Category:Imladris

Rivendell, or Imladris, had long been a place of refuge in the inhospitable lands of Rhudaur that surrounded the valley. Situated between the north and south forks of the Bruinen (Loudwater) in the Pinefells, the haven's safety derived from the power of Elrond Half-elven and the mightiest of the Three Elven Rings, Vilya, Ring of Air. Evil things could not pass within the confines of Elrond's realm. The spies of Angmar and even the stronger minions of the Dark Lord, the Nazgûl, dared only sniff round the borders of the enchanted vale.


 * Political Organization: Private Household.
 * Rulers: Elrond Half-elven.
 * Administrative Organization: Based upon the rules laid down by Elrond.
 * Population: 125 Elves and Elf-friends.
 * Military: 20 Elf Warriors.
 * Products: Herbs, healing, information. books, art.
 * Symbol: A White Rose on a Blue Field

Hidden in a ravine west of the Misty Mountains, the vale of Rivendell was a haven to all of the Free Peoples seeking shelter from the Shadow. The Elf-lord Elrond Half-elven provided counsel and healing to those who fought the forces of Darkness. Imladris also acted as a base for those who wished to make forays into Angmar, Rhudaur, and the Misty Mountains. It´s location was known to but a few. Casual travellers passed right by the narrow path which led to the sheltered valley, and evil folk had also to fight the elements of the region, which were under the command of Elrond. The Elves of Imladris were, for the most part, refugees from the ruin of Ost-in-Edhil, Determined to avoid the mistake of their predecessors, the people and lodgings at Imladris were humble and comfortable, rather than proud and majestic. The House of Elrond was a place of feasting and song. The best poets and artists of the Elves made their homes here. Also, those among Dwarves and Men who were recognized as Elf-friends retreated to this haven when they found the dwellings of the mortal folk too earthly for them. The few caravans permitted to rest at Imladris did so only with the explicit permission ol Elrond. He did not readily permit strangers into his home, unless they had already proven themselves to be allies of the Elves. Those that were granted the Elves' hospitality received welcome in the Last Homely House West of the Wild, While other rest stations provided physical aid for travellers, Elrond supplied spiritual comfort as well. Aiding travellers is a significant role of Imladris, but it was by no means the most significant. As a haven free from the eyes of all forces of Evil, it was a place where the Wise met to take counsel with one another. The White Council, composed of the greatest of the Elf-lords, met at Imladris. The Istari Olorin (Gandalf) and Aiwendil (Radagast) frequently sat on the Council, their associate Curumo (Saruman) also joined the Elf-lords when his wanderings brought him to western Endor.

History
The fells, the western foothills of the Misty Mountains, were the domain of Giants and Trolls in the Elder Days, until the Dwarves of Moria began working their way north along the range seeking mineral wealth. The trail they cut, the Men Ered (S. "Mountain Road"), eventually reached the Fords of the River Bruinen; here a track crossed the river at the last point along its course where carts could be brought easily down to the banks. The Dwarves planned to make a small fort, to protect the crossings; but they met, as they later told King Dwalin, an ancient Silvan Elf, who claimed to be the guardian of the fords. He said that the track, the Len Romen, which crossed over the Misty Mountains, was sacred to the Elves, and he swore that if the Dwarves left the fords and the neighboring valleys untouched, he would see that nothing evil ever troubled wayfarers traveling the vale. The Dwarves felt compelled to accept this offer. A century or so later, the Dwarven King sat with Celebrimbor of the Noldor and made agreements that laid the boundries of the Elvish kingdom of Eregion. The old tale surfaced during the negotiations. Both monarchs agreed that the story was peculiar, particularly since the description of an "ancient Silvan Elf was a contradiction in terms, and no one had seen or heard of the guardian since that initial meeting. The fords, certainly, had been safe since then, and a reading of the omens suggested that the "Riven Valleys" between the fords and the Misty Passes should be Elvish territory. A few Noldo mystics dwelt in that area ever after, and it was suggested that the " Elf of the story was a Maia, a servant of Ulmo and the spirit of the Bruinen itself. Elrond Half-elven, the Herald of Gil-galad, had been one of the Elvish visitors to the Riven Valleys. He came eventually to Eregion, in S.A. 1695, to aid in that realm's defense against the forces of Sauron. When the Noldor were defeated, two years later, Elrond led a large group of survivors north along the Men Ered to the Fords of Bruinen; there he dramatically summoned forth all the powers of the river and the hills to protect the refugees from the army pursuing them. To the shock of the pursuers and the suprise of many of the Noldo refugees, Elrond's spells were effective, scattering Orcs and Trolls over the hills and into the rivers to drown, while the mannish and Undead leaders of the army were blinded and staggered, many wandering for days before being gathered up and questioned by their master. The Dark Lord wasted no more time on the refugees and turned his armies westward into Eriador. Elrond led his followers to build a haven above the Fords of Bruinen, calling it Imladris (S. "Deep Dale of the Cleft" or "Rivendell"). No servant of Darkness dared to approach it. After Sauron was driven out of Eriador three years later, Elrond made Imladris his permanent home, weaving spells about the valley that would literally drive the knowledge of it from the minds of passing travellers while leaving powerful evil creatures shivering in fear at the thought of its existence. The lands east of the Bruinen changed little over the next three millenia. The Kings of Arnor maintained good relations with Master Elrond and did not push the stone-paved portion of the Menetar Romen, the road they built on the ancient trail, beyond the Fords. The Elves of Rivendell long enjoyed friendships among the King's Rangers, first those of Arnor, then those of Rhudaur. The Hillmen of Rhudaur, however, remained isolated and suspicious of both. When the last Dunadan King of Rhudaur fell to the Hillman Rhuggha in T.A. 1176, his surviving Rangers of high blood fled in all directions. Some were granted asylum by Elrond; this handful of refugees opened secret contacts with their Arthadan brethren, thus beginng a tradition of friendship that would last beyond the end of the Dunadan kingdoms.

