Middle-earth characters facts for kids
This article is about the amazing characters from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world, Middle-earth. Get ready to meet powerful beings, brave heroes, and even some scary villains!
Powerful Beings: Ainur
The Ainur were like powerful, angelic spirits created by Eru Ilúvatar at the very beginning of time. Some of them came into the world of Middle-earth.
The most powerful of these spirits were called the Valar, which means "powers." They were like gods who shaped the world. Lesser spirits were called the Maiar. Most of the Valar and Maiar went to live in a special land called Valinor, far to the west.
But some Maiar stayed in Middle-earth. They sometimes took on human-like forms to help or even cause trouble for the people living there. Famous Maiar include the Istari (like Gandalf), Melian, the fiery Balrogs, and the evil Sauron.
The Mighty Valar
Manwë, Lord of the Sky
Manwë Súlimo is the leader of the Valar. He is the lord of the air and sky. His wife is Varda. He lives on a tall mountain called Taniquetil in Valinor, which is far to the west of Middle-earth.
Morgoth, the Dark Enemy
Melkor was originally the most powerful of the Valar, but he chose to become evil. He was then called Morgoth (Sindarin: "Black Enemy"). Morgoth was the biggest enemy of everyone in Middle-earth during the First Age. He is the main villain in The Silmarillion book.
The Maiar Spirits
Sauron, the Lord of the Rings
Sauron is a Maia who turned evil. He became the main helper for the Dark Lord Morgoth. In the Second Age, he tricked the elves by pretending to be a good guy named Annatar. He taught them how to make the Rings of Power. But secretly, he made his own special ring, the One Ring, in the volcano Mount Doom in his land of Mordor. Because of this, he became known as the Lord of the Rings.
Sauron was defeated when the island of Númenor fell, but he came back to life in Mordor. He was defeated again by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Later, in the Third Age, Sauron returned once more, looking for his One Ring and starting the War of the Ring. He was finally defeated when the One Ring fell into the fires of Mount Doom with Gollum. In The Hobbit, Sauron is also called the Necromancer.
Istari: The Wizards
The Istari (Quenya: "Wise Ones") are a group of five Maiar. They came to Middle-earth in the Third Age, looking like old human men. The five Istari are Saruman the White, Gandalf the Grey, Radagast the Brown, Alatar the Blue, and Pallando the Blue. The people of Middle-earth called them "wizards."
Each wizard wore robes of a special color: white for Saruman, grey for Gandalf, brown for Radagast, and sea-blue for the two Blue Wizards. Gandalf and Saruman play big roles in The Lord of the Rings. Radagast appears only briefly, helping Saruman by accident and also helping Gwaihir the eagle rescue Gandalf. The Blue Wizards went far into the east of Middle-earth, so their stories are not well known.
Each wizard served a Vala in some way. Saruman was a helper of Aulë, so he knew a lot about making things and working with metal. Gandalf was a helper of Manwë or Varda, but he also loved the gardens of Lórien, so he understood the hopes and dreams of Men and Elves. Radagast, who served Yavanna, loved nature, animals, and plants.
Gandalf the Grey and White
Gandalf the Grey is a main character in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He came to Middle-earth as one of the Istari. He worked hard to help destroy the One Ring and win the War of the Ring. Later, he was reborn as Gandalf the White and became the new leader of the wizards.
Gandalf has many other names, like Olórin, Mithrandir, and the White Rider. Círdan gave Gandalf an Elven Ring called Narya, the Ring of Fire. At the end of the Third Age, Gandalf left Middle-earth for Valinor with other Ring-bearers.
Saruman the White
Saruman the White is a character in The Lord of the Rings. He came to Middle-earth as one of the Istari. Saruman was the leader of the wizards and the White Council, who were supposed to fight Sauron. But Saruman turned evil and joined with Mordor. He created a huge army of Uruk-hai.
Gandalf later removed Saruman from his position and broke his staff, taking away his power. Saruman went to the Shire and caused trouble there. He was finally killed by his servant, Gríma, right outside Bag End.
Radagast the Brown
Radagast the Brown is a character in The Lord of the Rings. He came to Middle-earth as one of the Istari. Radagast is also known as Aiwendil or "Bird-Friend." He lived in Rhosgobel and was very close to animals.
Radagast warned Gandalf about the Nazgûl and accidentally helped Saruman trap Gandalf. However, it was also thanks to Radagast that Gandalf was rescued from Orthanc by the eagle Gwaihir. Radagast's story after the War of the Ring is not fully known.
