How powerful is Elrond?

Explore the best of fantasy and sci-fi in depth, with analysis of the worlds of Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, The Witcher and more.
For more Lord of the Rings content: • Video
Join me on Patreon - / indeepgeek
Visit my main channel for more videos - / indeepgeek
My audiobook channel: The Well Told Tale - / thewelltoldtale
Follow me on:
Twitter - @indeepgeek
Instagram - indeepgeekofficial
Facebook - / indeepgeek
TikTok - @indeepgeek
For merch, audiobooks, and all things In Deep Geek, explore my website - www.indeepgeek.com
Thank you to the talented artists who allowed their work to be featured in this video. You can find them and buy your own prints by following the links below:
Aegeri - / gnome_z_lesa
Dan Pilla - / danpillam
Miriam Ellis - www.miriamellis.com/
Kip Rasmussen - fineartamerica.com/profiles/k...
Jerry Vanderstelt - store.vandersteltstudio.com/m...
Matthew Stewart - www.matthew-stewart.com/
Anna Kulisz - www.kuliszu.art
Ralph Damiani - www.artstation.com/ralphdamiani
Aronja - www.aronjaart.com/
Alystraea - www.artstation.com/alystraea
This video was brought to you with support from my amazing Patreon community - special thanks to
Stephanie Frederick, Joshua Clark, Maura Lee, Rabbi Rob Thomas, Amelia Scales Brooke Geer Person, Josh Bielemeier, Jane, Vance, Amy Southerland, Ivie Hilburn, Jimmy, Vercingetorix, John-Paul DeLuca, Filbert, Frank Glad, lemmy101, The Lady Gordon, Edward Ryan, Stephanie B, Coleen, Ben Androvich, Nana L, Brennan Barnes, Ivanka Hainzl, Howland’s Little Sister, Charis Messalina de Valence, Donna Daley, Cade Norman, Murray D, NOscar, Rick Hoppe, Leathery Wings, James Pisano, Bridget Boyle, TheStarkInWinterfell, Ellemcee, Alannah Prestayn of Braavos, Raymond Joy, Jonathan Harrison, Petyr Pebble, Jason Mauleon Rosario, Milton Christopher Appling, Edward Ennett, Katy Smith, 26Artgirl, Karen Thomas, Rickon, Cathrine Furseth, James Fitzpatrick, Doug Hughes, lawnduck20, Perseffanie, Emily Mole, Lady Dane, The Late Escapist, Natalie Donald, J. Gregory Henderson, whalawitsa, Luna Cascade, Dan MacKay, Johnny Targs, Kevin Warner, Julie Bernard, Bear, Susan Lonergan, Bo Riley, Lyle Hammac, Alex Butter, Pam Peterson, Bettina Charlotte Nielsen, T boz, Angela Marie Young, Sarah Awesomesauce, Stephanie Erickson, KaliKo_Jack, SeaGreenMango, GeorgeRRTolkien, Antihero Association, Richard Woodard, Caiden Timmons, ThatVBGuy, Tyler Barnhart, John H. Austin, Jr, NikFromNJ, Ty Farnsworth, Beesman, EJ, Willow Button, Julia Kendall, Jonny Ceriani, Mary Frances Angelini, Emma Sheiman, Joseph Jones, Christine Denny, Julien Dubois, Leland, Max Kingdom, Tricia Brady, LiK, Simen Dalstein, Scott Maraldo, Shelley J, Karen Wennerlind, Nathan Drumm, Martin Sjöstrand, Kristen H, King of Imps, Minerva Gale, Eric Nelson, Michiel Venema, Kate, Brandie Roberts, Kendra Summers, reed m, Commander Ray, Mayra Lawson, Lola Roebuck, Mark P, Nicole Stewart, Norse Sultan, Rasler, Steven Spaulding, Your Last Great kNight, Patrick Ward, Amy vh Hines, Slippery1989, Una Haller, Almo71, Ravi Kakarala, Jacob Culp, Janet Lyn, NikFromNJ, Magepie, Ms. Fox, Jon Greenwood, Jahan, Justice, Courtney, Biscuit Jones, Biscuit Jones, Cookie Tywyn, Ranabir Mitra, CRChesnutt, Kip Ingram, Savannah Smith, Tadeo D'Oria, Mario Murray, Leland, AaronM127 and Denis Warner
Affiliate Links - (buying books from our Bookshop.org shop supports this channel and local bookshops at no extra cost to you.)
Books for fans of Lord of the Rings:
uk.bookshop.org/lists/lord-of...
Other books we love:
uk.bookshop.org/shop/indeepgeek
Thanks for watching!
(All pictures used are in the public domain, or used under fair use copyright laws or with the express permission of the artist).

[@InDeepGeek]

This is a revised and updated version of a video first published in August 2021.

[@PiscatorLager]

Ah, sounded so familiar to me. Still, well done!

[@markusvlad7217]

Mr. Frodoo....

[@minibro73]

Can you give a quick summary of how your view on the topic changed when you revise older videos like this one ?

