J.R.R. Tolkien’s meticulous world-building in his Lord of the Rings trilogy often extends beyond what is represented on screen. Even the most apparent plot holes have logical explanations when examined through Tolkien’s texts. However, he is not infallible, and an error in continuity led him to create a creative solution that movie viewers may never realize.
One such instance involves Glorfindel, an elf with extraordinary powers. In Middle-earth, all elves are near immortal, but Glorfindel’s story is more legendary than that of Legolas, Elrond, or any other familiar elf. After dying in the First Age, Glorfindel is revived to interact with the Fellowship, but this incredible story was not Tolkien’s original intent. Instead, the author came up with a reason to connect two different elves named Glorfindel to avoid inconsistencies in his world, showcasing his dedication to perfectionism.
Tolkien introduced the character in The Silmarillion, where he is the hero of the Elven Kingdom of Gondolin. As the city is attacked by Morgoth’s forces, the inhabitants face destruction. Glorfindel fights and slays the Balrog that chased them, piercing the creature’s belly and sending it down the cliff, but taking the hero with him. Given that this takes place thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings, it should have prevented his reappearance, no matter how long elves can live.
Despite this, he appears in the first book of the series, living in Rivendell. Glorfindel is the first elf the hobbits encounter, as he finds them on the road, protecting them from the Nazgûl and helping them reach Rivendell. He is even considered to join the Fellowship, but the Council of Elrond decides his skillset is not suited to the secret mission they are planning.
Tolkien himself struggled with the error, initially considering renaming Glorfindel of Gondolin, but this seemed to be a valid option given that no other elves share a name. Instead, Tolkien cited the linguistics and the fact that the text of The Fellowship of the Ring refers to Glorfindel of Rivendell as one of the lords of the Eldar, and combined the two into one person.
A Still From The Lord of the Rings. (Via IMDB)
However, this change interfered with Tolkien’s own desire for consistency, and he felt the need to explain the inconsistency. He created a solution by explaining that Glorfindel of Rivendell is the re-embodied Glorfindel of Gondolin. As a hero, his soul was allowed to dwell in Valar until Manwë, the King of the Valar, sent him back to Middle-earth as an emissary with additional powers similar to that of the Istari.
This explanation gives him the ability to predict that “no man” will kill the Witch-king of Angmar. Glorfindel is not just an ancient and legendary hero, but he has more power than any other elf in Middle-earth, all thanks to Tolkien’s particular demand for continuity. This solution may be complex, but it accounts for Glorfindel’s death and his role in The Lord of the Rings, satisfying Tolkien. His dedication to consistency is part of what makes Tolkien’s world so impressive, and in this case, it created a fascinating backstory for the admittedly minor character.
