~*~
Galadriel is a Noldo Princess, the only daughter of Finarfin and E�rwen amongst four brothers named Finrod the faithful (later called Felagund, Lord of Caves), Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor. She is described in The Silmarillion as the "most beautiful of all the house of Finw�; her hair was lit with gold as though it had caught in a mesh the radiance of Laurelin." She was born in Valinor, and was among those who saw the Light of the Two Trees, a true Eldarin Princess was she. And when those of the Noldor decided to go to Middle-earth, and swore oaths to F�anor, Galadriel desired to sail with them, but swore no oath. At this time there was trouble in Valinor, for some of the Noldor, headed by F�anor, were revolting against the Valar. They were banished from Valinor because of it, though later the ban was lifted. Galadriel eventually remained in the halls of Elu Thingol of Doriath, the first Sindarin king, because of the great love between her and his kinsman, prince Celeborn. From Melian, Elu's wife, she learned great wisdom and lore concerning Middle-earth. After the destruction of Beleriand, Galadriel and her husband fled to Lothl�rien, (or the Golden Wood and L�rien).
~*~
In The Lord of the Rings books as well as the movies, we are first introduced to Lady Galadriel when the Fellowship enters the Golden Wood. It is she who tells Frodo that the Fellowship is weakening, that the Quest is in danger, and offers them shelter and gives them gifts when they depart. Frodo offers her the One Ring, but she refuses it. Galadriel is the keeper of the elven Ring Nenya, the Ring of Water, sometimes called the Ring of Adamant. The second movie shows Galadriel having a telepathic conversation with Elrond debating if the Elves should help the Men. This never happened in the books. While the War was raging, L�rien was attacked three times, but she repelled them. Afterwards, she and Celeborn helped cleanse Mirkwood of Dol Guldur, from whence the attacks came. When the War was over, she took ship with the other Ring-bearers and a host of fair Elves and sailed into the West. She did not, as the third movie shows, leave with Celeborn. Galadriel is also known as the Lady of Light. She is akin to Elrond, being the mother of his wife, Celebr�an.