One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

GONDOR.

Gondor

See also SONG OF GONDOR, SONG OF LEBENNIN. The name Gondor means "stone land" from gond meaning "stone" and dor, ndor meaning "land." The land was so named because of the great cities and works of stone built there by the survivors of Numenor. The Southern Realm in Exile of the Men of Westernesse in Middle-earth. Established by Elendil and his sons after their escape from the Drowning of Westernesse in 2A3320.The South Kingdom, Gondor was founded in the year 3320 of the Second Age, by Elendil and his two sons ruled it until the War of the Last Alliance, when Elendil and Anarion were killed. Then Isildur became the High King of both kingdoms. The Kingship lasted until the year 2050 of the Third Age, when the last King died. After this the Stewards ruled in the name of the King, until the year 3019, when Aragorn took back the Kingship of both Arnor and Gondor. Gondor had three main cities and several smaller ones. Main cities: Minas Anor, Minas Ithil, Osgiliath (the capital until the year 1640).Gondor was one of two kingdoms founded in Middle Earth by the Numenoreans. It was established in the south and ruled by Isildur and Anárion, while their father Elendil ruled the northern kingdom of Arnor. The main cities of Gondor were Osgiliath, Minas Anor (Tower of the Setting Sun), Minas Ithil (Tower of the Rising Moon), Pelargir and Dol Amroth. When Minas Ithil was overthrown and captured by the Witch-king, it was renamed Minas Morgul (Tower of Sorcery). Shortly after this Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith (Tower of Guard), by the Men of Gondor and became the chief city in the southern kingdom. Elendil was slain while fighting alongside Gil-galad the Elven King in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and over time the line of Kings was broken, so that during the War of the Ring the rule of Gondor fell to the Stewards, until the time when a King would return to take up the throne. So it was that after the destruction of the One Ring and the downfall of Sauron, Aragorn was crowned King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor.

See also MEN OF GONDOR and RULERS (PDF)See also COUNCIL OF GONDOR in COUNCILS. Arnor and Gondor: KINGDOMS OF THE DUNEDAIN, TWO KINGDOMS.Two Kingdoms

NUMENOREAN KINGDOM(S) in Middle-earth. -REALMS IN EXILE.

Númenórean RealmsRealms in Exile

-KINGDOM OF THE SOUTH. Kingdom of the South-LAND OF OND.-LAND OF STONE(S)-OND. "Denethor II King of Ond".-ONDONORE. Ondonórë: The Quenya form of Gondor was Ondonórë. The word ondo means "stone" in Quenya. -ONDOR. Replaced OND. Ondor! Ondor! Between the Mountains and the Sea.-SOUTH-KINGDOM. Gondor was the Kingdom of the Dunedain in the South, while Arnor was the Kingdom of the Dunedain in the North. South-kingdom-SOUTHERN KINGDOM.-SOUTHERN REALM..-SOUTHLAND.-SOUTHLANDS. Southlands-STANILAND, -STONE-LAND-STONING-LAND. StoninglandGondor was called Stoningland by the Men of Rohan.

SEVEN RIVERS OF GONDOR. ENTWASH, ERUI, GLADDEN, LIMLIGHT, POROS, SILVERLODE, SIRITH.SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR.ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.FIVE RIVERS OF LEBENNIN. CELOS, ERUI, GILRAIN, SERNI, SIRITH.

AMON DÎN. (S). "The Silent Hill". AMON DIN. Also Dîn for short. Hill in Gondor east of the Druadan Forest in the White Mountains. First of the northern beacon-towers of Gondor. AMON DÎN, EILENACH, NARDOL, ERELAS, MIN-RIMMON, CALENHAD, HALIFIRIEN. See BEACONS OF GONDORAmon Dîn -DIN. (S). "Silent". The hill to the east of the Drúadan Forest. Dîn-AMON THORN.

-SILENT HILL. Silent Hill

AMON HEN. (S). "Hill of the Eye". Also called the Hill of Sight and the Hill of the Eye. The word amon means "hill" and the word hên means "eye." The Hill of Sight. Amon Hen was on the western bank of Nen Hithoel, near the southern end of the lake. Amon Lhaw, the Hill of Hearing, stood across the lake from Amon Hen. The hills were part of the range called the Emyn Muil. Amon Hen was a little more than 1,000 feet high. At the foot of Amon Hen on the shore of Nen Hithoel there was a wide green lawn called Parth Galen. Water flowed down to the lawn from a spring on the hill. There were woods on the slopes of Amon Hen. The lower slopes were gentle but became gradually steeper. A path led up the eastern side of Amon Hen with stairs in some of the steeper places. Partway up the hill was a small grassy place looking out over the lake. Rowan trees grew around the edge and there was a wide flat stone in the middle. At the top of Amon Hen was the Seat of Seeing. This was a great chair upon four pillars that stood at the center of a circle paved with stones which was surrounded by a battlement. From the Seat of Seeing one might see far across the land. The Seat of Seeing and the Seat of Hearing on Amon Lhaw were built by the Men of Gondor, probably around the end of the Second Age. The Fellowship came to Parth Galen at the foot of Amon Hen on February 25, 3019 of the Third Age, and camped there. The next day on February 26, Frodo Baggins climbed the slopes of Amon Hen and stopped at the grassy place partway up the hill. He was surprised by Boromir, who tried to convince Frodo to give him the Ring. Frodo fled to the top of Amon Hen, where he sat on the Seat of Seeing and saw war brewing throughout Middle-earth and the Eye of Sauron seeking him. Frodo made the decision to set out for Mordor alone and returned down the slopes of Amon Hen. A company of Uruk-hai from Isengard led by Ugluk came to Amon Hen that same day seeking the Ring-bearer. They were joined by Grishnakh and a company of Orcs from Mordor who had crossed the Anduin. They mistakenly seized Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took. Boromir tried to come to their rescue, but he was slain near the foot of Amon Hen. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli went after Merry and Pippin, while Frodo and Sam headed to Mordor, and thus the Fellowship was broken. Amon Hen One of the three peaks at the southern end of Nen Hithoel, located on the western bank of the Anduin. On the summit of the Hill of Sight the Seat of Seeing was built. -HILL OF SEEING. -HILL OF SIGHT. Hill of Sight-HILL OF THE EYE. Hill of the Eye-TIRMINDON. -SEAT OF SEEING. High seat on Amon Hen. Seat of Amon Hen. The “Hill of Sight” or “Hill of the Eye” found on the western side of the River Anduin close to the Falls of Rauros. It was built in the days of the great kings, and sitting on the seat it was said someone would be able to see for many leagues in all directions. In the Lord of the Rings, Frodo sits upon Amon Hen and is able to see far and wide across the lands of Middle Earth, until the Eye of Sauron became aware of his gaze.Seat of Seeing High seat on Amon Hen. The Seat of Seeing was on the summit of the hill in the center of a circle of flagstones surrounded by a battlement. The Seat itself was a great chair set upon four carved pillars. A stair with many steps led up to it. From the Seat of Seeing, a person could see clearly for many miles around. According to Aragorn, the seats on Amon Hen and Amon Lhaw were built in the days of the great Kings. It is not certain exactly when he meant, but it is likely that it was during the time of Isildur and Anarion since the Seat of Seeing is referred to as a work of the Men of Numenor. In choosing the Fellowship's course down the Anduin, Aragorn hoped to have a chance to look out from the Seat of Seeing. On February 26, 3019 of the Third Age, Frodo Baggins climbed to the top of Amon Hen and sat in the high seat after Boromir tried to take the Ring from him. Frodo was wearing the Ring and at first as he looked around all seemed in shadow, but then the mist cleared and he could see far and wide. There was no sound, only vivid images. Frodo saw that war was brewing across Middle-earth, from Mirkwood and Lothlorien to Rohan and Gondor. Then Frodo's gaze turned to Barad-dur in Mordor and he felt the Eye of Sauron seeking him. He threw himself down from the Seat of Seeing and tried to resist the temptation to reveal himself. A voice told him to take off the Ring and he felt torn between two powers. Unknown to Frodo, Gandalf was aware of his

peril and was vying with the Dark Lord. Then suddenly Frodo felt himself free to choose and he took off the Ring and the Eye of Sauron could not find him. At that moment, Frodo decided that he must go alone to Mordor. Aragorn came to the summit of Amon Hen seeking Frodo and he sat on the Seat of Seeing, but the world around seemed dim and remote and he saw nothing. Seat of Amon Hen

AMON LHAW. (S). "Hill of the Ear". Also called the Hill of Hearing. Amon Lhaw means "Hill of Hearing" from amon meaning "hill" and lhaw meaning "ears." The Hill of Hearing. Amon Lhaw was located on the eastern shore of Nen Hithoel, a lake on the Anduin. Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight, stood on the western shore opposite Amon Lhaw. In the lake between the two hills was the island of Tol Brandir. Amon Lhaw was part of the range of hills called the Emyn Muil. In the early days of Gondor, watch posts were maintained on Amon Lhaw and Amon Hen and high seats were built on the summits of the two hills. From the Seat of Seeing on Amon Hen, a person might see for a great distance. Although the Seat of Hearing is not described, it seems likely that from it a person could hear things from far away. When Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee set out alone for Mordor on February 26, 3019 of the Third Age, they rowed across Nen Hithoel and came ashore on the southern slopes of Amon Lhaw. Amon Lhaw One of the three peaks at the southern end of Nen Hithoel, located on the eastern bank of the Anduin.On the summit of the Hill of Hearing the Seat of Hearing was built.-HILL OF HEARING. -HILL OF THE EAR. -LARMINDON. -SEAT OF HEARING.

ANDUIN. (S) "The Great River", "The Long River". The name Anduin means "long river" from an or and meaning "long" and duin meaning "river." The Anduin was called the Great River in the Common Speech, or sometimes simply the River. The River was also sometimes referred to as Anduin the Great. The Anduin was called the Langflood, or "Long River." by the Eotheod - the ancestors of the Rohirrim. The Vales of the Anduin refers to the river valley along the Anduin; the word vale is another word for "valley." Ethir Anduin means "Mouths of the Anduin." The word ethir means "mouth of a river" from ed meaning "forth, out" and sîr meaning "river." Sarn Gebir means "stone spikes" from sarn meaning "stone" and gebir from cebir meaning "stakes." Longest river in Middle-earth. The Anduin flowed from north to south for over 1,100 miles. The Great River passed through Wilderland east of the Misty Mountains for much of its journey, and then passed the realms of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor before emptying into the Bay of Belfalas at the Mouths of the Anduin. The source of the Anduin was the River Langwell, which came down from the Misty Mountains in the far north of Middle-earth. The Langwell was joined by another small river called the Greylin from the Grey Mountains. The Anduin began at the juncture of the Langwell and the Greylin. A number of other rivers joined the Anduin farther downstream. The Rushdown, Gladden, Silverlode, Limlight, and Entwash all flowed into the Great River from the Misty Mountains. In the south, the Erui and Celos came down from the White Mountains to join the Anduin. Only two rivers flowed into the Anduin on the eastern side: the Morgulduin and the Poros, which both began in the Mountains of Shadow on the border of Mordor. The lands on either side of the Great River were called the Vales of the Anduin. Hobbits were believed to have once lived in the upper Vales of the Anduin in Wilderland until around 1050 of the Third Age, when the growing shadow in Mirkwood caused them to migrate across the Misty Mountains to Eriador. A group of Hobbits of the Stoor branch later returned to the Vales of the Anduin around 1356, but they eventually dwindled away. Men also lived in the Vales of the Anduin in Wilderland, including the Eotheod - the ancestors of the Rohirrim. The Eotheod first came to dwell between the Gladden River and the Carrock on the west side of the Anduin in 1856, and in 1977 they relocated north to live near above the source of the Anduin. The Beornings - who were led by the skinchanger Beorn and his descendants - lived in the Vales of the Anduin near the Carrock in the later part of the Third Age.

The Carrock was a great peak of rock that rose out of the waters of the Anduin. A ford composed of stepping stones led to the Carrock from the eastern riverbank. About 25 miles south of the Carrock, the Old Forest Road between Mirkwood and the High Pass of the Misty Mountains crossed the Anduin at the Old Ford. At the end of the Second Age there was a bridge across the Anduin at this point which was used by the armies of the Last Alliance, but by the late Third Age the bridge was gone. The Anduin then ran swiftly until it reached the marshland called the Gladden Fields which was located where the River Gladden joined the Anduin. It was there, in the year 2 of the Third Age, that Isildur perished and the One Ring was lost. The Ring lay at the bottom of the Anduin for over 2,000 years. In 2463, the Ring was found by Deagol, who was fishing with his friend Smeagol. They were of Hobbit-kind, descended from the Stoors who had settled in the Vales of the Anduin. AnduinThe Anduin flowed swiftly past Lothlorien and then entered a region of low flatlands. The Wold of Rohan was on the western side of the River. At this point, there were two great bends in the River called the North Undeep and the South Undeep. The Anduin had many shallows and wide shoals in this region and was relatively easy to cross. South of the Undeeps in the Emyn Muil was Sarn Gebir - a stretch of stone spikes and rocky rapids about a mile long. Sarn Gebir was dangerous and virtually impossible for boats to navigate. There was narrow, swift central channel in which highly skilled boaters could try their luck. On the western bank of the Sarn Gebir there was a portage-way - a path by which boats could be carried past the rapids. Past Sarn Gebir the Anduin was navigable but swift. The River narrowed and the banks rose to high cliffs. The two great statues called the Argonath stood on either side of the Anduin, at one time marking the northern boundary of Gondor. Beyond the Argonath, the high banks formed a narrow chasm that the River passed through before it widened to form the lake called Nen Hithoel. The island of Tol Brandir stood in the waters at the southern end of Nen Hithoel. The River then descended over the great Falls of Rauros. The North Stair was carved into the western bank to provide a portage-way past the Falls. Beneath the Falls of Rauros, the Anduin was joined by the Entwash, forming the marshland called the Wetwang. In this region, the Anduin became sluggish and divided and was difficult to navigate by boat. The course of the River curved eastward at this point. Farther downstream was Cair Andros. This large island made a convenient crossing point on the River. As such, it was fortified by Gondor as a defense against the forces of Mordor on the eastern side of the Anduin. Along the lower Anduin, the Men of Gondor built several towns. The great city of Osgiliath - once the capital of Gondor - stood half on one side of the Anduin, and half on the other. Several bridges connected the two halves of the city, those these were later destroyed. When Osgiliath was abandoned, the capital was moved to Minas Tirith on the west side of the Anduin. There was a dock area called the Harlond on the river just outside Minas Tirith. The port city of Pelargir was 126 miles downstream from Minas Tirith on the western bank. The lower course of the Anduin curved westward to the Bay of Belfalas. There it broke up into many streams and formed the great delta called the Ethir Anduin, or Mouths of the Anduin. Fisherfolk lived in this region, known as the Ethir, and people there were knowledgeable about the Sea. The island of Tolfalas was located in the Bay just beyond the Mouths of the Anduin. The Anduin was a major route for trade and transportation. During the early days of Gondor, ships carried people and trade goods up and down the Anduin from Wilderland in the north to the Bay of Belfalas in the south. As Gondor's power waned and the threat from Sauron's forces increased, traffic on the river decreased and few if any boats came downriver from the north. But the Anduin remained an important route connecting Minas Tirith with the fiefdoms of southern Gondor. The Anduin formed a natural line of defense between the lands of Gondor and Rohan west of the River and their enemies who lived in the east. For the most part, the defense of the River crossing was successful, but not always. In 2510, an army of Easterlings crossed the shallows of the Undeeps on rafts and attacked Gondor. The Men of the Eotheod came to the aid of Gondor at the Battle of the Field of Celebrant and were given the land of Rohan as a reward. Corsairs on the AnduinDuring the War of the Ring at the end of the Third Age, Gondor was threatened by both the forces of Sauron east of the Anduin and the fleets of the Corsairs from Umbar south of the Bay of Belfalas. Boromir and Faramir successfully defended the River crossing at Osgiliath on June 20, 3018, though the Nazgûl came across in secret to hunt for the Ring-bearer.

The Fellowship set out by boat down the Anduin from Lothlorien on February 16, 3019. They used the portage-way to carry their boats past the rapids of Sarn Gebir. They arrived at Nen Hithoel on February 25 and camped on the western shore at the foot of Amon Hen. The next day the Fellowship was broken and Boromir was killed by Uruk-hai. His body was placed in a boat which went over the Falls of Rauros and continued downriver to the Sea. The funeral boat was seen by Boromir's brother Faramir on February 29. On March 10, a force from Mordor captured Cair Andros and crossed the River into Gondor north of Minas Tirith. Another force led by the Lord of the Nazgûl crossed the Anduin at Osgiliath on March 12 and began to lay siege to Minas Tirith. But the next day, Aragorn led the Dead to Pelargir and defeated the Corsairs, who had captured the port city and were preparing to attack Minas Tirith. Aragorn used the Corsairs' ships to sail up the Anduin to Minas Tirith, arriving in time to help win the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15.

River Anduin Anduin the Great. Anduin and the seven rivers. See also BRIDGE(S) OF OSGILIATH, CAIR ANDROS, SARN GEBIR, TINDROCK in Volume ISLES, VALES OF ANDUIN, See also Carrock, Rauros, Nindalf, Nen Hithoel, Ethir Anduin.Frequently in The Vale(s) of Anduin. East of the Misty Mountains. Referred to as "The Great River" and "The River". Anduin was the greatest river of north-western Middle-earth. The river was flowing from its sources in the far north about 1500 miles to the Delta of Anduin (Ethir Anduin) in the Bay of Belfalas. Anduin with its

many tributaries drained the area between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains. That area was called the Vales of Anduin. Those rivers also drained Anorien, Ithilien, and much of Rohan and Lebennin.See Gladden River, Silverlode, Limlight, Entwash, Blackroot, Erui, Sirith, Poros. The Ethir. The land at the Mouths of Anduin The Gondorian land encompassing the wide delta where the

waters of the River Anduin flowed out into the Great Sea,about two hundred miles southwest of Minas Tirith. The name comes from the Elvish word for 'outflow',

referring to the great river-mouth (which was known in fullas Ethir Anduin). The people of this region were noted for their seamanship and weather-wisdom. Ethir

Anduin. The estuary of the Great River Anduin BeneathPelargir, the River Anduin was joined by the waters of the Poros, and spread into a great delta more than

fifty miles across. This was aborder region of Gondor, populated mainly by fishermen. Ethir Ethir AnduinThe wide estuary region known as the Ethir. The wide and wandering delta of the River Anduin, where it

flowed out into the Bay of Belfalas. ANDUIN. SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.Aduin also Upper Anduin, Middle Anduin, Lower Anduin.-ANDON. Earlier name. -ANDUIN'S DELTA. --DELTA OF ANDUIN. --ETHIR ANDON. --ETHIR ANDUIN. --ETHIR THE. --MOUTHS OF ANDUIN. Mouths of Anduin--OUTFLOW OF ANDUIN. -ANDUIN'S UNDEEPS.--NORTH UNDEEP. North Undeep--SOUTH UNDEEP. South Undeep--UNDEEPS OF ANDUIN. --UNDEEPS THE. UndeepsThe meanderings of the Great River (Anduin). The North Undeep and the South Undeep. The two great westward loops made by the River Anduin as it flowed past the Field of Celebrant and the Wold. -BELEGHIR. Early name. -DERRILYN ? ATB03.-GREAT RIVER THE. Great River-GREAT RIVER OF WIKDERLAND.-GREAT THE.-LANGFLOOD. Langflood-LONG RIVER THE. -LONG THE.-NEW SIRION. See SIRVINYA.-RAUROS. See RAUROS.-RIVER OF GONDOR. -RIVER THE. -SIRVINYA. Earlier name. 'New Sirion'.

ANDUIN. SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.

ANFALAS = LANGSTRAND

ANÓRIEN. (S). "Sun-land". Anórien means "Sun land" from Anor meaning "the Sun" and the ending -ien which is a variation of a commonly used suffix in the names of countries or regions. It was so named because it was originally the domain of Anarion. The Rohirrim called the region Sunlending. ANORIEN.Region in northern Gondor where Minas Tirith was located. Anorien was north of the White Mountains, between the Anduin and Mering Stream. East of the Anduin was Ithilien. West of the Mering Stream was

Rohan, which was formerly a province of Gondor called Calenardhon. Anorien was bordered on the north by the Mouths of the Entwash. Minas Tirith was located in eastern Anorien, between the end of the White Mountains and the Anduin. The great seven-tiered city was surrounded by the rich farmlands of the Pelennor Fields. The city of Osgiliath was located on the Anduin about 15 miles northeast of Minas Tirith. The western half of the city was in Anorien while the eastern half was in Ithilien. The Druadan Forest was in Anorien at the foot of the White Mountains west of Minas Tirith. The forest was inhabited by a race of Men called the Druedain, or Woses. The Stonewain Valley ran between the forest and the mountains. A road through the Stonewain Valley was used to transport stones from the quarries on the western side of the forest. The seven Beacon-hills of Gondor ran from east to west through Anorien to the border of Rohan. The first three hills - Amon Din, Eilenach, and Nardol - were in the Druadan Forest. The next three hills - Erelas, Min-Rimmon, and Calenhad - stood at the foot of the White Mountains. The seventh hill - Halifirien - was in the Firien Wood on the border between Anorien and Rohan. Part of the Firien Wood was in Anorien east of the Mering Stream, and part was west of the stream in Rohan. Over time, however, the entire forest came to be considered the domain of Rohan. The Great West Road ran through Anorien from Minas Tirith to the Mering Stream. From there the road continued through Rohan and on through the Gap of Rohan and joined the North-South Road to Arnor. When Gondor was founded in 3320 of the Second Age, Anorien was the domain of Elendil's younger son Anarion, while the elder son Isildur lived across the Anduin in Ithilien. Anarion established the stronghold of Minas Anor, which was later renamed Minas Tirith. Anorien was a populous region. The people of Anorien were responsible for defending the Mering Stream, particularly in the days when Calenardhon was deserted and Gondor was vulnerable to attack from the west. The danger from the west decreased after 2510 of the Third Age when Calenardhon became Rohan - Gondor's strongest ally. The people of Anorien were also charged with defending the crossings of the Anduin from attack by Sauron's forces in the East. The island of Cair Andros in the Anduin between Anorien and Ithilien was fortified to prevent an invasion. During the War of the Ring on March 10, 3019, Cair Andros was captured and Anorien was invaded by an army of Orcs and Easterlings. The enemy forces blocked the Great West Road in an attempt to prevent the Rohirrim from coming to Gondor's aid. But the Rohirrim passed secretly through the Druadan Forest and the Stonewain Valley and arrived at Minas Tirith at dawn on March 15. After the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Elfhelm and an army of 3,000 Rohirrim routed the enemy forces from Anorien.

Anórien -ANORIEND. (S). Older name.Realm of Anárion. Region of Gondor north of Ered Nimrais. MOONLENDING = ITHILIEN in Gondor. Name of Ithilien by the Men of Rohan.SUNLENDING = ANORIEN in Gondor. Name of Anórien by the Men of Rohan. Sunlending

ARGONATH = PILLARS OF THE KINGS

BAY OF BELFALAS. The meaning of Belfalas is uncertain. The word falas means "shore, coast" in Sindarin. In his unfinished Index to The Lord of the Rings, The great bay of the Great Sea. Bay on the southern coast of Gondor. Between Gondor and Umbar.Tolkien defined the word bel as "steep, sheer" in Sindarin. But in a later essay he wrote that Bêl was the name of the region in the language of the original inhabitants and that it meant "shore, coast" so that Belfalas was a combination of two words with the same meaning in different languages. Also called Côf Belfalas, where côf means "bay" in Sindarin, and Côf gwaeren Bel, "the windy Bay of Bêl." Bay on the southern coast of Gondor. The Bay of Belfalas was very large and opened onto the Sea. It was an important inlet for seafaring ships. The northwestern arm of the Bay of Belfalas was a long cape called Andrast. The lands of Anfalas and Belfalas were along the northern coast of the bay. Dol Amroth was the chief city of Belfalas and was an important port. It was built on a high promontory overlooking an inlet of the Bay of Belfalas called Cobas Haven. Just north of Dol Amroth was the Elf-haven of Edhellond, at the mouth of the Blackroot River. A community of Elves lived at Edhellond from around the end of the First Age to the middle of the Third Age, and from there ships set sail to the Undying Lands. According to legend, the Elf-lord Amroth awaited his lover Nimrodel in a ship at Edhellond, but she became lost and never arrived. Amroth's ship was swept away from the shore by a storm and he leaped overboard into the Bay of Belfalas and was lost. The Mouths of the Anduin opened onto the bay on its eastern coast. The island of Tolfalas was in the northeastern corner of the bay at the Mouths of the Anduin. In addition to the Anduin, a number of rivers flowed into the Bay of Belfalas. On the northwest coast, the River Lefnui flowed south from the White Mountains into the bay. The rivers Blackroot, Ciril, and Ringlo also began in the White Mountains and merged before flowing into the bay near Dol Amroth. The River Gilrain was joined by the River Serni and emptied into the bay just north of the Anduin. On the east coast of the bay, the River Harnen flowed into the bay from the Mountains of Shadow. South of the Anduin on the east coast of the bay was the region called South Gondor. Further south was the coastal region of Umbar in Harad. The Havens of Umbar were established there by the Men of Numenor in the Second Age. For much of the Third Age, the Corsairs used Umbar as a base of operations, and the city at the head of the inlet was called the City of the Corsairs. See also TOLFALAS (Island).

Bay of Belfalas -BAY OF BEL. -BAY OF RAMATHIR. -BAY OF RAMATHOR. -CÔF BELFALAS.

BEACONS OF GONDOR.

