Thread: Greatest of the Elves of Middle Earth

I saw this in the Men's forum and being that Elves are better (hehe) I figured we should have one!
Who is the greatest of the Elves in Middle-Earth (In your opinion)?

Personally, I think this title belongs to none other than Lady Galadriel, I've always been fascinated with her. She seems to be one of the most powerful Elves, able to create and sustain a realm of Gold (Lothlorien).
She was also able to cast down the walls of Dol Guldur.

While I think Galadriel would be a contender, if this list includes both elves past and present, I would suggest some of the elf lords of the first age, perhaps such as Fingolfin, or Feanor.

I'm thinking Fingolfin. Led his people through the grinding ice and took on Morgoth single-handed. My nomination is not so much for what he did but the reasons he did so.

If we look to the elves of the first age, then we are on fairly firm footing:

Of Feanor Tolkien wrote: "Thus ended the mightiest of the Noldor, of whose deeds came both their greatest renown and their most grevieous woe."

Of Fingolfin he wrote: "Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the Elven Kings-kings of old."

Of Finrod he wrote: "Thus King Finrod Felagund, fairest and most beloved of the house of Finwe, redeemed his oath; but Beren mourned beside him in despair."

Of Luthien he wrote: "(F)or Luthien was the most beautifull of all the children of Illuvatar."

These four are the contenders for title of the greatest elf on Middle Earth.

For martial prowess, probably the title has to be given to Fingolfin (most valiant) who wounded Morgoth eight times before he was slain; though Feanor who fought on "long" and "undismayed" against the force which drove Ungoliant from the field at the peak of her power comes close in that regard. But Feanor also forged the Silmarils, so he deserves the term greatest if accomplishment is your measure.

However, if character is your measure, the race is between Finrod and Luthien. Neither were any slouches in terms of accomplishment, but Luthien (for love) and Finrod (for honour) were willing to give up everything rather than be untrue. I think in Tolkien's mind, Luthien was the better of the two and thus is truly the greatest elf ever.

At the end of the third age, the contenders are Elrond, Glorfindel (who it is to be remembered, slew a balrog), Cirdan, and Galadriel. Of these, Galadriel who had seen the light of Amman and who had crossed the grinding ice is a strong contender, but my money would be on the heir of Turgon, and of Thingol, and by right (should he claim it) king of all the elves of Middle Earth, Elrond.

Toughie to answer for sure, IMHO it's between this group;

Elrond, Cirdan, Galadriel, Fingolfin, Finrod or Thingol.

Originally Posted by Snarll

Toughie to answer for sure, IMHO it's between this group;

Elrond, Cirdan, Galadriel, Fingolfin, Finrod or Thingol.

So the women who escaped imprisonment in Doriath, bested Sauron in a contest forcing him to surrender his tower, placed and enchanted sleep on Morgoth to steal a silmaril from his crown, escaped back to Doriath again, then died and so moved the Valar with her song that they returned both her and Beren to life, doesn't get a look in?

-Pulls Puppet Strings-
Dance my puppets dance! Ahahaha!

Absolutely kidding, I definitely have to agree that those are all amazing Elves. For some reason I have always been a very big Galadriel-Lover. In the "current" Middle Earth (Third Age and What Not) she was one of the greatest Elves I think, but perhaps not the most powerful of all time.
However, I think all Elves are capable of amazing feats which is why I prefer them over all other races. They all, to me, seem like royalty.

Galadriel, though, and the concept of containing her own little world and going head to head with Dol Guldur on several occasions and overcoming it. I think it is mentioned somewhere that only Sauron would have been able to overcome her power (and of course that of Nenya) during the assaults on Lothlorien.
I also like to think how hard it must have been for her to let go of her beloved Lothlorien when it was time for her to depart. It was more or less her baby, she created it and contained and protected it with every ounce of her power.

See...Galadriel-Lover. I need to control that. :P

Legolas, due to mammoth-murdering and shield-surfing, duh. If the thread was titled "Greatest Elf Moper, Complainer, or Hand-wringer", then yeah, Galadriel and Elrond would be in the mix.

Feanor? Finrod?? Those are characters from Porn of the Rings, right? Great movie, by the way, and a real tribute to the creativity and story-writing of the originals. Professor Jackson should be proud.

Originally Posted by Cutholen

If we look to the elves of the first age, then we are on fairly firm footing:

Of Feanor Tolkien wrote: "Thus ended the mightiest of the Noldor, of whose deeds came both their greatest renown and their most grevieous woe."

Of Fingolfin he wrote: "Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the Elven Kings-kings of old."

