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"I pass the test! I will diminish, and go into the West. And remain Galadriel" - Galadriel

Galadriel was the Elven queen of Lothlórien. She was one of the oldest Elves in Middle-earth and one of the most important figures in elven history. Lady Galadriel was the co-ruler of the Elven Kingdom, Lothlorien, along with her husband Celeborn. She was originally born in Valinor during the height of its bliss. As such, she was the highest ranking and one of the most powerful elves of the Third Age. She was the keeper of Nenya, one of the three Elven rings. She possessed the Mirror of Galadriel, which could reveal potentially future events to its viewer, as well as the Phial of Galadriel, which held the light of Earendil's star.

History[]

Ring of Power[]

Sometime during the Second Age, Galadriel was given a ring of power like Elrond and Cîrdan.[1] Her ring was Nenya, the ring of adamant, but also known as the ring of water. Yet she could not use her ring when the Elves discovered that Sauron had forged a ruling ring to govern the lesser rings. Therefore Galadriel removed her ring and kept it hidden.[2]

She kept a watchful eye over Sauron, much like the other Eldar while he was gaining power. After Sauron was defeated, she did not believe that evil would be gone forever as the ring had not been destroyed.

Sorceress of the Golden Wood[]

"An Elf Witch... of terrible power!" - Gimli muses on Galadriel

She lived in Lothlórien for a great many years and maintained a strong alliance with King Thranduil in the northern regions. In Sauron's absence, Galadriel was free to use her ring of power Nenya. With that ring she put her power over Lorien, making it a fair place of undying bliss. Its power was such that no evil could enter in and the Elves were at peace within their fair realm.

The Elves renamed it Lothlorien and revered Galadriel as their leader and Queen, though she only took up the title of Lady and merely saw herself as a guardian of the forest. But rumour of her power was spread throughout the lands, as Gimli the Dwarf had evidently heard of her and initially feared her. At some point she formed the White Council with the wizards and Elrond.

At some point Galadriel had a daughter with Celeborn named Celebrian. Her daughter was married to Elrond, and through their union Arwen was born, making Galadriel the grandmother of Arwen.

Whitecouncil

Galadriel and the other members of the White Council.

The White Council[]

"Something moves in the shadows unseen" - Galadriel to Gandalf

During the Third Age, Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield began a quest to reclaim the Dwarf homeland of Erebor. Forces of evil began making appearances again in Middle-earth, adding weight to Galadriel's concern of the enemy's return. Thorin and company arrived at Rivendell after being hunted by Orcs and Elrond gave them refuge in the valley. Suspecting something amiss, Saruman the White summoned Galadriel to Rivendell where the White Council held a meeting. Saruman was willfully dismissive of Gandalf's claims, but Galadriel commanded him to hear Gandalf out. Gandalf showed them the Morgul-blade that Radagast had found in the ruined fortress of Dol Guldur. Saruman dismissed the idea that Sauron had returned but Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel believed that there was possible danger. Galadriel telepathically revealed to Gandalf that she had realised that the Dwarves were leaving while they were in meeting. Lindir arrived in the room and confirmed this, Saruman and Elrond leaving in haste.

After Saruman and Elrond left the chamber, Galadriel spoke with Gandalf alone. She was curious about Gandalf's plan involving Bilbo and the Wizard said he didn't know but that he had found it was the little things and acts of kindness and of love that kept the darkness at bay. Galadriel also told Gandalf if he ever needed help she would be there, before disappearing.

Discovery in the High Fells[]

"Go to the tombs in the Mountains" - Galadriel to Gandalf

Before the company of Thorin entered Mirkwood, Gandalf heard Galadriel speak to him, telling him to go to the High Fells of Rhudaur. Gandalf and Radagast investigated the old tombs to discover that they were empty. Realising the Ringwraiths had been summoned to Dol Guldur by Sauron, Gandalf sent the Brown wizard to tell Galadriel and Elrond while he entered Dol Guldur. After Gandalf was captured by Sauron, Galadriel immediately summoned the council and hastened to Dol Guldur.

Duel with the Dark Lord[]

"Go back to the Void from whence you came!" - Galadriel banishes Sauron

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Galadriel heals Gandalf in Dol Guldur.

