The Greatest Elf of Middle-earth?

[GreatWarg]

Who would you consider the greatest Elf of Middle-earth? Elrond, Legolas, Celeborn, whoever?

My answer would be Elrond. He was in the Last Alliance (reffered to as LA) and he is Lord of Rivendell, the Last Homely House East of the Sea. Other factors: He DID lead armies under Gil-galad, is the Keeper of one of the Elven Rings, is perhaps the most wise ones of Middle-earth (reffered to as ME) and was in the White Council.

And you could say Gil-galad was the most important. He was in the LA, was one of the greatest Elf lords of ME, had contact with Numeanor in his reign, and was keeper of an Elven Ring for a while.

[Lindolirian]

Finrod Felagund!!! First of all Nargothrod is awesome and second, i find it amazing that a powerful elven king would give up his life for a ouny man named Beren for some hopelss quest. Finrod is simply ...... the coolest. His dad is pretty cool too.

[GreatWarg]

nay nay, better idea. How bout someone out of the way! GLORFINDEL! Why? Because he's not important! Or perhaps, because he helped save the Ringbearer. Yay?

[Guo Si]

Curufin, of course smilies/biggrin.gif I mean, the plan to "save" Luthien was brilliant! Not to mention he...... um...... rode horses very well!

[GreatWarg]

lol Guo. Say rather he was almost as unimportant as Glorfindel. hehe. Another unimportant Elf who is really mentioned much! Legolas! I mean, gurlz think he's cute, and he's good with a bow and arrow, but really. How would the Fellowship be affected without him????

[Guo Si]

Bah..... just because he isn't important to the fellowship doesn't mean he wasn't important! Like, look at the elves that were turned into Orcs! Without them, we'ed have no Orcs! Wait.... bad example..... um.... Feanor! Without him there would have been no Silmarils! And lots of pointless bloodshed may have been avoided! Or..... I'm just gonna quit while I'm ahead smilies/biggrin.gif

[GreatWarg]

See Guo? And yes, this is the Warg you're associated to all the times. What other Warg do you know? Look, Celebrimbor was important! HE created the Elven RIngs! Oh no...wait... it would be better if they hadn't been as ELrond had said. nevermind...

[Guo Si]

See? Elves just suck, don't they? Who says we give up on em and follow Orcs?

[GreatWarg]

Smart, but Orcs were created from Elves. Without them, there'd BE NO ORCS! So, the Eldar race are the best ME's gotta offer.

[burrahobbit]

Not any of the ones in LotR, to be sure, except for maybe Galadriel. I think I would have to say Feanor, though. Unless great refers to fighting prowess or wisdom, I would have to think some to make a decision about prowess or wisdom. For overall greatness I have to say Feanor.

[ May 24, 2002: Message edited by: burrahobbit ]

[ June 15, 2002: Message edited by: burrahobbit ]

[GreatWarg]

Hmmm...why Feanor? Galadriel hated him; she sensed some sort of thing in him. And if you read Unfinished Tales, then it says he begged for a lock of Galadriel's hair, but she refused to give it to him. And to think she gave some to a Dwarf! Elrond would still be my numero uno choice.

[burrahobbit]

Great isn't the same thing as good. Feanor was the only person skilled enough to create silma, and because of that creation the light of the trees will never die. Feanor created the tengwar, the main writing method of the elves for ever after, and also esteemed and used by men for a very long time. Those are some pretty great things. What did Elrond do? Elrond had a house.

[Flute the elf]

the BEST ELF OF ALL TIME = Fingolfin!!!!! smilies/biggrin.gif I love him!! best elf ever. He was a king after all (always a +) but he fought Morgoth ALONE and wounded him 7 times...& tho he died in the end he was the bravest of all. and it said that Morgoth was actually scared when Fingolfin challenged him!!

[orlandoandsaran]

There isn't really a greatest elf. Each elf has something.
And without Legolas, the fellowship wouldn't know what was coming for he was the eyes and ears of the fellowship. And without him...they couldn't go into Lothlorien for only Legolas could speak their language.
But there are still more greater elfs in Middle-earth where they are now in the Halls of Mandos or in Valinor.

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

Don't mean to kill your thra greatWarg, but whom would you consider to be the greastest dwarf ever?

[Mankáno]

Well, we would really have to establish what period we are talking about.

If we refer to the time of the war of the ring, it's without a doubt Galadriel, the only one who was born in Aman and saw the light of the trees (maybe Glorfindel and others did but they weren't not leaders/kings). Elrond was born in Middle Earth and never saw the light of the trees, he wasn't a calaquendi as Galadriel.

