Concerning Elf-friends

[HerenIstarion]

Well, how people do acquire title of an elf-friend?
General requisite is to be, well, friendly and of use to elves. In the first age title is applied to the whole peoples (three kindred of elf-friends), as well as in particular cases for those who were of great valour in prooving their friendship. In the second age the picture is much the same, but criteria is slightly different. Now we have particular p0ersons, who rended some service to elves, and whole peoples, who, maybe, haven’t seen an elf in their whole life, yet are considered elf-friends for the mere knowledge of the elven tongues: for the first case:

Long I have owed you thanks, for you have so many times sent to me your son Anardil Aldarion: the greatest Elf-friend that now is among Men, as I deem

that is Gil-Galad in his letter to Tar-Meneldur concerning latter’s son Aldarion.
but, as was said above, the knowledge of Noldorin (or even Sindarin) is sufficient in the case:

If she came through the settled lands of Gondor," .they said, "she would not be molested, and might receive help; for the Men of Gondor are good, and they are ruled by descendants of the Elf-friends of old who can still speak our tongue, after a fashion; but in the mountains are many unfriendly Men and evil things."

stress falls on ability to talk elven tongue, and in Gondorin case it is Sindarin allright.

And sometimes the title is even name for a political party, i.e “elendili” of Numenor

But the most fully the requisite of language is expressed in FoTR

. ‘I thank you indeed, Gildor Inglorion,’ said Frodo bowing. ‘Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo, a star shines on the hour of our meeting,’ he added in the high-elven speech.
‘Be careful, friends!’ cried Gildor laughing. ‘Speak no secrets! Here is a scholar in the Ancient Tongue. Bilbo was a good master. Hail, Elf-friend!’ he said, bowing to Frodo. ‘Come now with your friends and join our company! You had best walk in the middle so that you may not stray. You may be weary before we halt.’

this is the first time Frodo is named Elf-Friend, and here it’s not stressed, goes without solemnity, somehow there is a feeling it just slipped off Gildor’s lips unconsciously. Next time he does it on purpose:

Courage is found in unlikely places,’ said Gildor. ‘Be of good hope! Sleep now! In the morning we shall have gone; but we will send our messages through the lands. The Wandering Companies shall know of your journey, and those that have power for good shall be on the watch. I name you Elf-friend; and may the stars shine upon the end of your road! Seldom have we had such delight in strangers, and it is fair to hear words of the Ancient Speech from the lips of other wanderers in the world.’

He applies Elf-friend to Frodo as a title, but again because it is fair to hear words of the Ancient Speech from the lips of other wanderers in the world

So, thechnically, even evil person knowing Noldorin can acquire such a title? I think not, for, decency is required too:

I beg of you," said Bilbo stammering and standing on one foot, "to accept this gift!" and he brought out a necklace of silver and pearls that Dain had given him at their parting.
"In what way have I earned such a gift, O hobbit?" said the king.
"Well, er, I thought, don't you know," said Bilbo rather confused, "that, er, some little return should be made for your, er, hospitality. I mean even a burglar has his feelings. I have drunk much of your wine and eaten much of your bread."
"I will take your gift, O Bilbo the Magnificent!" said the king gravely. "And I name you elf-friend and blessed. May your shadow never grow less (or stealing would be too easy)! Farewell!"

Bilbo is rewarded with the title for his honesty and kindness, and it’s not clear does he know elvish already at the moment, or this knowledge comes to him later on, as well as whatever is said before this of Thranduil’s greed and his love of “white gems”, he cannot be bribed so easily, can he?

As a conclusion: term “elf-friend” has two possible meanings:

1) somehow political, expressing general outlook of the person bearing the title.
2) inner, expressing state of his fea

in the former sense title may be applied by the person himself, and even without any elf nearby, i.e Faramir and Eomer both fight against Dark Lord, But Faramir is an elf-friend, and Eomer is not, though neither is seen to have connections with elves (up to a moment)
in latter sense the process like to a kind of initiation, the title is applied by an elf, usually is expressed by the verb “to name” and written with capital E (I name you an Elf-friend), and, most interesting of all, title in such sense implies change of inner state of a initiatd person. For Frodo, after being “elffriended” by Gildor, is described thus:

Welcome!’ she said. ‘I had not heard that folk of the Shire were so sweet-tongued. But I see you are an elf-friend; the light in your eyes and the ring in your voice tells it. This is a merry meeting

That’s Goldberry in Bombadil’s house welcoming Frodo. Still more, the Change is noticed by more sensitive kind of folk only, for Pippin, Merry and Sam don’t notice any new ring in the voice or light in the eyes of Frodo

[Elven-Maiden]

Hmm... very well thought-out topic. I'd never have been able to come up with all that.

