Lore of Middle-earth: The Elves

[@talhadeliporsuk5301]

I LOVE to listen to this while i play third age total war. I've listened to all of your lore videos multiple times and i absolutely love them. Thanks a lot for these videos, hope you do a lot more of these :) Keep it up, friend !

[@Melvalan]

Elves have always been my favourite race of all fantasy, though Tolkien's variant are the ones I hold most dear. Thank you for bringing the story of the firstborn to many in a very enjoyable format. It is much appreciated. :) P.S. If there are any plans for a Tengwar video, I would really enjoy watching that one as well. Fare Well.

[@nilubensonofnimruzir1637]

Great video! Of course, as you might expect, I will correct some of your mistakes and add details. -The Misty Mountains were raised by Melkor to stop Oromë the Hunter from finding his fortress and hunting his demons, they weren't raised to stop the Great Journey. They did, however, hindered the Elves. -The Vanyar actually made up MOST of the Host of the Valar during the War of Wrath, which is what you are talking about. -The city upon the Lonely Isle is called Avallonë. -Finarfin was the leader of the Noldo of the Undying Lands. Fingolfin, of course, you know, duels Morgoth and wounds him 8 times. -Celebrimbor's body became Sauron's banner during the War of the Elves and Sauron. -The Master-stone of the Palantíri resides in a tower in Avallonë. -The Elves of the Lonely Isle made journeys to Númenor in-between the reign of Tar-Minyatur and Tar-Ancalimon openly, though they continued to secretly visit the Faithful of Andúnië until the reign of Ar-Gimilzôr.

[@j.l.chapin7158]

Thank you for not using Anime illustrations, as many as there are. Appreciate the time gone into the making of this video.

[@justinsandberg6310]

Agreed, some of the "illustrations" of the history of Arda are obviously the work of Sauron the Deceiver.

[@j.l.chapin7158]

Justin Sandberg They really frustrate me when I see depictions of Great Elven Heroes with giant eyes, cat lips, cat ears, spiky hair, childlike proportions and missing noses accompanied by some background swirls.

[@LeftJoystick]

8 years later, the anime “femboy” and “catgirl” plague is worse than ever. Makes me sick tbh.

[@JosephPaulk77]

Please make more lore videos. I’ve literally seen every lore video you have at least three times each. Your videos are the best on the internet by far when it comes to lotr. I would love to listen to some new ones. I hope you haven’t given up on it yet.

[@Wolfeson28]

42:30 Galadriel does not have any maia blood. Her known ancestors are Finwe and Indis (through her father, Finarfin), and Olwe (through her mother, Earwen) - all elves. The only maia known to have married an elf is Melian, and Galadriel has no direct relation to her. She was a companion to Melian in Doriath for some time, but they are not related.

[@SteepSix]

+Wolfeson28 This is true. But he did alright I reckon. Though I thought it might have been worth mentioning that Sauron is Maia and was Morgoth's 1st Lieutenant

[@suyashbhagwat5615]

+Wolfeson28 you're here too lol !

[@FinarfinNoldorin]

Wonderful videos..you are an awesome teacher..thank you! I will be sharing them

[@jaymi216]

Galadriel does not have Maian blood, as you stated in 43.01. She's the daughter of Finarfin, the youngest son of Finwe, and Earwen, the daughter of Olwe, and younger sister to Finrod, Angrod and Aegnor. .

[@jmitterii2]

She really should be growing a beard or at least a stash... she's very old, and went through many stressful events including crossing the ice bridge area to go to Middle Earth, of which many elves died on that journey. Bet she has to shave everyday, and uses lots of skin moisturizers.... and a magic bra, because she'd be drooping after 3,000 years, that sag left untreated would be 3 feet behind dragging on the floor. Lot of upkeep.

[@Ianthe22]

Ye, You are right about 43.00. Maybe he mixes Galadriel with Luthien? Luthien has maia blood in her. I also don't recall Galadriel having maia blood in her.

