Celebrimbor: 30-Day Character Study by cloudyhymns

Chapter 29: What Do They Think About You, Part Two

The single most unfriendly character towards Celebrimbor is Celebrimbor himself.

I'm finding the hardest day of this challenge is today, the 29th! Even after asking around, I've found no characters who are unfriendly towards Celebrimbor except for, of course, Annatar--with one exception.

The single most unfriendly character towards Celebrimbor is Celebrimbor himself.

Now, we don't see any explicit description of this in canon, but I believe it fits. Celebrimbor is a very active character; any time he is mentioned, he is making a decision or executing on something. He offers little commentary on others, except for the seemingly scrapped discussion between him and Galadriel, and chooses to refine himself and his craft instead. He is never at rest when we see him--he is always <i>pushing</i> himself, even to the point of aiding the enemy.

How would the events of the Second and Third Ages have been different if Celebrimbor had taken a break?

We'll never know--but I think it clear that this is a character with exceedingly high expectations of himself, and who is never satisfied. In my reading of him, Celebrimbor sees himself as mediocre against his will, always falling short, and responsible for others' weaknesses. Not that, for example, he was wrong to disavow his father--rather that he is responsible for not only changing his behavior, but picking up every single piece that the Fëanorians broke along the way or die trying. Definitely an unhealthy mindset, and I think that's what draws Annatar to him alongside his skill in the forge--the opening, the opportunity for his doubt to be played with and shaped in the way Annatar wishes.

That said, Celebrimbor has enough faith in himself to complete the Three on his own. And although I know Annatar's betrayal must have been devastating, I should like to think that there was a small amount of peace when Celebrimbor gave away the Three--rather than keeping their healing power locked away like Fëanor with the Silmarilli, Celebrimbor distributes the Rings to where they'll do the most good, be kept safe, and heal the most. Celebrimbor is, in his own way, a "What If?" version of Fëanor, and I hope he can at the very least take pride in his decision to heal Middle-Earth, even if it takes sacrifice and bestowing beauty from his hand unto others.

He is without question a tragic hero, but in my reading of him, one of the most tragic things about Celebrimbor is how little satisfaction he finds in himself.