The first three Beacons were built between about 3A2000 and 3A2500; all seven survived into the Fourth Age

A chain of hills running along the northern edge of the White Mountains, and another along the southern fringes of that range.The warning-fires of Minas Tirith: Amon Dîn, Calenhad, Eilenach, Erelas, Halifirien, Min-Rimmon, Nardol.Two chains of beacon-hills that ran along the northern flanks of the White Mountains to Rohan, and along the southern flanks to Belfalas. The names of southern beacons are not recorded, but the northern chain of hills running between Minas Tirith and Rohan are all known. The table below lists the seven beacons in order from east to west (that is, in the order a signal would be passed from Gondor westward to the borders of Rohan).In the early days of Gondor, communication between its major cities and fortresses was achieved through the four palantíri of the South-kingdom. After the Master Stone of Osgiliath was lost in 3A1437, and the Ithil-stone was captured in 3A2002, these fell out of use, and another means of communication was needed. This developed from an outpost on the hill of Amon Dîn to the north of Minas Tirith, which was combined with stations on the hills of Eilenach and Min-Rimmon to create a rudimentary beacon system. The guard-posts at these beacons also maintained horses for messengers, allowing news of invaders from the west or east to quickly reach Minas Tirith.After the settlement of Rohan in 3A2510, the line of beacons was extended westward, and the last of the new outposts was built on the Halifirien on the borders of the new land. This allowed Gondor to reach its new northern ally rapidly when aid was needed, and also gave Rohan a means to call on the Stewards when danger approached.We have only one historical record of the beacons actually being used. That happened in the War of the Ring, on 8 March 3A3019, when Steward Denethor II used them to summon aid from Théoden of Rohan. Seven days later Théoden's Riders arrived at Minas Tirith, barely in time to save it from the beseiging armies of Mordor and to help bring a victory in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.The dating of the Beacons is uncertain, but the first three (Amon Dîn, Eilenach and Min-Rimmon) were put in place after the loss of the palantíri of Gondor (probably after the Ithil-stone was captured in 3A2002) and before the foundation of Rohan in 3A2510.Beacon-hills of Gondor System of signal-fires used for communicating between Gondor and Rohan. There were seven Beacon-hills between Minas Tirith and the border of Rohan, spanning a distance of about 150 miles. The Beacon-hills were: Amon Din, Eilenach, Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad, and Halifirien. (See the map below.) The system of seven Beacon-hills was established after Rohan was founded in 2510 of the Third Age as a means of communication between the allied realms of Rohan and Gondor. The Beacon-hill system could be used both ways: Gondor could signal Rohan, and Rohan could signal Gondor - though the latter was rarely done. Beacons of wood and fuel were maintained upon each hill by the Beacon-wardens. During the War of the Ring, Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, decided to light the beacons, probably after learning of the fleet of Corsairs preparing to attack Minas Tirith from the south. On the night of March 7-8, 3019, all seven of the Beacon-hills of Gondor were set ablaze. Gandalf and Pippin Took saw the lighting of the Beacon-hills as they rode toward Minas Tirith. When the Rohirrim later rode past the Beacon-hills on the way to Minas Tirith, the fires had been quenched. Amon Dîn: The first of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor. Amon Din was the closest of the Beacon-hills to Minas Tirith. It was located near the eastern end of the Druadan Forest. Amon Din was a rocky, barren hill that stood out from the trees. Birds and animals were rarely found on Amon Din and Men used it only as an outpost. Amon Din was the first hill to have a beacon built on its summit. Its original purpose was to alert Minas Tirith to the approach of enemy forces. From Amon Din, sentries could keep watch over the crossing of the Anduin near Cair Andros and the passage into Ithilien from Dagorlad. Amon Dîn means "Silent Hill" from amon meaning "hill" and dîn meaning "silent." It may have been so named because it was isolated and uninhabited. One of the first beacons to be established, and the nearest to Minas Tirith, the purpose of the signal fire on Amon Dîn was originally to communicate with Gondorian forces in Anórien or on the island of Cair Andros. As the line of beacons extended westward over time, Amon Dîn became the first in a line that reached two hundred miles or more to the borders of Rohan. Eilenach:

The second of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor. Eilenach was located in the middle of the Druadan Forest. There were pine trees around its base. Eilenach could be seen from a great distance. It was the highest point in the forest, and was the second tallest of the Beacon-hills after Halifirien. The summit of Eilenach was sharp and narrow, and there was not much room for a large beacon. Eilenach was one of the three oldest Beacon-hills, along with Amon Din and Min-Rimmon. It was originally used mainly for communicating with the people of Anorien - a region of Gondor west of Minas Tirith. King Theoden and the Riders of Rohan camped at the foot of Eilenach on the night of March 13-14, 3019 of the Third Age, on their way to Minas Tirith. The name Eilenach is of unknown origin. It is not Sindarin, Numenorean, or Common Speech. The hill was probably named before the coming of the Numenoreans to Middle-earth. The tallest of the three original beacons, Eilenach was the highest point in the Drúadan Forest. Though tall, its summit came to a narrow point, and there was little room to construct a large signal fire. The Eilenach beacon thus relied on the westward beacons to pass its warning on through the Mountains. Nardol: The third of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor. Nardol was located at the western edge of the Druadan Forest. It was at the end of a high ridge extending from the White Mountains. The ridge was once covered with trees but it had been stripped bare by the workers in the nearby quarries. Nardol had an especially large beacon-fire. A guard was maintained on Nardol to protect both the beacon and the quarries, and a large store of fuel was kept ready. On a clear night, Nardol's beacon could be seen from as far away as Halifirien, the seventh and last Beacon-hill, which stood in the Firien Wood on the border between Gondor and Rohan. Erelas, Min-rimmon, and Calenhad curved slightly southward and were not in the straight line of sight between Nardol and Halifirien. Nardol means "Fire-hilltop" or "Fiery head." The word nar means "fire." The word dol means "head" and is often used to mean "hill." Nardol was named for its large beacon. An outlier of the Mountains at the extreme western edge of the Forest, Nardol was not so tall as Eilenach, but it had a much broader summit, allowing a great fire to be constructed. This was the source of its name, which means simply 'Fire-hilltop', and its purpose was to pass on the relatively faint light of the Eilenach beacon westwards towards the borders of Rohan. Erelas: The fourth of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor. Erelas was a green hill without trees. It was located west of the Druadan Forest at the foot of the White Mountains, somewhat south of Nardol. Erelas was a small hill. Its beacon was not always necessary and was only lit in times of great urgency, like during the War of the Ring. The name Erelas is Sindarin in form but its meaning is unclear. Apparently the elements er meaning "single" and las meaning "leaf" are not part of this name. Erelas was not so pronounced a peak as many of the other beacon hills, but its location midway between the great flame of Nardol to the east, and the Min-Rimmon to the west, made it a suitable location for one of the seven beacon fires. Min-Rimmon: The fifth of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor. Min-Rimmon was located at the foot of the White Mountains. It was one of the three oldest beacons along with Amon Din and Eilenach. Before the founding of Rohan, the beacon on Min-Rimmon was used to communicate with the people of Anorien - the province of Gondor west of Minas Tirith. King Theoden and the Riders of Rohan camped at the foot of Min-Rimmon on the way to Minas Tirith on March 12, 3A3019. The name Min-Rimmon means "Peak of the Rimmon." The word min means "peak" in Sindarin from mini meaning "stick out." The word Rimmon is probably of pre-Numenorean origin. It either means "group of crags" or was the name of the group of crags of which Min-Rimmon was a part. One of the three original beacons established before the founding of Rohan, the purpose of Min-Rimmon's beacon was originally to communicate with the Gondorian province of Calenardhon, the wide green land that would eventually be settled by the Rohirrim. Calenhad:

The sixth of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor. Calenhad had a flat crown covered with green turf. It was a relatively small beacon, though it was taller than Erelas. Like Erelas, the beacon of Calenhad was lit only in times of great need, as in the War of the Ring. The name Calenhad means "green space" in reference to its flat, grassy top. The word calen means "green" and had is from sad meaning "place, spot." Calenhad was only a matter of some fifty miles from Gondor's border with Rohan. West of Min-Rimmon, the White Mountains receded from the plain of Anórien, forming a wide and shallow indentation with a mouth some thirty miles across. Calenhad stood at the western end of this 'bay', at the point where the Mountains came close to the Great West Road once again. Halifirien: The seventh of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor. Halifirien was located in the Firien Wood on the border between Gondor and Rohan. It was the tallest of the Beacon-hills and its summit rose high above the treetops. Halifirien was located in the southeastern corner of the forest. Behind it was the deep cleft called the Firien-dale. The Mering Stream flowed past the western side of the hill. The slopes of Halifirien were wooded nearly to the summit. The trees were especially dense on the lower slopes, particularly near the Mering Stream. The southern slope of Halifirien which rose out of the Firien-dale was sheer, but the other slopes were long and gradual. A path marked by standing stones ran from the Great West Road to Halifirien. An ancient stone stairway ascended the hill to the top. The summit was surrounded by a belt of white birches. At the summit was a wide level circle where the beacon was located. There were temporary lodges for the Beacon-wardens near the summit. At the beginning of the Third Age, after the death of Elendil in the War of the Last Alliance, Isildur brought his father's remains to the hill to be buried. He chose the location because it was then near the center of Gondor. Elendil's tomb was on the eastern side of the circle at the summit of the hill. It was marked by a black stone bearing the letters lambe, ando, lambe for Elendil's name. The tomb was covered with white flowers called alfirin or simbelmyne. The summit of the hill remained green and untouched even as the path to the hill became overgrown. The hill became a sacred place and it was called Amon Anwar, the Hill of Awe. Its original name had been Eilenaer. No one was allowed to ascend to the top of the hill except the King of Gondor and any who accompanied him. It became customary for the King to bring his heir to the hill when he came of age to tell him of Elendil's tomb and of other important matters of the realm. This custom was later followed by the Stewards of Gondor. In 2510, Cirion, the Steward of Gondor, brought Eorl the Young to the Hill of Awe. Eorl and his people had helped Gondor fight the Balchoth in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. Cirion gave Eorl the province of Calenardhon, which became Rohan. In return, Eorl swore an Oath to help Gondor in time of need. Elendil's remains were removed from the hill and were interred in the Hallows of Minas Tirith. The Mering Stream became the border between Rohan and Gondor. Technically, the hill was east of the border and was in Gondor. Initially, guard and maintenance of the hill was shared by both realms. However, over time the entire Firien Wood including the hill came to be considered the territory of Rohan. The Rohirrim named the hill Halifirien, the Holy Mountain. They considered the hill to be a sacred place because it was where Eorl had taken his Oath and had been granted the land of Rohan. When the system of Beacon-hills was established as a means of communicating between Gondor and Rohan, a great beacon was placed on Halifirien. This was the beacon that was visible to the people of Rohan. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn, King Elessar of Gondor brought King Eomer of Rohan to Halifirien and they renewed the Gift of Cirion and the Oath of Eorl. The name Halifirien means "holy mountain" in the language of the Rohirrim. It is from the Anglo-Saxon hálig-firgen where hálig means "holy" and firgen means "mountain." The Sindarin name was Amon Anwar, meaning "the Hill of Awe" from amon meaning "hill" and anwar meaning "awe." It was so named because the tomb of Elendil was on its summit. Before the burial of Elendil, the hill was called Eilenaer. This was a pre-Numenorean name related to Eilenach. The meaning is not known. The last of the seven beacon hills, and the tallest, was the Halifirien, which stood among the trees of the Firien Wood. Based on Gondor's ancient borders, this mountain had stood near the centre of the land, and was thus chosen as the site of the Tomb of Elendil. As time passed, Gondor's borders shrank, until by the

time of the foundation of Rohan the Halifirien was on the fringes of the South-kingdom. At that time Elendil's remains were taken from his ancient Tomb to Minas Tirith, and the mountain became the last of the warning beacons, whose fire would call directly on the Rohirrim for aid.

BELFALAS. (=DOR-EN-ERNIL) The meaning of Belfalas is uncertain. The word falas means "shore, coast" in Sindarin. In his unfinished Index to The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien defined the word bel as "steep, sheer" in Sindarin. But in a later essay he wrote that Bêl was the name of the region in the language of the original inhabitants and that it meant "shore, coast" so that Belfalas was a combination of two words with the same meaning in different languages. Dor-en-Ernil means "Land of the Prince." The word dor means "land" and ernil means "prince." Dol Amroth; the townships of Ethring and Linhir, and the Elf-haven of Edhellond, were on the borders of this region.Fiefdom of Gondor. Belfalas was located on the southern coast on a peninsula extending into the Bay of Belfalas. It was a populous region and the people were hardy. Many of them were of Numenorean descent and the ruling family also had Elvish blood. The great city of Dol Amroth was in western Belfalas on a promontory overlooking the inlet of Cobas Haven. The Elf-haven of Edhellond was just north of Dol Amroth near the mouth of the Blackroot River. The Ringlo merged with the Blackroot on the western border of Belfalas, beyond which was the fiefdom of Anfalas. Lebennin was east of Belfalas across the rivers Gilrain and Serni. The town of Linhir was on the border between Belfalas and Lebennin. The road that linked Minas Tirith and Erech by way of Pelargir and Linhir skirted northern Belfalas. Lamedon was north of Belfalas at the foot of the White Mountains. There were mountains in the central part of Belfalas. The eastern coast of Belfalas is labelled on maps as Dor-en-Ernil - "Land of the Prince" - but this name probably applied to all of Belfalas. The original inhabitants of Belfalas included fisherfolk who lived around Cobas Haven. These fisherfolk relocated to the mountains after the arrival of Elves who established the haven of Edhellond. The Elves may have come from Beleriand around 473 of the First Age or they may have come from the Grey Havens at the start of the Second Age. From Edhellond, Elves could sail to the Undying Lands. Galadriel and Celeborn may have lived on the coast in Belfalas for a short time in the late Second Age. Men of Numenor also settled in Belfalas and built a stronghold on the site that later became Dol Amroth. These Men were among the Faithful who rejected Sauron's attempts to corrupt the Numenoreans. Numenor was destroyed in 3319 of the Second Age and Gondor was founded the next year in 3320. Belfalas became a fiefdom of Gondor. According to one story, Elendil gave the title of Prince to the leader of the Numenoreans of Belfalas. Dol Amroth took its name from King Amroth of Lothlorien who came to Edhellond in 1981 of the Third Age to sail to the Undying Lands. Amroth's lover Nimrodel became lost on the journey to Edhellond. Amroth's ship was swept out to Sea by a storm and he leaped overboard and drowned trying to return to land in order to find Nimrodel. The last of the Elves of Edhellond departed on the ship. One of Nimrodel's companions named Mithrellas remained behind and married Imrazor, a Man of Numenorean descent. Their son Galador was said to be the first Prince of Dol Amroth according to one source. (HoME XII, p. 221) This appears to contradict the story that Elendil bestowed the title, although it may just be a matter of semantics in that Dol Amroth was not named until 1981. After the line of Kings in Gondor ended in 2050, the Princes of Dol Amroth ruled Belfalas independently, although they remained loyal to the Stewards of Gondor. The coasts of Belfalas were threatened by the fleets of the Corsairs of Umbar. The 15th Prince of Dol Amroth was killed by Corsairs in 2746. In 2758, three fleets from Umbar and Harad attacked the southern coast of Gondor and landed troops ashore. They were defeated in 2759 by Beregond, the son of the Steward Beren. In 2976, Finduilas, the daughter of Prince Adrahil of Dol Amroth, married Denethor, who became Steward in 2984. Their children were Boromir and Faramir. Prince Imrahil succeeded Adrahil in 3010. During the War of the Ring in 3019, Imrahil led troops from Belfalas to Minas Tirith. They fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15. Prince Imrahil took temporary command of Minas Tirith after the death of Denethor. He and his troops accompanied Aragorn to the Black Gate and fought in the Battle of the Morannon on March 25 until the One Ring was destroyed and Sauron was defeated.

After the war, Imrahil's daughter Lothiriel married King Eomer of Rohan. Aragorn became King of Gondor and Arnor, and the Prince of Dol Amroth was one of the King's chief commanders and a key member of the Council of Gondor.

Belfalas Region in Gondor. See Bay of Belfalas. Coast of Belfalas in Gondor near Dol Amroth.-COUNTRY OF AMROTH. -HARFALAS. - RAMATHIR. -RAMATHOR. See also CAPE OF ANDRAST, DOL AMROTH (Capital), EDHELLOND (Town).

BLACKROOT. The Blackroot was so named because its source was in the dark caverns of the Dead. The river was called Morthond in Sindarin, meaning "Blackroot" from mor meaning "black" and thond meaning "root." River in Gondor. The Blackroot was a long, cold river that began beneath the White Mountains. The river emerged from the southern entrance of the Paths of the Dead and cascaded in a series of waterfalls into the Blackroot Vale. A road ran alongside the river as it passed through the valley. Once past the Stone of Erech, the Blackroot flowed southwestward and then curved southeastward to join the Ringlo. The port of Edhellond was located near the juncture of the Blackroot and the Ringlo. The Blackroot emptied into Cobas Haven on the Bay of Belfalas. On March 8, 3019 of the Third Age, Aragorn and the Grey Company emerged from the Paths of the Dead alongside the Blackroot River followed by the Dead. Blackroot River Blackroot. The river that rose above Erech.Also known as the Morthond, the Blackroot was one of the many rivers that flowed out from the southern feet of the White Mountains to water the plains of Gondor. The Blackroot sprang from the mountains near the southern gate of the Paths of the Dead, above Erech, and so it acquired its sinister name. Its waters flowed south to meet the Ringló above Edhellond, and then on to empty into the Great Sea a little to the north of Dol Amroth. -MORNAN. -MORTHOND. Morthond

BLACKROOT VALE. Also called the Morthond Vale or the Mornan. The Blackroot Vale was named for the river whose source was in the dark caverns of the Dead. The name Morthond means "Blackroot" from mor meaning "black" and thond meaning "root." The name Mornan means "dark valley"; the word nan means "valley." Valley on the southern side of the White Mountains in Gondor. The Blackroot Vale was a dark valley in the shadow of two high mountains on either side. The valley had steep, grassy slopes. The land in the valley was rich and many people lived there. At the northern end of the valley, the Blackroot River issued from a door to the Paths of the Dead. The river flowed south through the valley and a road ran alongside it. Near the southern end of the valley was the Hill

of Erech, upon which was the Stone of Erech. The Dead sometimes gathered around the Stone of Erech and the people of the Blackrook Vale were afraid to go near it. Aragorn and the Grey Company emerged from the Paths of the Dead into the Blackroot Vale on March 8, 3019 of the Third Age. They rode through the valley with the Dead following behind and the people who lived there fled in terror. At midnight at the Stone of Erech, Aragorn summoned the Dead to fulfill their oath to fight the servants of Sauron. A company of 500 archers from the Blackroot Vale went to the aid of Minas Tirith during the War of the Ring. They were led by Duinhir and his sons Derufin and Duilin. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the archers fought valiantly and slew a number of Oliphaunts. Duilin and Derufin were both trampled to death by Oliphaunts and never returned to the Blackroot Vale. Blackroot Vale -MORTHOND VALE. Morthond Vale

CAIR ANDROS. “Ship of Long-foam”. Cair Andros means "ship of long foam," in reference to the island's shape and the foamy waters that broke on its northern end. The word cair means "ship." The element and means "long" and ros means "foam, spray." Island in the Anduin. Cair Andros was located in the middle of the river about 30 miles north of Osgiliath. There were woods on Cair Andros. The island was long and narrow and was shaped like a ship. The northern end was like a high prow and the waters of the Anduin broke with white foam on the sharp rocks. Cair Andros was fortified during the time of Turin II - who ruled from 2882 to 2914 of the Third Age - in order to prevent Enemy forces from crossing the river there. The defenses of Cair Andros were maintained when the War of the Ring began, and horses were kept on the western side for the use of the Rangers of Ithilien. On March 10, 3019, the defenses of Cair Andros were overrun by an army from the Black Gate consisting of battalions of Orcs and companies of Men from Rhun. They used the island to launch an attack on Anorien, threatening Minas Tirith from the north and blocking the Great West Road in an attempt to prevent the Riders of Rohan from coming to the aid of Gondor. After the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Aragorn took pity on the men who were too afraid to march to the Black Gate. He sent them to retake Cair Andros from the Enemy and hold it in defense of Gondor and Rohan. An island fortress north of Minas Tirith, belonging to Gondor, Cair Andros is shaped like a ship facing upstream. The name means Ship of Long Foam.The island of Cair Andros. A descriptive name for the long, thin eyot in the River Anduin, whose sharp northern end broke the waters of the Great River into two thin streams for a distance of some ten miles. Cair Andros was located in the middle of the river about 30 miles north of Osgiliath. There were woods on Cair Andros. The island was long and narrow and was shaped like a ship. The northern end was like a high prow and the waters of the Anduin broke with white foam on the sharp rocks. Cair Andros was fortified during the time of the Steward Turin II (2882-2914) in order to prevent Enemy forces from crossing the river there. The defenses of Cair Andros were maintained when the War of the Ring began, and horses were kept on the western side for the use of the Rangers of Ithilien. Cair Andros-ANDROS. –CAIRROS. –MEN FALROS. -SHIP OF LONG-FOAM. Ship of Long-foam–TOL VARAD.

CALEMBEL. The element calen means "green." The element ambal means "shaped stone, flagstone." Town in Gondor. Calembel was located in Lamedon near the River Ciril. The road from Erech to Pelargir crossed the Ciril near Calembel. During the War of the Ring, many of the men of Calembel left home to fight the Enemy forces. On March 9, 3019 of the Third Age, the remaining townspeople fled into the hills when they heard that the Dead were approaching. Aragorn arrived in Calembel leading the Grey Company and the Dead and they found the town deserted. Calembel

CALENHAD. Beacon 6.AMON DÎN, EILENACH, NARDOL, ERELAS, MIN-RIMMON, CALENHAD, HALIFIRIEN. See BEACONS OF GONDOR

Calenhad

CALENHIR. Calenhir was a river in Gondor. It flowed into Morthond. Its name seems to mean "Green River" in Sindarin (from calen "green" and sir "river").

CAUSEWAY. Causeway (Gondor)Road from Osgiliath to the Rammas Echor. The Causeway was a raised, walled road running southwestward from Osgiliath across the river flats along the Anduin. The Causeway led to to the Rammas Echor's northeastern gate which was raised on a bank. On either side of the gate stood the Causeway Forts. Inside the Rammas Echor, a road continued for about 12 miles across the Pelennor Fields to Minas Tirith. During the War of the Ring at the end of the Third Age, Faramir and his men retreated to the Causeway Forts after they were unable to prevent the Witch-king's forces from crossing the Anduin. The Causeway Forts were destroyed on March 13, 3019, and Minas Tirith was besieged. A causeway is a raised road, usually over wet ground. There was also a Causeway in the Shire. The Causeway Walled road in Gondor. Leading from Osgiliath to Minas Tirith.The roadway between the Osgiliath and the PelennorCAUSEWAY. See SHIRE

CAUSEWAY FORTS. Also called the Guard-towers. Two guard-towers on the Rammas Echor. The Causeway Forts flanked the main gate on the northeastern side of the wall that encircled the Pelennor Fields. The gate was about 12 miles from Minas Tirith and it faced Osgiliath on the Anduin. A walled Causeway led to the gate from Osgiliath. The Causeway Forts were towers with battlements. On March 11, 3019 of the Third Age, Faramir led a force to defend the river crossing at Osgiliath from an approaching army led by the Witch-king of Angmar. Faramir's men were outnumbered ten to one. The enemy forces crossed the Anduin on March 12 and Faramir retreated to the Causeway Forts but could not hold them. On March 13, the Causeway Forts were wrecked and many of Faramir's men were killed. Faramir himself was gravely injured in the retreat across the Pelennor Fields. The Witch-king's forces breached the Rammas Echor and besieged Minas Tirith. -GUARD TOWERS.

CELOS. Also spelled (and pronounced) Kelos. The Sindarin name Celos is dervied from the Quenya Kelussë meaning "freshet, water falling out swiftly from a rocky spring." River in Lebennin in Gondor. The Celos was a tributary of the Sirith. The river began in the White Mountains and flowed southward, joining the Sirith from the west. The Sirith in turn flowed into the Anduin. On one map of Gondor included with an early edition of Unfinished Tales the Celos is mistakenly shown as flowing into the Sirith from the east rather than the west. Celos RIVERS OF LEBENNIN. CELOS, ERUI, GILRAIN, SERNI, SIRITH.-KELOS. Kelos-KELUSSE.

CIRIL. Also spelled (and pronounced) Kiril. The name Ciril is derived from kir meaning "cut." River in Lamedon in Gondor. The Ciril was a tributary of the Ringlo. It began in the White Mountains near Tarlang's Neck and flowed at first through a deep rocky channel. The Ciril then flowed southward to join the Ringlo. The Ringlo in turn joined the Blackroot, which flowed into the Bay of Belfalas. The town of Calembel was located on the eastern side of the Ciril. The road between Pelargir and Erech crossed the Ciril near Calembel. Aragorn and the Grey Company crossed the Ciril on March 9, 3019 of the Third Age, on their way to Pelargir. Ciril SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO. Lamedon (Gondor).

-KIRIL. . Kiril

COBAS HAVEN. The word Cobas means "haven, harbor, bay" from the Quenya kópa or its variant form hópa (Sindarin = hobas). Inlet on the Bay of Belfalas. Cobas Haven was located on the northern shore of the Bay. The Blackroot River flowed into Cobas Haven. The region of Anfalas was north of Cobas Haven and the region of Belfalas was to the east. The city of Dol Amroth in Belfalas was on a promontory that enclosed the south side of Cobas Haven. Fisherfolk originally lived around Cobas Haven, but they relocated to the White Mountains after Elves established the haven of Edhellond near the mouth of the Blackroot. Elves lived at Edhellond during the Second Age and the first half of the Third Age, and Elven-ships set sail from there to the Undying Lands. The last Elves departed from Edhellond in 1981 of the Third Age. Cobas Haven

CORMALLEN. See FIELD OF CORMALLEN

CROSS-ROADS.Cross-roadsThe road-meeting in central Ithilien.

DAGORLAD. The name Dagorlad means "Battle Plain" in Sindarin from dagor meaning "battle" and lad meaning "plain." Region in Gondor. See BATTLE PLAIN, DAGRAS.Battle Plain outside Mordor. Dagorlad was a vast, barren expanse of stony terrain in the desolate Noman-lands north of the Black Gate. A strip of wasteland called the Desolation of the Morannon stretched between Dagorlad and the Black Gate. The Dead Marshes and the sheer cliffs of the Emyn Muil were west of Dagorlad. The Brown Lands were to the north. To the northeast were the open plains of Wilderland that bordered on Rhun. A road ran northward from the Black Gate across Dagorlad, possibly to Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Other highways also crossed the plain, used by Orcs and Men in the service of Sauron. At the start of the War of the Last Alliance in 3434 of the Second Age, a great battle was fought on the plain between Sauron's forces and the Elves and Men of the Last Alliance. The plain was afterwards called Dagorlad, the Battle Plain. Sauron's forces were defeated in the Battle of Dagorlad, but the war continued for seven more years with the Siege of Barad-dur until Sauron was vanquished by Gil-galad and Elendil and the One Ring was taken from him by Isildur. Many Elves, Men and Orcs died during the Battle of Dagorlad and their bodies were buried on the plain. Over time, the marshes west of Dagorlad encroached on the plain and covered some of the graves. It was said that the bodies could still be seen centuries later in the waters of the marshes, which became known as the Dead Marshes. In the Third Age, the Wainriders from Rhun launched a series of attacks on Gondor. In 1856, the Battle of the Plains was fought on the open lands northeast of Dagorlad. Gondor's army was defeated and they retreated across Dagorlad to Ithilien. In 1899, King Calimehtar of Gondor defeated the Wainriders in a battle fought on Dagorlad. When the Wainriders attacked again in 1944, King Ondoher intended to meet them on Dagorlad but instead his army was surprised by the enemy as they approached the Black Gate from Ithilien. Ondoher and the Northern Army of Gondor were defeated, but Earnil and the Southern Army later routed the Wainriders in the Battle of the Camp in Ithilien. During the War of the Ring in 3019, the Battle of the Morannon was fought on the Desolation of the Morannon between Dagorlad and the Black Gate. North of Ered Lithui the Ash Mountains which form the northern border of Mordor, was a wide open plain called Dagorlad meaning battle-plain. It was the site of the Battle of Dagorlad where the Last Alliance of Eldar and Men fought with the armies of Sauron. The Dagorlad. The Battle-plain. The Dagorlad was in front of the Black Gate and bordered on at least one side by the Dead Marshes, which had been creeping over the edges. At least two battles have been fought on the Dagorlad, before the War of the Ring: that of the Last Alliance in the year 3434 of the Second Age, and at least one battle with the Wainriders.

