Birth: Circa 1362 of the Years of the Trees
Arrived in Middle-Earth: Year 1 of the First Age Left Middle-Earth: September 29, 3021 of the Third Age Race: Elves Culture: Noldor Height: 6 feet, 4 inches Hair Color: Golden blonde Eye Color: Unknown Skin Color: White Father: Finarfin Mother: Earwen Siblings: 4 brothers-Finrod, Orodreth, Angrod, Aegnor Spouse: Celeborn Children: 1 daughter - Celebrian Ring: Nenya Residences: Undying Lands; Doriath; Eregion; Lothlorien |
Biography
Galadriel was the Lady of Lothlorien, also called the Lady of the Golden Wood and the Lady of Light. She was also the wife of Celeborn. Galadriel was a Noldrin Elf who was born in the Undying Lands in far western Arda. Though Galadriel had originally defied the Valar by coming to Middle-Earth to find the Silmarils that had been taken from her people by Morgoth, she redeemed herself in the Third Age when she rejected the One Ring and she was allowed to return to the Undying Lands by permission of the Valar.
Galadriel was born in circa 1362 of the Years of the Trees. She was the daughter of Finarfin and Earwen. Finarfin's father Finwe had led a group of Elves from Middle-Earth to the Undying Lands at the very beginning of the Years of the Trees, and Earwen's father Olwe had led another group of Elves to take the Great Journey from Middle-Earth to the Undying Lands. Finwe's people became known as the Noldor, while Olwe's people became the Teleri. Both of these groups of Elves became great western cultures that would eventually return to Middle-Earth. This means that Galadriel was of both Noldorin and Telerin origin, making her extremely powerful. Galadriel had four brothers: Finrod, Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor. Her family lived in the Undying Lands for a time in the Years of the Trees. Galadriel was called "Artanis" by her father and "Nerwen" by her mother. Galadriel grew a remarkably tall height of six feet, four inches. She was quite beautiful, though she was also widely known for her physical strength. Galadriel had beautiful golden hair that shined from the light of the Two Trees of Valinor: Telperion and Laurelin. According to one story, Galadriel's uncle Feanor had asked her for strands of her golden hair, but she had refused to cut any strands of hair from her golden head.
Galadriel became one of the wisest and most powerful Noldorin Elves to ever exist. Not only did she have the blood of two great Elven cultures, but she also was the niece of the great and powerful Feanor, who had created the Silmarils from the light of the Two Trees. When still living in the Undying Lands, Galadriel learned much knowledge from Yavanna, the Vala of growing things, and Aule, the master of craft who had originally created the world itself.
At some point in the late Years of the Trees, the evil Maiar Morgoth killed Galadriel's grandfather Finwe and stole Feanor's Silmarils. Morgoth then retreated east to Middle-Earth across the Sea. Feonor swore the Oath of Feanor, swearing that he would retrieve the Silmarils, even if it cost him his life. Feanor's sons and close supporters also swore the Oath of Feanor. Though Galadriel herself did not swear any oath, she joined the quest to cross the Sea to Middle-Earth to find the Silmarils because she wanted to explore new lands and she greatly desired the rule of a kingdom of her own.
At some late point in the Years of the Trees, Feanor and his Noldorin followers arrived in Alqualonde, a settlement of the Teleri on the eastern coast of the Undying Lands. Feanor expected the Teleri to give him ships so he could pass over the Sea. The Teleri, led by Galadriel's grandfather Olwe, denied Feanor permission to use their ships. Feanor and his supporters massacred many of the Teleri and took the ships by force. Galadriel was not involved in the massacre of her grandfather's people, though it is known that she was present at the time. It may be that Galadriel tried unsuccessfully to convince her uncle to spare the Teleri, though if this was the case it did not work.
After the first of the Kinslayings, the Vala Mandos appeared and told Feanor that if he were to continue on the quest, he would defy the wishes of the Valar, and would thus be banished from the Undying Lands forever. The Valar foresaw many more deaths amounting from this quest, and they felt that the slaying of many Teleri was unnecessary. The Valar foresaw many hardships awaiting the Elves in Middle-Earth, and they also foresaw that the Elves would grow weary there and would eventually wish to return to the Undying Lands. Galadriel's father Finarfin sought the pardon of the Valar, and he stayed and was made King of the Noldor in the Undying Lands. But Galadriel and all of her brothers sought new opportunities in Middle-Earth, and they thus defied the wishes of the Valar and fell under the Doom of Mandos by following Feanor to Middle-Earth.
The Teleri did not have enough ships to carry all of the Noldor over the Sea to Middle-Earth. Feanor betray many of his followers by taking the ships for himself and his sons and closest followers. Feanor deemed the rest of the Noldor disloyal to him and left them behind in Alqualonde. Galadriel and her brothers and her uncle Fingolfin were all among the people left behind by Feanor. But they were all determined to reach Middle-Earth, and Galadriel was determined to one day rule her own realm. The only other way to reach Middle-Earth was to travel over Helcaraxe, the Grinding Ice, which formed a natural means of crossing the Sea in the far North. Galadriel, Finarfin, and Finrod led their people over the Grinding Ice into far northern Middle-Earth. The journey was dangerous and difficult and many Elves died along the way. The Elves who survived arrived in Middle-Earth with renewed strength and health. Galadriel, Finrod, and Finarfin were all among the survivors. They arrived in Beleriand in far northwestern Middle-Earth in the first year of the First Age.
Circa 52 of the First Age, Galadriel and her people arrived in Doriath, a hidden settlement in northwestern Beleriand. Doriath was inhabited by Sindarin Elves. Their people were led by King Thingol and his wife Melian and their daughter Luthien Tinuviel. Galadriel fell in love with the Prince of Doriath, a Sindarin Elf named Celeborn. Galadriel and Celeborn were married sometime after Galadriel's people arrived in Doriath. Galadriel and Celeborn mostly remained in Doriath during the First Age, though Galadriel occasionally visited her brother Finrod in his realm of Nargothrond.
Galadriel learned much from Melian, the Queen of Doriath. Melian was not an Elf, but a Maiar who had decided to remain in Middle-Earth rather then passing over the Sea into the Undying Lands like most of her people. Melian told Galadriel much of the history and lore of Middle-Earth. Galadriel told Melian of the quest to retrieve the Silmarils, though she did not mention the Kinslaying or the Doom of Mandos or Feanor's betrayal of his people and of the Valar. Thingol discovered these from Galadriel's brother Angrod. Thingol was enraged and banished Galadriel's brothers from Doriath, though Galadriel was allowed to stay. What Thingol did not know, or at least refused to believe, was that Galadriel's brothers did not participate in the Kinslaying.
All four of Galadriel's brothers were killed during the War of the Jewels between the Elves and Morgoth that went on throughout the First Age. Angrod and Aegnor were both killed during the Battle of Sudden Flame in 465. Finrod accompanied Beren on his quest to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's Iron Crown, but they were captured by Sauron and Finrod was tortured and killed in Sauron's dungeon in 465. Orodreth became King of Nargothrond, but he was killed defending it during an attack known as the Battle of Tumhalad in 495.
According to one source, Galadriel and Celeborn left Beleriand and crossed the Blue Mountains into Eriador before the downfall of Nargothrond in 495. According to a conflicting source, Galadriel and Celeborn remained in Beleriand at least until the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age.
