“Council of Elrond” is one of, if not the, longest chapters in The Lord of the Rings and is chock full of information. Besides setting up the entire rest of the story plotwise, it also delves into several characters, revealing interesting information and history.

This Part 1 will focus on the attendees of the Council and Part 2 will be a deep dive into some pieces of lore glossed over in the chapter, but interesting none the less.

In this chapter, Elrond gathers the mightiest folk in Rivendell to determine what should be done with the Ring. Contrary to what I’ve heard from many friends speaking casually, Elrond did not “summon” the attendees or otherwise ask that they be there. Everyone just so happened to be in Rivendell at the same time. Whether this is mere coincidence or a higher power subtlety moving pieces is unknown.

Boromir

Boromir, the Captain and mightiest warrior of Gondor, is the lone representative (aside from Aragorn) of Men at the Council. Boromir is, like Aragorn, of royal Numenorean blood and therefore is more powerful, and longer lived than other men and a natural leader. However, unlike Aragorn, his blood has been more diluted over the years and is not as strong or long-lived as Aragorn or the other Dunedain. Boromir is attending the Council because he and his brother Faramir each received a vision of a great weapon that will save Gondor and he sets out to Rivendell to find it.The film version of Return of the King shows a variation of this explanation. Boromir clearly believes this weapon to be the Ring but is shot down by everyone as being too dangerous. Just what is this great weapon that Boromir was sent to find? (Hint: probably Aragorn. Like, clearly, it has to be Aragorn)

Gloin and Gimli

Gloin and his son Gimli, who we met last chapter at the feast are here to tell Elrond of odd circumstances that have happened at the Lonely Mountain. Gloin says that dark messengers came to them, offering the return of one of the Seven in exchange for information about the location of Bilbo Baggins. This is especially cruel since the Ring being offered is likely the one that was ripped from Thrain (father of Thorin Oakenshield) in the dungeons of Dol Guldor in the events preceeding the Hobbit. Gloin and Gimli also came to seek word of their cousin Balin who had attempted to recolonize Moria but had not been heard from for some time.

Legolas

Legolas and his retinue had also come to share dire news. During the long 12 year absence where Gandalf had left Frodo with the Ring and before Frodo had left the Shire, Gandalf and Aragorn had been busy bees. Gandalf knew that Gollum was the link that could tie the Ring to Bilbo and so must be caught at all costs. He and Aragorn spent years tracking through the Wild Lands for Gollum and Aragorn eventually captured him, but only after he had been tortured by Sauron for information.

Aragorn brought Gollum to King Thranduil of Mirkwood (Legolas’ father) for safe-keeping. Legolas is now here to share the terrible news that Gollum escaped from their prison!

Why did the Elves simply kill Gollum and be done with it? Well, of course, it’s because Gandalf urged them not to because he still hoped to find a cure for the Ring’s ravaging. Remember in Moria when Gandalf admonishes Frodo for saying that it was a “pity” that Bilbo didn’t kill Gollum? He leaves us with this fantastic quote: “Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.”

Gandalf

Touching on the end of Legolas’ section, Gandalf clearly comes out in this chapter at the voice and embodiment of  the power of redemption. He truly believes that Gollum can be redeemed. Evil is NOT irreversible and even the most wicked can repent. Gandalf is one of the very few characters in Lord of the Rings where Tolkien’s strong religious faith can be easily seen. Time and time again (Gollum, Grima Wormtongue, Saruman, Sauron himself) Gandalf offers his adversaries a peaceful end to renounce their wickedness.
But how did Gandalf even get to Rivendell? Last we heard, he was late to meeting Frodo in the Shire.
Gandalf set out to discuss the terrible news of the One Ring with Saruman, the wisest and most powerful of the Istari (Wizard) order. Saruman was specifically a scholar of Ring-lore; how to make them, how to imbue power into them, and what they could do. His original task in Middle-Earth was the find weakness in Sauron and help exploit them. To this end, he studied Sauron and the Ring relentlessly, becoming engrossed in his work. To this end, his fervent work consumed him.
Gandalf shared news that the Ring had been found and that they must take action to keep ahead of Sauron. Saruman, however, revealed that he wanted the Ring for his own. He fancied himself a Ring-maker of his own right (he even showed off a Ring that he had made) and was saddened but not surprised when Gandalf did not share his enthusiasm for getting the Ring. Saruman felt that he, alone, could control the Ring and bend it as his own instrument. Gandalf, of course, felt this was silly and he was imprisoned by Saruman (although probably without the silly wizard duel in the movie). Gandalf is then saved by the Eagles and is returned to Rivendell.

Conclusion

Arguments break out between the parties as they determine what to do with the Ring. the Dwarves aren’t keen on Legolas’ folk (seeing as how Gloin was imprisoned by Legolas’ father during the events of The Hobbit) doing much of anything with the Ring and no one, including Gandalf and Elrond, have much of a plan. Eventually, they decide that it must be completely destroyed by dropping into Mt. Doom but then talks devolve into arguments again over who should take it.
Finally, Frodo surprises everyone (including himself!) when he volunteers to take the Ring to Mt. Doom. Samwise similarly is steadfast that he will go with Mr. Frodo. Unlike the film, however, the Council of Elrond ends at this point and the actual composition of the Fellowship is determined later.
In the next post, I plan on diving into Saruman and the Eagles pretty extensively so get ready! I’ll also discuss anything I think of in the meantime as well as anything you suggest in the Comments!
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Published by Adam J

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