[@supercoolhandle77]

How the HELL did J.R.R Tolkien make this amazing story, my brain hurts just trying to comprehend this ONE video, I mean, HOLY SH*T Man!!!!!!!!

[@BernddasBrotB7]

A lifetime of dedication, plus being a genius, plus an overactive imagination.

[@Grimlock1979]

Also experience. He fought in WWI. A lot of his friends were killed. He writes about that a lot.

[@GianniCumbo]

Great video! Some things to point out though...Galadriel is NOT part Maia! And Celeborn does eventually leave and it is said that when he does he takes with him "the last living memory of the elder days".

[@aaronbaron3155]

You're right about the forms of the valar. Tolkien said many times that they clothed themselves in forms like the firstborn only more majestic.

[@aaronbaron3155]

Because of the beauty of the firstborn

[@fakirbocko3820]

Excellent video and so nice naration, good job man :D

[@fieldtinny33]

Well done for making and uploading these videos. Top man.

Thank you very much, you are welcome.

[@bauchbart]

Great Videos! Galadriel did have blood of all the three elven clans. But where is it written that she had maian blood? I couldn't find any afiliation with the Maiar in her lineage, at least none blood related.

[@shinobistrikerfanatic7837]

these videos are awesome. you earned my subscription.

[@NikolaosSkordilis]

36:22 The three great Elven rings are _also_ bound to the One ring, but they're just are not tainted by Sauron because he never touched them. Furthermore, while they are bound to the One ring (and lose all their power when that is destroyed, which is the main reason the Elves of Elrond and Galadriel left Middle Earth) unlike the Seven and the Nine rings, they do not bind the people who wear them to the rings themselves, which is why the Elves were able to remove them when they realized Sauron's treachery. The Elves were later able to use the three rings again (even wear them) when Sauron lost the One. The only danger in using them was when Sauron had and wore the One ring. Presumably, since when the One ring was destroyed they lost their power, they were not only bound to the One but also draw all their power from it, effectively being proxy vessels of the One's power. Which is kind of weird. Oh, great video btw! :)

I have listened back and didn't say what I wanted about Círdan: He is the oldest known elf in Middle-earth, not existence - I don't think I made that clear. :P

[@Linkale14]

The two trees are named Laurelin and Telperion.

[@TenesAsylum]

Black speech is deceptively poetic when spoken compared to it's written form (in 'english' lettering)

[@stoneryoda9377]

TenesAsylum if I could would speak in black speech but I suck at that stuff

[@MrKirby2367]

DO ONE ON THE BAD GUYS!!!!

Patience.

[@Qladstone]

The "bad guys" are the good guys because I like to play as them :D

[@jmitterii2]

No, you're just a bad guy who thinks he's the "good guy".

[@TheDjubele]

Arachir, thanks for a such a great video. Really enjoy your lore ones. Just a little remark - your first (and only) mistake: Cirdan remained in Middle-Earth "until the Last ship will set sail to Valinor". No one source ever said about Cirdan sailing with Lord Elrond & company. Also in The Tale of Arwen and Aragorn it is mentioned that Celeborn had sailed to Valinor before Arwen's death (F.A. 121).

[@LyricalDJ]

+TheDjubele I do like that about Círdan. It's like his skill and experience with seafaring and the love for his people combined to compel him to stay and aid his kin across, even if he is not the one to command the ship then at least to see that all is kept ready.

[@ngugitwc6380]

+TheDjubele Correct on Cirdan, but on Celeborn he had but left Lothlórien to go to Imladris, when Arwen came there. On his departure we're told: "It is said that Celeborn went to dwell there [Imladris] after the departure of Galadriel; but there is no record of the day when at last he sought the Grey Havens, and with him went the last living memory of the Elder Days in Middle-earth." - FotR; Prolouge, 5. From that may be deduced that he left about the same time, if not on the very ship of Cirdan, because if he left before, Cirdan would upheld the memory of the Elder Days. This at any rate ought to been after year 120 Fourth Age, because then Legolas sail West; and the ambiguity in Tolkien's description suggest it occur significantly later.