DagorladSee also BATTLES

DEAD MARSHES. Region in Gondor. Marshes near Mordor. The Dead Marshes is a stretch of marshes just southeast of the Emyn Muil, in which one was once able to see dead faces. The Dead Marshes were a vast network of pools, mires, and waterways east of the Emyn Muil. The wetlands were fed by many small rivers that ran down from the hills. Reeds and grasses grew in the marshes and there were snakes and worms and creatures in the water, but no birds. The air was thick with mists and vapors and the Dead Marshes gave off a terrible stench. The Dead Marshes were located between the marshland called the Wetwang and the plain of Dagorlad where a great battle was fought during the War of the Last Alliance in 3434 of the Second Age. The marshland gradually expanded over the years and covered the graves of the Elves, Men, and Orcs who died in that battle. The area became known as the Dead Marshes because the faces of the dead could still be seen in the wide pools in the middle of the marshes. How this was possible three millennia later is not known, but Frodo guessed it to be a trick of Sauron's foul arts. In the heavy mists around the Mere of Dead Faces there were flickering lights that were said to be the candles of corpses. Gollum explored the Dead Marshes as he skulked around Mordor, and on February 1, 3018 of the Third Age, he was captured there by Aragorn. A year later on March 1, 3019, Gollum led Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee into the Dead Marshes, proposing to take them across by a secret path he had found. In this way they avoided crossing Dagorlad where they would most likely have been seen and captured. Frodo was drawn to the dead faces in the water and had to be called away by Sam. During the night, a Winged Nazgul passed overhead. Gollum was terrified and from that moment on Sam sensed a change for the worse in their guide. They emerged from the Dead Marshes on the morning of March 2.

Dead Marshes -DEAD MARSH.See MERE OF THE DEAD FACES.

DOR-EN-ERNIL. “Land of the Prince”. Region in Gondor. A coastland region of southern Gondor. Its name is Elvish for 'Land of the Prince', a reference to the Princes of Dol Amroth (or their forerunners, the Princes of Belfalas). Its boundaries are not entirely clear, but it appears to be another name for Belfalas, the wide cape that ran from coast to coast between the mouths of the Ringló and the Gilrain.Dor-en-Ernil=BELFALAS

DOL AMROTH. The name Dol Amroth means "Hill of Amroth," referring to the high promontory on which the city was built and to the legend of the Elf-lord Amroth who was lost off the coast in the Bay of Belfalas.

Capital of Belfalas (Gondor). Chief city and port in the fiefdom of Belfalas in southern Gondor. Dol Amroth was located on the coast of the Bay of Belfalas on a high promontory overlooking the inlet called Cobas Haven. The Blackroot River flowed into the inlet north of Dol Amroth, and the Elf-haven of Edhellond was located near the mouth of the river. Sea-walls protected Dol Amroth from the waves in the windy bay, and within the city were the tall Sea-ward Tower - Tirith Aear - and the castle of the Princes of Dol Amroth, who ruled Belfalas. The emblem of Dol Amroth was a silver swan-prowed ship on a blue background, representing the maritime tradition of the city. Dol Amroth was also noted for having the most skilled harpists in the land; they were invited to play at the coronation of Aragorn, King Elessar. Many of the people of Dol Amroth were of Numenorean descent; they were tall with dark hair and grey eyes and could speak Elvish. There are two different accounts of the origin of Dol Amroth. According to one story, the first Prince of Dol Amroth was one of the Faithful who left Numenor before it was destroyed and settled in Belfalas. It was said that Elendil granted him the title of Prince after Gondor was founded in 3320 of the Second Age. According to another story, the first Lord of Dol Amroth was Galador, who lived from 2004 to 2129 of the Third Age. He was the son of a Man of Numenorean descent named Imrazor and an Elf-maiden named Mithrellas - one of the companions of Nimrodel of Lothlorien who became lost while travelling to the Elf-haven of Edhellond. Nimrodel's lover Amroth drowned in the Bay of Belfalas trying to return to shore to find her. This version accounts for both the name of the city and the belief that the Princes of Dol Amroth had Elvish blood. The Princes of Dol Amroth ruled Belfalas independently for the most part, but they maintained allegiance to Gondor. As a coastal city, Dol Amroth was on guard against the threat of the Corsairs. The 15th Prince of Dol Amroth was slain by the Corsairs of Umbar in 2746. His successor also died in battle in unknown circumstances in 2799. Two women of Dol Amroth made important marriages to leaders of great realms in Middle-earth. Finduilas was the wife of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, and the mother of Boromir and Faramir. Lothiriel married King Eomer of Rohan and from them were descended the Third Line of Kings. During the War of the Ring, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth led a company of his Knights along with 700 men-at-arms to the defense of Minas Tirith. They rode to the aid of Faramir during the siege and fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, 3019. After the battle, Prince Imrahil was given temporary command of Minas Tirith by Aragorn, and the banner of Dol Amroth flew for a time from the Tower of Ecthelion. At the Battle of the Morannon on March 25, the Knights of Dol Amroth fought on the front line. When Gondor had a King once more, the Princes of Dol Amroth were among the King's chief commanders and counsellors, and the city of Dol Amroth continued to flourish into the Fourth Age. Chief city and port in the fiefdom of Belfalas in southern Gondor. Dol Amroth was located on the coast of the Bay of Belfalas on a high promontory overlooking the inlet called Cobas Haven. Coastal port of Gondor, the city was located on the coasts of Belfalas and ruled by the Princes of Dol Amroth. It was Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth who came with a company of his men to aid the defence of Minas Tirith during the Battle of Pelennor Fields.-BARAD AMROTH. -CASTLE AMROTH.Dol Amroth

DRUADAN FOREST. Region. See WOSES

DURTHANG. Town. See MORDOR

EDHELLOND. Edhellond means "elf haven" from edhel meaning "elf" and lond meaning "haven." Elf haven and settlement on the Bay of Belfalas. Edhellond was located on the Blackroot River near the point where it was joined by the Ringlo. The Blackroot then emptied into Cobas Haven, a small inlet on the Bay of Belfalas. Edhellond was about 50 miles north of Dol Amroth, also located on Cobas Haven. Edhellond was in the land of Gondor, but it was under the control of Eldar. The site where Edhellond was founded was originally inhabited by fisher-folk, but they fled to the White Mountains when the Elves arrived. The Elf haven was established by Sindarin Elves. There are differing accounts of when the Elves arrived. They may have come in three ships from Beleriand after the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest were destroyed by Morgoth's forces in the year 473 of the First Age. Or the Elves

may have come at the beginning of the Second Age from the Grey Havens, where they had learned the craft of shipbuilding before seeking a place of their own. The Sindarin Elves were soon joined by some Silvan Elves, or Wood-elves. These Wood-elves came down the Anduin from the forests on either side of the Great River called Greenwood and Lothlorien. They left their forest homes because they longed for the Sea. From Edhellond, Elves could sail to the Undying Lands. Some Elves departed from Edhellond after Eregion was destroyed by Sauron in 1697 of the Second Age. According to one story, Galadriel came to live for a time on the coast of the Bay of Belfalas because she was filled with Sea-longing, but she remained in Middle-earth. Over time, the population of Edhellond diminished as many of the Elves who lived there departed across the Sea. But some remained, building ships and offering passage to those who had become weary of Middle-earth. In 1981 of the Third Age, King Amroth of Lothlorien came to Edhellond. He had promised to take his lover Nimrodel to the Undying Lands, but he had become separated from her on the journey south. When Amroth arrived, the few remaining Elves of Edhellond - less than a shipload - were preparing their last ship to depart from Middle-earth. Though they were reluctant to delay, the Elves of Edhellond agreed to wait a few weeks for Nimrodel, but she did not come. In the autumn, a great storm came out of the north and swept the ship out into the Bay of Belfalas. Amroth leaped overboard in an attempt to return to land, and he was drowned. But the ship survived and continued its voyage across the Sea, and with it went the last of the Elves of Edhellond.

Edhellond -AMROTH'S HAVEN. Elf-havensCobas Haven was an inlet that opened onto the Bay of Belfalas between Anfalas to the north and the promontory of Dol Amroth to the south. The river Morthond (with the gathered waters of the Ciril and the Ringló) emptied into Cobas Haven from the northeast.[1] The haven of Edhellond, southwest of the confluence of the Morthond and Ringló, had been established by Sindarin Elves who had fled Beleriand in the First Age. In the Second Age the Númenóreans found the shores of the Bay of Belfalas uninhabited except for the small settlement of Elves still living in this haven.[2] The last of these Elves departed in T.A. 1981.[3] In order to reach the open ocean, all of the departing Elves would have had to traverse the waters of Cobas Haven.

EILENACH. Beacon 2. In Druadan Forest. AMON DÎN, EILENACH, NARDOL, ERELAS, MIN-RIMMON, CALENHAD, HALIFIRIEN. See BEACONS OF GONDOREilenach EILENAER = EILENACH. Eilenaer

EMYN ARNEN. Emyn Arnen means "hills beside the waters," referring to their location on the Anduin. The word emyn is Sindarin for "hills." The word arnen is Quenya, composed of ar meaning "outside, beside" and nen meaning "waters." Arnen was an old name for a large part of Ithilien and the hills were later named "the hills of Arnen."

Hills in Ithilien. The Emyn Arnen were located south of Osgiliath. The Anduin flowed in a wide curve around the western side of the hills. From the Emyn Arnen one could see across the Anduin to Minas Tirith. In the 1600s of the Third Age, Hurin of Emyn Arnen was the Steward of King Minardil of Gondor, as well as his successors King Telemnar and King Tarondor. Hurin was a Man of Numenorean blood and all the Stewards of Gondor after him were his descendants. Faramir, the Steward of Gondor after the War of the Ring, was made Prince of Ithilien and Lord of Emyn Arnen by Aragorn, King Elessar, in 3019. He made his home in Emyn Arnen with his wife Eowyn and their son Elboron. A white house was built for them there and the gardens, designed by Legolas, were renowned. Beregond became the Captain of Faramir's Guard, the White Company, and he went to dwell in Emyn Arnen as well.

Southeastward across the Anduin from Minas Tirith and the Pelennor Fields.Emyn means 'Hills'; Arnen is an old placename.The central uplands of Ithilien.A range of hills in the central regions of Ithilien, across the Great River from Minas Tirith. This region was particularly associated with the Stewards of Gondor. Húrin, the first of the hereditary Stewards, came from these hills, and Steward Faramir dwelt here after the War of the Ring.This is the standard Gondorian pronunciation (that is, the pronunciation that would have been used by the people who actually lived among the Emyn Arnen). Outside Gondor, the name would have been pronounced more like e'moon a'rnen.The origins of the name Arnen are not completely clear; taken as Elvish, it can be translated as 'by the river', which makes sense given the location of these hills, but the fact that the name is not in the plural suggests that it did not originate with the hills themselves. It is said that older records in Gondor recorded Arnen as an ancient name for a large part of the land later called Ithilien, and in this sense the name Emyn Arnen could be approximately translated as 'Hills of Ithilien'.

EMYN MUIL. (S). "Drear Hills." Emyn Muil is translated as "Drear Hills." The word emyn means "hills." The word muil means "twilight, shadow, vagueness." Rugged hills along the Anduin. The Emyn Muil were located on both sides of the river around Nen Hithoel north of the Falls of Rauros. The landscape was bleak and the terrain was difficult and treacherous. On the west side of the river, the Emyn Muil formed two long ridges that ran north to south. The western sides of the ridges were steep, while the eastern sides sloped more gently but were intercut with ravines and gullies. There was a deep, winding valley between the two ridges with a stream running through it. The ridge nearest the Anduin was the taller of the two. The other ridge descended about 20 fathoms to a wide shelf which ended in a sheer cliff that was the western edge of the Emyn Muil. This cliff was called the East Wall of Rohan because it formed part of the eastern border of that country. On the east side of the river, the hills of the Emyn Muil extended farther and were more irregular. The terrain was like a labyrinth of twisted rock through which there was no straight passage. The southeastern

face of the Emyn Muil was a high, sheer cliff overlooking the plains below. The cliff was lower at its northern end, but it was still about 18 fathoms (108 feet) high. At the foot of the cliff was a gulley that ran north to south. In this gulley was one of the many small rivers that flowed down from the Emyn Muil into the marshlands below. Ancient landmarks of Gondor in the Emyn Muil included the Seat of Seeing on Amon Hen on the western shore of Nen Hithoel and the Seat of Hearing on Amon Lhaw on the eastern side. The North Stair was carved into the cliff beside the Falls of Rauros. The Argonath were erected at the northern end of the Emyn Muil on either side of the Anduin to mark the northern boundary of Gondor by Romendacil II probably around the year 1248 of the Third Age. In the years leading up to the War of the Ring, Orc raiding parties descended from the Emyn Muil into Rohan to steal horses. In 3002, Eomund, the father of Eomer and Eowyn, was killed by one such group of raiders when he pursued them into the Emyn Muil and was ambushed. On February 26, 3019, a band of Uruk-hai captured the Hobbits Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took and carried them through the western Emyn Muil toward Isengard. In the valley between the two ridges, an argument among the Orcs about what to do with the prisoners led to the deaths of five of the Northern Orcs. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli found the bodies as they pursued the Hobbits and their captors through the Emyn Muil. The Three Hunters reached the East Wall at dawn on February 27 and descended onto the plains of Rohan. Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee had a more difficult journey through the eastern Emyn Muil. They wandered through the twisted knot of hills for four days seeking a way down until February 29, when they came to the point where the cliff was lower. The Hobbits descended the cliff with the help of the Elven rope that Sam had obtained in Lothlorien. They then came to the river gulley but were unable to cross it. That night they saw Gollum climbing down the cliff. Sam tried to seize the creature, but Gollum caught him in a strangle-hold. Frodo threatened Gollum with Sting, but in the end he took pity on Gollum and spared his life. After attempting to escape again, Gollum swore to serve Frodo as the Master of the One Ring. He led the Hobbits into the river gulley and out of the Emyn Muil. The Emyn Muil is a rocky, hilly region nearby the falls of Rauros. Emyn Muil -LADDER, THE.

ENTWASH. Anduin's tributary. See ROHAN SEVEN RIVERS OF GONDOR. ENTWASH, ERUI, GLADDEN, LIMLIGHT, POROS, SILVERLODE, SIRITH.

ERECH = HILL OF ERECH.

ERELAS. Beacon 4.AMON DÎN, EILENACH, NARDOL, ERELAS, MIN-RIMMON, CALENHAD, HALIFIRIEN. See BEACONS OF GONDORErelas

ERUI. The name Erui is composed of er meaning "one, single, alone" and ui which is a common adjectival ending in Sindarin. It was apparently so named because it had no tributaries. River in Gondor. The Erui began in the White Mountains. It flowed southeastward through Lossarnach and Lebennin to the Anduin. The road from Minas Tirith to Pelargir passed over the river at the Crossings of Erui. The Erui was a short but swift river. In 1447 of the Third Age, the Battle of the Crossings of Erui was fought between the forces of Eldacar - the rightful King of Gondor - and Castamir- the rebel who had usurped his throne. Many were killed in the battle including Castamir, and Eldacar reclaimed his throne. Tributary of Anduin. Erui -SERNUI.-SEVEN RIVERS OF GONDOR. ENTWASH, ERUI, GLADDEN, LIMLIGHT, POROS, SILVERLODE, SIRITH.-RIVERS OF LEBENNIN. CELOS, ERUI, GILRAIN, SERNI, SIRITH.

ETHRING. Ford and/or Town. River Ringló. On the road from Erech to Pelargir.Town in the fiefdom of Lamedon in Gondor. Ethring was located south of the White Mountains at the crossings of the River Ringlo, where the river emerged from the Ringlo Vale. The main road in southern Gondor passed through Ethring on the way from Pelargir to Erech. The name Ethring seems to refer to the town's position at the crossings of the Ringlo. The word ath means "across." The word athrad means "ford, crossing"; the plural is ethraid. The word ring means "cold" as in Ringlo, meaning "cold flood." Ethring

FIELD OF CELEBRANT. The Field of Celebrant was called Parth Celebrant in Sindarin. Parth means "field, enclosed grassland." Celebrant was the name of the river north of the field; the Common Speech name of this river was the Silverlode. In Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings, it says "The realm [of Gondor] then extended north to Celebrant ..." (p. 325). Tolkien later wrote that this was a typographical error and that it should read, "The realm [of Gondor] then extended north to the Field of Celebrant ..." Field where the ancestors of the Rohirrim first came to the aid of Gondor against Sauron's forces. The Field of Celebrant was located on the western side of the Anduin, north of the River Limlight. It was called Parth Celebrant in Sindarin. The name Parth Celebrant referred to the entire open field between the southern border of Lothlorien and the Limlight, bounded on the west by the Misty Mountains and on the east by the Anduin. This area was considered a part of Lothlorien, though no Elves lived there. The woods of Lothlorien had originally extended further south, but they receded over time. In Gondor the name Parth Celebrant - or Field of Celebrant - was used to refer only to the southeastern corner of the field between the lower Limlight and the Anduin. This area formed part of Gondor's northern border at the height of the realm during the reign of King Hyarmendacil I from 1015 to 1149 of the Third Age. South of the Limlight was the region of Gondor called Calenardhon. The Field of Celebrant was of strategic importance because the Anduin at this point - in the great bends called the Undeeps - was relatively shallow and easy to cross. A bridge was built over the Limlight and defenses were periodically maintained by Gondor in the Field of Celebrant. Over time, however, the northern defenses diminished and Gondor's attention was diverted elsewhere. In 2510, it became apparent to Cirion, the Steward of Gondor, that an invasion was imminent over the vulnerable Undeeps by Men from Rhun called the Balchoth, who were under the power of Sauron. Cirion sent messengers to request help from the Eotheod, who lived in the far north near the source of the Anduin. Cirion himself led an army to defend the Undeeps. The Balchoth crossed the Undeeps on rafts south of the Limlight into Calenardhon and forced Cirion and the Northern Army to retreat northward across the Limlight into the Field of Celebrant. Then a host of Orcs came down from the Misty Mountains and drove the Men of Gondor toward the Anduin. Defeat seemed certain, but then, on the morning of April 15, the Eotheod led by Eorl the Young arrived. The Balchoth and the Orcs were defeated in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. In gratitude, Cirion gave the Eotheod the land of Calenardhon south of the Limlight, and it became known as Rohan. With this strong ally on its northern border, Gondor no longer maintained defenses in the Field of Celebrant. Field of Celebrant -PARTH CELEBRANT.Parth Celebrant

FIELD OF CORMALLEN. Cormallen means "golden circle" from cor meaning "round, circular enclosure" and mallen meaning "of gold." The name Cormallen is also said to be derived from the culumalda trees that grew there; the element cul means "golden-red." Region in Ithilien (Gondor). Field in Ithilien where the victory celebrations were held after the defeat of Sauron. The Field of Cormallen was a wide green field on the east bank of the Anduin near Cair Andros. Henneth Annun was nearby and the stream that flowed from its waterfall passed the Field of Cormallen. A long green lawn bordered by trees with dark leaves and scarlet blossoms led from the Field of Cormallen to a grove of beech trees. Around the field grew golden-red culumalda trees.

Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee awoke in the beech grove on April 8, 3019 of the Third Age, two weeks after the destruction of the Ring. Gandalf was at their bedside, and the Hobbits were brought out onto the Field of Cormallen where the Host of the West awaited them. Trumpets sounded and the men raised their swords and spears and cried, "Long live the Halflings! Praise them with great praise!" (RotK, p. 231) In the field were three thrones of green turf with the banners of Rohan, Dol Amroth, and Gondor. On the center throne sat their old friend Aragorn, who knelt before Frodo and Sam and sat them on his throne while a minstrel sang of Frodo of the Nine Fingers and the Ring of Doom. The celebrations at the Field of Cormallen continued and Frodo and Sam were reunited with the rest of the Fellowship. They remained at the camp near the Field of Cormallen until the end of April, when they went to Minas Tirith for Aragorn's coronation on May 1. Field of Cormallen

FIELDS OF PELENNOR = PELENNOR. fields of the pelennor.

FORBIDDEN POOL. In Ithilien.Pool in Ithlien. The Forbidden Pool was located below the hidden refuge of Henneth Annun. It was a deep, oval-shaped basin with rocks as sharp as knives on the bottom. The waterfall of Henneth Annuth flowed down the cliff on the eastern side and filled the pool. Water flowed out of the Forbidden Pool through a narrow opening in the rocks and formed a stream that flowed past the Field of Cormallen. On March 8, 3019 of the Third Age, Gollum found the Forbidden Pool and dived into the water to catch fish. He was spotted by Anborn, a Ranger of Ithilien under Faramir's command. Faramir brought Frodo Baggins to a ledge overlooking the Forbidden Pool and asked whether he should have Gollum shot for trespassing in the pool of the Rangers' secret refuge. Frodo asked Faramir to spare Gollum's life and he went down to the edge of the pool and called to Gollum. When Gollum came, Anborn seized him and Gollum felt betrayed by Frodo. Faramir told Gollum that looking on the Forbidden Pool bore the penalty of death, but at Frodo's request he released Gollum into Frodo's care.

FORDS OF ANDUIN.Fords of Anduin

FORDS OF ERUI. -CROSSINGS OF ERUI. Crossings of Erui

FORDS OF POROS.

Fords of Poros-CROSSINGS OF POROS. Crossing of Poros

GILRAIN. The element gil means "star, shine." The element rain is derived from ran meaning "wander, stray, go on uncertain course" in reference to the meandering portion of the Gilrain where Nimrodel wandered. River in southern Gondor. The Gilrain began in the White Mountains and flowed south through Lebennin. The river came swiftly down from the mountains, but once past the outlier separating it from the River Celos to the east, the Gilrain's course wandered in a wide, shallow depression and then formed a small mere. The Gilrain then cut through a ridge, forming a series of waterfalls. The river flowed swiftly once more until it joined the River Serni, which then emptied into the Bay of Belfalas.* The town of Linhir was located near the juncture of the Gilrain and the Serni. Legend told that when the Elf-maiden Nimrodel became separated from her lover Amroth on their journey to the Elf-haven on the Bay of Belfalas, she came upon the Gilrain and her heart was lightened because it reminded her of the stream by which she dwelled in Lorien. She sat by the mere and fell into a long deep sleep. Amroth's ship was swept to Sea by a storm and he jumped overboard and drowned trying to return to find Nimrodel. On March 11, 3019 of the Third Age, Lord Angbor of Lamedon and his Men fought at the fords on the Gilrain near Linhir against the Men of Umbar and Harad who had sailed up the river. Aragorn and the Grey Company arrived leading the Dead and Men on both sides of the battle fled, but Angbor was brave enough to remain. Aragorn and the Grey Company crossed the Gilrain driving their enemies before them and continued on to Pelargir. There is some question about whether it was the Gilrain or the Serni that flowed into the Bay of Belfalas after they merged. Legolas described Linhir as being "above the mouth of the Gilrain" (RotK, p. 151), which would seem to indicate that the mouth of the Gilrain was on the Bay of Belfalas. But the map and other sources such as Unfinished Tales (p. 463-64) show that the Gilrain flowed into the Serni, and the Serni in turn flowed into the Bay. Gilrain SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.RIVERS OF LEBENNIN. CELOS, ERUI, GILRAIN, SERNI, SIRITH.River of Lebennin (1).

GLADDEN RIVER. See WILDERLANDGLADDEN FIELDS. Region. See WILDERLAND

GREEN HILLS SHIRE. See SHIREGREEN HILLS GONDOR. The Green Hills were called Pinnath Gelin in Sindarin. The word pinnath means "ridges" derived from penn meaning "slope, declivity" and ath, a collective plural. The word gelin is a lenited form of celin which is the plural of calen meaning "green." Green Hills (Pinnath Gelin)Hills in southwestern Gondor. The Green Hills were located just north of the coastal region of Anfalas. The range of hills stretched about 175 miles from west to east.

At the time of the War of the Ring, the people of the Green Hills were ruled by Hirluin. Hirluin led a company of 300 men to help defend Minas Tirith, arriving in the City on March 9, 3019 of the Third Age. On March 15, they fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Hirluin was killed in the battle. Green Hills of Gondor -GREEN RAVINES. -PINATH GELIN. Pinnath Gelin

HALIFIRIEN. Beacon 7. See ROHANAMON DÎN, EILENACH, NARDOL, ERELAS, MIN-RIMMON, CALENHAD, HALIFIRIEN. See BEACONS OF GONDOR

HARAD ROAD. Also called the Southward Road and the North Road. Road from Harad through Ithilien to the Black Gate of Mordor. The Harad Road began in the far south of Middle-earth. It passed over the River Harnen into South Gondor and then over the Crossing of Poros into Ithilien. The road ran alongside the Mountains of Shadow on the border of Mordor. The Harad Road intersected with a road that ran eastward from Osgiliath. A circle of ancient trees surrounded the Cross-roads and there was a statue of a King seated on a throne. The road from Osgiliath led to the stronghold of Gondor called Minas Ithil which was captured by the Nazgûl in 2002 and became Minas Morgul. The Osgiliath Road was afterwards known as the Morgul-road. Orcs defiled the statue of the King and replaced its head with a stone bearing the Red Eye of Sauron. Past the Cross-roads of the Fallen King, the Harad Road continued northward through Ithilien for about 100 miles to the Black Gate. The road was straight and level. It passed over streams by way of arched stone bridges. At one point the road passed through a ravine with steep sides. As it came to the end of the Mountains of Shadow, the road curved sharply around Narchost - the westernmost of the Towers of the Teeth - to the entrance of Mordor. Two other roads converged with the Harad Road at the Black Gate. One ran eastward alongside the Ash Mountains for about 50 miles. The other ran northward across Dagorlad. The Harad Road was built in the early days of Gondor. Ithilien, which the road traversed, was an important region of Gondor. For a time, Gondor held the territory known as South Gondor between Ithilien and the Harnen but this region was later contested with the Haradrim. The road gradually fell into disuse and became overgrown in places. At the end of the Third Age, Sauron's minions repaired the 30-mile section of road closest to the Black Gate. Sauron used the Harad Road to bring armies to Mordor from the south. On March 7, 3019, Faramir and the Rangers of Ithilien ambushed an army of Haradrim at the point where the Harad Road passed through the steep-sided ravine. Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee passed along the road through the ravine earlier that day. For the rest of their journey through Ithilien, the Hobbits kept west of the Harad Road until they came to the Cross-roads and followed the Morgul-road to the Morgul Vale. The Host of the West set out north on the Harad Road on March 18. At the Black Gate on March 25, they fought Sauron's forces in the Battle of the Morannon. Harad Road -NORTH ROAD-SOUTHWARD ROAD. Southward Road

HARLOND. The name Harlond means "South Haven" from har meaning "south" and lond meaning "haven." There was also an inlet on the Gulf of Lune named Harlond. The port of Minas Tirith.Docks on the Anduin at Minas Tirith. The Harlond was about 3 miles southeast of the City, just below the outer wall called the Rammas Echor that encircled the Pelennor Fields. The hills of Emyn Arnen in Ithilien were across the river from the Harlond. The quays and landings of the Harlond were used by boats that came upriver to Minas Tirith from the southern provinces of Gondor. The Harlond was also a base for the King's Ships. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, 3019 of the Third Age, Aragorn brought reinforcements to the Harlond on ships captured from the Corsairs. Harlond in Gondor HARLOND and FORLOND. Towns. Havens. See BELERIAND

HARNEN. The name Harnen means "south water" from harad meaning "south" and nen meaning "water." River on the border between Harad and South Gondor. The Harnen began in the Mountains of Shadow on the southern border of Mordor. It first flowed south and then curved west and emptied into the Bay of Belfalas. The Harad Road crossed the Harnen at about the midpoint of its course. The River Harnen was the southern border of Gondor at the height of its power under King Hyarmendacil I, who crossed the Harnen in 1050 of the Third Age and defeated the Men of Harad. Harnen

HARONDOR. South Gondor was called Harondor in Sindarin. The word har means "south." South Gondor Contested region between Gondor and Harad. South Gondor was located on the east coast of the Bay of Belfalas. It was bordered on the north by the Mouths of the Anduin and the River Poros. The region of Gondor called Ithilien was north of the Poros. To the east were the Mountains of Shadow on the border of Mordor. The River Harnen was on South Gondor's eastern and southern border, beyond which was the land of Harad. The Harad Road passed through South Gondor. Gondor apparently gained control of South Gondor in the time of the Ship-kings. Tarannon Falastur expanded Gondor's territory along the coasts of the Bay of Belfalas prior to becoming the first Ship-king in 830 of the Third Age. During the reign of the last Ship-king, Hyarmendacil I (1015-1149), Gondor included South Gondor with the Harnen as its southern border. Gondor also held the Havens of Umbar which was farther south along the coast in Harad. In 1448, Umbar was captured by rebels of Gondor who had been defeated in the civil war of the Kin-strife. The rebels became known as the Corsairs and they intermingled with the Haradrim. South Gondor was no longer under Gondor's control but was instead disputed with the Corsairs and became deserted. In 1944, the Haradrim came through South Gondor and invaded Ithilien as part of a joint attack with the Wainriders of Rhun. The Haradrim were defeated by Earnil and the Southern Army of Gondor. Earnil then defeated the Wainriders in the Battle of the Camp. In 2885, South Gondor was occupied by the Haradrim and there was fighting along the Poros. The Haradrim tried to invade Ithilien, but they were defeated at the Crossings of Poros by the Men of Gondor led by Turin II and Gondor's allies the Rohirrim. Folcred and Fastred - the sons of King Folcwine of Rohan - were killed in battle and were buried in Haudh in Gwanur near the river crossing. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn, King Elessar, made peace with the peoples of Harad though some remained enemies of Gondor. Gondor may have reestablished some form of control over South Gondor in the Fourth Age.