Dwarves killed Thingol in circa 502 of the First Age because they wanted his necklace, the Nauglamir, which Thingol had previously summoned them to place one of the Silmarils into. Galadriel began to distrust Dwarves at this time. However, Dwarves and Elves worked together with men and Valar in the War of Wrath, the war that ended the First Age. Their enemy Morgoth was defeated and banished from the world. Many Elves departed Middle-Earth after the war because Beleriand was destroyed, and they saw no alternative than sailing across the Sea to the Undying Lands. Many of the Noldor who had defied the Valar to find the Silmarils were pardoned by the Valar and were permitted to return to the Undying Lands. But Galadriel settled in Middle-Earth. It is believed that she and her husband lived for a time in Lindon, a region in northwestern Middle-Earth inhabited by the remnants of the Elves of Beleriand who had remained in Middle-Earth. Galadriel and Celeborn may have lived in Harlindon, an area of Lindon south of the Gulf of Lune that was inhabited predominately by Sindarin Elves. It is possible that Celeborn ruled Harlindon under Gil-galad, who acted as High King of the Elves of Lindon.
At some point, Galadriel and Celeborn had a daughter named Celebrian, who would later marry Elrond of Rivendell. According to an earlier version of the legendarium, Galadriel and Celeborn also had a son named Amroth who became King of Lothlorien, but this idea was apparently abandoned in favor of Amroth being the son of Amdir.
In the early to mid-Second Age, Galadriel and Celeborn are believed to have left Lindon in the company of several Elves including Noldor, Sindar, and Green-elves, and they are believed to have journeyed eastward into Eriador. It is also believed that they dwelt at the shores of Lake Evendim for a time. Circa 700 of the Second Age, Galadriel sensed an evil presence in eastern Middle-Earth that she felt it was her duty to oppose. She did not know at this time that the evil presence was Sauron.
In 750, Eregion was founded in a region west of the Misty Mountains. Eregion was thought to be a safe-haven for the Elves of Middle-Earth, including both Noldor and Sindar. It is possible that Galadriel and Celeborn may have dwelt in Eregion for a time. Eregion was also inhabited by Elven-smiths such as Celebrimbor. Because of its close proximity to the Misty Mountains, the Elves of Eregion did dealings with the Dwarves of Khazad-dum. Celeborn did not trust Dwarves, so he did not ever venture near Khazad-dum, though the Dwarves there were of Durin's Line and were genuinely friendly with the Elves, and Durin's Folks' ancestors had nothing to do with Thingol's death or Doriath's downfall. Galadriel is not known to have interacted with the Dwarves at this time, though it is believed that she did cross over the Misty Mountains to Lothlorien on occasion.
The Elves of Eregion also did dealings with the Elves of Lothlorien who lived on the opposite side of the Misty Mountains. According to one story, Galadriel went to live in Lothlorien circa 1400 while Celeborn stayed in Eregion. A conflicting source says that both Galadriel and Celeborn remained in Eregion. Nevertheless, Galadriel became familiar with the woods of Lothlorien and with its inhabitants the Green-elves, who had long ago decided not to take the Great Journey over Sea and into the Undying Lands.
In 1200, Sauron arrived in Eregion in fair form and gained admittance from Elven-smiths who trusted him. In 1500, he deceived the Elves into forging the Rings of Power. He helped them forge the Seven Rings of the Dwarves and the Nine Rings of Men. Elven-smiths created the Three Rings of the Elves without Sauron's help. Circa 1600, Sauron created the One Ring to rule them all from the fires of Mount Doom in his realm of Mordor. In 1693, Celebrimbor, realizing he had been deceived, consulted Galadriel about what was to become of the Three Rings. Celebrimbor and his Elven-smiths could not conceivably destroy their own Rings, for they were too powerful. Galadriel advised Celebrimbor to keep the Rings hidden and never to use them as long as Sauron possessed the One Ring. The Three Rings were distrubted amongst great and powerful Elves. Galadriel was given Nenya, the Ring of Water.
When he discovered the existence of the Three Rings, Sauron attacked Eregion in 1697. Celeborn led a small army out of Eregion to meet the vanguard of Sauron's massive force, but Celeborn was outnumbered. He was able to hold Sauron's forces back until Elrond arrived with reinforcements from Lindon. Sauron's forces defeated the combined forces of Elrond and Celeborn and the realm of Eregion fell. Celebrimbor was slain and Sauron retrieved all of the Nine Rings and six of the Seven Rings. The seventh Ring of the Dwarves was kept hidden by Durin III. Sauron could not be driven out of northwestern Middle-Earth until 1701, when he retreated to Mordor.
Galadriel and Celeborn's actions prior to the end of the Second Age are not known. They may have visited Lothlorien for a time, but they did not come to rule there because the King of Lothlorien at the time was Amdir, who was killed in the War of the Last Alliance in 3434. Galadriel and Celeborn may have also visited Rivendell, where Elrond lived. It may be true that Celeborn and Galadriel went to live in Belfalas by the Sea. It is unknown if Galadriel and Celeborn were affected by the arrival of Numenoreans in Middle-Earth, and it is also unknown if they participated in the War of the Last Alliance in any way.
Galadriel's daughter Celebrian married Elrond in 109 of the Third Age. In 130, Celebrian had twin sons named Elladan and Elrohir. In 241, Celebrian and Elrond had a daughter named Arwen.
Circa 1000, five wizards arrived in Middle-Earth. These wizards were great wise powers out of the Far West who would help the peoples of Middle-Earth oppose Sauron.
Circa 1050, Sauron constructed the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood across the Anduin from Lothlorien. Galadriel and Celeborn feared that this evil presence may have been Sauron, though they did not know it at the time. It is possible that they visited Lothlorien to guarantee safety there. However, Galadriel and Celeborn did not come to rule Lothlorien then, it remained the kingdom of Amroth.
In 1980, a Balrog awoke in Khazad-dum and wreaked havoc for the Dwarves living there. Elves were also affected, and many, including Amroth's lover Nimrodel, fled Lothlorien. Amroth followed Nimrodel, and they agreed to pass over the Sea to the Undying Lands and be married. But Nimrodel became lost in the White Mountains and Amroth drowned when he jumped off a ship to try and go back for her. Galadriel and Celeborn thus became Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood of Lothlorien. They lived on a flet in Caras Galadhon, the city of the Elves in Lothlorien. It is said that Galadriel was the Elf who planted the great mallorn trees, and they flourished under her care.
Galadriel kept a magnificent garden at the base of the mallorn trees. Galadriel's garden contained the Mirror of Galadriel, a silver basin of water. The mirror was apparently magic and showed the looker the past, the present, and possible or anticipated futures.
In 2060, the wisest of Elves and wizards began suspect that the evil presence in Dol Guldur was indeed Sauron. Though he had been defeated in the War of the Last Alliance, the One Ring was not destroyed so Sauron's spirit lived on. In 2063, Gandalf went Dol Guldur to investigate the evil there but Sauron fled and for centuries there was a Watchful Peace in Middle-Earth.
In 2460, Sauron returned to Dol Guldur. Galadriel summoned the wisest of the wise in 2463 and the White Council was formed out of the wisest of Elves and wizards. Galadriel asked Gandalf to be the leader of the White Council, but he refused and Saruman was chosen instead.
Celebrian often visited her parents in Lothlorien from her home in Rivendell. In 2509, Celebrian was traveling over the Misty Mountains via the Redhorn Gate to visit her parents in Lothlorien when she was attacked and captured by Orcs. She was tortured and wounded, but her sons rescued her before she was killed. Celebrian's physical wounds were healed by Elrond when she returned to Rivendell, but she had been emotionally hurt and she decided to go to the Undying Lands.
