The war against Sauron never reached the peaceful realm of Rivendell, leaving Lord of the Rings enthusiasts curious about how this sanctuary managed to defend its borders while the rest of Middle Earth faced relentless assaults. In Rings of Power, Elrond (played by Robert Aramayo) is portrayed as a much younger version of himself, unlike his older self in the original story. Unburdened by the traumas of losing his wife and experiencing betrayal, Elrond matures over the years and eventually gains the necessary experience to lead a war council, as seen in Fellowship of the Ring.
Certainly, Elrond is not initially prepared to engage in a battle of words with a cantankerous Gandalf (portrayed by Ian McKellen). However, despite lacking a commanding presence and having shorter hair, Elrond eventually proves his potential by the end of Rings of Power. In the season 1 finale, episode 8 titled "Alloyed," Elrond, along with Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), creates their own rings of power to fend off the approaching evil. This grants Elrond the means to safeguard Rivendell against potential attacks, establishing it as a stronghold of goodness and a safe haven for those in need.
Where is Rivendell located?
Rivendell, also known as Imladris, is positioned at the junction of the River Bruinen and the Misty Mountains in the Lord of the Rings series. It serves as a crucial meeting point for the free peoples of Middle Earth, situated between Hobbiton (the home of heroic Hobbits) and Mirkwood (the birthplace of a friendly Elf). The significance of this location becomes evident as it becomes the place to strategize the next steps regarding the One Ring. However, just like the difficulty of entering Mordor, Rivendell is not safe from the Dark Lord and his minions. During the Second Age, Sauron's power reached its peak, and Rivendell became a refuge for the Elves who were under attack.
Throughout the centuries, Rivendell lived up to its reputation as the "Last Homely House" and managed to remain strong during the Third Age, protecting Frodo Baggins from Sauron's watchful gaze. The strategic location of Rivendell is evident, with potential allies such as Mirkwood to the East, and Rohan and Gondor to the South. However, the sin of Isildur and its impact on Elrond's trust in humans hindered the unity of these allies for centuries. Elves, known for their grudges, have ample time to dwell on past wrongs. Nevertheless, Rivendell's strategic positioning in Middle Earth has proven advantageous on multiple occasions.
What makes Rivendell so significant?
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After founding Rivendell in the year 1697 of the Second Age, Elrond quickly established it as a sanctuary, a role it fulfilled for many years to come. The only instance where Rivendell faced a potential attack was when Sauron's forces approached, but they were successfully repelled by the Elven inhabitants and the Númenóreans who fought alongside them. Subsequently, remnants of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men took refuge within Rivendell and prepared weapons before setting off to Dagorlad in the southeast.
Despite Elrond harboring resentment towards Isildur for succumbing to the allure of the One Ring just as victory seemed within reach, he welcomed Isildur's son Valandil into his home. Perhaps Elrond held onto a belief that Isildur's heir would eventually bring about a positive change for humanity and remind the High Elf Lord of their potential. Or perhaps Elrond possessed an intrinsic sense of goodness that prevented him from abandoning Isildur's children, even in the face of betrayal. Regardless, Rivendell faced another attack only once when the Witch-realm of Angmar sought to seize power. Fortunately, the attempt was thwarted with the assistance of allies from Lothlórien who came to their aid.
Why was Rivendell never attacked?
Unlike fans of the Lord of the Rings books, those who only watched the movie adaptations may have been confused as to why Sauron never successfully attacked Rivendell. The One Ring held such significance for him that anyone in contact with it for a prolonged period of time would strangely refer to it as "my precious". So, why didn't he just go to Rivendell during the war council of Fellowship of the Ring and take it? The explanation lies in Galadriel's speech (portrayed by Cate Blanchett), in which she describes the creation of the three "Great Rings" for the Elves. The circumstances of Elrond acquiring one vary depending on the story being followed.
In the Lord of the Rings novels, the original rings were given to three mighty Elves and eventually ended up in Elrond's possession. However, in Rings of Power, Elrond not only received a ring early on, but also witnessed their creation. Regardless, this powerful ring helped safeguard Rivendell from further attacks. It wasn't just loyal allies defending the realm anymore. Sauron and his forces were physically repelled by the immense goodness radiating from this potent piece of jewelry. Even when Frodo brought the One Ring into Rivendell, all Sauron could do was send messages of hatred through telepathy in a fit of frustration.
In the turbulent Second Age, the Elves faced grave threats emanating from Sauron and Angmar, which endangered their long lives. To safeguard their existence, Elrond established Rivendell. This sanctuary served a dual purpose: shielding the Elves from impending dangers and acting as a strategic base for Elrond and his allies to combat these dark forces. In the subsequent Third Age, Rivendell transformed into a haven for weary travelers seeking safe passage. Its remarkable ability to preserve tranquility amidst the widespread chaos caused by Orcs and Sauron's followers demonstrated its extraordinary strength.
However, it also served as evidence of Elrond's detachment from the world in order to heal from Isildur's betrayal. Ironically, it was the descendant of Isildur who motivated the High Elf Lord to participate in the battle once again, even without taking up arms. As the Elves departed Middle Earth for Valinor, Rivendell gradually lost its former glory and became a mere remnant. Nevertheless, its significance throughout the events of the Lord of the Rings will always be remembered, and Elrond will be remembered as the protector of Rivendell, despite his grumpy demeanor.