[@bbgun061]

The 'magic' in Tolkein's legendarium isn't like the magic in other fantasy stories. In many of those, an aspiring wizard can learn new spells and gain powers he did not previously have. But we don't really see that in Middle Earth. Rather, I think that certain characters have innate supernatural abilities instead of magic. They can learn and hone these abilities, becoming masters of their craft. They can even put their supernatural power into physical objects. But it always starts with them having these innate supernatural abilities based on who they are. The Maiar, the Elves, the Rangers, all have amounts of power equal proportionate to their race. Ordinary men, dwarves, and hobbits don't really have any supernatural power, although they can use 'magic' items. And some of them can resist more powerful beings, like Farmer Maggot telling the ringwaith to be gone.

[@jackdavis855]

Sounds the same to me but still interesting!

[@alexiachimciuc3199]

Dodging bullets , multiplying himself, punching concrete and flying.

[@dagradaedelot]

Agent elrond

[@masterofdizzzaster]

He's also bulletproof, like ideas

[@tempodan]

Mr. Bagginson 🕴🏽

[@Matthew10950]

Tell me, what good are elf songs when you don't have the ability...to speak?

[@kleuafflatus]

That's why I thought Hugo weaving an odd choice for Elrond in the beginning. I imagine Elrond to be a wise but powerful man figure, very similar that to gandalf in terms of demeanor but visibly younger. He's a bit too intense if you ask me, especially the scene when he gave the sword to Aragorn. But then of course he is Elrond now, beside a bit too intense, he's perfect

[@fydofire]

All his power couldn't stop me from laughing in cinema when Frodo woke up and looked into Agent Smiths smiling face.

[@renferal5290]

LOL

[@robburkhard9256]

What can we say, it was a good time:)

[@StrangerNoises]

"Misster Underhill. It appears you've been leading two lives..."

[@raymondcoventry1221]

Agent Elrond: Humanity is a disease on Middle-Earth, we Elves are the cure.

[@martinzyka6432]

​@@StrangerNoisesyou made my day with this 😂😂😂

[@brianmessemer2973]

Acknowledgements to Hugo Weaving who embodied Elrond so very convincingly and with great natural authority. The man played Elrond and Smith, two so very opposite characters yet both equally essential pillars to their respective universes. I don't see Smith when I'm watching Elrond, nor visa versa. A very, very great actor indeed. Love the channel and this video, I'd watched the older version more than once. Nice refresh!

[@silmarian]

Don’t forget Priscilla, Queen of the Desert!

[@gojewla]

@@silmarianthat’s always what I see when I watch him as elrond

[@martavdz4972]

Agreed! I´ve never seen the movies, but Elrond in the pictures I see on the internet is one of the few characters that absolutely agree with what I imagined them like in the 1990´s, while reading the books. The others are Gandalf, Saruman, Frodo, Galadriel, Aragorn and Boromir (except the hair colour, Aragorn and Boromir are supposed to have dark hair). Looking at pictures of Weaving as Elrond, I can accept that he´s lived thousands of years and has massive knowledge, is a healer as well as a warrior. And that´s quite an achievement for an actor.

[@EmoBearRights]

Plus he was also in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

[@rayc321]

V in V for Vendetta as well :)

[@simonrudduck8726]

Hugo Weaving deserves huge respect for such an iconic performance.

[@CryptidRenfri]

One of the GOATS of acting imo

[@DrankenDune]

Maybe Elrond’s “air” powers are used to give the Hidden Valley fair weather? That seems to be how the elves use their magic most frequently. Natural and enhancing things rather than forcing change.

[@jackpowell9276]

I think some element is preservation if i understand it right. Preserving the ancient magic of the world in their small corners, and in some cases enhancing a bit. In the earliest days, the world was far more magical and fantastical throughout.

[@DrankenDune]

Preserving! Yes that’s a better description. But still the ring adds to it. You can feel the magic of Imladris before you reach the city.

[@mikedeck8381]

It was considered to be the most powerful of the elven rings but it wasn't designed to be a weapon of war. It seemed like it was used for healing and preserving knowledge. I suppose Elrond could handle himself in a fight if he needed to.

[@bbgun061]

Magic isn't really a good word for this in Tolkein's legendarium. I prefer to say, innate supernatural abilities.

[@DrankenDune]

@@bbgun061 But they specifically use the word magic in that world? You just have to change your understanding.

[@colindunnigan8621]

Poor Elrond, over 1000 years of fostering Isildur's heirs, and seeing them die, over and over...and that's just one loss the guy endured.

