"In my experience, it is unwise to live one’s life guessing after signs and portents."
Elendil to Míriel.
Elendil is one of the main characters of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He is a captain in Númenor's sea guard, and father of Isildur, Anárion and Eärien. Elendil is portrayed by Lloyd Owen, first appearing in the episode "Adar".
Official Description[]
As the Captain of a Númenórean guardship, Elendil is most at peace when he is at sea. A widower, his children are now fully grown and starting the next chapters of their lives, sending Elendil’s own life into uncharted waters.
History[]
Early Years[]
Elendil was born to a human family who cared for the Elves despite the divide the species. His name translated to "one with the stars" and "Elf-friend". Despite his peoples detestable nature toward Elves and the Elven world, Elendil studied at the Hall of Lore and became fluent in Quenya, the language of the Elves. He later became a highly esteemed Captain of the Númenórean guardship. He had three children - Isildur, Anárion and Eärien, whom he expected to follow in his footsteps by becoming respectable members of society. He is also a widower, having lost his wife in the years past.[1]
Time with Galadriel[]
While sailing the Sundering Seas, Elendil and his ship came across two stranded survivors, Galadriel and Halbrand.[2] He took them aboard and gave them time to rest, water, and food. When they both awakened, he recognized Galadriel as an Eldar Elf. Elendil brought them to Númenor to stand before the Queen Regent Míriel. The Queen Regent did not take kindly to an Elf on her land, and reprimanded Elendil for his actions. He argued as he couldn't leave her there to die. She punished him by making him follow Galadriel, essentially promoting Elendil to Post Captain. He and Galadriel quickly became allies as he revealed he could speak Elvish and brought her to the Hall of Lore, where she realized matters with Sauron were worse than she imagined. She believed his new target were the defenseless people of the Southlands, and knew from Halbrand that Orcs had been spotted on the lands.[1]
Elendil also tried to reconnect with his son Isildur, who faced difficulties in the upcoming Sea Trial to become a member of the Sea Guard. He wanted to defer for a year which angered Elendil, as he wanted his son to face a more certain future. His daughter Eärien was accepted to the Builders Guild after Isildur encouraged her to reapply, and both revelations excited Elendil.[1]
Míriel decided Galadriel must leave Númenor as she feared the Elf's presence signaled the fall of the White Tree. She turned away Galadriel's plea to help the people of the Southlands. Elendil escorted Galadriel to a ship and, as she sailed away, a breeze passed over Númenor, and the petals of the White Tree fell. Míriel and Elendil shared a stunned look before he glanced back at Galadriel. Míriel changed her course and granted Galadriel the army she needed to save the Southlands. She would not command or invite her people to any danger she wouldn't face herself. As such, she announced she would escort Galadriel back to Middle-earth to aid their mortal brethren in the Southlands. Their ships would depart in ten days. Elendil read a call to arms for the people of Númenor that asked who would commit to their Queen-Regent's protection. After several moments of silence, Valandil volunteered, followed by Ontamo, Isildur, and dozens of others.[3]
Elendil refused to grant Isildur passage on the ship as his son hadn't earned it, nor did he have any exemplary skills that set him apart from the Guild members. While he would be proud to have his son serve, it was Isildur's choices that were already made. Elendil spent the remainder of the day attempting to train the volunteered soldiers. Galadriel joined him and they spoke in Elvish. Elendil invited her to teach them how to defeat an Orc. She decreed that anyone who could land a blow on her would be promoted to lieutenant, and Elendil watched in amusement as his soldiers fought Galadriel. Valandil was ultimately promoted.[4]
That evening, during the feast, one of the war ships exploded. Elendil rushed to the shore where he was shocked to see Isildur and Kemen. He pulled his son to safety and Isildur explained that he saw the explosion and saved Kemen, who was on fishing boat when a cask went up. The incident briefly gave Míriel pause on whether or not to deploy her people, though Halbrand's reaffirmed dedication to the cause quelled her fears. In the morning, the Númenórean ships departed with Elendil as captain and Isildur a stable boy.[4]
Desolation of the Southlands[]
Elendil and his crew arrive in the village of Tirharad where they battle Orcs and Adar who pillage the village. Halbrand saved Elendil from an Orc just as Isildur arrived to check on his father, who assured his safety. The Númenórean's and Southlanders defeated the Orcs and captured Adar.[5]
After the battle for Tirharad, Isildur tried to quell an uneasy Berek. Elendil spoke to the horse in a foreign language, which soothed him instantly. It wasn't Berek's pain that bothered the horse, but Isildur's, as the horse knew its owners emotions. Elendil learned the knowledge from Isildur's mother, and agreed to teach Isildur the knowledge with time. He embraced his son until a rumble in the distance caught their attention and the fire mountain of Orodruin erupted. Elendil raced into the village to save the Queen Regent.[5]
The surviving Southlanders and Númenóreans made for the rendezvous point. Elendil watched the survivors as he searched for his son. He saw Berek being led by someone who wasn't Isildur. The people spot Queen Regent Míriel who was led by Valandil. They tearfully told Elendil of Isildur's demise. As the group continued on, Elendil realized the Queen Regent had been blinded in the eruption.[6]
Once at the meeting point, Elendil tried to bring Berek onto the ships, but the horse refused. He realized with much pain that the horse would never cooperate, so he freed Berek. He and Míriel prepared to sail when Galadriel arrived at the ridge. She blamed herself for the events of the day, and Elendil coldly reminded Míriel their ships waited. He wanted to put the land behind them. Míriel made her intention to continue the battle clear as she vowed Númenor would return. Elendil turned away to cry.[6]
Their ship crossed the Sundering Seas, and Elendil visited Míriel in her quarters. He commended her progress, but she didn't want his patronizing ways. She understood his loss and if he wished to take a leave of duty when they returned. He mentioned how she once asked him why he pulled Galadriel from the sea. He claimed to have little choice, but he could have left her there, refused to follow her to Middle-earth, or stopped his son from going. He made the choices he did because "Elendil" does not only mean "one who loves the stars." He never imagined it would lead him here. Her father once told her that the way of The Faithful is committing to pay the price even if the cost isn't known, and trusting it will be worth it in the end. They both understood the cost and would make sure the end was worth it. On the upper-deck, Elendil saw the black sails hung around the island, which indicated the death of their King.[7]