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Guards of the Citadel

2026-06-09T10:34:29Z

Aeglos: /* Organisation */

{{organization infobox
| name=Guards of the Citadel
| image=Tom Romain - Fountain Guard.png
| caption=''Fountain Guard'' by [[:Category:Images by Tom Romain|Tom Romain]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded=
| founder=
| purpose=Protecting the [[Citadel of Gondor]]
| members=[[Beregond]], among others
| location=[[Gondor]]
| disbanded=
| notablefor=Only soldiers allowed to wear [[livery of the heirs of Elendil]]
}}
The '''Guards of the Citadel''' or '''Tower of Gondor''' were those honoured guards of [[Minas Tirith]] who were charged with protecting the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]], the highest and most important tier of the city, and participated in official functions.<ref name="MT">{{RK|V1}}</ref> When on duty they were not permitted to leave their post for any cause, save at the command of their lord.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|V4}}</ref>

They also guarded the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] that stood in the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]]. At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] it had been dead for nearly 150 years,<ref>{{App|TA}}, 2872</ref> until the new King [[Aragorn|Elessar]] and [[Gandalf]] found a new seedling of the Tree,<ref>{{RK|VI5}}</ref> and the Guards' great duty was refounded.

==Appearance and Attire==
At the end of the [[Third Age]], they were the only soldiers of [[Gondor]] entitled to wear the [[livery of the heirs of Elendil]] [[Elendil|himself]] - a white tree in blossom, surmounted by a silver crown and stars, all embroidered on a field of black. They also bore heirlooms of [[Gondor]]'s ancient wealth, tall helmets wrought out of ''[[mithril]]'', with close-fitting cheek-guards and bearing the carved wings of sea-birds.<ref name="MT"/> On [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> [[Peregrin Took]] was arrayed as a Guard of the Citadel, at the command of the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward]] [[Denethor]]. His appearance in this uniform gave strength to the rumour that he was indeed ''[[Ernil i Pheriannath]]'', the Prince of the Halflings.<ref name="Siege"/>

==Organisation==
There were at least three companies, each of which had its own storehouse; [[Beregond]], son of [[Baranor (man of Gondor)|Baranor]] belonged to the [[Third Company of the Citadel]].<ref name="MT"/> The [[Captain-General]] of the Guards was probably the heir of the throne; during the time of the [[Ruling Steward]]s it was the heir of the Steward.

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Armies]][[Category:Gondor]]
[[fi:Linnan kaarti]]

Dwarves

2026-06-06T08:29:40Z

Aeglos: /* Third Age */

{{Short description|The Adopted Children of Ilúvatar}}
{{sources}}
{{race infobox
| name=Dwarves
| image = Alarie - A bunch of dwarves.jpg
| caption="A bunch of dwarves" by [[:Category:Images by Alarie|Alarie]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''[[Khazâd]]'' ([[Khuzdul|K]]), ''Naugrim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''Nogothrim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''[[Hadhod]]rim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''[[Gonnhirrim]]'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''[[Casari]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=Descended from the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] created by [[Aulë]]
| location=[[Khazad-dûm]], [[Belegost]], [[Nogrod]], [[Amon Rûdh]], [[Nulukkizdîn]], [[Erebor]], [[Iron Hills]], [[Aglarond]], [[Grey Mountains]], [[Blue Mountains]], [[Gundabad]], [[Rhûn]]
| affiliation=[[Alliance of Dwarves and Men]] [[Union of Maedhros]] [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] [[Fellowship of the Ring]] [[Thorin and Company]]
| rivalry=[[Elves]] [[Dragons]] [[Orcs]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]] [[Westron]] [[Sindarin]]<ref name="S10">{{S|10}}</ref> [[Iglishmêk]] (sign language) [[language of Dale]]
| people='''Clans:''' [[Longbeards]], [[Firebeards]], [[Broadbeams]], [[Ironfists]], [[Stiffbeards]], [[Blacklocks]], [[Stonefoots]] '''Cultures: '''[[Dwarves of Belegost]], [[Dwarves of Erebor]], [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]], [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]], [[Dwarves of Nogrod]], [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains]], [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]], [[Petty-dwarves]]
| members=[[Durin]], [[Gimli]], [[Thorin]], [[Dáin Ironfoot]], [[Azaghâl]], [[Mîm]], [[Balin]]
| lifespan=''[[#Lifespan|See below]]''
| distinctions=Stocky; bearded; never bald; especially hardy and loyal; notoriously stubborn
| height=At least 4 feet (1.22 m)<ref>{{NM|P2vi}}, ''Heights'', p. 195</ref>
| hair=Blond, brown, black, blue<ref>{{cite DTP|H 01.026}}</ref>, red, and (when older) grey or white{{fact}}
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=Often axes, swords, bows, mattocks
}}
{{quote|Since they were to come in the days of the power of [[Morgoth|Melkor]], [[Aulë]] made the dwarves strong to endure. Therefore they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hunger and hurt of body more hardily than all other speaking peoples; and they live long, far beyond the span of Men, yet not forever.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]"}}

The '''Dwarves''', or '''''[[Khuzd|Khazâd]]''''' in their own tongue, were beings of short stature, often friendly with [[Hobbits]] although long suspicious of [[Elves]]. They were typically blacksmiths and stoneworkers by profession, unrivalled in some of their arts even by the Elves.

While there were seven Houses of the Dwarves, the most prominent was that of the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]].

==Origins==
{{main|Fathers of the Dwarves}}
Unlike Elves and [[Men]], the Dwarves are not counted among the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]. Their creator was [[Aulë#Names and etymology|Mahal]], known as [[Aulë]] the Smith. Aulë created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], from whom all other Dwarves are descended, deep beneath an unknown mountain somewhere in [[Middle-earth]]. However, Aulë did not have the divine power to grant independent life to any creation, and the dwarves were bound to his will. [[Ilúvatar]] came and reprimanded Aulë, who confessed his desire to create more living things, but in repentance lifted his hammer to destroy the dwarves. Even as the blow was about to land, the dwarves cowered and begged for mercy, as Ilúvatar had taken pity and given true life to the creations of his child, including them in His plan for [[Arda]]. However, Ilúvatar did not wish them to wake before the [[Elves]], whom he intended to be the first-born. Ilúvatar granted the Dwarves life, and therefore they are known as the Adopted Children of Ilúvatar, but he bade Aulë lay them to sleep in their chamber deep beneath the mountain, and they were to awake after the [[Awakening of the Elves]].<ref name="S2">{{S|2}}</ref>
[[File:Artigas - The Seven Houses of the Khazad.jpg|thumb|The Seven Houses of the Khazad by [[:Category:Images by Artigas|Artigas]] ]]
The Seven Fathers awoke in their places in pairs with their wives, though [[Durin|Durin I]] had awoken alone. The seven different groups of Dwarf-folk originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke.<ref name="pmxnotes">{{PM|XNotes}}</ref>

The seven clans of the Dwarves were:<ref name="PMX">{{PM|X}}</ref>

*'''[[Longbeards]]''', ''Durin's Folk'', originally from [[Gundabad]].
*'''[[Firebeards]]''' and '''[[Broadbeams]]''', originally from the [[Blue Mountains]].
*'''[[Ironfists]]''' and '''[[Stiffbeards]]''', originated in the [[East]].
*'''[[Blacklocks]]''' and '''[[Stonefoots]]''', originated in the [[East]].

Durin settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]] which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]]. Therefore the halls of the Longbeards were not located near the halls of another Dwarf-kingdom.

There was also an eighth group of Dwarves that was not a separate member from these seven kindreds, but composed of exiles from each: the [[Petty-dwarves]], who were hunted like animals to the point of extinction by the [[Elves]] in the First Age.

==History==
===First Age===
Sometime after the Elves had awakened at [[Cuiviénen]],<ref group="note">In one of the texts associated with the chapter ''[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]'' of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' in ''[[The War of the Jewels]]'', it is said that the awakening of the Dwarves might have taken place at the time of the departure of the Eldar over the sea - in other words, either in c. {{YT|1132}} (when the [[Vanyar]] and the [[Noldor]] departed) or in c. {{YT|1150}} (when the [[Teleri]] departed).</ref><ref>{{WJ|13}}, pp. 211-212</ref> the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] were released from their stone chambers. The eldest of them, called [[Durin the Deathless|Durin]], wandered until he founded the city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] in the natural caves beneath three peaks: [[Barazinbar]], [[Zirakzigil]], and [[Bundushathûr]]. The city, populated by the Longbeards or [[Durin's Folk]], grew and prospered continuously through Durin's life (which was so long that he was called Durin the Deathless, also a reference to the belief by his people that he would be reincarnated seven times).

Far to the west of Khazad-dûm, the great Dwarf-cities of [[Belegost]] and [[Nogrod]] were founded in [[Ered Luin]] (the Blue Mountains) during the [[Years of the Trees]], before the arrival of the Elves in [[Beleriand]]. The [[Dwarves of Belegost]] were the first to forge mail of linked rings, and they also traded weaponry with the Sindar and carved the [[Menegroth|Thousand Caves of Menegroth]] for [[Thingol]], the Lord of Beleriand. In Nogrod, the Smith [[Telchar]] forged [[Narsil]] and [[Angrist]], two of the most fateful weapons in the history of Arda, as well as the famed [[Dragon-helm]] of [[Dor-Lómin]].

It is said that some Dwarves in the far [[East]] had fallen under the [[Shadow]] and were of evil mind when the ancestors of the [[Edain]] had encountered them.<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #28</ref>

The [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains]] fought against the forces of Melkor during the First Age, and the Dwarves of Belegost were the only people able to withstand dragon-fire in the [[Battle of Unnumbered Tears]], when [[Lord of Belegost|Lord]] [[Azaghâl]], who died in the battle, stabbed Glaurung, the first dragon. The [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] fought against Melkor as well. However, they slew [[Thingol]] out of greed and stole the [[Silmaril]] they had been charged to set into the necklace called [[Nauglamír]]. A number of retaliatory actions ensued, and the Nogrod army was destroyed by a force of [[Laiquendi]] and [[Ents]]. Both dwarf kingdoms would eventually be destroyed, along with nearly all of Beleriand, after the [[War of Wrath]], with the dwarvish refugees mainly resettling in Khazad-dûm.

During those times of war in Beleriand, the [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]] prospered in relative peace colonizing the [[Iron Hills]] and the [[Grey Mountains]] and traded with the ancestors of the [[Northmen]].<ref>{{PM|Relations}}, pp. 302-303</ref>

===Second Age===
In the [[Second Age]], around the year {{SA|40|n}},<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> the Firebeards and Broadbeams who lived in Nogrod and Belegost left the destruction behind and came to [[Khazad-dûm]], increasing its wealth and power.<ref name="AppA3" />

The Dwarves had little participation in most of the important events involving the other races. However their friendship with the Elves became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]]; the [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

When Eregion was sacked by [[Sauron]]'s forces, the Dwarves assailed them from behind however, it was too late to stop him from conquering all [[Eriador]].<ref name="UTGalad">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>
[[File:Liz Danforth - Annatar and the Seven Rings.png|thumb|[[Liz Danforth]] - ''Annatar and the seven rings'']]
When "[[Annatar]]" distributed the Rings of Power, he gave [[seven Rings|seven]] to Dwarf Lords in order to subdue and control them. However, they did not have the same effect as they did over Men. Dwarves did not shift into the [[wraith-world]] and in fact resisted domination. The Rings only augmented their greed and ability to create riches.

At the end of the Age, very few Dwarves participated in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], with some joining the side of [[Sauron]]. Some of the [[Dwarves of Moria]] joined the great host of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].<ref name="rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

===Third Age===

[[File:Angus McBride - Dwarves.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''The Dwarves are upon You!'']]
As [[Sauron]]'s [[shadow]] became stronger around {{TA|1300}}, evil things like the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] began multiplying, harassing the Dwarves.<ref name="ta">{{App|TA}}</ref>

In [[Third Age 1980]], after centuries of greedy digging for ''[[mithril]]'' and other minerals, the Dwarves woke a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] that was sleeping in the deeps of the Misty Mountains since the First Age. The Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit". Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who briefly went to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] in {{TA|1999}}.

For more than 300 years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered until the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength. During this time, there was at least one dispute between the Dwarves and the nearby [[Éothéod]] over the horde of the dragon [[Scatha]]. Some Dwarves eventually fled to the [[Iron Hills]], while most followed the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]. There, they prospered for over 200 years until the dragon [[Smaug]] descended in {{TA|2770}}. The King and his company went in exile South, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in {{TA|2790}} King Thrór travelled North to Moria where he was killed by the [[Orcs|Goblin]] king [[Azog]]. Thrór's son [[Thráin|Thráin II]] (who had received the Last of the Seven Rings from his father before his departure) summoned all the Houses of Dwarves to war. Thus began the [[War of Dwarves and Orcs]], in which the Dwarves destroyed all the Goblin strongholds in the [[Misty Mountains]] culminating to the great [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] where all the dwarven clans united. The Goblin hosts issuing from Moria were strong and relentless until the arrival of fresh [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]]. The Battle ended with the victory of Dwarves, but at great cost. The Dwarven clans, however, were unwilling to repopulate Moria. Thráin, therefore, came to the [[Blue Mountains]] and established his [[Thorin's Halls|realm]] there.

[[File:Angelo Montanini - Dori.jpg|thumb|[[Angelo Montanini]] - ''Dori'']]
The Wizard [[Gandalf]] was instrumental into helping Thráin's son Thorin in reclaiming the Kingdom of Erebor. Thorin gathered around him [[Thorin and Company|twelve dwarves]], mostly from his own line, and was joined by [[Gandalf]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]]. The [[Quest of Erebor]] ended with the death of [[Smaug]]. After a quarrel with the Men and Elves over the unguarded hoard, the Dwarves - assisted by those from the [[Iron Hills]] - united with the Men and Elves to fight the attacking Goblins and Wargs, in what was called the [[Battle of Five Armies]], where Thorin was killed.

[[Gimli]] son of Glóin joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] as a representative of the Dwarves and befriended [[Legolas]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

===Later history===
Not much is known about the Dwarves after the [[Third Age]]. After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Gimli]] brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves behind Helm's Deep and founded a colony there. Subsequently, Gimli went on many travels with his friend Legolas, and History lost track of their fate. Through their friendship and influence, the feud between the two races that had lasted for millennia finally ended, shortly before the departure of the last Elves from Middle-earth. It is rumoured that Gimli and Legolas eventually boarded a ship that sailed down the river Anduin, out to sea and across to Valinor in the year {{FoA|120}}. Gimli would thus have become the only Dwarf to ever be permitted to cross to the Undying Lands.

[[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook and brought Khazad-dûm back to its original splendour, and the Longbeards lived there till the "world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended".<ref name="PMX" />

==Characteristics==
[[File:BFME2 - Dwarf 4.jpg|thumb||Dwarves as portrayed in ''[[The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'' game]]
They were about 4 ft. high at least<ref>{{NM|P2vi}}</ref> and their more distinctive characteristic was their beard which they have from the beginning of their lives, male and females alike; and it is said that they could die of shame if they were subjected to shaving.<ref name="wjdwarves">{{WJ|13}}</ref>

They had a tendency toward gold lust and committed their share of rash and greedy acts. Among these was the dispute over the [[Nauglamír]], which led to the slaying of Elu [[Thingol]] and stirred up the initial suspicion between Elves and Dwarves to open hatred.<ref name="rings" />

Dwarves generally lived far from the sea and avoided getting on boats, as they disliked the sound of the ocean and were afraid of it.<ref name="S10" />

===Wicked Dwarves===
Of the people of Middle-earth, Dwarves are the most resistant to corruption and influence of Morgoth and later Sauron. The seven rings of Power of the dwarves did not turn them to evil, but it did amplify their greed and lust for gold. It is said that very few wilfully served the side of darkness.<ref name="Other">{{App|Other}}</ref>

In the First Age, the [[Petty Dwarves]] that dwelt in [[Beleriand]] were descendants of Dwarves exiled for evil deeds from their great mansions of their kind.<ref>{{NM|P3}}, pp. 304-305</ref> And after their [[Awakening of Men|Awakening]], some [[Men]] had met Dwarves of the [[East]] who had fallen under the [[Shadow]] and were of evil mind and were distrustful of their race.<ref name="pmxnotes" />{{rp|n. 28}} Of the Seven Houses, few fought on either side during the [[War of the Last Alliance]] at the end of the Second Age, and it's known that none from the House of Durin ever fought on the side of evil.<ref name="rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

During the early parts of the Third Age (or at least in legends of the previous), it is known that in some places wicked dwarves had made alliances with [[Orcs]].<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref> Those most likely came from the Dwarves of the far eastern mansions.<ref name="pmxnotes" />{{rp|n. 28}}

However, it is said that there was an enmity between some Dwarves and some Men of old (who were jealous of the Dwarves's wealth and works), and the latter alleged evil things about the Dwarves.<ref name="Other" />

===Skills and industries===
{{quote|For buying and selling and exchange were their delight, and the winning of wealth thereby; and this they gathered rather to hoard than to use, save in further trading.|''Quenta Silmarillion''<ref name=wjdwarves>{{WJ|13}}</ref>{{rp|p. 204}}}}
[[File:Lída Holubová - Dwarven smith.jpg|thumb|''Dwarven smith'' by [[Lída Holubová]]]]
As creations of Aulë, they were attracted to the substances of Arda and crafts. They mined and worked precious metals throughout the mountains of Middle-earth. They were considered unrivalled in arts such as smithing, crafting, metalworking, and masonry, even by the [[Noldor]].<ref name="S2">{{S|2}}</ref>

The Dwarves were the greatest miners ever to exist in [[Middle-earth]], building immense halls under mountains where they built their cities. They built many famed halls including [[Menegroth]], the fairest dwelling of any king that has been east of the [[Sea]],<ref name="S2" /> [[Nargothrond]],<ref name="return">{{S|Return}}</ref> [[Khazad-dum]], the grandest mansions of the Dwarves,<ref name="S10" /> the [[Elvenking's Halls]],<ref group="note">In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', it is stated by [[Gimli]] that the Dwarves aided in the making of [[Thranduil]]'s halls. However, in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', it is stated that Thranduil's halls "were not to be compared with [[Menegroth]]. He had not the arts nor wealth nor the aid of the Dwarves."</ref><ref>{{TT|Road}}</ref> and the [[Kingdom Under the Mountain]].

In the darkness of [[Arda]] already the Dwarves wrought great works for even from the first days of their Fathers they had marvellous skill with metals and with stone; but in that ancient time iron and copper they loved to work, rather than silver and gold.<ref name="S10" />

In the tempering of steel alone of all crafts the Dwarves were never outmatched even by the [[Noldor]], and in the making of mail of linked rings, which was first contrived by the [[Dwarves of Belegost|smiths of Belegost]], their work had no rival. During the third age of the captivity of [[Melkor]], the Dwarves smithied for [[Thingol]]; for they were greatly skilled in such work, though none among them surpassed the [[Dwarves of Nogrod|craftsmen of Nogrod]], of whom [[Telchar]] the smith was greatest in renown.<ref name="S10" />

They were also capable masons and smiths - Dwarven smithing skills were said to be unrivalled, and their masonry creations were bested by none. The crafting skills of the Dwarves were unmatched; they crafted objects of great beauty out of gems and metals. They crafted many famed weapons, armours, and items of art and beauty, among them [[Narsil]], the sword of [[Elendil]], the [[Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin]] and the necklace [[Nauglamír]], the most prized treasure in [[Nargothrond]] and the most famed Dwarven work of the [[Elder Days]].<ref name="doriath">{{S|Doriath}}</ref>

In the [[Third Age]], Dwarves wrought with patient craft works of metal and stone that now none can rival.<ref name="rings" /> However, as stated by [[Gloin son of Groin|Gloin]] at the [[Council of Elrond]], the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] have surpassed their predecessors in mining and building before [[Smaug]] descended on the [[Lonely Mountain]], but not in metal-work, smithing or the making of mail, as their predecessors' secrets have been long lost.<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>

===Hardiness===
The Dwarves were created by Aulë to be strong, resistant to fire and the evils of Morgoth. They were hardier than any other race, secretive, stubborn, and steadfast in enmity or loyalty.

The Dwarves are described as "the most redoubtable warriors of all the Speaking Peoples"<ref name="PMX" /> — a warlike race who would fight fiercely against whoever aggrieved them including Dwarves of "other mansions and lordships".<ref name="S10" /> Highly skilled in the making of weapons and armour, their main weapon is the battle axe, but they also use bows, swords, shields, and mattocks.<ref>{{H|15}}</ref>

They are resistant to fire, more than Elves or Men.<ref>{{S|20}}</ref> Sickness was almost unknown to the Dwarves, as they were immune to human diseases.<ref name="PMAiv" />

They were generally less corruptible than Men. When Sauron attempted to enslave the Free Folk of Middle-earth using the [[Rings of Power]], the Elves completely resisted his power (indeed, his hand had never sullied the [[Three Rings]]), while the [[Nine Rings]] utterly corrupted the Men who bore them into the [[Ringwraiths]]. In contrast, the Dwarves were sturdy and resistant enough that Sauron was not able to dominate them using the [[Seven Rings]]. At most, the Seven Rings sowed strife among the Dwarves and filled their wearers with an insatiable greed for gold, but they did not turn them into wraiths subservient to the Dark Lord, and he considered his plan to have failed. Sauron was furious at the Dwarves' resistance, spurring his drive to recapture the Seven Rings from them.

Another example was [[Gimli]], who, while [[Saruman]] used the power in his voice and the [[Rohirrim]] were spell-bound by his magic, Gimli was unmoved and commented that Saruman's words cannot be trusted, causing Saruman to be angered enough to lose his charm.<ref>{{TT|Voice}}</ref>

===Lifespan===
The lifespan of Dwarves was varied depending on their "breed".<ref name="PMAiv">{{PM|Aiv}}</ref> The [[Longbeards]] were particularly long-lived,<ref name="PMAiv" /> but by the Third Age, their lifespan was diminished and they lived, on average, 250 years.<ref name="PMAiv" /> The [[Kings of Durin's Folk]] named "Durin" were particularly long-lived.<ref name="PMAiv" /> Occasionally they would live up to 300 years of age, and [[Dwalin]] reached the rare lifespan of 340 years (comparable to a Middle Man living to 100).<ref name="PMAiv" />

Until they were around 30 years of age, Dwarves were considered too young for heavy labour or war (hence the slaying of Azog by [[Dain Ironfoot]] at age 32 was a great feat). By the age of 40, Dwarves were hardened into the appearance that they would keep for most of their lives. Between the approximate ages of 40 and 240, most Dwarves were equally hale and able to work and fight with vigour. They took on the appearance of age only about ten years before their death, wrinkling and greying rapidly, but never going bald.

Although Dwarves did not suffer from diseases, corpulence could affect them. In prosperous circumstances, many grew fat by the age of 200 and became physically inept.<ref name="PMAiv">{{PM|Aiv}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[Earth-bread]] was a root well known to Dwarves, but almost unknown to Elves or Men. [[Coffee]] was at least known to Hobbits and Dwarves.

The Dwarves didn't have relationships with animals, didn't harbour even [[dogs]] and wouldn't mount a [[horse]] willingly. For this reason they found the [[Northmen]] useful [[Alliance of Dwarves and Men|trade allies]] in the Second Age.<ref name="pmxnotes" />{{rp|n. 29}}<ref>{{PM|Relations}}</ref> In earlier times, whenever the Dwarves were unable to barter for grain, they practiced agriculture using a plough-like tool that they invented. However, Dwarves did not enjoy doing such labour.<ref>{{NM|P3v}}, Second paragraph</ref>

===Family===
The Dwarves' numbers, although they sometimes flourished, often faced periods of decline, especially in periods of war. The slow increase of their population was due to the rarity of [[Dwarf-women]], who made up only about a third of the total population. Dwarves seldom wedded before the age of ninety or more, and rarely had so many as four children. They took only one husband or wife in their lifetime, and were jealous, as in all matters of their rights. The number of Dwarf-men that married was actually less than half, for not all the Dwarf-women took husbands; some desired none, some wanted one they could not have and would have no other. Many Dwarf-men did not desire marriage because they were absorbed in their work.<ref name="AppA3">{{App|A3}}</ref><ref name="PMAiv" />

Dwarf-women seldom walked abroad, and that only in great need. When they did travel, they were so alike Dwarf-men in voice, appearance, and garb that it was hard for other races to tell them apart. They were likewise seldom named in genealogies, joining their husbands' families. The only Dwarf-woman named in Tolkien's legendarium is [[Dís]], sister of Thorin Oakenshield, who was given a place in the records because of the gallant deaths of her sons, Fíli and Kíli. The scarcity of women, their rare mention, and their identical looks with the males, coupled with the Dwarves' secretive culture, led many to mistakenly believe that Dwarves were born out of stone, and upon death, they returned to that stone.<ref name="AppA3" /><ref name="PMAiv" />

Dwarves are fiercely devoted to their parents and children. In their desire for their children to grow up hardy and enduring, they may treat them harshly, but they will protect them at all costs. Dwarves resent injuries to their children and to their parents more than injuries to themselves.<ref name="PMAiv" />

===Religion===
The Dwarves loved and revered the Vala Aulë and this shared love made them friendly towards the Noldor.<ref name="S10" /><ref name="S2">{{S|2}}</ref>

Of old, the Elves believed that the Dwarves would have no future in [[Arda Unmarred]], but the Dwarves themselves held to a promise that Ilúvatar would hallow them and adopt them as his Children. They maintained that after death Aulë (Mahal) cared for them, gathering them to the [[Halls of Mandos]] with the other Children of Ilúvatar, though in halls set apart. It is said that after the Last Battle they will work alongside Aulë in the remaking of Arda.<ref name="S2" />

===Reincarnation===
The Dwarves believed that the reappearance of the person of one of the Dwarf-fathers (in the lines of their kings), is not one of re-birth, but of the preservation of the body of a former king, to which at intervals their spirit would return.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Michaël Devaux]] (ed.), ''[[La Feuille de la Compagnie 3|La Feuille de la Compagnie, vol.3, J.R.R. Tolkien, l'effigie des Elfes]]'', "Fragments on elvish reincarnation", "III. Some notes on 'rebirth', reincarnation by restoration, among Elves. With a note on the Dwarves"</ref>

===Language===
{{main|Khuzdul}}
The Dwarven language was created by Aulë, and was called ''[[Khuzdul]]''. It was a strange language to Elves and Men, and few non-Dwarves learned it, because it was difficult and the Dwarves kept it secret, preferring to communicate in the languages of their neighbours. Only one Khuzdul phrase was well known to outsiders: the ancient battle cry, going back to at least the First Age: "''Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!''", which means "Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!". The Dwarves taught Khuzdul carefully to their children, as a learned language, not a cradle-tongue, and thus the language changed very little over the ages, unlike those of other races. The Dwarves also devised a secret language of gestures to communicate between themselves in silence, the ''[[iglishmêk]]''.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}, p. 395</ref>

Certainly in the First Age when they first made contact with the Elves, the only tongue in Beleriand would have been Sindarin at that time as the Noldor had not yet returned from Aman. As a logical consequence, therefore, Sindarin was a language used by the dwarves.<ref name="S10" /> But the Dwarves were swift to learn and indeed were more willing to learn the [[Elven-tongue]] than to teach their own to those of alien race.<ref name="S10" /> In fact, the Dwarves were so impressed by the Elvish runes (The Cirth of Daeron) for writing Sindarin that they adopted them for use in their own tongue and used them forever more.

Dwarves had great interest in languages since their first contact with other peoples and had good hability to pronounce foreigner sounds from other languages. However, they could not conceal their voices, which were deep in tone, with laryngeal coloration, so among themselves they could even speak with a laryngeal whisper.<ref>{{NM|P3xix}}, p. 371</ref>

==Other names==
The Dwarves called themselves the ''[[Khazâd]]'', the name Aulë gave them; this was adapted as '''''Hadhodrim''''' in [[Sindarin]], and '''''Casari''''' in [[Quenya]]. ''Casari'' was the common word for Dwarves among the [[Noldor]], but the [[Sindar]] usually called them ''Naugrim'' or ''Nogothrim'', both of which meant "the Stunted People",<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref> or ''Dornhoth'' ("the Thrawn Folk")<ref>{{WJ|Author}}, Note 7, p. 408</ref>.

An epithet for the Dwarves in [[Quenya]] was '''''Aulëonnar''''' ("Children of Aulë").<ref>{{PM|Last}}, p. 391, fn. 22</ref>

In their dealings with people of other races, the Dwarves did not reveal their true names, rather adopting new names in other languages (the [[petty-dwarves]] were an exception). During the Third Age, the Longbeards used [[northern Mannish]] names in public.

==Etymology==
Before Tolkien, the term ''dwarfs'' (with a different spelling) was used, as seen in ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs''.

According to Tolkien, the "real 'historical'" plural of ''dwarf'' is ''dwarrows'' or ''dwerrows''. He once referred to ''dwarves'' as "a piece of private bad grammar",<ref>{{L|17}}</ref> but in [[Appendix F]] to ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' he explains that if we still spoke of dwarves regularly, English might have retained a special plural for the word ''dwarf'' as with ''man''. The form ''dwarrow'' only appears in the word ''Dwarrowdelf'', a name for [[Moria]]. Tolkien used ''Dwarves'', instead, which corresponds with ''Elf'' and ''Elves'', making its meaning more apparent. The use of a different term also serves to set Tolkien's Dwarves apart from the similarly-named creatures in mythology and fairy-tales. The [[Old English]] word for ''dwarf'' was ''dweorg''.<ref name="L236">{{L|236}}</ref>

The original editor of ''The Lord of the Rings'' "corrected" Tolkien's ''dwarves'' to ''dwarfs''.<ref>{{L|138}}</ref>

The enduring popularity of Tolkien's books has led to the popular use of the term ''dwarves'' to describe this race in fantasy literature.

==Inspiration==
In Germanic folklore, [[Wikipedia:Dwarf (folklore)|dwarfs]] are usually associated with metallurgy.<ref name="brackman" />

According to J.R.R. Tolkien his dwarfs are not Germanic ''dwarfs'' and that he deliberately called them ''dwarves'' to mark that. They are a type of incarnate rational creature and are neither naturally evil nor necessarily hostile.<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> His dwarfs are in many ways very different from the dwarfs of Germanic legend, but far nearer to them than the Elves.<ref name="L297">{{L|297}}</ref> He derived the names of the dwarves that appear in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' or in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' from lists of dwarves (''dvergar'') in the Old Norse ''[[Völuspá]]'', a poem in the ''[[Poetic Edda]]'', a collection of [[Old Norse]] poems.<ref name="L297" />
[[File:Ephraim Moses Lilien - Learning Talmud.jpg|thumb|''The Talmud students'' by [[Wikipedia:Ephraim Moses Lilien|Ephraim Moses Lilien]] (1915)]]
At several points Tolkien noted that his Dwarves have jewish traits: both were "''at once natives and aliens in their habitations, speaking the languages of the country, but with an accent due to their own private tongue...''"<ref>{{L|176}}</ref> a tongue which he based on [[Hebrew]].

