rings of Power, S2E7 “Doomed to Die”)
I have mentioned the Siege a couple of times already, but I think Elrond during the Siege is a perfect example of showcasing how much he has grown from the season one premiere until now. You can see the determination, the heartbreak, the worry, the passion…you can see everything in his eyes and microexpressions.
Watching the siege scenes has only solidified the bond I appear to be forming with Elrond. He is the kind of hero I’d want to rescue me from ruins and heal my fëa. Quite frankly, I feel like I could really use the rescuing and healing he could provide sometimes. This might just be one of the strongest parts of the bond. Reflecting on it, I don’t think Elrond is just someone I’d want as my friend. He’s the type of person I need. Now excuse me, dear reader, because writing this out has made me tear up a little.
Scrolls Burning
(The Rings of Power, S2E8 “Shadow and Flame”)
When Elrond sees the Uruk going to burn the scrolls that contain all of that knowledge, that lore… He’s trying to protect the scrolls themselves, sure, but I think this is also a moment in which Elrond is trying to protect himself. Protect who he is. I know I have had moments where I feel like parts of me are in danger of falling and I must say goodbye to the past me. I think, when those scrolls burn, Elrond is not only watching the knowledge disappear, but also watching a part of who he is go as well. Once again, the grief in his eyes is palpable in this moment.
I know grief can play a role in helping us grow, it certainly has with me moving forward after the loss of loved ones or needing to go to a new stage of life. At the same time, watching it in Elrond’s eyes when the scrolls burn, I cannot help but wish he didn’t have to go through the sheer avalanche of grief to become who he will eventually be. But since I know he makes it…perhaps he is the strongest of us.
Putting on Nenya
(The Rings of Power, S2E8 “Shadow and Flame”)
What a journey Elrond has been on in season two. He went from complete distrust of the three Rings, wanting them destroyed, to putting Nenya on his finger and joining Gil-galad in saving a dear friend. He perhaps sees these three rings are free of Sauron’s influence – though we also know what is coming once the One is forged. But still, combined with the love for his friend, I think he’s starting to believe he won’t be corrupted. That said, I do believe there were still last vestiges of conflict in his eyes during that long shot where Rob is staring directly into the camera. Also – what a wonderfully intense shot. Kudos.
This is another moment in which I see how dedicated of a friend Elrond is. Once again, I found myself wishing he was my friend – or at least in my orbit. At the same time, I felt a flash of impending heartbreak and even more grief for Elrond. It required two Rings to heal Galadriel from her wound. In the future, his wife will find herself in a similarly intense situation – but he only has one of the Rings then. I cannot imagine the look of grief on his face in that moment.
How Could The Bond Not Form?
I said at the start that the kind of deep bond I’m talking about isn’t about a favourite character, one you see yourself in, or one you like the most. Instead, I described it as a thread tying you to a particular character and as something so difficult to explain.
All of this is true, but at the same time…
Elrond is all of the things I said this bond wasn’t about. However, there is a thread, metaphorical thought it may be, connecting me to him. And I have certainly found this bond difficult to explain.
There is simply something in Elrond Peredhel and how I know and see him now that has shot him from simply being one of my favourite characters in Tolkien’s Legendarium to being one of the few fictional characters I have ever formed this profound bond with – one that still leaves me at least a little speechless.
When I form a bond with fictional characters, like this one with Elrond, I know they bring comfort, healing, and can even make me a better person. How? Why? I don’t yet know, but I am grateful for it. It’s, well, elmendëa.
Dear Reader…
To you, I can only ask: have you formed a bond like this with a fictional character in Tolkien’s work or beyond? How would you attempt to describe it to someone else? Please share – I’d love to hear from you.
Leave a Reply