[@TheDjubele]

+Ngugi TWC I guess I got it: " Then she[Arwen] said farewell to Eldarion, and to her daughters, and to all whom she had loved; and she went out from the city of Minas Tirith and passed away to the land of Lórien, and dwelt there alone under the fading trees until winter came. Galadriel had passed away and Celeborn was also gone, and the land was silent." LoTR, Appendix A, The Tale of Arven and Aragorn" Admit that it doesn`t say anything about Celeborn`s leaving ME, just leaving Lorien. The thing is that in my native language the translator wrote smth like "Galadriel sailed to Valinor, so did Celeborn". And I was never concerned about this question before)

[@ngugitwc6380]

Ah, no translations can be tricky! The original Swedish translation is famous to be one that took its liberties haha, Tolkien who knew Swedish was angry at our translator, so full understanding for when translations cause confusion ;) :)

[@zivankicivan]

Legolas went west, and Gimli, went west with him. It is said that Gimli is only dwarf ever in history of Middle earth that ever left. It is also said that it was love for Legolas as a friend and Galadriel, for her beauty, that made him go.

[@cesare.lopezelll8122]

Awww... Thats a nice song thanks for reading it

[@lemmypop1300]

Laurelin is the name of the second tree, the golden one. Telperion is the silver one.

[@lolply54]

it's said that the Valar took the form of the elf before the awakening, because they see them in the vision after the ainulindale, and they came on arda because they loved the Eruhini

[@andrewbakun9053]

nice, very much info, its like to read book w/t opening book

[@nastrael]

You mentioned how Mithrandir and Galadriel got their Rings, but not how Elrond got his. Vilya, the Ring of Air, was originally given to Gil-Galad by Celebrimbor. During the War of the Last Alliance, Gil-Galad gave Vilya to Elrond, his herald at the time, for safe-keeping, presumably before his combat with Sauron. After Gil-Galad was slain by Sauron, supposedly having his face melted by "the heat of his(Sauron's) hands", Elrond became the permanent bearer of Vilya.

[@PK-er6gh]

hope ur ready for your isenguard campaign... to waaaaar! >:D

[@suemcgregor9248]

Be respectful to the people of New Zealand who made these movies for you. We worked our backsides off for this

[@Kevin-jb2pv]

Yeah! Respect all the hard-working Australians who worked so hard to make these movies!

This is a review of the literary works.

[@sdev2749]

Celeborn does travel to Aman on the last ship with Cirdan.

[@joeyroni3858]

I thought that Legolas built a ship and sailed to Valinor during the Fourth Age after the death of The King, Aragorn Elessar He heard the call of the Gull Which causes the sea longing in any elf. and I believe he was able to get permission from the Valor to bring Gimli with him, making him the only Dwarf to go to the undying lands.

[@petyrf9101]

Arachir I've maxed out my sound settings, but it's still on the quite side. Might you be able to up the volume a bit in subsequent vids? Thanks for all the vids, really enjoying them.

[@DavidGomez-ln7xi]

great vid man

[@TETASARAIVACS]

My mind is set: *Celeborn* was one of the _First Elves_ who followed Elwë (Thingol) and therefore never saw the Trees. *Glorfindel* was one of the _First Elves_ who followed Finwë and went to Aman

[@dannyshomali1674]

lol if you talked about the events in the Quenta Silmarillion, the video would have been hours long.

[@MasterOfTheElements]

I love your lore videos Mr. Galudirithon I listen to them when I am running or on a walk outside, but I have one question at 42:57 you say that Galadriel has the blood of the maia in her, which one? Did you mean Luthien?

As many pointed out, that part is an error.