Now if we go a little back (just about 7500 years, I think it's between Fingolfin and Thingol and Feanor. Feanor was the most skilled, Fingolfin the strongest and bravest, but Thingon, having married Melian was very special too.

But if we don't put time limits, I have to go with Ingwe. It's true that Ingwe never returned to Middle Earth, but he was born (awake) in Middle Earth, and he was considered the supreme king of all elves

[Veritas]

Gladriel, I like really like her, she's, haven't read the Sil, the greatest Elf in LotR.

[ May 25, 2002: Message edited by: Veritas ]

[Rosa_Baggins]

hmmmmmmmm I think both Elrond and Galadriel are the best but Legolas was i the fellowship.......hmmmmmbut if i had to choose it would be Galadriel i think.

[Rosa_Baggins]

The greatest dwarf, i think, would be gimlis father gloin smilies/biggrin.gif but gimli was special to though smilies/tongue.gif

[junglejoes]

What about Luthien?I know she was half mia,but she was awesome..
Who else took on Sauron,tricked the master of deciept..?
She also has the quality of being an absolute babe! smilies/wink.gif smilies/wink.gif

[pippin_took0]

I would say... Figwit! www.figwitlives.net (http://www.figwitlives.net)

[Orald]

These first three quotes are from UT.

In this he emphasized the commanding stature of Galadriel already in Valinor, the equal if unlike endowments of Fëanor

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

For Fëanor beheld the hair of Galadriel with wonder and delight. He begged three times for a tress, but Galadriel would not give him even one hair. These two kinsfolk, the greatest of the Eldar of Valinor, were unfriends for ever.

Feanor's death, from the Silmarillion:
Thus ended the mightiest of the Noldor, of whose deeds came both their greatest renown and their most grievous woe.

I think Tolkien's careful use of Noldor and Eldar of Valinor does more than just help the theory that Luthien was the greatest of elves. Luthien, Galadriel, and Feanor might be the leaders of the pack, but I think there would be a close race after them. We have Celebrimbor, Finrod, Beleg, Cirdan and several others that all make a good show.

[Jennah]

I think Glorfindel, so dreamy so gentle. i didn't like him being left out of the movie. smilies/frown.gif

[Jennah]

I think Glorfindel, so dreamy so gentle. i didn't like him being left out of the movie. smilies/frown.gif

[Lothiriel Silmarien]

Ok, I'd have to say Feanor, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Luthien, Glorfindel, and Earendil.
Do I need any explination?

[GreatWarg]

Greatest Dwarf? That'd be... Gloin? No... okay, look Gimli, I don't know much about Dwarves; they just haven't been my study. Elves rule though. I still think ELrond, even if he was born in ME, he is considered one of the wisest off all ME, not to mention he has one of the Elven Rings. D'oh, I'm repeating myself.

[lathspell]

As for the greatest elf I'd have to say Feänor in the ages past. He was most skilled in all things save in wisdom. Finwë also is in my mind for this title.
As for the Third Age it would be Galadriel. Doubtless she was the most powerful elf in ME, she also was one of the keepers of the Three and she did deeds greater than Elrond or Cirdan.

The greatest dwarf?! I would go for Dain II Ironfoot. He was fierce in was, but wise (wiser than Thorin any way). Durin was maybe greatest of all the dwarves that lived.

greetings,
lathspell

[Hurins Heir]

definetely fingolfin he cut off morgoths LEG! smilies/evil.gif

[VanimaEdhel]

My favorite very important Elves, I would say, would have to be (well, King Thingol was important, of course), but my favorites of the important are Galadriel and Luthien. Coincidentally (pure coincidence), they are both female. Also, GW: the reason you don't know much about Dwarves: not much is written about them. They were very secretive people.

While my "favorite" Elf would be Legolas, I love all of them, especially Luthien and Galadriel. Galadriel more because she remembered the days of old and lived through all that strife. And I just love the story of Beren and Luthien (and Huan the hound! Yay!).

[Flute the elf]

thank you Gorthal!! Feanor was awsome...but not as awsome as Fingolfin! smilies/wink.gif

[Kidd2323]

Fingolfin, the only "pure" elf to hurt Morgoth, fighting him alone and wounding him seven times including cutting off part of his foot, would definitely be the bravest elf of all time. It says in the Silm that even Morgoth feared him.