In 2510, Eorl the Young was leading Eotheod riders to aid Gondor in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. As they moved southward and neared Mirkwood, a dark shadow came from Dol Guldur. It may have killed Eorl and his riders, but a white mist then came from Lothlorien and covered the riders, easing their journey southward. It is widely believed that Galadriel sent the mist to save Eorl.
In 2851, Gandalf summoned a meeting of the White Council. He believed that the evil presence in Dol Guldur was Sauron, and he encouraged the White Council to attack Dol Guldur. But Saruman assured the Council that the One Ring had flowed down the Anduin into the Sea, and Sauron would be powerless without it. The Council agreed to wait.
In 2941, the White Council met again. This time, Saruman agreed to attack Dol Guldur because he wanted to weaken Sauron. But Saruman did not want to weaken Sauron for the same reason that the other members of the Council did. Saruman wanted to find the One Ring for himself, and he wanted to eliminate Sauron and replace him as ruler of Middle-Earth, even though Sauron was much hated and feared and did not yet rule Middle-Earth, nor would he ever come to do so.
The White Council drove Sauron out of Dol Guldur. In fact, it was the devices of Saruman that forced Sauron to evacuate. Sauron had secretly been prepared for the attack, and he fled to his own realm of Mordor. Sauron sent several Nazgul including Khamul to haunt the fortress of Dol Guldur. In 2953, the Council met for one last time.
Galadriel came to realize her significance and the significance of her Ring, Nenya. She used Nenya to guard her people and to protect Lothlorien. Galadriel could communicate telepathically, and she was able to read the thoughts and plans of Sauron, particularly concerning the Elves. Sauron was very powerful as well, but he could not read Galadriel's thoughts like she could read his.
In December of 3018, Elladan and Elrohir came to Lothlorien with news of the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The Ring-bearer was Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit who had been given the Ring by his cousin Bilbo. Frodo was accompanied by eight companions including Aragorn, who was betrothed to Galadriel's granddaughter Arwen. By the time the fellowship reach Lothlorien, Frodo only had seven companions because Gandalf had fallen into the abyss beneath the Bridge of Khazad-dum and was thought to be dead.
The Fellowship arrived in Lothlorien on January 15, 3019. On January 17, Haldir brought them before Galadriel and Celeborn. Galadriel and Celeborn welcomed Gimli the Dwarf as a friend, hoping to make an ally out of the Dwarves. But then he learned of Balin's expedition to reclaim Moria which awoke the Balrog again, and he was angry because the Balrog was thought to have killed Gandalf. Galadriel calmed her husband and Celeborn apologized to Gimli for his behavior. Galadriel, too, apologized to Gimli, and she spoke words in Khuzdul, the language of the Dwarves. Gimli was enchanted by Galadriel's elegance, kindness, and beauty.
Galadriel then tested the strength, skill, and courage of each (remaining) member of the Fellowship. She gazed into each of their eyes, and she would look for important traits. In Frodo, she saw wisdom and courage. Galadriel let Frodo look into her mirror. Frodo saw the Eye of Sauron, and Galadriel knew this because she too often saw the Eye of Sauron when looking into her mirror. Galadriel understood the burden that had been put upon Frodo because she too bore a Ring of Power. Galadriel told Frodo that if the One Ring were to be destroyed, all that had been created by the Three Rings would also fade. But Galadriel was willing to except this as long as it meant the utter downfall of Sauron.
Frodo then offered Galadriel the One Ring. Galadriel was greatly tempted to take it, for one of her secret desires was to replace Sauron as Lord of the Earth, but, rather than being feared, she wanted to be loved. Rather than being a dark lord, Galadriel hoped to be Queen of all Earth who would be greatly respected and who would use the Ring for good. But Galadriel declined Frodo's offer, realizing that her many millennia in Middle-Earth were coming to a close, and it was perhaps time that she passed over the Sea into the Undying Lands.
On February 15, Celeborn gave the Fellowship small boats to sail upon down the Anduin River, and he helped the Fellowship navigate the river. On February 16, Galadriel and Celeborn prepared a farewell feast for the Fellowship in which Galadriel gave each member of the Fellowship a mighty gift. To Aragorn, Galadriel gave a green stone known as the Elessar, which had been given to her by Arwen. Arwen meant for the Elessar to be given to Aragorn. To Sam Gamgee, Galadriel gave the seeds of a mallorn tree and earth from her garden. Merry and Pippin both received silver belts. Boromir received a golden belt, and Legolas received a Galadhrim bow. To Frodo, Galadriel gave a phial which shined with the light of Earendil, which also contained the light of one of the Silmarils. When she had gifted all of the Fellowship but Gimli, Galadriel asked Gimli what a Dwarf would ask of the Elves. Gimli at first denied that he wanted anything but to look upon the fair face of Galadriel. But then he requested a strand of golden hair from Galadriel's head. Galadriel cut three strands of hair for Gimli. Many millennia before Galadriel had denied her uncle Feanor locks from her hair, so it was quite an honor for Gimli to receive such a gift.
To bid the Fellowship farewell, Galadriel sang them a song. She sang to the Valar, and she prayed that they would allow Frodo to settle in the Undying Lands once his quest was completed. They apparently answered her prayers because Frodo eventually did settle in the Undying Lands.
Though Gandalf had died, Galadriel suspected that he may return into the world. She told Gwaihir the Windlord to watch out for him in the Misty Mountains. Gandalf the Grey died, but he was allowed back into the world by Eru. Gandalf returned to life as Gandalf the White. Gandalf was found on the peak of Silvertine by Gwaihir, and Gwaihir brought Gandalf to Lothlorien. Gandalf was clothed in white robes, and he replaced traitorous Saruman as head of the Order of Wizards.
On March 11, 15, and 22, the forces of Dol Guldur attacked Lothlorien. Celeborn successfully defeated them all three times, and he even led a force across the Anduin to take Dol Guldur on March 28. Any remaining evil there was driven out of Mirkwood.
Galadriel and her husband accompanied Arwen to Minas Tirith, where she and Aragorn, now Aragorn, King Elessar of Gondor and Arnor, were married. Galadriel and Celeborn then journeyed to Rohan to attend the funeral of King Theoden. They returned to Lothlorien before visiting Treebeard in Isengard.
In 3021, Galadriel met Frodo and his companions in the Woody End in the Shire. From there, they would ride together to the Sea, in an event known as the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings. Celeborn accompanied his wife to the Grey Havens. He himself did not yet pass over the Sea to the Undying Lands, but Galadriel did along with Gandalf, Elrond, and the other Ring-bearers. Celeborn bid his wife farewell and returned to Lothlorien. He did not long remain in Middle-Earth, and eventually grew weary and passed over the Sea himself to be reunited with his wife.
Galadriel was born in circa 1362 of the Years of the Trees. She was the daughter of Finarfin and Earwen. Finarfin's father Finwe had led a group of Elves from Middle-Earth to the Undying Lands at the very beginning of the Years of the Trees, and Earwen's father Olwe had led another group of Elves to take the Great Journey from Middle-Earth to the Undying Lands. Finwe's people became known as the Noldor, while Olwe's people became the Teleri. Both of these groups of Elves became great western cultures that would eventually return to Middle-Earth. This means that Galadriel was of both Noldorin and Telerin origin, making her extremely powerful. Galadriel had four brothers: Finrod, Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor. Her family lived in the Undying Lands for a time in the Years of the Trees. Galadriel was called "Artanis" by her father and "Nerwen" by her mother. Galadriel grew a remarkably tall height of six feet, four inches. She was quite beautiful, though she was also widely known for her physical strength. Galadriel had beautiful golden hair that shined from the light of the Two Trees of Valinor: Telperion and Laurelin. According to one story, Galadriel's uncle Feanor had asked her for strands of her golden hair, but she had refused to cut any strands of hair from her golden head.