Of Finrod he wrote: "Thus King Finrod Felagund, fairest and most beloved of the house of Finwe, redeemed his oath; but Beren mourned beside him in despair."

Of Luthien he wrote: "(F)or Luthien was the most beautifull of all the children of Illuvatar."

These four are the contenders for title of the greatest elf on Middle Earth.

For martial prowess, probably the title has to be given to Fingolfin (most valiant) who wounded Morgoth eight times before he was slain; though Feanor who fought on "long" and "undismayed" against the force which drove Ungoliant from the field at the peak of her power comes close in that regard. But Feanor also forged the Silmarils, so he deserves the term greatest if accomplishment is your measure.

However, if character is your measure, the race is between Finrod and Luthien. Neither were any slouches in terms of accomplishment, but Luthien (for love) and Finrod (for honour) were willing to give up everything rather than be untrue. I think in Tolkien's mind, Luthien was the better of the two and thus is truly the greatest elf ever.

At the end of the third age, the contenders are Elrond, Glorfindel (who it is to be remembered, slew a balrog), Cirdan, and Galadriel. Of these, Galadriel who had seen the light of Amman and who had crossed the grinding ice is a strong contender, but my money would be on the heir of Turgon, and of Thingol, and by right (should he claim it) king of all the elves of Middle Earth, Elrond.

/signed, I agree completely with this assessment

So...Glorfindel isn't even a contender?

Cirdan gets my vote for surviving the longest of all the elves, particpating in all the first age battles the second age war in Eregion and the last alliance, saving the the day versus Angmar in 1409 and the fall of Arthedain and having the wisdom to give Gandalf his ring. He beats Galadrial due the early battles between the sindar and the orcs prior to the Noldors return when Galadrial was still in pigtails, plus he could grow a beard. and was a mean shipwright. If you consider Feanor a rank 7 armorer/weaponsmith/jeweller/prospector then Cirdan was the Rank7 woodworker/forrester while the Noldor with all their fancy armor and flaming swords lived brief lives and perished Cirdan with his "second rate gear" was able to survive through 4 ages and defend himself angainst the sons of Feanor with all their flashy equipment. He also particpates in the battles of Arnor without his ring which he had given away by this stage where Galadrial and Elrond have an unfair advantage n hanging on to theirs.

Fingolfin, without a doubt.

This is the elf who sacraficed his love of the Valar to save his people from his half-brother's insanity. The Elf who challenged Morgoth to single combat, and wounded him 7 times. A mortal, wounded the strongest of the Valar, and even lacerated his heel. He was so powerful, that when he was filled with wrath, he appeared as a Valar to all the Orcs, and made them flee.

Fingolfin or Glorfindel though. >> Glorfindel probably beat him on a 'power level' by...Like triple. Considering it was said Glorfindel could walk into Mordor without suffering a wound, and face Sauron, but the Ring would corrupt him.

Fingolfin (1v1 with a valar), Feanor (only died to a lot of rog's, probably taking a few down in the process, known as the greatest of the elves), Glorfindel (solo'd a rog and came back from the dead)

I suppose who was 'The Greatest Elf' is based on what each individual values. The Vanya Ingwë, the High King of all the Elves, certainly must have been very great but we know very little about him. In my opinion Lúthien doesn't completely qualify as an as her mother was of the divine race of the Ainur. Fëanor was definitely the most gifted of Elves, but obviously he had some serious character flaws. The Elf I deem to be the greatest in Middle-earth was Finrod Felagund. In honor of his oath to Barahir he accompanied Beren, Barahir's son, on the mission to recapture a Silmaril even though he knew it was hopeless and would likely lead to his death.

Originally Posted by Cutholen

Glorfindel (who it is to be remembered, slew a balrog)

When LotR was written J.R.R. Tolkien did not intend that Glorfindel was the same as the Glorfindel depicted in The Silmarillion, a work which was not published until 4 years after the author's death. There is evidence, however, that Tolkien was working on a way to merge the two. (See this excellent assessment, The Problem of the Two Glorfindels, at the online Encyclopedia of Arda.) At any rate it's not a given that the two are the same. Remember that there is an Elf named Legolas Greenleaf in The Sil who is not the same as the one in LotR. The Sil also contains a Man named Haldir and an Elf named Denethor.

Greatest elves in terms of:

Sleaze: Maeglin and Celegorm
Hubris: Feanor, Fingolfin, and Thingol
Evil: Maeglin and Feanor
Nobility: Finrod, Galadriel, and Elrond
Unknown fates: Lenwe, Elured, and Elurin
Slumming it: Luthien, Idril, and Finduilas

However, there is only one measure of true greatness:
Beard: Cirdan.

