This Is What You Need To Know About Elendil Ahead Of 'The Rings Of Power'
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As Amazon Prime Video’s The Rings of Power series draws ever closer, we at Culture Slate are endeavoring to bring you primers on the major players of the end of the Second Age. Elendil is one of the most important figures of the whole Second Age as a leader and a warrior. In fact, his influence can be felt at the end of the Third Age during The Lord of the Rings. That’s why Elendil appeared in the prologue to The Fellowship of the Ring.
Elendil was born in Númenor towards the end of the Second Age in 3119. His father was Amandil, the last Lord of Andúnië and head of the Faithful, those who maintained their loyalty to the Valar. The king of Númenor and the king’s advisor, Sauron, were Elendil’s enemies. The king and Sauron had abandoned the Valar and were planning on sailing west to wage war on the Undying Lands and claim immortality for themselves. Amandil foresaw the coming destruction of Númenor. He told his son to sail east with the rest of the Faithful to continue the Númenórean line in Middle-earth.
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Elendil and the Faithful fled Númenor in nine ships. When Númenor sank, the sea was so tumultuous that the ships got separated from each other. Elendil landed northwest of Middle-earth while his sons, Isildur and Anárion, landed further south. Upon landing, Elendil declared, “Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.” (“Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.”)
The two landing sites became the two kingdoms of the Númenórean in Middle-earth, Arnor to the north and Gondor to the South. Elendil became the High King of both realms. The Faithful had brought with them two things of great importance. There were the palantíri or seeing stones, which were used for communication between the kingdoms. The palantíri would lead to to corruption of Saruman during the events of The Lord of the Rings. The Faiful also brought a seedling from the White Tree of Númenor, which would become a symbol of the kingdom of Gondor.
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The two kingdoms prospered under Elendil. However, Sauron’s strength grew in Mordor, just to the East of Gondor. In 3429, Sauron attacked. Elendil formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men with the Elvish High King Gil-galad against Sauron. The war lasted until 3441. At the end, Sauron himself came out to fight. He fought Gil-galad and Elendil. Together they defeated Sauron, but they were killed in the fight. Elendil’s sword, Narsil, broke when he died. Elendil’s son, Isildur, used a piece of Narsil to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand, bringing the Second Age to an end.
Elendil’s legacy continued throughout the Third Age and the War of the Ring, which was depicted in The Lord of the Rings. Aragorn was a direct descendant of Elendil. Aragorn reforged Narsil and used Elendil’s name as a battle cry. He also recited Elendil’s pledge upon being crowned king.
Image Source: Nerdist
Elendil was the pivotal figure at the end of the Second Age. He saved the faithful Númenóreans from destruction, founded the twin kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, and defeated Sauron. Since The Rings of Power is set at the end of the Second Age, Elendil is bound to have a larger role in the series.
The Rings of Power premieres with its first two episodes on Amazon Prime Video on September 1 at 6 PM PST/ 9 PM EST or September 2 at 2 AM BST/ 11 AM AEST.
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