{{quote|The dwarves of course are quite obviously, couldn't you say that in many ways they remind you of the Jews? Their words are Semitic obviously, constructed to be Semitic. [...] There's a tremendous love of the artefact, and of course the immense warlike capacity of the Jews, which we tend to forget nowadays.|J.R.R. Tolkien to [[Denys Gueroult]]<ref name=interview>''[[An Interview with J.R.R.T.]]''; the second phrase was edited out of the broadcast but published in Zak Cramer's "Jewish Influences in Middle-earth" (''[[Mallorn 44]]'' [[2006]]: p. 10).</ref>}}

Rebecca Brackman notes that the Dwarves's creation tale resembles the role between Jews and Christians: while the Jews held the holy Law and were God's first chosen people, according to early and medieval understanding, this role has been superseded and replaced by Christianity, much like how the Dwarves were created first, but were superseded by the Elves and Men as Children of Iluvatar, according to His plan.<ref name="brackman" />

According to Brackman Tolkien's Dwarves in ''The Hobbit'' display some (anti-)semitic tropes following popular perception. Such tropes are the beards, the greed for gold, cowardliness and complaining for several things, serving as comic relief; they don't seem to participate in the heroic culture of the Elven and Mannish characters and have their own value system ("dwarves are not heroes, but calculating folk with a great idea of the value of [[money]]"<ref>{{H|12}}, p. 211</ref>). Those marginalizing stereotypes were circulating both in the medieval sources Tolkien was studying, but also in his contemporary culture.<ref name="brackman" />

On the other hand, while the Dwarves in ''The Hobbit'' are indeed comical, outside the heroic culture, with several unpleasant qualities stereotypically attributed to the Jews, Gimli in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is displayed heroic and steadfast and is not motivated by profit or revenge; it is also suggested that the monetary value Dwarves give to gold and gems actually comes from appreciation of their natural beauty, perceived as "greed" in ''The Hobbit''. The backstory laid out in [[Appendix A|"Durin's Folk"]] and ''[[The Quest of Erebor]]'' suggests that Thorin's aggressive and greedy behavior was stemming from his Dwarvish sense of duty, and perhaps spurred by the [[Ring of Thrór]], rather than inherited racial traits.<ref name="brackman" /> Christine Chism argued that Tolkien, having Jews in mind, responded to the cultural turmoil around the time of WWII.<ref>Chism, Christine. "Middle-earth, the Middle Ages, and the Aryan Nation." In ''[[Tolkien the Medievalist]]''. Ed. [[Jane Chance]]. London: Routledge, [[2003]]. pp. 63-92.</ref>

Wayne Harden has noted that the war-cry of the Dwarves is similar to the historical [[Wikipedia:Gurkha|Gurkha]] cry, "The Gurkhas are upon you!"<ref name="brackman" />

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the earliest versions of Tolkien's [[Legendarium]] such as [[The Book of Lost Tales]], the dwarves were evil beings, not unlike the dwarfs of Norse mythology, and sometimes allied by [[Melko]].<ref name="brackman">Brackmann, Rebecca ([[2010]]) "[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol28/iss3/ 'Dwarves are Not Heroes': Antisemitism and the Dwarves in J.R.R. Tolkien's Writing]", [[Mythlore]]: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 28: No. 3, Article 7.</ref>

In an earlier version of the legendarium it is hinted that the Dwarves do not know about Ilúvatar, or that they disbelieve his existence, but later writings contradict that suggestion.<ref>{{LT2|IV}}</ref>

Concerning the hostile views between Dwarves and Elves in the First Age, [[Christopher Tolkien]] notes that "the long enduring 'hostile' view has at last virtually vanished" in ''[[The Later Quenta Silmarillion]]''.<ref name="wjdwarves" />{{rp|p. 206}}
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1994: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]] - [[Moria (1994 book)|Moria]]'':'''
:Dwarven culture and ceremony is described as deeply conservative, with a strong focus on loyalty towards their lines. Each lineage tended to be seen as sharing a common spirit, thus the family was put before the individual. Despite this and their uniform appearance to outsiders, they expressed individuality through their inner character. Rituals remained frozen in time, most notably the internment of their death: always in stone, which could be crypts or cairns. Pyres were a rare and last resort.<ref>{{ICE|2011}}, pp. 28-32</ref>

==External links==
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/02/did-tolkien-coin-plural-dwarves.html Did Tolkien coin the plural “dwarves”?]" by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{references|notes}}
{{dwarvenclans}}
[[Category:Dwarves| ]]
[[Category:Incarnates]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[de:Zwerge]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/nains/nains]]
[[fi:Kääpiöt]]

Horses

2026-06-04T01:08:03Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Incomplete}}
{{race infobox
| name=Horses
| image=Pamela Shanteau - Wild Horses.jpg
| caption=''Wild Horses'' by Pamela Shanteau
| pronun=
| othernames=''Roch''
| origin=
| location=[[Aman]], [[Middle-earth]]
| affiliation=[[Valar]], [[Rohan]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| people=
| members=[[Arod]], [[Arroch]], [[Asfaloth]], [[Felaróf]], [[Firefoot]], [[Hasufel]], [[Lightfoot]], [[Nahar]], [[Rochallor]], [[Roheryn]], [[Shadowfax]], [[Snowmane]], [[Windfola]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| gallery=horses
}}

'''Horses''' were beasts of burden and transport used by [[Elves]] and [[Men]] through the ages. Famous among horses were [[Nahar]], the steed of [[Oromë]], [[Rochallor]], the warhorse of [[Fingolfin]], and [[Felaróf]], the steed of [[Eorl the Young]]. The breeding and riding of horses were arts developed to their greatest height, among Men, by the [[Rohirrim]] in the [[Third Age]].

==History==
Horses existed as native creatures in [[Middle-earth]]; however, there is evidence that some of the breeds in Middle-earth, particularly in [[Beleriand]] and [[Rohan]], were enhanced by sires brought from [[Aman]]. Although horses may have roamed freely when [[Men]] awoke with the rising of the Sun, it is unclear if the Elves who stayed in Middle-earth - the [[Sindar]], [[Nandor]], and [[Avari]] - had horses while "Middle-earth lay for the most part in the Sleep of Yavanna."<ref name="Sindar" />

In the early days of the [[First Age]], Oromë was heard sounding his horn [[Valaróma]], and riding through Beleriand and over the mountains hunting the fell beasts of Morgoth. He had been riding and hunting there with his folk since before the Firstborn awoke and, of all the Valar, came the most reluctantly to Valinor.<ref>{{S|Vala}}</ref> But, the Sindar were awed by his splendour and feared him and the "great noise and onrush of Nahar."<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref> This does not mean that the early Elves feared horses, as they would have no reason to fear any natural and uncorrupted beast,<ref name="Riders">{{TT|Riders}}</ref> or that they did not keep horses themselves.

In [[Valinor]], the Elves did ride. [[Fëanor]]'s son, [[Celegorm]], "in Valinor was a friend of Oromë, and often followed the Vala's horn."<ref name="Eldamar">{{S|Eldamar}}</ref> [[Aredhel]], while still in Eldamar, was also mentioned as one who loved to ride and hunt in the forests.<ref name="Eldamar" /> The [[Noldor]] brought some of their horses, which flourished in [[Ard-galen]], from Valinor with them on the ships that sailed to [[Losgar]]:

{{blockquote|From few their horses had increased swiftly, and the grass of Ard-galen was rich and green. Of these horses many of the sires came from Valinor, and they were given to Fingolfin by Maedhros in atonement of his losses, for they had been carried by ship to Losgar.|{{S|Beleriand}}}}

The Rohirrim believed their noble horse line, the ''[[Mearas]]'', must have had a sire that was brought by the hunter [[Béma]] (Oromë) from the West.<ref name="Eorl">{{App|Eorl}}</ref>

The horses of Elves were ridden bitless, with only decorative headstalls and saddles, or wholly without tack,<ref name="Riders" /><ref name="Flight">{{FR|Flight}}</ref><ref name="L211" /> and the ''Mearas'', like elf horses, also seemed to prefer being ridden thus by the riders they allowed.<ref name="Eorl" /><ref>{{TT|Palantir}}</ref>

==Other names==

In [[Sindarin]], the word for "horse" is '''''roch'''''.<ref name="SApp">{{S|Appendix}}</ref>

*Examples: ''[[Rochallor#Etymology|Rochallor]]'', ''[[Rohan#Etymology|Rohan]]'', ''[[Rohirrim#Etymology|Rohirrim]]'', ''[[Roheryn#Etymology|Roheryn]]''<ref name="SApp" />

In [[Quenya]], the word for "horse" is '''''rokko'''''<ref name="SApp" /> or '''''rocco'''''<ref name="L211">{{L|211}}</ref> (pl. ''rokkor''<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 78</ref>). In the [[The Etymologies|''Etymologies'']], these forms derive from the [[Sundocarme|root]] [[ROK]].<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 384</ref> An intermediate form was [[Primitive Quendian|Primitive Elvish]] ''rokkō'' ("swift horse for riding").<ref name="L211" /><ref name="L297">{{L|297}}</ref>

Words in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early tongues included:
*[[Qenya]] ''olombo'' ("horse") <ref name="VT45a">{{VT|45a}}, p. 28</ref>
*[[Noldorin]] ''lobor'' ("horse")<ref name="VT45a" />
*[[Gnomish]] ''Brog'' ("horse"); ''bros'' (''brossa'') or ''broch'' ("mare"); ''lobros'' ("steed, horse"); ''mair'' ("horse", poetic).<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 24, 54, 56</ref>

[[Adûnaic]] also had its own terms for a horse, specifically ''karab'' in "common" gender singular ("horse", as a species/creature), the masculine singular ''karbû'' ("male horse", "stallion"), the feminine singular ''karbî'' ("female horse", "mare"), and the plural ''karîb'' ("horses").<ref>{{SD|3}}, p. 434, 435</ref><ref>[https://folk.uib.no/hnohf/adunaic.htm Adûnaic - The Vernacular of Númenór], "Adûnaic Wordlist", Ardalambion (folk.uib.no) by Helge Fauskanger</ref><ref>[https://eldamo.org/content//words/word-3999922351.html Adûnaic - "karab"], "Adunaic Words", Eldamo.org by Paul Strack</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:[[Boromir]] arrives in Rivendell on horseback, whereas in the novel he lost his horse prior to reaching the elven refuge.
:[[Brego (horse)|Brego]] is a horse ridden by [[Aragorn]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Horses are the main transportation for the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. At level 35 players can earn the right to own their own mount. They can be bought at the Bree Horse Farm and also at various other locations with enough reputation.

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:[[Berek]] was the steed of [[Isildur]] and the [[House of the Lords of Andúnië|House of the]] [[Lord of Andúnië|Lords of]] [[Andúnië]].

'''2024: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim]]'':'''
:[[Ashere]] was the steed of Héra

==See also==
*[[Horsed archers]]
*[[Ponies]]

*[[:Category:Images of horses|Images of horses]]

{{references}}

[[Category:Horses]]
[[de:Kategorie:Pferde]]
[[fr:encyclo/categories/personnages/animaux/chevaux]]
[[fi:Hevoset]]

Mandos

2026-06-02T20:32:26Z

Aeglos: /* History */ Clarification

{{Short description|Keeper of the Dead}}
{{expansion}}
{{disambig-two|the [[Valar|Vala]]|dwelling|[[Halls of Mandos]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Valar|Vala]]
| name=Mandos
| image=Elena Kukanova - Namo Mandos.jpeg
| caption="Namo Mandos" by [[Elena Kukanova]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Námo'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Bannos'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''Badhron'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| titles=The Judge The Just
| position=Ruler of the Dead
| location=The [[Halls of Mandos]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Valarin]], [[Quenya]]
| notablefor=
| siblings=[[Irmo]] and [[Nienna]]
| spouse=[[Vairë]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|He is the keeper of the [[Halls of Mandos|Houses of the Dead]], and the summoner of the spirits of the slain. He forgets nothing; and he knows all things that shall be, save only those that lie still in the freedom of [[Ilúvatar]]. He is the Doomsman of the [[Valar]].|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Valaquenta]]: Of the Valar"}}

'''Mandos''' was the '''Doomsman of the Valar''' who pronounced judgement in matters of fate. He was the keeper of the slain in his [[Halls of Mandos|Halls]] in the west of [[Valinor]].

His actual, less common name was '''''Námo'''''. He was the "elder brother" of the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Irmo]] (also called ''Lórien''). He is one of the [[Aratar]]. Together, Mandos and Irmo are called the [[Fëanturi]] ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Masters of Spirits"). Their sister is [[Nienna]]. [[Vairë]] the Weaver is his wife.

==Attributes==
He keeps the [[Halls of Mandos]] where he summons the spirits of the slain. For this he is also known as "Mandos" after his dwelling place.<ref name="vala">{{S|IIb}}</ref>

Mandos knows and remembers nearly all things that were and shall be. He serves as the Doomsman of the Valar, he pronounces his judgements at the bidding of [[Manwë]]. However only [[Ilúvatar]] knows with full certainty what the full doom of Arda will be, and he will not reveal it all, even to Mandos or Manwë.<ref name="vala" /> Mandos and Manwë have always been allied since their entering into [[Eä]], and together they understand most clearly the [[Vision of Ilúvatar]] more than any of the other Valar.

Mandos is said to be the grimmest of the Valar. However, this in no way implies that Mandos is dark or evil. His grimness is wholly part of his nature, coming (one must assume) from that part of the mind of [[Ilúvatar]] from which he came. Neither is Mandos willful or malevolent in declaring the fates of [[Arda]].

==History==
During one of the early councils of the Valar, the Powers worried that the [[Elves]] would come in darkness. Manwë bid Mandos to speak, and he revealed that the age of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] approached and it was the doom of the [[Elves]] to wake under the [[stars]] and revere [[Varda]]. This prompted Varda to prepare new stars for the [[Awakening of the Elves]].<ref name="Coming">{{S|3}}</ref>

After [[Morgoth|Melkor]] was overthrown in the [[Battle of the Powers]], the Valar debated on whether to summon the [[Elves]] to [[Aman]]. Though some such as [[Ulmo]] felt the Elves should be left to dwell in Middle-earth, the Valar decided to summon the Elves. At this, Mandos broke his silence with the words "So it is doomed".<ref name="Coming" />

When the unrest of the Noldor began and Fëanor drew sword upon Fingolfin, Mandos was present at the council when Fëanor was interrogated for his actions. Though it was revealed that Melkor had sown the seed of dissent, Mandos would not allow Fëanor's haughty actions to go unpunished. Therefore he banished Fëanor from Tirion for 12 years, only allowing him to return if one should release him. At which point, Fingolfin offered to do so.

But after Melkor slew the Trees of Valinor and stole the Silmarils, Fëanor was overcome with rage and led the [[Noldor]] in rebellion against the Valar. Driven by their Oath, Fëanor's host carried out the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë|Kinslaying]] at [[Alqualondë]] in the lands of [[Araman]] north of Valinor. For this act Mandos, or one of his servants, pronounced the [[Doom of Mandos]], a warning if they continued in their rebellion. This caused [[Finarfin]] to repent and return to [[Eldamar]].<ref>{{S|Flight}}</ref> The curse of Mandos remained upon all the Noldor, tied to the [[Oath of Fëanor]] and thwarting the Noldor in all the [[Wars of Beleriand]].
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien's Lament Before Mandos.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Lúthien's Lament Before Mandos'']]
When [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] died, she sang a song of such extraordinary power and beauty that it moved even the implacable heart of Mandos. Deeming that this matter was beyond him, yet unable to reverse the fates, Mandos sought the counsel of Manwë. In turn, Manwë gave him the response from Ilúvatar. Mandos returned to Lúthien and gave her a choice; to remain in Valinor forever and forget all her griefs, or to return with Beren to Middle-earth as a mortal. Luthien chose the latter, forsaking her immortality. So Beren was returned to a second life and Lúthien was granted a unique fate, to become mortal and return to [[Middle-earth]] with him.

After, when [[Eärendil]] set foot in [[Aman]] and begged the Valar for the forgiveness of the [[Noldor]] and help in their war with [[Morgoth]], Mandos was the one who demanded he be executed for no mortal should set foot in Aman and live. But [[Ulmo]] spoke against Mandos, asking whether Eärendil was the son of [[Tuor]] of the [[Edain]] or [[Idril]] of the Noldor. Mandos responded that in either case, since the Noldor were still under the ban, Eärendil should not live. Regardless of that, [[Manwë]] answered Eärendil's prayer and commanded the [[Host of the Valar]] be assembled and wage war on Morgoth. Considering Eärendil's doom, along with [[Elwing]]'s, his wife, Manwë offered them and their children a choice: whether to be counted among [[Elves]] or [[Men]].<ref>{{S|24}}</ref> After the [[War of Wrath]], the exiled Noldor were forgiven and the Curse of Mandos was ended.

==Etymology==
''Námo'' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈnaːmo]}}) in [[Quenya]] means "Judge" or "Ordainer",<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 85</ref> from [[root]] [[NAM]].

''Mandos'' ({{IPA|[ˈmandos]}}) is a [[Quenya]] name meaning "Castle of Custody".<ref>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 350</ref> It derived from the early Elvish ''Mandostŏ''.<ref>{{VT|39a}}, p. 6</ref>

In the previous ''[[Etymologies]]'', ''Mandos'' was translated as "Imprisoner, Binder", derived from [[root]] [[MBAD]]. Note that here, ''Mando'' was envisioned as the actual name of the Vala proper (not his realm). In that conception, the form ''Mand-os'' (from ''Mand-osse'') is a "lengthened" form meaning "''Dread'' Imprisoner".<ref name="Etymologies">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "MBAD-"</ref> The [[Noldorin]] names for ''Mandos'' were '''''Bannos''''' ("Dread Imprisoner"") and '''''Badhor'''''/'''''Badhron''''' ("judge").<ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 33</ref>

In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Mandos is referred as ''Nefrea'' "Corpse-ruler" and ''neoaerna hlaford'' "master of the houses of the dead".<ref>{{SM|QA1}}</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| VAI |~| MAN | | NIE | | IRM |~| EST | |VAI=[[Vairë]]|MAN='''MANDOS'''|NIE=[[Nienna]]|IRM=[[Irmo]]|EST=[[Estë]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[Christopher Tolkien]] notes that in the early version of the [[Legendarium]] Mandos does exclaim prophecies, but he doesn't function as the "Doomsman of the Valar" as in the later ''[[Silmarillion]]''.<ref name="lt13n">{{LT1|IIIn}}</ref> His wife was [[Nienna#Other versions of the Legendarium|Fui Nienna]] and he had a [[hound]] named [[Gorgumoth]].

In the ''[[Qenya Lexicon]]'' the Vala in [[Qenya]] was called Ve or Vefantur Mandos. In the ''[[Gnomish Lexicon]]'' his [[Gnomish]] names are Bannoth Gwi, Gwi-fanthor and Gwivannoth. His personal name(s) ''Ve''/''Gwi'' are said to derive from a primitive [[root]] VEHE, but no meaning or translation are given.<ref name="ltapp" />

''Mandos'' is the Qenya name of the region and their Halls, also known as ''Ve'' after him. The Gnomish form ''Bannoth'' also refers to the Vala and the region of the souls, but also improperly his Halls (properly ''Gwi'' or ''Ingwi'').<ref name="ltapp">{{LT1|Appendix}}</ref>

An epithet of Mandos was '''''Morimando''''' ("Dark Mando"), being the dark counterpart of Manwë ''Kalamando'' ("Light Mando"). Tolkien notes that in those epithets, the element ''man'' loses its sense as "doom, prison", and is understood as the root referring to "holiness" (root MAN in ''Man''we).<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry MBAD</ref>

==Inspiration==
Mandos is comparable to gods of the dead of real world mythologies, like Hades or Hel. The instance of Lúthien singing to him in order to release her beloved, is reminiscent of similar ancient tales, such as Orpheus singing to Hades to release Eurydice, or Hermod who asks Hel to release Baldur.<ref>{{webcite|author=Dawn Felagund|articleurl=http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org/reference/references/pf/namo2.php|articlename=Námo Mandos|website=[http://www.silmarillionwritersguild.org Silmarillion Writers Guild]}}</ref> (The story of Orpheus has been retold in English literature as ''[[Sir Orfeo]]'').

Another similarity shared between Mandos and the two mythological figures, is that they bear the name of their realms. Mandos in the early writings had a hound, [[Gorgumoth]], while Hades was guarded by the monstrous dog Cerberus and Hel by the dog or wolf Garmr.

{{References}}
{{Ainur}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mandos}}
[[Category:Aratar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Qenya names]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]

[[de:Mandos (Person)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/aratar/mandos]]
[[fi:Námo]]

Westron

2026-06-02T04:47:05Z

Aeglos: /* Distribution */

{{short description|Universal Language of the West}}
'''Westron''' ('''''Adûni''''' in itself) was the [[languages|language]] of the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Middle-earth]]. By the end of the [[Third Age]] it was more or less a universal language spoken throughout the [[races]] and peoples of the [[Westlands]], thus it was also known as the '''Common Speech'''.

Westron, through its ancestor [[Adûnaic]], was distantly related to other native languages of the [[Middle Men]] of the Westlands, like [[Northern Mannish]] of [[Rhovanion]], and [[Rohanese]]; all descended from the [[Taliska|ancient languages]] of the [[Edain]].<ref name="lang">{{App|F1}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, Note 4</ref>

==History==
[[File:Tree of human tongues expanded.jpg|thumb|Genealogy of Middle-Earth's human languages]]
The Westron speech is derived from the [[Adûnaic]] tongue of [[Númenor]].<ref name="L144">{{L|144}}</ref> The [[Númenoreans]] brought it to the western coastlands of the continent of [[Middle-earth]] when they established trade outposts and forts in the third millennium of the [[Second Age]]. Westron originated as a creole language spoken between the Númenoreans and the native [[Middle Men]], and from those Númenorean colonies it spread to most of the westlands.

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], the [[Faithful]] Númenoreans neglected their 'unfaithful' language in favour of [[Elvish]], allowing Adûnaic as spoken in Middle-earth to change and evolve chaotically among the Middle Men. But later it was enriched and softened under Elvish influence.

===Distribution===
In the course of the [[Third Age]] Westron was adopted by nearly all [[Men]] and [[Hobbits]] that lived within the borders of the old kingdoms of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]] all along the coasts from [[Umbar]] northward to the Bay of Forochel, and inland to the [[Misty Mountains]] and the [[Ephel Dúath]] and north up the river [[Anduin]] to the [[Gladden Fields]] between the [[Misty Mountains]] and the Anduin. At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] Westron was still the native tongue in this area.<ref name="lang" /><ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #59</ref> [[Hobbitish]] itself was a rustic dialect of Westron.

For this, Westron was also known as the '''Common Speech'''. [[Dwarves]] used Westron as a public language, as [[Khuzdul]] was private. Some [[Elves]] also spoke Westron, although some, like [[Haldir]]'s brothers, didn't leave their lands much and had not learned the Common Speech.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> Even [[Orcs]] spoke Westron, which was the base of [[Orkish]] tongues.<ref name="lang" /><ref>{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref>

The [[Northmen]] also spoke Westron, such as [[Beorn]] and the [[Lake-men]].<ref>{{HM|H}}</ref> The [[Woses]],<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref> the [[Dunlendings]]<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref> and the [[Rohirrim]] were examples of Men whose language was not Westron, but they spoke it in interlingual circumstances.<ref name="lang" />

Under King [[Thengel]] of Rohan (who had lived in Gondor for many years before taking the throne), the Common Speech began to be used as the language of the court instead of their native [[Rohanese]] (thus [[Théoden]], [[Éomer]], and [[Éowyn]] were all functionally bilingual in Rohirric and Common Speech) "though not all thought this a good thing..."<ref>{{App|A2}}</ref>

==Grammar==
Westron had both [[wikipedia:T-V distinction|"deferential" and "familiar" pronouns]] for the second (and sometimes third) person, but the deferential pronouns had fallen out of use in the [[Hobbitish]] dialect. Interestingly, this is the opposite of what happened in English, where the familiar "thee/thou" fell out of favour and the deferential "you" became universal.

This lack of a deferential pronoun and universal use of the familiar pronoun is what [[Gondorians]] were referring to when they repeatedly remarked that Hobbit-speech sounded strange.<ref>{{App|Translation}}</ref>

==Etymology and names==
Westron is a translation of the original name '''''Adûni'''''<ref>{{PM|X}}, p. 316</ref> (cf. [[Adûnaic]] ''[[Adûn]]'' ("west")), and "Common Speech" translates the Westron term '''[[Sôval]] [[Phârë]]'''<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, note 6, p. 55</ref>, of identical meaning. In [[Sindarin]] the language was called '''[[Annúnaid]]''' (Westron), or '''[[Falathren]]''' (Shore-language).<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, The Languages at the End of the Third Age, p. 32</ref>

==Translation==
According to Tolkien's fiction, Westron was the language spoken and understood by the protagonists of ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings''.<ref name="L144" /> Many names of characters and places, in the book's "reality", were in Westron.

However, Tolkien mentions that Westron was presented as having been completely replaced by [[Modern English]] in the text. This had certain important implications: first of all, proper names with derivations understandable or evident to speakers of Westron had been translated, to preserve the effect to the English reader. Thus, names like ''Baggins'', ''Bagshot Row'', ''Peregrin'', ''Rivendell'' et cetera, are not the ''actual'' names as spoken by the characters but are presented as ''translations''.

Of course, outside the fictional context of the story, it is clear that there was no such "translation": the English names came first and the "original" forms in Westron or other languages were devised by Tolkien later.

[[Rivendell]] ("cloven valley") was actually called ''[[Rivendell#Etymology|Karningul]]'', and [[Bag End]] was actually called ''[[Labin-nec]]'', after ''[[Baggins Family|Labingi]]'', the real form of [[Baggins Family|Baggins]]. In some cases the explanations became quite involved, such as the river Brandywine (Sindarin [[Baranduin]], "golden-brown river") being actually called ''[[Branda]]-[[nîn]]'', a punning Westron name meaning "border-water", which was later punned again as ''[[Bralda]]-[[hîm]]'' meaning "heady ale".

This logic went one step further by also presenting all [[Mannish]] languages akin to Westron in languages related to English, so that their "understandability" by the protagonists would be simulated to the English reader.<ref name="L144" />

This utter replacement of Westron by English was taken so far that some sources that should give actual Westron have been turned to English too. For instance, in [[Moria]], an illustration of the runic text on [[Balin]]'s gravestone is given. The text is said to be written in both Khuzdul and Westron. But while the first part of the inscription seems to really be a bit of Khuzdul, the second part is actually plain English, just written in [[cirth]].

==Corpus==
The corpus of Westron is small; several of the Westron forms given above were not published in Tolkien's lifetime. Tolkien never worked out Westron to the same extent as [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]] or even [[Adûnaic]].

Many words come from [[Appendix F]] and the creation of it in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''. A detailed Westron phonology and additional grammar notes can be found in the manuscripts that Tolkien sold to the archives of [[Marquette University]] (they were initially written for the [[Appendix F]] of ''The Lord of the Rings'')<ref>[[Tyalië Tyelelliéva 17]], p. 20</ref>. These documents include declensions of animate and inanimate nouns and the present tense conjugation of the verb ''pūt-'' “to blow”<ref name=":0">[[Tyalië Tyelelliéva 17]], pp. 37-44</ref>; their content was partially published in [[Tyalië Tyelelliéva 17|''Tyalië Tyelelliéva'' 17]] in [[2001]]. Even now, the corpus is small (roughly 150 words).<ref>{{Cite web|articleurl=https://drive.google.com/file/d/18EwnCZh56n2MoyTEBjotpP4rQAl8nsOC/view|articlename=Westron full dictionary|author=|dated=2025}}</ref><ref>[[Tyalië Tyelelliéva 17]], pp. 37-44</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Westron words|Category:Westron words]]

==External links==
*{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://drive.google.com/file/d/18EwnCZh56n2MoyTEBjotpP4rQAl8nsOC/view?usp=sharing|articlename=Complete Westron dictionary|dated=|website=|accessed=29 September, 2025|archiveurl=|archivename=|archivedate=}}
*{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=https://ardalambion.net/westron.htm|articlename=Westron - ''the Common Speech''|dated=|website=[[Ardalambion]]|accessed=29 December, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230205035/https://folk.uib.no/hnohf/westron.htm|archivename=Westron - ''the Common Speech''|archivedate=30 December, 2024}}{{references}}

{{languages}}

[[Category:Westron]]

[[de:Westron]]
[[fi:Westron]]
[[fr:encyclo/langues/westron]]

Lord of Dale

2026-05-17T10:39:09Z

Aeglos:

The '''Lord of Dale''' was the title held by the ruler of [[Dale]] until its destruction in {{TA|2770}}.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> The only recorded Lord was the final one, [[Girion]].<ref>{{H|Inside}}</ref> His descendant [[Bard|Bard I]] later founded the hereditary title of [[King of Dale]] in {{TA|2944|n}}.<ref name="TA"/>

{{references}}

[[Category:Mannish titles]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age

2026-05-11T04:10:40Z

Aeglos: /* Cast */

{{cleanup}}
{{disambig-more|Third Age|[[Third Age (disambiguation)]]}}
{{video game infobox
| name=''The Lord Of the Rings: The Third Age''
| image = The Lord of the Rings - The Third Age - cover.jpg
| developer= EA Redwood Shores
| publisher= [[Electronic Arts|EA Games]]
| releasedate=[[wikipedia:North America|NA]]:[[2 November]], [[2004]] [[wikipedia:Europe|EU]]: [[12 November]], [[2004]]
| platform=PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance
| language=English
| distribution=
| availability=
| licensed=
| genre=
}}
'''''The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age''''' is a 2004 role-playing game (RPG) by [[Electronic Arts|EA]] for Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Advance. It was the first of [[Electronic Arts]]' spin-off games, followed by the more popular [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology|''The Battle for Middle-earth'' series]]. It is a role-playing turn-based game; the characters can swap clothes, weapons, armors which they collect after fights or find in chests throughout their journey.

==Synopsis==
Though the Fellowship of Gandalf and that of Berethor will rarely meet, they will live rather similar events, as the fellowship of Gandalf. They will go to [[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Osgiliath]], [[Minas Tirith]] and [[Moria]], among others.

===Plot===
Berethor, Captain of the Citadel Guard of [[Gondor]], travels to [[Rivendell]] to find [[Boromir]]. On his way to Rivendell, he is attacked by a group of [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] and almost killed, but is rescued by a female [[Elves|elf]] named Idrial, a servant of [[Galadriel]]. They share a vision of [[Gandalf]], who tells them that Boromir is traveling with the Fellowship, and that they are headed in the direction of [[Moria]]. On Berethor's way to Moria, he meets with Elegost, a [[Rangers of the north|Ranger]]. Following that, they meet the Dwarf Hadhod. After Boromir's death, the group is charged with helping what is left of the Fellowship to save the world of men in [[Middle-earth]].

In another change to the plotline, they help Gandalf to slay the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] at the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. They continue through the land of [[Rohan]], meeting along the way Morwen, a lady of Rohan who has lost her family to Saruman's attacks, and Éaoden, a member of [[Théoden]]'s [[King's Company|Royal Guard]]. They arrive at [[Helm's Deep]] and aid Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli to fight off the [[Uruk-hai]] as they storm the fortress. After this they journey to [[Osgiliath]], and with the help of [[Faramir]], defeat [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. They eventually fight in [[Minas Tirith]] and finally help [[Éowyn]] defeat the [[Witch-king]] on the [[Pelennor Fields]].

===Locations===
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Third Age - battle.jpg|thumb|250px|Screenshot from the GameCube version.]]
*'''[[Eregion]]''': The first location the company visits. It is the land next to [[Rivendell]] on the way to the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some important sites to visit are the Elven outpost, the Elven sanctuary, and the Moria Western Gate.

*'''Western [[Moria]]''': The group travels through the halls of Moria, intent on reaching [[Balin's Tomb]], to meet up with the Fellowship.

*'''Eastern Moria''': The group finds and escapes Balin's Tomb. They make for the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]] to escape, killing nine [[Trolls]] of Moria. The area is left after defeating the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] (with [[Gandalf]]'s help).

*'''[[Eastemnet]] Gullies''': The group breaks upon this natural maze of rock and are assisted by [[Aranel (Elf)|Aranel]], an archer from [[Lothlorien]]. They proceed to find scattered [[Elves|Elf]] Scouts, who guard the borders of Rohan. The final battle is fought against a band of Uruk-hai Scouts who have captured a Rider of Rohan.