[Airetalathwen]

So, do you think that Frodo was actually changed after he was named Elf-friend by Gildor? (I'm very interested!)

~Airetalathwen

[Child of the 7th Age]

So, do you think that Frodo was actually changed after he was named Elf-friend by Gildor? (I'm very interested!)

Alretalathwen -- This question really interests me too. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not the only place in the book where there is a special light in Frodo's face. And the place where Sam first noticed that light in Frodo's face was apparently in Rivendell, which would also tie in with the Elf-friend theme.

It goes like this. In the depths of Mordor while Frodo slept, Sam watched, then remembered and commented:

He was reminded suddenly of Frodo as he had lain, asleep in the house of Elrond, after his deadly wound. Then as he had kept watch Sam had noticed that at times a light seemed to be shining faintly within; but now the light was even clearer and stronger. Frodo's face was peaceful, the marks of fear and care had left it; but it looked old, old and beautiful, as if the chiselling of the shaping years was now revealed in many fine lines that had before been hidden, though the identity of the face had not changed. He shook his head , as if finding words useless, and murmured: 'I love him. He's like that, and sometimes it shines through, somehow. But I love him, whether or no. (II, 260)

The amazing thing about this passage is the fact that Frodo's face looked "old and beautiful." We all know that the one thing the Ring does is to preserve the bearer in a stretched, taut state of youth that will not go away until the Ring itself is put down (e.g., Bilbo's experience). But, here, it is as if the light in Frodo's face protects him, at least momentarily, from that artificial state of youth. This light which apparently has some connection with Frodo's status as an Elf-friend and his ability to sense the otherworldly quality of Lorien in an almost mystical sense. I would call it, on some level, a spiritual gift or light that gives him at least a measue of protection against the lure of the Ring itself. It functions like Galadriel's phial, but on the inside instead of the outside.

HerenIstarion-- Your knowledge of this subject is amazing. I can add one small thing, athough it simply comes from reading someone else's essay. Have you read "The Footsteps of Aelfwine" by Verlyn Flieger? It is published in Tolkien's Legendarium, Essays on the History of Middle Earth.

This essay looks at a range of Tolkien's Elf-friends, those in the Lord of the Rings plus many who only appear in the History of Middle-earth. The former include Aragorn, Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam. The latter group focus on Aelfwine the Mariner and his alter ego Eriol the Mariner who are in the Book of Lost Tails; the time travel story figure, the Numenorean Elendil (Quenya for Elf-friend), and the later characters Alboin Errol and Alwin Lowdham and the latter's father Edwin Loudham; plus Smith of Wooten major and his mysterious grandfather.

The essay argues that one important characteristic of an Elf-friend is to act as a link between the world of faery and the world of man. As Flieger explains, on some level, Tolkien saw himself as rediscovering an already existing myth, rather than creating a new story. There are many places in the Letters where Tolkien alludes to this, seeing revelation as a component of sub-creation.

Now, in order to reveal a myth, it as to come from somewhere else. So the Elf-friend has one foot in the story and one foot outside of it. i.e. he acts as a link between the natural world and the world of faerie.

The Elf-friend may act as a storyteller or singer in the book, revealing some of the existing mythology. For example, Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn present songs and stories which capture some of the earlier mythology. Or the Elf-friend may actually write down the myths themselves into another book to transmit the stories on. For example, Elendil is said to have written down his Elvish stories in a book, and the later Aelfwin is also said to possess such a book. Bilbo's Translations from the Elvish are presumed to be an extension or translation plus comments from these earlier sources. This is how the stories in the Red Book of Westmarch are produced and passed down to Tolkien.

Tolkien himself then is framed as the overarching Elf-friend, since he takes the already existing Red Book (at least that's what he says!) and passes it on to us in an English translation of the Silm, Hobbit, and LoTR. He does the same thing as Elendil, Aelfwine, Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam-- just in a later time frame!

I find this idea or literary device absolutely intriguing. In my opinion, you could even take this one step further. Let me show you what I mean by quoting the dedication to Tolkien's Legendarium:

We dedicate this book with gratitude to Christopher Tolkien. By his labors ahd service --pridda sunu his faeder--he is like his father,-- Aelfwine Widlast,-- "Elf-Friend the Far-travelled" --but by the same neither his father nor he is any longer Eriol--One who dreams alone."

