Hail and well met, friend. Welcome to the House of Rivendell. I am Níralissë, and I am pleased to offer enlightenment about our heritage, for I discern you have come seeking knowledge. You are wise to come here. Imladris is one of the oldest centres of learning in all of Middle-earth. Our libraries are among the finest in the realm. Many of these tomes survived the fall of Eregion, and were brought here across many leagues and through near-disaster. I declare this with full authority, for I rescued them and bore them here myself in the company of Master Elrond. I was among those at his side when he first beheld this valley. Well I remember that day. We had travelled far and were weary with the search. By apparent chance we discovered the entrance to this valley and as we began our descent he stopped and gazed long at the vista. I beheld his slight smile as he drew his sword and pointed to this precise spot. He declared that here we would build a great house and this valley would be known as Imladris, in the common speech Rivendell. He pledged that I should have the task of planning the libraries to house my precious burdens, which I did, and I have held unbroken responsibility for these collections since. We first came here in the Second Age, and momentous events have come and gone since then. But no more about that now. If you have any questions about these Libraries later, be sure you come to me.
Celeborn now is acclaimed by all as Lord of Rivendell, though I fear that he will soon depart Over Sea. In his eyes is the look of one who hears the music of the sea calling. And I who say it know, for I have seen many of the Eldar develop that look and depart over the long years. Someday I myself may go, but not yet, not just yet. There is much I still wish to do with the knowledge in these books. Our ties with the Lord Celeborn go back many ages and became even stronger in the beginning of the Third Age. Then it was that Master Elrond wed the daughter of Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel. Celebrían was her name, a beautiful and gracious lady. In time the twins Elladan and Elrohir and their sister Arwen were born and enriched our lives, and of course strengthened ties between Rivendell and Lórien. After the Lady Galadriel departed Over Sea with Lord Elrond, in the quiet solitude of my heart I foresaw that Lord Celeborn would come to us, and so he did. His grandsons, Elladan and Elrohir, are dear to his heart and a strong reason for his continuing here, though there are sad memories also. Celebrían is gone these many centuries, going Over Sea after her dreadful ordeal with those despicable orcs. And Arwen is gone, and gone also is Aragorn who spent his youth here as a son to Elrond, returning often from his long travels, and coming many times in the years after he claimed his birthright as heir of Isildur to become King Elessar. Long has the wind sung over their graves. The gift of Ilúvatar to the second-born is hard to comprehend, but perhaps in time we will understand.
This was a lonely place after Elrond and the others departed Over Sea. One I miss sorely is the hobbit Bilbo. He came often to the libraries, and from his first visit a great friendship sprang up between us. He has a delightfully inquisitive mind. I’m still pursuing a line of thought that began with one of his questions. In the short time he was with us-some twenty years-we all grew quite fond of him. Privately I’ve always thought Elrond, Galadriel, and Mithrandir delayed their departure for the Grey Havens so Bilbo could outlive the one he called “the old Took.” They well knew how strongly he desired this, and I have no doubt it pleased them to grant his wish. Hobbits are a quiet and unassuming people but the bearers of the three great elven rings love them, and that is no small thing.
Middle-earth enjoyed several centuries of relative peace after the dark shadow of Mordor was vanquished, but there is an evil in the land again. An undercurrent of disquiet has begun troubling my thoughts. I fear we face bad times, and the twins share my concern. Elladan, Elrohir and Celeborn are taking counsel. And just now I really must return to my researches. Let me again bid you welcome to the House of Rivendell. I hope to see you soon in the libraries. May the stars shine upon the end of your road.
‘The heirs of Elendil do not forget all things past,’ said Strider; ‘and many more things than I can tell are remembered in Rivendell.’
‘Have you often been to Rivendell?’ asked Frodo.
‘I have,’ said Strider. ‘I dwelt there once, and still I return when I may. There my heart is; but it is not my fate to sit in peace, even in the fair house of Elrond.’
- Fellowship of the Ring