As for the half-evlven, Luthien is without a doubt the greatest elf, and here is why...
1.)She was considered the most beautiful elf maiden ever-beauty being a noble quality.
2.)She had enough insight to realize that Beren was a man of high honor and that from them would come the rescue of the races of Middle-earth.
3.)She faced Morgoth and her voice had enough power to enchant him and all the servants of Angband to sleep.
4.)While many elves braved great perils, her were the most trecherous, i.e., Sauron's pit Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
5.)And most compelling, she persuaded even Mandos, the stoic, stubborn, hard-hearted keeper of spirits, to entreat to Manwe to release her and Beren's spirits back to Middle-Earth for a time.

[Luineglin]

i must say that mine is cirdan is one of the best think about it he saw that gandalf was the greatest and gave him the elven ring and not only that was around along time fought in some wars saved some lives built a few ships what more can u ask for. over all it has to go to Igwe the king of all elves

[Orald]

Dwarf? Durin the Deathless, maybe Telchar or his Master, Gamil Zirak.

[stone of vision]

I vote for Galadriel. She is so "Elvish"
And for the dwarves: Durin
smilies/biggrin.gif

[Gimli Son Of Gloin]

I would say Thror was the greatest Dwarf.

[Keeper-of-Vilya]

As far as the greatest for wisdom and power it would have to be, hands down, Elrond ! smilies/smile.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/wink.gif

As far as skill, and beauty goes, definitly Legolas ! smilies/smile.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/wink.gif

[GreatWarg]

Whoopee! See? Vilya agrees that Elrond is the greatest/coolest/one of the most powerfulest Elves!!!!!

[Tarthang]

The greatest Elf of ME? That's hard. The First Age is full of great elves. I think I'll go with Glorfindel, as he was the only elf to my knowledge which was re-embodied as theirself. Anyone who is bestowed with the gift (or curse) of reincarnation has to be pretty special.

[Eowyn of Ithilien]

Feanor, creator of the Silmaril...and Gimli is definitely the greatest dwarf smilies/smile.gif brave, wise and charming all in one...every girl's dream guy (other than the being a few feet too short, of course)

[Daniel Telcontar]

Feanor is without doubt the greatest craftsman, and only his grandson Celebrimbor is any competitor.

Fingolfin would be the bravest, as the Sil states, when he duels Morgoth.

The wisest elf would either be Galadriel or Elrond, but considering Galadriel's age she is probably the winner.

As for fighters and army leaders, there are many choices, but after The Last Alliance, Glorfindel would take the prize. He leads the army from Rivendell, and even the Nazgûl fears him, they flee from him on to occasions: The Battle of Fornost and at the Ford of Bruinen.

[The Silver-shod Muse]

Elf - Cirdan; he was smart. He stayed out of all the messes until he saw a decisive move. Also, I think he was the oldest, and kept a close eye on the sea, sending the lingering Exiles into the West

Dwarf - Durin. Even Gimli revers/worships his memory. We have pages of Gimli's adoration for Durin around the Moria scenes.

[greyhavener]

If we're talking LOTR I'd say Galadriel because
1) she was one of the Noldor elves who had seen the light of Valar
2) had one of the elven rings
3) her gifts were pivotal to the success of the Fellowship
4) she passed the test and refused the one ring

[MallornLeaf]

This is a toughy! My personal favortie elf is either Galadriel or Legolas. Galadriel is like, whoa! the greatest elf in ME, other than maybe Elrond, she's got a great ring, a lot or power, not to mention SHE'S A GIRL! The only downside is Celeborn. Now if she could marry Legolas, who is by far the coolest and most special guys elf in ME, then everything would be perfect!

[Daniel Telcontar]

I feel sorry for Celeborn. Almost everyone thinks Galadriel made a mistake marrying him. Why? he is a King, and without him Galdariel would not be the Queen of Loth-Lorien since she is a Noldo and they are Teleri. Celeborn is not a coward; On several occasions he fights and wins battles. So give him a little credit, he is far cooler than Legolas who is just a little boy compared to Celeborn.

[the real findorfin]

Elves....

For intelligence
Cirdan - is smart and actually stays alive long enough to grow a beard
Ingwe - not gettin involved


Brave, etc
Fingolfin - actually hurts Morgoth
Ecthelion/Glorfindel 1 - slay balrogs
Feanor - i dislike the guy but did fight a load of balrogs (and lose) but we won't dwell on that
Finarfin - havin the guts to turn around for Aman

craftsmen
feanor - well duh...silmarils
Celebrimbor - rings (and for renouncing his father he is smart, good move!)

inspirational leaders
Fingolfin - leads by example
Finrod - gets his hands dirty (with own blood)

Dwarves, in my opinion, are all too cocky and up tight. Relax and take an entdraft and maybe some of Tom Bombadil's weed!

smilies/smile.gif

[the real findorfin]

What about worst elf????

feanor - cocky
celeborn/curufin - aldulterers
caranthir - serious attitude problem

notice all are Noldorin!