[@dandiehm8414]

The story of Elrond could be a whole movie! And it would be tragic! The ending would go like this - Elrond disembarks from Cirdan's ship on the shores of Aman (or Eressea) and his wife Celebrian greets him with a giant hug, love in her eyes. She then asks "Where is Arwen"? And Elrond will have to tell her that she will NEVER see her daughter again. Elrond got to say his final Goodbyes to Arwen, but Celebrian will never have that chance. When Celebrian and Arwen initially parted, Celebrian looked forward to the day when her whole family could be togetther again in Valinor (or Eressea). Now that will never come to pass. ~ Heartbreaking~

[@johnkeck]

But he gained a son (in-law). lol

[@UPTAUT]

One does what can for family

[@honourabledoctoredwinmoria3126]

​@@johnkeck Who he also doesn't get to see. Most of his life, they were separated and the relationship was somewhat strained, because Elrond wouldn't let Aragorn and Arwen marry until Sauron was defeated and Aragorn was king. So Aragorn was off questing in Gondor, searching for Gollum in the Dead Marshes, visiting Harad and Rhun to further the resistance. He's around for maybe days every few years, and Arwen does not appear to hang around much either. Then they go and get engaged behind Elrond's back, and we have no idea how he feels about it, whether he is annoyed or secretly happy for them. But just when his beloved daughter and adopted son do become the king and queen he knew they could be and gain some tranquility, he has to leave them behind forever.

[@jawstrock2215]

@@dandiehm8414 She could have a chance, if Mandos allows it.

[@samuelvine]

Huh, just thought of this: Galadriel had powers over water, which we of course in her Mirror, but there's another description of her abilities that is often overlooked... when the Aeothaid were riding to the aid of Gondor at one point SHE brought up a mist to hide the army of the future Rhoririm from Sauron's eyes at the nearby Dul Guldor. And Gandalf, had power over fire like you said, but of course also the fire of courage and hearts, he doesn't seem to have to do or say anything for his courage effect to work, it's passive though potent. With Elrond having power over air, what do we see him use the most? His WORDS. The expression of Air is speech. And Elrond's words are always powerful and influential. *One sidenote about the differences in "magic" use between Elrond and Galadriel is that Elrond may not have had as much experience in "active" "magic". Galadriel learned a lot from Melian the Maia on how things worked in the world, training that Elrond may not have had access to, which may be partly why his actions are less showy most of the time. Even the flood at the Bruinen (spelling?) was partly "showy" because of Gandalf's actions not Elrond's. Not saying Elrond couldn't have made the foamy horses in the river, only that he may not have been as skilled in doing at as Gandalf or Galadriel as his magic was focused in other directions. Ok, I'll stop babbling now :D - thanks for the video!!!!

[@dandiehm8414]

Galadriel also used her powers over water in the rivers surrounding Lorien. Nor Orc, (and not even Gollum), got into the Naith.

[@bbgun061]

I think a better term than magic is 'innate supernatural abilities.' As a Maiar, Gandalf was more powerful than Elrond and Galadriel, though their rings boosted them all.

[@bbgun061]

Also I want to add that I like your idea of power over the air being used for words to influence people. Many characters' supernatural abilities overlap with others. Saruman also used words to control people, but he used deceit, whereas Elrond used wisdom.

[@adaslesniak]

It's not babbling. It was a nice read.

[@samuelvine]

@@adaslesniak

[@TheDarkElder]

How powerful was Elrond? Yes, very. One of the very good characters in Tolkien's world, where wisdom and power and merging into a solid guidance to anyone seeking good.

[@SEAZNDragon]

Definitely the power of influence.

[@tobiasstange8346]

Thank you very much for that insightful video. Elrond is one of my favorite characters, especially because he is a 'supportive' character, that accomplishes many tasks behind the scenes, indirectly or through guidance.

[@QuantumHistorian]

A weird thing (though very common in fiction) in LotR is that the rulers of each realm are also the most (or close to the most) powerful / skilled / talented people there. This almost never happens in real life. The king is very rarely also going to be the wisest at giving advice, or the strongest warrior, or the most learnt mage. Or, in a modern setting, it's like if the Prime Minister of a country was also its most genius scientist. You'd expect the ruler to be a manager, hopefully a talented one, but that they're main skill set is in leading and organising rather than their personal ability to resolve plot points.

[@kirkvoelcker5272]

That's why it's fiction. Or am I too disingenuous to know that you are helping yourself to a double portion of irony?

[@Commander_Ray]

well for most of human history that is the case Kings were given the best educations and were trained from birth to rule while peasants and even most lower nobility would not come close to that, as for being the best warrior or Many other things like the wisest that is also seen the first tribes of many cultures were founded because of strong leaders who were the strongest and smartest. as society advanced rulers relied on advisors and champions. as much of the world has democracies the rulers tend to be popular and well spoken because that's how they get the votes to be elected even if they lack great combat skills in the 21st century

[@General12th]

On one hand, Elrond is an elf, so learning wisdom and other skills alongside being a leader for millennia on end would come naturally. On the other hand, everyone else in Rivendell is an elf too, so you'd think at least a few of them would master a craft beyond what Elrond has managed. And maybe they have, but it's not important to the story, so we don't hear about it.

[@Grozhevski]

Yeah but also Gil-galad during his rule chose Elrond as an able assistant. So there may be some amount of meritocracy to this

[@bigstretchdaddy]

No.. now rulers or those in charge are very very good and something. Being absolutely corrupt and weak. Easily seduced by the world and sin. From greed and narcissistic egomaniacal insanity and power mad to rampant pedophilia, oh yes... Our so-called leaders are quite adept at things... Just nothing good.

