Elendil

Elendil, often called Elendil the Tall, was a Númenórean noble and leader of the Faithful who played a central role in the early history of Middle-earth in Tolkien’s legendarium. He led the Exile of Númenóreans to Middle-earth after the Downfall of Númenor and founded the realms of Arnor in the north and Gondor in the south. As the first sovereign of both kingdoms, he ruled as High King from the capitals of Annúminas in the north and Osgiliath in the south, later associated with Minas Tirith in the history of Gondor.

During the Second Age he led the sworn alliance of Men and Elves against the Dark Lord Sauron. He wielded the great sword Narsil and fought in the Last Alliance at the Battle of Dagorlad and the siege of Barad-dûr. In the battle, Elendil was slain by Sauron as Isildur delivered the final blows that shattered the Dark Lord’s power; Isildur survived and took up the kingship.

Elendil’s death marked the end of his direct rule, but his lineage continued to rule the united realms briefly before the kingdoms split into Arnor and Gondor after Isildur’s death. The breaking of Narsil and its reforging as Andúril later linked Elendil’s line to Aragorn, the returning king of a reunited realm in the Fourth Age.