Elros is the half-elven king of Númenor, who ruled the kingdom for 410 years during the Second Age. Elros also goes by the name Elros Tar-Minyatur. Elros’ parents are Eärendil and Elwing. Maglor was his foster father. Elrond of Rivendell is his twin brother. He has four children with an unnamed mortal wife; three sons, namely Aranalcar, Manwendil, and Vardamir Nólimon, and a daughter, Tindómiel. As the first king of Númenor, he is the ancestor to a line of great kings - especially Aragorn II Elessar. Elros was known for his long lifespan and for having a strong friendship with the elves.
History
First Age
In FA 532, Elros and Elrond were in Arvernien, the Havens of Sirion. This was the time when Morgoth ruled over most of Beleriand and was considered to be the darkest days. When the twins were six years old, the Third Kinslaying took place. The sons of Fëanor were bound by their oath to recover the Silmaril. The Silmaril happened to be on the Nauglamir, which is owned by Elros’ father, Eärendil. Eärendil was at sea when the brothers attacked the Haven, and Elwing tried to escape the assault, but she was unable to escape. Instead, she threw herself to the great Belegaer, where she vanished from Middle-earth.
The twins were taken as captives by the sons of Fëanor. Maedhros and Maglor, who felt guilty about their deeds, decided to spare them, and Maglor raised them as his own. It was not determined when Elros and Elrond left Maglor’s side. Still, it was assumed that by the time Eönwë showed up, the twins had gone to participate in the war against Melkor. This happened when the Valar and Eönwë shone upon the sea and Eönwë’s trumpets can be heard over the waves, summoning all of the elves and the men of Hithlum to join them in the war. The twins heeded the call.
The twins were taken as captives by the sons of Fëanor. Maedhros and Maglor, who felt guilty about their deeds, decided to spare them, and Maglor raised them as his own. It was not determined when Elros and Elrond left Maglor’s side. Still, it was assumed that by the time Eönwë showed up, the twins had gone to participate in the war against Melkor. This happened when the Valar and Eönwë shone upon the sea and Eönwë’s trumpets can be heard over the waves, summoning all of the elves and the men of Hithlum to join them in the war. The twins heeded the call.
Second Age
After the War of Wrath, the Valar gave Elros and Elrond a critical choice. Since the twins were peredhil, meaning they were half-elves, they had the only remaining line of heroic chieftains of Men from the First Age. The Valar gave them a choice as to which race they would like to belong to. Elros chose to belong to mankind, and with this, the Valar gave him a great lifespan. When he decided to live as a mortal man, he became the Lord of the Edain. A magnificent land was made especially for the Edain who fought faithfully by their side against Morgoth. This was not a part of Middle-earth, but it was not far from it, and this land was Númenor. Ossë raised the land of Númenor from the sea. Aulë established the land, and Yavanna enriched it.
The land of Númenor was indeed blessed, and the Valar called it Andor, which meant The Land of Gift. It was the closest mortal land to the Blessed Realm. When the island was ready, Elros led the Edain across the sea, with the Star of Eärendil as his guide. Thus, the island of Númenor was also known as “Elenna” which meant “starwards.” Elros became its first king. Elros was 90 years old when he started ruling Númenor. When he ascended the throne, he was known as Elros Tar-Minyatur. Elros built the high tower at Armenelos. Throughout his reign, the Elves of Tol Eressëa visited and brought gifts such as flowers from the gardens of Yavanna and a seed of the Celeborn. This started the friendship between the Elves of the west and the Edain.
Eönwë stayed with the Edain for a while to teach them power and wisdom. He also gave the Númenoreans a longer lifespan than the other mortal races, although none has ever reached the age of Elros, who has lived to be 500 years old. Take note, though, that in the end, Elros gave up his life willingly, which means that Elros could have lived more than that. The longest living King of Númenor who came close to Elros’ age was King Tar-Atanamir, [1] the 13th King of Númenor, who lived up to 421 years. Aragorn, a descendant of Elros, lived up to 210 years. Aranrúth, the sword of his great-great-grandfather Thingol, became an heirloom of the Kings of Númenor. Other heirlooms included the Axe of Tuor, the Serpent Ring, and the Dramborleg.
The land of Númenor was indeed blessed, and the Valar called it Andor, which meant The Land of Gift. It was the closest mortal land to the Blessed Realm. When the island was ready, Elros led the Edain across the sea, with the Star of Eärendil as his guide. Thus, the island of Númenor was also known as “Elenna” which meant “starwards.” Elros became its first king. Elros was 90 years old when he started ruling Númenor. When he ascended the throne, he was known as Elros Tar-Minyatur. Elros built the high tower at Armenelos. Throughout his reign, the Elves of Tol Eressëa visited and brought gifts such as flowers from the gardens of Yavanna and a seed of the Celeborn. This started the friendship between the Elves of the west and the Edain.
Eönwë stayed with the Edain for a while to teach them power and wisdom. He also gave the Númenoreans a longer lifespan than the other mortal races, although none has ever reached the age of Elros, who has lived to be 500 years old. Take note, though, that in the end, Elros gave up his life willingly, which means that Elros could have lived more than that. The longest living King of Númenor who came close to Elros’ age was King Tar-Atanamir, [1] the 13th King of Númenor, who lived up to 421 years. Aragorn, a descendant of Elros, lived up to 210 years. Aranrúth, the sword of his great-great-grandfather Thingol, became an heirloom of the Kings of Númenor. Other heirlooms included the Axe of Tuor, the Serpent Ring, and the Dramborleg.
Etymology
Elros was derived from “Elerossë,” a Quenyan word that could be translated to “Elf of the spray” in Sindarin. Tar-Minyatur is a Quenyan word for “High First-ruler.”