Harondor-SOUTH GONDOR. South Gondor

HAUDH IN GWANUR. (S). “Tomb of the Twins”.Haudh in Gwanur means "Tomb of the Twins" in Sindarin from haudh meaning "mound, grave, tomb" and gwanur (or gwanun) meaning "twins" from gwa meaning "together." Tomb of Folcred and Fastred. Folcred and Fastred were the twin sons of King Folcwine of Rohan. In 2885 of the Third Age, they led an army of Rohirrim to Ithilien to help Gondor stop an invasion by the Men of Harad. The forces of Gondor and Rohan were victorious, but Folcred and Fastred were killed in battle at the Crossings of Poros. They were buried side by side in a single mound high on the riverbank. Their tomb was called Haudh in Gwanur, the Tomb of the Twins. The enemies of Gondor were afraid to go near it. Haudh in Gwanûr

HEARING, HILL OF and SEEING, HILL OF.

HENNETH ANNUN. (S). "Window of the West". (Henneth Annûn). In Ithilien (Gondor).Henneth Annun was also called theWindow of the Sunset and the Window on the West. The waterfall was sometimes called the Window-curtain or the Curtain. The name Henneth Annûn means "window of the sunset" in Sindarin. The word henneth means "window" from the word hên meaning "eye." The word annûn means "sunset, west." Hidden refuge of the Rangers of Ithilien. Built behind a waterfall in North Ithilien by Túrin II of Gondor in 3A2901. It was manned continuously until Faramir's retread to Minas Tirith before the Siege of Gondor during the WR.Henneth AnnunRefuge behind a waterfall in Ithilien. Henneth Annun was the name for both the falls and the refuge. The Rangers of Ithilien used Henneth Annun as a base as they kept watch on Mordor. The waterfall of Henneth Annun was formed by a river that flowed westward across North Ithilien to the Anduin. The falls descended down a series of stone terraces and then dropped over a sheer cliff into the Forbidden Pool below. In the sheer cliff face behind the falls was a large cave. The walls were rough and the roof was low and uneven. At the back of the cave was a recess that could be closed off with a curtain to make a private room. The cave faced westward and the falls formed a window of water in front of it. At sunset it was an especially beautiful sight.The level shafts of the setting sun behind beat upon it, and the red light was broken into many flickering beams of ever-changing colour. It was as if they stood at the window of some elven-tower, curtained with threaded jewels of silver and gold, and ruby, sapphire and amethyst, all kindled with an unconsuming fire. The only entrance into the cave was through a narrow passage that led to a flight of stone steps. At a landing, the steps branched into two flights. One wound upward to a ledge overlooking the falls and the other led to a hidden opening on the southern bank of the river above the falls. The refuge of Henneth Annun was established in 2901 of the Third Age during the reign of Turin II, the Steward of Gondor. At that time Uruks from Mordor raided Ithilien and most of the inhabitants fled. Henneth Annun and other secret refuges were made for the use of the Rangers who remained on guard. The falls of Henneth Annun originally flowed through the roof of the cave and out the archway. Workmen blocked the opening in the cave roof and changed the course of the river so that it fell in front of the cave's archway instead, concealing it from view. Henneth Annun was the longest-manned refuge in Ithilien. During the War of the Ring, Faramir was the Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien who used Henneth Annun as their base of operations. Faramir brought Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee to Henneth Annun on March 7, 3019. At Henneth Annun, Faramir learned that Frodo bore the One Ring and he rejected the temptation to seize it for himself. During the night, Gollum was found lurking by the Forbidden Pool, and though the penalty for trespassing near the secret refuge was death, Faramir spared the creature's life at Frodo's request. The next morning on March 8, the Hobbits parted with Faramir and continued on their journey to Mordor. On March 9, Faramir left Henneth Annun to return to Minas Tirith. -CURTAIN THE. Curtain of Henneth Annûn The Window of the Sunset.-WINDOW-CURTAIN. The waterfall behind which Henneth Annûn was built. -WINDOW OF THE SUNSET. Window of the Sunset Window on the West-WINDOW ON THE WEST. Window on the West The Curtain of Henneth Annûn.

HILL OF ERECH. Hill of ErechThe hill of the Black Stone.-ERECH. Erech

HILLS OF TARNOST.The hills in Gondor lying in Belfalas between,river Gilraen in East and Dol-Amroth in West. North of the hills were the river Ringló and in the low foothills was Tarnost.See also TARNOST. IMLOTH MELUI. Imloth Melui means "sweet flower valley." The element im denotes "valley," possibly derived from am meaning "up, slope." The element loth means "flower, blossom." The word melui means "sweet, lovely" derived from mel meaning "love." Valley in Lossarnach in Gondor. Imloth Melui was known for its flowers, particularly roses. People from Minas Tirith often travelled to Lossarnach to see the flowers. The wise-woman Ioreth was reminded of the roses of Imloth Melui when she first smelled athelas in the Houses of Healing. Ioreth may have originally come from Imloth Melui. She had a kinswoman from the valley who attended the coronation of Aragorn, King Elessar. Imloth Melui

ITHILDUIN = MORGULDUIN

ITHILIEN. Region. See ITHILIEN

LAMEDON. The name Lamedon is in the language of the area's original inhabitants before the coming of the Numenoreans. The meaning is not known. Fiefdom of Gondor. Lamedon was located along the southern slopes of the White Mountains. The River Ciril and the River Ringlo flowed south through Lamedon from the mountains to the Bay of Belfalas. The town of Calembel was at the fords of the Ciril, and the town of Ethring was on the Ringlo. Lamedon was part of Gondor, but it had its own lord. At the time of the War of the Ring the Lord of Lamedon was Angbor. On March 9, 3019 of the Third Age, Aragorn led the Grey Company and the Dead east from Erech. They passed through Tarlang's Neck and entered Lamedon. Calembel was deserted, for many of the people had fled to the hills and the Men had gone to war. Some of the hillmen of Lamedon had gone to Minas Tirith, which they reached on March 9. Lord Angbor and his Men had gone to the fords of the River Gilrain near Linhir, where they fought the Men of Umbar and Harad. Aragorn reached Linhir on March 11 and told Angbor - the only Man who did not flee before the Dead - to bring his Men to Pelargir. The Men of Lamedon arrived at Pelargir on March 13. They then went to Minas Tirith, some with Aragorn on the ships seized from the Corsairs and some marching north with Lord Angbor.

See also CALEMBEL (Capital), CIRIL (River), RINGLO VALE, TARLANG'S NECK (Mountain).

LANGSTRAND. Called the Langstrand in the Common Speech.

Fiefdom of Gondor. Anfalas was located on the southern coast between the River Lefnui and the River Blackroot. Anfalas had a long shoreline on the Bay of Belfalas. The promontory of Andrast was west of Anfalas, the Pinnath Gelin - or Green Hills - were to the north, and the fiefdom of Belfalas was to the east. There were a number of small villages in Anfalas. Men of many sorts lived in Anfalas including herdsmen, hunters, and fishermen. At the time of the War of the Ring, the Lord of Anfalas was Golasgil. He led a long line of his men to the defense of Minas Tirith, and they arrived in the City on March 9, 3019 of the Third Age. Few of them were well-armed except for those of Lord Golasgil's household. Anfalas and Langstrand mean "long strand" in reference to the long coastline. The element lang is a variant of long. The Sindarin name Anfalas is composed of an(d) meaning "long" and falas meaning "beach, shore." Langstrand

Fief of Gondor. Coastal region between the mouths of the rivers Lefnui and Morthond. -ANFALAS. (S). "Long Shore". = LANGSTRAND. In Westron translated Langstrand. -LONG SHORE THE.

LANGWELL = ANDUIN. River.

LEBENNIN. Lebennin means "Five Rivers" from leben meaning "five" and nin meaning "waters." Fiefdom in southern Gondor. Lebennin was located south of the White Mountains. The Anduin flowed in a wide curve to form Lebennin's southern boundary, emptying into the Bay of Belfalas at the Mouths of the Anduin. The western boundary of Lebennin was the River Gilrain. The Gilrain was one of the five rivers of Lebennin; the others were the Serni, the Celos, the Sirith, and the Erui. The lands of Belfalas and Lamedon lay to the west of Lebennin. South Ithilien was across the Anduin to the east. To the northeast was Lossarnach in the vales of the White Mountains, and further north was the great city of Minas Tirith. Lebennin was a fair land with fields of tall green grass and flowers, including lilies, alfirin, and mallos. The town of Linhir was located at the fords near the juncture of the Gilrain and Serni. Pelargir was a major port on the Anduin near the mouth of the Sirith. A road led south from Minas Tirith through Lebennin to Pelargir and then west to Linhir and beyond. The people of Lebennin were a hardy folk. They were generally of mixed blood, descended from both the tall, fair Dunedain and the shorter, swarthier Men who had lived in the area before Gondor was founded. Fisher-folk dwelled around the Mouths of the Anduin. Lebennin was noted for its clear-voiced singers. In 1447 of the Third Age, the Battle of the Crossings of Erui was fought in Lebennin against the forces of Castamir, who had usurped the throne of Gondor. Many of the best Men of Gondor died in the battle. Eldacar, the rightful King, slew Castamir, and the rebels retreated to Pelargir before they fled to Umbar. During the War of the Ring, Lebennin was threatened by the Corsairs of Umbar. On March 7, 3019, word was sent from Lebennin to Minas Tirith warning that a great fleet was approaching the Mouths of the Anduin. Pelargir was captured and the Corsairs' fleet assembled there with the intention of sailing up the Anduin to attack Minas Tirith.

But Aragorn had learned of this threat, and on March 11 he led the Grey Company and the Dead across the fords at Linhir. They crossed Lebennin and arrived at Pelargir on March 13, where they defeated the Corsairs and captured their fleet. Aragorn then sailed to the aid of Minas Tirith, accompanied by many valiant Men of Lebennin who fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15. Lebennin -LAND OF FIVE RIVERS.-LAND OF SEVEN STREAMS. also LINHIR (Town), SONG OF LEBENNIN.

LEFNUI. The name Lefnui means "fifth." The river was so named because it was the fifth river or river system in southern Gondor after the Erui, the Sirith-Celos, the Serni-Gilrain, and the Morthond-Ciril-Ringlo. River in Gondor. The Lefnui flowed southward from the White Mountains to the Bay of Belfalas. The Lefnui was the western border of the part of Gondor that was south of the White Mountains. West of the Lefnui was Old Pukel-land where the Druedain were said to live. SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.Lefnui -FIFTH RIVER.-LHEFNEG (Fifth River).

LIMLIGHT. The meaning of the name Limlight is uncertain. It appears to be a partial translation of an original Sindarin name. The first element lim is Sindarin while the second element light is Common Speech with the meaning of "bright, clear" according to one source. (Nomenclature) The Sindarin word lim has the meaning "swift" as in "noro lim" which Tolkien translated in unpublished notes as "run swift." Thus Limlight could mean "swift light" as one source indicates. However, lim also has the meaning "clear, sparkling." (HoME XI, p. 337) In this case both elements would have essentially the same meaning with the second possibly being a translation of the first. Various sources have different wholly Sindarin forms of Limlight including Limlint, Limlaith, and Limlich. None of these names has a clear meaning. Limlint is said to mean "swift light." (UT, p. 318) The element lint means "quick, agile, nimble, light." So either lim means "light" while lint means "swift" or lim means "swift" while lint means "light" as a synonym of "agile" rather than "illumination." The element laith in Limlaith could be derived from a variety of roots including lek meaning "loose" (with laith possibly meaning "agile") or lak meaning "swift." The meaning of the element lich in Limlich is unknown. The name of the river used by the Rohirrim was Limliht which was said to be derived from the Sindarin Limlich. In Old English, liht means "light" in the sense of both "agile" and "illumination" but whether liht was a direct translation of the Sindarin lich or whether it was a homophone with an unrelated meaning is unclear. (To add to the confusion, Limliht was apparently intended to be a Sindarin word in one source.) The Limlight is also alluded to as the Limhîr, defined as "clear, sparkling river." (HoME XI, p. 337) The element hîr is from sîr meaning "river." For a more detailed discussion on the name Limlight Musings on Limlight by Helios De Rosario Martínez and Javier Lorenzo Merino. River on the northern border of Rohan. The Limlight began in the Misty Mountains and flowed eastward. It passed through the northern part of Fangorn Forest and then along the northern edge of the Wold of Rohan. North of the Limlight was the Field of Celebrant. The Limlight joined the Anduin at the North Undeep. The land of Rohan was originally a part of Gondor called Calenardhon. The Men of Gondor built a bridge over the upper part of the Limlight. Forts were built on the west bank of the Anduin south of the Limlight during the time of Romendacil II. Defenses were also maintained north of the Limlight at the point where it joined the Anduin. The Anduin was wide and shallow there and was vulnerable to an invasion from the East. In 2510 of the Third Age, a group of Men from Rhun called the Balchoth invaded Calenardhon by crossing the Anduin south of the Limlight. The Balchoth forced the Northern Army of Gondor led by Cirion to retreat northward across the Limlight into the Field of Celebrant. Defeat seemed imminent, but then the Eotheod led by Eorl the Young arrived. The Eotheod crossed into Calenardhon and over the Limlight to attack the Balchoth from the rear.

The Balchoth were defeated in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. The Eotheod drove the Balchoth back across the Limlight and hunted them down in Calenardhon. Cirion then gave the land of Calenardhon to the Eotheod and it became Rohan. SEVEN RIVERS OF GONDOR. ENTWASH, ERUI, GLADDEN, LIMLIGHT, POROS, SILVERLODE, SIRITH.River Limlight Limlight A river that flowed out of the northern parts of Fangorn Forest, and flowed eastward to join the Anduin in its building southward rush. In ancient days, it marked the northernmost point of Calendardhon, and hence of Gondor's borders, but at the time of the War of the Ring, it lay on the borders of Rohan. Men called it the Limlight, and that is the name used throughout The Lord of the Rings. -LIMLAITH. The Elves’ name for the river otherwise called the Limlight. Limlaith-LIMLICH. River Limlich-LIMLIHT. River Limliht-LIMLINT. River Limlint

LINHIR. Town. In Lebennin.Town in southern Gondor. Linhir was located near the juncture of the River Gilrain and the River Serni on the border between Belfalas and Lebennin. The town was about twenty miles upriver from the Bay of Belfalas. There was a ford and a ferry bridge over the river at Linhir, and the main road in southern Gondor passed through the town. During the War of the Ring at the end of the Third Age, Corsairs of Umbar and Men of Harad came up the Gilrain to Linhir and fought to gain control of the fords against Men from Lamedon led by Angbor. On March 11, 3019, Aragorn arrived at Linhir leading the Dead. The Corsairs and Haradrim fled in fear, as did all of the Men of Lamedon except Angbor. Aragorn told Angbor to gather his forces and follow him to Pelargir, where the Corsairs had assembled a great fleet. The element lin means both "pool" and "song." It's not clear which meaning is intended in the name Linhir. The element hir is the lenited form of sir meaning "river." Linhir Linhir was located on the River Gilrain on the border between Belfalas and Lebennin. The town was located near the juncture of the Gilrain and the Serni, about twenty miles above the point where the Gilrain emptied into the Bay of Belfalas. There was a ford over the river at Linhir and the main road in southern Gondor passed through the town. During the War of the Ring, Corsairs of Umbar and Men of Harad came up the Gilrain to Linhir and fought to gain control of the fords against Men from Lamedon led by Angbor.

LOSSARNACH. The word loss means "snow" in Quenya but here means "flowery" in reference to the white blossoms which the region was noted for. It is similar to the word loth meaning "flower." The name Arnach is of pre-Numenorean origin; its meaning is not known. Fiefdom of Gondor. Lossarnach was located in the vales of the White Mountains south of Mount Mindolluin. The River Erui flowed southeast from the mountains through Lossarnach to the Anduin. The South Road led from Minas Tirith through Lossarnach to Lebennin. The woods and fields of Lossarnach were filled with flowers in the spring. The valley called Imloth Melui was particularly noted for its roses. There were also great orchards in the lower valleys. Herbs were brought from Lossarnach to the market in Minas Tirith and were used in the Houses of Healing. Ioreth, one of the wise-women of the Houses of Healing, had seen athelas growing in the woods of Lossarnach, though she was not aware of its healing properties. Lossarnach was home to many people. When the inhabitants of Ithilien deserted their land around 2901 of the Third Age because of attacks by Uruks from Mordor, many of them moved to Lossarnach. Morwen, the wife of King Thengel of Rohan, came from Lossarnach. Her father, a descendant of one of the Princes of Dol Amroth, had moved from Belfalas to Lossarnach because he loved its flowering vales. The grandfather of Bergil, son of Beregond, also lived in Lossarnach. During the War of the Ring, refugees from Minas Tirith including many of the aged, children, and women were sent south on the road to Tumladen, Lossarnach and Lebennin. Forlong, Lord of Lossarnach, led a company of 200 men to the defense of Minas Tirith on March 9, 3019. He had to leave many of his men behind to guard Lossarnach from the threat of the Corsairs. Forlong was killed at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15.

After the Corsairs were defeated by the Grey Company and the Dead on March 13, Aragorn sent 4,000 Men of the South led by Lord Angbor of Lamedon marching north to Minas Tirith. They passed through Lossarnach and arrived at the city on or around March 18. Men of Lossarnach accompanied the Host of the West to the Black Gate. Some of the farmers of Lossarnach were among those whom Aragorn released from service when they were overcome by fear as they approached Mordor. Lossarnach See also IMLOTH MELUI.-ARNACH. ArnachLORD OF LOSSARNACH = FORLONG. See MEN OF GONDOR

MERE OF THE DEAD FACES. Water. The Mere of Dead Faces in the Dead MarshesSee DEAD MARCHES.The Mere of Dead Faces in the Dead Marshes was a horrible place, especially at night, which was when Frodo, Sam and Gollum passed through. The Lord of the Rings, page 650:On either side and in front wide fens and mires now lay, stretching away southward and eastward into the dim half-light. Mists curled and smoked from dark and noissome pools. The reek of them hung stifling in the still air. Far away, now almost due south, the mountain-walls of Mordor loomed, like a black bar of rugged clouds floating above a dangerous fog-bound sea.This description fits the entire Dead Marshes, but goes with the painting on the right, which is of the Mere of Dead Faces. The Lord of the Rings, page 652:When lights appeared Sam rubbed his eyes: he thought his head was going queer. He first saw one with the corner of his left eye, a wisp of pale sheen that faded away: but others appeared soon after: some like dimly shining smoke, some like misty flames flickering slowly above unseen candles; here and there they twisted like ghostly sheets unfurled by hidden hands."There are dead things, dead faces in the water," he said with horror. "Dead faces!"Gollum laughed. "The Dead Marshes, yes, yes: that is their name," he cackled. "You should not look in when the candles are lit.""Who are they? What are they?" asked Sam shuddering, turning to Frodo, who was now behind him."I don't know," said Frodo in a dreamlike voice. "But I have seen them too, In the pools when the candles were lit. They lie in all the pools, pale faces, deep deep under the dark water. I saw them: grim faces and evil, and noble faces and sad. Many faces proud and fair, and weeds in their silver hair. But all foul, all rotting, all dead. A fell light is in them."

MIN-RIMMON. Beacon 5. AMON DÎN, EILENACH, NARDOL, ERELAS, MIN-RIMMON, CALENHAD, HALIFIRIEN. See BEACONS OF GONDORMin-Rimmon -RIMMON. Rimmon

MINAS ANOR. See MINAS TIRITH

MINAS ITHIL. (S). "Tower of the Moon". > MINAS MORGUL.

Minas Ithil Former name of Minas Morgul. Afterwards called Minas Morgul. City of Isildur. On a shoulder of Ephel Dúath. Ithil-stone. -CITY OF THE MOON.-ITHIL. -MOON-TOWER. Moontower-NELEG THILIM.-NELEGLOS.-TOWER OF ITHIL.-TOWER OF THE MOON. Tower of the Moon-TOWER OF THE (RISING) MOON. Tower of the Rising Moon-WHITE TOOTH THE.ITHIL-STONE (Palantir).

MINAS MORGUL. (S). "Tower of Sorcery". < MINAS ITHIL. Minas Ithil was also called the Tower of the Moon, the Tower of the Rising Moon, and the Moon-tower. Minas Morgul was also called the Dead City and the Tower of Sorcery. Minas Ithil means "Tower of the Moon" and Minas Morgul means "Tower of Black Sorcery." The word minas means "tower." The word ithil is a poetic name for the Moon from sil or thil meaning "shine with white or silver light." The word morgul means "black sorcery." The element mor means "black, dark." The element gûl means "sorcery, magic" from the stem ngolor nólë meaning "long study, lore, knowledge." Minas Morgul was the stronghold of the Nazgûl. It was located in the Morgul Vale, a valley in the Mountains of Shadow on the western border of Mordor. It was a walled city of white marble built on a high shelf of rock. Within the walls there were white houses and a tall tower. The walls and the tower had many windows, and the top of the tower revolved slowly back and forth. The Morgul-road ran from Osgiliath on the Anduin through Ithilien to the Morgul Vale and crossed the Mountains of Shadow into Mordor. Near the main gate of Minas Morgul in the city's northern wall, the road spanned a white bridge over the Morgulduin. At the head of the bridge stood hideous carved figures of both human and animal form. Minas Morgul was originally called Minas Ithil, the Tower of the Moon. It was built to keep watch on Mordor when Gondor was founded in 3320 of the Second Age. Isildur, son of Elendil, made his home in Minas Ithil, while Isildur's brother Anarion dwelled across the Anduin in Minas Anor. Minas Ithil was a beautiful city and its walls gleamed silver and white with moonlight. In front of his house, Isildur planted a sapling of the White Tree which he had rescued from the Downfall of Numenor, and in the tower was kept one of the palantiri called the Ithil-stone. It was believed that Sauron had perished in the Downfall of Numenor, but his spirit surivived and he returned to Mordor in the same year that Gondor was founded. With the One Ring, he secretly rebuilt his power. In 3429 of the Second Age, Sauron seized Minas Ithil and burned the White Tree, but Isildur escaped with a seedling of the Tree.

After Sauron was defeated in the War of the Last Alliance in 3441, a watch was kept from Minas Ithil. But in 1636 of the Third Age, the Great Plague came from the east and killed many in Gondor. The guard on Mordor began to relax and people left Minas Ithil. The Nazgûl returned to Mordor in 1980 to prepare for Sauron's return. The Nazgûl were the servants of Sauron who had taken the Nine Rings of Men from him long ago. Their leader was the Witch-king of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgûl. In 2000 they laid siege to Minas Ithil and they captured the city in 2002 and took possession of the Ithil-stone. Minas Ithil became the stronghold of the Nazgûl and it was renamed Minas Morgul, the Tower of Black Sorcery. It was a place of fear and dread and its walls held a sickly light. Not the imprisoned moonlight welling through the marble walls of Minas Ithil long ago, Tower of the Moon, fair and radiant in the hollow of the hills. Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse was the light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of decay, a corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing. Across the Anduin, Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard, and the Men of Gondor were vigilant against the threat from Minas Morgul. In 2050, King Earnur of Gondor accepted a challenge to fight the Witch-king of Angmar in single combat. He rode with a small company of knights to Minas Morgul and they were never seen again. Earnur was believed to have died in torment in Minas Morgul. He left no heir, and it was from that time that the Stewards began to rule Gondor in absence of a King. Sauron returned secretly to Mordor in 2942 and in 2951 he declared himself openly and began to gather power again. Sauron claimed the Ithil-stone and with it he was later able to ensnare Saruman and deceive Denethor, Steward of Gondor, who each had one of the other palantiri. At the time of the War of the Ring, the Witch-king of Angmar and most of the Nazgûl dwelled in Minas Morgul; two or three other Nazgûl occupied Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Numerous Orcs, including Gorbag, were also stationed in Minas Morgul and the Silent Watchers were ever-vigilant. On June 20, 3018, the Witch-king rode forth to lead an assault on Osgiliath, and then he rode north with the Nazgûl in search of the Hobbit who bore the One Ring. Frodo Baggins, the Ring-bearer, passed Minas Morgul on the way into Mordor with Sam Gamgee and their guide Gollum on March 10, 3019. Frodo felt compelled by the power of the Ring to approach the city where the Witch-king dwelled, but he was stopped by Sam and Gollum at the head of the bridge. They had begun to climb the path leading to Cirith Ungol when a great red flash was sent up from Barad-dur as a signal to launch the assault on Gondor. And Minas Morgul answered. There was a flare of livid lightnings: forks of blue flame springing up from the tower and from the encircling hills into the sullen clouds. The earth groaned; and out of the city there came a cry. Mingled with harsh high voices as of birds of prey, and the shrill neighing of horses wild with rage and fear, there came a rending screech, shivering, rising swiftly to a piercing pitch beyond the range of hearing. The Witch-king rode out of the gate at the head of a great army. No greater host had come from Minas Morgul since the War of the Last Alliance, and yet it was only a small part of Sauron's entire force. But the host did not return to Minas Morgul. The Witch-king was vanquished at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, and on March 25 the Ring was destroyed and Sauron's realm fell. After his coronation in May of 3019, Aragorn, King Elessar, decreed that Minas Morgul would be utterly destroyed.