[@enoughothis]

I love the line Elrond speaks to the Nazgul in the third Hobbit movie "You should have stayed dead."

[@gptsiteuser]

Bizzare take

[@thanos7412]

Which was cringe as hell. This happens when you try to embed lines from cheesy 90s movies into high fantasy epic stories

[@suran396]

They also added a bone head 80's movie quote in the 1st Hobbit. Thankfully, I can't recall it precisely.

[@12classics39]

I haven’t seen the Hobbit films - PLEASE don’t tell me he actually says this…..!!!!???? You’re joking, right???!!!!

[@suran396]

@@12classics39 i'm.going to be straight with you. The art.and landscapes are beautiful and there are some wonderful moments, but overall the 3 films are a disappointment. They wove in all kinds of nonsense to drag it out to 3 films and often forgot they weren't producing a comedy. It would have been far better as a stand alone film, or perhaps 2 fulms.and the 3rd one could be a background story.

[@adriannalockhart9639]

My favorite good LotR character. Hugo Weaving did a wonderful job playing him. Thanks so much for the video!

[@matbroomfield]

That was a lovely closing paragraph. You do have such a lovely way of looking at the world.

[@MrGrimmNZ]

Elrond is a GOAT. Id say he probably sat things out in the end to oversee that as many elves left middle earth as possible. Making sure the roads were as safe as possible, making sure there was a homely house for them to stay before continuing further. He was being a leader, and one of the last to leave. Great man

[@aqdrobert]

Toriel: Elrond is my favorite GOAT. I shall bake him pie.

[@Wolfeson28]

I remember this being discussed in an earlier video, but think think the "power" we see in LotR in the sense of wisdom or lore comes from a very real sense of being "in tune" with the world. Considering that in-universe, the world was literally sung into existence as the Music of the Ainur, I think the musical analogy is very apt. Individuals who are in tune with that deeper music that underlies the world are more likely to sense the hidden patterns underlying events, have insight into how things may unfold in the future, and perhaps also recognize others who have that strong connection. Valar, maiar, and those with connections to them such as elves and Numenorian humans seem to have an innately stronger connection, but it takes intentional study to truly open one's mind to the music of the world. Elrond, very definitely, exemplifies all of these criteria.

[@SSAXEL]

this is certainly true for Tom Bombadil. There's no one more powerful, and no one more in tune with the natural world

[@Limubi1]

I think the interesting (potential) manifestation of Elrond's ring as the Ring of Air is his role as Loremaster. Often, the element of Air is associated with study, rational thought, analysis, and language. While we don't see Elrond's command of on element at any point in the same way that we do with the other two Elven Ring bearers, his fame as being a font of knowledge is great. I wonder if Vilya helps him with his ability to accrue and hold onto knowledge, and dispense it as wisdom when it is needed?

[@tar-elenionmaranwe1275]

"The chief power (of all the rings alike) was the prevention or slowing of decay (i.e. 'change' viewed as a regrettable thing), the preservation of what is desired or loved, or its semblance - this is more or less an Elvish motive. But also they enhanced the natural powers of a possessor - thus approaching 'magic', a motive easily corruptible into evil, a lust for domination." Letter 131 Oh, and Elrond commanded the Bruinen.

[@jawstrock2215]

@@tar-elenionmaranwe1275Him "commanding" the Bruinen is more that he had access and control of it's source, more then him just, ordering the river to do things. He just did the same thing the Ent did on Isenguard, block the water flow, accumulate it into a dam, then released it when required. It's why Frodo was able to cross the river on well horse. The water level had lowered quite a bit.

[@tar-elenionmaranwe1275]

@@jawstrock2215 Can you provide a quote from Tolkien where he describes that Elrond had a dam built on the river and used that to control the river? What is written in LotR is: "‘Who made the flood?’ asked Frodo. *‘Elrond commanded it,’* answered Gandalf. *‘The river of this valley is under his power,* and *it will rise in anger when he has great need* to bar the Ford. As soon as the captain of the Ringwraiths rode into the water *the flood was released."* Many Meetings Frodo is crossing at a ford.

[@jawstrock2215]

@@tar-elenionmaranwe1275 Well, I don't think it's written per say, more that it doesn't require it to be magic in the sense we know it as. Maybe it's just an interpretation, but it feels more like figure of speech here then anything. The only actual magic we see are done by Maiars(Mostly Gandalf) or Galadriel, who studied under one. Elf "magic" is more about deep understanding of the world, (reading minds, conversing with trees, expert craftsmans, songs that affect the mind, etc.)

[@tar-elenionmaranwe1275]

@@jawstrock2215 I see. So you are just adding what you want, over what Tolkien wrote.

[@shaniaduchene8063]

I have watched quite a few of your ASOIAF and Tolkien videos in the last few weeks. Every time you start a video with a question like this, I say “i don’t know, Robert, you tell me” and chuckle to myself. Every time. Never change!

