Celebrimbor

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Celebrimbor
Noldo
Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif
Biographical Information
Other namesTelperinquar (Q, fn)
TitlesLord of Eregion
LocationNargothrond; Eregion
AffiliationGwaith-i-Mírdain
LanguageQuenya and Sindarin
BirthDuring the First Age
DeathS.A. 1697 (aged 2287+)
War of the Elves and Sauron: Ost-in-Edhil
Family
HouseHouse of Fëanor
ParentageCurufin
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Celebrimbor

Celebrimbor (S, pron. [ˌkeleˈbrimbor]) was the son of Curufin, fifth son of Fëanor. Aside from his grandfather, Celebrimbor was the greatest craftsman in the history of Middle-earth, and his forging of the Rings of Power led to the dominion and eventual downfall of Sauron in the War of the Ring.

History

Early Life

Celebrimbor

The early years of Celebrimbor are not known, nor whether he was born in Valinor (and followed his grandfather into exile) or in Middle-earth.[1]. His mother is unnamed.

He probably fled to Nargothrond after the Dagor Bragollach. However, he took no part in the deeds of Curufin and Celegorm regarding Lúthien, Beren, and Finrod. He even repudiated his father's deeds and did not follow him when the two brothers were cast out from Nargothrond by Orodreth.

After the sack of Nargothrond, Celebrimbor lived for a time in Gondolin, where he was great jewel smith for King Turgon. He may have created the Elessar of Eärendil, though other accounts name Enerdhil as the Master Jewelsmith and creator of the Elfstone, who perhaps taught Celebrimbor this art.[2]

A legend says that during the Second Age Celebrimbor was in love with Galadriel who was pained at the state of Middle-earth. Celebrimbor remade another version of the Elessar as her behest, with less power than the original.[2]

During the Second Age, he was lord of the elves of Ost-in-Edhil in Eregion. He was also the head of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, a guild of elven craftsmen. Their skill was so renowned that they gained the admiration and friendship of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. Together with the dwarf Narvi, Celebrimbor crafted the Doors of Durin that guarded the West-gate of the Dwarven kingdom.[3]

The Rings of Power

Around S.A. 1200[4] a Maia craftsman called Annatar (the "Lord of Gifts") arrived at Ost-in-Edhil as an emissary of the Valar, offering his knowledge to the Gwaith-i-Mírdain. This was Sauron, who had come to subvert the elves.

Under the guidance and instruction of Annatar, Celebrimbor and the Gwaith-i-Mírdain made several lesser and 16 more powerful rings. A legend says that Celebrimbor gave one of those rings to King Durin III who reigned in Khazad-dûm[5]

Based on knowledge gained from Annatar, Celebrimbor also created by himself Three Rings, the greatest and fairest of the Rings of Power. These rings were thus free of Sauron's corrupting influence, for only Celebrimbor himself touched them. Celebrimbor named the rings Vilya, Narya, and Nenya after the principal Middle-earth elements of air, fire, and water, respectively.

Around S.A. 1600, Sauron secretly forged the One Ring in Orodruin, which would enable him to rule Middle-earth by claiming dominance over all the Rings of Power and their bearers. Celebrimbor and the Elves felt betrayed when they wore the Rings and defied Sauron by withholding the other rings from him. He had already sent the three rings away for safekeeping: Vilya and Narya to Gil-galad in Lindon, and Nenya to Galadriel in Lothlórien. He then prepared for war.

Fight against Sauron and death

Sauron retaliated by attacking Eregion in S.A. 1695, laying waste to the realm. Celebrimbor was captured in the Sack of Eregion, and was forced under torture to disclose where the sixteen were held, but he would not reveal the whereabouts of the three elvish rings. Sauron captured the other rings and used them as instruments of evil in later years, particularly against Men.

Death of Celebrimbor by Abe Papakhian

Celebrimbor died from his torment in S.A. 1697,[4] the last direct descendant of the line of Fëanor. His body, shot with arrows, was hung upon a pole and carried by the forces of Sauron as a banner as they assaulted the Elves.[6]

Etymology

The name Celebrimbor is the Sindarin translation of his Quenya father-name Telperinquar (pron. [ˌtelpeˈriŋʷkʷar]). His mother-name is unknown. Celebrimbor consists of celebrin ("silver-like") + baur ("fist").[7]

Renowned Works

Genealogy

Names shown in italics are females.

Mahtan
 
Míriel
 
Finwë
 
Indis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nerdanel
 
 
 
Fëanor
 
Findis
 
Fingolfin
 
Írimë
 
Finarfin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maedhros
 
Maglor
 
Celegorm
 
Caranthir
 
Curufin
 
Amrod
 
Amras
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CELEBRIMBOR
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See Also

References