Glorfindel

Elf, name means "Golden-haired". Probably one of the Noldor and of the house of Finarfin. Born in the BlessedRealm.

Glorfindel was an Elf of Gondolin, one of the Captains of Turgon, and chief of the House of the Golden Flower. In the Fall of Gondolin he fought a battle with a Balrog high up in the pass of CirithThoronath. The duel ended with both Glorfindel and the Balrog falling to ruin in the abyss.

His body was lifted out of the abyss by Thorondor, and he was buried in a mound of stones beside the pass. A green turf came there, and yellow flowers bloomed upon it amid the barrenness of stone, until the world was changed.

His duel with the Balrog secured the escape of Tuor and Idril with their son Eärendil. Glorfindel's spirit returned to the Halls of Waiting, but was after a time re-embodied by the Valar. He returned to Middle-earth in the mid SecondAge (according to the "Last Writings" in HoMeXII probably about SeA 1600).

Glorfindel led a force from Rivendell in the Battle of Fornost when the Angmar was defeated. Glorfindel rode up against the Witch-king on his white horse, and the Witch-king turned and fled from the battle. It was after this flight that Glorfindel foresaw the doom of the Witch-king. "Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall."

At the time of the War of the Ring Glorfindel was one of the most important Elves in Imladris. He led the hosts of Rivendell and was one of Elrond's chief councellors.

Glorfindel was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold his face fair and yound and fearless and full of joy; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was strength. -- Lord of the Rings, Many Meetings