*'''Plains of [[Rohan]]''': The challenges in this vast plain primarily involve finding Rohan Soldiers. Near the beginning, the player meets Morwen, a warrior searching for her family. Once the soldiers are gathered, they travel to the village of Snowbourne, which is besieged by [[Uruk-hai]] and Dunlending Wildmen. The party activates switches to open the gates. They find [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]] and do battle against him and his two Uruk Bodyguards. After traveling through a series of caves they find Morwen's family dead as well as the final party member, a Rohan Outrider named Éaoden. The "boss" is [[Sharku]], commander of [[Isengard]]'s [[Warg]] Riders.

*'''[[Helm's Deep]]''': The area begins with the party talking to various members of the Fellowship. Once night falls, a series of lengthy battles begin with [[Legolas]], [[Gimli]], and [[Aragorn]], battling Uruks that are invading the keep. They do such things as help Legolas keep the wall free of Uruks, help Gimli defend the breach in the wall, and help Aragorn hold the main gate. The exit battle is fought against trolls and Uruk Berserkers. Once left, the area can't be restored to the daytime version.

*'''[[Osgiliath]]''': The area begins with you fighting a series of set battles culminating with you fighting [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]], [[Orcs|Orc]] commander, for the first time (with [[Faramir]] by your side). Then you set about helping out Faramir's Rangers who are ill equipped at this sort of fighting, You soon meet Gothmog again but Faramir is still by your side. Soon after this Idrial is kidnapped and dropped on an island in the middle of the Osgiliath river. The next part of the game shows Idrial fighting by herself and the other five fighting their way through the sewers to save her. In the end only Berethor can reach Idrial in time and they both fight the [[Witch-king]], who has made a timely arrival to kill Idrial. During fighting, Berethor discovers he cannot hurt the Witch-king, as he still has a piece of Morgul Blade stuck inside him. After (painfully) removing it, the pair defeat the Witch-king and escape the city on a commandeered Orc landing raft.

*'''[[Minas Tirith]]''': The party has finally reached the City of Kings, and just in time to fight the city's invaders. The party has to fight its way up the city levels to the Throne Room at the top, to recover the Banner of [[Elendil]], to restore the morale of the defenders. Upon reaching the top level, the party witnesses [[Denethor]] (flaming) run screaming off the parapet. They then must fight the Witch-king again, with Gandalf's aid, to gain entry to the Throne Room. Inside the Throne Room, they fight a series of small battles with Orcs and [[Easterlings]] and finally retrieve the Banner, just in time for the [[Rohirrim]] to arrive on the [[Pelennor Fields]], to save the day.

*'''[[Pelennor Fields]]''': This area sees you fighting a new tougher type of orc and coming face to face with multiple [[mûmakil]] (at one point you have to face two at the same time). You aid [[Éowyn]] in fighting the dismounted Witch-king, and kill him. You also aid Aragorn fight off the remaining eight Nazgûl, with the help of the Army of the Dead. The final battle is even more non-canon than the rest: somehow the party has gotten to the top of [[Barad-dûr]] and must square off with the [[Eye of Sauron]] itself.

==Features==
* Play on the side of light or shadow. In an adventure that intersects the main plot points of the film trilogy, battle on the side of the Fellowship in their quest to save Middle-earth or unlock the evil missions where you fight on the side of Sauron.
* Deep gameplay that expands all three films. Travel to familiar and unfamiliar places such as the Mines of Moria, Helm’s Deep, Pelennor Fields, Minas Tirith, and a host of unexpected locations like the White Mountains Plains.
* Customize your hero or villain: Upgrade your character with an in-depth skill tree system where you can acquire unique skills in melee combat, ranged weaponry, defense, and magic.
* Discover a vast array of weapons, armor and clothing, and other Middle-earth items.
* Free-roaming gameplay. Explore, take on side quests, and uncover secret characters to join your party, or special weapons and items to boost your existing characters.
* Fight alongside or against key characters from The Lord of the Rings such as [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], [[Legolas]], [[Éowyn]], and [[Durin's Bane|the Balrog]].
* New user-controlled cameras keep players aware of everything around them.
* Voiceover from the original actors and assets from [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|all three The Lord of the Rings films]].

==Cast==
Actors were not credited by role, and most of the actors listed under "movie talent" (thus, actors from the movies) did not add original material.However, there are some new actors who are credited for their role in the video game.

{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Role
|-
|[[Ian McKellen]] || [[Gandalf]] (voice) / Narattor
|-
|[[Christopher Lee]] || [[Saruman]] (voice)
|-
|[[Chris Edgerly]] || Elegost (voice) / [[Aragorn]] (voice)
|-
|[[Lewis MacLeod]] || Hadhod (voice) / [[Sharku]] (voice)
|-
| Charles Martinet || Eaoden (voice) / [[Gimli]] (voice)
|-
| Rhys Lloyd || Berethor (voice) / Aranel (voice) / [[Gamling]] (voice)
|-
| Lori Phylips || Idrial (voice) / Morwen (voice)
|-
|}

==External links==
* '''[http://www.ea.com/official/lordoftherings/thethirdage/us/home.jsp Official website]'''
{{Videogames}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
{{title|italics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lord of the Rings Third Age}}
[[Category:EA Games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:GameCube games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Turn-based strategy games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]

Morgoth

2026-05-08T04:32:37Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{short description|Mightiest of the Ainur}}
{{sources}}
{{infobox character
| people-duplicated=[[Valar|Vala]]
| name=Morgoth
| image=Jenny Dolfen - And Morgoth came.jpg
| caption="And Morgoth came" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈmorɡoθ]}}
| people=[[Ainur|Ainu]]
| othernames=''Melkor'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Bauglir'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) The Great Enemy ''[[#Other names|See below]]''
| titles=The [[Dark Lord]] Lord of Men King of the World
| position=
| location=[[Utumno]] [[Angband]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=[[Timeline#Years of the Lamps|V.Y. 3400]] - {{FA|587}}
| death={{FA|590}}
| deathlocation=Executed in [[Valinor]]<ref name="Void"/> [[Second Prophecy of Mandos|Prophesied]] to return at the [[Dagor Dagorath]]<ref name="Dagorath"/>
| age=
| notablefor=Disrupting the [[Music of the Ainur|Music]] [[Arda Marred|Marring]] the [[Arda|world]] with evil Controlling most of [[Middle-earth]] Devising [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], and [[Dragons]] Destroying the [[Two Trees]] Stealing the [[Silmarils]] Taking over [[Beleriand]] Corrupting [[Men]] Warring with the [[Valar]]
| parentage=
| siblings=[[Manwë]]
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=[[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]]
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|And he descended upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Valar, as a mountain that wades in the sea and has its head above the clouds and is clad in ice and crowned with smoke and fire; and the light of the eyes of Melkor was like a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Ainulindalë]]"}}

'''Morgoth''', also known as '''Melkor''', was the greatest of the [[Ainur]]. He fell from glory when he disrupted the [[Music of the Ainur]] and defied the will of [[Ilúvatar]]. Morgoth corrupted many of the Ainur to his service, fought the [[Valar]], and marred [[Arda]]. His theft of the [[Silmarils]] and [[Wars of Beleriand|wars]] against [[Elves]] and [[Men]] encompassed much of the history of the late [[First Age]]. Eventually, Morgoth was bound in chains by the Valar and thrown into the [[Void]], leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his former lieutenant [[Sauron]], to trouble the world.

One day, according to a prophecy, Morgoth will rise again in great wrath, but he will be destroyed in the [[Final Battle|Dagor Dagorath]].

== History ==
The most powerful of the [[Ainur]] that [[Ilúvatar]] created was a spirit known as Melkor. Because he wandered through the [[Void]] in an attempt to find and use the [[Flame Imperishable]], the source of [[Ilúvatar]]'s creative activity, Melkor developed ideas unlike those of the other Ainur. His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, for he wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void and was dissatisfied by the fact that Ilúvatar had not done so. However, Melkor could not find the Flame, for it was not in the Void, but with Ilúvatar.

=== Music of the Ainur ===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Melkor Weaves Opposing Music.jpg|thumb|left|''Melkor weaves opposing Music'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When the Ainur [[Music of the Ainur|made music]], Melkor wove his strange thoughts into his song. His song clashed against the Theme of Ilúvatar, disturbing the Ainur around him and causing some of them to attune their music to his. For a while the Theme of Ilúvatar and the discords of Melkor warred against one another. But [[Eru]] smiled, and sent forth a new theme. Most of the Ainur joined with it, but Melkor rebelliously opposed it even more violently. At last, many of the Ainur stopped singing in dismay, and Melkor's discords gained dominance. Eru sent out a third Theme against Melkor, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable. But though Melkor could not defeat it, still he opposed it. At last, Eru halted the music completely with a single chord.

Eru then publicly rebuked Melkor, saying that all music finds its source in himself, and thus Melkor could not create his own song or truly alter the Themes of Ilúvatar. Thus, though Melkor opposed Eru to his last breath, he only furthered the cause of Ilúvatar in new and wondrous ways. Melkor was shamed and angered by this judgement, but hid his feelings. When Eru showed the Ainur the product of their music, [[Eä]], Melkor was one of those who begged to enter [[Arda]], pretending to be willing to cultivate it and guide it for Ilúvatar's glory. He actually wished to dominate Arda and its creatures, especially the [[Children of Ilúvatar]].

Nonetheless, he was allowed to enter Eä and come to Arda with the other [[Valar]]. Once there, Melkor declared to his colleagues that he was the master of Arda henceforth. [[Manwë]], his brother, did not understand his evil, but fearing that Melkor might try and disrupt their labours in Arda, called forth many more Ainur to protect them. Among these was [[Varda]], whom Melkor both feared and hated. Melkor departed to the remote regions of Eä, leaving the world in peace for a while.

=== Wars of the Valar ===
[[File:Jerrel Salvatierra - The Enemy.jpg|thumb|''The Enemy'' by [[:Category:Images by Jerrel Salvatierra|Salvatierra]]]]
But Melkor took form more majestic than any of the Valar, great and terrible and burning with his malice, and he came to Arda to destroy the Valar's work in preparing it. There was war, the [[First War with Melkor]], in which mountains were felled and brutality inflicted on the Valar. Though he disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit named [[Tulkas]] came to Arda from other regions of Eä to combat him. After Tulkas drove Melkor away, the Valar managed to complete Arda, and the world was established.

The Valar dwelt in a land called [[Almaren]], and raised up [[two lamps]] to light the young earth: [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]]. Melkor, meanwhile, had attracted the attention—and in a few cases, admiration—of the [[Maiar]], the lesser spirits of [[Arda]]. Melkor had many spies among them, and from them learned all that the Valar did, and bided his time. As the Valar sat down to a feast at the completion of their labours, Melkor gathered together those loyal to him, and looking down on the beautiful Arda, was filled with hatred. Tulkas was wedded to [[Nessa]] at that feast, and she danced before the Valar. Tulkas fell asleep, and that is when Melkor struck.

Melkor with his host passed over the [[Walls of the Night]] and returned to Arda once more. Without the watchfulness of Tulkas, the Valar were unaware of his coming, and he began to delve in the depths of the earth, making a fortress called [[Utumno]] northwards beneath the mountains in the dimness of Illuin. The [[Spring of Arda]] became blighted as the cold evil flowed out of the fortress. Death and illness took the green things of Arda, and animals fought and killed one another, while flies brooded in massive numbers. The Valar knew then that Melkor was at work, and sought his hiding place.

But Melkor struck the first blow. He came to them in fire and war, destroying [[Almaren]] and the Two Lamps, and caused the world to be filled with flowing fire and surging water. The symmetry of Arda was broken. And in the darkness and confusion Melkor escaped, returning to Utumno. All combined, the Valar were a match for Melkor, but they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin and could not pursue him, nor did they know exactly where he had fled to. The Spring of Arda had ended in turmoil.

=== Dominance of Middle-earth ===
With Almaren destroyed, the Valar departed to a new continent across the [[Belegaer|sea]], [[Aman]], and built [[Valinor]]. They also established new sources of light, the [[Two Trees]], to light the world. Melkor, meanwhile, wandered across the face of [[Middle-earth]], in various guises, but armed with cold and fire. Some of the Valar were unwilling to forsake Middle-earth, however; [[Ulmo]] and [[Yavanna]], particularly. Also [[Oromë]] would ride in Middle-earth, killing the terrors of Melkor, who began to fear that the Valar might rise up against him in wrath.

Melkor brooded in the north and built his strength, gathering his demons about him, breeding great monsters, attended by his Maiar-servants later known as [[Balrogs]]. He also created another fortress and armory called [[Angband]], in the north-west of Middle Earth, to resist any Valarin attacks. He placed his greatest servant, [[Sauron]], in control of that stronghold. The Valar acted against Melkor in force, but they were routed, his might too great for them to overcome.

After his victory, Melkor began to delve more great fortresses and pits where he massed his hordes and wicked armies, confident in his domination of the world. Melkor, by wandering about in the dominion he now wrested, also learned of the awakening of the first of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], the [[Elves]]. He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them. Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into [[Orcs]] by torture and breeding.

=== Time in Valinor ===
[[File:Jacek Kopalski - The Captivity of Morgoth.jpg|thumb|left|''The Captivity of Morgoth'' by [[:Category:Images by Jacek Kopalski|Jacek Kopalski]]]]

The Valar were not long, however, in discovering the Elves. Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Melkor, Manwë decided that Ilúvatar wished them to recover Middle-earth at all costs. Bitter from their previous defeat, they arrived in Middle-earth with their full might. They began the [[Battle of the Powers]], and eventually destroyed Utumno after a great battle during which the face of Middle-earth was transformed, though their losses were devastating in the process. Melkor was [[Captivity of Melkor|captured]] and chained with the chain [[Angainor]], but Sauron escaped. Melkor was imprisoned in the [[Halls of Mandos|Halls of]] [[Mandos]], and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge. Still recovering from the grievous siege, the Valar could not pursue and destroy all of Melkor's forces that scattered from the icy fortress, and many foul creatures and minions escaped, left to brood amongst themselves until their master's return.

At the end of his time, Melkor was presented to his brother Manwë. Melkor, swallowing his pride with thoughts of vengeance, prostrated himself before the throne of Manwë, begging for pardon. Manwë granted him thus, though [[Ulmo]] and [[Tulkas]] were displeased with this judgement. Yet the Valar would not let him leave their sight, and he stayed in [[Valmar]]. Before long, he began to exert his corrupting influence on the Elves, especially the [[Noldor]]. For the [[Vanyar]] did not trust him, and the [[Teleri]] he thought too weak for his designs, but the Noldor were curious, and eager to learn what he could teach them.

=== Revenge against the Valar ===
[[File:Lída Holubová - Laurelin and Telperion.jpg|thumb|''Laurelin and Telperion'' by [[:Category:Images by Lída Holubová|Lída Holubová]]]]
{{Main|Darkening of Valinor}}
In time Melkor found his greatest adversary and yet greatest tool in the form of [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of [[Finwë]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. Fëanor was the creator of the [[Silmarils]], which Melkor lusted after. As Melkor subtly spread lies and half-truths about the Valar and the Coming of [[Men]] in the form of rumours, Fëanor was greatly influenced, though he hated Melkor himself and had no idea that he was their source. His new ideas of wide lands and realms to rule touched the heart of Fëanor, and the hearts of many other Noldor. They began to murmur against the Valar, and the peace of Valinor was disturbed. Fëanor soon stirred up trouble, and while on trial before the Valar it was revealed that Melkor was at the bottom of the murmurings and troubles. Tulkas left straight-away to deal with him, but found Melkor gone. He had escaped.

Melkor was not seen for a while, but then appeared at [[Formenos]] to Fëanor, tempting him with words of friendship, and an offer of vengeance against the Valar whom Fëanor perceived had wronged him. Fëanor wavered, but Melkor pressed his advantage too much. He touched a chord about the Silmarils, and Fëanor, seeing his designs and lust for the jewels, cursed and rejected him. Melkor departed in anger, and went south past the mountain of [[Hyarmentir]], to the shadowed valley of [[Avathar]] where there dwelt [[Ungoliant]], a mysterious dark spirit in spider-form once his servant, but who had disowned him after his failure. After some time he convinced her to dismiss her fears with the offer of rich rewards. He imbued her with power, and she wove a cloak of shadow about them both.<ref name=Powerboost>{{S|9}}</ref>

Then Melkor and Ungoliant attacked while there was a [[high feast]] in [[Valmar]]. Melkor pierced the [[Two Trees]] with his lance, and Ungoliant drank their sap. Then she drank dry the [[Wells of Varda]],<ref>{{S|8}}</ref> and the two fled north to [[Formenos]], leaving the land once more in darkness and confusion. At Formenos Melkor slew [[Finwë]] and ravished the treasury of Fëanor, including the [[Silmarils]]. Then he passed over the icy [[Helcaraxë]], entering once more into [[Middle-earth]]. He had struck swiftly and surely. Fëanor cursed him, naming him Morgoth, and by that name he was known ever after to the Eldar.<ref name="Powerboost">{{S|9}}</ref>

=== Return to Beleriand ===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Ungoliant Demands the Silmarils.jpg|thumb|right|''Ungoliant Demands the Silmarils'' by [[Ted Nasmith]] ]]

Once in safety, Ungoliant turned on her partner, demanding the jewels of Fëanor. The spider had grown greatly in size and strength from feasting upon the Trees and from Morgoth's own gifted power, and he, now very weak from his efforts, feared her suddenly. Lacking the strength to fight the monstrous spider in that moment, he reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful gems, and Ungoliant devoured them. But Morgoth refused to give up the Silmarils, and she encased him in webs, torturing him and nearly devouring him. A loud cry of desperation from Morgoth penetrated deep into the walls of Angband and was heeded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] and the [[balrogs]], and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Ungoliant away with their whips. So Morgoth returned to Angband, where he wrought an [[Iron Crown]] for the three jewels.<ref name="Powerboost"/>

=== Wars of Beleriand ===
Morgoth rebuilt the fortress there, and learned of the Elves who had remained in Middle-earth. [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] and the [[Sindar]] dwelt in the woodland kingdom of [[Doriath]], while [[Círdan]] and the [[Teleri]] lived at the [[Falas]] and [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]] and the [[Nandor]] camped in [[Ossiriand]]. Morgoth made war on Thingol, surrounding Doriath and cutting Thingol off from Círdan. But Thingol was able to contact Denethor for help, and the Nandor joined with the Sindar to fight the [[Orcs]] between [[Aros]] and [[Gelion]]. Caught between the two armies, the Orcs of Morgoth were utterly defeated in the [[First Battle]]. Fleeing north they were intercepted and further demolished by the [[Naugrim]]. The Orcs attacking Círdan were more successful – pushing the Teleri to the very edge of the sea.

==== Dagor-nuin-Giliath ====
{{Main|Dagor-nuin-Giliath}}
Morgoth was confronted by further challenges when Fëanor landed in Middle-earth. They set up camp at [[Mithrim]], but Morgoth [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath|attacked them]] quickly, hoping to dislodge them before they settled in too much and became a threat. But the Elves were just come out of [[Aman]], and they had the light of that country in their eyes. The Orcs dreaded them, and were swept before them like chaff before wind. Fëanor pursued them even nigh to the [[Thangorodrim]] and the gates of [[Angband]], but Morgoth sent out Gothmog and his balrogs. Fëanor was killed, but the balrogs were driven back. The Falas were freed, and though Morgoth had practically lost [[Beleriand]] outside of the [[Ered Engrin]], he was comforted in the fact that Fëanor was dead.

==== Dagor Aglareb ====
Yet [[Fingolfin]] came next, with his sons and the sons of [[Finarfin]]. They marched even to the gates of Angband, and yet could not go farther. As the Elves began to build (or rebuild) their kingdoms in Middle-earth, Morgoth waited sixty years before he struck again. It was the [[Dagor Aglareb]], the "Glorious Battle", called such because it was a great victory for the Elves. Fingolfin and [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, combined their strength and repelled Morgoth. They then set up the [[Siege of Angband]], which was designed to keep Morgoth holed up in his fortress.

==== Dagor Bragollach and Fingolfin ====
[[Image:John Howe - Fingolfin's Challenge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Fingolfin's Challenge'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{blockquote|Thus [[Fingolfin|he]] came alone to Angband’s gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat. And Morgoth came.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin]]"}}
Morgoth appeared all but defeated to his foes; he remained dormant and hidden until {{FA|455}}. He surged forth suddenly in great wrath, his armies taking the slackened besiegers by surprise. In the winter he cast great rivers of flame over the formerly green [[Ard-galen]] (causing the battle to be known as the [[Dagor Bragollach]]), burning many Elven horsemen alive. His forces beset strongholds on all sides, led by Glaurung and Gothmog, and several Noldor-lords fell in the succeeding combat. Much of Beleriand was overrun and [[Dorthonion]] was taken, as were northern [[Sirion]] and [[Maglor's Gap]].

In a single stroke Morgoth had broken the Siege of Angband, but the victory was not as complete as he would have preferred. [[Ered Wethrin]], [[Himring]] and [[Hithlum]] had held against him, though just barely. King [[Fingolfin]] was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Angband in anger. With fire in his eyes, Morgoth's Orcs mistook him for a vengeful spirit and fled from him. There he challenged Morgoth to [[Fall of Fingolfin|single combat]]. Despite Morgoth's power, he held a fear of death greater than any other Valar, and was hesitant even against Fingolfin. When Fingolfin declared Morgoth craven, he scoffed the Elf-Lord and did not dare refuse his challenge. He strode out, his footsteps like thunder on the earth. He was clad in black armour with a spiked crown and shield, with [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]], the Hammer of the Underworld, and he and Fingolfin fought in a ferocious duel. Flames gashed from the earth with each strike of his hammer, but Fingolfin was faster and avoided each powerful, but slow, swing. The Elf-lord gave Morgoth seven wounds, and though Morgoth shouted in anguish, he was too powerful to be slain. Fingolfin grew weary and was struck down by Morgoth's shield. Thrice he staggered to his feet in vain, his crown and shield broken, and thrice Morgoth cast him down, before Fingolfin collapsed over one of the pits left by Grond.

As Morgoth placed his foot on Fingolfin's neck to break it, Fingolfin in one last strike ran his blade through the Dark Lord's foot, and Morgoth's blood filled pools made by his hammer. The enraged Morgoth crushed Fingolfin, though he was left with a permanent limp from the injury. Morgoth wished to rend the corpse and feed it to his wolves, but could not desecrate the fallen King, for [[Thorondor]] flew in, scratching Morgoth's face and escaping with Fingolfin's body.<ref name="Ruin">{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>

==== Quest for the Silmaril ====
[[File:Pete Amachree - Luthien in the court of Morgoth.jpg|thumb|300px|''Luthien in the court of Morgoth'' by [[:Category:Images by Pete Amachree|Pete Amachree]]]]
For some time after that the world lay in watchful discomfort. The southern part of [[Beleriand]] was, for the most part, free from Morgoth's direct wrath. There arose two in [[Doriath]], [[Beren]] of [[House of Bëor|Bëor's House]] and [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]], Thingol's daughter. These two lovers embarked on the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], in the process removing [[Sauron]] from [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] and entering Angband in disguise. Morgoth plotted some evil against Lúthien when she stood exposed in his presence, but allowed her to dance for him and she lured him to sleep with her song. One of the Silmarils was stolen from his crown, and Morgoth bore only two until the [[War of Wrath]].

==== Nirnaeth Arnoediad ====
Some time after, in {{FA|471}}, [[Maedhros]] made a great [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]] with the [[Naugrim]], [[Edain]], and other [[Noldor]]. They marched to challenge Morgoth, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces. But Morgoth through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the [[Easterlings]] in a huge battle in which he prevailed, and many princes and rulers of Men, Elves, and Dwarves fell. Thus the battle was named ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', "Battle of Unnumbered Tears". Morgoth's victory was almost complete, as he razed [[Hithlum]], the [[Falas]], the [[March of Maedhros]], as well as [[Nargothrond]] in {{FA|495|n}}. But [[Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], escaped by the valiant actions of the [[House of Hador]], the last of the [[Edain]] in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]].

==== Curse upon Húrin ====
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth Punishes Húrin.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Morgoth Punishes Húrin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Morgoth took [[Húrin]], who had been captured during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Morgoth cursed. Upon the death of [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], Húrin's children, Morgoth released Húrin to further his cause.

==== Fall of Gondolin ====
Some time later, by the aid of [[Maeglin]], a traitor-elf, Morgoth discovered and laid siege to [[Gondolin]]. King [[Turgon]], the last male heir of Fingolfin's house, was killed during the siege. Morgoth's victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] his captain and marshall of his armies. Also, a small remnant including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]] escaped the destruction of the city, bearing their son [[Eärendil]].

==== War of Wrath ====
This was to be Morgoth's doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to [[Valinor]] seeking the pardon of the [[Valar]]. This he earned, and the Valar advanced across [[Belegaer]] with a mighty host. Morgoth loosed all his demons and defences against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the [[Eagles]], and [[Ancalagon]] was brought down by Eärendil himself from his ship, [[Vingilot]]. Morgoth was seized in his fortress Angband, his feet "hewn from under him, and he was hurled upon his face", the Silmarils were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more with the chain called Angainor.<ref name=Earendil>{{S|24}}</ref> This time, however, he was ejected from Arda and thrust into the [[Void|Timeless Void]],<ref name=Earendil/> and thus was put outside Time and Space, outside [[Eä]] altogether.<ref name="Void">{{MR|P5VII}}, p. 403</ref>

== Legacy ==
[[File:Šárka Škorpíková - Numenor.jpg|thumb|''Númenor'' by [[:Category:Images by Šárka Škorpíková|Šárka Škorpíková]]]]
Morgoth remains in the Void, watched by [[Eärendil]] and unable to return to Arda as long as the Valar maintain their power over it. However, the lies he put in the hearts of the Children of Ilúvatar still remain and will create their evil results till the end of days.<ref name=Earendil>{{S|24}}</ref> Morgoth's will was suffused into the matter of Arda, so in a sense he is never truly gone. Arda was [[Arda Marred|marred]] by him so deeply that only Eru could fully repair the damage. Those who wished to follow in Morgoth's footsteps, such as Sauron, found that by using his residual influence, they could easily corrupt races they wished to dominate.

About his servant and heir Sauron it is said that "''in after years he rose like a shadow of Morgoth and a ghost of his malice, and walked behind him on the same ruinous path down into the Void''".<ref>{{S|IId}}</ref> Also, during the last days of [[Númenor]] in the [[Second Age]], Sauron corrupted the King [[Ar-Pharazôn]] and the [[King's Men]] to the worship of Melkor, describing his old master as a god of deliverance while denying the existence of [[the One]]. Thus he began a cult in the [[Temple]] in which the Númenóreans made sacrifices to Melkor.<ref name=Akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> By the [[Third Age]], Sauron's pride overreached itself yet again and "''he claimed to be Morgoth returned''".<ref name="L183">{{L|183}}</ref>

Nevertheless, according to the [[Second Prophecy of Mandos]], Morgoth will come back and attack Arda. He will fight in the [[Last Battle]] against the Valar and their allies, but will ultimately be slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]], the Man he cursed. By finally defeating Morgoth, Túrin will avenge not only himself, but all members of the race of Men.<ref name="Dagorath">{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 333</ref>

== Characteristics ==
It was said of Morgoth that "his might was greatest of all things in this world." He was the most powerful being in existence, second only to Ilúvatar, and perhaps more powerful than every Vala put together. Fitting to his name, Morgoth eventually took a form great and terrible, and soon was unable to leave it. He received many scars and wounds over the ages: his hands were burned forever when he touched the Silmarils, Fingolfin wounded him seven times during their battle and inflicted a wound to the foot that caused him ever after to limp, and Thorondor scarred Morgoth's face.

When Morgoth first took visible form he was said to be of greater power and majesty than any other Vala, as a colossal mountain wading in the sea with its head above the clouds, his appearance both of splendour and terror. As a physical being Morgoth was described as highly imposing, and was reckoned to a tower compared to the warrior Fingolfin, and the shadow of the shield he wielded was like a stormcloud. Ever since his downfall, Morgoth held a desire for destruction; above all else, however, Morgoth held deep hatred of the mere existence of intelligent or beautiful life. Unlike his servant Sauron, Morgoth's ultimate goal was solely the corruption, not control, of all that he despised. He was nonetheless persuasive, and could sway and corrupt many forms of life to become his willing servants.<ref name="Ruin" /><ref>{{MR|P5VII}}, pp. 395-6</ref>

Morgoth wielded [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]] in battle, a weapon he presumably forged himself in [[Angband]] (unless Sauron or [[Gothmog]] had held it safe after the [[Battle of the Powers]]), and was clad in black armor, with an iron crown. Despite his strength initially, he continually spread his residual influence, corruption, and might thin across Arda after his treachery and suffered several defeats, and his power slowly, though significantly, weakened. He alone of the Valar had a deep fear of death, and even against inferior foes he held a hesitance to ever risk his own life.<ref name="Ruin"/>

== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Sindarin - Morgoth.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
The [[Sindarin]] name ''Morgoth'' ("the Black Foe"<ref name=VT49a>{{VT|49a}}, pp. 24-5</ref> or "Dark Tyrant"<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 85</ref>) was given him by [[Fëanor]].

Tolkien experimented (but apparently never reached a decision) with different [[Quenya]] translations of ''Morgoth'': ''Moringotto''<ref>{{MR|P3I7}}, p. 194</ref>, ''Moriñgotho'', or ''Morikotto''.<ref name=VT49a/>

=== Melkor ===
'''''Melkor''''' is [[Quenya]] for "He who arises in Might",<ref>{{S|Index}}, entry "Melkor"</ref> literally "Mighty Arising",<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, p. 115</ref> "uprising of power" or "Mighty One".<ref name=P4k>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 350</ref> The name is generally used to refer to this [[Valar|Vala]] prior to his theft of the [[Silmarils]]; for after the theft [[Fëanor]] named him ''Morgoth''.

