Profile

Glorfindel was originally born in Valinor during the Age of the Trees, followed the Noldor to Arda (but did not engage in any kinslaying), then went with Turgon to found Gondolin, and was made a Captain, and Lord of the House of the Golden Flower. He engaged in a variety of adventures over those years, as the ages turned, and when, in First Age 510 Meaglin betrayed Gondolin (because Idril preferred a man over him), he was instrumental in getting as many safely away as possible, sacrificing himself in the process.

He is only one of three to have successfully fought a balrog. By successfully, I mean that the Balrog died too. Ecthelion is the only one of those three who didn't get a second body, but Glorfindel has seen the fountains in the Halls of Mandos, and thinks he's too busy to ask about it.

In Second Age 1600, he was sent by Manwe back to Arda to help out. He escorted the Blue Wizards over from Valinor. (Yes, they are a bit odd, but they are quite lively fellows.) Most of the Wizards counted him as a friend. In fact, while still an elf, he has "nearly" the powers of a Maia. These angelic powers are part of the reason the Nazgul never liked him. He does have a certain glow about him, especially when he's driving away evil and protecting those under his care. (He was the one who prophesied that the Witch King of Angmar would not die by the hand of a man.)

More recently, he has been tasked with protecting the borders of Imladris, and was part of the party that escorted Arwen to her wedding with Aragorn in Minas Tirith after Sauron was defeated, in Third Age 3019.