Minas Morgul Name of Minas Ithil after its capture by the Ringwraiths. Lord of Morgul. Minas Morgul is the city of the Wraiths. It was originally called Minas Ithil, before it was overcome by the Nazgûl in 2002 of the Third Age. The only change made to Minas Ithil to transform it into Minas Morgul was that the original beauty of Minas Ithil was replaced with fear and terror. The walls had a dim eery light, as well. Also simply MORGUL. -CITY OF SORCERY. -DEAD CITY. -GATE OF MINAS MORGUL. -LOATHLY TOWER.-MINAS MORGOL. -MINAS MORGHUL. -MORGUL. Morgul-MORGUL-SHEEN. Morgul-sheen-SENTINELS.-TALL TOWER. -TOWER OF SORCERY. Tower of Sorcery

MINAS TIRITH. See MINAS TIRITH

MINDOLLUIN. Mindolluin means "towering blue-head." The element mini means "stand alone, stick out" and mindo means "isolated tower." The word luin means "blue." Easternmost mountain of the White Mountains; site of Minas Tirith. Mount Mindolluin was a tall mountain with a snow-capped peak and high glens with deep purple shadows on its slopes. On the eastern side of Mindolluin was a spur that formed the Hill of Guard upon which the seven-level walled city of Minas Tirith was built. A narrow shoulder of rock joined the Hill of Guard to the main mass of the mountain. The Tombs of the Kings and Stewards of Gondor were located on that narrow strip under the shadow of Mindolluin. The Pelennor Fields lay between Mount Mindolluin and the Anduin. The wall called the Rammas Echor extended in a wide curve around the fields from the foot of Mount Mindolluin to the banks of the Anduin and then back to the mountain. On the southern side of Mount Mindolluin there was an ancient path that led to a hallowed place high on the mountain slopes. This Hallow was only used by the Kings of Gondor, who would go there to offer

thanks and praise to a higher power on behalf of their people. As Gondor declined, the Hallow fell out of use and was forgotten. After the War of the Ring on June 25, 3019 of the Third Age, Aragorn climbed to the Hallow and found a sapling of the White Tree, which had grown from a fruit that had lain dormant on the mountainside for many years. The tree was replanted in Minas Tirith and was seen as a sign of renewal. Easternmost mountain of the White Mountains; site of Minas Tirith.Mindolluin -MOUNT MINDOLLUIN.-MOUNT TOR-DILLUIN.

MORGULDUIN. The name Morgulduin means "River of Black Sorcery" in Sindarin. The word morgul means "black sorcery." The element mor means "black, dark." The element gûl means "sorcery, magic" from the stem ngol or nólë meaning "long study, lore, knowledge." The word duin means "river." The original name Ithilduin means "River of the Moon." The word ithil means "moon." Anduin's tributary. River in the Morgul Vale; originally called the Ithilduin. The source of the Morgulduin was in the Mountains of Shadow. The river flowed west out of the valley and through Ithilien to the Anduin. The Morgul-road ran alongside the Morgulduin on the northern bank. In the Morgul Vale the road crossed the Morgulduin over a white bridge. Hideous carved figures in human and bestial form stood at the head of the bridge. On the southern bank of the river was Minas Morgul, the stronghold of the Nazgûl. The waters of the Morgulduin were poisonous and deadly cold. Vapors rose from the river and gave off a terrible stench. Faramir warned Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee not to drink from the Morgulduin or any stream flowing from the Morgul Vale. On March 10, 3019 of the Third Age, the two Hobbits saw the Witch-king lead a great army from Minas Morgul across the bridge spanning the Morgulduin and on down the road toward Minas Tirith. The bridge was cast down by the Host of the West on March 19. The Morgul Vale remained uninhabitable for many years after the War of the Ring, but it is possible that over time the valley and the Morgulduin became cleansed of the taint of evil. It may be that the river was once again called the Ithilduin. Morgulduin River in the Morgul Vale; originally called the Ithilduin. Called after the WR again Ithilduin.-DUIN MORGHUL. < -ITHILDUIN.

MORTHOND. River. SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.

MOUNTAINS OF GONDOR.

NARDOL. Beacon 3. AMON DÎN, EILENACH, NARDOL, ERELAS, MIN-RIMMON, CALENHAD, HALIFIRIEN. See BEACONS OF GONDORNardol

NEN HITHOEL. Nen Hithoel means "mist-cool water" in Sindarin. The word nen means "water" and hîth means "mist." The final element oel apparently means "cool" although this usage is not found elsewhere. The Etymologies list oel with the meaning "pool, lake" but the spelling was later changed to ael. Water in Gondor. Lake formed by the Anduin. Lake formed by the Anduin. Nen Hithoel was a long, oval-shaped lake. The rugged land called the Emyn Muil spread out from both shores of Nen Hithoel. At the northern end of Nen Hithoel stood the Argonath, great statues of Isildur and Anarion that had been built to mark the northern boundary of Gondor. At the southern end of the lake were the Falls of Rauros. The island called the Tindrock- or Tol Brandir - rose out of the waters of Nen Hithoel near the southern end. It was said that no man or beast had ever set foot on the island. Two hills stood opposite each other on either side of the lake: Amon Lhaw - the Hill of Hearing - on the eastern shore, and Amon Hen - the Hill of

Sight - on the western shore. When Gondor was at its height, watch was kept from seats on the two hills. A green lawn called Parth Galen ran from the foot of Amon Hen to the banks of Nen Hithoel. On February 25, 3019 of the Third Age, the Fellowship rowed down the Anduin into Nen Hithoel and camped at Parth Galen on the western shore. The next day, the Fellowship was broken and Boromir was slain. His body was placed in a boat on Nen Hithoel and the current carried it over the Falls of Rauros. Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee rowed across Nen Hithoel past the Tindrock to the eastern shore and they began their journey to Mordor. Nen Hithoel -KERIN-MUIL.-KERIN MUIL.-NEN-UIEL. See also HILL OF HEARING, HILL OF SIGHT,PILLARS OF THE KINGS.

NORTH ITHILIEN. See ITHILIEN

NORTH-WAY. Road connecting Minas Tirith to the Great West Road. The North-way began at the Great Gate of Minas Tirith and ran northward across the Pelennor Fields. At the Rammas Echor, the North-way passed through Forannest, the North-gate. The North-way then joined the Great West Road which ran through Anorien and Rohan.North-way

OLD FORD = FORD OF CARROCK

OSGILIATH. (S). "Town of Stars". Osgiliath means "Citadel of the Stars" from the Sindarin words ost meaning "fortress, citadel" and giliath meaning "stars." In later days, Osgiliath was called Old Gondor because it had once been the capital of Gondor. The two halves of the city were called East Osgiliath and West Osgiliath. Capital city in the early days of Gondor. Osgiliath was located on the Great River Anduin, with buildings on both banks of the river. Minas Tirith was about 15 miles from Osgiliath on the western side of the Anduin. On the eastern side was the land of Ithilien between the river and the borders of Mordor. Osgiliath was a large and beautiful city. One of its main buildings was the Dome of Stars, where the chief palantir was kept. The Kings of Gondor ruled from the Great Hall of Osgiliath and they dwelled in the King's House. Between the two parts of the city was a great stone bridge with towers and houses upon it, and there were a number of lesser bridges as well. On the river banks were landings for the ships that carried people and trade goods up and down the Anduin from Wilderland in the north to the Bay of Belfalas in the south. A road led through Osgiliath between Minas Ithil (later Minas Morgul) on the east side of the river and Minas Anor (later Minas Tirith) on the west side. The road then continued westward through the Gap of Rohan and turned north to Fornost in the North-kingdom of Arnor. In the early days of Gondor, this was called the Royal Road, later known as the Great West Road and the North-South Road. Osgiliath was founded by Isildur and Anarion, the sons of Elendil, when the realm of Gondor was established in 3320 of the Second Age. Elendil, the High King, dwelled in the North-kingdom of Arnor while his sons jointly ruled Gondor in the south. Their thrones were side by side in the Great Hall of Osgiliath. Anarion defended Osgiliath when Sauron attacked Gondor in 3429 and drove him back to Mordor. Sauron was defeated in the War of the Last Alliance in 3441. In the Third Age, Anarion's descendants became the Kings of Gondor and for a time they continued to rule from Osgiliath. During the civil war of the Kin-strife, King Eldacar was besieged in Osgiliath by rebels. Osgiliath was captured in 1437 and the rebels burned and pillaged the city and slaughtered many of its inhabitants including Eldacar's son Ornendil. The Dome of Stars was destroyed and the palantir was lost in the waters of the Anduin. The rebel leader Castamirusurped the throne of Gondor and moved his capital to Pelargir. He ruled for 10 years before Eldacar defeated him in 1447 and took up the kingship again in Osgiliath. The Great Plague came out of the East in 1636 and devastated Gondor. Osgiliath was hit the hardest. Many of the city's inhabitants died including King Telemnar and all his children. Telemnar's nephew Tarondor

became king and in 1640 he moved the capital of Gondor from Osgiliath to Minas Anor - later known as Minas Tirith. Some people remained in Osgiliath, but the city was largely abandoned and it began to fall into ruin. In 2475, black Uruks from Mordor invaded Ithilien and captured Osgiliath. The Uruks were driven back by Boromir, son of the Denethor I (not to be confused with Boromir of the Fellowship), but the city of Osgiliath was ruined and the great bridge across the Anduin was broken. The remaining inhabitants fled and the city stood empty. By the 2900s, Ithilien was infested with Orcs and evil things lurked in Osgiliath. Control of the city had passed back and forth between Gondor and Mordor several times. After Denethor II became Steward in 2984, he reclaimed Osgiliath and posted a garrison there. The bridge was rebuilt to allow soldiers and supplies to cross the river. On June 20, 3018, the War of the Ring began when the Lord of the Nazgûl led an attack on Osgiliath. None could withstand his evil presence, and the eastern part of the city was swiftly captured. Denethor's sons Boromir and Faramir led the defense of Osgiliath, and they cast down the bridge and held the western side of the city against the Enemy's forces. But Sauron's purpose in ordering the attack had been to test Gondor's defenses and to provide cover for the Nazgûl to cross the bridge begin the hunt for the One Ring. Once that was accomplished, Sauron halted the assault. The garrison in West Osgiliath continued to guard the river crossing. At midnight on February 29, 3019, Faramir was keeping watch on the riverbank when he saw the funeral boat of his brother Boromir float down the Anduin through Osgiliath. On March 10, Faramir sent the majority of his company of Rangers to strengthen the garrison of Osgiliath. The next day, Denethor sent Faramir to take command of the garrison, where he believed the main attack would come. Sauron's forces in East Osgiliath had secretly been building many barges and floating bridges and siege-towers in preparation for the assault. On March 12, a host of Orcs arrived from Minas Morgul led by the Lord of the Nazgûl, joined by regiments of Haradrim from the South. They crossed the river in force, and Faramir and his Men retreated from Osgiliath with great loss. Sauron's forces overran the Rammas Echor and besieged Minas Tirith. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, fresh Enemy troops were stationed in Osgiliath including Easterlings, Southrons, Variags, and Men of Far Harad. They were sent onto the battlefield by Gothmog, and the battle began to turn in favor of the Enemy forces, but they were ultimately defeated. All available workers and craftsmen were sent from Minas Tirith to Osgiliath to strengthen the defenses and rebuild the boats and bridges that Sauron's forces had left behind. On March 18, the Host of the West passed through Osgiliath and over the river on their way to the Black Gate. After the downfall of Sauron, the Host of the West returned to Osgiliath on April 29. They spent the day and night in the city before proceeding to Minas Tirith, where Aragorn was crowned King Elessar on May 1. Minas Tirith remained the capital of Gondor during the reign of King Elessar, but it seems likely that the city of Osgiliath was rebuilt. Osgiliath

Berúthiel lived in the King's House in Osgiliath, hating the sounds and smells of the sea and the house that Tarannon built below Pelargir 'upon arches whose feet stood deep in the waters of Ethir Anduin'. Capital city in the early days of Gondor. In later days, Osgiliath was called Old Gondor because it had once been the capital of Gondor. The two halves of the city were called East Osgiliath and West Osgiliath. -CITADEL OF THE STARS.-ELOSTIRION. Elostirion-EAST OSGILIATH. East Osgiliath-OLD GONDOR. Old Gondor A later name for Osgiliath.-OSTECHAIN. PLACES IN OSGILIATH.-BRIDGE OF OSGILIATH.The Great Bridge of Osgiliath was begun build in Second age 3320 when Isildur and Anarion founded the capitol of Gondor, Osgiliath, upon the quays, harbors and castles the Númenorians had already built. The bridge crossing over Anduin between Ithilien and Lossarnach was a gigantic building, holding houses and towers and the the tower with the Dome of Osgiliath. At the western side of the bridge was a guarded gate between two embattled towers. How it looked at the eastern side there is no telling but I imagine it would be much like the western. At the side of the bridge at the shores was quays and landings and at the south-western shore beneath the bridge the landings was named Harlond.The Bridge suffered much damage during the Kin-strife in Gondor in Third age 1437, it was burned and scorched and all of its houses and towers fell though it could still be used to cross Anduin.-DOME OF STARS. (building) The great hall of Osgiliath. Dome of Stars Great hall in Osgiliath that housed a palantir. The Dome of Stars apparently had a tower, although it is not clear whether the tower was attached to a domed hall or whether the domed hall was at the top of a tower. The Stone of Osgiliath was kept in the Dome of Stars. This was the chief of the palantiri in Middle-earth. It was very large and it was kept on a low, round, black marble table with a depression in the middle to hold the palantir. The Dome of Stars was built after Gondor was founded in the year 3320 of the Second Age. During the civil war of the Kin-strife in 1437 of the Third Age, Osgiliath was captured by the rebel leader Castamir. The Dome of Stars was destroyed and the Stone of Osgiliath was lost in the waters of the Anduin.

The Dome of Stars was also referred to as the Tower of the Dome of Osgiliath. In some editions of The Lord of the Rings this was printed as the Tower of the Stone of Osgiliath, but Tolkien later corrected it to Tower of the Dome of Osgiliath. The name Dome of Stars is related to the name Osgiliath which means "Citadel of the Stars." It is possible that one could see and observe the stars of the night sky in the Dome of Stars. The first Dome of Stars was the Dome of Stars of Valinor, created by the Vala Varda (also known as Elbereth), and referred both to the great domed building in Valimar, as well as (poetically) the stars of the skies. The second Dome of Stars was the great hall in the King's city of Osgiliath, capital of Gondor, which was built on top of the great bridge across the Anduin, and where the chief palantír was housed. This second Dome of Stars was destroyed during the civil war of the Kin-strife in T.A. 1437.--GREAT HALL OF OSGILIATH.-TOWER OF THE STONE. (building).

PARTH GALEN. Parth Galen means "Green Sward" in Sindarin. (A sward is a grassy surface or turf.) Parth means "field, enclosed grassland" related to pathw meaning "level space, sward." Galen (or calen) means "green." Region in Gondor. CALEMBEL, CALENBEL, FORFAIN, KELUFAN.Green lawn at the foot of Amon Hen. Parth Galen was on the western shore of Nen Hithoel near the southern end. It was a fair, green sward and its grass was watered by a small spring. On February 25, 3019 of the Third Age, the Fellowship camped at Parth Galen. The next day, the Fellowship was broken. Merry and Pippin were captured by Uruk-hai and Boromir was slain defending them. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli brought Boromir's body to Parth Galen and set it in a boat which they sent over the Falls of Rauros; they then left Parth Galen in pursuit of Merry and Pippin. Sam caught up to Frodo at Parth Galen and they set out together across Nen Hithoel to begin their journey to Mordor. Parth Galen

PATHS OF THE DEAD. Road. See ROHANUnder the White Mountains. Rohan/Gondor.

PELARGIR. Pelargir means "Garth of Royal Ships." A garth is an enclosure or guarded place. The word pel means "go round, encircle." The element ar means "royal." The element gir is a form of kir meaning "cut, cleave" - used to mean ship as in cutter. A harbour on the mouths of the Anduin river, this was the location of the King's fleet and also subject to attacks by the Corsairs of Umbar. Port city in Lebennin in Gondor. Pelargir was located at the junction of the River Sirith and the Anduin. It was about 110 miles northeast of the point where the Anduin emptied into the Bay of Belfalas. The South Road led from Minas Tirith to Pelargir - a distance of 42 leagues (126 miles). A road continued westward from Pelargir for 93 leagues (279 miles) to the Hill of Erech. Pelargir was built in 2350 of the Second Age. It was the haven of the Faithful of Numenor, who did not fall under the influence of Sauron and remained friendly with the Elves. Adunaic - the language of Numenor - was spoken in Pelargir and it became mingled with the languages of other Men and developed into the Common Speech, which spread throughout Middle-earth. In the Third Age, Tarannon Falastur - the first of the Ship-kings of Gondor - built a house in Pelargir that stood on arched columns out in the waters of the Anduin. Tarannon's nephew and heir, Earnil I, made repairs to Pelargir and built a great navy there. When the civil war of the Kin-strife began in 1432, many of the people of Pelargir supported Castamir, the Captain of Ships who claimed kingship of Gondor. Castamir usurped the throne from King Eldacar in 1437 and made Pelargir his capital. In 1447, Eldacar killed Castamir in battle and reclaimed the throne. Castamir's sons were besieged in Pelargir, where they gathered many of their followers before relocating to Umbar. In 1634, Castamir's grandsons Angamaite and Sangahyando led a fleet of Corsairs from Umbar to attack Pelargir. King Minardil of Gondor was slain in the battle. In 2980, during the reign of Ecthelion II, a fleet from Gondor was assembled at Pelargir to launch an attack on the Corsairs of Umbar. The leader was a man called Thorongil, who was actually Aragorn serving the

Steward under an assumed identity. The attack was successful and the threat from the Corsairs was removed for the time being. But during the War of the Ring, the threat was renewed and under Sauron's direction the Corsairs captured Pelargir and assembled a fleet of 50 great ships and numerous smaller ships to attack Minas Tirith. Aragorn learned of this threat when he looked into the palantir, and he entered the Paths of the Dead to summon the Dead to stop the Corsairs. On March 13, Aragorn reached Pelargir, and the Dead swept over the Corsairs' ships and captured the fleet. Aragorn used these ships to come to the aid of Minas Tirith at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15. Pelargir -PELARGIR UPON ANDUIN.

PELENNOR FIELDS. Also called the Fields of Pelennor and simply the Pelennor. The Pelennor Fields were sometimes referred to as the townlands. The word pelennor means "fenced land" from pel meaning "go round, encircle" and ndor meaning "land." Fields outside Minas Tirith; site of the greatest battle of the War of the Ring. The Pelennor Fields were on the west bank of the Anduin. The land rand down toward the river in slopes and terraces. The City of Minas Tirith was in the southwestern corner of the Pelennor Fields at the foot of Mount Mindolluin. The fields were enclosed by an outer wall called the Rammas Echor. A road ran northeast across the Pelennor Fields to the Causeway Forts on the river bank - a distance of 12 miles. The North-wayled from the City through the fields to the Forannest, or North-gate, where it joined the Great West Road to Rohan. The South Road came from the southern provinces of Gondor and passed through the Pelennor Fields on the way to Minas Tirith. A number of other paths also criss-crossed the fields. The Pelennor Fields were fertile farmland. There were tilled fields and orchards, and small brooks flowed from the highlands down to the Anduin. Some farmers and herdsman lived on the Pelennor Fields and they had homesteads with barns and pens for livestock, granaries, and kilns for drying hops and malt. The people and livestock were evacuated from the Pelennor Fields during the War of the Ring. On March 13, 3019 of the Third Age, Sauron's forces broke through the Rammas Echor and overran the Pelennor Fields. The homesteads were destroyed and the fields and trees were burned. Trenches were dug across the Pelennor Fields and they were filled with fire. The armies of Sauron made great camps on the fields and brought siege-towers and engines of war forward to besiege the City. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields began at dawn on March 15 when the Rohirrim charged onto the Pelennor Fields. The Rohirrim and the Men of Gondor fought the forces of Sauron in a grueling day-long battle. Near the end of the day, most of the Orcs had been killed but some of the Easterlings and Haradrim held out among the ruined homesteads. Finally at sunset, the enemy forces were defeated. After the battle, the grass grew once more on the Pelennor Fields, especially in the place called Snowmane's Howe, where King Theoden's steed was buried. But a patch of black, scorched earth remained where the Fell Beast of the Lord of the Nazgûl was burned. On May 1, people of Gondor and Rohan assembled on the Pelennor Fields to witness the coronation of Aragorn, King Elessar, before the gates of the City.

Pelennor Fields-TOWNLANDS.

PEN-ARDUIN. Dwelling of Borlas in Emyn Arnen.

PILLARS OF THE KINGS. Great carvings of Isildur and Anarion on the Anduin at the entrance to the northern boundary of Gondor.3A1340: About this time the Pillars were built by King Minalcar (Romendacil II). Great statues on the Anduin. The two statues of the Argonath stood on pedestals in the water on either side of the Great River. Behind the statues, high cliffs formed a narrow chasm that the river passed through before it widened to form the lake called Nen Hithoel. The Argonath were carved out of grey stone in the likenesses of Isildur and Anarion, the two sons of Elendil. The statues faced north with their left arms raised, palm outward. In their right hands they held axes and on their heads were helms and crowns. Their faces were grim and those who looked on them felt awe. The Argonath were built to mark the northern boundary of Gondor by Romendacil II, probably around the year 1248 of the Third Age. No strangers were allowed to come south of the Argonath without permission. But as Gondor's power declined, this stricture was no longer enforced. When Aragorn passed through the Gates of Argonath with the Fellowship on February 25, 3019, his bearing became more regal. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skilful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land. "Fear not!" he said. "Long have I desired to look upon the likenesses of Isildur and Anarion, my sires of old. Under their shadow Elessar, the Elfstone son of Arathorn of the House of Valandil Isildur's son heir of Elendil, has nought to dread!" -ARGONATH. (S). "King-stones". Argonath

Argonath means "stones of the kings" from ar meaning "royal, king" and gonath meaning "stones." Also called the Gate of Kings, Gates of Argonath, Gates of Gondor, and Pillars of the Kings. -GATE OF (THE) KINGS. -GATES OF ARGONATH. Gates of Argonath-GATES OF GEBIR. -GATES OF GONDOR. -GATES OF (THE) KINGS. -GATES OF SARN GEBIR. -KING-STONES.-PILLARS OF ARGONATH.-ROYAL STONES. -SARN ARAN. -SARN GEBIR.-SERN ARANATH. -SERN ARANARTH -STONES OF THE KINGS. See also NEN HITHOEL.

POROS. The meaning of Poros is not known. It may contain the element ros meaning "foam." River on the southern border of Ithilien. The Poros flowed westward from the Mountains of Shadow on the border of Mordor to the Anduin. The Harad Road spanned the river at the Crossings of Poros. South of the Poros was the region called South Gondor, which was disputed between Gondor and Harad. The Haradrim came over the Poros into Ithilien in 1944 of the Third Age. Earnil, the Captain of the Southern Army of Gondor, intentionally left the Crossings of Poros unguarded. He positioned his troops about 40 miles north of the river. When the Haradrim approached, the Southern Army destroyed them. In 2885, the Haradrim occupied South Gondor. There were skirmishes along the Poros, and then a large army of Haradrim crossed the river into Ithilien. Turin II, Steward of Gondor, summoned help from Rohan. A great battle was fought at the Crossings of Poros. The Haradrim were defeated and were driven back over the river. Folcred and Fastred - the sons of King Folcwine of Rohan - were killed in the battle. They were buried in a mound called Haudh in Gwanur, the Tomb of the Twins, high on the northern bank of the Poros. The enemies of Gondor feared to pass their tomb. Poros SEVEN RIVERS OF GONDOR. ENTWASH, ERUI, GLADDEN, LIMLIGHT, POROS, SILVERLODE, SIRITH.

RATH CELERDAIN. Street in MINAS TIRITH. RATH DINEN. Street in MINAS TIRITH.

RAUROS. Anduin's waterfalls in Gondor. “Roaring Spray”. The name Rauros means "roaring foam" from rau meaning "lion" and ros meaning "foam, spray." Also called Rauros Falls. Falls of Rauros Great waterfall on the River Anduin. The Falls of Rauros were located at the southern end of Nen Hithoel, a lake formed by the Anduin among the hills of the Emyn Muil. The Falls cascaded over a high cliff into a basin called Rauros-foot. There was a great roaring noise and a misty spray around the Falls. Below the Falls lay the marshland of the Wetwang around the Mouths of the Entwash. The North Stair was carved into the cliff along the western side of the Falls of Rauros, providing a portage-way for boats to bypass the waterfall. After the death of Boromir on February 26, 3019 of the Third Age, his body was placed in an Elven-boat of Lothlorien and was borne over the Falls of Rauros and downriver to the Sea.

RaurosRauros is a great waterfall on the Anduin River. It is in close proximity to the island of Tol Brandir, and the slopes of Amon Llaw and Amon Hen. -FALLS OF RAUROS. Falls of RaurosNORTH STAIR. Stairs beside the Falls of Rauros. The North Stair was located on the western side of the great waterfall on the Anduin. It descended from the Emyn Muil on the shore of Nen Hithoel down to the marshes of the Wetwang at Rauros-foot. The North Stair was built by the Men of Numenor probably at the time of the founding of Gondor. Its purpose was to allow travellers on the Anduin to bypass the Falls of Rauros. The North Stair was apparently so named because of its location on the northern border of Gondor. North Stair

RHAIN HILLS. Mountains in Gondor. Rauros. BORDER HILLS, EMYN RAIN, EMYN RHAIN.

RINGLÓ. The name Ringló means "chill flood" from ring meaning "cold" and lô meaning "soaking wet, swampy, flood." The latter element most likely referred to the spreading floodwaters during the spring thaw in the snowfield at the river's source. RINGLO. River in southern Gondor. The source of the Ringlo was in the White Mountains. The waters of the river came from a snowfield high in the mountains that formed a glacial lake. During the season when the snows melted, the waters of this lake spread out. The Ringlo was cold and swift as it came down from the mountains and passed through the Ringlo Vale. Near the mouth of the valley, the town of Ethring stood at the main crossing of the Ringlo. The road from Erech to Pelargir crossed the river at this point. The Ringlo flowed southwestward through Lamedon and was joined by the River Ciril. The river continued its course and merged with the Blackroot, which then emptied into Cobas Haven on the Bay of Belfalas. At the confluence of the rivers was the Elf haven of Edhellond. During the War of the Ring on March 10, 3019 of the Third Age, Aragorn and the Grey Company crossed the Ringlo en route from the Paths of the Dead to Pelargir. Ringló SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.-ETHRING (Ford).

RINGLO VALE. The name Ringló means "chill flood" from ring meaning "cold" and lô meaning "soaking wet, swampy, flood."

Valley in the White Mountains of Gondor. The Ringlo Vale was located on the south side of the mountain range in the province of Lamedon. The River Ringlo came down from a glacial lake high in the mountains and flowed south through the Ringlo Vale. The town of Ethring was at the mouth of the valley on the route of the main road through the southern provinces of Gondor. During the War of the Ring, 300 Men from the Ringlo Vale came to strengthen the defenses of Minas Tirith. They were led by Dervorin, the son of the Lord of the Ringló Vale.

