Keepers of the Rings

From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.

Keepers of the Rings included Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, and formerly Círdan and Gil-galad as the ringbearers of the three Elvish Rings of Power.

The three elven rings were crafted independent of Sauron, by the elvish smith Celebrimbor, although using skills taught by the dark lord, subjecting the rings to the power of the One Ring, whilst it remained in the possession of Sauron. The elven rings were wielded by the elves for purposes of good, whilst Sauron did not posess the one.

The three rings were Vilya, Nenya and Narya. The rings Vilya and Narya went to Elven High King Gil-galad of Lindon, who entrusted Vilya to Elrond and Narya to Cirdan, Elven lords of Rivendell and Mithlond, respectively. These rings were kept by Elrond and Cirdan following the death of Gil-galad. Following the arrival of the Istari in Middle Earth, Cirdan, recognising Gandalf as the wisest of the five and also as a Maiar, passed Narya onto Gandalf. Nenya was originally given to Galadriel, Lady of Lothlorien and Mother of Elrond's wife Celebrian and forever remained with her.

The three elvish rings of power lost their powers following the destruction of the One and were passed across the sea by their bearers at the end of the third age.

In some accounts, Cirdan was the bearer of Narya from the beginning, with Gil-galad possesing just one, Vilya.