Spotlight On Middle-Earth : Welcome To Rivendell !

The Elven outpost of Rivendell was founded in the year 1697 of the Second Age, following the destruction of the Elvish realm of Eregion by the forces of Sauron. Sauron had invaded Eregion in 1695 of the Second Age in his attempt to get the rings of power from the Elven smiths. In response to this attack, Gil-galad sent a force from Lindon, commanded by Elrond Half-elven, to bolster Eregion's defence. After two years of fighting Eregion was utterly destroyed and today lies in ruin.

The remnants of Elrond's army and Eregion's refugees were driven north into the hills of Rhudaur ( today known as Trollshaws ) by Sauron's forces, and were subsequently besieged for three years in the valley that would eventually become known as Rivendell. The siege finally ended in the year 1700 of the Second Age when an army of Elves from Lindon and their allies the Men of Númenor, in conjunction with Elron's army, attacked the besieging force and annihilated it.

After the siege was lifted the Elves decided to abandon Eregion, leaving Rivendell the only Elven settlement in eastern Eriador. At the end of the Second Age it served as a mustering station for the forces of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men on their way to war in Mordor. After this war Rivendell enjoyed centuries of peace, but was attacked in the fourteenth century of the Third Age by the armies of the Witch-king of Angmar. It again withstood a siege for some years, but its enemies were finally driven off when reinforcements arrived from Lórien. Several centuries later, a force sent from Rivendell, commanded by Glorfindel, took part in the final battle against the armies of Angmar.

Following the destruction of Arnor, the northern kingdom of the Númenórean exiles, in TA 1974, Rivendell became an important location for the remnants of its people, the Rangers of the North. Elrond had a great library and also held several important relics of the kingdom in his keeping, including the shards of Narsil, the Sceptre of Annúminas, the Star of Elendil, and the ring of Barahir, and all of the heirs of the chieftains of the Rangers were fostered in Rivendell as children. The most notable, and last man child to be fostered in Rivendell was Aragorn, whom Elrond regarded almost as a son. During his time in Rivendell Aragorn met and fell in love Arwen, Lord Elrond's daugher. 

Rivendell today is a very important location in the events leading up to what will be eventually known as the War of the Ring. Fearing the growing power of Sauron, his enemies formed the White Council to allow them to debate how to confront his menace. Elrond was and still is a prominent member of the Council together with  Saruman the White, Radagast the Brown, Gandalf the Grey and the eldar Galadriel and Cirdan the Shipwright - all members frequently met in Rivendell.

One of these meetings occurred in the year 2941 of the Third Age when the Council decided to attack Sauron in his fortress in Dol Guldur. That same year Gandalf, helped the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins and a company of dwarves on their quest to reclaim Erebor. On their way they stopped at Rivendell, and while there learned important information as to how they could achieve their goal. Bilbo and Gandalf also stopped in Rivendell on their return journey.

After his 111th birthday Bilbo retired to Rivendell where he still lives today spending his time writing his memoirs and scholarly works.

Rivendell's culture has always been predominantly Elvish, with strong influences from both the Noldor and Sindar Elves both of whom are represented in its population and in the heritage of Elrond himself. In Rivendell the culture, wisdom, and lore of the Elves of the past is today preserved in its Archives. Through the power of his ring, Vilya, Elrond can if necessary slow the weariness of time that affects the outside world, allowing the immortal Elves to live in a somewhat timeless realm in their hidden valley protected by evil. On high feast days the household of Elrond is filled with the tales and the songs chronicling the deeds of their history and of the Blessed Realm of Valinor.

Despite its semi-isolation Rivendell is a known destination and is never fully cut off from other races or their troubles. For outsiders the hidden valley is a safe refuge for the weary and the oppressed, and a treasury of good counsel and wise lore and so is visited by peoples of all races seeking sanctuary, healing, and the wisdom of Elrond. 

Article by Amorey  - Laurelin Archives Webteam