[@trentonsedlacek2535]

I believe Cirdan does not go over to Aman at the end of the Third Age but like Celeborn stays in Middle Earth. I've read that he is destined to be on the last ship to Valinor

[@aaronbaron3155]

You got a bit wrong about the first three. They went in order as they found the groups, but the first's first group was smaller than the second and third's groups... so he actually skipped his turn thinking he would get more if he passed. Didn't work out. The light elves then became the smallest group

[@aaronbaron3155]

And glorfindel was always my fave as well... because of his coming back during the second age w boosted power. And because of his bravery at gondolins fall. I agree keeping him out of the movies was criminal

[@elspykers]

I can't find a thing to substantiate the claim that Lady Galadriel has Maiar blood in her. Could this be clarified for me? o.O (because I'd love to know!) Absolutely love your videos, btw!

I got it wrong. She has all the blood of the three houses in her and her Daughter has Maian blood owing to Elrond's side. :( I got it wrong.

[@leonardoveras1]

What is the music playing in the background when you are talking about Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë?

[@GIDEONLYTTON]

+Leonardo Veras Breaking of the fellowship feat in dreams

[@leonardoveras1]

Thanks!

[@ed4pints]

this episode just rasies more questions

[@Anthonycoup]

by Aragorns death in 120 forth age all Elves have departed Middle Earth

[@kimsnightmare]

this was the best one:D

[@johndaniel657]

Galudirithon, I am curious as to what is your favorite age in Tolkien's works. I personnally am very fond of the First Age as it focuses on the Elves. What about you? If I am not out off place to ask.

[@debrickashaw9387]

35:43 isn't it after the fall of numenor were saurons physical manifestation dies he loses his ability to take on a form which appears fair to men and elves?

[@tomwilliams9754]

The other Tree of Valinor was named Laurelin and it was the Gold Tree

[@thechibtastic9356]

Glorfindel is my favorite elf as well and I hate that Peter Jackson cut him from the movies like the ass hat he is.

[@stoneryoda9377]

chibtastic lastname he cut a lot out of the movie they couldn't even mention dwarves we're at in the last alliance but they are great movies some of the book would work in a movie watching the appendices shows the love for the books tho

[@jesseschneider266]

As for what the valar look like, this is what Tolkien tells us: "Now the Valar took to themselves shape and hue; and because they were drawn into the World by love of the Children of Ilúvatar, for whom they hoped, they took shape after that manner which they had beheld in the Vision of Ilúvatar, save only in majesty and splendour. Moreover their shape comes of their knowledge of the visible World, rather than of the World itself; and they need it not, save only as we use raiment, and yet we may be naked and suffer no loss of our being. Therefore the Valar may walk, if they will, unclad, and then even the Eldar cannot clearly perceive them, though they be present. But when they desire to clothe themselves the Valar take upon them forms some as of male and some as of female; for that difference of temper they had even from their beginning, and it is but bodied forth in the choice of each, not made by the choice, even as with us male and female may be shown by the raiment but is not made thereby. But the shapes wherein the Great Ones array themselves are not at all times like to the shapes of the kings and queens of the Children of Ilúvatar; for at times they may clothe themselves in their own thought, made visible in forms of majesty and dread."

[@franklin519]

Did Elves have to eat food? If Thingol could stare at Melian for a thousand years he couldn't have been eating.

I think it is a more metaphorical thing. They do have to eat food.

[@Alphastorm81]

How does Galadriel have Maiar/Ainur blood? The only time Ainur blood entered the Elvish and Mannish bloodlines was from Melian, via Luthien.

[@Kornknealious]

Do you have a video on the Ents and Tombombadi?

[@supershenron9162]

What you're looking for is solar calendar

[@chariakogames4962]

So Arwen really likes younger men to compensate? XD

[@ianthompson7585]

Captain Ralo Afro Everyone keeps talking as if she is crazy old. She really isn't for an elf and the only characteristic of her that would be old is her mental state considering elfs reach there full mental maturity by the age of 50 and full physical maturity by the age of 100 and remains youthfully.

[@vinceranda7509]

Isn't galadriel the Queen of the Noldor in exile following Gil-galad's death?