Alatar and Pallando: The Blue Wizards
Alatar the Blue and Pallando the Blue are the Blue Wizards. They traveled into the east of Middle-earth. Not much is known about them. They were sent to stir up people against Sauron and help those who refused to worship Morgoth. They were never seen again in the west of Middle-earth.
The Firstborn: Elves
The Elves, also called the Firstborn, were the first of Eru's Children to wake up. They were born under the stars before the Moon and Sun appeared. They love light and have special gifts. They call themselves the Quendi, or "Speakers," because they were the first to use words. No other race understands language and song like them.
Elves are beautiful, smart, proud, immortal, tall, and quick. They are the most blessed of the Free Peoples. They can see well in moonlight or starlight, almost as well as a human in bright daylight. They don't get sick or scarred easily. If an Elf dies, their spirit goes to the halls of Mandos, but they are tied to the world and cannot leave it forever. Elves are very skilled and agile; for example, they can walk on fresh snow without leaving footprints. On a clear day, they can see for miles with perfect detail.
The Quendi were divided into many groups. Some left Middle-earth to live in the blessed land of Valinor, while others stayed behind. Those who went to Valinor were called the Eldar, and those who refused the journey were the Avari.
Elves who stayed in Middle-earth and never saw the special light of the trees in Valinor were called the Moriquendi or "Dark-elves." This doesn't mean they were evil, just that they hadn't seen that special light.
On the journey to Valinor, some of the Teleri (who "tarried") stopped along the way. Those who didn't mix with the Moriquendi became the Laiquendi (Green-elves), the Sindar (Grey-elves), and the Nandor. These elves who stayed in Middle-earth were called the Úmanyar (The Unwilling). The Eldar who reached Valinor were divided into three groups: Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri. These three groups were known as the Calaquendi or "Light-elves" because they saw the light of the Two Trees of Valinor. Later, some Noldor went back to Middle-earth to find the Silmarils, but the Vanyar stayed in Valinor.
The Silvan Elves, who were part Nandor and part Avari, lived in Mirkwood and Lothlórien.
Important Elven Characters
Celeborn, Lord of Lothlórien
Celeborn was the husband of Galadriel and the father of Celebrían. He ruled the elven realm of Lothlórien with his wife.
Celebrían, Elrond's Wife
Celebrían was the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. She married Elrond Half-elven and had twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, and a daughter, Arwen. In the year 2509 of the Third Age, orcs captured Celebrían, but her sons rescued her. The next year, she left Middle-earth for Valinor.
Galadriel, Lady of Lothlórien
Galadriel was the youngest child of Finarfin and Eärwen. She married Celeborn and had a daughter named Celebrían. In the Second and Third Ages, she ruled as Lady over the elven realm of Lothlórien. Gil-galad gave Galadriel the Elven Ring Nenya, the Ring of Water. At the end of the Third Age, Galadriel left Middle-earth for Valinor with the other Ring-bearers.
Gil-galad, High King of the Noldor
Ereinion Gil-galad was the last High King of the Noldor elves in Middle-earth. He led the elves in the Last Alliance against Sauron but was killed in that war at the end of the Second Age.
Haldir of Lórien
Haldir was an Elf from Lothlórien. He guarded its northern borders. When the Fellowship of the Ring arrived in Lothlórien, they met Haldir, who then led them to the city of Caras Galadhon.
Legolas Greenleaf
Legolas, son of Thranduil, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is an elf from Mirkwood and a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. He is sometimes called Legolas Greenleaf. During the Fellowship's journey, he became good friends with the dwarf Gimli, even though elves and dwarves usually don't get along.
Thranduil, the Elvenking
Thranduil, son of Oropher, was king of the elves of Mirkwood during the Third Age. He fought under his father's command in the Last Alliance. When Oropher was killed, Thranduil became king. Thranduil is the father of Legolas. In The Hobbit, Thranduil is only called the Elvenking. He also appears in The Lord of the Rings.
Elrond Half-elven
Elrond Peredhel ("Elrond Half-elven") is the son of Eärendil and Elwing. In the Third Age, Elrond is the Lord of Rivendell and a very important and wise leader among the elves. Elrond appears in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.
Elrond was a Half-Elf, meaning he had both elven and human ancestors. His brother, Elros Tar-Minyatur, chose to become a mortal human. In the Second Age, Elrond founded Rivendell. He fought in the Last Alliance against Sauron. He married Celebrían and had twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, and a daughter, Arwen. Gil-galad gave Elrond the Elven Ring Vilya, the Ring of Air. At the end of the Third Age, Elrond left Middle-earth for Valinor.