''Melkor'' is a compound of [[Common Eldarin]] ''mbelek-'' (''melek'', "great, mighty, powerful"; root [[BEL|BEL, MBEL]]) + ''[[óre]]''.<ref name=PE17/>

The older form of ''Melkor'' is said to be ''Melkórë''.<ref name=P4k/>

In earlier versions of the [[legendarium]], the form of the name was '''''Melko'''''.;<ref>{{HM|HM}}</ref> other variations included '''''Belcha''''',<ref>{{LT2|VI}}</ref> '''''Melegor''''',<ref>{{LB|1a}}</ref> '''''Melekō'''''<ref>{{MR|Star}}</ref>''. At one instance in a late glossary (c. 1959), ''Melko'', meaning "simply 'the Mighty One'", is also said to be an alternative form of ''Melkor''.<ref name=P4k/> '

== Other names ==
'''''Bauglir''''' was a name used of Morgoth by the [[Sindar]] following his return in the late [[First Age]] , meaning "the Constrainer".<ref name=Index>{{S|Index}}</ref> It was often combined with the name ''Morgoth'' to become the full title ''Morgoth Bauglir''.
Another of his names was '''''Belegûr''''', meaning "He who arises in Might", but this was rather used in the altered form of '''''Belegurth''''', meaning "Great Death".<ref name=Index /><ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, p. 358 (note 21)</ref>

Among his many epithets and titles were:
* The '''[[Black Hand]]''', called thus by [[Beleg]].<ref>{{S|21}}.</ref>
* The '''Black King''', used once by [[Sador]].<ref>{{CH|1}}, p. 42</ref>
* The '''Dark King''', given by the [[Edain]].<ref name=Men>{{S|17}}</ref>
* The '''[[Dark Lord]]''', given by the Edain.<ref name=Men />
* The '''Dark Power of the North''', probably given by the [[Free Peoples]].<ref>{{MR|P2}}</ref>
* The '''[[Elder King]]''', title of Manwë, claimed by himself when speaking to [[Húrin]].<ref>{{CH|3}}, p. 64</ref>
* The '''First Enemy''', given by the [[Free Peoples]] after his downfall at the end of the [[First Age]]<ref name=L131>{{L|131}}</ref>
* The '''Great Enemy''', used once by [[Aragorn]].<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref>
* The '''King of the World''', given by himself after his return to Middle-earth.<ref name="Powerboost">{{S|9}}</ref>
* The '''Lord of All''' and the '''Giver of Freedom''', used by [[Sauron]] when he encouraged [[Ar-Pharazôn]] to engage in Morgoth-worship.<ref name=Akallabeth />
* The '''Lord of the Dark''', given by the Edain.<ref name=Men /> The very similar '''Lord of the Darkness''' was used by [[Sauron]] when he encouraged [[Ar-Pharazôn]] to worship Melkor.<ref name=Akallabeth />
* The '''Marrer of Middle-earth''', used once by Húrin <ref name=CH1>{{CH|1}}</ref>
* '''Master of Lies''', given by [[Amlach]].<ref name=Men />
* '''Master of the fates of Arda''', used by himself when speaking to Húrin.<ref>{{CH|3}}, p. 65</ref>
* The '''Nameless''', given by [[Andreth]].<ref name="finrod">{{MR|Finrod}}</ref>
* The '''Wicked King''', used once by [[Túrin]].<ref name=CH1 />

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| MEL | | MAN |~| VAR | |MEL='''MELKOR'''|MAN=[[Manwë]]|VAR=[[Varda]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

== Minions and allies ==
* [[Sauron]] – Chief agent; became his heir as the second [[Dark Lord]] and was eventually maimed by the [[One Ring]]'s destruction
* [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] - [[Lord of Balrogs]] and High-Captain of Angband; slain by [[Ecthelion]]
* [[Durin's Bane]] - One of the [[Balrogs]]; usurped [[Moria]] and was later vanquished by [[Gandalf]]
* [[Ungoliant]] - Former servant, spirit of darkness and shadow in the shape of a giant spider devourer of the sapped [[Two Trees]]
* [[Glaurung]] – [[Father of Dragons]]; slain by [[Túrin]]
* [[Ancalagon]] – Greatest of the [[Winged Dragons]]; slain by [[Eärendil]]
* [[Draugluin]] - First of the Werewolves of Angband; slain by [[Huan]]
* [[Carcharoth]] - Greatest of the Werewolves of Angband; slain by Huan and [[Beren]]
* [[Thuringwethil]] - Vampire Herald of Sauron; presumably slain by Huan
* [[Ulfang]] - Chieftain of [[Easterlings (First Age)|Easterlings]]
** [[Uldor]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth; slain by [[Maglor]]
** [[Ulwarth]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth; slain by the sons of [[Bór]]
** [[Ulfast]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth; slain by the sons of Bór
* [[Lorgan]] - Lord of the Easterlings in [[Hithlum]]
** [[Brodda]] - Easterling chief in Hithlum; slain by Túrin
* [[Maeglin]] - Coerced turncoat, revealed the location of [[Gondolin]] in exchange for [[Idril]]; slain by [[Tuor]]
;Characters from older concepts
* [[Langon]] - Messenger, sent to negotiate with the Valar when they besieged [[Utumno]]
* [[Fankil]] - Lieutenant, escaped from Utumno after its fall, leader of dark armies in the East ([[Palisor]])
* [[Tevildo]] - Cat possessed by an evil spirit, companion
** [[Oikeroi]] - Tevildo's guard; slain by Huan
** [[Miaulë]] - Cook of Tevildo
** [[Umuiyan]] - Tevildo's Doorkeeper
* [[Lungorthin]] - Balrog-lord
* [[Boldog]] - Orc-chieftain sent to attack [[Doriath]]; slain by [[Thingol]]
* [[Othrod]] – [[Orcs|Orc]]-lord during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]; slain by Tuor
* [[Balcmeg]] - Orc-general during the Fall of Gondolin; slain by Tuor
* [[Lug]] - Orc-warrior during the Fall of Gondolin; slain by Tuor
* [[Orcobal]] - Orc champion during the Fall of Gondolin; slain by Ecthelion
* [[Gorgol]] - Orc of renown; slain by Beren

== Other versions of the Legendarium ==
===Morgoth's Ring===
In an essay dated 1955, appearing in a 1959 newspaper article, Tolkien detailed several events regarding Melkor quite differently than what appeared in ''The Silmarillion''. In this essay, Tolkien emphasized the vastness of Melkor's power at the beginning of Arda, placing him as far beyond all of the other Valar combined and capable of singlehandedly besting them at the outset of his rebellion.

{{blockquote|Melkor must be made far more powerful in original nature [...] The greatest power under Eru. Later, he must not be able to be controlled or 'chained' by all the Valar combined. Note that in the early age of Arda he was alone able to drive the Valar out of Middle-earth into retreat.<ref>{{MR|P5VI}}, p. 339</ref>}}

The intervention of Manwë and the Valar in besieging Utumno was an act of desperation and fear, one which they believed would have had no chance of success, but would merely serve as a distraction for the Quendi to escape his influence. When Manwë and Melkor confronted one another in the fortress's depths, both were surprised; Manwë to see his brother so weakened, and Melkor to see that he was no longer capable of daunting Manwë by his gaze alone. In this version of the [[Battle of the Powers|battle]], Melkor never fights Tulkas,{{Fact}} nor is he overcome by the might of the Valar, rather he deliberately humbles himself before Manwë and asks to be pardoned.

Though he briefly considers truly repenting, he decides to deceive his brother instead, for it is at this moment that Melkor desires to bring ruin to Valinor itself. His surrender and pleading to the Valar are not out of fear or guilt, but out of a sense of wicked pleasure and mockery of them, as he devised to feign aid to the Valar by claiming to serve them as penance, and in secret would ruin and corrupt their very domain. The Valar are hesitant, but Manwë in both pity and fear of his brother, agrees to his terms.<ref>{{MR|P5VI}}, p. 340</ref>

The Valar, however, do not fully pardon him in this version of the story, and he remained under the watch of Mandos while in Valinor. Unable to enact his plans unnoticed, and realizing he was now separated from his servants and armies, whom he divested a large portion of power into, he grows doubtful of his plans, wishing that he had instead fought Manwë and the others in fiery rebellion rather than willingly submit to them.<ref>{{MR|P5VI}}, p. 341</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Durin's Bane]] is not only referred to as a Balrog of Morgoth, but is directly addressed as a "Spawn of Melkor."

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Galadriel]] and [[Celeborn]] ask why [[Gandalf]] is not with the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] at [[Lothlórien]]. [[Legolas]] tells them "He was taken by both shadow and flame. A [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of Morgoth."

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:[[Gandalf|Gandalf the White]] explains what happened after he fell from the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]] to the [[Three Hunters]]. He tells them "From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of Morgoth."

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:[[Galadriel]] proclaims to [[Sauron]] "You have no power here, servant of Morgoth."
[[File:The Rings of Power (TV series) - Morgoth.png|thumb|The [[Darkness]] of Morgoth in''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]''.]]
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:'''1 September: ''[[A Shadow of the Past]]'':'''
:Morgoth is seen taking on the form of a giant cloud of [[Darkness]] that appears to look similar to a humanoid. The [[Two Trees of Valinor]] are seen being burnt up beneath his darkness.

{{References}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=evil
| house=Fallen [[Valar|Vala]]
| born = [[Creation of the Ainur]]
| died={{FA|590}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=New title
| pvac=None
| list=1st [[Dark Lord]]
| dates=[[Timeline#Years of the Lamps|V.Y. 3400]] - {{FA|587}}
| nvac=Vacant
| next=Next held by: '''[[Sauron]]''', c. 1603 years later
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{ainur}}
[[Category:Ainur]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in the Great Lands]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Valar]]
[[de:Morgoth]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/morgoth]]
[[fi:Morgoth]]

Crows

2026-05-08T04:25:46Z

Aeglos: /* History */

[[File:Pamela Shanteau - Crows.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Pamela Shanteau]] - ''Regiment of Black Crows'']]
'''Crows''' are black omnivorous birds sometimes associated with battles due to their taste for carrion.

==History==
Crows were known of in [[Aman]], with [[Fëanor]] applying "jail-crow" as a term of insult against [[Melkor]].<ref>{{S|Unrest}}</ref>

The crows encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]] during the quest to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] in {{TA|2941}}<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> were mostly harmless. During the scouting expedition to the [[Front Gate]] of the Lonely Mountain the crows were considered "ominous" and [[Balin]] distrusted them,<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref> though later he called them merely "nasty suspicious-looking creatures at that, and rude as well".<ref>{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

The most feared variety in the [[Westlands]] of [[Middle-earth]] was the large type known as ''[[crebain]]''. On [[8 January]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] entered [[Hollin]]<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> and were spied upon by these large crows from [[Fangorn Forest|Fangorn]] and [[Dunland]].<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref> The [[Rohirrim]] were aware that [[Saruman]] made use of ''crebain''; on [[30 February]]<ref name="Great"/> [[Éomer]] told [[Aragorn]] that Saruman's "birds of ill omen are abroad in the sky".<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref> Crows may actually just be another name for Ravens as they looked and acted exactly the same. (Balin certainly distinguished between them, preferring Ravens over Crows.)

==Etymology==
A [[Quenya]] word for "crow" is ''quáko'', derived from [[Primitive Quendian]] ''k(a)wāk''.<ref>{{WJ|AD}}, p. 395</ref> Another Quenya word for "crow" is ''korko'', and the [[Noldorin]] cognate of the same meaning is ''corch''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 362 (root [[KORKA|KARKA-]])</ref> In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s very early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "crow" is ''crunc'' (pl. ''crunghin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 27</ref>

[[Adûnaic]] also had its own terms for a crow, specifically ''khô'' in "common" gender singular ("crow", as a species/creature), the plural ''khôi'' ("crows"), and the dual (pair-plural) ''khôwat'' ("a pair of crows"). Tolkien's notes on Adûnaic vocabulary and grammar also indicate that the more archaic forms of the term were likely ''khaw'', later ''khâw'', eventually evolving into ''khâu'' (with the Adûnaic diphtong ''âu''), while the plural of these older forms would apparently be ''khâwî(m)''. However, both ''khâu'' and ''khâwî(m)'' would likely be declensions in the subjective case of the noun, rather than in the nominative case. The objective case of the noun would be ''khôwu''.<ref>{{SD|3}}, p. 426</ref><ref>[https://folk.uib.no/hnohf/adunaic.htm Adûnaic - The Vernacular of Númenór], "Adûnaic Wordlist", Ardalambion (folk.uib.no) by Helge Fauskanger</ref><ref>[https://eldamo.org/content//words/word-2014215641.html Adûnaic - "khô"], "Adûnaic Words", Eldamo.org by Paul Strack</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s plot notes for the second phase of writing ''[[The Hobbit]]'', there was no distinction between crows and ravens as ominous birds.<ref>{{HH|PNB}}, p. 362</ref> When the scouting party went to view the [[Front Gate]] [[Balin]] did not like the ravens nearby, stating that they looked "like spies of evil".<ref>{{HH|Lonely}}, p. 472</ref> However, when the Company needed to learn of the death of [[Smaug]] Tolkien "rehabilitated" the ravens, making them friendly to the Dwarves, and replaced all negative raven-references with crows.<ref>{{HH|Lonely}}, note 4, p. 479</ref>

==See also==
*[[Gorcrows]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Birds]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[de:Krähen]]
[[fi:Varikset]]

Gúthwinë

2026-05-05T10:25:51Z

Aeglos: /* History */

[[File:Kamila Szutenberg - Gúthwinë.jpeg|thumb|250px|"Gúthwinë" by [[:Category:Images by Kamila Tzutenberg|Kamila Tzutenberg]]]]
[[File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Gúthwinë.jpg|thumb|250px|''Gúthwinë'' from [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]]]]
'''Gúthwinë''' was the sword of [[Éomer]].

==History==
Éomer engages and kills the Uruk leader [[Uglúk]] in a duel of swords on 28 February {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{TT|Uruk}}</ref>, undoubtedly wielding Gúthwinë.

When [[Gandalf]] and his companions arrived at [[Meduseld]] on 2 March, Éomer had been imprisoned by [[Théoden]] on the advice of [[Gríma]]. Ordered by Théoden to set Éomer free, [[Háma]] returned Éomer's sword to Éomer at Éomer's request. Éomer knelt before Théoden and offered him his sword. At Gandalf's suggestion, Théoden took the sword and brandished it, and it seemed to those who watched that strength and firmness returned to his arm.<ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref>

Éomer carried Gúthwinë at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]]. When he and [[Aragorn]] led a sortie against the party battering the gate of the [[Hornburg]], he drew the sword and gave the battle cry "Gúthwinë for the Mark!".<ref>{{TT|Deep}}, p. 533</ref> This is the only place in the text where the name of the sword appears.

At the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], upon seeing the Standard of [[Elendil]] appear on the lead ship approaching the [[Harlond]], Éomer cast his sword into the air and sang as he caught it.<ref>{{RK|Battle}}, p. 847</ref> It can be assumed that the sword was Gúthwinë.

==Etymology==
The name ''Gúthwinë'' is [[Old English]],<ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, p. 417</ref> representing a [[Rohanese]] word meaning "battle-friend".<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry R '''Gúthwine''', p. 85</ref> [[Christopher Gilson]] and [[Wayne Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] suggest that it is a compound of ''guÞ'' ("war", "battle", "fight") and ''wine'' ("friend").<ref name=RC/><ref name=PE17/> The word guþwine is translated as "comrade" in the online Bosworth-Toller Dictionary of Old English.<ref>{{webcite|website=[http://www.bosworthtoller.com/ Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary]|articleurl=https://bosworthtoller.com/23211|articlename=guþwine|accessed=31 October 2023}}</ref>

{{references}}
{{weapons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Guthwine}}
[[Category:Swords]]
[[de:Gúthwine]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/armes/guthwine]]
[[fi:Gúthwinë]]

Tulkas

2026-05-03T11:44:08Z

Aeglos: /* History */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Valar|Vala]]
| name=Tulkas
| image=Steamey - Tulkas.jpg
| caption="Tulkas" by [[:Category:Images by Steamey|Steamey]]
| pronun={{IPA|[ˈtulkas]}}
| othernames=''Tulukhastāz'' ([[Valarin|V]]) ''Astaldo'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Tolchas'' ([[Noldorin|N]]) The Valiant The Strong
| titles=
| position=Champion of the [[Valar]]
| location=[[Valinor]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Valarin]], [[Quenya]]
| notablefor=
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Nessa]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Golden (hair and beard)<ref name=vala>{{S|IIb}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=His hands
| steed=
}}
{{Short description|Champion of the Valar}}
{{quote|But in the midst of the war a spirit of great strength and hardihood came to the aid of the Valar, hearing in the far heaven that there was battle in the Little World. And he came like a storm of laughter and loud song, and Earth shook under his great golden feet. So came Tulkas, the Strong and the Merry, whose anger passeth like a mighty wind, scattering cloud and darkness before it. And Melkor was shaken by the laughter of Tulkas, and fled from the Earth; and there was peace for a long age.|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', "The Music of the Ainur and the Coming of the Valar"}}

'''Tulkas''' was a [[Valar|Vala]]. He was the most warlike of the Valar and the spouse of [[Nessa]].

==Attributes==
Tulkas was so strong and quick that he needed no weapon or steed. He delighted in deeds of prowess and strength such as wrestling and fighting. But he was not dreadful; he laughed loudly in sport and war and his anger dispelled [[darkness]] and clouds.<ref name="vala">{{S|IIb}}</ref><ref name="s1">{{S|1}}</ref>

He was a hardy friend and slow to wrath, but also slow to forgive. He was however not forward-thinking and did not learn from the past; always quick in action, he was not good in counselling.<ref name="vala" /><ref name="Quenta">{{LR|Quenta}}</ref>{{rp|206}}

His flesh was ruddy and his hair and beard golden.<ref name="vala" />

Tulkas represents the good side of ‘violence’ in the war against evil. This is an absence of all compromise which will even face apparent evils (such as war) rather than parley; and does not (in any kind of pride) think that any one less than Eru can redress this, or rewrite the tale of Arda.<ref>{{MR|P5VI}}</ref>{{rp|522}}

==History==
Tulkas was [[Creation of the Ainur|created]] by [[Eru]] with the other [[Ainur]] and sang in the [[Song of the Ainur]], and chose to enter [[Eä]]. His spirit was wandering Ea and did not participate in the formation of [[Arda]] with the other [[Valar]]: He heard of their [[First War]] with [[Melkor]] [[Valian Year 1500|1500]] [[Valian Years]] after their arrival, and descended to them from the far heavens. The Dark Lord might have defeated the Valar by himself, but hearing the sound of Tulkas' laughter and beholding his wrath, Melkor fled before him.<ref name="s1" />

Thanks to him, the Valar now continued their work in peace, and the [[Spring of Arda]] was begun. After the [[Two Lamps]] were erected and the Valar had made their first dwelling at [[Almaren]], Tulkas wedded [[Nessa]] in a great feast. Being weary and content he slept, and Melkor decided his hour to retaliate had come, and ruined the Lamps, causing a cataclysm.<ref name="s1" />
[[File:Antonio Vinci - Tulkas.jpg|thumb|left|''Tulkas'' by [[:Category:Images by Antonio Vinci|Antonio Vinci]]]]
After the cataclysm, the Valar and their people went to [[Valinor]]. Anticipating the [[Awakening of the Elves]] Tulkas urged the other Valar to wage war against Melkor.

But when [[Oromë]] announced that the [[Elves|first Children of Ilúvatar]] were awake, Manwë called a council at the [[Ring of Doom]] and announced the will of Eru that, for the sake of the Elves, the Valar should regain guardianship of the world from Melkor. Tulkas was glad of this decision. In the [[Battle of the Powers]], after a long siege at [[Utumno]], it was Tulkas who wrestled with Melkor and cast him upon his face. Tulkas [[Chaining of Melkor|chained]] Melkor with the enchanted chain [[Angainor]], forged by [[Aulë]]. For a while the world was free from Melkor's influence.<ref>{{S|3}}</ref>

When his sentence was fulfilled, Melkor repented of his actions and was pardoned by [[Manwë]]; Tulkas was disappointed with this decision, ever distrustful. But having fought Melkor in the name of authority, he could not rebel himself, and accepted Manwë's decision.<ref>{{S|6}}</ref>

After the lies spread by Melkor were known, Tulkas and Oromë seached him in the north of Aman, but he was already escaped south. And when Melkor and [[Ungoliant]] caused the [[Darkening of Valinor]], Tulkas and Oromë searched in vain for them, unable to penetrate the unlight cast by Ungoliant.<ref>{{S|8}}</ref> Shortly after, Tulkas hurried [[Fëanor]] to take a decision about surrendering the [[Silmarils]].<ref>{{S|9}}</ref>

It is said that in the [[Dagor Dagorath]], Tulkas will once more oppose [[Melkor]], and will directly fight him in the battle. The victor is unknown, But probably Melkor, For it will be [[Túrin]] who will slay Melkor.<ref name="Quenta">{{LR|Quenta}}</ref>{{rp|333}}

==Etymology==
The name ''Tulkas'' means in [[Quenya]] "steady, firm".<ref name="Etymologies">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "TULUK"</ref> '''''Tulukhastāz''''' ("the golden-haired")<ref group="note">''Tulukhastāz'' is said to consist of the Valarin elements ''tulukha(n)'' ("yellow") and ''(a)šata-'' ("hair of head").</ref> was the original [[Valarin]] name for Tulkas.<ref>{{WJ|AD1}}, p. 399</ref>

==Other names==
He was also called '''''Astaldo''''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "the Valiant").<ref name="vala" /> ''Astaldo'' replaced the earlier name ''Poldórëa''.<ref>{{HM|IX}}, p. 361</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 181 (forms: ''Poldórea'', ''Poldor'', ''Poldomo'')</ref><ref name="LT1III">{{LT1|III}}</ref><ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, entry "Poldórëa"</ref>

In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Tulkas is referred as ''Afodfrea'' "Strength-ruler".<ref>{{SM|QA1}}</ref>

In an early manuscript, a considered surname was: '''''Ender''''', derived from '''''Enderō''''' ('[?virile] young bridegroom').<ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 11</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | |,|-|-|-|.| | | |,|-|-|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| AUL |~| YAV | | VAN |~| ORO | | NES |~| TUL | |AUL=[[Aulë]]|YAV=[[Yavanna]]|VAN=[[Vána]]|ORO=[[Oromë]]|NES=[[Nessa]]|TUL='''TULKAS'''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In some versions it is said that Tulkas was of the spirits who didn't come into [[Eä]]. In other versions, it is said that Tulkas was one of the spirits who entered the vast regions of Eä, until he came to Arda to help Manwë.<ref>{{MR|P2a}}, p. 52, §13</ref>

In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' he did not come last and he was young but not the youngest of the great Valar ([[Ómar|Ómar Amillo]] was).<ref name="LT1III" /> [[Telimektar]] was his son.<ref>{{LT2|VI}}</ref>

In [[Noldorin]], his name was '''''Tolchas'''''.<ref name="Etymologies" />

{{References|note}}
{{Ainur}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Qenya names]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Valar]]

[[de:Tulkas]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/tulkas]]
[[fi:Tulkas]]

Daeron

2026-04-27T23:31:21Z

Aeglos: /* Characteristics */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Sindar|Sinda]]
| name=Daeron
| image=Elena Kukanova - Daeron.jpg
| caption="Daeron" by [[Elena Kukanova]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=[[Lambengolmor|Loremaster]], [[Minstrels|Minstrel]]
| location=[[Doriath]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Doriathrin]] ([[Sindarin]] dialect)
| birth=Before {{YT|1300}}
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Dark
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|Beyond the bounds of Arda far 
still shone the Legions, star on star, 
memorials of their labour long, 
achievement of Vision and of Song; 
and when beneath their ancient light 
on Earth below was cloudless night, 
music in Doriath awoke, 
and there beneath the branching oak, 
or seated on the beech-leaves brown, 
Daeron the dark with ferny crown 
played on his pipes with elvish art 
unbearable by mortal heart.|''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]'', "[[The Lay of Leithian Recommenced]]", Canto III continued}}

'''Daeron''' was a [[Sindar]]in [[Elves|Elf]] who dwelt in [[Doriath]] as the chief [[loremaster]] and [[Minstrels|minstrel]] of King [[Thingol]] during the [[First Age]].

He is known primarily for his role in [[Of Beren and Lúthien|the tale of Beren and Lúthien]] where, out of his own unrequited love for Thingol's daughter [[Lúthien]], he twice betrayed her to Thingol. After Lúthien escaped and fled Doriath, Daeron became lost in the search for her, and eventually wandered east over the [[Blue Mountains]].

His role is primarily told within ''[[The Lay of Leithian]]'', which itself is referred to within ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' where Daeron's history is much more briefly given.

==History==
=== Early history ===
[[File:Pete Amachree - Daeron at the court of Menegroth.jpg|thumb|right|''Daeron at the court of Menegroth'' by [[Pete Amachree]]]]
Though Daeron's origins were not recorded, he was known to be in Thingol's service prior to {{YT|1300}}, by which time he had devised his [[Cirth|Runes]], which he would go on to [[Certhas Daeron|greatly better]] with time.<ref name=ga31>{{GA|31}}</ref>

At some point, after the arrival of the [[Green-elves]] in {{YT|1350}}<ref>{{GA|30}}</ref> Daeron became friends with [[Saeros]], who also was skilled in song.<ref>{{CH|5}}</ref>

In {{FA|20}}, when [[Fingolfin]], [[King of the Noldor]], held the great [[Mereth Aderthad|Feast of Reuniting]], Daeron came as one of the two messengers of Thingol bringing his greetings.<ref>{{GA|72}}</ref>

Daeron was enamoured of Lúthien, daughter of Thingol and [[Melian]], and all his thought of her was set in the music he made for her song and dance.<ref name=beren>{{S|19}}</ref>

=== The arrival of Beren ===
One night, in the mid-summer of {{FA|464}},<ref>{{GA|175}}</ref> Daeron was piping his music and Lúthien came out to dance. Soon though, her feet stilled and she [[Ir Ithil ammen Eruchín|sang a song of such bewildering delight]] that Daeron ceased piping and cast his flute away, heart-broken and wonder bound as stone. As she was singing however, [[Beren]] emerged from the darkness, stumbling as if in doubt or blind. As Lúthien's song ended Daeron, released from its spell, became aware of Beren's presence. Assuming Beren to be an enemy, Daeron fled in dismay, calling for Lúthien to flee and follow him. Lúthien, who had never known fear, initially stood unmoved, but was soon seized by it and vanished.<ref name="llc">{{LB|IV}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Daeron spies on Beren and Lúthien.jpg|thumb|right|''Daeron spies on Beren and Lúthien'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
In the following spring, of {{FA|465}},<ref>{{GA|177}}</ref> Daeron discovered Lúthien's love for Beren when he espied them dancing together. In an act of jealousy, he then cursed a spell of silence on Doriath, causing a hush to come over birds, trees, and even the river [[Esgalduin]]. This was brought to the attention of Thingol, and he sent for Daeron to ask what omen this silence meant; initially, he was even hopeful that it may be a sign of the return of [[Oromë]]. Daeron however disabused him of that hope, stating that another had entered Doriath and chilled the woods by their strange deeds, and that if the king did not see not the cause, the queen might guess, and the maiden doubtless knew. Thingol, angered by this riddle, ordered Daeron to speak plainly on who was in his woods. Daeron, however, looked on Lúthien and faltered, seeing his disgrace and said no more.<ref name=c4>{{LB|C4}}</ref><ref name="llc"/>

Lúthien then spoke up and told Thingol of Beren arriving from the north and that she would bring him to Thingol's hall if he promised not to slay him or set him in bonds. Thingol agreed, but after dismissing everyone else spoke in private with Daeron. Thingol wondered what wizardry was brought by this illcomer, and ordered Daeron to secretly watch Lúthien—who he suspected was being ensnared by some trap of Morgoth—and make sure she didn't warn Beren and let him escape. Thingol desired to look upon Beren, and further instructed Daeron to take some archers with him. With heavy heart, Daeron agreed.<ref name=c4 />

<div class="floatright">
{{blockquote|<poem>
Silence then fell upon the hall;
like graven stone there stood they all,
save one who cast her eyes aground,
and one who laughed with bitter sound.
Dairon the piper leant there pale
against a pillar. His fingers frail
there touched a flute that whispered not;
his eyes were dark; his heart was hot.
‘Death is the guerdon thou hast earned,
O baseborn mortal, who hast learned
in Morgoth’s realm to spy and lurk
like Orcs that do his evil work!’
‘Death!’ echoed Dairon fierce and low,
but Lúthien trembling gasped in woe.
</poem>|Daeron to Beren, "[[Lay of Leithian Canto IV|The Lay of Leithian]]"}}</div>
True to her word though, Lúthien led Beren into Thingol's halls and before his throne. When Thingol demanded of Beren why he was there, Beren responded that it was for love, and he desired Lúthien. At this, all went silent except for Daeron, who leaned against a pillar and laughed bitterly. With dark eyes and a hot heart, he called for Beren's death, and further insulted him by declaring him a baseborn mortal who learned in Morgoth's realm how to spy and lurk like [[Orc]]s.<ref name=c4 />

Thingol, bound by his oath to Lúthien, did not outright slay Beren, but sought for it indirectly with his impossible demand of a [[Silmaril]] from [[Iron Crown|Morgoth's Crown]] as a bride-price. Beren accepted and after he departed Daeron's curse of silence lifted, though Daeron did not resume his music, nor Lúthien her singing or dancing.<ref name=c5>{{LB|C5}}</ref>

=== Escape of Lúthien===
Later, Lúthien learned from Melian that Beren had been captured by [[Sauron]] and in her despair came upon Daeron. She asked him to play music for her heartache and dread, and Daeron reluctantly did so, playing a song of sadness which stayed all things in the woods and caused all mirth to be forgotten. Once he had finished, Lúthien then begged him to accompany her to aid Beren; at this Daeron stated he had no love for Beren nor wept for his captivity, but that he would defend Lúthien from peril and wondering into hell. Lúthien, assuming this meant he would help, thanked him and left, but Daeron instead went directly to Thingol and informed him of Lúthien's intentions. Thingol thanked Daeron, and proclaimed that love would ever be between them, and named him a prince.<ref name=c5>{{LB|C5}}</ref>

Out of fear for her safety Thingol put Lúthien into captivity, placing her in a house built high within the great tree [[Hírilorn]], intending to keep her there until she grew wiser and the spell of madness left her. Daeron, grieving for Lúthien's captivity, frequently came to the base of the tree and played melodies on his flute. Lúthien eventually forgave Daeron for his betrayal, and he alone was allowed to cross her threshold. Eventually, she asked Daeron to use his woodcraft and fashion for her a small loom in order to pass the time. Daeron did this, and after giving it to inquired what she planned on making: when she then told him it would be an enchanted thread, Daeron feared the dark purpose of her art, but spoke no word to Thingol of it.<ref name=c5>{{LB|C5}}</ref>

After Lúthien departed in secret from Doriath, Daeron sought for her in despair, and wandered upon strange paths until he eventually passed over the [[Blue Mountains]]. For many ages he made lament beside dark waters for Lúthien, daughter of Thingol, most beautiful of all living things.<ref name=beren />

== Characteristics ==
Daeron was physically described as "Daeron the dark with ferny crown".<ref name="llc"/>

He was regarded as among the greatest musicians of the Elves, with only [[Maglor]] named in similar esteem.<ref name=beren />

Thingol described Daeron as wise, with wary ears and watchful eyes, who heeds and understands all who pass through his land.<ref name="llc" />

As the Sindar held much in memory it was not their custom to write down their records or songs. As such, save in Menegroth, the Runes of Daeron were little used asides from names and brief inscriptions cut into wood, stone, or metal. The Dwarves who came to Menegroth learned the Cirth and were well-pleased by them, holding Daeron in higher esteem than his own folk; by them then runes were carried east over the Blue Mountains.<ref>{{WJ|P1e}}</ref>

Daeron was also a skilled in woodcraft, as was noted by Lúthien when she requested he make her a small loom.<ref name=c5 />

==Etymology==
The name derives from the [[Sindarin]] word ''daer'' ("large, great").<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 11</ref>

In the earlier [[Etymologies]] the [[Doriathrin]] name is given as '''Dairon''' shown as related to the Doriathrin word for shadow, ''dai''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 354 entry [[DAY]]</ref>

Consequently, [[Christopher Tolkien]] speculated in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', that the name perhaps included the [[Sindarin]] word ''[[dae]]'' "shadow".<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===The Book of Lost Tales===
'''Dairon''' is first introduced in ''[[The Tale of Tinúviel]]'' from ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''. While he plays a near identical role, he is the brother of Tinúviel (Lúthien) rather than an unrequited lover. He is described as "a boy, strong and merry" and along with [[Tinfang Warble]] and [[Ivárë]], one of the three most magical music players among the Elves.<ref name=Tinúviel>{{LT2|I}}</ref>

Changes made within the Lost Tales are the children of "Linwë Tinto" and "Wendelin" being originally '''Timpinen''' (Tinfang) and Tinúviel;<ref>{{LT1|IVn}}</ref>{{rp|note 1}} and the name "Dairon" being preceded by '''Tifanto''', which itself was preceded by '''Kapalen'''.<ref name=tin_notes>{{LT2|In}}</ref>{{rp|note 9}}

Tifanto had originally joined the hunting of [[Karkaras]], for which he "cast aside his pipe and grasped a spear". As this passage was written after Dairon was already stated as becoming lost [[Christopher Tolkien]] speculated that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|his father]], noticing the contradiction, then replaced Dairon at this instance with the new character [[Mablung]].<ref name=tin_notes />{{rp|note 12}}

=== Other ===
In ''[[The Quenta]]'' Dairon was "the greatest of the musicians of the Elves, save Maglor son of Fëanor, and Tinfang Warble", though this was emended to "and Maglor son of Fëanor and Tinfang Gelion alone are named with him".<ref>{{SM|Q10}}</ref>

In drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', other names were considered for the minstrel of Doriath: ''"[[Ilverin]]"'', ''"Iverin"'', ''"Neldorín"'', ''"Elberin"'', and ''"Diarin"''.<ref>{{RS|Index}}</ref>

In earlier versions of ''[[Narn i Hîn Húrin]]'' Saeros was said to be a kinsman, and then brother, of Daeron.<ref>{{UT|2n}}</ref>{{rp|note 8}}

In a commentary and history on language interrelation, [[Celebrimbor]] was stated as a Sinda who claimed descent from Daeron.<ref>{{PM|XIntro}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2024: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:'''29 August: ''[[Where the Stars are Strange]]'':'''
:[[Círdan]] notes to [[Elrond]] that though Daeron was "insufferable", he had "a voice that could make [[Sun|the very sun]] weep tears of fire."