This last sentence is fascinating because it pulls us into the story too. We are the ones who dream Tolkien's dreams after him and so we too are Elf-friends in a very small way! sharon, the 7th age hobbit

[ April 29, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

I think that the title of "Elf-Friend" is reserved for those of an other race who are in good standing and service to the Elves. I do not think that it confers any kind of special mark or spiritual power, but is rather made to bolster the reputation of the individual to whom the title is confered and to, perhaps, assure that other Elves aid the individual should that person have a need.

[HerenIstarion]

I haven't said anything about power, but mark it leaves allright, and it is processed too solemnly to be mere assurance of stray elves help, whom, in case it left no mark, should take aforesaid person's claim of being an elf-friend upon his word. And it's rather odd to imagine person wandering about claiming: look at me, I'm an elf friend. The thing is somehow always guessed out all by itself, as in Goldberry's case. Anyway, elves are Good People, they will help anyone in dire need, or so I have heard [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[HerenIstarion]

We are the ones who dream Tolkien's dreams after him and so we too are Elf-friends in a very small way! sharon, the 7th age hobbit

I'm happy to dream. My life would have been poorer by far without those dreams, to tell the truth

[ October 28, 2002: Message edited by: HerenIstarion ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

I'm happy to dream. mu life would have been poorer by far without those dreams, to tell the truth

HerenIstarion,

I certainly agree with you!

It's interesting. There are no women in Tolkien's stated list of Elf-friends, perhaps because a number of the key women in the tales are themselves Elves., i.e. Arwen, Luthien, Galadriel.

Yet, although she is not specifically named as an Elf-friend, I wonder if Andreth does not fall in this category? Her love of Aegnor, her friendship with Finrod, the close ties of the house of Beor with the Elven kin--all these are suggestive. Moreover, her status as a wise woman means that she was involved in the preservation and transmission of lore, which was another prerequisite.

A case could also be made for Adanel.

Both of these characters evolved only in the last years of JRRT's life.

sharon, the 7th age hobbit

[Birdland]

I think that the title of "Elf-Friend" is reserved for those of an other race who are in good standing and service to the Elves. I do not think that it confers any kind of special mark or spiritual power, but is rather made to bolster the reputation of the individual to whom the title is confered and to, perhaps, assure that other Elves aid the individual should that person have a need.

Mmmmmmm...I have the feeling it confers a little more than that, Raven, since it is not granted often. To Frodo and the Hobbits, it may have seemed little more than a kindness and a polite phrase, but I think it is more in the realm of a true blessing, with all the wisdom and "magic" of the Elf-Kind packed behind it. It's suggested that the bearer of the title almost radiates his status, so that it is recognized by others without mention. It may even bestow, as others have said, a small part of Elven grace on the bearer.

I think Gildor did a little more than just put Frodo on the Rivendell guest list.

[Raefindel]

I've ressurected this thread because I found something I thought was interesting. This is from

the Hobbit Page 51 Speaking of Elrond

Now the master of the house was an Elf-friend-one of those people whose fathers came into the strange stories before the biginning of History, the wars of the evil goblins and the Elves and the first men in the North. In those days of our tale there were some people who had both Elves and Heroes of the North for ancestors, and Elrond, the Master of the House was their chief.

In this quote not only is Elrond referred to as an Elf-friend, rather than Half-Elven, but it seems to imply that his ancestory is the reason for the title.

What are your thoughts?

[ December 01, 2002: Message edited by: Raefindel ]

[HerenIstarion]

He qualifies for the title on both grounds:

• He knows elven language
  
• His ancestors are elf-friends

The strain of elven blood and his choice qualify him as an elf, right, but the source of the narrative of The Hobbit is supposedly Bilbo, who may have not known so much of the history at the time, and had Elrond described by Gandalf, who chose such a description for the sake of simplicity or any other reason

cf numenoreans, who ceased to be elf-friends as soon as they forbade the elven tongue on their isle.

[Keneldil the Polka-dot]

in latter sense the process like to a kind of initiation, the title is applied by an elf, usually is expressed by the verb “to name” and written with capital E (I name you an Elf-friend), and, most interesting of all, title in such sense implies change of inner state of a initiatd person

I just wanted to comment on whether or not Gildor "did something" to Frodo by naming him Elf-Friend, something later recognized by Goldberry. I'd argue that Goldberry would have said the same thing even if Gildor and Frodo had never met. Gildor and Goldberry both were recognizing something that was already in Frodo. You list "inner, the state of his fea" as your second meaning of Elf-Friend. Frodo possessed the inner qualities of an Elf-Friend before having the title conferred upon him by Gildor. Gildor did not change Frodo, he just put a title to qualities Frodo already had.

mark it leaves allright, and it is processed too solemnly to be mere assurance of stray elves help, whom, in case it left no mark, should take aforesaid person's claim of being an elf-friend upon his word. And it's rather odd to imagine person wandering about claiming: look at me, I'm an elf friend. The thing is somehow always guessed out all by itself, as in Goldberry's case.

