Celeborn is a Sindarin elf considered to be one of the noblest of the Sindar and one of the wisest elves in all of Middle-earth. He goes by many titles such as the Prince of Doriath, Celeborn the Wise, Lord of East Lórien, Lord of Lothlórien, Lord of the Golden Wood, and Lord of the Galadhrim. Celeborn moved a lot. He has dwelt in Doriath, Eregion, Eriador, Harlindon, Imladris, Belfalas, Lothlórien, and East Lórien. Celeborn has a height of 6 feet and 4 inches. He has long, silver hair. He can speak in Sindarin, Silvan Elvish, and Westron. Celeborn was known to be quick-thinking, and he acted fast. These characteristics made him one of the wisest elves in Middle-earth and a great warrior.
Biography
It is uncertain when Celeborn was born. It was assumed that he was possibly born during the Year of the Trees. Celeborn was a kinsman of Thingol, the king of Doriath. He is the grandson of Elmo, the brother of Thingol. These connections make him a Prince of Doriath. Celeborn's father was Galadhon. Celeborn also has a brother named Galathil. Celeborn is the husband of Galadriel, the Lady of the Golden Wood. Together, they had a daughter named Celebrían, who became Elrond's wife and the mother of Arwen.
History
First Age
During FA 52, Galadriel was among the Ñoldor who came to Middle-earth because she wished to see the lands and have a realm of her own. She eventually arrived in Doriath with Finrod and were welcomed as guests of King Thingol. At this time, Celeborn and Galadriel met. The two fell in love and married each other. Galadriel remained in Doriath with Celeborn when Finrod left and headed towards the Caverns of Narog, where he later founded the Nargothrond.
Celeborn and Galadriel then started their new life in Beleriand. It is entirely unclear how long the couple stayed in Beleriand. One story said that by FA 495, the two crossed the Blue Mountains and moved to Eriador before the Fall of Nargothrond started. But there was another story that stated they stayed in Beleriand until the First Age ended. In FA 502, King Thingol summoned dwarf craftsmen to his kingdom. He wanted to set a Silmaril in the Nauglamir.
The jeweled necklace initially owned by the dwarves. Upon seeing these, they demanded that Thingol give it as the necklace originally belonged to the dwarves. Thingol refused, so the dwarves killed him and took the necklace and the Silmaril. The elves of Doriath pursued the dwarves and were able to retrieve the necklace. However, two dwarves managed to escape and successfully got back to Nogrod. They then gathered the other dwarves to seek vengeance on the elves. An army of dwarves was formed, and they defeated the elves. They were able to take the Nauglamir back, but Beren was able to reclaim it. Doriath was temporarily led by Beren's son, Dior Eluchil. During this time, the sons of Feanor tried to take the Silmaril.
Elwing, Dior's daughter, was able to escape with the Silmaril. However, Dior met his untimely death, and because of this, Doriath was left in shambles, and the elves deserted the city. It was because of these chains of events that Celeborn started to distrust the dwarves. By the end of the War of the Wrath, Morgoth was defeated. The Valars allowed the Ñoldor to return to the Undying Lands after Beleriand sank in the sea. During this time, Galadriel chose to stay in Middle-earth with her husband, Celeborn.
Celeborn and Galadriel then started their new life in Beleriand. It is entirely unclear how long the couple stayed in Beleriand. One story said that by FA 495, the two crossed the Blue Mountains and moved to Eriador before the Fall of Nargothrond started. But there was another story that stated they stayed in Beleriand until the First Age ended. In FA 502, King Thingol summoned dwarf craftsmen to his kingdom. He wanted to set a Silmaril in the Nauglamir.
The jeweled necklace initially owned by the dwarves. Upon seeing these, they demanded that Thingol give it as the necklace originally belonged to the dwarves. Thingol refused, so the dwarves killed him and took the necklace and the Silmaril. The elves of Doriath pursued the dwarves and were able to retrieve the necklace. However, two dwarves managed to escape and successfully got back to Nogrod. They then gathered the other dwarves to seek vengeance on the elves. An army of dwarves was formed, and they defeated the elves. They were able to take the Nauglamir back, but Beren was able to reclaim it. Doriath was temporarily led by Beren's son, Dior Eluchil. During this time, the sons of Feanor tried to take the Silmaril.
Elwing, Dior's daughter, was able to escape with the Silmaril. However, Dior met his untimely death, and because of this, Doriath was left in shambles, and the elves deserted the city. It was because of these chains of events that Celeborn started to distrust the dwarves. By the end of the War of the Wrath, Morgoth was defeated. The Valars allowed the Ñoldor to return to the Undying Lands after Beleriand sank in the sea. During this time, Galadriel chose to stay in Middle-earth with her husband, Celeborn.