{{References}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Chroniclers of Arda]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Minstrels]]
[[Category:Moriquendi]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Daeron]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:teleri:sindar:daeron]]
[[fi:Daeron]]

Daeron

2026-04-27T23:29:12Z

Aeglos: /* Escape of Lúthien */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Sindar|Sinda]]
| name=Daeron
| image=Elena Kukanova - Daeron.jpg
| caption="Daeron" by [[Elena Kukanova]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=[[Lambengolmor|Loremaster]], [[Minstrels|Minstrel]]
| location=[[Doriath]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Doriathrin]] ([[Sindarin]] dialect)
| birth=Before {{YT|1300}}
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Dark
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|Beyond the bounds of Arda far 
still shone the Legions, star on star, 
memorials of their labour long, 
achievement of Vision and of Song; 
and when beneath their ancient light 
on Earth below was cloudless night, 
music in Doriath awoke, 
and there beneath the branching oak, 
or seated on the beech-leaves brown, 
Daeron the dark with ferny crown 
played on his pipes with elvish art 
unbearable by mortal heart.|''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]'', "[[The Lay of Leithian Recommenced]]", Canto III continued}}

'''Daeron''' was a [[Sindar]]in [[Elves|Elf]] who dwelt in [[Doriath]] as the chief [[loremaster]] and [[Minstrels|minstrel]] of King [[Thingol]] during the [[First Age]].

He is known primarily for his role in [[Of Beren and Lúthien|the tale of Beren and Lúthien]] where, out of his own unrequited love for Thingol's daughter [[Lúthien]], he twice betrayed her to Thingol. After Lúthien escaped and fled Doriath, Daeron became lost in the search for her, and eventually wandered east over the [[Blue Mountains]].

His role is primarily told within ''[[The Lay of Leithian]]'', which itself is referred to within ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' where Daeron's history is much more briefly given.

==History==
=== Early history ===
[[File:Pete Amachree - Daeron at the court of Menegroth.jpg|thumb|right|''Daeron at the court of Menegroth'' by [[Pete Amachree]]]]
Though Daeron's origins were not recorded, he was known to be in Thingol's service prior to {{YT|1300}}, by which time he had devised his [[Cirth|Runes]], which he would go on to [[Certhas Daeron|greatly better]] with time.<ref name=ga31>{{GA|31}}</ref>

At some point, after the arrival of the [[Green-elves]] in {{YT|1350}}<ref>{{GA|30}}</ref> Daeron became friends with [[Saeros]], who also was skilled in song.<ref>{{CH|5}}</ref>

In {{FA|20}}, when [[Fingolfin]], [[King of the Noldor]], held the great [[Mereth Aderthad|Feast of Reuniting]], Daeron came as one of the two messengers of Thingol bringing his greetings.<ref>{{GA|72}}</ref>

Daeron was enamoured of Lúthien, daughter of Thingol and [[Melian]], and all his thought of her was set in the music he made for her song and dance.<ref name=beren>{{S|19}}</ref>

=== The arrival of Beren ===
One night, in the mid-summer of {{FA|464}},<ref>{{GA|175}}</ref> Daeron was piping his music and Lúthien came out to dance. Soon though, her feet stilled and she [[Ir Ithil ammen Eruchín|sang a song of such bewildering delight]] that Daeron ceased piping and cast his flute away, heart-broken and wonder bound as stone. As she was singing however, [[Beren]] emerged from the darkness, stumbling as if in doubt or blind. As Lúthien's song ended Daeron, released from its spell, became aware of Beren's presence. Assuming Beren to be an enemy, Daeron fled in dismay, calling for Lúthien to flee and follow him. Lúthien, who had never known fear, initially stood unmoved, but was soon seized by it and vanished.<ref name="llc">{{LB|IV}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Daeron spies on Beren and Lúthien.jpg|thumb|right|''Daeron spies on Beren and Lúthien'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
In the following spring, of {{FA|465}},<ref>{{GA|177}}</ref> Daeron discovered Lúthien's love for Beren when he espied them dancing together. In an act of jealousy, he then cursed a spell of silence on Doriath, causing a hush to come over birds, trees, and even the river [[Esgalduin]]. This was brought to the attention of Thingol, and he sent for Daeron to ask what omen this silence meant; initially, he was even hopeful that it may be a sign of the return of [[Oromë]]. Daeron however disabused him of that hope, stating that another had entered Doriath and chilled the woods by their strange deeds, and that if the king did not see not the cause, the queen might guess, and the maiden doubtless knew. Thingol, angered by this riddle, ordered Daeron to speak plainly on who was in his woods. Daeron, however, looked on Lúthien and faltered, seeing his disgrace and said no more.<ref name=c4>{{LB|C4}}</ref><ref name="llc"/>

Lúthien then spoke up and told Thingol of Beren arriving from the north and that she would bring him to Thingol's hall if he promised not to slay him or set him in bonds. Thingol agreed, but after dismissing everyone else spoke in private with Daeron. Thingol wondered what wizardry was brought by this illcomer, and ordered Daeron to secretly watch Lúthien—who he suspected was being ensnared by some trap of Morgoth—and make sure she didn't warn Beren and let him escape. Thingol desired to look upon Beren, and further instructed Daeron to take some archers with him. With heavy heart, Daeron agreed.<ref name=c4 />

<div class="floatright">
{{blockquote|<poem>
Silence then fell upon the hall;
like graven stone there stood they all,
save one who cast her eyes aground,
and one who laughed with bitter sound.
Dairon the piper leant there pale
against a pillar. His fingers frail
there touched a flute that whispered not;
his eyes were dark; his heart was hot.
‘Death is the guerdon thou hast earned,
O baseborn mortal, who hast learned
in Morgoth’s realm to spy and lurk
like Orcs that do his evil work!’
‘Death!’ echoed Dairon fierce and low,
but Lúthien trembling gasped in woe.
</poem>|Daeron to Beren, "[[Lay of Leithian Canto IV|The Lay of Leithian]]"}}</div>
True to her word though, Lúthien led Beren into Thingol's halls and before his throne. When Thingol demanded of Beren why he was there, Beren responded that it was for love, and he desired Lúthien. At this, all went silent except for Daeron, who leaned against a pillar and laughed bitterly. With dark eyes and a hot heart, he called for Beren's death, and further insulted him by declaring him a baseborn mortal who learned in Morgoth's realm how to spy and lurk like [[Orc]]s.<ref name=c4 />

Thingol, bound by his oath to Lúthien, did not outright slay Beren, but sought for it indirectly with his impossible demand of a [[Silmaril]] from [[Iron Crown|Morgoth's Crown]] as a bride-price. Beren accepted and after he departed Daeron's curse of silence lifted, though Daeron did not resume his music, nor Lúthien her singing or dancing.<ref name=c5>{{LB|C5}}</ref>

=== Escape of Lúthien===
Later, Lúthien learned from Melian that Beren had been captured by [[Sauron]] and in her despair came upon Daeron. She asked him to play music for her heartache and dread, and Daeron reluctantly did so, playing a song of sadness which stayed all things in the woods and caused all mirth to be forgotten. Once he had finished, Lúthien then begged him to accompany her to aid Beren; at this Daeron stated he had no love for Beren nor wept for his captivity, but that he would defend Lúthien from peril and wondering into hell. Lúthien, assuming this meant he would help, thanked him and left, but Daeron instead went directly to Thingol and informed him of Lúthien's intentions. Thingol thanked Daeron, and proclaimed that love would ever be between them, and named him a prince.<ref name=c5>{{LB|C5}}</ref>

Out of fear for her safety Thingol put Lúthien into captivity, placing her in a house built high within the great tree [[Hírilorn]], intending to keep her there until she grew wiser and the spell of madness left her. Daeron, grieving for Lúthien's captivity, frequently came to the base of the tree and played melodies on his flute. Lúthien eventually forgave Daeron for his betrayal, and he alone was allowed to cross her threshold. Eventually, she asked Daeron to use his woodcraft and fashion for her a small loom in order to pass the time. Daeron did this, and after giving it to inquired what she planned on making: when she then told him it would be an enchanted thread, Daeron feared the dark purpose of her art, but spoke no word to Thingol of it.<ref name=c5>{{LB|C5}}</ref>

After Lúthien departed in secret from Doriath, Daeron sought for her in despair, and wandered upon strange paths until he eventually passed over the [[Blue Mountains]]. For many ages he made lament beside dark waters for Lúthien, daughter of Thingol, most beautiful of all living things.<ref name=beren />

== Characteristics ==
Daeron was physically described as "Daeron the dark with ferny crown".<ref name="llc"/>

He was regarded as among the greatest musicians of the Elves, with only [[Maglor]] named in similar esteem.<ref name=beren />

Thingol described Daeron as wise, with wary ears and watchful eyes, who heeds and understands all who pass through his land.<ref name="llc" />

As the Sindar held much in memory it was not their custom to write down their records or songs. As such, save in Menegroth, the Runes of Daeron were little used asides from names and brief inscriptions cut into wood, stone, or metal. The Dwarves who came to Menegroth learned the Cirth and were well-pleased by them, holding Daeron in higher esteem than his own folk; by them then runee were carried east over the Blue Mountains.<ref>{{WJ|P1e}}</ref>

Daeron was also a skilled in woodcraft, as was noted by Lúthien when she requested he make her a small loom.<ref name=c5 />

==Etymology==
The name derives from the [[Sindarin]] word ''daer'' ("large, great").<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 11</ref>

In the earlier [[Etymologies]] the [[Doriathrin]] name is given as '''Dairon''' shown as related to the Doriathrin word for shadow, ''dai''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 354 entry [[DAY]]</ref>

Consequently, [[Christopher Tolkien]] speculated in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', that the name perhaps included the [[Sindarin]] word ''[[dae]]'' "shadow".<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===The Book of Lost Tales===
'''Dairon''' is first introduced in ''[[The Tale of Tinúviel]]'' from ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''. While he plays a near identical role, he is the brother of Tinúviel (Lúthien) rather than an unrequited lover. He is described as "a boy, strong and merry" and along with [[Tinfang Warble]] and [[Ivárë]], one of the three most magical music players among the Elves.<ref name=Tinúviel>{{LT2|I}}</ref>

Changes made within the Lost Tales are the children of "Linwë Tinto" and "Wendelin" being originally '''Timpinen''' (Tinfang) and Tinúviel;<ref>{{LT1|IVn}}</ref>{{rp|note 1}} and the name "Dairon" being preceded by '''Tifanto''', which itself was preceded by '''Kapalen'''.<ref name=tin_notes>{{LT2|In}}</ref>{{rp|note 9}}

Tifanto had originally joined the hunting of [[Karkaras]], for which he "cast aside his pipe and grasped a spear". As this passage was written after Dairon was already stated as becoming lost [[Christopher Tolkien]] speculated that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|his father]], noticing the contradiction, then replaced Dairon at this instance with the new character [[Mablung]].<ref name=tin_notes />{{rp|note 12}}

=== Other ===
In ''[[The Quenta]]'' Dairon was "the greatest of the musicians of the Elves, save Maglor son of Fëanor, and Tinfang Warble", though this was emended to "and Maglor son of Fëanor and Tinfang Gelion alone are named with him".<ref>{{SM|Q10}}</ref>

In drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', other names were considered for the minstrel of Doriath: ''"[[Ilverin]]"'', ''"Iverin"'', ''"Neldorín"'', ''"Elberin"'', and ''"Diarin"''.<ref>{{RS|Index}}</ref>

In earlier versions of ''[[Narn i Hîn Húrin]]'' Saeros was said to be a kinsman, and then brother, of Daeron.<ref>{{UT|2n}}</ref>{{rp|note 8}}

In a commentary and history on language interrelation, [[Celebrimbor]] was stated as a Sinda who claimed descent from Daeron.<ref>{{PM|XIntro}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2024: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:'''29 August: ''[[Where the Stars are Strange]]'':'''
:[[Círdan]] notes to [[Elrond]] that though Daeron was "insufferable", he had "a voice that could make [[Sun|the very sun]] weep tears of fire."

{{References}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Chroniclers of Arda]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Minstrels]]
[[Category:Moriquendi]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Daeron]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:teleri:sindar:daeron]]
[[fi:Daeron]]

Trolls

2026-04-25T11:04:20Z

Aeglos: /* The Quest for Erebor */

{{race infobox
| name=Trolls
| image = J.R.R. Tolkien - The Three Trolls are turned to Stone (Colored by H.E. Riddett).jpg
| caption="The Three Trolls are turned to Stone" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (coloured by [[H.E. Riddett]])
| pronun=
| othernames=''[[torog]]'' ([[Sindarin|S]]; singular) ''[[olog]]'' ([[Black Speech|BS]]; singular)
| origin=Devised or corrupted by [[Morgoth]] in the [[First Age]] (believed by [[Treebeard]] to be "made in mockery" of [[Ents]])
| location=[[Beleriand]] Southern [[Mirkwood]] [[Mordor]] [[Ettenmoors]] [[Trollshaws]] [[Moria]]
| affiliation=Originally [[Morgoth]]; later [[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Ents]]
| language=[[Black Speech]] ([[Olog-hai]]) Debased form of [[Westron]]
| people=''[[#Types of Trolls|See below]]''
| members=[[William Huggins]] [[Tom]] [[Bert]]
| lifespan=Unknown
| distinctions=Strong beasts with limited intellect
| height=Large; some being at least twelve feet tall (3.66 meters and above)<ref name=feet/>
| hair=
| skin=Dark, with greenish scales
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
'''Trolls''' were a race of large humanoid creatures of limited intellect. They were strong and vicious, but some of them could not endure [[sun]]light and turned to stone when exposed to it, which rendered them permanently lifeless.<ref name="Flight">{{FR|Flight}}, pp. 205-6</ref>

==History==
===First Age===
====Origins====
[[Morgoth]] devised or corrupted Trolls during the [[First Age]] ("''twilight of the [[Elder Days]]''").<ref name="Appendix">{{App|Other}}, p. 1132</ref> Their exact origins are unknown, though Treebeard believed that Trolls were made by the [[Dark Lord]] "''in mockery of [[Ents]]''", similar to the belief that [[Orcs]] were a twisted parody of the [[Elves]].<ref>{{TT|Treebeard}}, p. 486</ref><ref group="note">J.R.R. Tolkien pointed out in a [[Letter 153|letter]] to Peter Hastings that Treebeard did not say that the Dark Lord "created" Trolls, he merely said that he "made" them in counterfeit of pre-existing creatures.</ref> Whatever their exact origins were, Trolls were dull and lumpish, and at least in their beginning, were as inarticulate as animals.<ref name="Appendix" />

====Nirnaeth Arnoediad====
[[File:Joel Kilpatrick - Troll guard.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''Troll guard'' by [[:Category:Images by Joel Kilpatrick|Joel Kilpatrick]]]]
The participation of Trolls in the [[Wars of Beleriand|War of the Jewels]] was not recorded in the tales of the Elder Days until {{FA|472}},<ref>{{WJ|One}}, entry 472, §240, pp. 76-7</ref> when the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Battle of Unnumbered Tears]] took place.

The hosts of [[Angband]] attacked and killed all of the rearguard of the brothers [[Húrin]] and [[Huor]] and the remnant of the [[Edain|Men]] of the [[House of Hador]] from [[Dor-lómin]] except Húrin at the river [[Rivil]].

When Húrin was the last man standing, he threw away his shield and gripped his axe with both hands. A [[Narn i Chîn Húrin (tale)|song]] tells that his axe smoked in the black blood of the Troll-guard of [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], the Lord of [[Balrogs]] and the High-captain of Angband until at last he was taken alive by Orcs by Morgoth's command, being bound by Gothmog and dragged to Angband.<ref name="Fifth" />

===Second and Third Ages===
Later on, [[Sauron]] taught them the little that they were able to learn and increased their intelligence with wickedness. As a consequence, the Trolls learned as much language as they could from the [[Orcs]]. In the Westlands Stone-trolls spoke a debased form of Westron. The Olog-hai only spoke the [[Black Speech]] of [[Barad-dûr]].<ref name="Appendix" />

Since days before memory Trolls settled in the north of the [[Misty Mountains]], in particular near the [[Ettenmoors]]. The realm of [[Angmar]] was founded in their area, and while it lasted (c. {{TA|1300}} – {{TA|1975|n}}) the Trolls' numbers increased, as did their wickedness. After the fall of Angmar, the Trolls retreated to the east of the Misty Mountains, but 300 years before the [[War of the Ring]] they returned to [[Eriador]]. They managed to make dens in the hills as far west as the [[North Downs]] despite the efforts of the [[Rangers of the North]] to watch the area.

In the time of [[Arador]], the 14th [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]], a band of Trolls threatened his house in the woods near the river [[Hoarwell]] north of the [[Trollshaws]].<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, note 12, p. 366</ref> In {{TA|2930}}<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 2930, p. 1089</ref> hill-trolls captured Arador in the north of Rivendell and killed him.<ref>{{App|Tale}}, fourth paragraph, p. 1057</ref>

In the [[Third Age]], Sauron bred a new race of Trolls, which were called ''[[Olog-hai]]'' in the Black Speech. In contrast to the older race of Trolls from the First Age the Olog-hai could bear exposure to sunlight as long as they were controlled by the will of Sauron. They were cunning, strong, agile, fierce, harder than stone and spoke little. The Olog-hai were first seen at the end of the Third Age in southern [[Mirkwood]] and in the mountain borders of [[Mordor]].<ref name="Appendix" />

====The Quest for Erebor====
[[File:Justin Gerard - Bilbo and the Three Trolls.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Bilbo and the Three Trolls'' by [[Justin Gerard]]]]
In {{TA|2941}},<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 2941, p. 1089</ref> [[Thorin and Company]] encountered [[Bert]], [[Tom]] and [[William|Bill]], three Trolls who had come down from the mountains and eaten a number of [[Men]] equivalent to village and a half, who probably stopped there on their way through the area, as well as sheep.

The trolls captured [[Bilbo]] and the [[Dwarves]], but [[Gandalf]] returned in time to keep the trolls go on arguing how to cook the Dwarves by impersonating the voices of the Trolls from a place of hiding until the first lights of the morning sun came over the hill and turned the trolls to stone. Afterwards Thorin and Company discovered the cave of the trolls and took the swords [[Glamdring]] and [[Orcrist]], the knife [[Sting]], gold coins and food from the cave.<ref name="Mutton" />

It is not known how the trolls had gotten the swords, but [[Elrond]] guessed that the Trolls had robbed other robbers or had found them in a hold in the mountains as remnants of old robberies.<ref>{{H|Rest}}</ref>

====The War of the Ring====
When the fiftieth birthday of [[Frodo Baggins]] was getting near, probably early in the year {{TA|3018}}<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3018, April 12, p. 1090</ref> rumors had reached [[the Shire]] that Trolls were abroad, more cunning than normal and armed with dreadful weapons.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, p. 44</ref> By {{TA|3018}} when [[Aragorn]] and the [[Hobbits]] were attacked on [[Weathertop]]<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3018, October 6, p. 1092</ref> the land east of Weathertop was uninhabited and had been deserted, because Trolls sometimes came down from the northern valleys of the Misty Mountains.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 190</ref> At that time Trolls still lived in the [[Ettendales]],<ref>{{FR|Flight}}, p. 203</ref> the valleys of the Ettenmoors, which ran up to the foothills of the Misty Mountains far north of [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Ettendales'', . 188</ref>

On 18 October {{TA|3018}}, Aragorn and the Hobbits found a path in the [[Trollshaws]], which had probably been made by the three Trolls, followed it and discovered that it led to the cave of the trolls and then on to the clearing in the woods not far below the cave where the three trolls that had been turned to stone still stood.<ref>{{FR|Flight}}, pp. 204-5</ref>
[[File:Jan Pospíšil - Troll slayer.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Troll slayer'' by [[Jan Pospíšil]]]]
On 15 January {{TA|3019}},<ref>{{FR|Journey}}, p. 318</ref><ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, January 15, p. 1092</ref> the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] was attacked in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] by a cave-troll and Orcs. When [[Boromir]] hewed at the arm of the troll which came through a gap in the door with his sword, his sword was notched, glanced aside and fell from his hand. However the troll retreated when Frodo stabbed it in the foot with his sword [[Sting]].<ref name="Bridge" />

In the early hours of 15 March {{TA|3019}},<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 15, pp. 1093-4</ref> in the [[Siege of Gondor|siege of Minas Tirith]] mountain-trolls walked behind the great hundred-foot long battering ram [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] to the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith]] and swung Grond four times against the gate until the gate broke.<ref name="Siege" />

On 25 March {{TA|3019}},<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 25, p. 1094</ref> at the beginning of the [[Battle of the Morannon]] the [[Army of the West]] consisting of forces of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]] was attacked on the [[Slag-hills]] before the [[Black Gate]] of Mordor by a great company of hill-trolls from [[Gorgoroth]] with huge round bucklers and heavy hammers. Pippin managed to fell the chief of the Trolls by stabbing him with his [[Daggers of Westernesse|Barrow-blade]] when the troll tried to bite the throat of [[Beregond]] who had fallen down after having been stunned by the monster.<ref name="Gate" />

===Legacy===
[[File:Matěj Čadil - Troll sat alone on his seat of stone.jpg|thumb|left|180px|''Troll sat alone on his seat of stone'' by [[Matěj Čadil]]]]
[[File:Amani Warrington - A Lonely Troll.jpg|thumb|right|180px|''A Lonely Troll'' by [[:Category:Images by Amani Warrington|Amani Warrington]]]]

While it is unknown what happened to Trolls after the [[Downfall of Barad-dûr]], the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] [[Samwise Gamgee]] composed two poems that had Trolls in them.<ref name="Face">{{AB|Preface}}</ref> The first one, called ''[[The Stone Troll]]'',<ref>{{AB|7}}</ref> was recited by [[Samwise Gamgee]] to [[Aragorn]], [[Frodo]], [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] during their stay near the [[Troll Ridge]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Chronology of The Lord of the Rings]], p. 38</ref><ref>{{FR|Flight}}, pp. 206-8</ref> The second poem, called ''[[Perry-the-Winkle]]'', also composed by Sam,<ref name="Face" /> featured a [[Lonely Troll]] as one of the main characters. However, unlike other trolls, the Lonely Troll was friendly and good-natured.<ref>{{AB|8}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
{{quote|Yes, I am afraid trolls do behave like that, even those with only one head each.|[[Roast Mutton]]}}
Trolls were taller and broader than men<ref name="Gate">{{RK|Gate}}, p. 892</ref> with a height of twelve feet or more.<ref name="feet">{{TT|Road}}, p. 549</ref> They had dark skin with greenish scales, large flat toeless feet<ref name="Bridge">{{FR|Bridge}}, pp. 324-5</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, mentioning the illustration title The Trolls that J.R.R. Tolkien drew for The Hobbit, p. 293</ref> and knotted hands with claws.<ref name="Gate" /> Their blood was black.<ref name="Fifth">{{S|Fifth}}</ref><ref name="Bridge" /><ref name="Gate" />

Some Trolls might have had more than one head, which is fleetingly suggested in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', commenting on [[William]] wiping his lips on his sleeve.<ref>{{H|2}}</ref> If this statement was not merely a way of speaking, perhaps there were indeed Trolls in [[Middle-earth]] that, unlike the [[Stone-trolls]], had more than one head and behaved even worse.

Regular Trolls turned back to stone from which they had been created when exposed to the sunlight,<ref name="Mutton">{{H|Mutton}}</ref> but the Troll race called Olog-hai that appeared at the end of the [[Third Age]] could tolerate sunglight as long as they were controlled by the will of [[Sauron]].<ref name="Appendix" />

Trolls lived in different terrains and were known as cave-trolls,<ref name="Bridge" /> hill-trolls<ref name="Gate" /><ref>{{App|Tale}}, p. 1057</ref> or mountain-trolls.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}, p. 828-9</ref> They did not build buildings,<ref>{{FR|Flight}}, p. 201</ref> and slept in caves or holes.<ref name="Flight" /> It is possible that the term Stone-trolls<ref name="Appendix" /> was used for regular trolls who turned back to stone when exposed to the sunlight.<ref name="L153">{{L|153}}</ref><ref group="note">This is also suggested by the use of the term Stone-trolls before the paragraph about the Olog-hai, which could endure sunlight.</ref>

===Potential types of Trolls===
*[[Cave-trolls]]
*[[Half-trolls]]
*[[Hill-trolls]]
*[[Mountain-trolls]]
*[[Olog-hai]]
*[[Stone-trolls]]
*[[Snow-trolls]]<ref name="Eorl">{{App|Eorl}}, entry for king Helm, p. 1066</ref>

==Other names==
The [[Sindarin]] word for a "troll" is ''[[torog]]''.<ref name="Appendix" /> The [[Black Speech]] equivalent is ''[[olog]]''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry B '''Urukhai''' and entry B '''Ologhai''', p. 136</ref>

The name ''[[Rhudaur]]'' is translated by Tolkien as "Troll shaw", with ''[[rhû]]'' translated as "evil, wicked".<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S '''Rhudaur''' and entry S ''rhû'', p. 115</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===Early legendarium===
In an early chart of different creatures, Trolls are given the [[Qenya]] name ''maulir''. [[Patrick H. Wynne]] and [[Christopher Gilson]] have suggested that ''maulir'' is possibly related to Qenya ''maule'' ("crying, weeping"), thus perhaps "referring to cries made by these monsters or to the weeping of their victims".<ref>{{PE|14}}, pp. 7, 9</ref>

In the ''[[Lay_of_Leithian_Canto_XIII|Lay of Leithian Canto XIII (Beren and Lúthien in Angband)]]'', as [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] descend into the depths of Angband, among other horrors "huge shapes there stood like carven trolls enormous hewn of blasted rock to forms that mortal likeness mock; monstrous and menacing, entombed, at every turn they silent loomed in fitful glares that leaped and died."<ref>{{LB|C13}}</ref>

===Later legendarium===
In the drafts of ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien considered trolls to be living stones that were possessed by the spirits of [[Orcs|goblins]].<ref>{{TI|Treebeard}}, p. 411</ref>

In an earlier version of what would become the [[Appendix F]] it was also mentioned that the evil Power had crossed their breed with that of larger Orcs.<ref>{{PM|II}}, text F2 §17, p. 17</ref>

In an unpublished note on the origin of the Orcs without any indication of the date when the note was written, Tolkien stated that the Elves would have considered the Trolls to be Orcs in character and origin, though they were larger and slower, and that it would seem evident they were corruptions of primitive human types.<ref>{{MR|P5IX}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
[[Wikipedia:Trolls|Trolls]] were originally a part of the [[Norse mythology]] (as a negative synonym for ''jötunn'', "[[giants]]") and [[Wikipedia:Scandinavian folklore|Scandinavian folklore]] (as ugly, large creatures of remote wildlife areas). [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] used elements of old barbarous mythmaking that Trolls returned to stone when they were not in the dark.<ref name="L153" />

Helen Buckhurst, a friend and colleague of J.R.R. Tolkien presented a paper titled ''Icelandic Folklore'' in [[1926]] in which she stated that Icelandic Trolls in the Sagas and in more recent tales were huge, mishappen and ugly creatures who generally lived in caves in the mountains, were almost always evil, often raided outlying farms at night to take sheep, horses, children, men and women and ate them in their homes in the mountains. She also mentioned that some kinds of Trolls must stay in caves during the day, because the light of the sun turns them to stone.<ref>{{HM|AH}}, p. 80</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 189</ref>

Commenting on the possibility of Trolls having more than one head, [[John D. Rateliff]] has noted that trolls "with multiple heads appear in many stories", especially pointing to [[Wikipedia:George Webbe Dasent|George Webbe Dasent]]'s "[[Wikipedia:Soria Moria Castle|Soria Moria Castle]]".<ref>{{HH|Trolls}}, p. 99 (note 9)</ref> [[C.S. Lewis]] mentioned the [https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Ettins Ettins] of [https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Ettinsmoor Ettinsmoor] in [[Narnia]], some of which have two heads.<ref>[https://narnia.fandom.com/wiki/Giants#Ettins Ettins] in [https://narnia.fandom.com Narnia Wiki]</ref> In many later fantasy settings, but also some adaptations of [[Middle-earth]], there are two-headed monsters, which usually are called "[[etten]]s" (q.v.).

==Other fiction==
In ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl and Sir Orfeo|Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]'' there are mentions of the "wood-trolls" (translated by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] from the [[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (poem)|manuscript]] word ''[[wodwo]]s'').<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 555</ref> The latter word is related to the [[Woses]].{{fact}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Trolls in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="165px" heights="140px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Groan.png|A "Groan" in [[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Trolls.png|[[William]], [[Tom]] and [[Bert]] in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Cave-troll.jpg|A cave-troll in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Troll.jpg|A troll in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - Bert, Bill and Tom.jpg|[[William]], [[Tom]] and [[Bert]] in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Troll.jpg|Concept art of a '''troll''' for ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]''
File:Stephen King - Two-headed Troll.jpg|[[Stephen King]] - ''"Two-headed" Troll'', card art for [[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]].
</gallery>

===Films===
'''[[1967]]: [[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]:'''
:The three Trolls' position in the narrative was taken by two creatures called "Groans".<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Gene Deitch]]|articleurl=http://genedeitchcredits.com/roll-the-credits/40-william-l-snyder/#comment-5311|articlename=Comment 5311|dated=25-July-2012|website=[http://genedeitchcredits.com/ genedeitchcredits]|accessed=17-October-2012}}</ref> They had wooden, bark-like skin, and, instead of stone, turned into dead trees when exposed to sunlight.

'''[[1978]]: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The troll that attempts to enter Balin's Tomb is depicted as a shadowy creature with dark green fur. Unlike in the novel, its feet have toes. It is the only troll seen in the film.

===Games===
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:An individual monster called Skessa, a cross-breed between a troll and [[giants|giant]], has two heads.<ref>{{ICE|2016}}</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:"'Two-headed' Troll" is a Warrior Ally for evil players.

'''1998-2004: ''[[Middle-earth Online]]'':'''
:''[[Ettins]]'', a race of two-headed trolls, was intended to be included in the game.<ref>[http://my.lotro.com/user-875952/page/3/ Roundup 12.1] (02-09-2004) at [http://my.lotro.com My.lotro.com] (accessed 16 November 2010)</ref>

'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:''Ettens'' resemble the [[Hill-trolls]], but they possess "''not one but two long heads''". The solitary creatures, a result of an ancient experiment by Morgoth, live almost exclusively in the Ettenmoors.<ref>{{D|Fell}}</ref>

'''[[2002]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Like in the film adaptation of ''The Fellowship of the Ring'', a Cave-troll serves as the boss of the "Balin's Tomb" level. A pair of Cave-trolls also serve as the bosses of the "Hornburg Courtyard" level. Also unique to this game are a new breed of troll known as "Forest-trolls", which appear in several levels including "Fangorn Forest" and "Breached Wall".