After Gandalf's capture, the Torturer of Dol Guldur, had his orders to kill the wizard and harvest his ring. However, the recently arrived Galadriel demanded him to stand down and yield up the wizard. The Orc merely screeched and Galadriel unleashed a blinding energy blast that destroyed the Orc immediately. Galadriel bore Gandalf away, but Sauron was watching them and called out to her. He then set the Nazgûl loose upon them. The spectres formed a ring around Galadriel and Gandalf, barring the way out. However, Elrond and Saruman came to their aid and battled the wraiths of darkness. The Elf Queen took the moment to heal Gandalf, expending much of her own energy. After this, she forcibly commanded Radagast to escort Gandalf to safety.

GALADRION

Galadriel vs Sauron in Dol Guldur.

At last the three were confronted by Sauron, who revealed himself to them. He summoned the Nazgûl once more and sent them to destroy the council. Summoning her last ounce of strength, Galadriel entered her own spectral from (revealed in wrath) and wielded the star glass of Eárendil against the spectres. The wraiths dissolved immediately and Galadriel and Sauron faced off in a powerful battle. After a long struggle, Galadriel overwhelmed Sauron's mind and his spirit was forced to flee. Sauron and the Nazgûl retreated to Mordor, while Galadriel was left shell shocked from the encounter. Elrond was instructed by Saruman to take the Lady back to Lórien to recover and to leave Sauron to him. Galadriel would take time to rest in Lothlórien until the War of the Ring.

Hosting the Fellowship[]

"The quest stands on the edge of a knife" - Galadriel to the Fellowship

Celeborn-and-galadriel

Galadriel with her husband Lord Celeborn.

60 years later, the War of the Ring had begun. During this time, the Fellowship of the Ring passed through Lothlórien. They were brought before Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. There she learnt of Gandalf's demise, musing that all of his deeds were of great importance to the world, yet even she could not comprehend his full purpose. She told the Fellowship to rest, but in private she passively commanded Frodo Baggins, the ring-bearer, to follow her to the glade.

The Mirror of Galadriel[]

"In place of a Dark Lord you would have a QUEEN! Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the earth! All shall love me and despair!" - Galadriel is tempted by the ring

There she asked Frodo if he would peer into the mirror as a test of character. Frodo complied and saw many terrible things, including what may well be the destruction of his home should the quest fail. Galadriel warned Frodo that the Fellowship was already doomed from within, as one of them would "... try to take the Ring".

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The Dark Queen in all her glory.

Overwhelmed by the task ahead, Frodo willingly offered the ring to her. Galadriel found herself tested in turn, as she had spent years pondering what she might do with the One Ring. The Elf Queen was intrigued now that it lay within her grasp. Under the ring's influence, she entered a powerful yet terrifying spectral form, declaring that the ring would give her immense power over the earth. She relented and declined the Ring in the end, acknowledging that she could not wield it and become a Dark Queen in turn. Frodo feared that he could not do this alone, but Galadriel admitted that she had faced perils alone as a ring bearer, whereupon she revealed her own ring, Nenya, to Frodo. She also comforted him with the knowledge that even a small Hobbit could change the future.

Galadriel and Celeborn gave the company many gifts before they continued on their quest. Some of these included the golden bow for Legolas, Noldorin daggers for Pippin and Merry, Hithlain rope for Sam, strands of her hair to Gimli and finally the Phial of Eárendil to Frodo. She bid Frodo a fond farewell and later consulted with Aragorn. The Elf Queen reminded him that the time had come for him to take up the Kingship of Men. After this she bid him farewell, lamenting that they would not meet again.

Aiding Middle-Earth[]

"The power of the enemy is growing" - Galadriel to Elrond

Elrond reasoned with Galadriel to decide whether the Elves would help the men of Middle Earth. The Elf Queen foresaw that Sauron's rule would be endless if he was victorious. She resorted to aid Middle-earth at all costs and with Elrond's approval she sent Haldir with 300 Galadhrim Elves to aid the Rohhirim in Helm's Deep.

She was likely watching over Frodo as he continued his quest. When Frodo was spent after barely escaping the Spider Shelob, he lost hope and passed out. Galadriel came to him in a vision of Lothlórien from afar. There she reminded him that only he could accomplish this task as it was fated to him. She offered him a helping hand. Encouraged, Frodo took her hand, whereupon Galadriel lifted him up and reinvigorates his strength again.

Dol Guldur's final defeat[]

As Galadriel predicted, Frodo succeeded in destroying the One Ring, leading to Sauron's demise. Galadriel and Celeborn had been attacked multiple times by the Orcs of Moria and of Dol Guldur and had successfully driven them away from Lórien. After Sauron's defeat, Galadriel, Celeborn and Thranduil with their forces, attacked and destroyed Dol Guldur.