Elros Tar-Minyatur
Elros was the son of Eärendil and Elwing, and the brother of Elrond. They were Half-Elven. Elrond chose to be an elf, while Elros chose to be a mortal human. Elros became the first King of Númenor and was known as Tar-Minyatur. He lived to be 500 years old.
Elladan and Elrohir
Elladan and Elrohir are the twin sons of Elrond Half-elven and Celebrían. They were Half-elven who lived during the Third Age.
Arwen Evenstar
Arwen Undómiel ("Arwen Evenstar") is the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían. She is a character in The Lord of the Rings. At the end of the Third Age, she falls in love with the human Aragorn. They marry after the War of the Ring. Arwen becomes Queen of Arnor and Gondor and has a son, Eldarion, and several daughters.
Humans: Men
During the time of The Lord of the Rings, humans in Middle-earth lived in many places. The largest groups of free men were in the countries of Gondor and Rohan. When the island of Númenor was destroyed, only the Faithful escaped and founded the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. These Faithful were called the Dúnedain. They led the fight against Sauron and kept the Men of the West free.
There were also free men in the village of Bree, at Esgaroth, in Drúadan Forest (home to "wild men" called Drúedain or Woses), and in the cold regions of Forochel. Humans who served evil powers, like the men of Dunland, Rhûn, Harad, and Umbar, were not considered free. Humans have the "Gift of Men," which means they are mortal and will die.
The descendants of the Dúnedain include the Rangers of the North and the Rangers of Ithilien.
The Dúnedain: Kings and Rangers
Elendil the Tall
Elendil, son of Amandil, was the last Lord of Andúnië and the founder of Arnor. He was also known as Elendil the Tall and Elendil the Faithful.
Elendil was born in Númenor. He had two sons, Isildur and Anárion. After Númenor was destroyed, Elendil escaped to Middle-earth. He landed in the north and founded the kingdom of Arnor. Elendil led the humans in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men to fight Sauron. Elendil was killed by Sauron. His son Isildur became King of Arnor after him.
Isildur, the Ring-Bearer Who Failed
Isildur, son of Elendil, helped found Gondor. After Númenor was destroyed, Isildur and his brother Anárion escaped to Middle-earth. They landed in the south and founded Gondor.
Isildur fought in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men under his father. Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. Elrond and Círdan told Isildur to destroy the One Ring, but Isildur refused and kept it. Isildur was supposed to rule the northern kingdom of Arnor. On his journey north, orcs attacked him and his group. Isildur was killed, and the One Ring was lost for many years.
Anárion, Co-founder of Gondor
Anárion, son of Elendil, helped found Gondor. After Númenor was destroyed, Anárion and his brother Isildur escaped to Middle-earth. They landed in the south and founded Gondor. Anárion fought in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men under his father Elendil and was killed. His son Meneldil became king of Gondor.
Aragorn, King of the Reunited Kingdom
Aragorn II, son of Arathorn, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. After his father's death, he became the leader of the Dúnedain Rangers. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn became King Elessar Telcontar of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor. Aragorn married Arwen and became the father of a son named Eldarion and several daughters. His son Eldarion became king after him.
Boromir, Captain of Gondor
Boromir is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. Boromir is the son of Denethor II, the Steward of Gondor. Boromir led Gondor's soldiers in the fight against Sauron before going to Rivendell. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. At Amon Hen, he was tempted by the Ring. He died protecting Merry and Pippin from Saruman's Orcs.
Denethor, Steward of Gondor
Denethor II is the Steward of Gondor and rules Gondor during the War of the Ring. He married Finduilas and is the father of Boromir and Faramir. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, he became very sad and hopeless, believing they would lose the war. He then burned himself to death.
Eldarion, Son of Aragorn
Eldarion is the son of Aragorn II and Arwen Undómiel. After his father's death, he became King of Arnor and Gondor.
Faramir, Prince of Ithilien
Faramir is the son of Denethor II and the brother of Boromir. Faramir also led Gondor's soldiers against Sauron's Orcs and Men, often in Ithilien. He became Steward of Gondor after his father's death. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn made him Prince of Ithilien. He married Éowyn.
The Rohirrim: Horse-Lords of Rohan
Théoden, King of Rohan
Théoden was King of Rohan during the War of the Ring. He died bravely at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. His nephew Éomer became king after him.