'''[[2003]]: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|The Hobbit]]'':'''
:In addition to the three Stone-trolls from the book, a Cave-troll was intended to appear during the "Over Hill and Under Hill" level in the PC and console versions, where it would have served as the level's boss. Even though the encounter was cut from the final version of the game, Bilbo still mentions the troll to Gandalf when he reunites with [[Thorin and Company]], and [[Kili]] informs Bilbo that Trolls are known to live in the Misty Mountains, and hopes Bilbo didn't encounter any while he was separated.<ref>''The Hobbit (2003 video game)'', "Over Hill and Under Hill"</ref>
:Third-party trainer programs for the PC version allow the boss battle to be reintegrated into the game. Like the three Stone-trolls, the Cave-troll would have been capable of speaking [[Westron]], as shown during its introductory cutscene where it complains about having a toothache. Defeating it would have yielded the Troll Key which, in the final version of the game, instead lays on the floor for Bilbo to take without having to kill any of the creatures that guard it.

'''[[2004]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Trolls are a playable unit in the game. You can play as either a mountain troll or drummer troll. When the mountain troll levels up, it receives armor. Their designs are based off of the Peter Jackson film series.

'''[[2006]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Trolls are a playable unit like in the previous game. In the expansion, [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king]] additional units of trolls can be played called the snow trolls and hill trolls. The campaign features a named troll called Rhogash which helps the Witch-king lead his assaults on Arnor.

'''[[2011]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Compared to other enemies, Trolls are much stronger. Trolls first appear in [[Fornost]], where one traps [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]], [[Andriel]] and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Outer Wards''</ref> Another troll appears at the end of the level, where Eradan, Andriel and Farin have to protect [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]. When this troll is killed, the player is able to enter the Citadel to confront [[Tharzog]] and [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''The Citadel''</ref>

'''[[2014]]: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:The Udûn and Sea of Nûrnen regions of Mordor are inhabited by large troll-like creatures known as "Olog Graugs". According to their Nature article in the Appendices menu, Sauron intends to use the Graug to crossbreed with ordinary Trolls, and create a new breed of "hill-trolls" that can withstand direct sunlight. Graugs are very rare in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game due to technical limitations, but are more abundant in the PS4, PC, and Xbox One versions.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:The Overlord of the [[Núrnen]] region of Mordor is an [[Olog-hai|Olog]] named Az-Harto, who poses as a two-headed [[Trolls|Troll]]. In reality, the second head is that of the [[Orcs|Uruk]] [[Ratbag|Ratbag the Coward]], who is riding on Az-Harto's back and wearing a large helmet to conceal his identity.

'''2018: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Two-headed Trolls are among the evil creatures of [[Gundabad]] and can be found among the [[Grey Mountains]].

{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trolls}}
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Races in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Trolls]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Trolle]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/trolls/trolls]]
[[fi:Peikot]]

Oath of Eorl

2026-04-21T04:07:41Z

Aeglos: /* Later history */

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl 2020.jpg|300px|thumb|''The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
{{Quote|In happy hour did Eorl ride from the North, and never has any league of peoples been more blessed, so that neither has ever failed the other, nor shall fail.|'' [[Aragorn]] to [[Éomer]] to in [[The Return of the Ring]]'', "[[The Steward and the King]]"}}

The '''Oath of Eorl''', also called the '''Oath of Cirion'''<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 20</ref> and the '''Oath of Cirion and Eorl'''<ref>{{UT|11c}}, third paragraph, "No alliance of peoples…Riders of the Mark</ref>, was the alliance sworn between the nations of [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]].<ref name=Eorl>{{UT|Eorl}}</ref>

Also agreed was whenever help was needed, the two kingdoms would aid each other.<ref name=Eorl/> The signal that help was needed was the [[Red Arrow]], a symbol of danger. For faster communication between the two allies, the [[warning beacons of Gondor]] were used. These beacons were placed on seven hills along the northern ridge of the [[White Mountains]].

==History==
===The Oath===
The Oath was first sworn in {{TA|2510}} by [[Cirion]], the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor, and by [[Eorl]], King of the [[Éothéod]] (later first King of Rohan) following the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]]. The Oath stated that the province of [[Calenardhon]] would be forever of Rohan, established its borders, and an alliance between the kingdoms. The two rulers swore their oaths on the [[Halifirien]] hill at the site of the [[Tomb of Elendil]].<ref name=Eorl/>

Eorl spoke his oath in [[Rohanese]]:

{{blockquote|Hear now all peoples who bow not to the Shadow in the East, by the gift of the Lord of the Mundburg we will come to dwell in the land that he names Calenardhon, and therefore I vow in my own name and on behalf of the Éothéod of the North that between us and the Great People of the West there shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed.|Eorl}}<ref name=Eorl/>

In addition to his oath, Cirion spoke an invocation in [[Quenya]] and the [[Westron|Common Speech]], calling the [[Valar]] and [[Ilúvatar|Eru]] to witness the oaths that were taken:

{{blockquote|Vanda sina termaruva Elenna-nóreo alcar enyalien ar Elendil Vorondo voronwë. Nai tiruvantes i hárar mahalmassen mi Númen ar i Eru i or ilyë mahalmar eä tennoio.|Cirion}}<ref name=Eorl/>

Which in Westron translates to "This oath shall stand in memory of the glory of the Land of the Star, and of the faith of Elendil the Faithful, in the keeping of those who sit upon the thrones of the West and of the One who is above all thrones for ever."<ref name=Eorl/>

Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths,<ref name=Note>{{UT|8e}}, note 44</ref> and indeed had not been since the time of the [[Last Alliance]].<ref name=Eorl/> Among people of Númenórean descent, it was held that only the King could call upon Eru, but Cirion had that authority as Steward and regent for the King.<ref name=Note/>

===Later history===
In {{TA|2710}}, King [[Déor]] asked the help of [[Egalmoth (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Egalmoth]] to drive off the [[Dunlendings]] from the occupied [[Ring of Isengard]], but the Steward was unable to send help,<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref> possibly because of a renewed war against the [[Orcs]].<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C, The Ruling Stewards of Gondor, 18. Egalmoth p. 205</ref>

During the rule of [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]], both nations were overwhelmed; Gondor by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and Rohan by the Dunlendings, and couldn't help each other. After the [[Long Winter]] however, as the Rohirrim started to repel the invaders, Gondor sent help from both west and east of the [[White Mountains]] to assist them.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref><ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - And They Clasped Hand in Hand.jpg|thumb|''And they clasped hand in hand'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Gondor sent great help to King [[Folcwine]] who reconquered the [[west-march]] from the Dunlendings. In {{TA|2885}}, when [[Ithilien]] was invaded in great strength, Folcwine sent many men, led by his twin prince sons, to Gondor. With their aid Steward [[Túrin II]] won a victory at the [[Crossings of Poros]], though the princes [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]] and [[Folcred]] were slain.<ref>{{App|Mark}}</ref>

During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Red Arrow]] was brought to King [[Théoden]] of Rohan by [[Hirgon|a messenger of Gondor]] while [[Minas Tirith]] was besieged by [[Sauron]], and Théoden rode out with the [[Muster of Rohan]] to the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

The Oath was renewed by [[Aragorn]] and [[Éomer]] upon their accessions to the thrones of Gondor and Rohan.

==External links==
*[http://glaemscrafu.jrrvf.com/english/cirion.html Text, translation and audio] at [[Glǽmscrafu]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Oaths and prophecies]]
[[Category:Quenya texts]]
[[Category:Third Age]]
[[de:Eid von Eorl]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/serment d eorl]]
[[fi:Cirionin vala]]

Shirriffs

2026-04-13T22:02:39Z

Aeglos:

[[File:Paula DiSante - Frodo encounters the Shirriff at Frogmorton.png|thumb|''Frodo encounters the Shirriff at Frogmorton'' by [[Paula DiSante]]]]
'''Shirrifs''' were the sole law enforcement officials in [[the Shire]] and the main branch of the [[Watch]]. Since in the Shire, [[The Rules]] were based solely on common sense and the ancient tradition, it was not broken. It was the Shirriffs' job to protect the Shire from various beasts more than anything. There were a total of twelve in all of the Shire, three in each [[Farthings|Farthing]], and they were distinguished from "civilians" by a feather worn in their caps.<ref>{{FR|Ordering}}</ref> The leader of a group of Shirriffs would wear two feathers.

A larger body of the Watch was the "Special Constabulary" power, where [[Hobbits]] were deputized into patrolling the borders, which were called [[Bounders]].

The number of Shirriffs was increased when [[Saruman]] had infiltrated the Shire, and had taken control, with the help of [[ruffians]] like [[Bill Ferny]]. Saruman had increased the number to suppress any revolts, and arrest anybody who broke the rules. They were assigned in companies such as the [[First Eastfarthing Troop]], though that was not enough to prevent [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], and others from liberating the [[Shire-hobbits|Shire-folk]]. After the Shire was retaken, Deputy-Mayor Frodo reduced their numbers to their original size.<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref>

[[File:Teodort92 - Hobbit Shirriffs.jpg|thumb|''Hobbit Shirriffs'' by [[:Category:Images by Teodort92|Teodort92]]]]

==Etymology==
Shirriff is an archaic rendition of "sheriff". Both mean "shire-reeve" ([[Old English]] ''scīrgerefa''). The archaism was made to make the connection to [[the Shire]] more obvious.

Shirriff is supposed to be a translation of a [[Hobbitish]] word, derived from their former language related to [[Rohan language|Rohirric]], not necessarily a [[Westron]] word.<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 763</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==

'''2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of an unnamed First Eastfarthing Troop shirriff is provided by Viliam Polónyi. The shirriff appears in the final episode of the series, in the part of the storyline that adapts the Scouring of the Shire.

==See also==
*[[Shirriff-house]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Organisations in the Shire]]
[[de:Landbüttel]]
[[fi:Toad Guards]]

Pipe-weed

2026-04-13T21:57:20Z

Aeglos: /* History */

[[File:Kay Woollard - TS Greeting Card - Pipe-weed.jpg|thumb|''Pipe-weed'' by [[Kay Woollard]]]]
'''Pipe-weed''' (also known as Halflings' Leaf or simply Leaf) was a plant that was most notably cultivated by the [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]].

==Properties==
Pipe-weed was famous for its fragrant flowers. It preferred southern climates and grew abundantly in [[Gondor]]. In northern regions, like [[Eriador]], it was not as rich and large, and was never found in the wild; it flourished only in warm sheltered places like the southern slopes of the [[Bree-hill]], or [[Longbottom]] in [[the Shire]].<ref name="pipeweed">{{FR|Pipeweed}}, p. 8</ref>

==History==
The plant was probably native to [[Númenor]], and was brought to [[Middle-earth]] by the [[Númenóreans]] during the [[Second Age]].<ref name="pipeweed" /> It grew in [[Gondor]] as a wild herb, appreciated primarily for its fragrant blossoms, where it was known as '''''sweet galenas''''' or more popularly as '''''westmansweed'''''.<ref name="healing">{{RK|V8}}</ref>

Pipe-weed reached [[Eriador]] by the [[Greenway]] some time in the [[Third Age]].<ref>{{FR|Pipeweed}}, p. 9</ref> The [[Bree-hobbits]] were likely the first to put it in pipes and use it for [[smoking]], but the first "true" pipe-weed was grown by [[Tobold Hornblower]] of [[Longbottom]] in the [[Southfarthing]] around {{SR|1070}}. The art of smoking pipe-weed spread from [[Bree]] to [[Men]], [[Dwarves]] and others who wandered through the crossroads by Bree. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] therefore considered ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' as the "home and centre" of the smoking art.<ref name="pipeweed" />

The [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] learned to smoke pipe-weed from the Hobbits and was often seen blowing smoke-rings.<ref name="pipeweed" /> [[Saruman]] initially derided him for this, but at some point he took up smoking himself, and even had commerce with the Shire; after the destruction of [[Isengard]], pipe-weed was found among its stores, but the Hobbits [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] failed to realize the [[Sharkey|sinister implications]].

The cultivation and exportation of this herb became a key industry in the Shire, especially in the south. Popular varieties of pipe-weed from the Shire included [[Longbottom Leaf]], [[Old Toby]], and [[Southern Star]].<ref name="pipeweed" /> Perhaps less popular was [[Southlinch]] from Bree.<ref>{{RK|VI7}}</ref>

After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] authored ''[[Herblore of the Shire]]'' discussing the origins and history of the Hobbits' 'art' of [[smoking]] pipe-weed.<ref name="pipeweed" />

==Inspiration==
In the prologue to ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Tolkien stated specifically that it is "a variety probably of ''Nicotiana''",<ref name="pipeweed" /> i.e. tobacco.

==Other names==
The common Gondorian name of pipe-weed was '''''westmansweed'''''.<ref>{{RK|Houses}}</ref> The more noble name was '''''galenas''''' (a [[Númenórean Sindarin]] form of the proper [[Sindarin]] form ''galanes''), with [[Quenya]] forms '''''alanessë''''' or '''''alenessë''''' derived from [[GALA|ala-]] ("plant, grow") and ''nes-'' ("sweet smelling").<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 100</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[Image:Item-Sweet Galenas.jpg|thumb|250px|Sweet Galenas in [[The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar]]]]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The smoke from Sweet Galenas takes the form of a sailing ship that floats out from the pipe.
'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]] (Game of the Year Edition)'':'''
:The plant is used for healing Tallion, as well as other plants.

{{references}}
[[Category:Pipe-weed| ]]
[[de:Pfeifenkraut]]
[[fr:essais/divers/herbe a pipe]]
[[fi:Piippukessu]]

Sandyman

2026-04-08T04:06:27Z

Aeglos: /* History */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Sandyman
| image=Miriam Ellis - Sandyman.jpg
| caption=Sandyman - Detail by [[Miriam Ellis]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=Miller
| location=[[Old Mill]], [[Hobbiton]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=late [[Third Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=late [[Third Age]]
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| family=[[Sandyman Family|Sandyman]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=[[Ted Sandyman]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Sandyman''' was the miller of [[Hobbiton]].
==History==
Sandyman owned and ran the [[Old Mill]] in [[Hobbiton]] around {{SR|1401}} and well before.<ref>{{RK|Scouring}}</ref> [[Gaffer Gamgee|The Gaffer]] was not very fond of Sandyman, or his habits of telling tall tales and having quick judgment of others.

Prior to [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]], while gossiping about [[Frodo Baggins]] and the death of his parents, Sandyman related the rumour that [[Primula Brandybuck|his mother]] had pushed [[Drogo Baggins|his father]] from a boat and he pulled her down; and was scolded by Gaffer for believing such rumours. He wondered about Bilbo augmenting his wealth by going out for journeys, and [[Gandalf]] and [[Dwarves]] visiting him.<ref>{{FR|Party}}</ref>

Some time before the [[War of the Ring]], Sandyman died and passed his mill on to his son [[Ted Sandyman|Ted]].

==Inspiration==
Possibly the miller at [[Sarehole]] Mill, Warwickshire, England

{{quote|I never liked the looks of the Young miller, but his father, the Old miller, had a black beard, and he was not named Sandyman.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref>{{FR|Foreword}}</ref>}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (2003) - Carl Sandyman.png|"Carl Sandyman" in [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]
File:Tales of the Shire - Sandyman Promo.jpg|Sandyman in ''[[Tales of the Shire: A "The Lord of the Rings" Game]]'
</gallery>
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:He is given the full name Carl Sandyman, and is the mischievous son of the current miller. He hid his father's hammer and nails. [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] has to retrieve them before the bridge over the Water can be repaired.
'''2025: ''[[Tales of the Shire: A "The Lord of the Rings" Game]]'':'''
:Sandyman is the Miller of Hobbiton. The player can invite him to a meal.

{{References}}
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Sandyman]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

Book of Mazarbul

2026-04-03T00:16:47Z

Aeglos: /* History */

{{disambig-more|Mazarbul|[[Mazarbul (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Randy Gallegos - Book of Mazarbul.jpg|thumb|220px|right|"Book of Mazarbul" by [[:Category:Images by Randy Gallegos|Randy Gallegos]]]]

The '''Book of Mazarbul''' is a Dwarven book containing the chronicle of [[Balin's folk]], found in the [[Chamber of Records]] in [[Khazad-dûm]]. It was written by many different authors, using [[Cirth]] of Moria and [[Dale]], as well as [[Tengwar]] . The pages of the book were marked with numbers referring to the years after [[Balin]]'s arrival in Moria.

==History==
The book started being updated in {{TA|2989}}, upon Balin's return to Moria. The book recounted a battle with the [[Orcs]] that inhabited the old halls of Khazad-dûm, in which [[Balin]]'s Dwarves were victorious. They settled in the Twenty-first Hall, above the East-gate, and Balin himself ruled his new domain from the old Chamber of Records, also called the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]. Over the next five years, the [[Dwarves]] seem to have settled quite successfully into their new home, exploring under the Mountains as far as the [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]], and recovering [[Durin's Axe]] and apparently other priceless items made of ''[[mithril]]''. These feats were recorded in the book.

The Lordship of Balin was short-lived. [[Ori]], who was with him in Moria, recorded in the last pages of the Book how an army of Orcs came unexpectedly out of the east, slaying Balin outside the [[Great Gates|East-gate]]. The Dwarves defended themselves, but they were beleaguered from the east by the Orcs, and from the west by the mysterious [[Watcher in the Water]]. Their last stand was in the Chamber of Mazarbul, where the Orcs eventually overcame and destroyed them. As there was no hope to escape, Ori continued writing in the book, hoping that someone would find it, and would know what happened to them.<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #10</ref>

The victorious Orcs seem not to have understood the significance of the Book, so that rather than carrying it off or destroying it, they left it to rot in the Chamber. There it was found twenty-four years later by the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Company of the Ring]], burned, slashed and blood-stained, and missing a number of pages, but still readable in some parts. [[Gandalf]] passed it to [[Gimli]] to return to King [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin]], after which nothing more is heard about it. If Gimli was able to keep it through the battles that followed, and didn't leave it in [[Lothlórien]] or discard it with his gear at [[Parth Galen]], it is possible that he carried it throughout his travels in [[Middle-earth]], returning it at last to Dáin's heir [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III]] in [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].

==Contents==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Mazarbul page 1.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Facsimile of page I]]
The first page [[Gandalf]] read in the Book of Mazarbul was marked ''one-three'', so at least two were missing from the beginning. This page was written using [[Angerthas Erebor]] as in a diary, written quickly without attempt at calligraphy or meticulous consistency of spelling. In writing the Common Speech, the Dwarves tended to blend its usual spelling with certain idiosyncratic phonetic usages (the Dwarves did not like to use any letter or rune in more than one value, nor to express a simple sound by combinations of letters). This page was numbered at the top with the runic numeral "three".<ref>''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', ''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'' and ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]''.</ref>

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Mazarbul page 2.jpg|150px|thumb|Facsimile of page II]]
Gandalf skimmed through the rest of the book; Gandalf notes that the pages begin to be numbered ''five'', meaning the fifth year of the colony. This second page was written using [[Tengwar]] of the later Westron convention which used full letters for vowels. Gandalf described the text as written by "a large bold hand using an Elvish script", which Gimli describes as [[Ori]]'s hand. The runic figure at the bottom of the page is the numeral "five".

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Mazarbul page 3.jpg|150px|thumb|Facsimile of page III]]
The last page of the Book of Mazarbul was read aloud by Gandalf. It is written in [[Angerthas Erebor]], similar to that of the first page, but with a different hand and different details in the runes. The last line is a trailing scrawl of elf-letters reads ''They are coming...''

==Text==
===Page One-three===
''1 - 3 We drove out orcs from the [[Great Gates|great gate]] and guard (r)oom and took the [[First Hall|first hall]]: we slew many in the br (i)ght sun in the dale: [[Flói]] was killed by an arr ow. He slew the great chiefta(in)[. We did burry]<ref name="full">{{webcite|author=Edward J. Kloczko|articleurl=http://www.festivalartandbooks.com/journal7ohv/7featmazar.html|articlename=The mysterious “Book of Mazarbul” reveals more|dated=2010|website=[https://www.festivalartandbooks.com/ Festival Art and Books]|accessed=11 September 2025}}</ref> Flói under grass near [[Mirrormere|Mirrormer(e)]] [but more]<ref name="full"/> came … [was bro]<ref name="full"/>ken[.]<ref name="full"/> … (w?)e repaire(d … We have taken the [[Twenty-first Hall|twenty-first hall]] of [[North End|northern]] [e]<ref name="full"/>nd to dwell in There is g(ood) air [its … … good]<ref name="full"/> that can easily be watched [over and]<ref name="full"/> the shaft is clear …[.]<ref name="full"/> [[Balin]] has set up his seat in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul|chamber of Maz arbul]] … [we]<ref name="full"/> ga(th)ere[d lots of]<ref name="full"/> [[gold]] … … … [a]<ref name="full"/> wonderful [find]<ref name="full"/> (lay?) [[Durin's Axe]] [and his]<ref name="full"/> [[Silver|sil ver]] helm Balin h(a)s ta(k)en them for his own Balin is now [[Lord of Moria|lord of Moria]]: * * * * * * … today we found truesilver … [bin …we a]<ref name="full"/> wellforged hel(m [a]<ref name="full"/> n[d a]<ref name="full"/> coat m(ade?) all of purest mithril[. We sent]<ref name="full"/> [[Óin]] to seek for the upper armouries of the [[Third Deep|third deep]] [and then]<ref name="full"/> go westwards to s[eek up]<ref name="full"/> to [[Doors of Durin|Hollin gate]] the-a''<ref name="tolkien">{{HM|PT}}, 24. "Leaves from the Book of Mazarbul"</ref>

===Page Five===
''r … [only 5 ye]<ref name="full"/>ars since [we settled in Moria and all]<ref name="full"/> ready sorrow [has fallen on us.]<ref name="full"/> (y)estre day being the [[10 November|tenth of november]] Balin lord of Moria fell in [[Dimrill Dale]]; he went alone to look in Mirrormere. An orc shot him from behind a stone. we slew the orc but many more ca[me]<ref name="full"/> u p from east up the [[Silverlode]] … we rescued Balin’s b(ody) … … [we]<ref name="full"/>re a sharp battle … we have barred the gates but doubt if [it]<ref name="full"/> can hold them long. if there is no escape it will be a horrible fate (to) suffer - but I shall hold[.]<ref name="full"/> 5''<ref name="tolkien"/>

===Page Six===
''[6]<ref name="full"/> We cannot get out: we cannot get out they have taken the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm|bridge]] and [[Second Hall|second h (a)ll]]. [[Frár]] & [[Lóni]] & [[Náli]] fell the re bravely wh(ile the) rest retr[eated to]<ref name="full"/> Ma(zarb)ul. We still ho[ldin]<ref name="full"/> g: but hope u[ndyi]<ref name="full"/>n[g.]<ref name="full"/> (Ó?)ins p arty went 5 days ago but (today) only 4 returned: the pool is up to the wall at Westgate: the [[Watcher in the Water|watcher in the water]] too k Óin - we cannot get out: the end com es soon we hear drums drums in the deep. They are coming''<ref name="tolkien"/>

==Etymology==
''[[Mazarbul (word)|Mazarbul]]'' means "records" in [[Khuzdul]]. So the "Book of Mazarbul" means the "Book of Records".

==Inspiration==
Tolkien comments on his general treatment of the Book of Mazarbul pages: "...the text was cast into English spelt as at present, but modified as it might be by writers in haste whose familiarity with the written form was imperfect, and who were also (on the first and third pages) transliterating the English into a different alphabet."; "...since documents of this kind nearly always show uses of letters or shapes that are peculiar and rarely or never found elsewhere, a few such features are also introduced...".

Tolkien used his knowledge of medieval manuscripts to create three facsimile pages from the Book of Mazarbul. He burnt the edges with his pipe, pierced holes along the left-hand side where the pages would have been stitched to the binding, and washed the paper with red and brown paint to resemble dried bloodstains.

The final page was written mostly in runes apart from the final scrawled line ('they are coming') which was written in the Elvish script, presumably easier to use when writing at speed.

The use of English to represent the Common Speech in primary sources such as the pages of the Book of Mazarbul was a result of Tolkien's vision of completely translating all Westron into modern English, even in authentic documentation, although upon reflection Tolkien said that this translation was "an erroneous extension of the general linguistic treatment".<ref>{{HM|PM}}, [[Of Dwarves and Men]] pp. 298-9)</ref>

Thus, the Book of Mazarbul showcases some slightly different distributions of certain English sounds.

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
Tolkien hoped that these facsimile documents would be reproduced in the text but the cost of including colour pages was a step too far for his publisher, who was already taking a significant gamble by publishing this enormous three volume fantasy work for adults.

Eventually, they were included in the ''[[Fellowship of the Ring]]: 50th Anniversary Deluxe edition'' in [[2005]], and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]: One-volume Special edition'' in [[2021]]. They are also included in several artwork collections, such as ''[[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', ''[[The Art of The Lord of the Rings]]'', and ''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]''.<ref>[https://tai.tolkienists.org/ Tolkien Art Index] on Tolkienists.org</ref>

The manuscripts are now in the archive in the [[Bodleian Libraries]].<ref>[https://museoteca.com/r/en/work/7386/j_r_r_tolkien/final_page_of_the_book_of_mazarbul/!/ Final page of the Book of Mazarbul] on Museoteca.com</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Book of Mazarbul in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Book of Mazarbul.jpg|Book of Mazarbul in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
</gallery>
'''2001: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The Book of Mazarbul makes an appearance in the fifth episode of the first series, set entirely in Moria. Gandalf (portrayed by Martin Huba) begins reading from it, but the majority of the excerpts are heard as a voiceover by the deceased elderly dwarf Ori (portrayed by František Kovár), the chronicler of Balin's expedition to Moria.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:A detailed prop was made for the movie, with Cirth and Tengwar letters written perhaps by [[Daniel Reeve]]. The outside cover of the prop reads: "Records (of the) Longbeards of Khazad-dûm".

:The first page of the book read by Gandalf in the movie is written using Cirth (Angerthas Erebor) and Tengwar (full mode). A number of leaves before this page fall out when Gandalf opens the book. This apparently is the second to the last page.
:The text read by Gandalf in the movie differs from that of the books, and is largely based on the final two pages:
:''"They have taken the Bridge and the Second Hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes... Drums. Drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the dark... We cannot get out... They are coming."''

{{references}}

[[Category:Books and documents within the legendarium]]

[[de:Buch von Mazarbul]]
[[fi:Mazarbulin Kirja]]

Fell beasts

2026-03-31T11:40:27Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{short description|Flying steeds of the Nazgûl}}
{{disambig-two|the winged steeds of the [[Nazgûl]]|vague term|[[Fell beasts (vague term)|fell beasts]]}}
{{race infobox
| name=Fell beasts
| image = John Howe - Nazgul 01.jpg
| caption="Nazgul" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Nazgûl-birds, Black Wings, hell-hawks
| origin=
| location=[[Mordor]]
| affiliation=[[Nazgûl]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| people=
| members=
| lifespan="Older world" - [[Third Age]]
| distinctions=A long neck and vast pinions
| height=
| hair=None
| skin=Webbed and plain
| clothing=
| weapons=Horned fingers, claws, and a beak
}}

'''[[Fell beasts (vague term)|Fell beasts]]'''<ref name="pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.031}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.042}}</ref>, also called '''Nazgûl-birds'''<ref name="name">{{L|100}}</ref>, '''Black Wings'''<ref name="blackwing">{{TT|Gate}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 4.03.066}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.04.039}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.03.033}}</ref>, and '''hell-hawks'''<ref name="siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.04.033}}</ref>, were huge pterodactylic<ref name="letter211">{{L|211}}</ref> flying creatures that served as steeds for the [[Nazgûl]].

==Description==
Fell beasts were great winged creatures with a beak and claws<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.019}}</ref> and were described as similar to great carrion birds<ref name="blackwing" /><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 4.03.064}}</ref>, but monstrous looking<ref name="harrowdale">{{RK|Muster}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.03.017}}</ref> and greater than all other birds<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.006}}</ref>, including [[Eagles]]<ref name="siege" /><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.04.030}}</ref>. They were dark and appeared shadow-like even at night.<ref name="dark">{{FR|River}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 2.09.055}}</ref> Their body was naked, lacking any quills or feathers. They had a long neck as well as vast pinions consisting of a web-like "hide between horned fingers".<ref name="pelennor" /><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.006}}</ref> They possessed a "fell speed" which allowed them to fly faster than the wind.<ref name="deadmarshes">{{TT|Marshes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 4.02.079}}</ref> Furthermore, fell beasts also gave off a stench. In battle they swooped upon prey with their feet to drop foes from the sky,<ref name="siege" /> crushed enemies under their sheer weight,<ref name="siege" /> and used their vast wings to blow foul gusts of wind.<ref name="pelennor" />

==History==
{{blockquote|A creature of an older world maybe it was, whose kind, lingering in forgotten mountains cold beneath the Moon, outstayed their day, and in hideous eyrie bred this last untimely brood, apt to evil. And the Dark Lord took it, and nursed it with fell meats, until it grew beyond the measure of all other things that fly; and he gave it to his servant to be his steed.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]" <ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 5.06.006}}</ref>}}

While their origins are uncertain, the fell beasts may have hailed from an earlier age of the world,<ref name="letter211">{{L|211}}</ref> a diminishing number of which had clung to survival in the remote reaches of Middle-earth.<ref name="pelennor" /> Under Sauron's care, these creatures were prepared for the use of his Nazgûl, who employed them in travel and in the uses of war.<ref name="pelennor" />

Following the destruction of the black horses used by the [[Nazgûl]] in their pursuit of [[Frodo Baggins]], Sauron appointed his brood of fell beasts to serve as the [[Ringwraiths|Ringwraiths']] new steeds.<ref name="pelennor" /> These were glimpsed on several occasions before the [[Siege of Gondor]], where they bore the [[Nazgûl]] to war and plagued the armies of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]].<ref name="siege" /><ref name="pelennor" />

As the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] travelled down the [[Anduin]], a winged creature briefly attempted to assail the company before being driven off by an arrow from [[Legolas]]' bow.<ref name="dark" />

On Thursday [[1 March]], while Frodo, [[Samwise Gamgee]], and [[Gollum]] were crossing the [[Dead Marshes|Dead Marshes,]] a Nazgûl borne on a winged creature passed overhead at midnight at "the speed of the wrath of Sauron."<ref name="deadmarshes" /> On Sunday [[4 March]],<ref name="date">''[[The Chronology of The Lord of the Rings]]'', p. 62</ref> the party witnessed another Nazgûl, possibly "on some swift errand from Barad-dûr", pass overhead on a winged creature. On Monday [[5 March]],<ref name="date" /> an hour after midnight, a third winged creature flew overhead in the direction of Mordor.

Around dawn on Tuesday<ref name="tuesday">''[[The Chronology of The Lord of the Rings]]'', p. 64</ref> [[6 March]], "a flying darkness in the shape of a monstrous bird" swooped over the hall of [[Meduseld]] in [[Edoras|Edoras.]] To deter an attack, [[Gandalf]] counselled the [[Rohirrim]] to assemble at [[Dunharrow]], in the valley under the mountains, rather than in the fields outside Edoras. [[Théoden]] was told of the sighting after returning from the [[Hornburg]] three days later.<ref name="harrowdale" />

Five Nazgûl, aloft on winged creatures, assailed [[Faramir]] and his company as they retreated from [[Osgiliath]]. They were driven off by Gandalf, who caused a white light to be emitted from his hand, which the Nazgûl could not face.<ref name="siege" />

After the arrival of the Rohirrim to the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] abandoned his horse for a fell beast. Upon this steed he confronted the host of the Rohirrim, and slew Théoden's [[Snowmane|horse]] from underneath him. [[Éowyn]], casting away the guise of Dernhelm, leapt to the king's defense and killed the beast, and with the help of [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] slew its rider.<ref name="pelennor" />

==Etymology==
As in the expression "fell things" occurring earlier in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'',<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref> the word ''[[Wiktionary:fell#Etymology 4|fell]]'' in this sense is an archaic English word meaning "dreadful, terrible".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 110</ref>

The term "[[Fell beasts (vague term)|fell beasts]]" is not used solely for the winged steeds of the Nazgûl: it was also used as a descriptor for various evil creatures of [[Mirkwood]],<ref>{{FR|Breaking}}</ref> and also a descriptor of a type of creature hunted by [[Oromë]] in addition to monsters.<ref name="valar">{{S|IIb}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
{{Stub}}

==Inspiration==
In a reply to a letter, [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote that he did not intend for the Nazgûl-bird<ref name="name" /> to be a [[Wikipedia:Pterosaur|pterodactyl]], though he acknowledged that it was "''pterodactylic''" and "owes much to" the "mythology of the 'Prehistoric'". He considered that its description left open the possibility for it to be "a last survivor of older geological eras".<ref name="letter211" />

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="180px" heights="180px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Fell beast.png|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Witch-king.png|[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980)]]
File:Liz Danforth - Fell beast.png|"Fell beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]''
File:Angus McBride - Wild Fell Beast.jpg|"Wild Fell Beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Fell beast attacks Minas Tirith.jpg|Fell beast descending in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:SBG - Fell beast.jpeg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Mark Evans - Hell-hawk.png|"Hell-hawk" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]''
File:LOTR-WITN-Fell Beast-1.png|"Fell beast" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
</gallery>

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:One of the Nazgûl (possibly the Witch-king, for he carries a mace) is shown riding on a winged creature. However, Bakshi's film only covers events up to the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], so that is the only appearance of a Nazgûl-bird<ref name="name" />.