[Elrian]

feanor - cocky
celeborn/curufin - aldulterers
caranthir - serious attitude problem

notice all are Noldorin!


Celeborn was Teleri

If we're talking LOTR I'd say Galadriel because
1) she was one of the Noldor elves who had seen the light of Valar
2) had one of the elven rings
3) her gifts were pivotal to the success of the Fellowship
4) she passed the test and refused the one ring
She also defied the Valar twice, first by joining the Revolt of the Nolder because she desired to rule, and second by refusing the Valar at the end of the First Age to return to Valinor, thereby being banned from the West.

Feanor was the greatest in spirit and the greatest craftsman but certainly not the greatest Elf.

There are several who could be the greatest Elf in ME:

Finrod: who helped the Edain, and in the end gave up his own life to save Beren.

Glorfindal: Who gave his own life to save the escapees from Gondolin, then returned to ME later to defend the Elves and the Northern Kingdom against the Witchking, as well as aiding the Hobbits to Rivendell.

GilGalad: Who fought Sauron and his minions through out the Second Age, and lost his life in the Last Alliance.

Elrond: Who fought Sauron in Eraidor and gathered what people he could from Hollin and founded the refuge of Imladris. Also being skilled in healing and extremely Elven wise he aided the Dunedain of the North and fostered the Heirs to the Throne since the days of Valendil. Also he was instrumental in the forming of the Fellowship and the decision to destroy the Ring.

[ June 10, 2002: Message edited by: Elrian ]

[Daniel Telcontar]

Although you spelled Glorfindel and Gil-galad's names wrong, you are right. You mention a lot of cool elves, and Galadriel is way overrated.

[the real findorfin]

sorry, my mistake.

I meant celegorm/curufin

not celeborn/curufin

[Maédhros]

The greatest elf is without a doubt Feanaro. His skills are sans pareil. He had the will to go against the Valar in Aman and to wage war against the most powerful being in the world Melkor. He never turned back or wavered and fought until the end.
In ME, i would say that the greatest elf was Luthien, for making Melkor asleep and moving Mandos to pity.

[Elrian]

Although you spelled Glorfindel and Gil-galad's names wrong
Ah well, I don't claim to be perfect smilies/biggrin.gif
I see alot of mis-spellings in here but don't point them out as most are just typo's from fast fingers.

Luthien, good choice, very good choice. But she chose to be mortal, so we tend to forget she was an Elf once.

[Daniel Telcontar]

I am glad that you weren't offended; I mak many erors too, sinse enklish isnt me nativ langaug. smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

[Daniel Telcontar]

I see many who point out feanor as the greatest elf, but he had some great character problems; His pride got him into troubles many times, and he is not very nice against his half-brothers when you think about Fingolfin trying to be a brother for him. I say that the mistakes such as the Kin-slaying in Alqualönde and the burning of the white ships at Losgar, plus the trouble his oath made, makes him unworthy of the title.

[MallornLeaf]

Daniel TelContar: uh-oh. . . we're starting up again!!! not the Celeborn thing again! Do I have to restate my argument? I'll give Celeborn a lot of credit. He's great. Do you want to know why many people like legolas better? lets put it this way: If Orlando Bloom had played the part of Celeborn, everyone would be crazy about Celeborn. So there... now you know that most people don't have anything against him. Its just this: most girls like Galadriel cuz she's like the coolest girl in the series and they all want to be her (kind of). but they also all like orlando bloom, so they want Galadriel to marry him.

Now as for me personally, I liked Legolas and Galadriel before I ever saw the movie or any preview for it! So (hehe) are we clear now? (actually, this is kinda fun!)

[TarElendil]

The greatest elf of middle-earth or all of ea? if all of ea then Ingwe.if just the ones that came to ME then Fingolfin. He nearly took Morgoth (the most powerful being in all of Ea) single handedly. Or Gil-galad. He saw through the guise sauron as Annatar. Possesed two elven rings for a time, established a relationship with Prince Aldarion who's father was Tar-Meneldur. Led the Last Alliance etc etc.

[lindil]

I will for myself define 'greatest' as 'most noble'

Luthien, Finrod and Galadriel tie for me.

Self -sacrifice, devotion, wisdom, and love.

the Athrabeth shows a glimpse deep into Finrod's mind and faith, if we had similar view into his cousins, uncle's only galadriel would come up even, w/ Maedhros and Maglor probably close but saddly tainted by the curse. We never get to 'see' Fingon, except for dying and saving maedhros.
To understand the full extant of galadriel's behind the scene contributions one must read UT's chapter on her and C.