[@Agreus93]

I Love Lord Elrond even if he didn't seek or want any tittles. The book Elrond was so different from movies Elrond, book Elrond was "kind as summer" even if he had such a painful life: They parents became sky entities when he was a child, was a hostage in his childhood, he not only had separated ways (until the end of times!) of his beloved twin brother but to his treasured daughter as well and on top of that, he lost her wife for a very long time and her damage was even impossible for him to cure. I rejoice myself thinking when he cross the sea and reunited with his wife in the undying lands. Thanks IDG!

[@dandiehm8414]

True! - but I can't help but to imagine one powerfully poignent scene. Elrond disembarks from Cirdan's ship on the shores of Aman (or Eressea) and his wife Celebrian greets him with a giant hug, love in her eyes. She then asks "Where is Arwen"? And Elrond will have to tell her that she will NEVER see her daughter again. Elrond got to say his final Goodbyes to Arwen, but Celebrian will never have that chance. When Celebrian and Arwen initially parted, Celebrian looked forward to the day when her whole family could be togetther again in Valinor (or Eressea). Now that will never come to pass. ~ Heartbreaking~

[@LKMNOP]

I always thought that he was so low key has to be boring in the movie. Got no feeling of fire or strength from him. And elrond had to have a lot of strength to survive all this time and to keep rivendale a safe haven.

[@juankovacs6033]

Is somewhat wholesome to think how Elrond fostered and cared about his grand grand grand grand grand nephews... Until he married his daughter to one of them 😂

[@dandiehm8414]

Well - Aragor was descended about 6000 years from Elros!

[@General12th]

​@@dandiehm8414Which would be a millennia more distant than Egyptian Pharaoh Iry-hor and anybody alive today, for reference.

[@typacsk]

Arwen: "You know who's looking fine tonight? Estel." Legolas: "Okay, you did not just say that." Arwen: "What? He's a good kisser." Legolas: "He's your cousin." Arwen: "Wait, what?! ...DAD!"

[@martavdz4972]

Yeah, the famous composer Antonín Dvořák married the daughter of his teacher, and if I imagine that his teacher had been here since the times of Ancient Mesopotamia, his daughter since the Ancient Greece, and Dvořák had been his thousandth pupil or thereabouts... Now I think of it, I hugely respect Arwen for not thinking Aragorn was just an inexperienced baby.

[@Veylon]

@@typacsk Elrond: "It's true. He's your first cousin, sixty-two times removed."

[@Debba521]

Well done, thanks! I always found it puzzling why Elrond wasn't a King, especially after the demise of Gilgalad. He was the grandson of a King. But maybe that was a role too specific, and he wanted to keep things more general. As the Lord Elrond, he could be all things to all Elves, and even other peoples. Also a bit strange that Frodo never called him out on his ring of power, or Gandalf's for that matter. He could perceive Galadriel's. But maybe she allowed that for her own purpose. I just can't imagine how sad it was for him to walk down the ages without his twin, who chose mortality. Can't blame him for being so aggrieved by Arwen's choice. I think he and Galadriel were the greatest Elves in the history of Middle Earth. They stayed there, engaged the whole long while, fighting the good fight. Never wavering. A true heir of Beren and Luthien.

[@shokmusic_AC]

Excellent video! Elrond could have truly laid claim to the title of High King but chose not to. This says much about his character.

[@langlest]

The casting for Elrond was perfect in LOTR but absolutely terrible in Rings of Power

[@AsimovVibes]

Robert Aramayo is excellent. We are only 1 season in. Give it time

[@faustomadebr]

​@@AsimovVibesROP is wrong in its very root. Good cast or not, the text is totally wrong.

[@AsimovVibes]

@@faustomadebr you're wrong in your very root.

[@faustomadebr]

@@AsimovVibes Oh! Yeah. Specially about mithril.

[@user-mb1hg4qu9f]

👍👍 Gandalf, Elrond and Aragon. Three pivotal characters, for sure.

[@pamelah6431]

In ROTK at Aragorn's coronation, when the banner is moved aside and Arwen emerges, Hugo's "my baby is all growed up" expression sparks the water works for me every time.

[@LKMNOP]

His baby was a grown woman for god sakes. He always treated her as an adult. That was a disgusting 1950s type of line. "My baby", indeed...

[@pamelah6431]

@@LKMNOP what exactly is your problem? 🙄

[@vortexgen1]

Those that do not seek power, are those that wield it best

[@haydwilljones]

@ InDeepGeek thanks for your videos of tolkien's work i enjoy them and learn a bit to, please keep up with them as they are very enjoyable and informative, again you have my thanks.

[@CleverGirlAAH]

I really like seeing the maps and distributions!! It helps illustrate things so much more clearly! Keep going in that direction, man, it really works!

[@LordRunolfrUlfsson]

(5:27) It's what we would call "soft power" today. You don't easily see it, but it's influence is potent. (6:05) Arguably the greatest power of the Great Rings is the power to preserve things. Rivendell and Lorien stand strong against the power of Sauron (without the One Ring) because they resist change. With the One Ring, the power of the other Great Rings would belong to Sauron, and anything made with their power would belong to him. With the One Ring destroyed, the power that kept them safe and unchanging ceased to be.