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl ride winged horses. In the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWjt6LGhHsI confrontation] between Éowyn and the Witch-king, the latter is seen riding a plump black-grey dragon-like animal. Gandalf had called it a '''Carrion-fowl'''.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The Fell Beasts are said to likely be "distant relatives of ancient [[Cold-drakes]]", and "grow to lengths of 30 feet (with 30-35-foot wingspans)". In the middle Third Age they live in [[Mountains of Mirkwood|mountainous]] areas of Mirkwood, presumably because of the [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]]'s presence at [[Dol Guldur]]. They are used as steeds by both the Nazgûl and a few [[Olog-hai]] warlords.<ref>{{ICE|2019}}</ref><ref group="note">In the supplement, ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', the Fell beasts are said to be "presumably bred from Winged-drakes" and to have a body between 15-25 feet and a wingspan between 30-40 feet.</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:'''Fell Beast''' increases the number of strikes of one Nazgûl hazard-creature. '''Wild Fell Beast''' is a Drake which attacks with three strikes. With the card "Fell Rider" the Ringwraith may move to a non-Darkhaven site, but without allies and followers.

'''2001-3: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The fell beasts are depicted as more [[Dragons|Dragon]]-like and serpentine. As opposed to having beaks, they have lipless mouths full of jagged teeth, fins running along their spine, long whip-like tails and dark gray scales. This depiction is heavily influenced by [[John Howe]], who was one of the concept artists for the films.

:In the films, the fell beasts are used for attack much more often than in the books, with the Nazgûl usually swooping down and screeching, making the defenders at the gate of Minas Tirith run away, leaving [[Gandalf]] alone to face the Witch-king as he enters.

:Although on screen the films never make this mistake, sometimes cast or crew members ([[Lawrence Makoare]] and [[Richard Taylor]] most notably) on the commentary tracks and the documentaries refer to the fell beasts as Nazgûl; this is incorrect. The fell beasts are the creature that the nine Nazgûl ride, and the mistake probably arose because fell beasts are always seen with a Nazgûl atop them.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The Fell Beasts are portrayed without beaks, reminiscent of the depiction in ''The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy''.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod480006a&_requestid=1321389 Winged Nazgûl] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/ Games-workshop.com] (accessed 10 June 2011)</ref>

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:A Nazgûl mounted on a fell beast (depicted as a dragon-like creature) appears in the [[Amon Hen]] stage of the PC and console versions of the game, where it serves as the final boss. In the first phase of the battle, the beast crawls on the ground and fights Aragorn (armed with his sword). During the second and final phase, it flies into the sky and shoots green fireballs from its mouth down at Aragorn (who shoots back at it with his bow), until it is weakened and finally shot down by Legolas in the game's ending cutscene.

'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:Hell-hawks, employed as mounts by the Ringwraiths and found wild in southern Mirkwood and (after the War of the Ring) in Gondor, resemble a "cross between lizards and featherless birds". They were bred by Sauron in mockery of the [[Eagles|Great Eagles]].<ref>{{D|Fell}}, pp. 30-31</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Agandaûr has several Fell beasts under his control. At the end of Chapter 1, Agandaûr flees on the back of one of them.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Citadel Tower''</ref>

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria]]'':'''
:Fell beasts are among the monsters infesting Moria. The female dragon Narag-Shazon claims that Sauron forcibly employed her to breed the creatures.

{{references|note}}

[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]

[[de:Reittiere der Nazgûl#Flugwesen]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveiden siivekkäät ratsut]]

Stoors

2026-03-31T11:37:02Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{people infobox
| name=Stoors
| image = Kay Woollard - At the Buckland Ferry - The Young Stoor.jpg
| caption="The young Stoor" by [[Kay Woollard]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=A group of Hobbits
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Gladden Fields]], [[Dunland]], [[The Shire]]
| affiliation=[[Stoor-country]]<ref name=letter/>
| rivalry=
| language=numerous; eventually [[Bucklandish]]
| members=[[Gollum]], [[Déagol]], the [[Brandybucks]]
| lifespan=c. 96 years
| distinctions=Heavier and broader than the other Hobbits; large hands and feet; only Hobbits who normally grew facial hair; used boats, fished, and could swim
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Stoors''' were one of the three breeds of [[Hobbits]].

In their earliest recorded history the Stoors, like the other Hobbits, lived in the [[Vales of Anduin]]. They were a riverside people that dwelt in the [[Gladden Fields]], and were fishermen.<ref name="Hobbits">{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref>
==Characteristics==
They were heavier and broader in build than the other Hobbits, and had large hands and feet. Among the Hobbits, the Stoors most resembled [[Men]] and were most friendly to them. Stoors were the only Hobbits who normally grew facial hair.<ref name="Hobbits"/>

While few Hobbits could swim and they were known to be afraid of rivers and boats (let alone of the Sea, a token of fear and death for them which few had ever seen), the Stoors preferred flat lands and riversides.<ref name="Hobbits"/>

Stoorish characteristics and appearance (large build, heavy feet and a down on the chin), could still be seen among the Hobbits of the [[Eastfarthing]], [[Buckland]] (such as the [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybuck]]s) and the [[Bree-hobbits]]. The Hobbits of the Eastfarthing wore dwarf-boots in muddy weather.<ref name="Hobbits"/>

The Stoors also had their [[Stoorish|own dialect]] of [[Hobbitish|Hobbit-speech]], owing to the fact that they spent some time in [[Dunland]] and adopted many strange words and names which they took to [[the Shire]], and retained even until the late Third Age.

==History==
The Stoors are believed to have lived longer in the southern vales of Anduin.<ref name="Hobbits"/> During the Hobbit [[Wandering Days]], after the [[Harfoots]] had migrated westward in {{TA|1050}}, and the [[Fallohides]] flew north first and then followed them [[Third Age 1150|about a century later]], the Stoors long remained back in their dwelling in the Vale of Anduin, but in {{TA|1150|}}, they, too, migrated west to [[Eriador]].<ref name="ThirdAge">{{App|TA}}</ref>

They took the [[Redhorn Pass]] and followed a southern route along the course of the [[Loudwater]], where some Stoors branched off and moved to the [[Angle]] of [[Eriador]] south of [[Rivendell]], and many settled long between [[Tharbad]] and [[Dunland]]; most went to Dunland ([[Swanfleet]] near Tharbad)<ref name="Hobbits"/><ref name="ThirdAge"/> which most resembled their old lands. There they came into contact with the [[Dunlendings]]. This contact altered their speech slightly, mostly by picking up a few Dunlending words.

A hundred years later [[Angmar]] began to threaten Eriador and many Stoors of the Angle fled ({{TA|1356}}<ref name="ThirdAge"/>–{{TA|1409}}<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref><ref group=note>The ''[[Tale of Years]]'' suggests that the migration started or happened around the death of [[Argeleb I]]; ''The North-kingdom'' suggests that it happened during the early reign of [[Araphor]].</ref>) because of the [[Angmar War|wars]] and the evil climate of Eriador; however a few of them returned to the [[Stoor-country]]<ref name=letter>{{L|214}}</ref> in [[Rhovanion]].<ref name=eriador/>

The Stoors of Dunland moved back north to join the other Hobbits in colonizing [[the Shire]] about {{TA|1630}}<ref name="Hobbits"/><ref name="ThirdAge"/> and settled mostly in the [[Eastfarthing]] and [[Southfarthing]]. Some of these villages might have survived until the [[War of the Ring]], when they were sought out by the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]].<ref name="UT|Hunt">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> One result of the Stoorish influx was that places that were settled by Stoors had some slight linguistic oddities, due to their time of separation and contact with the Dunlendings. The three original Hobbit-kinds merged and blended in the centuries since the settlement of the Shire, but regional variations remained with Stoorish characteristics seen in [[Eastfarthing]] and [[Buckland]].<ref name="Hobbits"/>
===Stoors of Wilderland===
The Stoors who returned to Rhovanion in {{TA|1356}} settled the [[Gladden Fields]] by the [[Anduin]], becoming a riverland people of fishers.<ref name=eriador/> They lost contact with all other Hobbits and nothing is known about their culture<ref name=L214/> other than what Gandalf inferred from his interrogation with [[Gollum]].<ref name=shadows/> While their cousins in the Shire developed a more settled and elaborate social life, it is possible that they reverted to a more wild and primitive lifestyle.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> They made little boats of [[reeds]] with which they sailed the River, they fished, and they even swam<ref name=shadows/> (something not common among the other hobbits).

By {{TA|2430}} their community was ruled by a "matriarch" of high repute; possibly a dominant grandmother who had outlived her husband, as she belonged to a large and wealthy family. Among those Stoors were [[Déagol]] and [[Sméagol]], who rediscovered the [[One Ring]], lost since the dawn of the [[Third Age]].<ref name=L214/><ref name=shadows>{{FR|I2}}</ref> Sméagol caused mischief becoming invisible, learning secrets and later stealing, and eventually his grandmother expelled him from the family and their [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadows/>

By the [[War of the Ring]] the settlements of the Stoors had been deserted.<ref name="UT|Hunt"/> What became of those Stoors and whether they rejoined their folk in Eriador, no history tells.

==Etymology==
''Stoor'' is supposed to be a special [[Hobbitish]] word that did not exist in [[Westron]] during the [[War of the Ring]].<ref name="N">{{HM|N}}, entry '''Stoors''', p. 763</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote in his guide for translators for the translation of ''The Lord of the Rings'' into other languages that the name Stoors for the kind of [[Hobbits]] was based on the early English word ''stor'', ''stoor'' ("large", "strong"), which is now obsolete. He explained that it was a hobbit-word that was not current in Westron.<ref name="N"/>

An earlier manuscript version of what would later become Appendix F states that the name Stoor seemed to have originally meant "big" and that this word was common in the language of Dale.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, manuscript F 2, §24</ref> This version also mentions that Scandinavian stor- means "big".<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, manuscript F 2, §56</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Stoors.jpg|thumb|300px|Stoors of Maur Tulhau in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2010: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:An isolated village of Stoors called "Maur Tulhau" still exists in northern [[Enedwaith]], which in-game corresponds to the area just north of [[Dunland]] proper. The Stoors of Maur Tulhau prefer to avoid the Big Folk whenever possible, but are still known to them and over the centuries have adopted some elements of Dunlendish clothing and language (which in-game is based on Welsh). They are discovered by [[Grey Company]] and the player on their journey south; later the player helps an adventurous Hobbit Bingo Boffin to establish the contact between Maur Tulhau and their cousins from the Shire proper.

:Three more Stoor villages neighbor Maur Tulhau in [[Swanfleet]], in the area called "Stoor-vales". Its inhabitants are friendly with the Men who live in the region.

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:

{{References|n}}

==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2013/02/06/where-did-gollums-people-come-from/ Where Did Gollum’s People Come From?] by [[Michael Martinez]]

[[Category:Races of Hobbits]]
[[Category:Stoors|*]]

[[de:Starren]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/forts]]
[[fi:Väkevät]]

Shadow and Flame (episode)

2026-03-31T11:29:09Z

Aeglos: /* Credited */

{{incomplete}}
{{title}}
{{episode infobox
| name = Shadow and Flame
| image = The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power - Shadow and Flame (Soundtrack).jpg
| caption =
| director = [[Charlotte Brändström]]
| writer = [[Justin Doble]], [[J.D. Payne]], and [[Patrick McKay]]
| screenplay =
| basedon =
| producer =
| starring =
| narrator =
| cinematography =
| editing =
| music = [[Bear McCreary]] Main Title by [[Howard Shore]]
| animator =
| studio = [[Amazon Studios]]
| distributor =
| released = [[3 October]] [[2024]]
| runtime = 73 minutes
| country =
| language =
| budget =
| gross =
| website =
| imdb_id = 27580497
| previous = [[Doomed to Die]]
| next = TBD
}}

{{Quote|Season Finale. The [[free peoples]] of [[Middle-earth]] struggle against the [[Sauron|forces]] of [[darkness]].|Official Synopsis, [[Amazon Studios]]}}

'''Shadow and Flame''' is the sixteenth episode of [[Amazon Studios]]'s television series, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]''. It is the eighth episode of the second season and it was released on [[3 October|October 3]], [[2024]].

==Synopsis==

== Cast ==
=== Credited ===
:''In order of appearance'' (in episode credits)
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! Actor !! Role
|-
| [[Owain Arthur]] || [[Durin IV|Prince Durin IV]]
|-
| [[Sophia Nomvete]] || [[Disa|Princess Disa]]
|-
| [[Daniel Weyman]] || [[The Stranger]]
|-
| [[Ciarán Hinds]] || [[Dark Wizard]]
|-
| [[Megan Richards]] || [[Poppy Proudfellow]]
|-
| [[Markella Kavenagh]] || [[Elanor Brandyfoot|Nori Brandyfoot]]
|-
| [[Trystan Gravelle]] || [[Ar-Pharazôn]]
|-
| [[Lloyd Owen]] || [[Elendil]]
|-
| [[Cynthia Addai-Robinson]] || [[Míriel]]
|-
| [[Morfydd Clark]] || [[Galadriel]]
|-
| [[Charles Edwards]] || [[Celebrimbor|Lord Celebrimbor]]
|-
| [[Charlie Vickers]] || [[Sauron]]
|-
| [[Maxim Baldry]] || [[Isildur]]
|-
| [[Tyroe Muhafidin]] || [[Theo]]
|-
| [[Benjamin Walker]] || [[Gil-galad|High King Gil-galad]]
|-
| [[Robert Aramayo]] || [[Elrond]]
|-
| [[Ismael Cruz Córdova]] || [[Arondir]]
|-
| [[Peter Mullan]] || [[Durin III|King Durin III]]
|-
| [[Kevin Eldon]] || [[Narvi]]
|-
| [[Gavi Singh Chera]] || [[Merimac (The Rings of Power)|Merimac]]
|-
| [[Tanya Moodie]] || [[Gundabale Earthauler]]
|-
| [[Ema Horvath]] || [[Eärien]]
|-
| [[Will Keen]] || [[Belzagar|Lord Belzagar]]
|-
| [[Nia Towle]] || [[Estrid]]
|-
| [[Leon Wadham]] || [[Kemen (The Rings of Power)|Kemen]]
|-
| [[Sam Hazeldine]] || [[Adar (The Rings of Power)|Adar]]
|-
| [[Rory Kinnear]] || [[Tom Bombadil]]
|-
| [[Theo Spofforth]] || [[Gaudrim|Gaudrim Scout]]
|-
| [[Yasen Atour|Zates Atour]] || [[Brânk]]
|-
| [[Peter Landi]] || [[Marmadas]]
|-
| [[William Chubb]] || [[High Priest]]
|-
| [[Omar Ibrahim]] || [[Númenóreans|Númenor Guard]]
|-
| [[Anthony Skrimshire]] || [[Orcs|Leering Orc Archer]]
|-
| [[John Macdonald]] || [[Orcs|Other Orc Archer]]
|-
| [[Anton Simpson-Tidy]] || [[Elves of Eregion|Eregion Elf Soldier #2]]
|-
| [[Billy Mansell]] || [[Orcs|Orc Captor]]
|-
| [[Robert Strange]] || [[Glûg]]
|-
| [[Rupert Fawcett]] || [[Orcs|Distressed Orc]]
|-
| [[Gabriel Akuwudike]] || [[Hagen]]
|-
| [[Murray McArthur]] || [[Ammred]]
|-
| [[Thomas Gilbey]] || [[Drúv]]
|-
| [[Jonny James]] || [[Orcs|Other Orc]]
|-
| [[Stuart Bowman]] || [[Barduk]]
|-
| [[Charlie Rix]] || [[Vorohil]]
|-
| [[Zubin Varla]] [[Arkie Reece]] || Additional Voice Work
|}

== Trivia ==
Below is a list of trivia from Amazon's "X-Ray" feature that accompanied the episode.
* Scene 2 - "Most of the details and elaborations told herein are derived from '[[The Lord of the Rings]]', its prologue entitled '[[Concerning Hobbits]]', and its [[Appendices]], [[Appendix A|A]] through [[Appendix F|F]], where the intrepid traveler may journey to discover even farther horizons."

== Production ==

== Differences ==

== Reception ==

{{references}}

{{rop-episodes}}

[[Category:The Rings of Power (TV series) episodes|16]]

At the Sign of The Prancing Pony (scene)

2026-03-30T23:45:17Z

Aeglos: /* Differences */

{{scene
| name = At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
| film = [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]
| image = The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - At the Sign of the Prancing Pony.jpg
| number = 12 (theatrical edition) 
15 (extended edition)
| duration = 5:57 (theatrical edition) 
6:01 (extended edition)
| event = The hobbits arrive at the [[Prancing Pony]] and meet [[Aragorn]].
| characters = [[Frodo]], [[Sam]], [[Merry]], [[Pippin]], [[Harry Goatleaf|Gate Keeper]], [[Barliman Butterbur]], [[Aragorn]]
| previous = [[Bucklebury Ferry (scene)|Bucklebury Ferry]]
| next = [[The Nazgûl (scene)|The Nazgûl]]
}}

'''At the Sign of The Prancing Pony''' is the twelfth scene of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' and the fifteenth scene of [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (extended edition)]].

==Snyopsis==
On a rainy night, the four hobbits arrive at the western gate of [[Bree]]. They are let in by the [[Harry Goatleaf|Gate Keeper]], but Frodo declines to state their business. They make their way through the streets to the [[Prancing Pony]], where they are greeted by the innkeeper [[Barliman Butterbur]]. Frodo gives his name as Underhill and asks about Gandalf. Butterbur informs them that Gandalf has not been seen for six months. While having a drink and wondering what to do next, the hobbits notice a man sitting in the corner staring at them. Frodo asks Butterbur who the man is and is told that he is a [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] called [[Strider]].

Frodo fingers the [[One Ring|Ring]] while a sinister voice repeats the name "Baggins". Suddenly, Frodo hears [[Pippin]] loudly giving the name Frodo Baggins to a group of men at the bar. Frodo runs over to stop him, and in the ensuing tussle, he falls on the ground and the ring slips onto his finger. Frodo disappears, to the shock of the bystanders. The [[Nazgûl]] sense the ring's power and immediately turn towards Bree, while Frodo sees a vision of the [[Sauron#Eye of Sauron|Eye of Sauron]], which tells him he cannot hide.

After Frodo takes the ring off, Strider pulls him into a private room and tells him to be more careful. He adds, as the other hobbits burst in, that there is no time to wait for Gandalf, because the Ringwraiths are coming.

Although the scene is not officially marked as an extended scene, a few lines of dialogue are in the extended edition but not the theatrical cut of the film. One is the Gate Keeper remarking that the hobbits are "out of the Shire, from your talk," and another is Butterbur stating that he is "always proud to cater to [[Little Folk]]."

==Differences==
The scene is a heavily condensed version of the chapters [[At the Sign of the Prancing Pony]] and [[Strider (chapter)|Strider]] from ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''.

* The Prancing Pony is shown as a less pleasant and welcoming environment than in the book, and seems to be populated only by rough-looking men, with no other hobbits and no dwarves.
* [[Nob]] and [[Bob]] are omitted.
* Frodo's speech and performance of [[The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late]], meant to distract attention from Pippin, are omitted.
* In the film, the hobbits do not eat a meal in a private parlor before joining the company in the common room.
* Frodo's vision of the Eye of Sauron is not in the book.
* Frodo's conversation with Butterbur, in which Butterbur reveals that Gandalf had told him to be on the lookout for a hobbit traveling the name of Underhill, and had given him a [[Gandalf's letter|letter]] to deliver to Frodo, is omitted.
* The film contains no mention of [[Bill Ferny]] or his associate. (However, two men in the inn are identified as Bill Ferny and the [[Squint-eyed southerner|Squint-eyed Southerner]] in [[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]].)

{{title}}
[[Category:The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring scenes|15]]

Thorin and Company

2026-03-29T23:44:00Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{short description|The Group that reclaimed the Lonely Mountain}}
{{organization infobox
| name=Thorin and Company
| image = Frank Rivolli - The Dwarfs.jpg
| caption="The Dwarfs" by Frank Rivolli
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded={{TA|2941}}
| founder=[[Thorin]]
| purpose=Reclamation of the [[Lonely Mountain]], and recovery of Dwarven wealth, including the [[Arkenstone]]
| members=[[Thorin]], [[Balin]], [[Dwalin]], [[Fíli]], [[Kíli]], [[Dori]], [[Nori]], [[Ori]], [[Óin]], [[Glóin]], [[Bifur]], [[Bofur]], [[Bombur]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]]
| location=
| disbanded={{TA|2941}}
| notablefor=Re-establishment of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]], bringing about the death of [[Smaug]]
}}
'''Thorin and Company''' refers to the thirteen exiled [[Dwarves]] under the leadership of [[Thorin Oakenshield]] and the one [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]], who famously made the [[Quest of Erebor]], travelling through the [[Misty Mountains]] and the [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]] to the [[Lonely Mountain]], to recover their ancient treasure from the Kingdom of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], stolen by the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]].

Thorin's company were:
*[[Balin]] and [[Dwalin]], sons of [[Fundin]] (descendants of [[Náin II]])
*[[Óin]] and [[Glóin]], sons of [[Gróin]] (cousins of Balin and Dwalin)
*[[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]], brothers, nephews of Thorin
*[[Dori]], [[Nori]] and [[Ori]] (Dwarves of the [[House of Durin]])
*[[Bifur]] with his cousins [[Bofur]] and [[Bombur]] (descendants of the [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]])<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>
*And Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit of [[the Shire]]<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>
They were joined by [[Gandalf]] for part of the journey.

Thorin referred to himself and his Dwarven companions as "Thorin and Company" in the opening line of the message left on Bilbo's mantelpiece after the [[An Unexpected Party|unexpected party]] at [[Bag End]].<ref>{{H|Mutton}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Thorin and Company in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Thorin and Company.png|Thorin and Company in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Thorin and Company.jpg|Surviving members of the Company in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Hobbit (film series) - the Dwarves.jpg|The Company in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film series]]
</gallery>
'''1967: [[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]:'''
: The entire company marches out to join the Dwarves of the Iron Hills in facing the men and elves. Seven members of the company are killed or mortally wounded during the Battle of Five Armies. Or these, only Thorin and Bombur are identified by name.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'''''
: All surviving members of the Company appear in the game. After the [[Battle of Dale]] the Dwarves and [[Gandalf]] pay homage to the tombs of Thorin, Fíli and Kíli, which are now next to that of King [[Dáin Ironfoot]].

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film series]]:'''
:The thirteen Dwarves all feature in the films, although they do not wear coloured hoods, and are given more developed and distinct personalities as opposed to the novel. The Dwarves battle with [[Smaug]], instead of hiding from him, in the "Battle of the Forges". The Company is broken only once; when four of the Dwarves stay behind in Lake-town prior to the death of Smaug. While Thorin is under the influence of dragon-sickness, Gandalf says that "there is no Company, not anymore". But all thirteen Dwarves and Bilbo Baggins fight in [[the Battle of the Five Armies]], where Thorin, Fíli and Kíli are slain.
{{References}}
{{Thorin and Company}}
{{companyroute}}
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[de:Thorin & Co.]]
[[fi:Thorinin seurue]]

Thorin and Company

2026-03-29T23:42:08Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{short description|The Group that reclaimed the Lonely Mountain}}
{{organization infobox
| name=Thorin and Company
| image = Frank Rivolli - The Dwarfs.jpg
| caption="The Dwarfs" by Frank Rivolli
| pronun=
| othernames=
| founded={{TA|2941}}
| founder=[[Thorin]]
| purpose=Reclamation of the [[Lonely Mountain]], and recovery of Dwarven wealth, including the [[Arkenstone]]
| members=[[Thorin]], [[Balin]], [[Dwalin]], [[Fíli]], [[Kíli]], [[Dori]], [[Nori]], [[Ori]], [[Óin]], [[Glóin]], [[Bifur]], [[Bofur]], [[Bombur]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]]
| location=
| disbanded={{TA|2941}}
| notablefor=Re-establishment of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]], bringing about the death of [[Smaug]]
}}
'''Thorin and Company''' refers to the thirteen exiled [[Dwarves]] under the leadership of [[Thorin Oakenshield]] and the one [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]], who famously made the [[Quest of Erebor]], travelling through the [[Misty Mountains]] and the [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]] to the [[Lonely Mountain]], to recover their ancient treasure from the Kingdom of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], stolen by the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]].

Thorin's company were:
*[[Balin]] and [[Dwalin]], sons of [[Fundin]] (descendants of [[Náin II]])
*[[Óin]] and [[Glóin]], sons of [[Gróin]] (cousins of Balin and Dwalin)
*[[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]], brothers, nephews of Thorin
*[[Dori]], [[Nori]] and [[Ori]] (Dwarves of the [[House of Durin]])
*[[Bifur]] with his cousins [[Bofur]] and [[Bombur]] (descendants of the [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]])<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>
*And Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit of [[the Shire]]<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>
They were joined by [[Gandalf]] for part of the journey.

Thorin referred to himself and his Dwarven companions as "Thorin and Company" in the opening line of the message left on Bilbo's mantelpiece after the [[An Unexpected Party|unexpected party]] at [[Bag End]].<ref>{{H|Mutton}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Thorin and Company in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Thorin and Company.png|Thorin and Company in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Thorin and Company.jpg|Surviving members of the Company in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Hobbit (film series) - the Dwarves.jpg|The Company in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film series]]
</gallery>
'''1967: [[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]:'''
: Seven members of the company are killed or mortally wounded during the Battle of Five Armies. Or these, only Thorin and Bombur are identified by name.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'''''
: All surviving members of the Company appear in the game. After the [[Battle of Dale]] the Dwarves and [[Gandalf]] pay homage to the tombs of Thorin, Fíli and Kíli, which are now next to that of King [[Dáin Ironfoot]].

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film series]]:'''
:The thirteen Dwarves all feature in the films, although they do not wear coloured hoods, and are given more developed and distinct personalities as opposed to the novel. The Dwarves battle with [[Smaug]], instead of hiding from him, in the "Battle of the Forges". The Company is broken only once; when four of the Dwarves stay behind in Lake-town prior to the death of Smaug. While Thorin is under the influence of dragon-sickness, Gandalf says that "there is no Company, not anymore". But all thirteen Dwarves and Bilbo Baggins fight in [[the Battle of the Five Armies]], where Thorin, Fíli and Kíli are slain.
{{References}}
{{Thorin and Company}}
{{companyroute}}
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[de:Thorin & Co.]]
[[fi:Thorinin seurue]]

Anor-stone

2026-03-29T09:02:37Z

Aeglos:

[[File:Jeff Reitz - Anor-stone.jpg|thumb|[[Jeff Reitz]] - ''Palantír of Minas Tirith'']]

The '''Anor-stone''' was the [[Gondor]]ian [[palantíri|''palantír'']] kept at [[Minas Tirith]], taking its name from the older title of that city, [[Minas Anor]]. It was kept an unused secret by the Ruling Stewards until it was ultimately used by Steward [[Denethor|Denethor II]] to watch his land, and he eventually even challenged Sauron in a battle of wills. Denethor did not become corrupted, but the great effort of will that this required of him led him to age quickly. He was holding the stone when he committed suicide on a funeral pyre, and after this, only people of exceeding power could see in it anything other than two flaming hands.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Denethor reveals the Anor-stone to Gandalf and Pippin in the throne room of Minas Tirith.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of palantíri|Images of ''palantíri'']]

{{Palantiri}}

[[Category:Palantíri]]
[[fi:Anor-kivi]]

Palantíri

2026-03-29T08:59:10Z

Aeglos: /* Inspiration */

{{disambig-more|Palantír|[[Palantir (disambiguation)]]}}
{{sources}}
{{object infobox
| name=Palantíri
| image = John Howe - Saruman's Palantir.jpg
| caption="Saruman's Palantir" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun={{respell|pa-lan|tea|ree}}
| othernames=
| location=Various locations in [[Middle-earth]]
| owner=[[Elendil]] and his line, [[Ruling Stewards]], [[Saruman]], [[Sauron]]
| type=Seeing stones
| appearance=Smooth, round, dark stones
| creator= [[Noldor]] (possibly [[Fëanor]])<ref>{{TT|Palantir}}</ref>
| created=
| createdlocation=
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=
| gallery=palantíri
}}
{{Quote|Each ''palantír'' replied to each, but all those in [[Gondor]] were ever open to the view of [[Osgiliath]]. Now it appears that, as the [[Orthanc|rock of Orthanc]] has withstood the storms of time, so there the ''palantír'' of that tower has remained. But alone it could do nothing but see small images of things far off and days remote. Very useful, no doubt, that was to [[Saruman]]; yet it seems that he was not content. Further and further abroad he gazed, until he cast his gaze upon [[Barad-dûr]]. Then he was caught!|[[Gandalf]] in ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Palantír]]"}}
The '''''palantíri''''' (sometimes translated as "Seeing Stones") were stones that could be used in communication with one another, and also to see many things across the face of the world. When its master looked in it, they could communicate with other Stones and anyone who might be looking into them. People of great power could manipulate the Stones to see virtually any part of the world.

==History==
===Origin and early history===
The ''palantíri'' were probably made by [[Fëanor]] in the [[Uttermost West]].<ref name="S|Index">{{S|Index}}</ref> Many ''palantíri'' were made; the exact number is unknown. A [[Master-stone]] was in the [[Tower of Avallónë]]. The [[Eldar]] brought some of them to [[Amandil]] to comfort the [[Faithful]], as the [[Shadow]] fell upon [[Númenor]] and they couldn't visit them any more.<ref name="rings" />

[[Elendil]] took seven ''palantíri'' with him in his flight to [[Middle-earth]] upon the [[Downfall of Númenor]]. When the [[Realms in Exile]] were formed in {{SA|3320}}, they were distributed to seven different locations:<ref>{{App|B1}}</ref> Elendil kept three in [[Arnor]], and four were given to his sons in [[Gondor]].<ref name="rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> They were used largely for mental communication ([[ósanwe]]), but also to see what was occurring throughout the respective realms, and to know the plans of their enemies. Their existence was never common knowledge, and no one was allowed easy access to them save for kings and rulers, appointed wardens, or by royal command.