Luthien for, to me, obvious reasons.

[Legolas]

Despite your explanations of the acting, one still has to question the validity of your opinion when you make a statement like "The only downside is Celeborn. Now if she could marry Legolas, who is by far the coolest and most special guys elf in ME, then everything would be perfect!" You should check out the Unifnished Tales and see what Celeborn has done. What did Legolas do before he became involved in the War of the Ring? Not much. Basing your opinion of a literary character on the attractiveness of the actor portraying him hardly seems plausible.

Elrian, findorfin, and Daniel Telcontar all had pretty good answers. I don't really consider Luthien in the running for such a title...she was half Maiar, which gave her an advantage, and she chose to become mortal. Galadriel is an obvious candidate. Finwe, Fingolfin, Finarfin, Finrod, and Gil-Galad all get nominations for their great Noldorin legacy..

Feanor and Thingol, I feel, also should be considered despite their personality flaws. How many elves caused as big a rave-up as Feanor? How many elves wed a Maiar?

In addition, Celeborn and Elrond are possibilities for their leadership and strides against evil as they watched their kindred leave them for the West. These two were strong in character, selflessly devoted to the cause of peace for their people (Celeborn) and for all of Middle-earth (Elrond). With Gandalf, Elrond was the backbone of the good side of the War of the Ring.

Maybe Ecthelion and Glorfindel, for obvious reasons.

Perhaps Ingwe - he had the foresight to avoid all the Middle-earth chaos and head to Valinor.

[ June 13, 2002: Message edited by: Legalos ]

[Luthien_ Tinuviel]

Finglofin is the most valiant of the Elf-kings. <font color="blue">But on the other hand, if Luthien hadn't married Beren there'd be no Elrond, no Elros, no Dior, or Arwen, or even Aragorn, etc., etc., etc.

[Legolas]

...and if Thingol hadn't wed Melian, there'd be no Luthien.

The importance of following generations do not make a previous generation 'greater.'

[Ungoliant]

Feanor would have to be my choice, just because he was great and I loved him when I read the Silmarrilion. I was also fond of Gil-Galad.

[LeGoLaSz gUrL]

Well...i would choose Legolas, as one of the greatest elves, but I would probably go with Elrond more....i guess

[Legolas]

LeGoLaSz gUrL

Why Legolas?

[Nevfeniel]

Thraduil.
Why?
Because I like to be different sometimes. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Mornie Alantie]

It would be hard to say who is the greatest elf. Me, well, All I can say is that Feanor was the most powerful, Luthian the fairest, Finrod the kindest to men, Fongolfin was a good king, Legolas was the coolest (hehehe) and Celeborn the most unpopular for some reason. I wonder cause nobody would say he is the coolest or best. Huh makes you wonder. Plus he's Jango Fett on star wars.

[Luthien_ Tinuviel]

<font color="bronze"> Is he really? How come several of the actors from LOTR were also in Star Wars? And how would they find time to go back and forth between different studios to film?

[Beleglas]

Feanor, he was the greatest elven smith ever (creating the Silmarils is no everyday job and he was the only one who could do that), and he was a great leader too, many followed him to Middle Earth.

[Imperica]

We could all argue back in forth forever debating who the 'Greatest' Elf was.

All we can really say is our opinions smilies/smile.gif

Fingolfin is my hero.

[Legolas]

Mornie Alantie - actually, I think Celeborn is "cool."

Luthien - I'd say they were not filmed simultaneously. All three trilogies were filmed together and finish (as far as I know) before the shooting for Attack of the Clones.

[GreatWarg]

Great responses everyone! But I happen to know som crazy girls who like (more like love) Celeborn and Elrond. I had no idea celeborn played Jango Fett! Too bad he died... smilies/frown.gif Oh, and the filmed Star Wars after they filmed the whole LotR.

Anyways, I think Elrond would still have my vote for greatest. He was a valiant leader in the Last Alliance and had great wisdom, even before his sire's time. (His sire being Earendil) He was a kin to Luthien through his mother (Elwing) and was held in high honor by both Elves and Men. his brother Elros was a Lord of Men and from him came the line of the Kings of Numenor. Gil-galad trusted him deeply, giving him Vilya, the mightiest of the Three Elven Rings, foreseeing Elrond's future. After the time of the Rings, Elrond left with Galadriel and the other Ring-bearers to Valinor.