Galadriel became one of the wisest and most powerful Noldorin Elves to ever exist. Not only did she have the blood of two great Elven cultures, but she also was the niece of the great and powerful Feanor, who had created the Silmarils from the light of the Two Trees. When still living in the Undying Lands, Galadriel learned much knowledge from Yavanna, the Vala of growing things, and Aule, the master of craft who had originally created the world itself.
At some point in the late Years of the Trees, the evil Maiar Morgoth killed Galadriel's grandfather Finwe and stole Feanor's Silmarils. Morgoth then retreated east to Middle-Earth across the Sea. Feonor swore the Oath of Feanor, swearing that he would retrieve the Silmarils, even if it cost him his life. Feanor's sons and close supporters also swore the Oath of Feanor. Though Galadriel herself did not swear any oath, she joined the quest to cross the Sea to Middle-Earth to find the Silmarils because she wanted to explore new lands and she greatly desired the rule of a kingdom of her own.
At some late point in the Years of the Trees, Feanor and his Noldorin followers arrived in Alqualonde, a settlement of the Teleri on the eastern coast of the Undying Lands. Feanor expected the Teleri to give him ships so he could pass over the Sea. The Teleri, led by Galadriel's grandfather Olwe, denied Feanor permission to use their ships. Feanor and his supporters massacred many of the Teleri and took the ships by force. Galadriel was not involved in the massacre of her grandfather's people, though it is known that she was present at the time. It may be that Galadriel tried unsuccessfully to convince her uncle to spare the Teleri, though if this was the case it did not work.
After the first of the Kinslayings, the Vala Mandos appeared and told Feanor that if he were to continue on the quest, he would defy the wishes of the Valar, and would thus be banished from the Undying Lands forever. The Valar foresaw many more deaths amounting from this quest, and they felt that the slaying of many Teleri was unnecessary. The Valar foresaw many hardships awaiting the Elves in Middle-Earth, and they also foresaw that the Elves would grow weary there and would eventually wish to return to the Undying Lands. Galadriel's father Finarfin sought the pardon of the Valar, and he stayed and was made King of the Noldor in the Undying Lands. But Galadriel and all of her brothers sought new opportunities in Middle-Earth, and they thus defied the wishes of the Valar and fell under the Doom of Mandos by following Feanor to Middle-Earth.
The Teleri did not have enough ships to carry all of the Noldor over the Sea to Middle-Earth. Feanor betray many of his followers by taking the ships for himself and his sons and closest followers. Feanor deemed the rest of the Noldor disloyal to him and left them behind in Alqualonde. Galadriel and her brothers and her uncle Fingolfin were all among the people left behind by Feanor. But they were all determined to reach Middle-Earth, and Galadriel was determined to one day rule her own realm. The only other way to reach Middle-Earth was to travel over Helcaraxe, the Grinding Ice, which formed a natural means of crossing the Sea in the far North. Galadriel, Finarfin, and Finrod led their people over the Grinding Ice into far northern Middle-Earth. The journey was dangerous and difficult and many Elves died along the way. The Elves who survived arrived in Middle-Earth with renewed strength and health. Galadriel, Finrod, and Finarfin were all among the survivors. They arrived in Beleriand in far northwestern Middle-Earth in the first year of the First Age.
Circa 52 of the First Age, Galadriel and her people arrived in Doriath, a hidden settlement in northwestern Beleriand. Doriath was inhabited by Sindarin Elves. Their people were led by King Thingol and his wife Melian and their daughter Luthien Tinuviel. Galadriel fell in love with the Prince of Doriath, a Sindarin Elf named Celeborn. Galadriel and Celeborn were married sometime after Galadriel's people arrived in Doriath. Galadriel and Celeborn mostly remained in Doriath during the First Age, though Galadriel occasionally visited her brother Finrod in his realm of Nargothrond.
Galadriel learned much from Melian, the Queen of Doriath. Melian was not an Elf, but a Maiar who had decided to remain in Middle-Earth rather then passing over the Sea into the Undying Lands like most of her people. Melian told Galadriel much of the history and lore of Middle-Earth. Galadriel told Melian of the quest to retrieve the Silmarils, though she did not mention the Kinslaying or the Doom of Mandos or Feanor's betrayal of his people and of the Valar. Thingol discovered these from Galadriel's brother Angrod. Thingol was enraged and banished Galadriel's brothers from Doriath, though Galadriel was allowed to stay. What Thingol did not know, or at least refused to believe, was that Galadriel's brothers did not participate in the Kinslaying.
All four of Galadriel's brothers were killed during the War of the Jewels between the Elves and Morgoth that went on throughout the First Age. Angrod and Aegnor were both killed during the Battle of Sudden Flame in 465. Finrod accompanied Beren on his quest to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's Iron Crown, but they were captured by Sauron and Finrod was tortured and killed in Sauron's dungeon in 465. Orodreth became King of Nargothrond, but he was killed defending it during an attack known as the Battle of Tumhalad in 495.
According to one source, Galadriel and Celeborn left Beleriand and crossed the Blue Mountains into Eriador before the downfall of Nargothrond in 495. According to a conflicting source, Galadriel and Celeborn remained in Beleriand at least until the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age.
Dwarves killed Thingol in circa 502 of the First Age because they wanted his necklace, the Nauglamir, which Thingol had previously summoned them to place one of the Silmarils into. Galadriel began to distrust Dwarves at this time. However, Dwarves and Elves worked together with men and Valar in the War of Wrath, the war that ended the First Age. Their enemy Morgoth was defeated and banished from the world. Many Elves departed Middle-Earth after the war because Beleriand was destroyed, and they saw no alternative than sailing across the Sea to the Undying Lands. Many of the Noldor who had defied the Valar to find the Silmarils were pardoned by the Valar and were permitted to return to the Undying Lands. But Galadriel settled in Middle-Earth. It is believed that she and her husband lived for a time in Lindon, a region in northwestern Middle-Earth inhabited by the remnants of the Elves of Beleriand who had remained in Middle-Earth. Galadriel and Celeborn may have lived in Harlindon, an area of Lindon south of the Gulf of Lune that was inhabited predominately by Sindarin Elves. It is possible that Celeborn ruled Harlindon under Gil-galad, who acted as High King of the Elves of Lindon.
At some point, Galadriel and Celeborn had a daughter named Celebrian, who would later marry Elrond of Rivendell. According to an earlier version of the legendarium, Galadriel and Celeborn also had a son named Amroth who became King of Lothlorien, but this idea was apparently abandoned in favor of Amroth being the son of Amdir.
In the early to mid-Second Age, Galadriel and Celeborn are believed to have left Lindon in the company of several Elves including Noldor, Sindar, and Green-elves, and they are believed to have journeyed eastward into Eriador. It is also believed that they dwelt at the shores of Lake Evendim for a time. Circa 700 of the Second Age, Galadriel sensed an evil presence in eastern Middle-Earth that she felt it was her duty to oppose. She did not know at this time that the evil presence was Sauron.
