Celebrían

Celebrían (IPA: [keleˈbriːan]) was an Elven noblewoman, the daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel, the wife of Elrond, and the mother of Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen.

Biography

Celebrían was born early in the Second Age, likely in SA 300, after her mother refused to return to Tol Eressëa, and passed over the Mountains. She lived with her mother Galadriel in Eregion, and later fled to Lórinand sometime between SA 1350 and SA 1400. After a time, Galadriel and Celebrían passed through Khazad-dûm and dwelt in Rivendell. There, she met Elrond, who, though he loved her, said nothing about it.

In TA 109, Elrond wedded Celebrían. She bore him twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir in TA 130, and then a daughter, Arwen in TA 241.

In TA 2509, Celebrían was on her way to visit her parents in Lothlórien when she was waylaid by Orcs in the Redhorn Pass of the Misty Mountains. She was then tormented by the Orcs and received a poisoned wound. Her sons arrived much later to rescue her, and Elrond healed her wounds, but Celebrían was never fully-healed in mind and spirit. Horrified and haunted by the memories of her torture, she no longer desired to remain in Middle-earth, and sailed west the next year. Elladan and Elrohir never forgot or forgave their mother's torment, and frequently rode with Arathorn and the Rangers of the North, striking back at the Orcs and other servants of Sauron whenever possible.

Later mentions

There are several references of Celebrían in The Lord of the Rings, such as the mention of her torment and being the daughter of Galadriel.

Etymology

The name Celebrían means "Silver queen", from the Sindarin words celeb ("silver") and rían ("queen").

House of Finarfin

In other versions

In earlier writings, Amroth the King of Lothlórien was the son of Celeborn and Galadriel, and the brother of Celebrían. It was said that Galadriel fled with Amroth and Celebrían to Lothlórien. When Galadriel and Celebrían left for Rivendell, Amroth was left in the forest, and would later visit his family when they lived in Dol Amroth.

In other versions, Celebrían wedded Elrond in TA 2500, but in TA 2600, she was slain (not captured) by the Orcs in the Misty Mountains. Her children were Elladan and Elrohir, and Finduilas (later Arwen).

Behind the scenes

J.R.R. Tolkien said that "after the destruction of the Ruling Ring the Three Rings of the Eldar lost their virtue. Then Elrond prepared at last to depart from Middle-earth and follow Celebrían." Thus it passed that after 500 long years, at the Haven of Avallónë in Tol Eressëa, Elrond and Celebrían were finally reunited, sometime after TA 3021 (Elrond sailing on September 29, 3021). However, Elrond was then "sundered" forever from his beloved daughter.

Björn Fromén has composed an evocative poem, Celebrían's Farewell to Elrond, Valinórenna.

In adaptations

In The Lord of the Rings Online, Celebrían was held captive at Shathur-munzu, an abandoned dwarven outpost of the fallen Khazad-dûm. During the journey to Minas Tirith for her wedding, Lady Arwen wishes to visit the place where her mother was being held. She comes to Shathur-munzu in the company of Lady Galadriel and they speak of Celebrían and her fate together.

Translations