Gil-galad Book Profile

Surprisingly enough, not much is known about the life of Gil-galad. Even his parentage is somewhat uncertain (though it is now generally considered that his father was Orodreth, not Fingon as it states in ‘The Silmarillion’). His name meant ‘star of radiance’, and he was also known as Ereinion, the ‘descendant of kings’.

Gil-galad was born a little before the year 445 in the First Age. Just prior to the Dagor Bragollach, the fourth Battle of Beleriand, he was sent from his home to live with Círdan in the Isle of Balar. He stayed there for many years, until he eventually became High King of the Noldor after Turgon’s death in the Fall of Gondolin. For the rest of the First Age, he lived with the Exiles from the Hidden Kingdoms at the Mouths of Sirion.

In the Second Age, he lived in Lindon, the only part of Middle-earth to survive the breaking of Beleriand. Also living there was Elrond, to whom Gil-galad became close, and together they rejected Sauron when he came to Lindon, pretending friendship. Gil-galad’s power remained strong in the north of Middle-earth, even when the rest of the lands fell under the wiles of Sauron.

After the Downfall of Númenor, Elendil and his sons ended up in Lindon, and were befriended by Gil-galad and his people. Towards the end of the Second Age, they made a league called the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, both races united to challenge the power of Sauron.

The Alliance marched on Mordor, and laid siege to Sauron’s stronghold for seven years. During these battles, it was said that none could stand against Aeglos, Gil-galad’s spear. Sauron was eventually defeated, but both Gil-galad and Elendil died fighting against him.

by atalante_star