In 750, Eregion was founded in a region west of the Misty Mountains. Eregion was thought to be a safe-haven for the Elves of Middle-Earth, including both Noldor and Sindar. It is possible that Galadriel and Celeborn may have dwelt in Eregion for a time. Eregion was also inhabited by Elven-smiths such as Celebrimbor. Because of its close proximity to the Misty Mountains, the Elves of Eregion did dealings with the Dwarves of Khazad-dum. Celeborn did not trust Dwarves, so he did not ever venture near Khazad-dum, though the Dwarves there were of Durin's Line and were genuinely friendly with the Elves, and Durin's Folks' ancestors had nothing to do with Thingol's death or Doriath's downfall. Galadriel is not known to have interacted with the Dwarves at this time, though it is believed that she did cross over the Misty Mountains to Lothlorien on occasion.
The Elves of Eregion also did dealings with the Elves of Lothlorien who lived on the opposite side of the Misty Mountains. According to one story, Galadriel went to live in Lothlorien circa 1400 while Celeborn stayed in Eregion. A conflicting source says that both Galadriel and Celeborn remained in Eregion. Nevertheless, Galadriel became familiar with the woods of Lothlorien and with its inhabitants the Green-elves, who had long ago decided not to take the Great Journey over Sea and into the Undying Lands.
In 1200, Sauron arrived in Eregion in fair form and gained admittance from Elven-smiths who trusted him. In 1500, he deceived the Elves into forging the Rings of Power. He helped them forge the Seven Rings of the Dwarves and the Nine Rings of Men. Elven-smiths created the Three Rings of the Elves without Sauron's help. Circa 1600, Sauron created the One Ring to rule them all from the fires of Mount Doom in his realm of Mordor. In 1693, Celebrimbor, realizing he had been deceived, consulted Galadriel about what was to become of the Three Rings. Celebrimbor and his Elven-smiths could not conceivably destroy their own Rings, for they were too powerful. Galadriel advised Celebrimbor to keep the Rings hidden and never to use them as long as Sauron possessed the One Ring. The Three Rings were distrubted amongst great and powerful Elves. Galadriel was given Nenya, the Ring of Water.
When he discovered the existence of the Three Rings, Sauron attacked Eregion in 1697. Celeborn led a small army out of Eregion to meet the vanguard of Sauron's massive force, but Celeborn was outnumbered. He was able to hold Sauron's forces back until Elrond arrived with reinforcements from Lindon. Sauron's forces defeated the combined forces of Elrond and Celeborn and the realm of Eregion fell. Celebrimbor was slain and Sauron retrieved all of the Nine Rings and six of the Seven Rings. The seventh Ring of the Dwarves was kept hidden by Durin III. Sauron could not be driven out of northwestern Middle-Earth until 1701, when he retreated to Mordor.
Galadriel and Celeborn's actions prior to the end of the Second Age are not known. They may have visited Lothlorien for a time, but they did not come to rule there because the King of Lothlorien at the time was Amdir, who was killed in the War of the Last Alliance in 3434. Galadriel and Celeborn may have also visited Rivendell, where Elrond lived. It may be true that Celeborn and Galadriel went to live in Belfalas by the Sea. It is unknown if Galadriel and Celeborn were affected by the arrival of Numenoreans in Middle-Earth, and it is also unknown if they participated in the War of the Last Alliance in any way.
Galadriel's daughter Celebrian married Elrond in 109 of the Third Age. In 130, Celebrian had twin sons named Elladan and Elrohir. In 241, Celebrian and Elrond had a daughter named Arwen.
Circa 1000, five wizards arrived in Middle-Earth. These wizards were great wise powers out of the Far West who would help the peoples of Middle-Earth oppose Sauron.
Circa 1050, Sauron constructed the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood across the Anduin from Lothlorien. Galadriel and Celeborn feared that this evil presence may have been Sauron, though they did not know it at the time. It is possible that they visited Lothlorien to guarantee safety there. However, Galadriel and Celeborn did not come to rule Lothlorien then, it remained the kingdom of Amroth.
In 1980, a Balrog awoke in Khazad-dum and wreaked havoc for the Dwarves living there. Elves were also affected, and many, including Amroth's lover Nimrodel, fled Lothlorien. Amroth followed Nimrodel, and they agreed to pass over the Sea to the Undying Lands and be married. But Nimrodel became lost in the White Mountains and Amroth drowned when he jumped off a ship to try and go back for her. Galadriel and Celeborn thus became Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood of Lothlorien. They lived on a flet in Caras Galadhon, the city of the Elves in Lothlorien. It is said that Galadriel was the Elf who planted the great mallorn trees, and they flourished under her care.
Galadriel kept a magnificent garden at the base of the mallorn trees. Galadriel's garden contained the Mirror of Galadriel, a silver basin of water. The mirror was apparently magic and showed the looker the past, the present, and possible or anticipated futures.
In 2060, the wisest of Elves and wizards began suspect that the evil presence in Dol Guldur was indeed Sauron. Though he had been defeated in the War of the Last Alliance, the One Ring was not destroyed so Sauron's spirit lived on. In 2063, Gandalf went Dol Guldur to investigate the evil there but Sauron fled and for centuries there was a Watchful Peace in Middle-Earth.
In 2460, Sauron returned to Dol Guldur. Galadriel summoned the wisest of the wise in 2463 and the White Council was formed out of the wisest of Elves and wizards. Galadriel asked Gandalf to be the leader of the White Council, but he refused and Saruman was chosen instead.
Celebrian often visited her parents in Lothlorien from her home in Rivendell. In 2509, Celebrian was traveling over the Misty Mountains via the Redhorn Gate to visit her parents in Lothlorien when she was attacked and captured by Orcs. She was tortured and wounded, but her sons rescued her before she was killed. Celebrian's physical wounds were healed by Elrond when she returned to Rivendell, but she had been emotionally hurt and she decided to go to the Undying Lands.
In 2510, Eorl the Young was leading Eotheod riders to aid Gondor in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. As they moved southward and neared Mirkwood, a dark shadow came from Dol Guldur. It may have killed Eorl and his riders, but a white mist then came from Lothlorien and covered the riders, easing their journey southward. It is widely believed that Galadriel sent the mist to save Eorl.
In 2851, Gandalf summoned a meeting of the White Council. He believed that the evil presence in Dol Guldur was Sauron, and he encouraged the White Council to attack Dol Guldur. But Saruman assured the Council that the One Ring had flowed down the Anduin into the Sea, and Sauron would be powerless without it. The Council agreed to wait.
In 2941, the White Council met again. This time, Saruman agreed to attack Dol Guldur because he wanted to weaken Sauron. But Saruman did not want to weaken Sauron for the same reason that the other members of the Council did. Saruman wanted to find the One Ring for himself, and he wanted to eliminate Sauron and replace him as ruler of Middle-Earth, even though Sauron was much hated and feared and did not yet rule Middle-Earth, nor would he ever come to do so.
The White Council drove Sauron out of Dol Guldur. In fact, it was the devices of Saruman that forced Sauron to evacuate. Sauron had secretly been prepared for the attack, and he fled to his own realm of Mordor. Sauron sent several Nazgul including Khamul to haunt the fortress of Dol Guldur. In 2953, the Council met for one last time.
Galadriel came to realize her significance and the significance of her Ring, Nenya. She used Nenya to guard her people and to protect Lothlorien. Galadriel could communicate telepathically, and she was able to read the thoughts and plans of Sauron, particularly concerning the Elves. Sauron was very powerful as well, but he could not read Galadriel's thoughts like she could read his.