Second Age
At the beginning of the Second Age, Celeborn and Galadriel settled in Lindon. Gil-galad was the elven high-king that ruled over Lindon. Gil-galad made Celeborn rule the fief of Harlindon under his name since there were a lot of Sindar elves in that area. Later, Celeborn and Galadriel decided to move on eastward to settle in Eriador. There was a small group of Noldor, Sindar, and Green elves that moved with them. It was presumed that they stayed in Lake Evendim for a while, where Galadriel gave birth to Celebrian. In SA 700, Celeborn and Galadriel and their followers started moving again towards the east.
During this time, Galadriel felt that an evil force is growing in Middle-earth and felt obligated to fight it. By SA 750, Celeborn and Galadriel moved to Eregion, where Galadriel's distant cousin, Celebrimbor, ruled. There, they lived with Celebrimbor and the elven-smiths. The elves of Eregion had occasional dealings with the dwarves of Khazad-dûm. Although these dwarves had nothing to do with the fall of Doriath, Celeborn still distrusted them and refused to deal or enter the region of Khazad-dûm. In SA 1200, Sauron entered Eregion disguised as the Lord of gifts, Annatar.
He deceived the elven-smith and asked them to forge the Rings of Power. Sauron secretly forged the One Ring that has power over all the Rings of Power. Celebrimbor created three elven rings behind Sauron's back. When Sauron found out, he was enraged and attacked Eregion. Celeborn was one of those who led a sortie from Eregion to meet Sauron's army on the battlefield. He was able to drive the enemy back and join the elves of Rivendell and Lindon led by Elrond. However, their joint forces were still not enough to defeat Sauron. Celebrimbor was killed, and Eregion was ruined. Sauron was able to get hold of the Nine Rings for men and six of the seven rings for the dwarves. After the fall of Eregion, Celeborn and Galadriel may have moved to Lothlórien. During this time, The king of Lothlórien was Amdir. Amdir was killed in the War of the Last Alliance, and the throne of Lothlórien went to his son, Amroth.
During this time, Galadriel felt that an evil force is growing in Middle-earth and felt obligated to fight it. By SA 750, Celeborn and Galadriel moved to Eregion, where Galadriel's distant cousin, Celebrimbor, ruled. There, they lived with Celebrimbor and the elven-smiths. The elves of Eregion had occasional dealings with the dwarves of Khazad-dûm. Although these dwarves had nothing to do with the fall of Doriath, Celeborn still distrusted them and refused to deal or enter the region of Khazad-dûm. In SA 1200, Sauron entered Eregion disguised as the Lord of gifts, Annatar.
He deceived the elven-smith and asked them to forge the Rings of Power. Sauron secretly forged the One Ring that has power over all the Rings of Power. Celebrimbor created three elven rings behind Sauron's back. When Sauron found out, he was enraged and attacked Eregion. Celeborn was one of those who led a sortie from Eregion to meet Sauron's army on the battlefield. He was able to drive the enemy back and join the elves of Rivendell and Lindon led by Elrond. However, their joint forces were still not enough to defeat Sauron. Celebrimbor was killed, and Eregion was ruined. Sauron was able to get hold of the Nine Rings for men and six of the seven rings for the dwarves. After the fall of Eregion, Celeborn and Galadriel may have moved to Lothlórien. During this time, The king of Lothlórien was Amdir. Amdir was killed in the War of the Last Alliance, and the throne of Lothlórien went to his son, Amroth.
Third Age
At the beginning of the Third Age, Celeborn and Galadriel moved to Rivendell, the home of Elrond. It was in TA 109 that Celebrian, their daughter, married Elrond. Elrond and Celebrian had three children: twin sons named Elrohir and Elladan, and a daughter named Arwen. At TA 1050, the necromancer, who was Sauron in disguise, started building a stronghold in Dol Guldur. The fortress was just across the Anduin River from Lothlórien. Because of this, Celeborn and Galadriel returned to Lothlórien to ensure its safety and investigate the necromancer. After some time, they returned to Rivendell. In TA 1980, a Balrog was awakened in Khazad-dûm. As a neighbor of Khazad-dûm, a lot of elves from Lothlórien fled, including Nimrodel, Amroth's lover.
Amroth tried to follow Nimrodel, but he perished at sea. With Amroth gone, Lothlórien was left without a ruler. Galadriel and Celeborn were asked to return and become Lothlórien’s Lady and Lord. Celeborn and Galadriel obliged and ruled Lothlórien. Under the rule, they established a new capital, which was known as Caras Galadhon, the City of the Trees. Celebrian decided to visit her Celeborn and Galadriel in TA 2509. On her way to Lothlórien, she was captured by a group of orcs. Elladan and Elrohir were able to rescue Celebrian successfully. However, she was traumatized by the whole experience and decided to leave Middle-earth and go to the Undying Lands. In TA 2941, Galadriel and the rest of the White Council members were able to drive out Sauron from Dol Guldur. Sauron retreated to Mordor. In TA 2980, Arwen arrived in Lothlórien to visit her grandparents. Aragorn happened to be there at the same time, and the two fell in love.