In a matter of ethics, Elrond helped to create the Fellowship, and caused a few great events in history to happen, in which Galadriel also took part in. Rivendell was nicknamed 'The Last Homely House east of the Sea,' because it was safe, protected by the power of Vilya, and it was one of the places where fleeing Elves stopped at. Rivendell was created at the time before the Last Alliance, and Isildur's youngest son stayed there. The Shards of Narsil were later brought there by Isildur's esquire, and became the last hierlooms of the desendants of the Numenoreans.

[TarElendil]

Finglofin is the most valiant of the Elf-kings. But on the other hand, if Luthien hadn't married Beren there'd be no Elrond, no Elros, no Dior, or Arwen, or even Aragorn, etc., etc., etc.

A persons offsprings doesnt make him/her great. Its what they themselves do. yea, luthien with beren took a silmaril from the crown of morgoth etc., but that single act cant compare to some of the other actions of the Elves in ME

[Brildagniriel]

Legolas is the best elf, and not just because he's totally cute.
He's awesome with a bow and arrow, and he can use daggers too. Without him, the battles would have been totally different. He's completely important. smilies/biggrin.gif

[obloquy]

galadriel is phat

[TarElendil]

He's awesome with a bow and arrow, and he can use daggers too. Without him, the battles would have been totally different. He's completely important
i have to say the battles wouldnt have had a different outcome.
you say he is important? so is fingolfin,feanor,thingol,gilgalad,finrod,fingon,ga ladriel,etc.

[Legolas]

Elves in general would be proficient with a bow and arrow - I doubt that the Fellowship would've faired worse with Glorfindel or another elf of Elrond's house.

Even if he was irreplaceable, other elves accomplished more.

TarElendil - I made that point. smilies/redface.gif

[TarElendil]

and where exactly? i didnt see your post

[Lush]

....I think Legolas is the greatest Elf, because I want to shag him. That and, uh, he can kill lots of things....But basically, I just want to shag him.

http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server-smilies/cwm/cwm3d/3dbiggrin3.gif


Seriously: Glorfindel & Finrod Felagund, because self-sacrifice ranks the highest on my list.

[Legolas]

...and if Thingol hadn't wed Melian, there'd be no Luthien.
The importance of following generations do not make a previous generation 'greater.'


Not a big deal, I just made a note since I was posting already.

[Cúdae]

My choice for best elf is (drumroll) Caranthir! Sure, he had some attitude issues and some anger managements problems, but he is a very interesting character. He wasn't the nicest of Elves...or the most fun-loving, or the wisest, or the most handsome, or the most powerful, or the most influential, but Caranthir was important! If for no other reason to play the part of annoying younger brother who-wants-a-Silmaril-and-can't-have-one to Maedhros.

[the mortal elf]

For me, 1st place is a tie between Finrod Felagund, (sorry if mis-spelled) for self sacrifice and friendship to Beren, and Fingolfin, because duh! He went and actually fought the great enemy! Morgoth was Scared! Anyway, in a close second comes Elrond, for his wisdom, his possesion of one of the great elven rings, his help in the LA, and his love of Arwen.

Down with Feanor! How can anyone like this guy? His oath basically cursed himself and all his sons, he was way too arrogant about the Silmarils, and he killed Teleri! Innocent Teleri!

Guo Si: Curufin? What are you smoking? When I read his attempt to "save" Luthien, I smacked the book on the floor and yelled at it!

I'm not crazy... smilies/rolleyes.gif

[the mortal elf]

Hello, I'm back to annoy everyone again. At some point during this thread we started listing best dwarves too. Mine is most definitely Gimli. Besides the reasons others have mentioned, he was the first dwarf in who knows how long to swallow his pride and background and make friends with an Elf! That takes courage.

Adding more and getting off the subject: The worst Dwarf of all time would have to be Mim. He's a faithless, treacherous, sneaky...I'll be quiet now. smilies/evil.gif

[Ascaglíniel]

The greatest Elf in the history must be Galadriel. Why? Because:
1) She's beautiful
2) she's strong
3) she's fair
4) She doesn't act out of what the best for her and her people is
5) she can see into the future and over long distances
6) She does what she can to help others.

Convinced? smilies/biggrin.gif

~Asacglíniel, Maid of the Wild Woods

[Túroch]

What is this! Nobody has mentioned my favorite elf. Well I wouldn't call him the "greatest" elf. (I go with Fingolfin on that). My favorite has to be the rnowned Beleg Strongbow,Warden of Doriath. He is one cool guy. Him and Túrin were great duo. And nobofy mentioned Turgon, founder of Gondolin. Alas, poor Gondolin. Well I know which elf is the worst. Maeglin by far or perhaps Eol.