In December of 3018, Elladan and Elrohir came to Lothlorien with news of the Fellowship's quest to destroy the One Ring. The Ring-bearer was Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit who had been given the Ring by his cousin Bilbo. Frodo was accompanied by eight companions including Aragorn, who was betrothed to Galadriel's granddaughter Arwen. By the time the fellowship reach Lothlorien, Frodo only had seven companions because Gandalf had fallen into the abyss beneath the Bridge of Khazad-dum and was thought to be dead.
The Fellowship arrived in Lothlorien on January 15, 3019. On January 17, Haldir brought them before Galadriel and Celeborn. Galadriel and Celeborn welcomed Gimli the Dwarf as a friend, hoping to make an ally out of the Dwarves. But then he learned of Balin's expedition to reclaim Moria which awoke the Balrog again, and he was angry because the Balrog was thought to have killed Gandalf. Galadriel calmed her husband and Celeborn apologized to Gimli for his behavior. Galadriel, too, apologized to Gimli, and she spoke words in Khuzdul, the language of the Dwarves. Gimli was enchanted by Galadriel's elegance, kindness, and beauty.
Galadriel then tested the strength, skill, and courage of each (remaining) member of the Fellowship. She gazed into each of their eyes, and she would look for important traits. In Frodo, she saw wisdom and courage. Galadriel let Frodo look into her mirror. Frodo saw the Eye of Sauron, and Galadriel knew this because she too often saw the Eye of Sauron when looking into her mirror. Galadriel understood the burden that had been put upon Frodo because she too bore a Ring of Power. Galadriel told Frodo that if the One Ring were to be destroyed, all that had been created by the Three Rings would also fade. But Galadriel was willing to except this as long as it meant the utter downfall of Sauron.
Frodo then offered Galadriel the One Ring. Galadriel was greatly tempted to take it, for one of her secret desires was to replace Sauron as Lord of the Earth, but, rather than being feared, she wanted to be loved. Rather than being a dark lord, Galadriel hoped to be Queen of all Earth who would be greatly respected and who would use the Ring for good. But Galadriel declined Frodo's offer, realizing that her many millennia in Middle-Earth were coming to a close, and it was perhaps time that she passed over the Sea into the Undying Lands.
On February 15, Celeborn gave the Fellowship small boats to sail upon down the Anduin River, and he helped the Fellowship navigate the river. On February 16, Galadriel and Celeborn prepared a farewell feast for the Fellowship in which Galadriel gave each member of the Fellowship a mighty gift. To Aragorn, Galadriel gave a green stone known as the Elessar, which had been given to her by Arwen. Arwen meant for the Elessar to be given to Aragorn. To Sam Gamgee, Galadriel gave the seeds of a mallorn tree and earth from her garden. Merry and Pippin both received silver belts. Boromir received a golden belt, and Legolas received a Galadhrim bow. To Frodo, Galadriel gave a phial which shined with the light of Earendil, which also contained the light of one of the Silmarils. When she had gifted all of the Fellowship but Gimli, Galadriel asked Gimli what a Dwarf would ask of the Elves. Gimli at first denied that he wanted anything but to look upon the fair face of Galadriel. But then he requested a strand of golden hair from Galadriel's head. Galadriel cut three strands of hair for Gimli. Many millennia before Galadriel had denied her uncle Feanor locks from her hair, so it was quite an honor for Gimli to receive such a gift.
To bid the Fellowship farewell, Galadriel sang them a song. She sang to the Valar, and she prayed that they would allow Frodo to settle in the Undying Lands once his quest was completed. They apparently answered her prayers because Frodo eventually did settle in the Undying Lands.
Though Gandalf had died, Galadriel suspected that he may return into the world. She told Gwaihir the Windlord to watch out for him in the Misty Mountains. Gandalf the Grey died, but he was allowed back into the world by Eru. Gandalf returned to life as Gandalf the White. Gandalf was found on the peak of Silvertine by Gwaihir, and Gwaihir brought Gandalf to Lothlorien. Gandalf was clothed in white robes, and he replaced traitorous Saruman as head of the Order of Wizards.
On March 11, 15, and 22, the forces of Dol Guldur attacked Lothlorien. Celeborn successfully defeated them all three times, and he even led a force across the Anduin to take Dol Guldur on March 28. Any remaining evil there was driven out of Mirkwood.
Galadriel and her husband accompanied Arwen to Minas Tirith, where she and Aragorn, now Aragorn, King Elessar of Gondor and Arnor, were married. Galadriel and Celeborn then journeyed to Rohan to attend the funeral of King Theoden. They returned to Lothlorien before visiting Treebeard in Isengard.
In 3021, Galadriel met Frodo and his companions in the Woody End in the Shire. From there, they would ride together to the Sea, in an event known as the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings. Celeborn accompanied his wife to the Grey Havens. He himself did not yet pass over the Sea to the Undying Lands, but Galadriel did along with Gandalf, Elrond, and the other Ring-bearers. Celeborn bid his wife farewell and returned to Lothlorien. He did not long remain in Middle-Earth, and eventually grew weary and passed over the Sea himself to be reunited with his wife.
References
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," passim; "The Mirror of Galadriel," passim; "Farwell to Lorien," passim
The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers: "King of the Golden Hall," page 118; "Window on the West," page 275
The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King: "The Steward and the King," pages 250-251; "Many Partings," pages 252-263
The Silmarillion, passim
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters #297, #320, and #353
The Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," passim; "Cirion and Eorl," pages 298-299
The History of Middle-earth, Volume X, Morgoth's Ring: "The Annals of Aman," page 106
The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers: "King of the Golden Hall," page 118; "Window on the West," page 275
The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King: "The Steward and the King," pages 250-251; "Many Partings," pages 252-263
The Silmarillion, passim
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters #297, #320, and #353
The Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," passim; "Cirion and Eorl," pages 298-299
The History of Middle-earth, Volume X, Morgoth's Ring: "The Annals of Aman," page 106
Timeline
Notice: One year during the Years of the Trees was equal to 9.582 solar years. Galadriel was therefore 1,322 years old when she arrived in Middle-Earth at the beginning of the First Age, and she was thus 8,374 years old at the time of her return to the Undying Lands in 3021 of the Third Age.
Circa 1362 of the Years of the Trees:
Galadriel was born in the Undying Lands as the daughter of Finarfin and Earwen.
Circa 1450:
Feanor created the three Silmarils in the Undying Lands.
Circa 1495:
The wicked Maia Morgoth killed Galadriel's grandfather Finwe and stole the Silmarils. He ran off with them to Middle-Earth. Feanor swore an oath to retrieve the Silmarils, and Galadriel's family agreed to go with him across the Sea.
Circa 1496:
Feanor and his followers arrived in Alqualonde, a northeastern coastal region of the Undying Lands. Feanor requested ships from the Teleri, who were the Elves of Galadriel's grandfather Olwe. The Teleri refused to supply Feanor with ships, so he massacred many Teleri and took the ships by force. Galadriel was not involved in this Kinslaying. The Vala Mandos appeared before the Noldor and warned them to turn back, for if they did not they would defy the wishes of the Valar and was thus be banished from the Undying Lands. Finarfin sought the pardon of the Valar and remained in the Undying Lands, but Galadriel and her brothers decided to continue onward because they wanted to discover new lands in Middle-Earth.
Circa 1497:
Feanor deemed Fingolfin, Galadriel, Galadriel's brothers, and many more Noldor disloyal. Feanor left them behind and took the ships of the Teleri and sailed to Middle-Earth with only his closest followers.