[@babsbybend]

I read "The Hobbit" back in the 1960's, read TLoTR, Silmarillion, some of the Lost Tales, and still cannot wrap my mind around Elrond having a red silk handkerchief to loan to Bilbo. And did Bilbo return it? Or was he always mooching off him?

[@meganofsherwood3665]

... I completely forgot about that, ans now I'm curious 😂

[@alinaanto]

I love the more subtle approach to power displayed throughout all of Tolkien work I love how deep and thoughtfully written a character Elrond is! I really like how you gave credit to the artists at the end of the video! Great video, thank you for posting!

[@chrisfxi1216]

Thank you so much for all your videos man. They really are a pleasure to listen to

[@claytonhaag6931]

Great video Robert! I absolutely love the lore of Elrond. He is a key player in many many ways

[@fightronin3753]

Awesome video!!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

[@jamesgrieve8435]

This was awesome, thank you for such a great video

[@kotadawndragon]

Elrond is my favorite elven character in Tolkien's works. He's just awesome. I do wonder if one of Vilya's powers is clairvoyance. In lots of other fantasy works, the power of air tends toward information gathering, i.e., the wind telling the user things and other such.

[@lepeixe22]

Well it sure explains telepathy, as if the wind is carrying his words across middle-earth

[@dave70a]

I love all videos from In Deep Geek!

[@omarbinno4390]

Awesome way to end it. Keep up the great work!

[@dbf1dware]

Thank you so much for highlighting Elrond. My favorite LOTR characters have always been: Aragorn, Elrond, then his sons Elladan and Elrohir. Geek alert: you have no idea how many Rangers I've run in my DnD life.

[@TheMASTERCONE1]

Another great video 👏🏻

[@theun4giv3n]

Another great video. Thanks. Worth mentioning too that he was an excellent warrior given all the battles he survived.

[@user-sd7ri9fy4i]

Nice work dude thanks

[@arkdeniz]

Hugo Weaving threaded all through this video and not a single sighting of Robert Aramayo’s portrayal. IDG Robert is trying to say something, I think.

[@martavdz4972]

I was curious, so I looked at Robert Aramayo´s pictures as Elrond and nearly threw up. That isn´t Elrond, not by a long shot.

[@AsimovVibes]

​@martavdz4972 maybe watch the show. He's great as Elrond.

[@7ItalianStallion]

Another excellent narration. Great upload your view on lotr are great!

[@Mathemagical55]

The flooding of the Ford of Bruinen is powered by Vilya in the same way Galadriel uses Nenya to protect Lothlorien. Since the location of the Three could not be discussed, Gandalf had to fudge slightly and say that Elrond commanded it.

[@Scientist_Salarian]

Robert could write and narrate the drying of paint and I’d listen in fascination. The sublime nuance of his performance is masterful.

[@scottdevlin1491]

Great video. Thanks to you.

[@CurtHowland]

Well done. Thank you.

[@katherine.benson4489]

I love this stuff. Thanks.

[@seanpatrickperfecto7426]

Love these videos.

[@martavdz4972]

Greetings from Czechia, you have a new fan! The first upload I get to witness is about my favourite character! ❤ I´ve always had a crush on Elrond, even as a teenager in the 1990´s. It fascinated me how his role is hard to define, but we have no problem accepting it, as if it was deep inside us, like an archetype. And yet, I know no archetype like that. He´s full of paradoxes. Removed far away, yet in the centre of things. Calm and wise, yet a fierce warrior. Living at a fixed place and very much connected to it, yet his hand is in half of all the things that happen. A crucial advisor to politicians with millennia of learning, yet running a house of simple hospitality. He´s like... as if twenty good men put together had thousands of years to grow in wisdom and humility and various fields of study. His character showcases what it means when elves live in Arda for a very long time and use that time for the very best purposes. Thank you for laying out his complexity and greatness! 👍

[@meganofsherwood3665]

Beautifully said!!

[@martavdz4972]

@@meganofsherwood3665 Thank you! 🙂

[@logangodofcandy]

We talk of the brothers elrond and elross that chose to be either human or elf. We seldom hear of the third brother, Elroy, who chose to be a bootlegger and play legendary melodies in banjo, as his glorious mullet flows in the breeze.

[@sakemp3480]

Considering his pop is in the air with a simaril, the air ring makes sense

[@GGable]

Well done!

[@Jett125]

What a great video. Ive always liked elrond but he may be one of my favourites now

[@shawn6669]

The thing I always think of, which I'm pretty sure most people don't because he never claimed the title, but whether he claims it or not, he IS the last High King of the Noldor by right of birth and by being the heir of Gil-Galad.

[@flawedperspective]

It is interesting to compare and contrast the Tolkien's concept of Power comparing Elrond vs. Sauron but also what we today view as power (a.k.a. money and control over others).

[@rkgaustin9043]

Ioreth: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known. Gandalf: I wish Elrond was here instead. Aragorn: Dude, WTF I'm like right here.

