Elendil

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In Middle-earth, the fantasy universe of J. R. R. Tolkien, Elendil is the father of Isildur and Anárion and the founder and first king of Arnor and Gondor.

Elendil was born in 3119 of the Second Age in Númenor as son of Amandil, Lord of Andúnië and leader of the Faithful who maintained the old ways against the encroachments of Ar-Pharazôn and Sauron. His name can mean either "Elf-friend" or "Star-lover" in Quenya.

Elendil and his sons Isildur and Anárion fled to Middle-earth at the Downfall of Númenor, founding the realms of Arnor and Gondor in Middle-earth in 3320 S.A.. With them they took the palantíri, the "Seeing Stones" that were given to the Lords of Andúnie by the Elves of Tol Eressëa.

As he landed on Middle-earth he proclaimed in Quenya:

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta. (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)

Elendil lived in Arnor, where he founded the city of Annúminas. His son Anárion founded the city of Minas Anor in Anórien, and his son Isildur founded Minas Ithil in Ithilien. Across the Anduin the city of Osgiliath was built. Across the realms were built towers for the palantíri, with which the realms kept contact.

Sauron returned to Middle-earth, taking residence in Mordor next to Gondor. In 3428 Sauron first attacked, taking Minas Ithil. Isildur fled north to his father, leaving Anárion in charge of Gondor. In 3434 Elendil and Isildur returned south together with the Elven High King Gil-galad, in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men At the end of the long siege of Barad-dûr, in the year 3441 of the Second Age, Sauron came to battle himself. Gil-galad and Elendil fought Sauron and threw him down, but were both slain, and Elendil's sword Narsil was broken under his weight when he fell.

His son Isildur used the broken sword to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand.

House of Elendil

                            Eärendil
                               |
                             Elros
                               :
                               :
                        Lords of Andúnië
                               |
                            Amandil
                               |
                            Elendil
                               |
                    ------------------------------
                    |                            |
                 Isildur                      Anárion
                    |                            |
    ---------------------------             --------------------
    |        |       |        |             |                  |
 Elendur  Aratan   Ciryon  Valandil    (3 unknown children) Meneldil    
                              |                                |  
                           Eldacar                         Cemendur
                              |                                |
                       Kings of Arnor                   Kings of Gondor
                              :
                              :
                           Elessar (Aragorn)