In TA 3018, Elladan and Elrohir informed Celeborn and Galadriel of the Fellowship of the Ring's mission to destroy the One Ring. The Fellowship of the Ring later arrived in Lothlórien. Celeborn welcomed hem, including Gimli, despite his distrust of dwarves. However, when Celeborn found out that the Balrog in Khazad-dûm was wakened by a group of dwarves and that the same Balrog had attacked the Fellowship and killed Gandalf the Grey, Celeborn was angry. He regretted welcoming the Fellowship into Lothlórien, and his anger towards the dwarves was reignited. Galadriel was able to soothe him, and afterward, Celeborn apologized to Gimli. Celeborn promised to help the Fellowship of the Ring. He allowed them to stay until their wounds were healed.
On the eve of the Fellowship's departure, he discussed the safest routes to take and gave them boats to make their journey more comfortable. A feast was prepared, and both Celeborn and Galadriel gave them gifts to help them in their quest. During the War of the Ring, the forces of Dol Guldur attacked Lothlórien three times. Each time, the Galadhrim led by Celeborn and a forcefield made by Galadriel was able to protect the elven realm. When the One Ring was destroyed, and Sauron was defeated for good, Galadriel and Celeborn traversed the Anduin River to capture Dol Guldur. Upon Dol Guldur's destruction.
Galadriel destroyed the walls of the evil fortress and purified the forest. The shadow was lifted from Mirkwood right after. With the evil forces gone, Celeborn met up with Thranduil, the elven king of the woodland realm, in Mirkwood. They then renamed Mirkwood to "Eryn Lasgalen" or Wood of Greenleaves. The Wood of Greenleaves was then divided. Thranduil retained his kingdom in the northern part. Celeborn took the forest’s southernmost region to belong to Lothlórien (later known as East Lórien). The center part of the forest was given to the Woodmen and the Beornings. Celeborn and Galadriel traveled to Minas Tirith to see Arwen, their granddaughter, be married to Aragorn. They then traveled to Rohan, where they attended King Theoden's funeral. On their way home, they also met with the ent, Treebeard, who was at Isengard. In TA 3021, Galadriel left Middle-earth and returned to the Undying Lands. Celeborn stayed behind in Lothlórien.
Amroth tried to follow Nimrodel, but he perished at sea. With Amroth gone, Lothlórien was left without a ruler. Galadriel and Celeborn were asked to return and become Lothlórien’s Lady and Lord. Celeborn and Galadriel obliged and ruled Lothlórien. Under the rule, they established a new capital, which was known as Caras Galadhon, the City of the Trees. Celebrian decided to visit her Celeborn and Galadriel in TA 2509. On her way to Lothlórien, she was captured by a group of orcs. Elladan and Elrohir were able to rescue Celebrian successfully. However, she was traumatized by the whole experience and decided to leave Middle-earth and go to the Undying Lands. In TA 2941, Galadriel and the rest of the White Council members were able to drive out Sauron from Dol Guldur. Sauron retreated to Mordor. In TA 2980, Arwen arrived in Lothlórien to visit her grandparents. Aragorn happened to be there at the same time, and the two fell in love.
In TA 3018, Elladan and Elrohir informed Celeborn and Galadriel of the Fellowship of the Ring's mission to destroy the One Ring. The Fellowship of the Ring later arrived in Lothlórien. Celeborn welcomed hem, including Gimli, despite his distrust of dwarves. However, when Celeborn found out that the Balrog in Khazad-dûm was wakened by a group of dwarves and that the same Balrog had attacked the Fellowship and killed Gandalf the Grey, Celeborn was angry. He regretted welcoming the Fellowship into Lothlórien, and his anger towards the dwarves was reignited. Galadriel was able to soothe him, and afterward, Celeborn apologized to Gimli. Celeborn promised to help the Fellowship of the Ring. He allowed them to stay until their wounds were healed.
On the eve of the Fellowship's departure, he discussed the safest routes to take and gave them boats to make their journey more comfortable. A feast was prepared, and both Celeborn and Galadriel gave them gifts to help them in their quest. During the War of the Ring, the forces of Dol Guldur attacked Lothlórien three times. Each time, the Galadhrim led by Celeborn and a forcefield made by Galadriel was able to protect the elven realm. When the One Ring was destroyed, and Sauron was defeated for good, Galadriel and Celeborn traversed the Anduin River to capture Dol Guldur. Upon Dol Guldur's destruction.