Ringló Vale

RUSHDOWN. The Sindarin name of the Rushdown is Rhimdath, also spelled Rhibdath. The element rhim or rhib means "flow like a torrent." The element dat means "fall down." Tributary of the Anduin. The Rushdown began on the eastern side of the Misty Mountains. It was joined by another small mountain stream. The Rushdown flowed into the Anduin about 50 miles north of the Carrock and about 50 miles south of the Langwell - the source of the Anduin.

Flowing from the northern Misty Mountains into Anduin above the Carrock.Source the eastern foothills of the Misty MountainsTributaries: One, unnamedOutflow into the Great River Anduin

Meaning: Simply a reference to the fact that this river rushed down in a torrent from the MountainsOther names: Rhimdath (also sometimes spelt Rhibdath or Rhibdad)River RushdownA northern tributary of the AnduinA lesser tributary of the Great River Anduin. It rose in the eastern Misty Mountains, not far from the sources of the Hoarwell, though on the other side of the range. The river started as twin torrents rushing down from the mountains (hence its name) though these joined as they flowed into the Vales of Anduin. The combined waters of the Rushdown flowed on to meet the Great River some fifty miles north of the Carrock.Various related Elvish names are known for this river, of which the most settled form seems (arguably) to be Rhimdath (though the variants Rhibdath and Rhibdad are also recorded). The course of the Rushdown is marked on the maps that accompany The Lord of the Rings, but the river itself is not named there.-RHIBDAD. -RHIBDATH. -RHIMDAD.RhibdadRhibdathRhimdath

SARN GEBIR. Ford. On River Anduin. A dangerous area of rapids in the Anduin River. Sarn Gebir was near the Gates of Argonath and the Emyn Muil. There was a path around the rapids surviving into the War of the Ring. Sarn Gebir-PENSARN. –RUINEL. –TRANDORAN. –RAPIDS. -TARN FELIN. -SARN RUIN.

SEAT OF HEARING = AMON LHAW.SEAT OF SEEING = AMON HEN.

SEA-WARD TOWER on Dol Amroth. ATB06. Also written as Seaward Tower. The Sindarin name was Tirith Aear. The word tirith means "watch, guard" and aear means "sea." Tower in Dol Amroth. The Sea-ward Tower was a tall tower overlooking the Bay of Belfalas. There was a bell at the top of the tower that could be rung to warn ships approaching the shore. -TIRITH AEAR. ATB06.

SEEING, HILL OF and HEARING, HILL OF.

SERNI. The name Serni is derived from the Sindarin sarn meaning "pebble." Serni is an adjectival form or a collective, like the Quenya sarnie meaning "shingle, pebble bank." River of Gondor. The Serni began south of the White Mountains and flowed southwestward through Lebennin. The Serni was joined by the River Gilrain. The town of Linhir was located near the juncture of the two rivers, and the main road of southern Gondor passed over the Serni at Linhir. The Serni emptied into the Bay of Belfalas just west of the Mouths of the Anduin.* According to one source (UT, p. 463-64), the mouth of the Serni was blocked with pebbles and ships heading to the Anduin usually bypassed the Serni by going around the eastern side of Tolfalas. But during the War of the Ring, Men of Umbar and Harad apparently sailed up the Serni to Linhir and where they fought the Men of Lamedon. There is some question about whether it was the Gilrain or the Serni that flowed into the Bay of Belfalas after they merged. Legolas described Linhir as being "above the mouth of the Gilrain" (RotK, p. 151), which would seem to indicate that the mouth of the Gilrain was on the Bay of Belfalas. But the map and other sources such as Unfinished Tales show that the Gilrain flowed into the Serni, and the Serni in turn flowed into the Bay. Serni SEVEN RIVERS OF SOUTHERN GONDOR. ANDUIN, LEFNUI, GILRAIN-SERNI, MORTHOND-CIRIL-RINGLO.RIVERS OF LEBENNIN. CELOS, ERUI, GILRAIN, SERNI, SIRITH.SEVEN RIVERS OF GONDOR.

ENTWASH, ERUI, GLADDEN, LIMLIGHT, POROS, SILVERLODE, SIRITH.

SILVERLODE. River. See LÓRIEN

SIRITH. The name Sirith means "a flowing" from sîr meaning "river." River in Lebennin in Gondor. The Sirith began in the White Mountains. It was joined from the west by a tributary called the Celos. The Sirith flowed southward to the Anduin. The port city of Pelargir was located on the Anduin just east of the mouth of the Sirith. On one map of Gondor included with an early edition of Unfinished Tales the Celos is mistakenly shown as flowing into the Sirith from the east rather than the west. Sirith SEVEN RIVERS OF GONDOR. ENTWASH, ERUI, GLADDEN, LIMLIGHT, POROS, SILVERLODE, SIRITH.RIVERS OF LEBENNIN. CELOS, ERUI, GILRAIN, SERNI, SIRITH.

STONEWAIN VALLEY. The name Stonewain refers to the fact that wains - or wagons - carrying stone passed through the valley. The Sindarin name was Imrath Gondraich. The word imrath means "long narrow valley with a road or water course." The word gond means "stone" and raich apparently meaning "wagons." Note that the name is spelled Imrath Gondraich in the Unfinished Tales index, but the Reader's Companion gives a different spelling of Imrath Gondraith taken from Tolkien's unpublished index to The Lord of the Rings. Valley in Gondor. The Stonewain Valley was located in the eastern part of Anorien between the Druadan Forest and the White Mountains. An ancient road led through the Stonewain Valley from Minas Tirith to the Beacon-hill of Min-Rimmon. The road was used by wagons carrying stone to Minas Tirith from the quarries on the western side of the forest. The valley was narrow at each end but in the middle it was wide enough for four horses to walk abreast. By the end of the Third Age, the road through the valley had been forgotten by many, but it was known to the Druedain who inhabited the Druadan Forest. On March 13, 3019, Ghan-buri-Ghan of the Druedain offered to guide King Theoden and the Rohirrim through the Stonewain Valley in order to avoid the armies of the Enemy on the Great West Road. Theoden accepted his offer, and the Rohirrim travelled in secret through the valley to the Rammas Echor encircling Minas Tirith. There at dawn on March 15 they came to the aid of Gondor in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Stonewain Valley -IMRACH GONDRAICH. (S). "Stonewain Valley".

SOUTH ITHILIEN. See ITHILIEN

SOUTH ROAD. Road in southern Gondor. The South Road began at the Great Gate of Minas Tirith. It ran southward across the Pelennor Fields and passed through a gate in the Rammas Echor. The road was broad and paved and there was a riding track along its eastern edge. The South Road led to the mountain villages of Tumladen and Lossarnach. It then traversed the Crossings of Erui and continued through Lebennin to Pelargir, a port city on the Anduin. The distance between Minas Tirith and Pelargir was 42 leagues (126 miles). From Pelargir, a road continued through southern Gondor. It is not clear whether this road was considered part of the South Road. This road ran west to Linhir near the juncture of the Gilrain and Serni and then turned north to Ethring on the Ringlo. The road bent westward to Calembel on the Ciril and on through Tarlang's Neck and ended at Erech at the mouth of the Blackroot Vale. During the War of the Ring at the end of the Third Age, the women, children, and elderly of Minas Tirith were evacuated down the South Road. On March 9, 3019, nearly 3,000 troops from the southern provinces came up the South Road to help defend Minas Tirith in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the battle, about 4,000 more troops led by Angbor came up the South Road on or around March 18. South Road

TARLANG’S NECK. The word tarlang means "stiff-necked" derived from tarch meaning "stiff" and lang or lanc meaning "neck, throat." Also called Achad Tarlang where achad is another word for "neck" referring to the vertebrae and not including the throat. The name Dol Tarlang means "Tarlang's Head." The word dol means "head." Tarlang, the Giant's name, means "stiff-necked." The name Cûl Veleg means "big load." The word cûl means "load" and veleg is from beleg meaning "great, mighty." The name Cûl Bîn means "little load." The word bîn is from pîn meaning "small." Mountain in Lamedon (Gondor). Pass in the White Mountains. Mountains of the White Mountains. Dol Tarlang, Cul Veleg, and Cul Bin were three mountains that formed a spur on the southern side of the White Mountains between the Blackroot Vale and Lamedon. The spur was separated from the main range by the pass called Tarlang's Neck. Dol Tarlang was the northernmost mountain in the spur, Cul Veleg was in the middle, and Cul Bin was at the southern end. According to local legend, the three mountains and the pass were formed when a Giant named Tarlang tripped while carrying a load of rocks on his head to build the White Mountains. Dol Tarlang was the Giant's head, Cul Veleg was a large load of rocks, and Cul Bin was a smaller load of rocks. The pass went through his broken neck. This local legend appears to be a "Tall Tale" rather than an actual historical event, though in Middle-earth one can never be certain! Tarlang's Neck was located between the main mountain range and a short spur of three mountains that divided the Blackroot Vale from Lamedon. The three mountains in the spur were named Dol Tarlang, Cul Veleg, and Cul Bin.Pass in the White Mountains. Tarlang's Neck was located between the main mountain range and a short spur of three mountains that divided the Blackroot Vale from Lamedon. The three mountains in the spur were named Dol Tarlang, Cul Veleg, and Cul Bin. The road through Tarlang's Neck climbed a long ridge of rock between the main range and the spur. It was a hard and laborious road and it was only used by travellers who were in a hurry. According to local legend, the White Mountains were originally built by Giants as a means to keep Men out of their land by the Sea. One of the Giants named Tarlang was said to have tripped and broken his neck while he was carrying a heavy load of rocks on his head. His body formed part of the main range while his head and his load of rocks formed the three mountains of the spur: Dol Tarlang - "Tarlang's Head"; Cul Veleg - "big load"; and Cul Bin - "little load." His neck formed the pass and the road ran through the break in his neck. Aragorn led the Grey Company and the Dead through Tarlang's Neck on the way to Pelargir on March 9, 3019 of the Third Age. This local legend appears to be a "Tall Tale" rather than an actual historical event, though in Middle-earth one can never be certain! Tarlang's Neck -ACHAD TARLANG. -TARLANG.-NECK THE.

TARNOST. Tarnost was, presumably, a city in Gondor. It was located on the northern foothills, between the river Gilrain to the east and Dol Amroth to the west. To the north was the river Ringló. The city is not mentioned in The Lord of the Rings. Tarnost does not appear in the close-up map of Gondor in The Return of the King.[1] The only reference is in The War of the Ring: In the Western map section there is a dot visible in square Q12 at the northern tip of the hills south of the Ringló, and the text states that it had a penciled note calling it Tarnost.[2] Tarnost also appears on the map of the White Mountains in The Atlas of Middle-earth. The nearby hills are also named as Hills of Tarnost[3] although in the original map the hills are unnamed.Whether Tarnost was a town or a special location is not possible to decipher, it has only been marked with a dot in maps and the name written above. But it was lying in the Northern low hills in the Hills of Tarnost at the cape Belfalas in the province Dor-en-Ernil in Gondor. North of it, about 20 Mile, ran river Ringló, North-East some 35 Miles, was Ethring.

TINDROCK. (OE). "Tine-rock". From tind (OE) "tine", "tooth of a fork". Island above Rauros (Anduin). The name Tindrock means "spiked rock." The word tind is Old English meaning "tine, spike, prong." Also called Tindrock Isle. Called Tol Brandir in Sindarin. The word tol means "island with sheer sides." The word brandir is said to be a corruption of baradnir meaning "tower-steep" or "steep tower." Barad means "tower" and there is also an adjective baradh meaning "steep" but the meaning of nir is unclear. Tindrock (Tol Brandir) Island in Nen Hithoel on the Anduin. The Tindrock was at the southern end of the lake above the Falls of Rauros. On the western shore just south of the Tindrock stood Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight, and on the eastern shore was Amon Lhaw, the Hill of Hearing. The Tindrock was a tall island with steep sides. Sheer cliffs rising out of the water formed its base. Farther up, the sides of the island sloped somewhat and trees grew there. At the top was a spire of grey stone. Birds circled around the Tindrock, but it was said that no man or beast had ever set foot on the island. The Fellowship came in sight of the Tindrock on February 25, 3019 of the Third Age. After the breaking of the Fellowship the next day, Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee rowed across Nen Hithoel around the southern side of the Tindrock, struggling against the strong current above the falls. Tindrock Island in Nen Hithoel on the Anduin. The Tindrock was at the southern end of the lake above the Falls of Rauros. On the western shore just south of the Tindrock stood Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight, and on the eastern shore was Amon Lhaw, the Hill of Hearing. The Tindrock was a tall island with steep sides. Sheer cliffs rising out of the water formed its base. Farther up, the sides of the island sloped somewhat and trees grew there. At the top was a spire of grey stone. Birds circled around the Tindrock, but it was said that no man or beast had ever set foot on the island. Also called Tindrock Isle. Called Tol Brandir in Sindarin. -BRANDOR. -ISLE OF EMRIS. -ISLE OF EREGON. -STONE PINNACLE. -STONEAIT. -TOL BRANDIR. (S). Tol Brandir-TOL BRANDOR. -TOL GALEN. -TOL ONDREN. -TOLHARN. -TOLLERNEN. -TOLONDREN. -TOLL-ONDU. -TOLL-ONNUI.

TUMLADEN. The name Tumladen means "wide valley" from tûm meaning "valley" and laden meaning "open, cleared." Tumladen was also the name of the valley in Beleriand where Gondolin was located. Region in Gondor. Valley in southern Gondor. Tumladen was located near Lossarnach, in or just east of Lebennin. During the War of the Ring, some of the women, children, and elderly people of Minas Tirith were evacuated to Tumladen. Tumladen

TUMLADEN. Region in Gondolin. See GONDOLINTUMLADIN = TUMLADEN in Gondolin.

UMBAR. Town. See SOUTHMEN

VALES OF ANDUIN. River Anduin. Vales of AnduinLOWER VALES, UPPER VALES, VALE OF ANDUIN, VALE OF THE GREAT RIVER, VALLEY OF ANDUIN. -VALES SOUTH OF RAUROS.

WHITE MOUNTAINS. The White Mountains were called Ered Nimrais in Sindarin meaning "White-horn Mountains." The word ered means "mountains" from the singular orod. The word nimrais means "white horns" from nim meaning "white" and rais, the plural of ras meaning "horn." The mountains were named for their snow-capped peaks. Mountain range of Gondor and Rohan. The White Mountains were high and their peaks were covered with snow year-round. Rohan was north of the White Mountains. Much of Gondor was south of the White Mountains, though the region of Anorien was north of the mountains at their eastern end.

Mount Mindolluin was the last peak at the eastern end of the White Mountains. Minas Tirith was at the foot of Mount Mindolluin. The city was built on the Hill of Guard, which was joined to Mount Mindolluin by a spur of rock. At its western end, the mountain range split into two forks. One fork curved north to the Gap of Rohan, which divided the White Mountains from the Misty Mountains. The distance between the Gap of Rohan and Mount Mindolluin was about 425 miles. The other fork continued westward. The distance from the western end of this fork to Mount Mindolluin was about 550 miles. At the far western end of the fork, there was an outlier of mountains that stretched southward for about 200 miles onto to the peninsula of Andrast. On the northern side of the White Mountains at their eastern end was the Druadan Forest. The Stonewain Valley passed between the forest and the mountains. The Beacon-hills of Gondor ran along the northern side of the White Mountains from the Druadan Forest to the Firien Wood. Amon Din and Eilenach stood separate from the mountain range, while Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad, and Halifirien were foothills of the White Mountains. Halifirien rose out of a deep valley in the White Mountains called the Firien-dale. The Mering Stream began in the Firien-dale and flowed through the Firien Wood and on to join the Entwash. West of the Mering Stream was Rohan. The White Mountains formed Rohan's southern border. The valley of Harrowdale was located in the White Mountains in Rohan. The town of Edoras stood at the entrance to the valley. The River Snowbourn sprang from the White Mountains in Harrowdale and flowed into the Entwash. On the eastern side of Harrowdale were three great peaks: Irensaga on the northern end, the Dwimorberg in the middle, and the Starkhorn to the south. The refuge of Dunharrow was high up on the slopes of these three mountains. The Dark Door to the Paths of the Dead was in Dwimorberg. The Paths of the Dead ran under the White Mountains to the Blackroot Vale on the southern side of the range. West of Harrowdale, in the northward fork of the White Mountains, was Helm's Deep. Helm's Deep was in the Deeping-coomb, a valley between the arms of the three-peaked mountain called the Thrihyrne. Beneath the Thrihyrne were the Glittering Caves. The Deeping-stream flowed from the Glittering Caves through the Deeping-coomb and out into the Westfold Vale. The River Adorn began between the two forks of the western White Mountains. The river flowed westward to join the Isen. Eight rivers sprang from the southern side of the White Mountains. The Lefnui began in the western fork of the White Mountains and flowed south to the Bay of Belfalas. The Blackroot emerged from the southern entrance of the Paths of the Dead and flowed through the Blackroot Vale past the Hill of Erech at the foot of the White Mountains and on to the Bay. Just east of the Blackroot Vale, a short southward spur branched off from the main range. The three mountains of the spur were called Dol Tarlang, Cul Veleg, and Cul Bin. A passage called Tarlang's Neck ran between the White Mountains and the spur. The River Ciril sprang from the mountains near Tarlang's Neck. The Ciril joined the Ringlo, which began in a lake formed by melting snow high in the White Mountains and descended into the Ringlo Vale. Both rivers flowed through Lamedon, which was a province of Gondor at the foot of the White Mountains. The town of Calembel was at the fords of the Ciril, and the town of Ethring was on the Ringlo. The Ciril and Ringlo joined the Blackroot. Farther east, the Gilrain, the Celos, the Sirith, and the Erui all began in the White Mountains. The Gilrain joined the Serni and flowed into the Bay of Belfalas. The Celos and Sirith merged and flowed into the Anduin. The Erui flowed into the Anduin through Lossarnach, a province of Gondor at the southeastern end of the White Mountains. In the First Age, the race of Men called the Druedain came from the lands south of Mordor and crossed the Anduin. They settled in the valleys on both sides of the White Mountains and in the forests on the northern side of the mountains. Later, other Men came from the East and drove the Druedain from the White Mountains, though the Druedain remained in the Druadan Forest and in the mountain spur on Andrast. The new arrivals became known as the Men of the Mountains. During the Dark Years of the Second Age, the Men of the Mountains worshipped Sauron. But some Men migrated away from the White Mountains during the Dark Years; these were the ancestors of the Men of Dunland and the Men of Bree. At the end of the Second Age, the survivors of Numenor founded the Kingdom of Gondor with territory on both sides of the White Mountains. Gondor was ruled jointly by Isildur and Anarion. Isildur met with the King of the Men of the Mountains, who swore allegiance to Gondor. But when Isildur called upon the Men

of the Mountains to join the war against Sauron, they refused. Isildur cursed them and said that they would never rest until they fulfilled their oath. The Men of the Mountains hid in the tunnels behind the Dark Door in Dwimorberg where they had built an underground temple. When they eventually died, their spirits continued to haunt the tunnels which became known as the Paths of the Dead. They remained there for over 3,000 years and they did not allow the living to enter their domain. Men of Gondor lived in the valleys of the White Mountains. Some hardy folk also lived higher up in mountain villages. Lossarnach and Lamedon were two populous provinces at the foot of the mountains. Men also lived in the river valleys of the Ringlo and the Blackroot. The Men of the Blackroot Vale were sometimes troubled by the Dead who were said to gather around the Stone of Erech where they had taken their oath. In 1981 of the Third Age, the Elf-maiden Nimrodel of Lothlorien became lost in the White Mountains as she travelled to the haven of Edhellond on the Bay of Belfalas. Her lover Amroth drowned in the Bay when he jumped from his ship and tried to return to land and look for her. After Rohan was founded in 2510, many of the Rohirrim lived in the valleys on the northern side of the White Mountains. The Westfold Vale was a populous region, as was Harrowdale. The people in Harrowdale were also occasionally haunted by the Dead who emerged from the Dark Door from time to time. King Brego and his son Baldor discovered the entrance to the Paths of the Dead while exploring Harrowdale. At the Dark Door, they found an old man who told them that the door would not be open to the living "until the time comes" (RotK, p. 71) but the man died without saying when that time would be. Baldor entered the Paths of the Dead in 2570. The Dead followed him silently to the door of a temple hall, where they broke his legs and left him to die. The Rohirrim took refuge in the mountains in time of need. When Rohan was invaded by the Dunlendings in 2758, some Rohirrim led by Frealaf hid in Dunharrow, while others led by King Helm went to the stronghold that became known as Helm's Deep. Helm died in the Long Winter, but Frealaf led a force from Dunharrow to drive out the Dunlendings in the spring of 2759. Around 2800, Orcs from the Misty Mountains came south to the White Mountains, fleeing from the War of the Dwarves and the Orcs. The Rohirrim hunted down the Orcs and believed they had slain them all, but then in 2851 King Walda was slain by Orcs on the mountain-paths near Dunharrow. Walda's son Folca finally destroyed the last Orc-hold in 2864. During the War of the Ring, a great battle was fought at Helm's Deep on the night of March 3-4, 3019. The armies of Rohan then mustered in Harrowdale in preparation for their march to Gondor. On March 8, Aragorn led the Grey Company into the Paths of the Dead to summon the Dead to fulfill their oath in the war against Sauron. The King of the Dead and his host followed Aragorn to the Stone of Erech. Aragorn led the Dead to Pelargir where they captured the fleet of the Corsairs. Aragorn then released the Dead to rest in peace. After the War of the Ring, Gimli and a colony of Dwarves settled in the Glittering Caves. Aragorn, King Elessar, climbed Mount Mindolluin to a high, hallowed place where he found a sapling of the White Tree. The tree was replanted in Minas Tirith and was seen as a sign of renewal.

White Mountains -BLACK MOUNTAINS. Range South of the Misty Mountains. Black Mountains, South Mountains. Replaced by White Mountains.

-BLUE MOUNTAINS .-DATES THE-ERED NIMRAIS. Ered Nimrais-ERED MYRN. -EREDVYRN. -MORNVENNIATH. -MOUNTAINS OF GONDOR. Mountains of Gondor The White Mountains.-MOUNTAINS OF THE SOUTH. -MOUNTAINS THE. -SOUTHMOUNTAINS.

Gondor ChronolgySecond Age: 2350 Numenoreans establish the haven of Pelargir near the Mouths of the Anduin. 3119 Birth of Elendil. 3209 Birth of Elendil's son Isildur. 3219 Birth of Elendil's son Anarion. 3262 Ar-Pharazon brings Sauron to Numenor. 3318 Birth of Anarion's son Meneldil. 3319 Ar-Pharazon tries to conquer the Undying Lands. Numenor is destroyed. The Faithful escape to Middle-earth led by Elendil, Isildur, and Anarion. 3320 Foundation of the realms of Gondor and Arnor. Sauron returns to Mordor. 3399 Birth of Meneldil's son Cemendur. 3429 Sauron attacks Gondor. Anarion remains to defend Gondor while Isildur goes north to Arnor. 3430 Elendil and Gil-galad form the Last Alliance to oppose Sauron. 3434 The army of the Last Alliance defeats Sauron's forces in the Battle of Dagorlad. Sauron is besieged in Barad-dur. 3440 Anarion is killed in battle. 3441 Elendil and Gil-galad defeat Sauron but are themselves killed. Isildur takes the One Ring and Sauron's spirit flees his body. Third Age: 0022 Isildur plants a seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor. He leaves Anarion's son Meneldil in charge of Gondor while he travels north to Arnor intending to assume the High Kingship. Isildur is killed by Orcs in the Gladden Fields and the One Ring is lost. Meneldil becomes the third King of Gondor. 0033 Ohtar brings the shards of Narsil to Arnor. 0010 Isildur's son Valandil becomes King of Arnor. He does not claim the High Kingship of both Gondor and Arnor. The two realms become separated. 0048 Birth of Cemendur's son Earendil. 0136 Birth of Earendil's son Anardil. 0158 Death of Meneldil. Cemendur becomes the fourth King of Gondor. 0222 Birth of Anardil's son Ostoher. 0238 Death of Cemendur. Earendil becomes the fifth King of Gondor. 0310 Birth of Ostoher's son Tarostar (later called Romendacil I). 0324 Death of Earendil. Anardil becomes the sixth King of Gondor. 0397 Birth of Tarostar's son Turambar. 0411 Death of Anardil. Ostoher becomes the seventh King of Gondor. 0420 King Ostoher rebuilds and enlarges Minas Anor and the Kings of Gondor begin to live there during the summer. 0480 Birth of Turambar's son Atanatar I. 0490 Easterlings attack Gondor for the first time. 0492 Death of Ostoher. Tarostar becomes the eighth King of Gondor. 0500 Tarostar defeats the Easterlings and takes the name Romendacil I, meaning "East-victor." 0541 Easterlings again attack Gondor and Romendacil I is slain in battle. Turambar becomes the ninth King of Gondor. He avenges his father's death and gains territory in the east. 0570 Birth of Atanatar I's son Siriondil. 0654 Birth of Siriondil's son Tarannon.

0667 Death of Turambar. Atanatar I becomes the tenth King of Gondor. 0736 Birth of Earnil I, nephew of Tarannon. 0748 Death of Atanatar I. Siriondil becomes the eleventh King of Gondor. 0820 Birth of Earnil I's son Ciryandil. 0830 Death of Siriondil. Tarannon becomes the twelfth King of Gondor. He takes the name Falastur, meaning "Lord of the Coasts," because he expanded Gondor's territory along the coasts west and south of the Mouths of the Anduin. 0899 Birth of Ciryandil's son Ciryaher (later called Hyarmendacil I). 0913 Death of Tarannon Falastur. He had no children, so his nephew Earnil I becomes the thirteenth King of Gondor. 0933 Earnil I captures Umbar. 0936 Earnil I lost at Sea. Ciryandil becomes the fourteenth King of Gondor. 0977 Birth of Ciryaher's son Atanatar II. 1015 The Haradrim besiege Umbar. King Ciryandil is killed. Ciryaher becomes the fifteenth King of Gondor. 1049 Birth of Atanatar II's eldest son Narmacil I. 1050 Ciryaher conquers the Haradrim and gains territory in the south. He takes the name Hyarmendacil I meaning "South-victor." Gondor reaches the height of its power. Sauron returns from the East and secretly builds the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Greenwood, which becomes Mirkwood. 1058 Birth of Atanatar II's younger son Calmacil. 1126 Birth of Calmacil's son Minalcar (later called Romendacil II). 1149 Death of Hyarmendacil I. Atanatar II becomes the sixteenth King of Gondor. The waning of Gondor's power begins during his reign. 1194 Birth of Minalcar's son Valacar. 1226 Death of Atanatar II. Narmacil I becomes the seventeenth King of Gondor. 1240 Narmacil I makes his nephew Minalcar his Regent. 1248 Minalcar defeats a large army of Easterlings and takes the name Romendacil II. 1250 Romendacil II sends his son Valacar as an ambassador to the King Vidugavia of Rhovanion. Valacar marries Vidugavia's daughter Vidumavi soon afterwards. 1255 Birth of Valacar's son Eldacar. 1259 Birth of Castamir. 1260 Romendacil II calls Valacar home from the court of Vidugavia. 1294 Death of Narmacil I. He had no children, so his younger brother Calmacil becomes the eighteenth King of Gondor, though Romendacil II continues to rule as Regent. 1300 c. 1300 Evil things begin to multiply again in Middle-earth. 1304 Death of Calmacil. Romendacil II becomes the nineteenth King of Gondor. 1330 Birth of Eldacar's second son Aldamir. 1332 or 1344 Death of Valacar's wife Vidumavi. 1366 Death of Romendacil II. Valacar becomes the twentieth King of Gondor. 1391 Birth of Aldamir's son Vinyarion (later called Hyarmendacil II). 1432 Death of Valacar. Eldacar becomes twenty-first King of Gondor. The civil war of the Kin-strife begins. 1437 Osgiliath is captured by Castamir, who usurps the throne and becomes twenty-second King of Gondor. Eldacar flees to Rhovanion. His son Ornendil is slain. 1447 Eldacar returns to Gondor. He kills Castamir at the Battle of the Crossings of Erui and resumes the throne of Gondor. Castamir's sons flee to Pelargir where they are besieged by Eldacar. 1448 Castamir's sons and their followers escape and capture Umbar. 1454 Birth of Vinyarion's son Minardil. 1490 Death of Eldacar. Aldamir becomes twenty-third King of Gondor. 1516 Birth of Minardil's son Telemnar. 1540 Aldamir slain in battle with the Haradrim and the Corsairs of Umbar. Vinyarion becomes twenty-fourth King of Gondor. 1551 Vinyarion defeats the Haradrim and takes the name Hyarmendacil II, meaning "South-victor." 1577 Birth of Tarondor, nephew of Telemnar. 1621 Death of Hyarmendacil II. Minardil becomes twenty-fifth King of Gondor. 1632 Birth of Tarondor's son Telumehtar.

