Gil-Galad

Gil-galad

Ereinion. "Scions of Kings" Noldor.

Gil-galad "Star of radiance"

The last of the mighty Elven Kings.

Son of Fingon, and the last male descendants of Finwë except Elrond.

Born in First age year ?. ( Not before 418. He is told to be a Young Boy in 467. See bottom Related Links : Marriage among Elves.) Died in Second age 3441.

No records of children.

No records of a wife.

The name Ereinion was given to him because of his helm, mail and shield overlaid with silver and set with a device of white stars, it shone afar like a star in sunlight or moonlight and could be seen at a great distance if he stood upon a height. His spear was named Aeglos.

1 Age.

F.A.467. Gil-galad was as young boy send to the Havens at the Mouth of Sirion.

F.A.511. Gil-galad was named high-King of all the remaining Noldor in Beleriand in Nan Tathren after the fall of Gondolin and death of Turgon in F.A.510.

F.A.532. From the Mouth of Sirion Gil-galad moved to the Isle of Balar where Círdan and the survivors of Eglarest and Brithombar lived and from here they came too late, to aid the survivors of Gondolin and Doriath when the remaining sons of Fëanor attacked the Havens in the Third Kinslaying in an attempt to grab the Silmaril Elwing held.

F.A.545-550. Gathering of Elves under Eonwë and preparing for the War of Wrath.

F.A.550-587. The War of Wrath where Angband was unroofed, Melkor outrusted and the last two Silmarils regained.

F.A.587-590. Preparing of the ships and movement after the War of Wrath ended.

F.A.590 - S.A.1. The world was reshaped and Beleriand drowned beneath Belegaer. Círdan and Gil-galad established the realm Lindon and the Grey Havens in the Gulf of Lhun and Gil-galad was recognized as the lord of Lindon.

2 Age.

S.A.1 - 600. There is peace in Middle-earth.

S.A.600. In this year the first ship from Númenor, upon the western wind, came into the Gulf of Lhun in spring. This ship was Entulassë and its captain was Vëantur, He was much welcomed in Lindon by Gil-galad and Círdan who was thrilled to see and hear from Númenor. On later journeys Vëantur brought Anardil, the son and heir of Meneldur, King of Númenor with him. Between Gil-galad and Anardil grew a close friendship and Anardil taught Gil-galad the tongue of Númenor.

S.A.725-750. Durin these years Anardil makes several voyages in Númerrámar to Mithlond and become friends with Círdan and Gil-galad. Círdan teaches Anardil much of his knowledge of ship-building. In the next 250 years Anardil often sailed from Númenor to Middle-earth.

S.A.750. At the end of those years rumors about evil in Mirkwood began to spread around. Galadriel and Celeborn who lived at the lake Nenuial moved eastward and settled in Eregion.

S.A.882. Gil-galad sent a letter with Anardil back to Númenor to Meneldur his father and King of Númenor. In that letter Gil-galad asked for help and aid to contest the growing evil. He deemed that his own people and the inhabitants of Middle-earth was not capable to withstand it for much longer. Any major help was never send in the reign of Meneldur since he decided that it was no matter for him to resolve and he resigned and passed his office to Anardil.

Anardil, now known by the name Tar-Aldarion, returned to Middle-earth and to Gil-galad but with no great armament and army, why not is not clear, maybe the Númenorian people was`nt ready and even so Númenor would have to build a great fleet to transfer any larger army. I guess this was the case. Aldarion returned with what he could bring and returned to Númenor with timber for ships. At least it is known that for the next 18 years Aldarion was not much in Númenor but traveled the sea.

S.A.1200. Sauron is spreading his lies, sowing seeds of evil and in secret trying to gather forces and build up his strength, he comes as Atanatar; the Giver of Gifts to Eregion and Lindon but Gil-galad refused to treat with him but the smiths in the Elvish realm Ost-in-Edhil in Eregion are won over and deals with him despite the counsel of Galadriel and Celeborn.

S.A.1600-1693. The evil escalates, Sauron shows his true face and finally in 1693 he had prepared for his invasion of Eriador. He attacks through Calenardhon and Elrond is send as commander of a force to stop him at Sarn Ford but Sauron turns north and invades Eregion. Eregion is lost.

S.A.1695. Gil-galad sends messages to Númenor for help and Tar-Minastir sends out at great navy under Admiral Ciryatur but it was delayed and did not reach the coast of Middle-earth until 1700, at that time Sauron had all Eriador save besieged Imladris and he had reached the line of River Lhun where Gil-galad desperately defended the Grey Havens. With the aid and reinforcement of Númenor Sauron was beaten and fled back to Mordor.

S.A.1701 - 3320. There are relatively peace in the Westlands, Sauron are occupied with thoughts about the Númenorians and is extending his power eastwards.

S.A.3320. Elendil arrives in Lindon while his sons Isildur and Anarion landed at the Mouth of Anduin after the Fall of Númenor. Sauron returned to Mordor. Gil-galad builds the White Towers and Elostirion of Emyn Beraid for his friend Elendil.

S.A.3430. Elendil and Gil-galad forms the Last Alliance to counter and finally destroy Sauron and the next year they gather in Imladris.

S.A.3431-3434. The Alliance spent three years to prepare, training, smithying weapons and plans and Gil-galad becomes head-commander.

S.A.3434. This year the host crosses Hithaeglir, marching towards Dagorlad where the first battles are fought and Sauron defeated. Sauron retreats to his fortress Barad Dûr and the seven year long siege begins.

S.A.3441. Hard pressed comes Sauron forth and is overthrown but Gil-galad is slain too.