Galadriel destroyed the walls of the evil fortress and purified the forest. The shadow was lifted from Mirkwood right after. With the evil forces gone, Celeborn met up with Thranduil, the elven king of the woodland realm, in Mirkwood. They then renamed Mirkwood to "Eryn Lasgalen" or Wood of Greenleaves. The Wood of Greenleaves was then divided. Thranduil retained his kingdom in the northern part. Celeborn took the forest’s southernmost region to belong to Lothlórien (later known as East Lórien). The center part of the forest was given to the Woodmen and the Beornings. Celeborn and Galadriel traveled to Minas Tirith to see Arwen, their granddaughter, be married to Aragorn. They then traveled to Rohan, where they attended King Theoden's funeral. On their way home, they also met with the ent, Treebeard, who was at Isengard. In TA 3021, Galadriel left Middle-earth and returned to the Undying Lands. Celeborn stayed behind in Lothlórien.
Fourth Age
The departure of Galadriel meant Lothlórien no longer had the power of Nenya. The once-grand city filled with light and life slowly lost its glory and has turned dull. Most of the elves have relocated and moved to better kingdoms. Celeborn and a few Noldor eventually moved to Rivendell to be with his grandsons, Elrohir and Elladan, when he started to feel weary ruling by himself in Lothlórien. In the end, Celeborn opted to go to Grey Havens to travel towards Undying Lands, and stay with his daughter and wife. He boarded the Last Ship of Cirdan the Shipwright. Tolkien said that when he left for the Undying Lands, the last living memory of the Elder Days also went with him.
Etymology
Celeborn means "silver tree" in Sindarin. Celeborn is pronounced as "keleborn" and not "seleborn" as most people would say. Celeborn was initially named "Teleporno" which meant "Silver-high" in Telerin.Other Version of Celeborn's Story
Did you know that Celeborn's story had another version? This can be found in JRR Tolkien's Unfinished Tales. Here, Celeborn was a noble Teler in Alqualondë, and his name is Teleporno. Teleporno is the grandson of Olwë, who was the prince of Alqualondë. Artanis, a granddaughter of Olwë and a Noldorin princess known for her great beauty, often visited the kingdom of Alqualondë. During these extended visits, Artanis and Teleporno fell in love. During the first kinslaying, Artanis and Teleporno helped defend the kingdom of Alqualondë. Fëanor, who was also in the kingdom, told Artanis stories of Middle-earth, the open lands on the sea. Artanis was very curious and wanted to see Middle-earth, so she urged Teleporno to get a ship so that they could sell eastward. Because of this, the two were included in the Ban of the Valar.
Teleporno and Artanis arrived in Beleriand, and they were welcomed by Thingol, the King of Doriath. Here, they adapted to the Sindarin language. Teleporno was known by his Sindarin name, "Celeborn," and Artanis was known by her Sindarin name, "Galadriel." This version seemed to be a late development written by Tolkien as an afterthought. This version was not published in the Silmarillion because it contradicted what was already published by Tolkien. There were little notes in Tolkien's drafts about this version. Had this version pushed through, the Telerin ancestry of Celeborn would mean that he and Galadriel would be cousins. It is unknown whether Tolkien planned to revise this version or not.
Teleporno and Artanis arrived in Beleriand, and they were welcomed by Thingol, the King of Doriath. Here, they adapted to the Sindarin language. Teleporno was known by his Sindarin name, "Celeborn," and Artanis was known by her Sindarin name, "Galadriel." This version seemed to be a late development written by Tolkien as an afterthought. This version was not published in the Silmarillion because it contradicted what was already published by Tolkien. There were little notes in Tolkien's drafts about this version. Had this version pushed through, the Telerin ancestry of Celeborn would mean that he and Galadriel would be cousins. It is unknown whether Tolkien planned to revise this version or not.
Adaptations
Film
- Ralph Bakshi - In this animated version of The Lord of the Rings, [1] he was only seen once when He and Galadriel greeted the Fellowship of the Ring as they arrived in Lothlórien. An unknown actor gave voice to the character.
- Peter Jackson Trilogies - In the Peter Jackson films, Celeborn was portrayed by Kiwi actor Marton Csokas. Most of his scenes in the movies were cut off in the final version. Galadriel had more exposure to the story. But if you watch the Extended Edition of the films, you will be seeing more scenes of him. In the movie, Celeborn leaves for Valinor along with Galadriel, Frodo, and Bilbo Baggins. In the book, Celeborn stayed behind and only left Middle-earth in the Fourth Age.
Radio
The Lord of the Rings. In this radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Celeborn was voiced by actor Simon Cadell. Celeborn's entire dialogue in the book was used in this adaptation.Video Game
The Lord of the Rings Online. [2] Celeborn is involved in different storylines in this video game. He can be found beside Galadriel in Caras Galadhon, helping in the negotiations with the dwarves, and organizing a military assault against Dol Guldur.