Éomer, Marshal of the Mark
Éomer, son of Éomund and brother of Éowyn, was the nephew of King Théoden. In the War of the Ring, Éomer fought in the Battle of the Hornburg, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and the Battle of the Morannon. Éomer became the next King of the Rohirrim after Théoden.
Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan
Éowyn, daughter of Éomund and sister of Éomer, was the niece of King Théoden. With the help of the hobbit Meriadoc Brandybuck, she bravely killed the Witch-king of Angmar in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the War of the Ring, she married Faramir and became the Lady of Ithilien.
Gríma Wormtongue
Gríma, also called Wormtongue, was at first a servant of King Théoden. But he secretly worked for Saruman. Gríma became Théoden's advisor and tried to make him weak. When Gandalf helped the King get better, Gríma ran away to Isengard. In the end, he went with Saruman to the Shire. After the hobbit uprising, Gríma killed Saruman but was then killed by hobbit archers.
Other Important Humans
Bard the Bowman
Bard the Bowman was a man from Lake-town. He was a skilled archer. In The Hobbit, he shot the dragon Smaug and killed him. Afterwards, Bard became King of Dale, an old city near the Lonely Mountain that had been empty because of the dragon.
Dwarves
The race of Dwarves loved to live in mountains and caves. They settled in places like Erebor (the Lonely Mountain), the Iron Hills, the Blue Mountains, and Moria (Khazad-dûm) in the Misty Mountains. Aulë the Smith created Dwarves. He also invented their language, called Khuzdul. Dwarves were excellent miners and workers of precious metals.
Important Dwarven Characters
Balin, Friend of Bilbo
Balin son of Fundin is one of the dwarves in Thorin Oakenshield's group during the Quest of Erebor. He is the older brother of Dwalin.
Dáin II Ironfoot
Dáin II Ironfoot became King under the Mountain in the dwarven kingdom of Erebor after Thorin Oakenshield. Dáin was killed during the War of the Ring. His son, Thorin III Stonehelm, became king after him.
Gimli, Friend of Legolas
Gimli son of Glóin, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. He became a close friend of the elf Legolas.
Glóin, Gimli's Father
Glóin son of Gróin is one of the dwarves in Thorin Oakenshield's group during the Quest of Erebor. He is the younger brother of Óin. Glóin's son is Gimli.
Fíli and Kíli
Fíli and Kíli were the nephews of Thorin Oakenshield. They were the sons of Dís, Thorin's sister. They went with their uncle on the Quest of the Lonely Mountain, told in The Hobbit. They were killed in the Battle of Five Armies while defending Thorin.
Thorin II Oakenshield
Thorin II Oakenshield, son of Thráin II, was the leader of Durin's folk and King under the Mountain. He led the group that tried to take back the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit. He was wounded in the Battle of Five Armies and died. Dáin II Ironfoot became King under the Mountain after him. Thorin has a sister, Dís, who has two sons, Fíli and Kíli.
Hobbits
Hobbits are a race in Middle-earth, also known as 'halflings' because they are about half the size of men. They have curly hair on their heads and tough, furry feet, so they don't wear shoes. Many hobbits live in the Shire and Bree. They love a quiet life of farming, eating, and spending time with friends. There were three types of Hobbits: Harfoots (the most common), Stoors (who liked water), and Fallohides (who were more adventurous). Hobbits are related to men.
Important Hobbit Characters
Bilbo Baggins, the Adventurer
Bilbo Baggins is a main character in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Bilbo went on an adventure with the dwarves, called the Quest of Erebor. During this journey, he found the One Ring. He also got a small sword he named Sting and a special Mithril-shirt. Bilbo later adopted Frodo Baggins. On his 111th birthday, Bilbo left the Shire and went to Rivendell, giving the Ring to Frodo. At the end of the Third Age, Bilbo left Middle-earth for Valinor with Frodo and the Elven Ring-bearers.
Frodo Baggins, the Ring-Bearer
Frodo Baggins is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. Frodo was adopted by his uncle Bilbo Baggins. He inherited Bilbo's home, Bag End, and the One Ring. Frodo is the Ring-Bearer and a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. With the Fellowship, Frodo went on the dangerous quest to destroy the One Ring. At the end of the Third Age, Frodo left Middle-earth for the Undying Lands with Bilbo and the Elven Ring-bearers.
Meriadoc Brandybuck, Merry
Meriadoc Brandybuck, called Merry, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is Frodo's cousin and a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, he helped Éowyn kill the Witch-king of Angmar. He became a Knight of Rohan. After the war, he married Estella Bolger and became Master of Buckland.