Elves head to Valinor

Galadriel preparing to sail to the Undying Lands.

Into the West[]

"The power of the three rings is ended. The time has come for the dominion of the Men" - Galadriel's farewell

Galadriel traveled to the Grey Havens. She declared the age of the Elves and the power of the rings had ended, paving way for the dominion of men. She left Middle-earth with Celeborn, Elrond, Cirdan, Gandalf, Frodo and Bilbo Baggins. She made her return journey to the Undying Lands in the West, there to live in peace for eternity.

Personality and Traits[]

Enigmatic and softly spoken, Galadriel is very serene. She too possesses great wisdom, making calculated, pragmatic choices. Her pureness of heart and good will gains her respect from Gandalf, Elrond, Frodo, Aragorn and especially Gimli the Dwarf, who put aside his prejudice of Elves out of reverence for Galadriel. She is able to inspire others when all hope seems lost. Like Gandalf, she sees value in all good things, noting that even hobbits can change the future.

Nevertheless Galadriel can often brood, as she has foreseen a terrible future in Middle-Earth, resenting Sauron for it. She clearly despises evil; when confronted by a single orc, Galadriel blasted him into oblivion while visibly smirking, indicating a more ruthless side to her. She also resents the fading of the Elves, even though she has accepted it.

Galadriel was not above the temptation of power, which is hinted at in the films. The fact that she used such a devastating spell to destroy a single orc may come across as an overkill, but it actually hints at Galadriel's love of power. Her desire to overthrow Sauron and restore the might of the Elves ultimately lead to her pondering whether she could use the One Ring to achieve those ends. When Frodo presented it to her, she admitted that she had longed to wield it. But nonetheless the Elf Queen had great strength of character, as she overcame her temptation and refused the ring, acknowledging that she would fade and return to the West.

Powers and abilities[]

"If you try to stop me, I will destroy you" - Galadriel threatens an Orc

Galadriel is the most powerful Elf in Middle-earth, by the Third Age she often fought using magic rather than weapons. At one point she was even able to defeat the more powerful Dark Lord Sauron, being barely able to drive him out of Dol Guldur.





Additional Third Age powers:

  • Disintegrating Light - a lance of light that can obliterate solid matter. Galadriel used this power to destroy a large Orc. She can also make a shroud of light to make it harder to aim at her.
  • Healing - Galadriel is a skilled healer, able to revive Gandalf in mere seconds. Likely aided by Nenya.
  • Foresight - Galadriel has immense foresight, predicting Boromir's treachery as well as Gandalf's return.
  • Telepathy - Galadriel can communicate in the mind from afar, sending messages to Gandalf, Elrond and even Frodo while he was in Mordor.
  • War Aspect - known as an Elf revealed in wrath, Galadriel can enter this form to overwhelm other spirits, such as Sauron and the Nazgul, though it drains her power. She also can make physical strikes as damaging as though she was armed.
  • Physical strength - Galadriel lifts an unconscious Gandalf off the ground without much of a struggle.
  • Aura of Hope - Galadriel inspires others with hope, much like Gandalf. Gimli is enlightened by her and openly respects her. Frodo finds strength again when she sends him a vision from afar.
  • Basnishment—She can damage or dismiss spirits with ease.
  • Command—She can force weak-willed foes to kill about according to her whims.
  • Transfix-Her gaze can paralyze the weak of will.
  • Aura of Fear - the Elven Queen can actually scare foes and allies alike. The most plain example is when she forcefully commanded Radagast to take Gandalf away, glowing with a white light. Boromir faltered under her gaze, and Frodo was scared by her when she revealed her war form.
  • Grant Magic Resistance—She can grant others resistance to magic, such as how she enchanted the Fellowship to be able to possibly resist spells up through the death of Boromir.
  • Magical creation - a notable trait of Noldorin Elves is their skill in creation and forging. Galadriel has created two notable items that hold supernatural powers; the Phial of Earendil and the Mirror. The Phial holds water that is somehow able to reflect the light of a star. The Mirror is even more mysterious, as the enchanted water can show visions of the past, present and future.
  • Boundary enchantment - a power conferred by the ring Nenya, making Lothlorien a fair place of bliss and fencing out all evil. The boundary spell controls natural elements and wards off the effects of time.

Relationships[]

Appearances[]

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