Círdan

Círdan (="Shipwright")
One of the oldest and wisest elves of Middle-earth. He probably belongs to those who awoke at Cuivénen, meaning that no one was his father.
Though lurking in the background always, he plays an important role in many of the great events of Middle-earth. At the beginnings of the First Age, he was leader of those Teleri that decided to stay behind in Beleriand instead of seeking protection in Aman. When Beleriand was destroyed at the end of the First Age, Círdan moved eastwards with his people and founded Mithlond (the Grey Havens) in the region of Lindon. There he remained throughout the ages.
High-king Gil-galad was raised by Círdan. The shipwright became ruler of Lindon when the king fell in the War of the Last Alliance. Natural heir of Gil-galad would have been Elrond, but he had moved to Imladris already.
One of the few persons knowing who the Istari were, Círdan gave the Red Ring Narya (which he had gotten from Gil-galad) to Gandalf. He also was a member of the White Council, but didn't meddle much in the affairs of others. He didn't care for wealth nor fame and was under the special protection of Ulmo, god of water.
The shipwright held close contact to Elrond in Imladris. He held in preparation the ships that were allowed to pass into the West and was there, when Elrond and the Ringbearers came to leave Middle-earth. He then is described as a tall old person with a long beard (extremely rare among the elves), silver hair and 'his eyes were keen as stars'.
It is believed that sometime during the Fourth Age Círdan himself left Middle-earth with the last ship that sailed west.

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