"LHOC: Council_of_Rivendell" by Panu Hakkarainen

Character portrays from my own Middle Earth related fantasy novel; Last heiress of Cardolan.

I suddenly had an urge to try to illustrate some of the characters (original and non-original) who appear in my novel, especially some of those who participate in the "Council of Rivendell" (yes , very original tittle). That council was held because the threat of the new rise of Angmar.

Characters in the picture are (starting clockwise from the bottom left corner):

Aldarian, daughter of Arathwaith (OC). A dúnadan and a descendant of the kings of the Cardolan. She has many great abilities; wisdom, courage, strenght and skill of arms but she is also very proud, cold, ambitious and seeks fame and glory without hesitation. She is the main protagonist (and later also antagonist) of the story.

Dorlim (OC). An elf lord (sinda) from Grey havens. During his stay in Rivendell he fells in love with Aldarian but is also somewhat confused about that feeling. His personality is almost a total opposite of Aldarians, whose ambitions he tries to calm down.

Elrond Half-elven (NOC). Lord of the Rivendell. Tolkien has descriped him far better than I could.

Gandalf the Grey (NOC). Wizard of great knowledge and power. For more look for Tolkiens description of him.

Harfind (OC). An elf lord from Lothlorien. He is a honored and known warrior and advisor among elves but he looks down on humans and is enormously proud of his elven heritage. From the very beginning there emerges a bitter rivalry between him and Aldarian, who he despises.

My first sketches of Aldarian and Dorlin are from 1997 and although their appearances have changed the same basic features are still there. I have never before drawn Elrond and Gandalf and I admit that these images here have been somewhat affected by how the other artists and illustrators have seen them. Harfind is a peculiar case because I have never had a clear thought about his looks although he is quite major character in my novel. This here is first portray of his and I am not sure if his looks pleases me.

Middle Earth, Elrond and Gandalf are (c) to J.R.R. Tolkien
Aldarian, Dorlim and Harfind are (c) to me.