Following my earlier argument, the inherent characteristics of the person in question would identify them as an Elf-Friend to other elves, or other similarly perceptive beings like Goldberry. No mark or change required.

From Birdland:

Mmmmmmm...I have the feeling it confers a little more than that, Raven, since it is not granted often.

I’d say that the title wasn’t granted often because there weren’t many people who fit the description, so to speak. The rarity of such individuals alone would mark them, without the title changing the bearer in some way.

Child of the 7th Age: I like your idea of Tolkien being the overarching Elf-Friend. I had not thought of it in that way before, but now that you put it into words it makes perfect sense.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Keneldil,

Yes, Tolkien as Elf friend makes enormous sense to me. This is especially true because the Elf-friend is so often the person who transmits and tales to us. Bilbo and Gandalf stand out of course with their written volumes and even Aragorn who recites the tale of Beren and Luthien. And, of course all the older mariners who somehow found their way to Tol Eressea by ship or dream and were then privileged to take away tales.

There is a great fan fiction which includes the figure of such an Elf-friend on the Downs. Tales of Tol Eressea by Mithadan. Have a look.

I'm also bumping up another thread that's closely related to this--The Light in Frodo's Face--that talks about one of the common attributes of an Elf-friend. Thought you might like to read it.

sharon

[doug*platypus]

Heren, you're right, there is definitely a change in the prerequisite to being an Elf-friend throughout the ages. Your first post was very complete in detail, and you've provided some excellent quotes. In the First Age, anyone from the Three Houses was an Elf-friend - they were all (women included) allies, and shared in the trials and triumphs of the Elder Kindred. It was the time of the Elves, and they had not yet begun to fade. By the War of the Ring, we know that their numbers and their martial strength is greatly diminished. In those times I think that they would be pleasantly surprised to find a friend who would speak to them in their own language, the knowledge and use of which was greatly diminished.

‘Be careful, friends!’ cried Gildor laughing. ‘Speak no secrets! Here is a scholar in the Ancient Tongue. Bilbo was a good master. Hail, Elf-friend!’ he said, bowing to Frodo.

I think Gildor may have been speaking with a degree of humour here, and his quick naming of Frodo as Elf-friend may have been in part a playful tease. More than any other LOTR Elves, Gildor and his company are similar to the Elves we encounter at Rivendell in The Hobbit, laughing and poking fun at the Dwarves.

I name you Elf-friend; and may the stars shine upon the end of your road!

Here, Gildor names Frodo Elf-friend after the situation has been explained (though not fully) to him. I think this is more an expression of Gildor's allegiance to Frodo than the other way around. Gildor is in a more serious mood after hearing that Gandalf has not kept his appointment, and vows to Frodo to help in what little way he can. Although of course Frodo's errand greatly concerns Gildor, and Frodo is proving himself an Elf-friend by undertaking it, not simply by speaking Elvish.

What about the case of Gondor? Do you think that all the people of Gondor are Elf-friends, because they are such staunch opponents of Sauron (unlike Rohan who only interferes when necessary)? Or is it only the noble houses and the masters of lore who are Elf-friends, since they speak the language? OR, is Elf-friend simply a hereditary title, as such applying to anyone descended from the Elendili, regardless of political leaning or knowledge of language?

[HerenIstarion]

What about the case of Gondor? Do you think that all the people of Gondor are Elf-friends, because they are such staunch opponents of Sauron (unlike Rohan who only interferes when necessary)? Or is it only the noble houses and the masters of lore who are Elf-friends, since they speak the language? OR, is Elf-friend simply a hereditary title, as such applying to anyone descended from the Elendili, regardless of political leaning or knowledge of language?

I'd say people of the noble houses and masters of lore, since they are who speak elvish, but only with some definite conditions in mind. First of all, attitude would matter, and such people would still require formal 'naming'.

