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Gilgalad

Gil-galad, born Ereinion, is a central figure in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium. He is commonly described as the last High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth, ruling during the later portion of the Second Age. The name Gil-galad is Sindarin and is frequently rendered as “star of radiance” or “radiant star,” though exact translations vary among sources. He led the Noldorin realms in exile in Lindon and played a pivotal role in the West’s defense against Sauron.

In the Second Age, Gil-galad formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men with Elendil the Tall

His death shifted the balance of power toward Men, helping to shape the subsequent lineages of Arnor

and
his
son
Isildur
to
confront
the
Dark
Lord.
He
commanded
Elven
forces
during
the
campaign
against
Sauron
and
fought
at
the
siege
of
Barad-dûr.
Gil-galad
was
slain
in
the
final
confrontation
with
Sauron,
a
death
that
symbolized
the
end
of
the
era
of
the
great
Noldorin
kings
in
Middle-earth.
and
Gondor
even
as
the
Elves
gradually
withdrew
from
the
main
theaters
of
power.
The
tale
of
Gil-galad
is
primarily
told
in
The
Silmarillion
and
the
appendices
to
The
Lord
of
the
Rings,
where
his
leadership
and
sacrifice
are
placed
within
the
broader
history
of
the
Second
Age.
He
remains
one
of
Tolkien’s
best-known
Elven
rulers
and
a
key
figure
in
the
narrative
of
Elves
and
Men
united
against
Sauron.