[@kdubs83]

I love that line in the books. ❤ The first one obviously. 🤣

[@lotro1986]

Elrond McBong has immense powers

[@awesomehpt8938]

Very. But not enough apparently to get Isildur to drop the ring into mount doom.

[@KorriTimigan]

In fairness, NOBODY was powerful enough to do that

[@Jaxx2385]

Does anyone know how the good guys even knew that was how to destroy it? Did Sauron brag about that being the only way how would anyone know that? Did if have to be destroyed there or could u just find any volcano ? I need answers

[@TheMarcHicks]

Even Elrond himself would have failed to throw the Ring into Mount Doom if he'd been the one to pick it up. Heck; even Sauron couldn't have thrown the Ring into Mount Doom, even if he'd wanted to.

[@Nala15-Artist]

@@Jaxx2385 Logic. What makes a thing must be able to unmake it.

[@ThommyofThenn]

Isildur kinda stonewalled him with that "No." How the heck do you carry on a discussion like that?!

[@InglouriousBradsterd]

I want to live in Rivendell.

[@dimestorephilosopher3308]

His father was the greatest hero who went and talked to "the gods" to bring them to stop Morgoth. A legacy to live up to.

[@omgblastbeatslol]

Wow man, I conflated this video's title with the one next to it in my recs and actually thought for a second that IDG made a video called "How powerful is Gary Busey?" Could you please make that video anyway?

[@ilkos853]

so basically he was good guys counterpart to Souron. He directs the show from behind not by fear but by wisdom and care

[@bielribeiro6622]

A true hero and friend to all free folk.

[@myla9308]

Elrond is at the top of my list of favorite elves in Tolkien’s writing. As much as I love Hugo, I much preferred the portrayal by Robert Aramayo, who came off far closer to the book version for me, which I prefer. It was one of the few things about the Prime show I thought they actually did well.

[@chaddubois8164]

I was there Gandalf, 3000 years ago, in the fires of Mount Doom. I could do it again because I'm a badass but I'm about to go on vacation and I already paid for the tickets.

[@jacktribble5253]

Quite well done and well said. I would call that power, shaping a world.

[@fuwymechtopia8982]

Anything can happen in war. Powerful people aren't omnipotent and omnipresent, so they must prioritize and strategize. Elrond is a remarkable character and I wish he got more screen time!

[@katiedid1851]

Picking up Silmarillion next. Elrod is one of my favorite characters in the books. He is so understated- and yet effective.

[@dandiehm8414]

The Silmarillion is WONDERFUL. Not an easy read at first but such a treasure trove of lore and motivations. It was truly the Professor's life's work.

[@billmiller4972]

One has to keep in mind that Tolkien was not fond of magical trickery but about managing to get things falling in place at the right time.

[@manso306]

Ok but the real question is How powerful is Hugo Weaving?

[@violator7964]

Elrond to Sauron: “You might think that I have something personal against you. You’re right.”

[@etienneporras7252]

While Tolkien himself claimed that his legendarium was an attempt to "learn the story of Earendil", I find it very telling that the only character to be directly present in all three published novels (Silmarillion, Hobbit, LotR), is Elrond.

[@etienneporras7252]

In a way, Elrond is the Aslan of Middle-Earth.

[@dandiehm8414]

And Sauron - he just didn't have any lines in The Hobbit.

[@etienneporras7252]

@@dandiehm8414 I don't actually think Sauron makes a physical appearance in the Hobbit though. He's mentioned, and everyone knows to avoid him, but he himself does not enter the narrative.

[@dandiehm8414]

@@etienneporras7252 True - but he hardly makes a PHYSICAL appearance in LOTR.

[@etienneporras7252]

​@@dandiehm8414 Which is kinda my point. Elrond DOES have a "physical" presense as a narrative character in all three published works. (However briefly in the Silmarillion).

[@Onager28]

Mr Baggins, welcome back. We missed you.

[@steveaverett]

Thanks!

[@daemonsilver3304]

Through humility does the great strength of Iru Iluvatar flow like torrential tides. And so, in this fashion, did Elrond the Wise wield power.

[@woody5476]

One thing I hated about the Hobbit movies is that they made the dwarves have to escape from the clutches of Elrond when they were in Rivendell, and Elrond was angry and standing in the way of their quest. In the book, Elrond helped them and gave them aid and provisions, and his blessing.

[@LKMNOP]

That is a good point that it was elrond, not the council, that said Merry and Pippin should go with Frodo. It was his decision alone.

[@RustyDust101]

Elrond was powerful by surrounding himself with others of wisdom and power. Glorfindel stands out amongst them, being far older and wiser than even Elrond. But Glorfindel also was weary of his life in Middle Earth and wished to return to Valinor.

[@Lee_H9]

Regarding Elrond's power over air and influencing others - in it's most base definition, Speech is expressing thoughts and feelings over the medium of air.