Rhuerkh's elaboration on the topic is more interesting.

Originally Posted by Rhuerkh

Greatest elves in terms of:
Sleaze: Maeglin and Celegorm

Eol would be up (down?) there too. Also Curufin.

Hubris: Feanor, Fingolfin, and Thingol

Feanor is tops of course. I think I'd also include Celebrimbor.

Nobility: Finrod, Galadriel, and Elrond

+ Glorfindel, Fingon, Beleg.

Unknown fates: Lenwe, Elured, and Elurin

Maglor, Daeron, Thranduil's Chief of the Guards.

Slumming it: Luthien, Idril, and Finduilas

Mithrellas.

However, there is only one measure of true greatness:
Beard: Cirdan.

Then I'll raise you a Mahtan-beard.

Originally Posted by Morthaur

...Cirdan with his "second rate gear" was able to survive through 4 ages and defend himself angainst the sons of Feanor with all their flashy equipment...

Cirdan was/is a fine Elf yet he did not fight with the sons of Feanor.

My vote for greatest
Age of the Trees Elf - Feanor
1st age Elf - Finrod Felagund
2nd age Elf - Cirdan
3rd age Elf - Elrond
4th age Elf - Celeborn

This is an interesting question. Tolkien himself called Luthien the greatest of all Elves. (I think it was in the Shibboleth of Feanor.) And he said that Feanor and Galadriel were the greatest of the Noldor. I wish we could know what criteria he was using. I am inclined to agree with him on Luthien, but I wonder what it was that made Feanor and Galadriel the greatest of their kind.

Originally Posted by Fionnuala

This is an interesting question. Tolkien himself called Luthien the greatest of all Elves. (I think it was in the Shibboleth of Feanor.) And he said that Feanor and Galadriel were the greatest of the Noldor. I wish we could know what criteria he was using. I am inclined to agree with him on Luthien, but I wonder what it was that made Feanor and Galadriel the greatest of their kind.

"For Feanor was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind, valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and in subtlety alike, of all the Children of Iluvatar, and a bright flame was in him"

In other places in The Silmarillion though, Tolkien is more moderate in describing the depth and scope of his gifts. And then compare from The History of Galadriel and Celeborn:

"Galadriel was the greatest of the Noldor, except Feanor maybe, though she was wiser than he, and her wisdom increased with the long years."

Perhaps we could reconcile some of the dissonances here by saying that Feanor was the greatest Noldo, Elf, and Child of Iluvatar in potential. If so, then Galadriel could be the greatest of the Noldor (at least) in the actual: her wisdom was greater than Feanor's, and her other inherent gifts were scarcely less; she was (to put it mildly) responsible for less evil, and she eventually redeemed herself completely. Galadriel let go of the Ring when it was at her fingertips; Feanor would not let go of the Silmarils, even when he knew they were unattainable, even in death.

I don't think there is dissonance about the question, more personal options.

Feanor was a great thinker rather than a wise one. But his though went toward making things, creating the silmarils was probably his greatest feat, yet he added to Elven writing knowledge, created wonderful gems including (it is said) the great and lesser Seeing Stones, Feanorian Lamps and other marvels. At the end of the years of the Trees his jealousy initially, then the fire he had within him built into banked anger that overcame his wisdom.

Some people forget that Galadriel had a great teacher in the Maia Melian (when she stayed in Doriath). Melian taught her arts that no other Elf possessed at the time. Could it be that not only Galadriel's great strengths as one of the Noldor, but with the additional knowledge from Melian gave her an edge?

[QUOTE=Laurefinde;4557795]Cirdan was/is a fine Elf yet he did not fight with the sons of Feanor.

Amrod and Amras were killed attacking the falathrim refuges at the mouths of the Sirion, Earendil was at sea at the time, presumably Cirdan lead the defence since he was their lord.

Originally Posted by Morthaur

Amrod and Amras were killed attacking the falathrim refuges at the mouths of the Sirion, Earendil was at sea at the time, presumably Cirdan lead the defence since he was their lord.

Actually Eärendil was the lord of the refugees and ruled Arvernien. Círdan the Shipwright was lord of the Falathrim whose great cities were Brithombar and Eglarest, north along the coast from Arvernien. He was not present when the sons of Fëanor attacked the Exiles of Gondolin and Doriath seeking the Silmaril.

Originally Posted by Laurefinde

Actually Eärendil was the lord of the refugees and ruled Arvernien. Círdan the Shipwright was lord of the Falathrim whose great cities were Brithombar and Eglarest, north along the coast from Arvernien. He was not present when the sons of Fëanor attacked the Exiles of Gondolin and Doriath seeking the Silmaril.

