Galadriel was the only daughter of Finarfin, and the princess of the Noldor. Her brothers are Finrod Felagund, Orodreth, Angrod and Aegnor.
In Lord of the Rings, Galadriel was known to possess the ring of Nenya, and to give gifts to the fellowship. She was also able to conceal evil, and her ring would be seen by Frodo, the bearer of the One Ring at the time. However, Galadriel had other means of power as well, such as telepathy.
Establishment of ruling
She was born in Valinor during the Years of the Trees, but would spend most of her time in Middle-earth before the end of the Third Age, establishing her own ruling there. This was known by Manwë, the king of the Valar.
Galadriel was also “brilliant in mind and swift in action she had early absorbed all of what she was capable of the teaching which the Valar thought fit to the Eldar” (Unfinished Tales, “The History of Celeborn and Galadriel”)
And thus, she would cross Ered Lindon to go to Eriador, along with Celeborn and many Noldor following them.
“They were welcomed with joy, as being of the Kin of Elwë (Thingol)” (UT)
JRR Tolkien, Unfinished Tales
Ring of Power (Source) – Nenya
Galadriel’s powers come from her possession of Nenya, the “Ring of Adamant,” one of the Rings of Power which she would hold in LOTR. This ring is known for its ability to protect, preserve, and conceal evils.
Galadriel had received it from Celebrimbor and counseled the Elves to keep the Rings far from Eregion to conceal all evils.
Much like most, if not all of the Elves in Middle-earth, Galadriel would long for the sea. However, this is because Nenya allowed her to conceal all evils and as a result, see evil before other characters. She would not use the powers of Nenya as long as the One Ring was in Sauron’s hands. After the fall of Sauron, she was able to use Nenya to protect and preserve Lothlorien.
It is also possible that Galadriel would use this ring to perceive Sauron’s true nature, causing Sauron to form a brotherhood in secret to seize his own, unbeknownst to Galadriel and her husband Celeborn.
Despite Sauron’s initial plans to keep it secret, Galadriel was able to defend against Sauron and take up rule in Lorinand after leaving Eregion.
Telepathy and Visions
Galadriel was also known for her telepathy in LOTR, though all of the Ainur and Incarnates (characters of Middle-earth) had this ability to some degree through “Osanwe-kenta,” inquiry of the communication of thought and the sharing of the soul (Fėa) between characters.
However, she also acquires a special power of foresight – which is partly due to her being an Elf and partly due to her having the Ring of Power. As an Elf, she has more control over her body (hröa) than most mortal Men would. She was also able to use her mirror, the Mirror of Galadriel, to share this foresight with others, such as the members of the fellowship – where the gifts would foreshadow what the fellowship needed.
This Mirror was used to foreshadow the events happening in the Shire. Galadriel knew that Sam was looking to see Elf-magic.
“‘…But [the Mirror], if you will, is the magic of Galadriel. Did you not say that you wished to see Elf-magic?’
‘I did,’ said Sam,…’and I’d not mind a glimpse of what’s going on at home.’” (FOTR, “The Mirror of Galadriel”)
Sam would see his home being dug, which he would later find to be true – though that would later be restored.
“‘Hi!’ Cried Sam in an outraged voice. ‘There’s that Ted Sandyman a-cutting down trees as he shouldn’t. They didn’t ought to be felled: it’s that avenue beyond the Mill that shades the road to Bywater. I wish I could get at Ted, and I’d fell him!’ But now Sam noticed that the Old Mill had vanished, and a large red-brick building was being put up where it had stood.”
Frodo would later also look through this mirror and see Gandalf the White, who would also appear later – as well as the Eye of Sauron.
“Far away a figure came slowly down the road, faint and small at first, but growing larger and clearer as it approached. Suddenly Frodo realized that it reminded him of Gandalf. He almost called aloud the wizard’s name, and then he saw that the figure was clothed not in grey but in white, in a white that shone faintly in the dusk; and in its hand there was a white staff…then the Eye began to rove, searching this way and that; and Frodo knew with certainty and horror that among the many things that it sought he himself was one. But he also knew that it could not see him – not yet, not unless he willed it.” (FOTR, “The Mirror of Galadriel”)