T.A. 1643
The Last Homely House east of the Sea—as one caravan legend describes it—stands as it has for centuries, hidden in a narrow valley scarcely four miles north of the Great East Road as the trail climbs up to the high passes of the Misty Mountains. Most travelers are aware that an Elvish settlement exists somewhere in these woods. The Dwarves and common folk who travel the Menatar Romen seldom venture far off the trail; those who do tend to get lost, and find themselves wandering back onto the road a goodly distance from their camp, holding a creeping fear in their hearts of tall forms with shining eyes watching them silently from among the trees. Persistant intruders experience strange lapses of memory, nightmares, and minor, disabling illnesses that fade away when they cross over the Fords of Bruinen or the Misty passes. Orcs, Trolls, and Men who roam the area thinking of treachery and murder often simply disappear. The rulers of Angmar and Rhudaur have found that the very name of Imladris is like a creeping poison to their intellects and self-confidence. It is said that the Witch-king himself once sought to search for the Elf-haven with an elite hoerk of his guard. Confounded and burned in spirit by Elrond's magic, he slew all those with him. No witnesses survived his humiliation, and no one in Carn Dum mentions the names Elrond or Imladris in his presence. Imladris has never been open to outsiders, even peaceable ones. Since the corruption of Rhudaur several centuries ago, only a few Men, personal friends known to the Elves dwelling in Rivendell, have any access to the valley ofthe haven. The Great East Road negotiates the foothills ofthe Misty Mountains through a smaller valley south of Rivendell. At certain campsites along the way, on starlit nights, some of the merchants are visited by Elves. For the most part, the Imladri barter or use Arthadan coinage; it is rumored, however, that the Half-elven hold the treasures of the ancient Elvish High Kings somewhere in their , and periodically thieves try to enter it. None have ever succeeded. Elrond has, in this era, only a few dozen Noldo warriors and Silvan rangers to patrol beyond the bounds of his magical defenses; he normally does not permit them to take an agressive role in the wars against Angmar. Yet he is active in the conflict, sheltering and advising such of the Dunedain as remain faithful to the old alliance and beliefs. The White Council, an informal alliance of the Istari and the greatest of the leaders of the Eldar, meets in Rivendell every few decades to consider what counsel may be given to the mannish Kings of Middle-earth and what aid can be spared them from the meager resources of the Elves. Important individuals living at Rivendell include Elrond, of course, who seldom leaves his home, and also Celebrian, his wife, a noted mystic, and their three children, Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen Undomiel. Glorfindel is the leader of the Guardians of Rivendell and chief of the remaining Noldo warriors in Eriador.

Later Years
Following the fall of Arthedain in T.A. 1974, Aranarth, heir to the throne of the destroyed kingdom, came to Rivendell after long trials of war. He stayed in the haven for a time, persuading Elrond to accept the guardianship of the heirlooms of Elendil and establishing the Rangers of the North. Rivendell was their headquarters for the rest of the Third Age, and in the sheltered valley the heirs of the Line of Isildur were born, raised, and educated.

Inhabitants of Imladris
T.A.1650:Aitharan Aiwe Andriel Aranto Arwen Ascarnil Bellindiel Lomeloth Celebrian Celebring Coibor Dan Earwing Elladan Elrohir Elrond Erestor Estelindo Nandeseron Gildor Inglorion Gillindir Gilmith Gilraen Glorfindel Golradir Hilvanar Íracáno Lindir Macar Mastáro-Olvar-Faroth Nardhol Níralissë Saelbeth Sairalóm Vilyasúle Silinde Vilyadhol

before T.A. 2106:Airalin Aitharan Aiwe Andriel Aranarth Aranto Arwen Ascarnil Celebrian Celebring Celandur Coibor Dan Earwing Elladan Elrohir Elrond Erestor Estelindo Nandeseron Gallind Galoranna Gildor Inglorion Gillindir Gilraen Glorfindel Golradir Hilvanar Íracáno Lauriel Lindir Lothiel Macar [Mastáro-Olvar-Faroth]] Nardhol Níralissë Rilwen Saelbeth Sairalóm Vilyasúle Silinde Vilyadhol

before T.A. 3007:Airalin Aitharan Aiwe Andriel Aranto AscarnilCelebring Celandur Coibor Dan Elladan Elrohir Elrond Erestor Estelindo Nandeseron Gallind Galoranna Gildor Inglorion Gillindir Gilraen Glorfindel Golradir Hilvanar Íracáno Lauriel Lindir Lothiel Macar Nardhol Níralissë Rilwen Saelbeth Sairalóm Vilyasúle Silinde Vilyadhol

T.A.3019:Aitharan Aiwe Andriel Aragorn Aranto Arwen Ascarnil Bilbo Baggins Celandur Celebring Coibor Dan Deneldír Dorban Elladan Elladrien Elrohir Elrond Erestor Estelindo Nandeseron Galoranna Gildor Inglorion Gillindir Gilraen Glorfindel Golradir Hilvanar Ingwilendë Íracáno Lauriel Lindir Lothiel Macar [Mastáro-Olvar-Faroth]] Nardhol Níralissë Saelbeth Sairalóm Vilyasúle Silinde Súmë Vilyadhol