The Lord of the Rings

Isildur, a character from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth legendarium, is a figure of immense importance in the history of the Second Age. He is first mentioned in The Fellowship of the Ring during Elrond's recounting of the history of the One Ring.

Isildur was the son of Elendil and, along with his father and brother Anárion, escaped the Downfall of Númenor. He then established the kingdom of Gondor in Middle Earth.

Most significantly, Isildur cut the One Ring from the hand of Sauron after the Last Alliance of Elves and Men defeated Sauron's forces. He had the opportunity to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom but chose to keep it, defying Elrond's counsel.

Isildur was later ambushed by Orcs at the Gladden Fields and, while attempting to escape, the Ring betrayed him, slipping from his finger and causing him to be shot with arrows. His death resulted in the Ring being lost for millennia.