The iconic image of Elrond urging Isildur to cast the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, a pivotal moment in Peter Jackson's best scenes in Lord of the Rings.

Isildur's fateful decision to claim the Ring in Lord of the Rings’ Middle-earth, even in well-intentioned hands.

Elrond & Isildur Were Never At The Cracks Of Doom In The LOTR Books

Isildur Was More Complicated Than Simply A Tempted Man

The sequence of Elrond and Isildur at the Cracks of Doom is a movie invention. In the books, Isildur's refusal to destroy the Ring stemmed from grief. He sought to keep it as a memento of his fallen father, unaware of its true power. Eventually sensing its effects, he intended to relinquish it to Elrond. During his journey, an Orc attack led to his death, as he desperately tried to safeguard the experiences of Frodo and Bilbo.

Despite his noble intentions, as with Bilbo's own well-meaning actions, Isildur's choices showed that even good intent could lead to unforeseen and dire consequences. Isildur was far more than a fleeting figure who succumbed to temptation. He was a hero of immense stature, a man who defied the tyrannical King of Númenor, rescued his people from destruction, helped establish the mightiest empire in Middle-earth, and preserved the White Tree of Gondor. His contributions to the history of Middle-earth were profound. The time constraints to the backstory in Fellowship mean Jackson was unable to flesh out Isildur.

Would Elrond Have Been Able To Withstand Taking The Ring From Isildur?

It’s Uncertain Whether Or Not The Ring Would Corrupt Elrond

Elrond, though wise and powerful, embodies the very dilemma that makes him an unsuitable wielder of the One Ring. His inherent goodness and long-sighted wisdom would inevitably lead him to seek the easy way to solve Middle-earth's ills, a path that, as the Legendarium repeatedly demonstrates, leads to ruin. To effectively wield the Ring, he would need to compromise his moral com, becoming a tyrant in the name of a perceived greater good.

This echoes the Valar's own predicament in Tolkien’s Silmarillion, where they recognize that even their divine power cannot force a resolution without inflicting suffering upon themselves and those they seek to control. Elrond, like the Valar, understands that true solutions require enduring hardship and upholding virtue, even when faced with the seductive allure of absolute power. He knows that the easy way will ultimately corrupt the wielder and exacerbate the very problems it purports to solve.

While the Elves, with their inherent grace and wisdom, might seem like ideal candidates, they are not immune, despite Men in particular being more susceptible. Though akin to angelic beings in Tolkien's Catholic-influenced mythology, Elves are not flawless. Galadriel's own temptation when offered the Ring by Frodo serves as a reminder of this vulnerability. Her vision of becoming a powerful queen, ruling through fear and dominance, reveals the latent ambition that even the most noble Elves possess.

Elrond Taking Or Destroying The One Ring Would've Caused Other Problems

Removing The Ring From Isildur’s Hands Would Harm The Alliance

As Elrond himself recounts:

“Isildur took it, as should not have been. It should have been cast then into Orodruin’s fire nigh at hand where it was made. [...] But Isildur would not listen to our counsel. “This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother,” he said; and therefore whether we would or no, he took it to treasure it.”

This age reveals the immediate complexities surrounding the Ring's new owner’s reasoning for taking the Ring. However, the ramifications extend far beyond a simple act of defiance.

In both the cinematic and literary depictions, eliminating Isildur to seize the Ring presented Elrond with a huge dilemma. Isildur, a Númenórean of extraordinary strength, would have posed a difficult opponent, even for Elrond. While he might have won, it would have been by the skin of his teeth. Further, as High King of the Dúnedain, Isildur's death at Elrond's hand would have ignited a devastating war, jeopardizing the fragile alliance between Elves and Men. In a world where the Elves' power was waning, and new threats could arise, alienating Men would have been strategically disastrous.

The books reveal a further layer of complexity. At the time of Isildur's claim, Sauron was believed to be vanquished, and the Ring's true nature remained mysterious. It was perceived as a powerful, but ultimately benign, artifact, akin to the other Elven Rings. Isildur's desire to keep it as a family heirloom was not met with fierce opposition. Elrond's counsel was more a suggestion born of caution than a forceful demand.

Isildur Did Plan On Giving The Ring To Elrond

He Was On His Way To Elrond When He Was Attacked By Orcs

While Isildur's journey towards Rivendell indicated a clear intention to relinquish the One Ring to Elrond, the Ring's inherent nature casts doubt on the certainty of that outcome. He was tragically ambushed by Orcs, an event that, significantly, can be seen as the Ring's own act of self-preservation, preventing its placement in Elrond's custody. The Ring, sensing the threat of its destruction or removal, likely influenced events to ensure its own survival, ultimately leading to Isildur's demise and its subsequent fall into the Anduin.

As Gandalf demonstrated with Frodo in the Shire, the Ring's power works swiftly and insidiously...

Even had Isildur reached Elrond, the Ring's influence might have proved too strong to overcome. As Gandalf demonstrated with Frodo in the Shire, the Ring's power works swiftly and insidiously. Frodo, despite his willingness, was unable to physically cast it away when challenged, illustrating the Ring's rapid grip on its bearer.

This susceptibility is particularly pronounced in Men, as the films emphasize their inherent desire for power. Isildur, a Númenórean of immense strength and stature, would have been no exception. The Ring's temptation, amplified by his royal status and the weight of his responsibilities, could have easily swayed him by the time he arrived in Rivendell. Fellow Dúnedain and heir Aragorn's struggle with his own perceived weakness, Boromir and Faramir's temptations, and Denethor's desperate desire for its power all highlight the vulnerability of Men to the Ring's pull.