Círdan
Biography
Cirdan played by Michael Elsworth in the New Line film
Cirdan was a great mariner among the Elves. He was born sometime in the Years of the Trees as "Nowe," but he earned the name "Cirdan," meaning "Shipright." Cirdan later became the last Elf to leave Middle-Earth. He had a beard, which was unusual for Elves. Though Cirdan was ten thousand years old by the Fourth Age, he was not one of the first Elves to wake up. When Cirdan's people, the Teleri, journeyed to the Undying Lands, Cirdan remained in Middle-Earth. Cirdan only retreated as Morgoth, the evil Ainur, grew in power and challenged the Elves, who overall defeated him. Cirdan, in 462 of the First Age, built ships and sailed to aid Fingon, who was outnumbered by Morgoth. Cirdan offered to foster Gil-Galad, son of Fingon. Fingon agreed. Cirdan built walls to the Havens to take many desperate Elves into safety. In 473 of the First Age, Morgoth invaded the Havens and killed all but Cirdan. He retreated to the Isle of Balar. Hee sent a ship to the Undying Lands to ask the Valar for help, but the ships sank. Only the elf Voronwe lived. When Doriath and Gondolin fell, the survivors retreated to the nearby Havens of Sirion. Earendil was one of these Elves, and Cirdan helped him build the Vingilot, a ship which Earendil would need to travel to the Undying Lands to ask the Valar for help while at war. Soon, the sons of Feanor attacked the Havens of Sirion. Cirdan sent a fleet of ships to assist, but many innocent Elves died. Morgoth was defeated in the War of Wrath and Cirdan moved to Lindon. In year 1 of the Second Age, The Grey Havens were built along the Gulf of Lune. Cirdan moved there and escorted Elves to the Undying Lands on ships that he himself built. He escorted Edain men to a new homeland provided for them: Numenor. Several Numenoreans, such as Aldarion, learned much about ship building from Cirdan. By 1693 of the Second Age, the Three Rings of Elves had already been made and Cirdan was given Narya. He protected it from Sauron the evil, who wanted the Rings. Cirdan later fought in the War of the Last Alliance in which Gil-Galad was killed and Sauron defeated. In year 1000 of the Third Age, the Wizards arrived in Middle-Earth. The wizard Gandalf looked to him in need of Narya, so he gave it too him. In 1300, Cirdan helped King Araphor of the Dunedain defeat the forces of Angmar, under the Witch-King's command. In 1974, King Arvedui of the Dunedain was attacked by the Witch-King and took refuge in the Icebay of Forochel. Aranarth, son of Arvedui, Cirdan went to Cirdan to ask for a ship to save Arvedui. Cirdan sent a ship, but it failed. In 1975, Cirdan united with Gondor and Lindon and the two forces drove the Nazgul out of Angmar in the Battle of Fornost. Cirdan later decided to guard the palantir in Elostirion. In the 2000s, the White Council was formewd and Cirdan was chosen to be a member. They forced Sauron out of his stronghold at Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. In 3018, Cirdan sent Galdor to the council of Elrond. It was decided the Ring of Power would be destroyed in Mordor. It was, and many Elves left Middle-Earth. Cirdan built the White Ship which, on September 29, 3021, was ridden by Frodo and Bilbo Baggins as well as Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celeborn. Cirdan escorted many Elves across the Sea, until finally he could go in the Fourth Age.