No that title passes to Elrond. Despite him being born after the Noldor sailed from Valinor. Galadriel would certainly have been the highest ranking female elf but there tradition seems to favour kings over queens.

[@WG1807]

The map you have used from around the 23 minute mark is surely the one representing the third age, and so not representative of the world at the time of the great journey of the first elves? The world as it was at the time of the journey was much altered by the wars of the earlier ages. Beleriand for instance, disappeared altogether beneath the sea.

Well yes that is correct but the aim of the video is also to make it relate-able for layman. Your casual average fan would recognize that map straight away and I was only talking about the Misty Mountains and save for a much more heavily forested Middle-earth, the center and eastern side are relatively unchanged between the Elves walk and the Third Age. Much of the change happens before they awake.

[@WG1807]

Ah yes I see. Sorry, I wasn't being awkward. Good videos btw.

[@marioriospinot]

Nice.

[@krichardj]

Exquisite.

[@JarneyHarney]

Wait!, the first elves where Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë (thingol)... Iv read the Salmarillion a few time? Please explain!?

[@ngugitwc6380]

+JarneyHarney They were not the first, that is correct. The fact that Elwë had brothers, Olwë best known, makes it clear they must have had parents. In the Silmarillion we can read how the three Elves are are representatives, selected from among their race, but they are not called the first of their race: "Therefore Oromë was sent again to them, and he chose from among them ambassadors who should go to Valinor and speak for their people; and these were Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë, who afterwards were kings." -Silmarillion, chapter 'Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor' The first Elves were Imin and his wife Iminyë, Tata and Tatië, and Enel and Enelyë. You can read about them in History of Middle-earth #11. :)

[@Feasael]

+Ngugi TWC Actually Thingol says that he began on the shores of Cuiviénen so he was one of the first elves created by Eru. He and Olwë being brothers was the same as Manwe and Melkor being brothers

[@ngugitwc6380]

+Eimhin Duffy That is true Thingol that says "... me, Elu Thingol, Lord of Beleriand, whose life began by the waters of Cuiviénen...'" [Silm] but that actually do not tell us about how to read 'began'. While it could mean he awoke as one of the first, I maintain he most likely was born (sometime during the over 500 years that Elves lived at Cuiviénen). Because if he awoke, we have issues with contradictions that demand artifical solutions not expressed in the texts, while if he was born there are none; I'll present on what grounds I state so: According to "HoME 11; Quendi and Eldar; Cuivienyarna" about the awakening, the very first Elves awoke in pairs, man and woman, as spouses. Following that (as summarized by Tar Elenion in 2002), we can tell a few characters...: "...are not of the 144 first Elves (the Unbegotten). JRRT wrote that the Unbegotten awoke each with their respective spouse. Thus their were 72 pairs each of husband and wife. Elwe had Melian the Maia as his wife and she was not one of the Unbegotten. Hence Elwe did not Awake but was born as were his brothers (Olwe and Elmo). Finwe wed Miriel who had a mother-name (Serinde) and thus had a mother. Hence Miriel did not Awake so Finwe did not Awake. Ingwe had a sister (Indis or Indis mother depending on version), thus Ingwe had parents." Naturally, Cuivienyarna is said to be Elven folk-lore and not absolute fact, but it is the facts we have, and there's no reason to question the matter of the new race awaking in spouse pairs. If we disregard that, it is still significant that Tolkien never even hint at Elwe and Olwe (and Elmo) being merely figurativly brothers, like he explain Manwe and Melkor were. Indeed, there is not said anyone else deemed them 'adoptive brothers' (like in the case of Manwe and Melkor) and they themselves call each other brothers. To argue they were not blood brothers is unsubstantial from a lore perspective. And the silver-ish hair shared by the relatives is a biological trait: "...and the hair of the Lord Celeborn was of silver long and bright;" -FotR; The Mirror of Galadriel "...Elwë Singollo, which signifies Greymantle, and Olwë his brother. The hair of Olwë was long and white, and his eyes were blue; but the hair of Elwë was grey as silver, and his eyes were as stars;" - Silm; Of the Coming of the Elves... "Elwe himself had indeed long and beautiful hair of silver hue, but this does not seem to have been a common feature of the Sindar, though it was found among them occasionally, especially in the nearer or remoter kin of Elwe (as in the case of Círdan)." - HoME 11; Quendi and Eldar