Let us consider Denethor, Boromir and Faramir, per instance - Denethor is definitely not 'elf-friend', since he confines his service to Gondor and Gondor only, and does not care very much of what happens to Elves (or anyone else) outside his boundaries:

[Denethor]
Yet the Lord of Gondor is not to be made the tool of other men’s purposes, however worthy. And to him there is no purpose higher in the world as it now stands than the good of Gondor

Boromir is neither, for he shows, even if slightly so, negative attitude towards Lady and her Golden Wood:

'Indeed deep in the wood they dwell,' said Aragorn, and sighed as if some memory stirred in him. `We must fend for ourselves tonight. We will go forward a short way, until the trees are all about us, and then we will turn aside from the path and seek a place to rest in.'
He stepped forward; but Boromir stood irresolute and did not follow. 'Is there no other way? ' he said.
`What other fairer way would you desire? ' said Aragorn.
`A plain road, though it led through a hedge of swords,' said Boromir. `By strange paths has this Company been led, and so far to evil fortune. Against my will we passed under the shades of Moria, to our loss. And now we must enter the Golden Wood, you say. But of that perilous land we have heard in Gondor, and it is said that few come out who once go in; and of that few none have escaped unscathed.

Faramir may be qualified (he is descendand of Three houses, he speaks Sindarin and is positively attuned towards Elves), but I feel he still requires an encounter and naming for that:

No indeed, Master Samwise,' said Faramir, `for I am not learned in Elven-lore. But there you touch upon another point in which we have changed, declining from Númenor to Middle-earth. For as you may know, if Mithrandir was your companion and you have spoken with Elrond, the Edain, the Fathers of the Númenoreans, fought beside the Elves in the first wars, and were rewarded by the gift of the kingdom in the midst of the Sea, within sight of Elvenhome. But in Middle-earth Men and Elves became estranged in the days of darkness, by the arts of the Enemy, and by the slow changes of time in which each kind walked further down their sundered roads. Men now fear and misdoubt the Elves, and yet know little of them. And we of Gondor grow like other Men, like the men of Rohan; for even they, who are the foes of the Dark Lord, shun the Elves and speak of the Golden Wood with dread.

Even if he himself is not the one to shun the Elves, most of Gondorians do. The chain of thought is as follows - people who shun Elves are not elf-friends. One of such people would not be considered otherwise unless proving himself. Such a proof may not be presented without personal encounter.

As for the tongue:

To his amazement, as he listened Frodo became aware that it was the Elven-tongue that they spoke, or one but little different; and he looked at them with wonder, for he knew then that they must be Dúnedain of the South, men of the line of the Lords of Westernesse.

The spoken Sindarin makes Frodo leap to coclusion that Mablung and Damrod are of noble house (besides being of Ithilien origin) It is to be assumed that not all of Gondorians do speak Sindarin (noble houses and lora masters, as indicated, do), and members of Faramir's Company must be chosen ones of Numenorean blood, for, allegedly, those are stronger of will and body and would serve better for 'commando' operations Faramir is engaged in.

[Voralphion]

I don't believe simply speaking the elven languages qualifies one as an elf friend. The people are only said to be descended from elf friends of old, but are not described as elf friends themselves. The people of Gondor had long ceased all contact with the elves, and therfore cannot be described as elf friends. To be an elf-friend, I think that one has had to have had dealings with the elves, and probably done a service to the elves, such as Aldarion, the greatest elf freind among men at that time, who did much in helping Gil Galad defend against the shadow in the east. Frodo is perhaps described by Gildor as an elf friend because he is the heir of Bilbo, a elf friend known in Rivendell.
In order to be considered an elf friend, I believe one would have to have had positive dealings with the elves, and probably helped them in some way.

[Kuruharan]

Not to display my rampant bias (as if I would ever do anything like that ) but it seems to me that being an elf-friend is something that is restricted to Men or Mannish creatures (read hobbits). At least I can't recall a time when, oh, just to pick an example, a dwarf was called an elf-friend.

On the providing service to the Elves front, going back to the First Age, the Dwarven kings of Belegost were always faithful allies of the elves and saved their bacon at the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. However, Azaghal was never bestowed the title of Elf-friend posthumously.

Although, I must admit that this post is based to an embarassing degree on pure unreasoning first reaction. I'm not sure, but there might be a reference that I'm forgetting.

[The Saucepan Man]

At least I can't recall a time when, oh, just to pick an example, a dwarf was called an elf-friend.

Gimli was called Elf-Friend, presumably for his part in healing the old enmity between the races and for the special affection which Galadriel held for him. After all, you don't get to go to Valinor without being pretty much in with the fair folk. As far as I can recall, though, he is the only example.

[Kuruharan]

Well, judging from the topic of the thread, I'd say being declared an elf-friend.

[Son of Númenor]

Or a free, indefinite stay at a homely little cabin in the woods.