[the mortal elf]

*smacks self* I completely forgot Beleg Strongbow! He was awesome! I'm sorry...*begs forgiveness* Turgon was cool too...hmm.. how did I miss them? Guess it's been a while since I've read the Sil.

[kaleidoscope]

Gil-Galad, Galadriel, and Círdan are my top three greatest elves (not in that order). All were given rings, even if two of them gave thier rings away. This implies that those three were the greatest elves in the time the rings were given away.

If I had too choose one, I'd pick Círdan. I seems like he is always getting overlooked in favor of others (Galadriel, Elrond, Fëanor, etc.) He recognized that Gandalf was the greatest Maia that came to ME and so he gave Gandalf the ring. It also says somewhere in The Silmarillion that he was wise. Círdan did many great things. smilies/smile.gif

[Frodo Baggins]

Hey GreatWarg?

Vilya is not the only one that agrees Elrond is the greatest. I do TOO!!! Elrond is the best elf ever. All discussions I have about elves always lead back to Elrond!

Man I love this Elf!!!!

[amyrlis]

I have to side with those who named Finrod and Fingolfin. These two get my vote.

Finrod is one of the wisest and saddest characters. He is noble and gentle and forsees the importance of the role of man in Middle Earth.

I see Fingolfin as, hands down, the bravest elf in all of Arda. His un-faltering loyalty and love to his fellow Noldor is unmatched.

There are some who have disagreed that Feanor deserves such a title as "greatest elf". But, remember, great does not necessarily equal good. Feanor's deeds were indeed great, the stuff of legends. He was the most skilled craftsmen of his people, and the likes of his work will never be seen again. But, although he ranks high on my list, Finrod and Fingolfin take the top spots.

[TolkienGurl]

Well, since I have no idea who you guys are taking about (I haven't read the Silmarillion yet smilies/eek.gif ), I'll have to go with an Elf that I do know. Hmm...

Is there really a greatest?

I'll have to say Galadriel. Wise and compassionate, yet cold, as it is no longer her time on Middle-earth.

I don't really like Elves, though. smilies/eek.gif

[burrahobbit]

This is not a matter of debate (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001236). Luthien is the greatest, Tolkien said so.

[kaleidoscope]

This is a matter of debate Tolkien had the opinion that Lúthien was the greatest. Some of us disagree. We would like to explain our reasons for who we think is the greatest, not who Tolkien thinks is the greatest. smilies/evil.gif smilies/smile.gif

[burrahobbit]

Tolkien did not state on opinion. Is it an opinion that Thingol was the tallest of the Children of Iluvatar? No, it's a fact. It might have been an opinion if Tolkien had written "Beren thought that Luthien was the greatest," but that isn't what he wrote. He wrote "Luthien is the greatest." Tolkien was not lying to you, kaleidoscope.

[Magician of Nathar]

Galadriel, definitely.
She is wise, fair, powerful and very far sighted. She helps others whenever help is needed. Without her ME would be COMPLETELY diffrent.
Even Tolkien name her "the greatest of Eldar".

Other elves are cool too. But they all seem a little... well not perfectly right. Elrond reads too much(LOL! joking) Finrod and Fingolfin were too short sighted to throw their lives away. I am sure Negrethond needs Finrod more than Beren needs him and Fingolfin abandoned his people just because of his rage. Glorfindel, well, I don't know that much about him. And Feanor is the one I hate most in the entire ME. I hate him more than either Morgoth or Sauron. But maybe I hate Denethor a little more than him but that's it.

[Aragost]

The greatest elf that was ever in ME would be Ingwe. He was the king of all elves. smilies/evil.gif

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I was wondering when burrahobbit was going to pop up and put an end to this parallel thread.

There is no argument. The Professor is angry with most of you.

What you should have done is asked "Who is your favourite Elf?", put it in Novices and Newcomers, and watched as every single member contributed to it.

Luthien is the Greatest.

As for my favourite, Finrod Felagund.

[burrahobbit]

This thread makes Tolkien cry.

[TolkienGurl]

burrahobbit and Eomer of the Rohirrim:

The thread asks who do you think is the greatest Elf in Middle-earth, not who is the greatest Elf in Middle-earth! There is a difference. It should be in Novices and Newcomers, though, since it is not really a discussion, but a matter of opinion. And I agree that it should be phrased 'favorite' instead of 'greatest.'

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

The title itself is an oxymoron.

[burrahobbit]

Why is that?