[@Feasael]

+Ngugi TWC Yep you're right. Its good to be humbled in regards to Tolkiens works once in a while, especially on this of all days

[@ngugitwc6380]

+Eimhin Duffy A seal of approval, then ^^ I have the custom to present the source(s) I base an opinon on, because it is important for a discussion, and so that others may point out what may be misinterpeted or I forgotten to take into consideration :)

[@blz4849]

people talk about the elves awakening and I want to know what that is please can you explain what it is in another video

It is explained here. It is literally just the Elves being woken up by the God of Middle-earth. Everything about it is in this video.

[@blz4849]

Arachîr Galudirithon they say dwarves had something to do with the awakening of the elves I just don't remember what it is

[@blz4849]

+Javier Kútulas I meant about the dwarves being delayed until after the awakening of the elves that's what I meant to say

[@shitjezchrist]

The dwarves, unlike men and elves, were not the work of eru illuvatar, they are the creation of one of the valar. Eru was "upset" about the sudden creation but decided to keep the dwarfs, but they were asleep untill they awoke long after the elves. I believe the dwarves were created before the elves but awoke afterwards.

[@blz4849]

shitjezchrist thanks!

[@vicruz4316]

Thank you1

[@bengwa7]

Anyone else spot the UFO's lol? at 15:10 on the right hand side next to the great trees of light.

[@stoneryoda9377]

Bengi Paul yh I saw them when I first watched it lol I'm always lookin for UFOs

[@TheJCJexe]

Elwe and Melian stared at each other for a 1000 years?

[@Grimlock1979]

He said thousands of years but that's greatly exaggerating. It was 22 years of the trees which corresponds to about 200 solar years.

[@sidonus]

Yes they do return. in the final battle of Dagor Dagorland. the prophecy

[@p1p3man]

song at 16.20 ?

[@Rintse]

Why are these unlisted?

For my mental sanity.

[@Rintse]

@ fair do's

[@Meeran115]

Can I just say I am the 600th like.

[@ladyalaina42]

First time listening and need cc as you are very difficult to understand. Ennouncation is really important.

This video is 6 years old. Try a later one.

[@HoldstarX]

Dude. Please write down the script and do some audio edit afterwards. This episode is of so poor quality and full of you babbling that it's hardly of any value. You can do better than that.

I shan't write a script. This video is from February of this year. Not only has my recording equipment and software all improved since then but I am also more practiced. Comments regarding quality of material should be posted on the latest video if you still feel the same way. However, this is a hobby not a job and I shall do it exactly how I want to do it. I earn more than enough money in real life from my job so have no desires to change how I am just so that I am more appealing to the lowest common denominator. :)

[@carcillian]

HoldstarX you do a video then other than whining about someone elses. People like you only know how to bitch...stfu.

[@HoldstarX]

Seriously dude? At no point in my comment I touched anything that could be related to your intelligence, material situation, current job, ancestry or personal hygiene. Lowest common denominator? Really? I won't even bother with homegrown psychological analysis on this, because I haven't come here to start shitstorm in comments. Let me clarify my comment for you instead: Topic is interesting and well deserves a good video. However any lack of coherence in your speech makes this more of a drunk Trump's rambling and poor audio quality makes many moments illegible (people can't hear the exact words). Hobby or not, writing a script before recording (even just an approximate order of topics) will help tremendously. Cutting out moments where you sneeze or cough or make other physiological noise or receive messages from other people will only help to improve quality of the video. For now, I would say I feel like 'appealing to the lowest common denominator' among people making youtube videos... oh well.