The Origin of Imladris: Retreat and Siege

Imladris was founded in the year 1697 of the Second Age of Middle Earth by Elrond Half-Elven, son of Earendil and Elwing, who commanded an Elven army resisting the attack of Sauron. Elrond had been sent by Gil-Galad to defend Eregion, the Noldorin realm near the feet of the Misty Mountains where the three elven rings of power had been forged. Elrond was forced by the overwhelming might of Sauron's armies to retreat with his followers to the region where Imladris was founded. By 1700 S.A. Sauron had conquered all of Eriador, save Imladris where Elrond and his army of Noldor still held under seige, and Lindon beyond the river Lune, where Gil-Galad held with the rest of his forces and with the Numenoreans. As Sauron was getting reinforcements from the south, a great fleet sent by Tar-Minastir, King of Numenor, arrived to aid Gil-Galad. The armies of Sauron were utterly defeated. When the Noldor and Numenorans came across Eriador, the force beseiging Imladris was crushed between the armies of Elrond and Gil-Galad and Sauron retreated to Mordor.

Staging Point for the Last Alliance.

After the destruction of the Mordain forces, Eriador was left mostly in ruins. At that time a council was held among the elves and they came to decide that Imladris should replace the older elf home, Eregion, as the elven stronghold in Eriador. Elrond remained at Imladris and was appointed as Vice-Regent in Eriador by Gil-Galad. After the tragic fall of Numenor, the survivors made their own realms in Gondor and in the North near Imladris. When Sauron attacked the west, Imladris was the primary gathering point for the armies of the Last Alliance, which passed over the Misty Mountains and down Anduin to attack Mordor. Elrond came with them and was present at the last battle with Sauron on the slopes of Orodruin where Gil-Galad was killed. Elrond returned to Imladris and resumed his role as protector of an outpost in the wilderness.

Imladris in the Third Age - The War against Angmar

In the Third Age, Imladris continued to serve as an outpost in the wilderness for all the free peoples. It was, and is, a staging point for many elves traveling from the east towards the havens. The Dunedain prospered for a while, while more and more elves passed across the sea. After the first few centuries, Arnor split into warring kingdoms over a dispute about the true line of descent from Elendil. Since elves were still permitted to pass through on their way to the havens, Imladris did not intervene. This situation lasted for centuries, but finally the chief of the Ring Wraiths, the Witch-king, built a kingdom of his own in the far north an attacked the disunited Dunedain. The realm of Angmar made war on the fragmented kingdoms of Arnor; Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur; for centuries. Even though both Mithlond and Imladris sent armies against Angmar, all of the kingdoms of the Dunedain were eventually destroyed. Just as the last king of the north was driven out and died in the wildernes, aid arrived from Gondor in the south, and a great force of elves from the Grey Havens and men from Gondor attacked the victorious Witch-king and destroyed his armies. An army was also sent out from Imladris at this time, and aided in the destruction of Angmar.

Imladris in the Third Age - Haven in the Wild

Even though Angmar was destroyed, there were too few of the Dunedain left to form a new kingdom. The descendants of Elendil took to calling themselves "Chieftains of the Dunedain" instead of Kings of Arnor and lived almost nomadic lives among the other peoples whom they had formerly ruled. Elrond continued to support them, allowing them to use Imladris as a haven, often allowing the young heirs to be raised in Imladris. Supplies, the skills of elven craftsmen, and Elrond's own wisdom as a counsellor were also available to them. Together, the surviving Dunedain and the elves remaining in Imladris worked to protect Eriador against the surviving evil creatures in the wilderness over the centuries.

Imladris Today

The Founder of Imladris, Lord Elrond, is the protector of the valley and bearer of Vilya, one of the three Elven rings of power. But this is a SECRET known only to a few. Ordinary elves and others do not ICly know that he possesses one of the Elven Rings. He guides Imladris with the aid of his family and a few close advisors. Imladris is a thriving stronghold for the forces of good and has a positive influence on the area around it. Evil creatures who try to approach the valley are unable to enter it. With the aid of Vilya, Elrond can even call upon the rivers to rise up and protect the valley. All Quendi are welcome to make Imladris their home, and all Dunedain are welcome to come for rest and aid. All good peoples are welcome to take refuge here if need be.