Circa 1500:
Galadriel helps lead the second host of the Noldor across the Grinding Ice.
Circa Year 1 of the First Age:
Galadriel, Finrod, and Fingolfin arrived in Beleriand in far northwestern Middle-Earth. The moon rose for the first time as they arrived.
52:
Galadriel led her people into Doriath, the home of Sindarin Elves. Galadriel fell in love with Celeborn, Prince of Doriath, and they were wed sometime around 52 of the First Age.
495:
Nargothrond was destroyed. It is unknown whether Celeborn and Galadriel were still in Beleriand at this time. According to one source, they traveled over the Blue Mountains into Eriador prior to this date.
502:
King Thingol of Doriath, the great uncle of Celeborn, was slain by Dwarves. Dwarves stole the Nauglamir of Thingol but were pursued by Elves of Doriath and slain. Meanwhile, the sons of Feanor destroyed Doriath trying to find the Silmaril. Doriath was then abandoned.
545-590:
Morgoth was defeated in the War of Wrath (545-587) and banished from the world. Many Elves left Middle-Earth for the Undying Lands, but Galadriel and Celeborn stayed. 590 was the last year of the First Age.
Year 700 of the Second Age:
Celeborn and Galadriel departed from Lake Evendim, where they had been living for many years. They moved east because Galadriel sensed an evil presence there and she felt it was her duty to oppose it.
750:
Eregion was founded west of the Misty Mountains. Galadriel and Celeborn came to live there at some point during its long history.
1200:
Sauron first arrived in Eregion in fair form. He had already developed a complex plan to trick the Elves into forging the Rings of Power.
Circa 1400:
According one source, Galadriel went to live in Lothlorien around this time without her husband. A conflicting source states that Galadriel remained in Eregion with her husband.
Circa 1500:
Sauron told the Elven-smiths to forge the Rings of Power. They began forging the Seven Rings and the Nine Rings around this time.
Circa 1590:
Without Sauron's help, the Elven-smiths forged the Three Rings of the Elves.
Circa 1600:
Sauron forged the One Ring to rule them all in Mount Doom in his own realm of Mordor.
1693:
The Three Rings were hidden and Galadriel was given Nenya.
1697:
Sauron attacked Eregion. Celeborn unsuccessfully tried to defend Eregion with the help of Elrond. Eregion fell.
1701:
Sauron was defeated and withdrew to Mordor. It is unknown where Galadriel and Celeborn were during this event.
Year 109 of the Third Age:
Galadriel and Celeborn's daughter Celebrian married Elrond. Celebrian had twin sons named Elladan and Elrohir born in 130 and a daughter named Arwen born in 241.
1100:
Around this time, it came to the attention of the Elves that an evil power dwelt in the fortress of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Galadriel and Celeborn are believed to have visited Lothlorien to help protect it.
1980:
The Balrog awoke in Khazad-dum and killed many Dwarves. Elves were also affected.
1981:
King Amroth of Lothlorien left his realm to find his lover Nimrodel and he drowned at Sea. Celeborn became King of Lothlorien, and his wife became Queen.
2509:
Celeborn's daughter Celebrian was captured and tortured by Orcs. She was rescued by her sons, but she was emotionally disturbed.
2510:
Celebrian went to the Undying Lands in the West. That same year, Galadriel sent a white mist out of Lothlorien to protect Eorl the Young and his Eotheod riders.
2941:
The White Council, in which Galadriel was a member, decided to attack Dol Guldur. Sauron fled to Mordor, but he eventually sent Nazgul to occupy Dol Guldur again.
2980:
Aragorn came to Lothlorien and became betrothed to Arwen.
3018:
December: Elladan and Elrohir came to Lothlorien to tell Celeborn and Galadriel that a quest had set out from Rivendell to destroy the One Ring.
3019:
January 15: The Fellowship of the Ring arrived in Lothlorien.
January 17: Haldir captured the fellowship and brought them before Galadriel and Celeborn in Caras Galadhon. Celeborn welcomed Gimli despite his distrust of Dwarves.
February 15: Celeborn granted the Fellowship small boats to ease their passage down the Anduin River.
February 16: Galadriel gave the Fellowship gifts and a feast to say farewell. She also sang to the Valar to pray that Frodo could settle in the Undying Lands after he completed his quest.
February 17: Gwaihir brought Gandalf the White to Lothlorien.
March 11: Lothlorien was attacked by forces from Dol Guldur for the first time.
March 15: Lothlorien was attacked by forces from Dol Guldur for the second time.
March 22: Lothlorien was attacked by forces from Dol Guldur for the third and final time.
March 25: The Ring was destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom from whence it was made. Sauron was finally defeated.
March 28: With Galadriel's help, Celeborn led a force to overtake Dol Guldur.
April 6: Celeborn met Thranduil of Mirkwood and they agreed upon a new way to divide Mirkwood.
May 20: Elrond and Arwen reached in Lothlorien.
May 27: Galadriel and Celeborn departed from Lothlorien accompanied by Arwen. They set out for Minas Tirith where Arwen would marry Aragorn, who was now King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.
1 Lithe: Celeborn, Galadriel, and Arwen arrived in Minas Tirith.
Mid-year's Day: Arwen married Aragorn.
July 22: Celeborn and Galadriel departed from Minas Tirith to attend the funeral of King Theoden.
August 10: Celeborn and Galadriel attended the funeral of King Theoden at Edoras.
August 14: Celeborn and Galadriel left Edoras.
August 22: Celeborn and Galadriel bid Aragorn farewell forever.
August 28: Galadriel and the rest of the company of travelers encountered Saruman on the road. They offered to help him but he rejected their offer.
September 13: Galadriel and Celeborn returned to Lothlorien together one last time.
3021:
September 29: Galadriel passed over the Sea to the Undying Lands in the West. Celeborn stayed in Middle-Earth until the start of the Fourth Age.
Circa 1362 of the Years of the Trees:
Galadriel was born in the Undying Lands as the daughter of Finarfin and Earwen.
Circa 1450:
Feanor created the three Silmarils in the Undying Lands.
Circa 1495:
The wicked Maia Morgoth killed Galadriel's grandfather Finwe and stole the Silmarils. He ran off with them to Middle-Earth. Feanor swore an oath to retrieve the Silmarils, and Galadriel's family agreed to go with him across the Sea.
Circa 1496:
Feanor and his followers arrived in Alqualonde, a northeastern coastal region of the Undying Lands. Feanor requested ships from the Teleri, who were the Elves of Galadriel's grandfather Olwe. The Teleri refused to supply Feanor with ships, so he massacred many Teleri and took the ships by force. Galadriel was not involved in this Kinslaying. The Vala Mandos appeared before the Noldor and warned them to turn back, for if they did not they would defy the wishes of the Valar and was thus be banished from the Undying Lands. Finarfin sought the pardon of the Valar and remained in the Undying Lands, but Galadriel and her brothers decided to continue onward because they wanted to discover new lands in Middle-Earth.
Circa 1497:
Feanor deemed Fingolfin, Galadriel, Galadriel's brothers, and many more Noldor disloyal. Feanor left them behind and took the ships of the Teleri and sailed to Middle-Earth with only his closest followers.
Circa 1500:
Galadriel helps lead the second host of the Noldor across the Grinding Ice.
Circa Year 1 of the First Age:
Galadriel, Finrod, and Fingolfin arrived in Beleriand in far northwestern Middle-Earth. The moon rose for the first time as they arrived.