1634 The Corsairs attack Pelargir and Minardil is killed. Telemnar become twenty-sixth King of Gondor. 1635 The Great Plague begins to spread from the East, coming first to the Northmen of Rhovanion. 1636 The Great Plague devastates Gondor. Telemnar and his children die. Telemnar's nephew Tarondor becomes twenty-seventh King of Gondor. The White Tree dies. 1640 Tarondor moves the capital to Minas Anor and plants a seedling of the White Tree. Osgiliath begins to fall into ruin. Mordor is left unguarded. 1684 Birth of Telumehtar's son Narmacil II. 1736 Birth of Narmacil II's son Calimehtar. 1787 Birth of Calimehtar's son Ondoher. 1798 Death of Tarondor. Telumehtar becomes the twenty-eighth King of Gondor. 1810 Telumehtar retakes Umbar and temporarily drives out the Corsairs. 1850 Death of Telumehtar. Narmacil II becomes the twenty-ninth King of Gondor. 1851 The attacks of the Wainriders upon Gondor begin. 1856 Narmacil II killed in the Battle of the Plains against the Wainriders. Calimehtar becomes the thirtieth King of Gondor. Gondor loses its territory east of the Anduin except Ithilien. 1879 Birth of Pelendur. 1883 Birth of Earnil II. 1899 Calimehtar defeats the Wainriders on Dagorlad. 1900 Calimehtar builds the White Tower in Minas Anor. 1919 Birth of Pelendur's son Vorondil. 1928 Birth of Earnil II's son Earnur. 1936 Death of Calimehtar. Ondoher becomes thirty-first King of Gondor. 1940 Gondor and Arnor renew communications and recognize that they face a common enemy. Ondoher's daughter Firiel marries Arvedui of the North-kingdom. 1944 The Wainriders allied with Khand and Near Harad attack Gondor. Ondoher and his sons are killed. Earnil defeats the enemy in South Ithilien and wins the Battle of the Camp. Arvedui of the North-kingdom tries to claim the crown of Gondor, but his claim is rejected. 1945 Earnil II becomes thirty-second King of Gondor. 1960 Birth of Vorondil's son Mardil Voronwe. 1973 The Witch-king of Angmar prepares an assault on Arthedain. Arvedui sends a request for help to Gondor. 1974 The Witch-king invades Arthedain and captures Fornost. The North-kingdom ends. 1975 Arvedui drowns in the Icebay of Forochel. Earnur brings a fleet to Lindon. The Witch-king is defeated at the Battle of Fornost. 1976 Arvedui's son Aranarth takes the title of Chieftain of the Dunedain. 1980 The Witch-king comes to Mordor and gathers the Nazgûl to him to prepare for Sauron's return. 1998 Death of the Steward Pelendur. Vorondil becomes Steward to Earnil II. 1999 Birth of Mardil Voronwe's son Eradan. 2000 The Nazgûl besiege Minas Ithil. 2002 The Nazgûl capture Minas Ithil, which becomes known as Minas Morgul. They gain possession of the palantir called the Ithil-stone. 2029 Death of Vorondil. Mardil Voronwe becomes Steward to Earnil II. 2037 Birth of Eradan's son Herion. 2043 Death of Earnil II. Earnur becomes the thirty-third King of Gondor. He is challenged by the Witch-king but the Steward Mardil persuades him to refuse. 2050 The Witch-king challenges Earnur again. Earnur rides to Minas Morgul and never returns. The line of Kings ends. Mardil becomes the first Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2063 Gandalf goes to Dol Guldur. Sauron flees into the East. The Watchful Peace begins. The Nazgûl remain quiet in Minas Morgul. 2074 Birth of Herion's son Belegorn. 2080 Death of Mardil Voronwe. Eradan becomes the second Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2116 Death of Eradan. Herion becomes the third Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2124 Birth of Belegorn's son Hurin I. 2148 Death of Herion. Belegorn becomes the fourth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2165 Birth of Hurin I's son Turin I. 2204 Death of Belegorn. Hurin I becomes the fifth Ruling Steward of Gondor.

2244 Death of Hurin I. Turin I becomes the sixth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2245 Birth of Turin I's son Hador. 2278 Death of Turin I. Hador becomes the seventh Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2290 Birth of Hador's son Barahir. 2328 Birth of Barahir's son Dior. 2375 Birth of Dior's nephew Denethor I. 2395 Death of Hador. Barahir becomes the eighth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2410 Birth of Denethor I's son Boromir. 2412 Death of Barahir. Dior becomes the ninth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2435 Death of Dior. Denethor I becomes the tenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2449 Birth of Boromir's son Cirion. 2460 The Watchful Peace ends. Sauron returns with increased strength to Dol Guldur. 2463 c. 2463 Deagol finds the One Ring and is murdered for it by Smeagol. 2475 Ithilien is invaded by Uruks led by the Nazgûl. They are driven back by Boromir, but Osgiliath is ruined and deserted. 2477 Death of Denethor I. Boromir becomes the eleventh Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2480 Birth of Cirion's son Hallas. 2489 Death of Boromir. Cirion becomes the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2510 Calenardhon is invaded by the Balchoth. Eorl the Young comes to Gondor's aid in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. Cirion gives Eorl and his people Calenardhon, which becomes Rohan. 2515 Birth of Hallas' son Hurin II. 2545 Birth of Hurin II's son Belecthor I. 2567 Death of Cirion. Hallas becomes the thirteenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2576 Birth of Belecthor I's son Orodreth. 2600 Birth of Orodreth's son Ecthelion I. 2605 Death of Hallas. Hurin II becomes the fourteenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2626 Birth of Egalmoth. 2628 Death of Hurin II. Belecthor I becomes the fifteenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2655 Death of Belecthor I. Orodreth becomes the sixteenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. Birth of Egalmoth's son Beren. 2685 Death of Orodreth. Ecthelion I becomes the seventeenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2698 Ecthelion I rebuilds the White Tower in Minas Tirith. Death of Ecthelion I. He has no children, so his kinsman Egalmoth becomes the eighteenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2700 Birth of Beren's son Beregond. 2743 Death of Egalmoth. Beren becomes the nineteenth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2752 Birth of Beregond's son Belecthor II. 2758 Gondor is attacked by fleets from Umbar and Harad, but Beregond drives them away. Rohan is invaded by Dunlendings. The Long Winter begins. 2759 Death of King Helm of Rohan. Frealaf drives out the Dunlendings and becomes King of Rohan. Beren allows Saruman to live at Isengard. 2763 Death of Beren. Beregond becomes the twentieth Ruling Steward of Gondor. Gondor begins to recover its strength. 2782 Birth of Belecthor II's son Thorondir. 2811 Death of Beregond. Belecthor II becomes the twenty-first Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2815 Birth of Thorondir's son Turin II. 2855 Birth of Turin II's son Turgon. 2872 Death of Belecthor II. Thorondir becomes the twenty-second Ruling Steward of Gondor. The White Tree dies and no seedling can be found. The Dead Tree is left standing. 2882 Death of Thorondir. Turin II becomes the twenty-third Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2885 Stirred up by emissaries of Sauron, the Haradrim invade Ithilien. The Haradrim are defeated by the forces of Gondor and Rohan. Folcred and Fastred of Rohan are killed. 2886 Birth of Turgon's son Ecthelion II. 2901 Most of the remaining inhabitants of Ithilien flee because of attacks by Uruks from Mordor. The secret refuge of Henneth Annun is built. 2911 The Fell Winter. 2912 Tharbad is ruined by floods in the spring thaw and is deserted.

2914 Death of Turin II. Turgon becomes the twenty-fourth Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2930 Birth of Ecthelion II's son Denethor II. 2931 March 1: Birth of Aragorn, son of Arathorn II, Chieftain of the Dunedain of the North. 2941 Bilbo discovers the One Ring. The White Council attacks Dol Guldur. Sauron withdraws. 2942 Sauron returns in secret to Mordor. 2950 Birth of Finduilas, daughter of Adrahil of Dol Amroth. 2951 Sauron declares himself openly and gathers power and begins the rebuilding of Barad-dur. Elrond tells Aragorn his true heritage and gives him the shards of Narsil. 2953 Death of Turgon. Ecthelion II becomes the twenty-fifth Ruling Steward of Gondor. Saruman tells the White Council that the One Ring was washed down to the Sea, and he claims Isengard as his own. 2954 Mount Doom bursts into flame again. The last inhabitants of Ithilien flee over Anduin. 2976 Denethor II marries Finduilas of Dol Amroth. 2978 Birth Denethor's son Boromir. 2980 Aragorn defeats the Corsairs while in the serving Ecthelion under the assumed name of Thorongil. 2983 Birth of Denethor's son Faramir. 2984 Death of Ecthelion II. Denethor II becomes the twenty-sixth and last Ruling Steward of Gondor. 2988 Death of Finduilas, wife of the Steward Denethor II. 3000 c. 3000 The shadow of Mordor lengthens. 3017 Gandalf visits Minas Tirith and reads the scroll of Isildur which describes the One Ring. 3018 June 19: Faramir dreams of Isildur's Bane. June 20: The Witch-king leads an attack Osgiliath. Boromir and Faramir hold the western side of the Anduin. July 4: Boromir sets out for Rivendell. September 29: Aragorn offers his protection to Frodo Baggins, the Ring-bearer. October 24: Boromir arrives at Rivendell in the night. October 25: The Council of Elrond decides that the One Ring must be destroyed in Mordor. Frodo Baggins volunteers to take it. December 18: A Fellowship is chosen to accompany Frodo, including Aragorn and Boromir. December 25: The Fellowship sets out from Rivendell. 3019 February 26: The Breaking of the Fellowship. Frodo sets out for Mordor with Sam. Boromir dies defending Merry and Pippin. Faramir and Denethor hear Boromir's horn in the distance. Aragorn follows the captors of Merry and Pippin. February 29: Faramir sees Boromir's funeral boat. March 1: Faramir and his men set out for Ithilien to ambush the Haradrim marching to Mordor. March 3-4: Battle of Helm's Deep; destruction of Isengard. March 5: Aragorn takes possession of the palantir of Orthanc. March 6: Aragorn reveals himself to Sauron in the palantir. March 7: Faramir encounters Frodo and Sam in Ithilien. He learns that Frodo carries the One Ring but he does not try to take it. March 8: News reaches Minas Tirith that the Corsairs' fleet is approaching the Mouths of the Anduin. Aragorn takes the Paths of the Dead and summons the Oathbreakers to fight the Corsairs. March 9: The Beacons of Gondor are lit. Gandalf and Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith. Pippin swears fealty to Denethor. The armies of the fiefdoms of Gondor reach Minas Tirith. Denethor's messenger Hirgon arrives in Rohan with the Red Arrow seeking aid. Faramir leaves Henneth Annun for Cair Andros. March 10: The Dawnless Day. The Witch-king leads an army from Minas Morgul. Faramir returns to Minas Tirith and is rescued from Nazgûl by Gandalf. Faramir reports to Denethor on his encounter with Frodo the Ring-bearer. An enemy force takes Cair Andros and crosses the river north of Minas Tirith. March 11: Denethor sends Faramir to Osgiliath to hold the river crossing. March 12: The army led by the Witch-king captures the crossing at Osgiliath. Faramir is forced to retreat to the Causeway Forts. March 13: The Rammas Echor is breached and the Pelennor Fields are overrun. Faramir is brought back to Minas Tirith gravely wounded. Denethor looks into the palantir and probably sees the capture of Frodo Baggins, leading him to mistakenly conclude that Sauron has the One Ring. Aragorn reaches Pelargir with the army of the Dead and they capture the Corsairs' fleet.

March 14: Denethor remains at Faramir's bedside and relinquishes command of Minas Tirith's defenses to Gandalf. Another vision in the palantir reveals a Corsair fleet approaching, which unknown to Denethor is commanded by Aragorn. Denethor foresees doom for both Faramir and Gondor and he falls into madness and despair. March 15: Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Aragorn arrives in the Corsairs' ships. Sauron's forces are defeated. Denethor kills himself but Faramir is rescued and is revived by Aragorn. March 16: The Captains of the West decide to march to the Black Gate. March 18: Aragorn leads the Host of the West out of Minas Tirith. March 23: Aragorn sends those too frightened to proceed to retake Cair Andros. March 25: Battle of the Morannon. The One Ring is destroyed and Sauron is defeated. May 1: Aragorn is crowned King Elessar. Faramir becomes his Steward and is given the title Prince of Ithilien. June 25: Aragorn finds the sapling of the White Tree. Midsummer's Eve: Aragorn receives the Sceptre of Annuminas - the symbol of royalty of the North-kingdom. Midsummer's Day: Wedding of Aragorn and Arwen. 3020 Marriage of Faramir and Eowyn. Fourth Age: 0006 King Elessar makes the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbids Men from entering it. 0013 King Elessar makes the Thain, the Master of Buckland, and the Mayor of Michel Delving Counsellors of the North-kingdom. 0015 King Elessar and Queen Arwen come north to dwell at Annuminas. They meet with Pippin, Merry and Sam at the Brandywine Bridge. 0031 King Elessar adds the Westmarch to the Shire. 0082 Death of Faramir. 0120 Death of King Elessar. Eldarion becomes King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.

Gondor was the greatest kingdom of Men in Middle-earth. It was founded by the survivors of Numenor - Elendil and his sons Isildur and Anarion. In the early part of the Third Age, Gondor rose to the height of its power, but then it began to decline. The line of Kings ended and Gondor was ruled by the Stewards. Still Gondor remained as the first line of defense between Mordor and the rest of Middle-earth. At the end of the Third Age, Gondor faced the might of Mordor in battle, and a King returned to the throne at last. Gondor was located in southwestern Middle-earth. At the end of the Third Age, Gondor included the lands south of the White Mountains between the River Lefnui and the Anduin; the region called Anorien north of the White Mountains between the Mering Stream and the Anduin; and Ithilien east of the Anduin on the borders of Mordor.The largest and most populous part of Gondor was south of the White Mountains on the coast of the Bay of Belfalas. The fiefdoms of Lossarnach, Lebennin, Lamedon, Belfalas, and Anfalas were in this region. These fiefdoms had their own lords, but they were subject to the ruler of Gondor.Lossarnach was a small but populous region in the vales at the southeastern end of the White Mountains. The River Erui flowed from the mountains through Lossarnach and continue through Lebennin to the Anduin.Lebennin lay west of Lossarnach. In addition to the Erui, the river system of the Sirith and Celos flowed through Lebennin to the Anduin, while the river system of the Gilrain and Serni flowed into the Bay of Belfalas. The Gilrain formed Lebennin's western border, and the Anduin formed the southern boundary.Lebennin was a large fiefdom with a population of hardy folk. The people of Lebennin were mainly a mixture of the Dunedain and the original inhabitants of the region. Fisher-folk lived around the Mouths of the Anduin in Lebennin. The port city of Pelargir was located in Lebennin on the Anduin near the point where it was joined by the Sirith. The town of Linhir was located at the fords near the juncture of the Gilrain and Serni.Belfalas was a great fiefdom on a cape extending into the Bay of Belfalas. The central region of the cape was mountainous. The port city of Dol Amroth was on the western side of the cape on a promontory overlooking the inlet of Cobas Haven.Belfalas was ruled by the Princes of Dol Amroth. The Princes were of Numenorean descent and were said to have Elvish blood as well. Many of the inhabitants of Belfalas were also of Numenorean ancestry.

Lamedon was a fiefdom north of Belfalas at the foot of the White Mountains. The Ciril and Ringlo rivers originated in Lamedon. The town of Ethring was at the crossings of the Ringlo, where the river emerged from the Ringlo Vale. The town of Calembel was located at the fords of the Ciril.On the western border of Belfalas, Ciril and Ringlo merged with the Blackroot River which flowed into the Bay of Belfalas. The Elf-haven of Edhellond was on the Bay at the mouth of the Blackroot. A community of Elves lived at Edhellond from around the end of the First Age to the middle of the Third Age, and from there ships set sail to the Undying Lands.The Blackroot River originated in the White Mountains. The river issued from the door of the Paths of the Dead in the Blackroot Vale. The Hill of Erech where the great Stone of Erech stood was in the Blackroot Vale. The valley had rich farmland and many people lived there.Anfalas was a fiefdom along the coast west of Belfalas. There were a number of small villages in Anfalas, and the population included herdsmen, hunters, and fishermen. The Green Hills - or Pinnath Gelin - were north of Anfalas.The River Lefnui was the western border of Anfalas, and it was also the western border of Gondor south of the White Mountains. Beyond the Lefnui lay the peninsula of Andrast, which extended beyond the Bay of Belfalas out into the Sea. Andrast was said to be inhabited by the secretive race of Men called the Druedain. It was never settled by the Men of Gondor, though they did maintain a coast guard and beacons at the far end of the peninsula.The southern provinces were connected by roads. The South Road ran from Minas Tirith through Lossarnach and Lebennin to Pelargir. From Pelargir, a road continued west to Linhir and then northwest through Ethring and Calembel. The road passed through the narrow passage called Tarlang's Neck and ended at the Hill of Erech.Anorien was north of the White Mountains at the eastern end of the range. Anorien was bordered on the east by the Anduin and on the north by the Mouths of the Entwash. On the west, the Mering Stream divided Anorien from the country of Rohan. The Great West Road ran through Anorien from Minas Tirith to Rohan and on to join the North-South Road to the North-kingdom of Arnor.The Firien Wood was on the border between Anorien and Rohan. Although more than half the forest was in Anorien, the Firien Wood came to be considered the domain of Rohan. The hill of Halifirien was in the Firien Wood.Halifirien was the last of the seven Beacon-hills of Gondor which stretched across Anorien. The signal-fires on the Beacon-hills were lit in time of need to summon Rohan to Gondor's aid. The other Beacon-hills were Calenhad, Min-Rimmon, and Erelas - which were at the foot of the White Mountains - and Nardol, Eilenach, and Amon Din - which were located in the Druadan Forest in eastern Anorien.The Druadan Forest was inhabited by the Druedain. The Druedain kept to themselves and usually went into hiding when strangers entered the woods. Between the Druadan Forest and the White Mountains was the Stonewain Valley. A road through the Stonewain Valley was used for transporting stones from the quarry on the western edge of the forest to Minas Tirith.Minas Tirith was a great, seven-tiered city at the base of Mount Mindolluin at the far eastern end of the White Mountains. The City was surrounded by the rich farmlands of the Pelennor Fields, which were enclosed by the wall called the Rammas Echor. Minas Tirith was the capital of Gondor during the second part of the Third Age.Osgiliath was the original capital of Gondor. It was a large, beautiful city on the Anduin about 15 miles northeast of Minas Tirith. Osgiliath was built on both sides of the river with a great bridge connecting the two parts of the city. The western half of the city was in Anorien, while the eastern half was in Ithilien.Ithilien was a pleasant green land between the Anduin and the Mountains of Shadow on the border of Mordor. Ithilien was bordered on the north by the hills of the Emyn Muil and swamplands of the Wetwang the Dead Marshes. The River Poros was the southern border of Ithilien. The Harad Road came from the South over the Crossings of Poros and ran through Ithilien to the Black Gate of Mordor.Minas Ithil, the sister city of Minas Tirith, stood at the foot of the Mountains of Shadow. The city was captured by the Nazgûl in 2002 and became known as Minas Morgul. The Morgul-road ran from Minas Morgul to Osgiliath. The Morgulduin flowed alongside the road from the Morgul Vale to the Anduin. The hills of Emyn Arnen were south of the Morgul-road.Cair Andros was an island in the Anduin between Ithilien and Anorien. The island was fortified in order to prevent enemy forces from crossing the river there. The island of Tolfalas was in the Bay of Belfalas at the Mouths of the Anduin.

The boundaries of Gondor varied over the course of its history. Before 2510, Rohan was a province of Gondor called Calenardhon. The region of South Gondor between the Poros and the River Harnen was disputed between Gondor and Harad. At the height of its power under Hyarmendacil I, Gondor's southward reach extended as far as Umbar. At that time Gondor also claimed lands east of the Anduin to the Sea of Rhun and west of the Misty Mountains to the Greyflood, but these regions were never settled by the Men of Gondor. Numenor was destroyed in 3319 of the Second Age. Many of the Men of Numenor including the King Ar-Pharazon had been corrupted by Sauron. In a misguided attempt to achieve immortality, Ar-Pharazon defied the will of the Valar and sailed westward, intending to take the Undying Lands by force. Eru destroyed Ar-Pharazon's fleet and caused the island of Numenor to sink beneath the Sea.Some Men of Numenor rejected Sauron and remained faithful to the Valar. The Faithful stayed behind when Ar-Pharazon set sail to the Undying Lands. When Numenor was destroyed they escaped in their own ships to Middle-earth led by Elendil and his sons Isildur and Anarion. Elendil and his four ships landed in the north, while Isildur's three ships and Anarion's two ships landed in the south.In 3320, the survivors of Numenor founded the realms of Gondor and Arnor. Elendil was the High King of both realms, and he lived in the North-kingdom of Arnor. Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled the South-kingdom of Gondor. Their people became known as the Dunedain, or Men of the West.The Dunedain were familiar with the region that became Gondor. Their ancestors had sailed there from Numenor in the past and had established the port city of Pelargir near the Mouths of the Anduin nearly 1,000 years before in 2350. Some Numenoreans had settled there and became mixed with the original inhabitants. When Isildur and Anarion arrived, they were welcomed by the descendants of those people.Isildur lived in Minas Ithil on the east side of the Anduin and Anarion lived in Minas Anor on the west side. The capital city of Osgiliath was located on the river between them, and there Isildur and Anarion had their thrones.The realms of Gondor and Arnor maintained communication with each other by way of the palantiri, or Seeing-stones. Four of the palantiri were in Gondor, while three were in Arnor. In Gondor, the palantiri were distributed in Osgiliath, Minas Ithil, Minas Anor, and Isengard.Isengard was a stronghold built by the Men of Gondor to guard the Gap between the Misty Mountains and the White Mountains on their western frontier. On the other side of the Gap, they built another stronghold called Aglarond.Unknown to the Men of Gondor, Sauron had returned to Mordor. He was angered that the Dunedain had survived the Downfall of Numenor and had established a realm on his borders. In 3429, Sauron launched an attack on Gondor and captured Minas Ithil. Isildur fled and went north to Arnor while Anarion remained behind to defend Gondor. Anarion managed to hold Osgiliath and drive Sauron's forces back to Mordor, but he did not have sufficient strength to defeat Sauron.Elendil formed an alliance with Gil-galad, the leader of the Elves of Lindon. They fought Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance, which lasted seven years from 3434 to 3441. Anarion was killed in 3440 during the Siege of Barad-dur. In 3441, Sauron fought with Elendil and Gil-galad and all of them fell. Isildur took the One Ring from Sauron but refused to destroy it, which allowed Sauron's spirit to survive and escape into the East.The Men of Gondor built strongholds to keep watch on the borders of Mordor, where evil creatures still lurked. The Towers of the Teeth were erected on either side of the Black Gate and the Tower of Cirith Ungol was built to guard a pass high in the Mountains of Shadow. Guards also kept watch from Minas Ithil.Isildur intended to take up the High Kingship of both Gondor and Arnor and to dwell in the north as Elendil had. Before departing, Isildur planted a seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor. In the year 2 of the Third Age, Isildur left Gondor in the hands of Anarion's son Meneldil and headed north. On the way, he was killed by Orcs in the Gladden Fields and the One Ring was lost in the water.After Isildur's death, the Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor became separated. Isildur's son Valandil succeeded him as King of Arnor when he came of age but he did not claim the High Kingship of both realms. Gondor was ruled by the heirs of Anarion starting with Meneldil.Meneldil ruled Gondor until his death in 158. He was followed by Cemendur, Earendil, Anardil, and Ostoher. In 420, Ostoher rebuilt and enlarged Minas Anor. It became customary for the Kings of Gondor to live in Minas Anor during the summer, though Osgiliath remained the capital.