[@patrickcole2356]

Elrond has two forms of “magic”: the perfect rapport between Elves and the natural world, and a small fraction of his genetic maiar heritage from Melian, who was herself a protector and healer. Remember, the maiar truly were “magical” - they were created with the inherent ability to edit reality with their minds. Each of them with gifted with different knowledge and talents in that regard by illuvatar, but the short version of it is that beings like Melian could create with their minds, communicate with their minds, and exist without physical bodies. Wrapping that all up, Elrond seems to have dedicated himself to study, and focused his millennia of knowledge through a lens of compassion and constructive help. Was he perfect? No. But we could make the argument that he - by several metrics - was, quietly, the most significant elf of the 2nd and 3rd Ages.

[@BeyerEfendi]

They absolutely nailed his casting, though. Hugo Weaving was the perfect Elf-human combo, authoritative and almost gruff at times but graceful and elegant all the same.

[@SSAXEL]

Did I just learn that Aragorn and Arwen are related? Aragorn descends from the line of Numenor, which began with Elrond's brother. And Arwen is Elrond's daughter. I guess a few thousand years of separation between Elros and Aragorn is sufficient, but still.... huh

[@aaronburdon221]

They were indeed. Separated by centuries and I think 50 or so generations, but yes.

[@Gounen]

I start to begin to understand Colbert's knowledge...

[@frans2111]

IMO, (the ring of) Power is divided into 3 factions; politics, materialism and ethics. Gandalf represents the ethical spectrum, it is he who kindled the fire in bilbos hart to go into adventure. Galadriel represents materialism, giving gifts to the fellowship. Elrond represents politics, counseling many races of middle earth. All these 3 can’t live without the fourth, which is the all consuming power, it is not a coincidence that the four elements (Earth being the one ring) are represented by them.

[@taidee]

Elrond being a magnificent being who is part of all, cares about them all, has duty of care and he carries it with honor.

[@LibertarianLeninistRants]

Wait what? Elrond is Aragorn's great-great-great-...-great-uncle? I never looked that deep into LotR lore to notice that

[@tar-elenionmaranwe1275]

Yep, something like 65 greats in there.

[@LibertarianLeninistRants]

@@tar-elenionmaranwe1275 still family, especially if you are basically immortal like Elrond and remember everyone

[@TheMarcHicks]

Yep, both descended from Earendil the Mariner.

[@graey24601]

Elrond was one of the best people in Middle Earth, and that is saying something indeed.

[@btswt101]

“Why Mr. Frodo? Why? Why do you persist?” is my favorite quote from the trilogy.

[@donnybrasco6321]

Have you done one of these deep dives for Beorn and Bombadil?

[@aaronburdon221]

Yea, Elrond and his elves were figuratively the bulwark that kept Sauron from overrunning the western portions of the map and flanking Gondor.

[@TrulyMadlyShallowly]

8:35 About Rivendell and Kingship. There were not many Noldor left to lead, though I believe Elrond chose to lead all, not just this small group. And Rivendell is not just for any travellers, but literally a refuge and a safekeep.

[@Raz.C]

It's not really Elrond that's protecting and preserving Rivendell. The ring is responsible for that What marks Elrond as 'special' is that he's powerful enough to wear that ring and to use it to its full effect (let's not forget Galadriel's words to Frodo about him trying to use the Ruling Ring for more than just invisibility - "Do not try! It would destroy you!").

[@deeayenn]

The more I study Middle Earth the less I seem to understand it. Thank you for constantly providing me (us) with the information from across the ages & helping me form a clear picture of events, time lines & people.

[@dandiehm8414]

That's odd - the more I study it the more I understand it. But I agree that all fo these videos are excellent sources and are done so well.

[@joshuawells5953]

A little off topic but if you're a fan of Hugo Weaving (Elrond) i recently watched a movie called "The Interview" with him starring. Pretty friggin good.

[@ColinJohnson-hb3jf]

I just had an idea. If Melian the Maia could "breed" with an elf, and create powerful progeny, why couldn't Melkor and Sauron do the same? Melkor was pissed that he couldn't create his own creatures and turned to mutating existing beings, but what if he just created a breeding system with him at its heart, having progeny with demi-god like powers to go out and destroy? Same with Sauron. He could breed with captives and create powerful children that could do his bidding.

[@TechBearSeattle]

Vilya, the Ring of Air, controlled time itself. That is what preserved Rivendell through millennia, and that is why Elrond was considered wise: he could see the general shape of the future, or at least patterns in the past and present that, with careful study, let him infer what was to come. That may also be where his healing talent came from, as he could review past treatments and maybe even experiment with the probabilities of various courses to see what one had the best chance of success.

[@flyboy152]

Isuldur is not riding to give Elrond the One Ring when he is ambushed, he is taking it back to his dwelling to make it an heirloom of the North Kingdom. If he wanted to give Elrond the ring, he could have done it on the slopes of Mt. Doom, right after he cut the ring from Sauron’s hand. Also, although Elrond was descended from Noldorin nobility, his human heritage would likely have precluded him from assuming the kingship of the Noldor. Finarfin is still king of the Noldor in the Blessed Realm. In Middle-Earth, Galadriel is the highest ranking Noldorin elf remaining.

[@dlsamson]

Wisdom is understanding the limits of knowledge & power