[Saurreg]

My choice of greatest elf would have to be Erenion Gil-galad. In the time when his brethens were leaving Middle Earth in droves or were simply keeping to themselves, Gil-galad established the Kingdom of Lindon as a last bastion against Sauron and the dark forces of Mordor. Without his heroic and inspirational leadership, Sauron's legions would have extended all the way to the bays of Belfalas. Also, when Elendil and his sons were casted upon the shores of Middle-Earth as ship-wrecks, had Gil-galad not extended his hand of friendship, it would have been impossible for the exiled Numenoreans to establish their own Kingdoms.

Gil-galad looked through the disguise of the servants of Morder and even that of Annatar himself and realised his intends. Not only did he reject Sauron's advances, he even sent Elrond to persuade the elves of Eregion to reject Sauron too and later to aid in their defence when the Eregionians realized their folly. With the fall of Eregion, I believe he conmissioned Elrond to bulid Rivendell as a hidden refugee for not only the elves of Eregion but for all who are wreary and oppressed. By the time Sauron had created the one ring and enslaved the nine kings of men (and inturn their kingdoms), he was all-powerful. That didn't stop Gil-galad from creating a last alliance to defeat Sauron. Many would have fled before the might of the power-mad maiar but the High King knew that the time had come for the final struggle and did not shy from it. Gil-galad must have known that he would not come out alive from the land of Mordor and it was with this farsightedness that he left Vilya in the custody of Elrond and made him heir and regent.

Gil-galad's story was brief but pivotal. He was a fine example of how one can still bev great even though he had not seen the lights of the two-trees in Valinor. His accomplishments speak for themselves.

[Afrodal Fenyar]

I still think it's Fëanor. Even though Tolkien wrote that Lúthien is the greatest, it's also written that no other like Fëanor has been born or will be born(I don't have the quote, but it was somewhere in the Silm, right? Only read the finnish version).

So I say Fëanor, even though Tolkien said otherwise.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Oh, I'm sorry. The title itself is not an oxymoron. Someone said that the opening post was "Who do you think was the greatest?"

It doesn't make sense as it doesn't matter what our opinion is.

[The Witch-King of Angmar]

Hi.

I'm new here and furthermore I'm from Germany, so don't expect my English to be good smilies/biggrin.gif

Hmm, my two favourite Elves were Fingolfin because of the fight with Morgoth and Beleg because .. he is just friendly, skilled and a friend of my favourite character Turin smilies/smile.gif

[burrahobbit]

So I say Fëanor, even though Tolkien said otherwise.

What did Tolkieen know, anyway?

[Afrodal Fenyar]

What did Tolkieen know, anyway?

Tolkien didn't know how to complete his book before his death. If you're speaking of JRR. So isn't there a possibility that he would have changed this too if he would've lived long enough?

Everybody in Tolkien's books is the greatest or the mightiest or the best in something. Anyways, it could be that Tolkien thought that it looks cool if he says that Luthien was the greatest.

So I still think of Fëanor as the greatest. I think that some things shouldn't be listed as facts.

[burrahobbit]

So isn't there a possibility that he would have changed this too if he would've lived long enough?

No. Have you ever seen his tombstone? Luthien was his wife, he was Beren.

[Niniel]

Fëanor is the greatest elf I think, or probably Fingolfin.

[Vanya]

Fëanor, Lúthien and Galadriel were described as being the three greatest of the Eldar. But my vote is for Thingol: He rocks!

[Iarwain]

I always liked Finarfin, because he kept his head when no one else did.

[the mortal elf]

Burrahobbit: have you seen his grave? or a picture of it? Describe it, please! smilies/smile.gif

[Atariel]

Its prorbably Galadriel because she was the most beautiful (see Happy Elves). but don't you think that Aragorn must have had some Elven blood, because he was very weakly related to Elros, who was Elrond's brother, and thus the son of Elwing, who was an elf. A very loose link, but still some blood was there. after all, when he was on his deathbed in Minas Tirith, he said to Arwen (during the Lady Undomiel speach): 'Nay, lady, I am the last of the Numenoreans, and the latest King of the Elder days', bla bla bla. I should know, i read it every night before i go to sleep. and since all the Numenoreans Kings (i.e Aragorn) were descended from Elros, he must have had some elven blood.
Anyway, Galadriel was the best because she had the nicest hair, clothes and house. and she was older, and probably wiser. she had also seen the light of the two trees. But Legolas was most definitely the best looking and Finwe the coolest.

[WarBringer]

Glorfindel-the nazgul fear him, he saved the ringbearer and defeated a Balrog. Glorfindel wipes the floor with other elves