In 490, Gondor was attacked by Men from Rhun in the East. Ostoher died two years later and was succeeded by his son Tarostar who continued the defense of Gondor against the Easterlings. In 500, Tarostar defeated the Easterlings and changed his name to Romendacil, meaning "East-victor."Romendacil I was the first King to appoint a Steward. The Steward was the highest ranking official in the King's court. One of the duties of the Steward was to remain in Gondor while the King went to war. Romendacil I also began the tradition of leaving written instructions to be used by the King's heir in case of the King's untimely death.In 541, the Easterlings renewed their attacks and Romendacil I was killed in battle. His son Turambar avenged him by driving back the Easterlings and gaining territory for Gondor east of the Anduin.Turambar was followed by Atanatar I, Siriondil, and Tarannon. Tarannon became King in 830. He expanded Gondor's territory along the coasts west and south of the Mouths of the Anduin. He took the name Falastur, meaning "Lord of the Coasts." Tarannon Falastur was the first of four Kings known as the Ship-kings because they built fleets and made Gondor a seafaring power.Tarannon Falastur built a house that stood in the waters of the Anduin south of Pelargir, but his wife Queen Beruthiel remained in Osgiliath because she hated the Sea. Queen Beruthiel had ten cats which she used to spy on people and learn their secrets. Eventually it is said that Tarannon set her adrift at Sea in a ship with only her cats for company.Tarannon and Beruthiel had no children. He was the first King of Gondor to die without a direct heir, but he was not the last. This was later seen as a sign of the start of Gondor's decay, as the Kings began to have fewer children and the royal bloodline dwindled until finally - many generations later - it ended.Earnil I - the son of Tarannon's brother Tarciryan - became King in 913. He was the second of the Ship-kings, and he built a great navy for Gondor. Earnil repaired the haven of Pelargir, and he also captured the great haven of Umbar on the coast of Harad in 933. The inhabitants of Umbar were a mix of the native Haradrim and the descendants of the Black Numenoreans - who had been corrupted by Sauron and made settlements in the south before the destruction of Numenor.Earnil I perished at Sea in a great storm off the coast of Harad in 936. His son Ciryandil was the third Ship-king. In 1015, Ciryandil was killed in battle by the Haradrim who tried to retake Umbar. Umbar was besieged by the Haradrim for 35 years until Ciryandil's son Ciryaher conquered them in 1050. Ciryaher took the name Hyarmendacil meaning "South-victor." Hyarmendacil I was the last of the Ship-kings.Around the same time, Sauron returned from the East. He had slowly regained his strength, and he built the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Greenwood the Great. A shadow fell on the forest and it became known as Mirkwood. At the time, no one realized that the evil presence in Dol Guldur was Sauron.Gondor reached the height of its power during the 134-year reign of Hyarmendacil I. Gondor's boundaries were greatly expanded. In the south, Gondor claimed territory as far as the Harnen as well as the haven of Umbar. The lords of the Haradrim were subject to the King of Gondor, and they sent their sons to live as hostages in his court.In the east, Gondor's lands extended as far as the Sea of Rhun. The southern edge of Mirkwood and the Field of Celebrant formed the northern boundary of Gondor in the Vales of the Anduin. The Men who lived in the Vales of the Anduin acknowledged the rule of Gondor.Gondor's lands also extended west of the Misty Mountains. At this time, Gondor included the region called Enedwaith, bordered on the north by the Greyflood, which also formed the southern border of Arnor. But the Men of Gondor never settled the region, so Enedwaith was essentially a borderland between Gondor and Arnor, and the western border of Gondor was later withdrawn to the River Isen.Hyarmendacil I died in 1149 and was succeeded by his son Atanatar II. He was called Atanatar Alcarin, meaning "the Glorious," but his glory was in wealth and splendor not deeds. He was content to reap the benefits of his father's achievements without making any efforts himself. Gondor began to decline during his reign, and Gondor's defenses and vigilance weakened.In 1226, Atanatar II was succeeded by his son Narmacil I, who was equally lazy. Narmacil did not want to be bothered with the duties of kingship, so he relinquished his powers to his nephew Minalcar, having no sons of his own. Minalcar was appointed Regent in 1240.Minalcar was a strong leader. He strengthened ties with the Northmen who lived in Rhovanion in the wide lands east and south of Mirkwood. Minalcar realized the value of having an ally between Gondor and the hostile Easterlings beyond the Sea of Rhun. But some of the Northmen made alliances with the Easterlings in order to gain wealth or power for themselves. To prevent this, Minalcar made a decisive stroke against the Easterlings in 1248.

After his victory, Minalcar took the name Romendacil, meaning "East-victor," as his ancestor Tarostar had done. Romendacil built forts along the western side of the Anduin between the Emyn Muil and the Limlight. The great statues of the Argonath were erected either side of the river to mark the point beyond which strangers were forbidden to come without permission.Romendacil took a number of Northmen into his service, and in 1250 he sent his son Valacar as an ambassador to the court of King Vidugavia of Rhovanion. Valacar immersed himself in the culture of the Northmen and he fell in love with King Vidugavia's daughter Vidumavi. Romendacil gave them permission to marry so as not to jeopardize Gondor's relations with the Northmen. In 1255, Vidumavi bore Valacar a son whom they named Vinitharya in the language of the Northmen and Eldacar in the language of Gondor.Romendacil called Valacar home to Gondor in 1260. At first, Valacar's wife and children were welcomed. Vidumavi took the name Galadwen and learned the language and customs of Gondor.In 1294, Romendacil's uncle King Narmacil I died. Narmacil I was officially succeeded by his brother Calmacil, who was Romendacil's father. But Calmacil did not want the duties of kingship either, so Romendacil continued to rule Gondor as Regent until he finally became King Romendacil II after Calmacil's death in 1304.Valacar's wife Vidumavi died in either 1332 or 1344. Her life was long for one of the Northmen, but it was short compared to the lifespans of the Dunedain. Some Gondorians believed that it had been a mistake for Valacar to marry a woman from outside the bloodline of Numenor. They also resented the favor that the Northmen in Romendacil's service were shown.Romendacil II died in 1366 and was succeeded by Valacar. Eldacar was now the heir to the throne and a growing number of Gondorians were opposed to the fact that the next King of Gondor would be of mixed blood. This view was especially held by those in Gondor's southern provinces, where rebellion began to grow as Valacar's reign drew to an end.In 1432, Eldacar became King and the civil war of the Kin-strife began. The rebels were led by Castamir, who was the grandson of Romendacil II's younger brother. Castamir was a Captain of Ships and many of his followers were from the coastal regions including Pelargir and Umbar. Eldacar put up a fierce resistance, supported by the Northmen in his service as well as by many Gondorians, particularly those from northern Gondor.Eldacar and his followers were besieged in Osgiliath by Castamir's forces. The defenders held out as long as they could but in 1437, Castamir captured Osgiliath. The city was burned and the Dome of Stars was destroyed and the palantir that was kept there was lost forever in the waters of the Anduin. Castamir and his forces slaughtered many of the defenders of Osgiliath including Eldacar's oldest son Ornendil. Eldacar and a number of others escaped to Rhovanion.Castamir usurped the throne of Gondor and ruled as King for ten years. He moved the capital to Pelargir and he concentrated on Gondor's fleet while neglecting the land. Castamir's cruelty during the sack of Osgiliath made him unpopular with the people of northern Gondor and his cruelty continued throughout his reign.Eldacar bided his time until he judged that his return would be supported by a large number of Gondorians. In 1447, he came to Gondor with a force of Northmen joined by Gondorians from Calenardhon, Anorien, and Ithilien. At the Battle of the Crossings of Erui, Eldacar killed Castamir and resumed the throne of Gondor.Many Men of Gondor died on both sides of that battle. Afterwards, some of the Northmen who had supported Eldacar remained in Gondor and intermarried with the Dunedain.Castamir's sons escaped with some of their followers to Pelargir and from there they sailed to Umbar in 1448. The rebels established a kingdom there and took to the high seas as Corsairs, raiding Gondor's coasts and attacking its ships. The rebels soon became intermingled with the Haradrim, and Umbar became a stronghold of enemies of Gondor. The region north of the River Harnen known as South Gondor was no longer under Gondor's rule but was contested with the Corsairs. Gondor also lost its hold over the other kingdoms of Harad.Eldacar died in 1490 at the age of 235. His lifespan had not been diminished by his mixed blood as some had feared. But over the years the lifespans of the Dunedain did begin to decrease. This was largely due to the fact that extended life had been a gift to the Men of Numenor in reward for their service in the war against Morgoth. Now that Numenor was destroyed and the descendants of the Numenoreans had relocated to Middle-earth, the gift of long life was fading.

Eldacar's son Aldamir succeeded him as King. Aldamir was killed in battle with the Corsairs and the Haradrim in 1540. His son Vinyarion avenged him by winning a great victory over Umbar and Harad in 1551. Vinyarion took the name Hyarmendacil II, meaning "South-victor."Hyarmendacil II was succeeded by his son Minardil in 1621. Vigilance against Gondor's enemies in the South had been relaxed. In 1634, the Corsairs learned that Minardil was in Pelargir. They launched a surprise attack led by Castamir's great-grandsons Angamaite and Sangahyando. Pelargir was plundered and Minardil was killed. He was succeeded by his son Telemnar.Two years later in 1636, a devastating Plague came out of the East. The Great Plague was most likely the work of Sauron, who sent it to weaken his enemies. The Plague spread across Middle-earth and affected many people, even the Hobbits of the Shire. Gondor was severely weakened by the Plague. Many Gondorians died including King Telemnar and all his children. Telemnar's nephew Tarondor became King of Gondor.Hurin of Emyn Arnen was the Steward during this time of upheaval. He helped maintain order in Gondor. From that time on, the Kings of Gondor chose their Stewards from Hurin's descendants.In 1640, Tarondor moved the capital to Minas Anor since Osgiliath was nearly deserted after the Plague. The White Tree had died at the same time as Telemnar, so Tarondor planted a new seedling. Tarondor ruled for 162 years, which was the longest reign of any King of Gondor. He concentrated on reordering the realm after the great losses suffered during the Plague. Because of the decline in population, the guard on Mordor's borders declined during this time.Tarondor's son Telumehtar became King in 1798. The Corsairs raided the coasts of Gondor as far west as Anfalas. In 1810, Telumehtar struck back and recaptured Umbar, but in the troubled years that followed Gondor lost Umbar to Harad. Telumehtar died in 1850 and was followed by his son Narmacil II.The next year in 1851, Gondor was attacked by a new enemy. They were Men from the East called the Wainriders because they travelled in wains - or wagons - and used chariots in battle. The Wainriders were incited to attack Gondor by the emissaries of Sauron. They came from beyond the Sea of Rhun into Rhovanion where the Northmen lived. The Northmen had been diminished by the Plague and were unable to offer much resistance.In 1856, Narmacil II led an army to confront the Wainriders. The Men of Gondor were joined by a group of Northmen led by Marhari. They fought the Wainriders in Battle of the Plains south of Mirkwood. Narmacil II was killed and the Gondorians were forced to withdraw. The Northmen covered their retreat, and Marhari was slain. Gondor abandoned its territory east of the Anduin except for Ithilien.The Wainriders also suffered losses and they delayed their plan to invade Gondor. Instead they conquered the lands of the Northmen. Many Northmen were killed or enslaved, but others moved to the Vales of the Anduin led by Marhari's son Marhwini. They became known as the Eotheod.Calimehtar succeeded Narmacil II as King of Gondor. He learned that the Wainriders were planning to cross the Anduin and invade Calenardhon. In 1899, Calimehtar led an army to the great plain of Dagorlad and fought the Wainriders. Marhwini and his people attacked the Wainriders from the rear and the Wainriders were routed.Calimehtar returned home and in 1900 he had the White Tower built in Minas Anor. The palantir called the Anor-stone was kept there. Calimehtar died in 1936 and was succeeded by his son Ondoher.In 1940, communications resumed between Gondor and Arnor. Arnor had long ago dissolved into three smaller Kingdoms, of which only Arthedain remained. Araphantwas the King of Arthedain at that time. Araphant's son Arvedui married Ondoher's daughter Firiel. Ondoher and Araphant took counsel with one another, though neither could spare the resources or manpower to help the other. They realized their Kingdoms were threatened by a common enemy, but they did not know it was Sauron.Ondoher was warned by the Eotheod that the Wainriders were regrouping. Ondoher also feared an attack from Gondor's enemies in the South, so he divided his forces into a Northern Army and a Southern Army. In fact, the Wainriders had formed an alliance with the Men of Khand and Harad, and in 1944 they launched a joint attack on Gondor on two fronts.The Southern Army of Gondor was led by a captain named Earnil. He led his forces from Pelargir across the Anduin into Ithilien. Earnil positioned his troops about 40 miles north of the River Poros and allowed the Haradrim to cross the river before he attacked and defeated them.Ondoher led the Northern Army to meet the Wainriders. He was accompanied by his elder son Artamir, and he ordered his younger son Faramir to remain behind in Minas Anor in order to preserve the line of succession. But Faramir disobeyed and he rode to battle in disguise and joined Gondor's allies the Eotheod.

Ondoher intended to lead his forces north through Ithilien to Dagorlad, but when he drew near the Black Gate of Mordor he found the Wainriders lying in wait in the shadow of the Ash Mountains. Ondoher's forces were unprepared and they were overwhelmed by the Wainriders. Ondoher and his son Artamir were killed, and Faramir was slain as well. The survivors of the Northern Army retreated.The Wainriders believed that they had defeated all of Gondor's forces and that they were free to conquer Gondor. They made camp and held a feast to celebrate. The Wainriders were surprised by Earnil, leading the Southern Army and the remnants of the Northern Army. Earnil defeated the Wainriders in the Battle of the Camp and drove them into the Dead Marshes.The death of Ondoher and both his heirs left Gondor without a King. Arvedui of the North-kingdom tried to make a claim to the throne of Gondor. His claim was based on his descent from Isildur as well as the fact that his wife Firiel was the last surviving child of Ondoher. But his claim was rejected by the Council of Gondor led by Pelendur, the Steward of the late King Ondoher. The Council stated that Gondor was ruled by the heirs of Elendil's son Anarion, not Isildur, and also that a claim through the female line was invalid.In 1945, the victorious captain of the Battle of the Camp became King Earnil II of Gondor. Earnil was a kinsman of Ondoher, and his claim to the throne was unanimously supported by the Dunedain of Gondor. Earnil II promised Arvedui that Gondor would come to the aid of the North-kingdom in time of need.In 1973, Earnil II received a message from Arvedui that the Witch-king of Angmar was preparing to invade the North-kingdom. Earnil gathered as large a fleet as he could and sent it north under the command of his son Earnur. By the time the fleet arrived in 1975, the Witch-king had captured the northern capital of Fornost and Arvedui was dead.Earnur's forces joined with the remaining Dunedain of the North and the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell. They defeated the Witch-king's forces in the Battle of Fornost. Earnur pursued the Witch-king, but when the Witch-king turned to face him, Earnur was unable to control his terrified horse. The Witch-king fled from the north.In 1980, the Witch-king came to Mordor where the other eight Nazgûl gathered. The Nazgûl besieged Minas Ithil in 2000 and captured the stronghold two years later in 2002. In doing so, they also captured the palantir called the Ithil-stone. Minas Ithil became known as Minas Morgul meaning "Tower of Black Sorcery," while Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, "the Tower of Guard."Earnil II died in 2043 and was succeeded by Earnur. The Witch-king hated Earnur for his role in the Battle of Fornost. He challenged Earnur to face him in single combat. Earnur regretted his failure to confront the Witch-king at the Battle of Fornost and he wanted to accept but he was persuaded not to by his Steward, Mardil Voronwe.But when the Witch-king renewed his challenge in 2050, Earnur did not refuse. He left the Crown of Gondor on his father's tomb in the House of the Kings. Earnur rode to Minas Morgul and he was never seen again. It was believed that he died in torment at the hands of the Witch-king.Since Earnur's fate was uncertain, the Steward Mardil Voronwe ruled Gondor in his absence. Earnur had never married and had no children, and there was no other legitimate claimant to the throne. Over the centuries the royal bloodline had been diminished. The Dunedain had fewer children and had intermarried with other peoples, and they had also suffered great losses in war and the Plague.Thus the line of Kings in Gondor ended, and the Stewards assumed the rule of Gondor as caretakers. The Ruling Stewards had all the powers of a King, but they took an oath to "rule in the name of the King, until he shall return." The Stewards bore a white rod as a symbol of their office instead of the Crown, and they sat in a chair at the foot of the dais where the King's throne stood empty. At the top of the White Tower, the Stewards' plain white banner replaced the King's black banner bearing the emblems of the White Tree and Seven Stars.Mardil Voronwe was the first Ruling Steward of Gondor. During his reign, the Watchful Peace began when Gandalf went to Dol Guldur and Sauron fled and hid in the East. The Nazgûl remained quiet in Minas Morgul during this time, and Gondor was free from attack by its enemies in the East and South.The Watchful Peace lasted for four centuries, and during that time Gondor's defenses began to relax. The forts along the Anduin guarding Gondor's eastern front were neglected. Garrisons were no longer maintained at Isengard and Aglarond on Gondor's western frontier.The line of Stewards continued from father to son or the closest male relative. Mardil Voronwe was followed by Eradan, Herion, Belegorn, Hurin I, Turin I, and Hador. Hador lived to be 150 years old, but he was the last Man of Gondor to live so long and lifespans began to decrease after that. Hador was succeeded by Barahir, who was followed by Dior. Dior had no children and was therefore succeeded by Denethor I, who was the son of his sister Rian.

During the reign of Denethor I, the Watchful Peace ended in 2460 when Sauron returned to Dol Guldur. Gondor's enemies began to stir once more. In 2475, the Nazgûl led an invasion of Uruks into Ithilien. They captured Osgiliath and the bridge spanning the Anduin was broken. Denethor I's son Boromir defeated the Uruks and drove them out of Ithilien, but Osgiliath was ruined and deserted. Boromir received a Morgul-wound that shortened his life. He succeeded his father in 2477 but ruled for only twelve years until his death in 2489.Boromir was followed by his son Cirion. Cirion learned that a group of Men from the East called the Balchoth were planning to invade Gondor's northern province of Calenardhon. Cirion called upon Gondor's old allies the Eotheod for help. Eorl the Young led the Eotheod to Gondor's aid at the Battle of the Field of Celebrant in 2510. The Balchoth were soundly defeated, and Cirion gave Eorl and his people Calenardhon, which became known as Rohan. Eorl swore an oath that Rohan would always remain Gondor's ally.Cirion was followed by Hallas, Hurin II, Belecthor I, Orodreth, and Ecthelion I. Ecthelion I repaired and rebuilt the White Tower of Minas Tirith, which then became known as the Tower of Ecthelion. Ecthelion had no children and was succeeded by Egalmoth, who was the grandson of Orodreth's sister Morwen.Egalmoth was succeeded by Beren. In 2758, three fleets from Umbar and Harad attacked Gondor's coastline. They were driven away by Beren's son Beregond, who was a great captain. Beregond then sent aid to Rohan, which had suffered an invasion by the Men of Dunland along with the hardships of the Long Winter. Beren allowed Saruman to take up residence in Isengard. Gondor no longer had the resources to maintain the distant stronghold, and Beren hoped that the presence of the Wizard would provide some protection on Rohan's western border.Beregond succeeded Beren in 2763, and Gondor began to recover its strength. Beregond was followed by Belecthor II. When Belecthor II died in 2872, the White Tree also died. No seedling could be found, and the Dead Tree was left standing in the Court of the Fountain at the summit of Minas Tirith. Belecthor II was succeeded by Thorondir, who ruled for only ten years.Turin II succeeded Thorondir in 2882. During his reign, Gondor's enemies increased their attacks as Sauron's power grew. In 2885, the Haradrim invaded Ithilien from the south. The Men of Rohan came to Gondor's aid led by Folcred and Fastred, the sons of King Folcwine. Together the combined forces of Gondor and Rohan defeated the Haradrim at the Battle of the Crossings of Poros, but Folcred and Fastred were killed. They were buried together in Ithilien and Turin II sent Folcwine a weregild of gold for his great loss.Though the Haradrim had been driven out, Ithilien became infested by Orcs and by 2901 most of the inhabitants had fled. Turin II built the secret refuge of Henneth Annun for the use of the Rangers of Ithilien who remained to defend the territory. He also fortified the island of Cair Andros in the Anduin to prevent the enemy from crossing the river.In 2911, the Fell Winter came to the north. In the spring thaw of 2912 there were great floods in Enedwaith, and the city of Tharbad on the Greyflood was ruined. Tharbad had been an important port between Gondor and Arnor, but it had declined over the years and now it was deserted. Turin II was succeeded by Turgon in 2914.Sauron returned in secret to Mordor in 2942 and began to gather his strength. He made his presence known in 2951 and he began rebuilding Barad-dur. In 2954, Mount Doom burst into flame and Ithilien was deserted by all but the Rangers.Ecthelion II succeeded Turgon as Ruling Steward in 2953. He took many valiant Men into his service, including one named Thorongil. In 2980, Thorongil led a preemptive strike against the Corsairs of Umbar who had become a growing threat to Gondor once more. Thorongil then left Gondor as mysteriously as he had appeared.Ecthelion II died in 2984 and his son Denethor II became the twenty-sixth and last Ruling Steward of Gondor. Denethor learned that Thorongil was actually Aragorn, the Chieftain of the Dunedain of the North and Isildur's Heir. Denethor knew that Aragorn could claim the throne of Gondor. Although it was his duty as Steward to relinquish the rule of Gondor to the rightful King, Denethor did not believe that Gondor should be ruled by an heir of Isildur rather than an heir of Anarion. He also felt that the Dunedain of the North had lost their lordship and dignity since the fall of the North-kingdom over a millennium ago.Denethor believed he was destined to lead Gondor in its darkest hour. Early in his reign, he retook the city of Osgiliath from Sauron's forces and stationed a garrison there as a first line of defense against Mordor. He also tried to learn Sauron's plans by using the palantir of Minas Tirith. But Sauron had the palantir from Minas Morgul and he soon became aware of Denethor. Sauron was unable to corrupt Denethor or break his will, but eventually he was able to manipulate what Denethor saw in the palantir.

In 3017, Gandalf came to Minas Tirith. Gandalf had begun to suspect that the One Ring that had been lost with Isildur in the Gladden Fields had fallen into the hands of a Hobbit named Frodo Baggins in the Shire. He found a scroll in the archives written by Isildur describing the inscription on the One Ring, which he used to confirm his suspicions.On June 20, 3018, the War of the Ring began when Sauron launched an assault on Osgiliath led by the Witch-king. Denethor's sons Boromir and Faramir held the western side of the river, and the bridge was cast down. But Sauron's purpose in ordering the attack had been to test Gondor's defenses and to provide cover for Nazgûl to begin the hunt for the One Ring, and once that was accomplished, Sauron halted the assault.Faramir and Boromir both had dreamed that Isildur's Bane would threaten to bring doom to Middle-earth, though neither knew what this meant. Boromir travelled to Rivendell seeking answers. There he attended the Council of Elrond and learned that Isildur's Bane was the One Ring. The Council concluded that in order to defeat Sauron once and for all, the Ring had to be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. Frodo Baggins volunteered for the mission. Boromir and Aragorn were both members of the Fellowship that accompanied him.Boromir was overcome by temptation for the Ring, and he was deluded into thinking he could use it to defeat Sauron and save Gondor. At Amon Hen on February 26, 3019, Boromir tried to take the Ring from Frodo. Frodo escaped and left the Fellowship, setting out for Mordor with Sam Gamgee. The Fellowship was then attacked by Uruk-hai sent by Saruman to capture the Hobbit bearing the One Ring. Boromir was killed trying to defend Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took. Aragorn found him before he died and vowed that Minas Tirith would not fall.Faramir and Denethor both heard Boromir's horn sounding from afar. Faramir had a vision of Boromir's funeral boat floating down the Anduin, and the shattered horn was later found in the water. Denethor was deeply grieved by the loss of his favorite son.Aragorn set out after Merry and Pippin and their captors. In Rohan, he met Eomer, nephew of King Theoden, and he accompanied the Rohirrim to Helm's Deep. On the night of March 3-4, the Rohirrim defeated Saruman's forces in the Battle of Helm's Deep and Saruman was imprisoned in Isengard.Aragorn took possession of the palantir of Orthanc and he used it to confront Sauron. Sauron saw that the sword that had cut the Ring from his hand had been reforged, and he knew that Isildur's heir had come. He feared that Aragorn had the One Ring and would try to use it against him, so Sauron prepared a preemptive strike on Gondor.Armies of Men in the service of Sauron had been coming to Mordor from the South and East. Faramir and the Rangers of Ithilien ambushed one such army of Haradrim. While in Ithilien, Faramir encountered Frodo and Sam. Faramir learned that Frodo was carrying the Ring, but he rejected the temptation to take it.News reached Minas Tirith that a fleet of Corsairs from Umbar was approaching the Mouths of the Anduin. Denethor ordered the Beacon-hills lit to summon aid from Rohan. Denethor had also sent a messenger to Rohan bearing the Red Arrow, calling upon King Theoden to fulfill the Oath of his ancestor Eorl.Aragorn had also seen the coming of the Corsairs in the palantir, and he decided to take a shortcut through the Paths of the Dead in order to stop them. He summoned the Dead who had dwelled there since Isildur had cursed them for breaking their oath to fight Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance. The Dead recognized Aragorn as Isildur's heir, and they followed him to Pelargir where they captured the Corsairs' fleet. Since the Dead had fulfilled their oath, Aragorn released them to rest in peace.On March 9, armies from the southern provinces of Gondor arrived in Minas Tirith to help defend the City against Sauron's forces. Gandalf and Pippin Took arrived that same day. Pippin swore an oath of fealty to Denethor and became a Guard of the Citadel. Faramir returned to Minas Tirith the next day, pursued by the Winged Nazgûl. He reported on his encounter with Frodo, and Denethor was angry that Faramir had not brought the One Ring to Gondor.That day, March 10, was the Dawnless Day. A darkness had begun to spread from Mordor in advance of Sauron's forces. An army of Orcs from the Black Gate captured the island of Cair Andros and crossed the river into Anorien north of Minas Tirith. They blocked the Great West Road in an attempt to prevent the Rohirrim from coming to the aid of Gondor. That night the Witch-king led the main army from Minas Morgul and headed toward Osgiliath.Denethor sent Faramir to Osgiliath to defend the river crossing there, but Faramir's forces were overwhelmed and were forced to retreat. On March 13, the Witch-king's forces breached the Rammas Echor and overran the Pelennor Fields. Minas Tirith was besieged.

Faramir was brought back to Minas Tirith gravely wounded. Denethor succumbed to despair and relinquished the defense of the City to Gandalf. Denethor used the palantir and saw a fleet of Corsairs' ships approaching, leading him to believe Gondor's defeat was imminent. Unknown to Denethor, the ships had been commandeered by Aragorn, who was coming to help defend Minas Tirith.On March 15, Denethor committed suicide by burning himself alive on a funeral pyre. He had lost all hope that Sauron's forces could be defeated, and even if a brief reprieve were possible, Denethor did not want to concede the rule of Gondor to Aragorn. Denethor tried to kill his son Faramir as well, but Gandalf rescued him from the flames.The gates of Minas Tirith were broken by the great battering ram Grond. The City was saved by the arrival of the Rohirrim at dawn. King Theoden of Rohan was killed, but his niece Eowyn along with Merry Brandybuck vanquished the Witch-king. Aragorn arrived with reinforcements and the enemy forces were defeated in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Aragorn healed Faramir, Eowyn, and Merry, who had been sickened by their contact with the Witch-king.Aragorn led an army to the Black Gate of Mordor in order to divert Sauron's attention away from Frodo, who was crossing Mordor to Mount Doom. On March 25, the army of the West fought the forces of Sauron in the Battle of the Morannon. Then the One Ring was destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, and Sauron was utterly defeated. Mordor fell into ruin, and Sauron's forces were slain or scattered.On May 1, Aragorn was crowned King Elessar. The Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor were reunited once more. King Elessar found a sapling of the White Tree and it was replanted in Minas Tirith. He named Faramir as his Steward, and he reestablished the Great Council of Gondor with Faramir, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, and the other Lords of the Fiefs and Captains of the Forces.King Elessar pardoned the Easterlings who had fought for Sauron and he made peace with the Haradrim. He sent his messengers throughout the land, and he rode out himself - accompanied by King Eomer of Rohan - to drive out the remaining evil-doers and bring peace to the peoples of Middle-earth.King Elessar gave the Druadan Forest to the Druedain and forbade Men from entering it. He also made the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the King and issued an edict that Men could not go there. The Thain, the Master of Buckland, and the Mayor of Michel Delving were made Counsellors of the North-kingdom. The independent realms of Dale and the Lonely Mountain were allies of the Reunited Kingdom.King Elessar died in the year 120 of the Fourth Age. His son Eldarion succeeded him as King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. Eldarion's mother was Arwen and therefore he and his descendants had Elvish blood. Eldarion may have ruled until at least the year 220 of the Fourth Age. It was foretold that Eldarion's realm would be great and that it would endure under the rule of his descendants for a hundred generations of Men.