52:
Galadriel led her people into Doriath, the home of Sindarin Elves. Galadriel fell in love with Celeborn, Prince of Doriath, and they were wed sometime around 52 of the First Age.
495:
Nargothrond was destroyed. It is unknown whether Celeborn and Galadriel were still in Beleriand at this time. According to one source, they traveled over the Blue Mountains into Eriador prior to this date.
502:
King Thingol of Doriath, the great uncle of Celeborn, was slain by Dwarves. Dwarves stole the Nauglamir of Thingol but were pursued by Elves of Doriath and slain. Meanwhile, the sons of Feanor destroyed Doriath trying to find the Silmaril. Doriath was then abandoned.
545-590:
Morgoth was defeated in the War of Wrath (545-587) and banished from the world. Many Elves left Middle-Earth for the Undying Lands, but Galadriel and Celeborn stayed. 590 was the last year of the First Age.
Year 700 of the Second Age:
Celeborn and Galadriel departed from Lake Evendim, where they had been living for many years. They moved east because Galadriel sensed an evil presence there and she felt it was her duty to oppose it.
750:
Eregion was founded west of the Misty Mountains. Galadriel and Celeborn came to live there at some point during its long history.
1200:
Sauron first arrived in Eregion in fair form. He had already developed a complex plan to trick the Elves into forging the Rings of Power.
Circa 1400:
According one source, Galadriel went to live in Lothlorien around this time without her husband. A conflicting source states that Galadriel remained in Eregion with her husband.
Circa 1500:
Sauron told the Elven-smiths to forge the Rings of Power. They began forging the Seven Rings and the Nine Rings around this time.
Circa 1590:
Without Sauron's help, the Elven-smiths forged the Three Rings of the Elves.
Circa 1600:
Sauron forged the One Ring to rule them all in Mount Doom in his own realm of Mordor.
1693:
The Three Rings were hidden and Galadriel was given Nenya.
1697:
Sauron attacked Eregion. Celeborn unsuccessfully tried to defend Eregion with the help of Elrond. Eregion fell.
1701:
Sauron was defeated and withdrew to Mordor. It is unknown where Galadriel and Celeborn were during this event.
Year 109 of the Third Age:
Galadriel and Celeborn's daughter Celebrian married Elrond. Celebrian had twin sons named Elladan and Elrohir born in 130 and a daughter named Arwen born in 241.
1100:
Around this time, it came to the attention of the Elves that an evil power dwelt in the fortress of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Galadriel and Celeborn are believed to have visited Lothlorien to help protect it.
1980:
The Balrog awoke in Khazad-dum and killed many Dwarves. Elves were also affected.
1981:
King Amroth of Lothlorien left his realm to find his lover Nimrodel and he drowned at Sea. Celeborn became King of Lothlorien, and his wife became Queen.
2509:
Celeborn's daughter Celebrian was captured and tortured by Orcs. She was rescued by her sons, but she was emotionally disturbed.
2510:
Celebrian went to the Undying Lands in the West. That same year, Galadriel sent a white mist out of Lothlorien to protect Eorl the Young and his Eotheod riders.
2941:
The White Council, in which Galadriel was a member, decided to attack Dol Guldur. Sauron fled to Mordor, but he eventually sent Nazgul to occupy Dol Guldur again.
2980:
Aragorn came to Lothlorien and became betrothed to Arwen.
3018:
December: Elladan and Elrohir came to Lothlorien to tell Celeborn and Galadriel that a quest had set out from Rivendell to destroy the One Ring.
3019:
January 15: The Fellowship of the Ring arrived in Lothlorien.
January 17: Haldir captured the fellowship and brought them before Galadriel and Celeborn in Caras Galadhon. Celeborn welcomed Gimli despite his distrust of Dwarves.
February 15: Celeborn granted the Fellowship small boats to ease their passage down the Anduin River.
February 16: Galadriel gave the Fellowship gifts and a feast to say farewell. She also sang to the Valar to pray that Frodo could settle in the Undying Lands after he completed his quest.
February 17: Gwaihir brought Gandalf the White to Lothlorien.
March 11: Lothlorien was attacked by forces from Dol Guldur for the first time.
March 15: Lothlorien was attacked by forces from Dol Guldur for the second time.
March 22: Lothlorien was attacked by forces from Dol Guldur for the third and final time.
March 25: The Ring was destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom from whence it was made. Sauron was finally defeated.
March 28: With Galadriel's help, Celeborn led a force to overtake Dol Guldur.
April 6: Celeborn met Thranduil of Mirkwood and they agreed upon a new way to divide Mirkwood.
May 20: Elrond and Arwen reached in Lothlorien.
May 27: Galadriel and Celeborn departed from Lothlorien accompanied by Arwen. They set out for Minas Tirith where Arwen would marry Aragorn, who was now King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.
1 Lithe: Celeborn, Galadriel, and Arwen arrived in Minas Tirith.
Mid-year's Day: Arwen married Aragorn.
July 22: Celeborn and Galadriel departed from Minas Tirith to attend the funeral of King Theoden.
August 10: Celeborn and Galadriel attended the funeral of King Theoden at Edoras.
August 14: Celeborn and Galadriel left Edoras.
August 22: Celeborn and Galadriel bid Aragorn farewell forever.
August 28: Galadriel and the rest of the company of travelers encountered Saruman on the road. They offered to help him but he rejected their offer.
September 13: Galadriel and Celeborn returned to Lothlorien together one last time.
3021:
September 29: Galadriel passed over the Sea to the Undying Lands in the West. Celeborn stayed in Middle-Earth until the start of the Fourth Age.
Names & Meanings
Galadriel:
In Sindarin, Galadriel means "maiden crowned with a shining garland." It is derived from galad meaning "shining" or "radiant" from gal meaning "to shine." The element riel means "garlanded maiden." It is derived from rig meaning "wreathe." The name Galadriel is a reference to her beautiful golden hair. It is possible that Celeborn gave her the name Galadriel when he met her. This is likely for two reasons: (1) Galadriel was a Noldorin Elf, and because the Sindar lived across the Sea it is highly unlikely that she would have a name of Sindarin origin and (2) Galadriel already had two given names: Artanis and Nerwen.
Galadhriel:
Elves who were only acquainted with Galadriel in legend often mistakenly spelled her name Galadhriel, deriving from the Sindarin galadh meaning "tree."
Altáriel:
Quenya form of Galadriel. Alata is the Quenya equivalent of galad, which means "shining, radient" in Sindarin.
Alatáriel:
Telerin form of Galadriel.
Artanis:
Galadriel's father named her Artanis. Artanis is Quenya for "noble women" from ar and ta meaning "noble" and nis meaning "woman."
Nerwen:
Galadriel's mother named her Nerwen. Nerwen is Quenya for "man-maiden," a reference to Galadriel's manly height and strength. It is derived from the Quenya ner meaning "man" and wen meaning "maiden."
Lady of Lothorien/Lady of the Golden Wood/Lady Galadriel/Lady of the Noldor/Wise Lady/White Lady/Lady of the Galadhrim:
Galadriel was called all of these names as ruler of Lothlorien and as a princess of the Noldor prior to her departure from the Undying Lands.
Sorceress of the Golden Wood:
In an attempt to create the impression that Galadriel was not to be trusten, Grima Wormtongue called Galadriel Sorceress of the Golden Wood.
Mistress of Magic:
Because of her power, Faramir called Galadriel the Mistress of Magic.
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