Elros

Elros (First Age 525 – Second Age 442, aged 500 years) was born at the end of the First Age to Eärendil and Elwing. Elros was one of the Half-elven of Middle-earth who chose to become a mortal man, and was later crowned the first King of Númenor. Taking the Quenya name Tar-Minyatur ("High First-ruler") he reigned 410 years, from Second Age 32 to 442.

Elros Tar-Minyatur was Half-elven and he and his brother were given the choice to be Elves or Men. Elros chose to become one of the Edain (Elrond elected to remain an Elf). As a reward for the sufferings of the Edain against the dark forces of Morgoth, the Valar raised an island for them to dwell in, protected from the dangers of Middle-earth. Elros and the surviving Edain set sail over the Sea, and guided by the Star of Eärendil came to the great Isle of Elenna, westernmost of all Mortal lands. There they founded the realm of Númenor, also known as Westernesse. The Valar also granted Elros and his heirs substantially longer life-spans.

Etymology

Elros's name may mean "Elf of the Spray" based on a tale from his early childhood. Maedhros, one of the Sons of Fëanor, abducted Elros and his brother Elrond as retribution for Elwing's refusal to relinquish a Silmaril (see Oath of Fëanor). Maedhros later repented and left the children near a forest waterfall where they were found. Thus he was named "Elf of the Spray". In The Silmarillion, Christopher Tolkien interprets Elros as meaning "Star-foam".

Genealogy

                                 Eärendil = Elwing
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                      ELROS TAR-MINYATAUR            Elrond
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         ____________________|_________________
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Vardamir Nólimon   Tindómiel   Manwendil   Atanalcar
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Kings of Númenor

Preceded by: none

1st King of Númenor II 32 – 442

Followed by: Tar-Vardamir