Samwise Gamgee, Frodo's Best Friend
Samwise Gamgee, called Sam, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is Frodo's gardener and loyal friend. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. When the Fellowship broke up at Amon Hen, Sam was the only one who went with Frodo on their journey to Mordor. Without Samwise Gamgee, Frodo would not have made it to Mordor or destroyed the Ring. After the War of the Ring, Sam married Rose Cotton and lived in Bag End.
Peregrin Took, Pippin
Peregrin Took, called Pippin, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is Frodo's cousin and a member of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Gollum, the Ring's Victim
Gollum is an important character in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He was originally a hobbit named Sméagol. He found the One Ring after Isildur lost it. Gollum went to live under the Misty Mountains and kept the Ring for over 500 years. The Ring changed him, making him look less like a hobbit. He often called the Ring his "precious." Gollum lost the One Ring, which was then found by Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.
In The Lord of the Rings, Gollum left the Misty Mountains to search for the "thief Baggins" who had stolen his Ring. Sauron learned from Gollum that the One Ring was in the Shire and owned by a Baggins. Gollum was later released by Sauron and continued his search. Gollum found the Fellowship in Moria and followed them. Frodo and Sam captured Gollum, and he promised to lead them into Mordor. He later tried to trick them, leaving them with the giant spider Shelob. Gollum attacked Frodo on Mount Doom and took back the Ring. But Gollum was careless and fell into the volcano, which killed him and destroyed the One Ring.
Dragons
Dragons are powerful, often evil, creatures in Middle-earth, known for their fire and greed for treasure.
Ancalagon the Black
Ancalagon the Black is a huge dragon. He appears in Silmarillion. Ancalagon was created by Morgoth and was the biggest and most powerful of all dragons. He was killed by Eärendil in the War of Wrath in the First Age. When he fell, he crushed mountains, signaling the end of Morgoth's evil rule.
Glaurung, the First Dragon
Glaurung is a dragon. He appears in Silmarillion. Glaurung was a dragon made by Morgoth. He was the very first dragon ever created and was extremely powerful. He was killed in the First Age by Túrin Turambar.
Smaug, the Lonely Mountain Dragon
Smaug is a dragon. He appears in The Hobbit. Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain, killed the dwarves living there, and took their treasure and home. Later in the book, Smaug was killed by Bard the Bowman.
Other Interesting Characters
Beorn, the Shape-shifter
Beorn is a shape-shifter. He usually looks like a big man, but he can change into a bear. He lives between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood. He helped in the Battle of the Five Armies.
Nazgûl, the Ringwraiths
The Nazgûl, also called Ringwraiths or Úlairi, are servants of Sauron. They were human kings and leaders in the Second Age. Sauron gave them nine of the Rings of Power. Over time, these rings turned them into invisible, undead ghosts. They wear black cloaks and usually ride black horses. Later in The Lord of the Rings, they ride winged creatures called "fell beasts," and are then called Winged Nazgûl.
Witch-king of Angmar
The Witch-king of Angmar, also known as Lord of the Nazgûl or the Black Captain, is the leader of the Nazgûl. He was the commander of Minas Morgul. He was killed in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields by Éowyn and Meriadoc Brandybuck.
Khamûl, the Black Easterling
Khamûl is one of the Ringwraiths, and the only one whose name Tolkien gave. He was called the Black Easterling and was the commander of the fortress Dol Guldur.
Shelob, the Giant Spider
Shelob is a giant spider-like creature. She appears in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Shelob stung Frodo Baggins, but was wounded by Samwise Gamgee.
Treebeard, the Ent
Treebeard is an Ent, a being that looks like a tree. He and other Ents live in the forest Fangorn. In the War of the Ring, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took came to Fangorn and met Treebeard. This caused the Ents to go and fight against the wizard Saruman in his fortress Isengard. The Ents were joined by an army of Huorns (normal trees that had come alive). After Isengard was taken, the Huorns went to Helm's Deep to help the Rohirrim fight and win against Saruman's army.
Characters from Movies
There have been many movies based on Tolkien's books, like The Lord of the Rings movie series. In these movies, some characters appear that were created just for the films and are not in Tolkien's original books.
Tauriel
Tauriel is an elf from Mirkwood that appears in The Hobbit movie series.
Images for kids
-
Wizards like Gandalf were Maiar spirits who took on the form of old men.
-
An artist's interpretation of Faramir.
Related pages