By this time, Brithombar and Eglarest had been destroyed, shortly after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. The survivors, including Cirdan and Gil-galad, fled to the Isle of Balar.

Originally Posted by Morthaur

Cirdan was/is a fine Elf yet he did not fight with the sons of Feanor.

Amrod and Amras were killed attacking the falathrim refuges at the mouths of the Sirion, Earendil was at sea at the time, presumably Cirdan lead the defence since he was their lord.

It's true that Cirdan's people are said to have maintained a refuge at the Mouths of Sirion, no doubt closely connected or possibly merged with Earendil's people later on, but the following seems to make Cirdan's participation in that last battle unlikely:

"Too late the ships of Cirdan and Gil-galad the High King came hasting to the aid of the Elves of Sirion."

I would say Feanor is the greatest, no one was more badass than him.

Glorfindel the greatest of the surviving elves. He came back from the dead!

Earendil is great as he saved the elves in Beleriand, by pleaing to the valar to come to their aid. Plus he guards the door of night so that morgoth does not return.

I'm a little angry that Glorfindel hasn't been brought up more...

In the First Age, he is the leader of Gondolin's House of the Golden Flower, and, after fighting in the city's defense, helps lead Tuor, Idril, and Eärendil (Elrond's family), along with many other elves, out of Gondolin. When they are ambushed by a Balrog, Glorfindel kamikazes it in defense of the people he is leading, hence ensuring the birth of Elrond, who is also considered one of the greatest elves. He is then buried in a tomb of stone, but golden flowers still grow there, despite a lack of soil.

Then, as if that's not enough, the Valar resurrect him in the Third Age to aid the Free Peoples, and he is appointed the general of the combined army's of Rivendell, Lothlórien, and Mithlond in the ensuing Battle of Fornost. When the Witch-King saw him, he fled in fright. Then, Glorfindel prophesizes how the Witch-King will die. A few years later, when the Nazgûl are heading to the Shire, Glorfindel holds the Bridge of Mitheithel against four of them single handedly. Then later, at the Ford of Bruinen, Glorfindel doesn't need to hold a torch to scare the Nazgûl (as opposed to Aragorn, Merry, Pippin, and Sam, who hold torches). He just kinda shines, according to Frodo.

Still, I probably wouldn't say that Glorfindel is the mightiest elf ever. Sure, he pretty awesome, but I think it is more of a battle between Luthien and Fingolfin, both of whom took on Morgoth and lived to tell the tale (at least initially).

All these posts are exactly why elves are better.. we have so many good ones!! What do men have? like one guy lol

Originally Posted by 2R2H0

All these posts are exactly why elves are better.. we have so many good ones!! What do men have? like one guy lol

Shh... They have a whole thread of great men, just like this one

(don't bother reading it though - Beorn was the greatest. Thats all you need to know)


And speaking of men, Earendil was a man, was he not? Stop naming him a great elf

definately would say Feänor. I mean come on he was the Lord of the Numorean peoples... the masters of Lore and Craft... if you mean new age elves I would say Glorfindel or Elrond.... one of the edler elves that still remain in the world... Elrond remembers when the first stand against sauron was.... Epic from my point of view.

No love for Gil-Galad?


Pshaw.

Originally Posted by Lordsithis31

definately would say Feänor. I mean come on he was the Lord of the Numorean peoples... the masters of Lore and Craft... if you mean new age elves I would say Glorfindel or Elrond.... one of the edler elves that still remain in the world... Elrond remembers when the first stand against sauron was.... Epic from my point of view.

Feanor lord of Numorean peoples?...

I'd Personally cast my vote for Glorfindel. The Valar obviously thought he was important enough to send back to Middle Earth the help the free peoples. He also wasn't Noldor so he didn't have their doom which puts him a step up over all of the kings who were 'tainted' by the kin slaying.

Originally Posted by BBeltB

I'd Personally cast my vote for Glorfindel. The Valar obviously thought he was important enough to send back to Middle Earth the help the free peoples. He also wasn't Noldor so he didn't have their doom which puts him a step up over all of the kings who were 'tainted' by the kin slaying.

Despite his blond hair, he does seem to have been considered one of the Noldor, and Tolkien, in the context of Glorfindel's latter self-sacrifice and redemption, does refer to him taking a small part in their revolt against the Valar.

Glorfindel!



My elf in-game comes from Lindon and Glorfindel is his inspiration!

Fingolfin! After the Nírnaeth Arnoediad he jumped on his horse, rode straight to Angband, and shouted at the gates until Morgoth came out and fought him. Then he fought Morgoth for hours and cripple him. When he died his body was placed above Gondolin and was still enough to scare away evil.

Wow so many amazing posts! There are so many amazing Elves this is a tough one.
Personally I give my vote to Fingolfin. Although Feanor is a close runner up. The reasons I have are that 'I' place an Elves 'power' based on Feats he's accomplished.

Luthien - Put Morgoth to sleep... for a bit, howeevr one small nick on the cheek awoke him.
Gilgalad - Aeglos was a mighty weapon and he fought bravely but... was defeated by Sauron's forces. Not even Sauron himself. If I am not mistaken... Sauron is ONLY a Maier anyway not a Vaar like Morgoth.
Glorfindel - Fought a Balrog and won!...well he died in the process.
Galadriel - With her power warded off the powers of Sauron from lorien.

Feanor - Created the Simarills! Fought an Army of Balrogs and was finally defeated by their captain.
Fingolfin - His PRESENCE caused an Army of Orcs to part and cower in fear. They thought he was a God... literally they thought he was the Huntsman Valar returned to Middle Earth. He wounded Morgoth 7 TIMES! and then before being defeated he caused the mightiest Valar to walk with a gimp for the rest of his days!

All facts that have been stated before but... look at LONG lasting effects on middle Earth. Luthien didn't permenantly affect Morgoth... Fingolfin did.

Fingolfin 100%.
I never really liked Feanor at all.
Second place I'd put Gil-Galad/Elrond.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, I would say Fingolfin, Feanor, and Glorfindel.

Originally Posted by SylrienAtariel

No love for Gil-Galad?

Pshaw.

Gil-Galad was certainly very cool, but I don't really think he can vie for "greatest." (Similarly, I'm fond of Maedhros, but he doesn't make the list either.) I think for sheer awesomeness-over-time, it has to be either Glorfindel or Galadriel.

-The Gneech

In the context of all-time greatest elf in middle earth, this is a hard question to answer. There are certainly several that have proven their credentials for such a title... Faenor, Fingolfin, Glorfindel, Luthien, Gil-Galad, Galadriel, Cirdan and several others.
Of all Middle Earth's ages, Faenor and Galadriel stand above all others. each led a rebellion from valinor, though Galadriel's was smaller and got caught up in the tide of Faenor's. Glorfindel's slaying and sacrifice is also very impressive. Yet, like Gandalf, he too was slain in the process (seems to me if you want to kill a Balrog, be prepared to die to accomplish such a great feat - but also count on the Valar deciding your worth too much to not be still live and kicking). the balrog slaying also remains unconfirmed, as it is never stated that the Glorfindel who slew a balrog is the same one who saves Frodo.
Of the Third Age of Middle Earth, that which we are most familiar with, Galadriel owns this title. She rivalled her cousin when he was alive, and with his passing, our Lady of Lorien stands head and shoulders above all other eldar in middle earth. Elrond, Cirdan and Glorfindel are nothing compared to her power. Cirdan held his Ring only til someone more worthy arrived to assume its responsibilities and power. Elrond wasn't so might either, he too took up a Ring though he was less than worthy of it... being for all intents a default bearer with Gil-Galad's passing... i can visualise him doing something rather similar to Isildur, if not for the same selfish reasons.
of the bearers of The Three, only Galadriel retained hers from the first day. Only in Lothlorien were the forces of Mordor kept at bay and Elven culture still in full bloom (if stuck in place due to the powers of Nenya) - and it was a lot closer to the Enemy than Imladris. I can't recall where i read it, perhaps the Tolkein "enyclopaedia", but it does list Galadriel as being the Greatest of the Elves in Middle Earth at the time of the War of the Ring. She learned many arts no other elf had ever learned from Melian - and certainly much of this learning went into the protection and preservation of Lorien.
She faced down Sauron for centuries as his strength only continued to grow - first in Dul Guldor then back in Barad-Dur. Then cast down one of his fortresses utterly, even destroying (or exposing) its foundations iirc... Dol Guldor obviously - which i believe is timelined to slightly before Frodo and Gollum "throw" the The Ring into the Cracks of Doom.

#1: Galadriel - she is the only elf of renown that was alive when the silmarils were created, that went to Middle Earth, who grew in power and statue throughout, lived through the return of one of the three, survived the first three ages and thus saw the downfall of the great enemy and his successor before returning whence she came 5,000 years later.

#2 Luthien - she took the silmaril from the great enemy himself.

#3: Elrond - nowhere near the heritage, but influential beyond all but Galadriel in the end.

#4: Glorfindel - a personal favorite