===Third Age and beyond===
One by one the stones vanished from public knowledge or were lost. The [[Osgiliath-stone]] fell into [[Anduin]] during the [[Kin-strife]] and burning of that city in {{TA|1437}}. When [[Arvedui]], [[King of Arnor]], was shipwrecked and his line ended in {{TA|1975|n}}, he drowned with the ''palantíri'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]], the only communicating stones of Arnor. When [[Minas Ithil]] [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|fell]] in {{TA|2002|n}}, its [[Ithil-stone|stone]] was assumed destroyed in general. The wiser and more foresighted men of Gondor decided that in case Sauron had seized the Stone, they would stop using the [[Anor-stone]] to prevent any contact with the [[Dark Lord]]. As the [[Elostirion-stone]] was locked away and could not answer the other stones anyway, the only remaining stone was the [[Orthanc-stone]], which became useless to the Gondorians. When [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]] gave [[Saruman]] the deserted but secure [[Orthanc]] in {{TA|2759|n}}, he likely assumed that Saruman, head of the leading order against Sauron, would keep it safe.<ref name="ut" />

Several of these hidden or lost stones came to light during the [[War of the Ring]]. Previous to this, Saruman used his ''palantír'' to gain knowledge, and eventually was ensnared through it by Sauron. Thus, the above war was greatly affected by these stones. Later, in the final weeks of the War, its rightful master [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] wrested it to his will, so that it no longer had a connection with the stolen Ithil stone.<ref>{{RK|Company}}</ref>

The second ''palantír'' to be revealed was that of Minas Anor. Denethor, too, had glanced toward Mordor with it, but his great hate of incarnate evil and power of will prevented him from being snared, though it taxed him greatly. However, he saw only what Sauron wanted him to see, and partially because of this he eventually committed suicide in the darkest hour. It is said that afterwards, anyone of weaker will who looked into it would see only the writhing hands of Denethor in his final agony.<ref>{{RK|Pyre}}</ref>

The final fate of most of the stones is unknown. The Elostirion-stone was taken west with the [[Ring-bearers]] in {{TA|3021|n}} of the [[Third Age]], severing the last link of [[Middle-earth]] to [[Valinor]]. The stones of Anor and Orthanc are believed to have been reinstated in the [[Reunited Kingdom]] and used officially once more. The Ithil-stone may have been destroyed in the fall of Barad-dûr, but it is also possible that it too was found and reused in the Reunited Kingdom. Whether or not the other three lost stones were ever found is never indicated; the Osgiliath-stone may have rolled into the Sea, or it may have lain still in the Anduin. The stones of Arnor, however, were lost in the frozen seas of [[Forochel]], and therefore it is highly unlikely that they could ever be recovered.

==Timeline==
[[File:Matěj Čadil - The Palantir of Elostirion.jpg|thumb|''The Palantir of Elostirion'' by [[Matěj Čadil]]]]
*{{SA|3319}} - [[Downfall of Númenor]]; seven Stones are taken to [[Middle-earth]] by the [[Faithful]].
*{{TA|861}} - Division of [[Arnor]]; the [[Amon Sûl-stone]] is contested by [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].
*{{TA|1409}} - The watchtower of [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]] is destroyed by [[Angmar]]'s forces; the Amon Sûl-stone is taken to [[Fornost Erain]].
*{{TA|1437}} - Burning of [[Osgiliath]]; the [[Osgiliath-stone]] falls into [[Anduin]].
*{{TA|1974}} - Fall of [[Arthedain]]; [[Arvedui]] salvages the Amon Sûl and [[Annúminas-stone]]s and takes them with him.
*{{TA|1975}} - Amon Sûl and Annúminas-stones sink in [[Forochel]].
*{{TA|2002}} - Sauron seizes the [[Ithil-stone]]. Gondorians stop using the [[Anor-stone]] and [[Orthanc-stone]].
*{{TA|2759}} - [[Saruman]] assumes the Orthanc-stone.
*c. {{TA|3000}} - Saruman is corrupted by the Stone.
*{{TA|3019}} - The Stone is thrown by [[Gríma|Wormtongue]]; [[Aragorn]] twists the stone to his will.
*{{TA|3021}} - The [[Elostirion-stone]] is taken West on the [[White Ship]].

==The Stones==
[[File:Peter Pracownik - Seven of Cups (LOTR).jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Seven Palantíri - Art by [[Peter Pracownik]]]]
*The '''[[Master-stone]]''' was not one of the seven, but remained in the [[Tower of Avallónë]] in [[Tol Eressëa]]. It was the master stone. It apparently could not communicate with the stones of [[Middle-earth]], or at least is not mentioned having done so.

*The '''[[Osgiliath-stone]]''' was the largest stone among the seven, and chief among them. It was placed in a prominent building in [[Osgiliath]], the capital city of the kingdom of [[Gondor]]. The ceiling of its chamber was painted to resemble a starry sky, and gave its name (''[[ost]]-[[gil]]iath'', the [[Dome of Stars]]) to the city itself. It was too large for one man to carry.<ref name="ut" />

*The '''[[Elostirion-stone]]''', also known as the '''[[Elendil Stone]]''', was placed by [[Elendil]] in the tower of [[Elostirion]] in the [[Emyn Beraid]], just west of [[The Shire]]. The tower and stone were maintained and guarded by [[Círdan]] and the [[Lindon]]-[[elves]]. Elendil used it to look back along the [[Straight Road]] to [[Eressëa]] and even the [[Tower of Avallónë]] and the [[Master-stone]], and though it is indicated that he tried, he could not see the fallen Númenor. It could not be used in communication with the other stones, and was unique in this respect.

*The '''[[Amon Sûl-stone]]''' was placed in the watch-tower of [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]]. It was the largest and most powerful of the [[Arnor]]ian ''palantíri'' and the one most used in communication with [[Gondor]]. Like the Osgiliath-stone, it "could not be lifted by one man."<ref name="ut" />

*The '''[[Annúminas-stone]]''' was also placed in Arnor, in the city of [[Annúminas]].

*The '''[[Ithil-stone]]''' was placed in [[Minas Ithil]], in the mountains that came to be known as the [[Ephel Dúath]]. When [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|Minas Ithil fell]] to the [[Nazgûl]], the Ithil-stone was taken to [[Barad-dûr]] and used by [[Sauron]].

*The '''[[Orthanc-stone]]''' was placed in the great tower built by the [[Dúnedain]] in the Second Age at the southern end of the [[Misty Mountains]], [[Orthanc]]. It fell into the hands of the wizard [[Saruman]], who used it to garner information on his neighbors and their activities. The stone was also partially responsible for Saruman's fall from grace, as he was using it when he came upon [[Sauron]], and was ensnared by him. After the [[War of the Ring]], the Orthanc-stone remained in the custody of the Kings of Gondor in the [[Fourth Age]].

*The '''[[Anor-stone]]''' was placed at [[Minas Anor]], later renamed [[Minas Tirith]] and made the capital of [[Gondor]]. It was kept an unused secret by the Ruling Stewards until it was ultimately used by Steward [[Denethor|Denethor II]] to watch his land, and he eventually even challenged Sauron in a battle of wills. Denethor did not become corrupted, but the great effort of will that this required of him led him to age quickly. [[Denethor]] was holding the stone when he committed suicide on a funeral pyre, and after this, only people of exceeding power could see in it anything other than two flaming hands.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
They were perfect spheres, appearing to be made of solid glass or deep black crystal. The smallest stones were one foot in diameter; the larger stones too large for a single man to bear. They were unbreakable save, some thought, by the fires of [[Orodruin]].<ref name="ut">{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref>

===Usage===
[[File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Saruman using Palantír.jpg|250px|thumb|Saruman with a ''palantír'' from Peter Jackson's ''The Lord of the Rings'']]The purpose of the stones in general was dual: to communicate with one another, and to see afar.<ref name="ut" /> Stones were linked with each other and each could reveal what was near another stone, but those of strong will and mind could direct their gaze anywhere, both in space and [[time]] (only towards the past).<ref name="rings" />

All the stones save for the Elostirion-stone could be used in communication with one another, although the bigger and more powerful stones were favoured for this use over long distances. The great Osgiliath-stone could spy on communication by the lesser stones, and a few others apparently also had special abilities. The stones' gaze could penetrate beyond any solid object, such as into deep caverns, but required light to see anything. A technique called ''[[shrouding]]'' was used when something was to be kept secret from any possible watchers using the stones. Knowledge of this technique was lost in time, although Sauron probably knew of it.<ref name="ut" />

The user or "surveyor" of a ''palantír'' would first assure himself that the stone was oriented properly. Usually the stones were held firmly so that this did not have to occur at each viewing. Then the surveyor would take up a position facing the direction he would want to look; for instance, if he wished to look west, he would stand on the eastern side of the stone. The major stones, however, could be rotated, and thus did not require moving about. The stones were apparently controlled by will power; although chance largely dictated precisely upon what the gaze of the stones lay, the surveyor could manipulate and shift the gaze by merely concentrating, even when not touching the stone. This concentrating, however, was quite taxing, and so was not generally used save in urgent situations. Zooming in could be accomplished through the same methods, and standing three feet away from the stone achieved the best clarity and widest scope. Stronger and more skilled surveyors could generally see more easily and with less difficulty than others.<ref name="ut" />

To communicate with another stone, the viewer would orient himself and look toward the location of that stone, and the two stones would automatically connect with one another unless one was being used in another conversation. The surveyor would transmit his thoughts to the other stone by thinking, but the person on the other end would hear it in his head. The surveyor and his contact would see one another, but sounds could not be transmitted save through the above method of thought.<ref name="ut" />

The stones were generally placed in bowls or depressions in tables of black marble, oriented through trial and error so that the poles of the stone aligned with the centre of the world. The kings usually appointed deputies to look in the stone regularly, or on command, or in times of emergency. Others not authorized by the king could use them, but it took a great amount of willpower, and things were often less clear.<ref name="ut" />

==Etymology==
The name '''''palantír''''' (pl. '''''palantíri''''') is [[Quenya]], meaning "Far-seer",<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/quen-eng.htm|articlename=Quettaparma Quenyallo|dated=|website=Arda|accessed=14 October 2013}}</ref> containing the elements ''[[palan]]'' ("far and wide") + ''[[tir]]'' ("to watch over").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''palan''</ref> It is translated as 'those that watch from afar'.<ref name="S|Index" />

The [[Sindarin]] name for the seeing-stones is '''''Gwahaedir'''''.<ref>{{PM|Second}}, p. 186, note 15</ref>

==Inspiration==
The Palantír of Orthanc appeared in a draft of the story unexpectedly. Tolkien already had in his mind the [[Rhymes of Lore|rhyme]] "''[[Seven Stars]] and seven stones and one [[White Tree]]''" and associated it with one of the "seven stones".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. xxiv</ref><ref>{{L|163}}, p. 217</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:A statue in [[Dol Guldur]] can be seen holding a large orb. In a deleted scene, Gandalf would have cleaned dust off the orb to reveal that it was, in fact, a Palantír, in which he would have seen a vision of the calamity that would have been brought about had [[Smaug]] and Sauron joined forces.

{{References}}
{{Palantiri}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palantiri}}
[[Category:Palantíri| ]]
[[de:Palantíri]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/palantiri]]
[[fi:Palantíri]]

Farin (video game character)

2026-03-08T22:46:41Z

Aeglos: /* Life as Dáin's personal guard */

{{adaptation}}{{disambig-two|the main character of [[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]|the grandfather of [[Balin]] and [[Glóin]]|[[Farin]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Dwarves|Dwarf]]
| name=Farin
| image=2011-12-23 00063.jpg
| caption=Farin from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Iron Hills]] [[Lonely Mountain]]<ref name="Backstory Farin">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#dwarfAnchor|articlename=Dwarven Character: Farin's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=3 January 2011}}</ref>
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=Late [[Third Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=[[Norin]]<ref name="Backstory Farin"/>
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Farin''' is one of the three main characters of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''. Farin is a [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] champion of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].<ref name="Backstory Farin"/>

==History==
===Youth===
Farin's family originally lived in [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]. But after the attack of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] they went in exile to the [[Iron Hills]], where Farin was born.

News of the return of [[Thorin]] to Erebor reached the Iron Hills when Farin was still very young. Because there was a great need for soldiers, Farin marched in the army of [[Dáin Ironfoot]] to Erebor. There he fought in the [[Battle of the Five Armies]], where he proved to be a very strong warrior. For this reason, Dáin made him a member of his personal guard.<ref name="Backstory Farin"/>

[[File:The Lord of the Rings- War in the Nortgh - Farin (video game character).png|250px|thumb|Concept Art of '''Farin'''.]]

===Life as Dáin's personal guard===
After the battle Erebor was reclaimed by the Dwarves, and Dáin was crowned as [[King under the Mountain]]. Farin served him in [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], and fought together with the [[Bardings|men of Dale]] against the [[Orcs]] and [[Easterlings]]. Somewhere after {{TA|3001}} [[Bilbo Baggins]] visited Erebor to meet with his old friends. During this time Farin met Bilbo, and he was very impressed with him.

When a messenger of [[Sauron]] came to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] in {{TA|3018}} and asked information about "[[Baggins family|Baggins]]" and "[[the Shire]]", Farin was very worried. He thought that it was the task of his people to protect Bilbo Baggins and the Shire, and therefore he swore an oath that he would travel to that country and protect it. He searched for other companions, but none wanted to travel with him as Erebor was threatened by enemies. Therefore, he went alone after Dáin granted him permission to go.<ref name="Backstory Farin"/>

===War of the Ring===
Farin arrived at the borders of the Shire and protected one of its access roads. He questioned travellers, and sent those who he didn't trust away. The [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] heard of Farin, and [[Halbarad]] tried to resolve this mystery. Halbarad disguised himself as a traveller and gained Farin's confidence, who told him about his mission. As Halbarad was convinced that Farin's intentions were good, he asked him to join the Rangers in their guard.<ref name="Backstory Farin"/>

[[File:2011-12-23 00011.jpg|300px|thumb|left|[[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]], [[Andriel]] and '''Farin''' in [[Bree]].]]Farin joined the Rangers at [[Sarn Ford]], and became a friend of [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]], [[Kilaran]] and [[Luin (video game character)|Luin]]. Just shortly before the [[Nazgûl]] attacked Sarn's Ford, he met [[Andriel]], who was surprised to see a Dwarf among the Rangers.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/road-to-war/|articlename=Road to War|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=3 January 2012}}</ref>

The next morning he assisted, together with Eradan and Andriel, the Rangers while they were attacked by the Nazgûl. They were defeated, and many of the Rangers were slain. However, shortly after the attack the [[Witch-king]] met with [[Agandaûr]]. Agandaûr tells the Witch-king that he had summoned the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and assembled an army in [[Fornost]]. The Witch-king send him back to Fornost, to attack immediately.<ref name="Prologue">[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>

Halbarad sent Eradan, Andriel and Farin to [[Bree]], to warn [[Aragorn]] about this news. The three companions meet him in [[Prancing Pony]], and tell him what happened at Sarn's Ford. Aragorn immediately sends them Fornost, to stop Agandaûr before he attacks.<ref name="Prologue"/>

In [[Fornost]] Farin and his companions, Eradan and Andriel, find a chained [[Eagle]], captured by [[Orcs]] and [[Goblins]]. After killing his jailers, he introduces himself as [[Beleram]], one of the Eagles of the [[Misty Mountains]]. While gathering news for his lord - [[Gwaihir]] - he was taken out of the air by siege engines and sorcerers. Farin and his companions make a plan with Beleram to destroy the siege weapons, so Beleram can safely fly over Fornost.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Main Gate''</ref>
On the top of Fornost's battlements, Farin pushes two siege weapons from the battlements while [[Beleram]] attracts the attention of the [[Orcs]] and [[Goblins]]. The plan succeeds. Furthermore, they kill an Orc sorcerer and retrieve an unreadable scroll.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Battlements''</ref>

[[File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Eradan, Andriel, Farin, Elladan and Elrohir.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Andriel]], [[Elladan]], [[Elrohir]], [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]] and '''Farin''' at the gate of the Citadel.]] Further on, in the inner wards, Farin, Eradan and Andriel meet the sons of [[Elrond]], who were sent by their father to scout Fornost. Andriel, who was trained by them, introduces her companions to them and explains their mission. They team up to kill [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Outer Wards''</ref> Although separating, both groups (with the help of Beleram) eventually reach the citadel of Fornost.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Inner Wards''</ref> The citadel gate, however, is protected by [[Magic]], and [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] need all their power and concentration to undo the magical protection. At the same time, a band of [[Orcs]] arrives which is successfully stopped by Farin and his companions.<ref name="tower"/>

Inside the Citadel tower, the group overhears a conversation between Agandaûr and [[Tharzog]], the leader of the [[Orcs]] of [[Mount Gram]]. The latter informs Agandaûr that intruders have been spotted. Agandaûr commands the Orc to find and kill the intruders immediately, after which Agandaûr leaves. The group attempts to follow him, but is separated again when Tharzog notices them and closes the gates. Farin, Eradan and Andriel kill Tharzog and his guard.<ref name="tower">[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Citadel Tower''</ref>

On the top of the Citadel tower they find Agandaûr fighting Elladan and Elrohir. Although he has the upper hand, he is not strong enough to fight Farin, Andriel, Eradan and the twins at the same time. He flees on the back of a [[Fell Beast]]. Although Beleram chases Agandaûr, the sorcerer summons a thunderstorm. After being hit by lightning, Beleram returns to the tower. They discuss the events concerning Agandaûr and Fornost, and decide to part: Beleram returns to [[Gwaihir]], the sons of Elrond return to their father in [[Rivendell]] and Farin and his companions travel to [[Sarn Ford]] to inform Halbarad.<ref name="tower"/>

==Family Tree==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | |NOR| | | | NOR=[[Norin]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | | |!| | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | |FAR| | | | | | | FAR='''Farin'''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Skills==
{{expansion}}
He uses an axe for melee combat and a crossbow for ranged combat.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.middleearthcenter.com/2010/09/war-in-the-north-gameplay-demo-at-pax/|articlename=War in the North Gameplay Trailer at PAX|dated=6 September 2010|website=Middle-earth Center|accessed=24 July 2011}}</ref> His strength lies in fighting enemies in close quarters.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://asia.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/the-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north/news.html?sid=6296919&mode=previews|articlename=The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Q&A|dated=31 January 2011|website=Gamespot Asia|accessed=24 July 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Farin (video game character)|Images of Farin]]
*[[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]]
*[[Andriel]]
*[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]

{{references}}
{{title}}
[[Category:Dwarves from adaptations]] [[Category:The Lord of the Rings: War in the North characters]]

Forlong

2026-02-27T04:23:56Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Gondorians|Gondorian]]
| name=Forlong
| image=Alan Lee - Forlong the Fat.jpg
| caption="Forlong the Fat" by [[Alan Lee]]
| pronun=
| othernames="the Fat," "the Old"
| titles=[[Lord of Lossarnach]]
| position=
| location=[[Gondor]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=''unknown'' - {{TA|3019}}
| death=[[15 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}{{quote|True heart, true friend! Forlong!|People of Minas Tirith<ref name="MT">{{RK|MT}}</ref>}}
'''Forlong''' was the [[Lord of Lossarnach]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

==History==
Forlong was famed for both his girth and his vitality at old age, which led the people of [[Minas Tirith]] to refer to him as both "Forlong the Fat" and "Forlong the Old".<ref name="MT"/>

Forlong rode to the aid of Minas Tirith with two hundred of his men. His men bore great battle-axes and were well-armed.<ref name="MT"/> Forlong fought bravely in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], but the opposition proved too strong. Separated from his men and his horse slain, Forlong was killed. He was remembered in the [[Song of the Mounds of Mundburg]].<ref>{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Forlong'' was a [[Pre-Númenórean]] name of unknown meaning.<ref>{{App|Men}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Forlong.jpg|thumb|left||150px|Forlong in '' [[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]

'''2015'': ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Forlong is first found in [[Minas Tirith]] before the battle in the "Merry Swan" tavern on the third level of the city, reminiscing on their youth with his friends [[Hirluin]] and Neldir. Later, both Forlong and Hirluin fight in the defence of the White City on the walls of the First Circle. After the Rohirrim army arrives, both of them rush outside the city gates and faces their foes together before Hirluin is slain in view of his friend. Forlong himself is gravely wounded and after the battle is over is found by the player on the field. He shares that he saw the visage of Thorongil on the field of battle but believes it to be his dying fever until Aragorn comes to his side. Amazed to see the man from the days of his youth untouched by years, Forlong departs in peace.

{{references}}

[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Mannish words]]
[[Category:Names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Forlong]]
[[fi:Forlong]]

Captains of the Outlands

2026-02-27T04:22:30Z

Aeglos: /* History */

The '''Captains of the [[Outlands]]''' were those princes and other leaders of the [[Southern Fiefs]] of [[Gondor]] who led their troops to the defence of [[Minas Tirith]] in the [[War of the Ring]].

==History==
Altogether, the Captains led over two thousand soldiers to Minas Tirith. Among their ranks were
*[[Forlong]], the Lord of [[Lossarnach]], with two hundred well-armed men bearing battle-axes
*[[Dervorin]], son of the lord of the [[Ringló Vale]], with three hundred men on foot
*[[Duinhir]] and his sons [[Duilin (son of Duinhir)|Duilin]] and [[Derufin]] from the uplands of [[Morthond]], leading five hundred bowmen
*[[Golasgil]], the lord of [[Anfalas]], "a long line" of with many sorts of men scantily equipped except the men of the household of Golasgil himself
*[[Hirluin|Hirluin the Fair]] from [[Pinnath Gelin]] with three hundred "gallant green-clad men"
*[[Imrahil]], Prince of [[Dol Amroth]], with a company of knights in full armour and seven hundred men-of-arms<ref>{{RK|MT}}</ref>

{{references}}

[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[de:Heerführer aus den Außenlehen]]
[[fi:Ulkomaiden Päälliköt]]

Elfstone

2026-02-17T06:08:08Z

Aeglos:

{{Disambig-more|Elessar|[[Elessar (disambiguation)]]}}__NOTOC__{{object infobox
| name=Elfstone
| image = John Howe - Elessar (Elfstone).jpg
| caption=''Elessar (Elfstone)'' by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''[[Elessar]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| location=[[Gondolin]], [[Havens of Sirion]], [[Valinor]]/[[Eregion]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Rivendell]], [[Gondor]]
| owner=[[Enerdhil]]/[[Celebrimbor]], [[Idril]], [[Eärendil]], [[Galadriel]], [[Celebrían]], [[Arwen]], [[Aragorn]]
| type=Jewel
| appearance=A green gem set on a silver eagle-shaped brooch
| creator=[[Enerdhil]]/[[Celebrimbor]]
| created=late [[First Age]]
| createdlocation=[[Gondolin]]
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=
| gallery=the Elessar of Eärendil
}}The '''Elfstone''' ([[Quenya|Q.]] '''[[Elessar]]'''), also known as the '''Stone of [[Eärendil]]''', was one, or possibly two, great green jewel(s) of healing power whose legends of creation are conflicting and complex.

==History==
===Origin===
The Elfstone, or at least the first of them, was made in [[Gondolin]] during the late [[First Age]]. Some name [[Enerdhil]] the jewel-smith as its maker, but others say that it was his friend, [[Celebrimbor]] son of [[Curufin]].<ref name="CG">{{UT|6}}</ref> After the completion of the jewel, many [[Elves]], including the other Noldor, were astonished by it, for the stone was green as the leaves but had the clear light of the [[Sun]] imprisoned within it. It was said that any who looked upon the stone would see withered and aged things as whole and young again. It was also claimed that it granted any who wore the gem the power to heal any hurts of anyone that they touched.<ref name="CG" />{{rp|249}}
[[File:Tatyafinwe - Idril Celebrindal.jpg|left|thumb|347x347px|The Elessar was in Gondolin in the First Age with the princess ''Idril Celebrindal'' by [[:Category:Images by Tatyafinwe|Tatyafinwe]]]]
The Elfstone was eventually given to [[Idril|Idril Celebrindal]], who wore it upon her breast, and as such, it was saved from perishing during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]. Eventually, Idril passed it on to her son [[Eärendil]], whose first memory was of Idril wearing the gem while singing to him. At [[Havens of Sirion|Sirion's Haven]], Eärendil used the Elfstone to heal the hurts of many of the [[Men]], [[Elves]], and [[Kelvar|beasts]] that dwelled there. Eventually, Eärendil carried it with him on his voyages across the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] to the [[Aman|Blessed Realm]].<ref name="CG" />{{rp|249}}

A legend says that when the [[Wizards]] were sent from Valinor to Middle-earth in the [[Third Age]], [[Gandalf|Olórin]] brought back Eärendil's jewel as a token from [[Yavanna]] that the [[Valar]] had not forsaken them; as [[Gandalf]], he gave it to Galadriel, and remarked prophetically that she would only hold it for a little while, before she passed it to another, who will also be called [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref name="CG" />{{rp|250}}

However, another legend says that Celebrimbor, who was in love with [[Galadriel]], remade another version of the lost jewel during the [[Second Age]] and placed it within a great brooch of silver. It was said that this Elfstone was "''more subtle and clear''" yet had less power than the original. It was made at Galadriel's behest, pained at the state of [[Middle-earth]]. When she wore it, "''all things grew fair''" around her.<ref name="CG" />{{rp|251}}

===Third Age===
Whatever the origins of Galadriel's Elfstone were, she gave it to her daughter [[Celebrían]], who in turn gave it to [[Arwen]].<ref name="CG" />{{rp|251}}

[[Bilbo Baggins]], during his stay in [[Rivendell]], was urged by [[Aragorn]] to include a green jewel in his ''[[Eärendillinwë]]'', possibly anticipating the symbolic importance that the gem would have in his life. Bilbo Baggins, obeying Aragorn, but seemingly unaware of the Elfstone's story, included an inaccurate reference to an emerald.<ref>{{FR|II1}}, p. 237</ref> [[File:Tatyafinwe - Galadriel wearing the Elessar.jpg|thumb|''Galadriel wearing the Elessar'' by [[:Category:Images by Tatyafinwe|Tatyafinwe]]|337x337px]]

When the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] visited the wood of [[Lothlórien]], the Elfstone was again under Galadriel's possession. When the Fellowship departed and Galadriel offered them [[gifts of Galadriel|her gifts]], the Elfstone was the gift for Aragorn.<ref name="Farewell">{{FR|II8}}, p. 375</ref> This giving held the function of a wedding gift from the family of the bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.<ref>{{MR|Laws}}, p. 211</ref>

The Elfstone was worn by Aragorn ever after, and as foretold, he took the name of ''Elessar, the Elfstone of the [[House of Elendil]]''.<ref name="Farewell" /> Thus, when he manifested his royal blood at [[Minas Tirith]], he used Elessar, the [[Quenya]] word for Elfstone, as one of his royal names,<ref>{{RK|V8}}, p. 863</ref> being crowned as King Elessar.<ref>{{RK|VI5}}, p. 967</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
An early concept for the Elfstone was the '''Green Stone of [[Fëanor]]'''. This stone was given from Fëanor to his eldest son [[Maedhros|Maidros]] on his deathbed, and then later given from Maidros to [[Fingon]].<ref>{{WJ|Angband}}, pp. 176-7</ref> Christopher Tolkien noted that this was likely his father "pondering the previous history of the ''Elessar''", though this version of the story was not further expanded upon and likely dismissed in favor of the histories present in ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''.

At one point during the development of "''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''", ''[[Eärnur|King Eärnur]]'', was named '''King Elessar''' in an abandoned draft and manuscript.<ref>{{WR|2|V}}, p. 153</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:The Elfstone is worn by Aragorn on his cloak. Although it is never identified in film, it matches the books description.

{{references}}
{{Giftsofgaladriel}}
[[Category:Gifts of Galadriel]]
[[Category:Heirlooms]]
[[Category:Rings and jewels]]

[[de:Elessar (Edelstein)]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/bijoux/elessar]]
[[fi:Elessar (jalokivi)]]

Crown of Nargothrond

2026-02-17T05:41:16Z

Aeglos:

The '''Crown of Nargothrond''' was a silver crown worn by [[Finrod]] and later [[Orodreth]] in their roles as [[King of Nargothrond|king]] of [[Nargothrond]].

When his people were daunted by the words of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], Finrod removed the crown and threw it to the ground. It was lifted up by [[Edrahil]], and at his bidding Finrod bestowed it upon Orodreth.<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Nargothrond]]
[[Category:Objects]]

Crown of Nargothrond

2026-02-17T05:40:59Z

Aeglos:

The '''Crown of Nargothrond''' was a silver crown worn by [[Finrod]] and later [[Orodreth]] in their roles as [[King Of Nargothrond|king]] of [[Nargothrond]].

When his people were daunted by the words of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], Finrod removed the crown and threw it to the ground. It was lifted up by [[Edrahil]], and at his bidding Finrod bestowed it upon Orodreth.<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Nargothrond]]
[[Category:Objects]]

King of Nargothrond

2026-02-17T05:40:27Z

Aeglos:

'''King of Nargothrond''' was the ruler of the city and [[Kingdom of Nargothrond|its kingdom]].<ref name="Beleriand">{{S|Beleriand}}</ref> The King sat in the throne of [[Nargothrond]] and wore a [[Crown of Nargothrond|silver crown]].<ref name="Oath">{{S|Beren}}</ref>

The title begun by [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]] of the [[House of Finarfin]], who founded the citadel and realm of Nargothrond. Finrod was overlord of all the [[Elves]] of [[West Beleriand]] (except the [[Falathrim]], who were [[Sindar]] ruled by [[Círdan|Círdan the Shipwright]]), and his vassals were [[Angrod]] and [[Aegnor]], who ruled in [[Dorthonion]], and [[Orodreth]], who was the Warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]].<ref name="Beleriand"/> He later gave his silver crown to Orodreth, abdicating his Kingship in order to leave and fulfill his oath to [[Beren]] of the [[House of Beor]].<ref name="Oath"/>

==See also==
*[[Lord of Nargothrond]]
{{References}}
[[Category:Elven titles]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[fi:Nargothrondin herra]]

Doors of Felagund

2026-02-17T00:10:12Z

Aeglos:

[[File:Alan Lee - Nargothrond.jpg|250px|thumb|''Nargothrond'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
The '''Doors of Felagund''' were doors that guarded the entrance to [[Nargothrond]], raised by its builder [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]]. They were set in the face of a cliff above the river Narog, and could be approached only by a narrow pathway across the cliff{{fact}}, making Nargothrond secure from enemy attack.

After Felagund's death, [[Túrin]] came to dwell in Nargothrond, and he persuaded King [[Orodreth]] to change this secretive policy, and to build a [[Bridge of Nargothrond|great bridge]] before the Doors of Felagund, so that his armies could more easily pass across the [[Narog]]. This was a dire error, because it gave [[Morgoth]]'s forces a means to approach the Doors. After the [[Battle of Tumhalad]], [[Glaurung]] the Dragon came against the Doors of Felagund and destroyed them, allowing the [[Orcs]] to sack the once-mighty citadel.<ref>{{S|Turin}}</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[Category:Nargothrond]]
[[de:Nargothrond#Aufbau]]
[[fi:Felagundin Ovet]]

Bridge of Nargothrond

2026-02-17T00:09:24Z

Aeglos: /* History */

{{unnamed}}
{{location infobox
| name=Bridge of Nargothrond
| image=Anke Eißmann - The host of Nargothrond.jpg
| caption="The host of Nargothrond" by [[Anke Eißmann]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=
| type=Bridge
| description=Stone bridge
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Elves of Nargothrond]]
| created=
| destroyed={{FA|495}}<ref>{{GA|275}}</ref>
| events=[[Fall of Nargothrond]]
}}

The '''Bridge of Nargothrond'''<ref name="name">{{GA|275|note}}, pp. 139-40 (the name was capitalized by [[Christopher Tolkien]])</ref> was a stone bridge over the river [[Narog]] at the [[Doors of Felagund]].

==History==
Wishing to make greater war against [[Morgoth]], the Noldor of [[Nargothrond]] forsook their secrecy and by the counsel of [[Túrin]] built a mighty bridge over the Narog. This allowed their hosts to cross the river more easily, as the battles were mainly in [[Talath Dirnen]]. Thus the hidden realm was revealed to the Enemy and his wrath.<ref>{{CH|10}}</ref>

[[File:Alan Lee - Fall of Nargothrond.jpg|180px|left|thumb|''Fall of Nargothrond'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
In the spring of {{FA|495}}, the Elves [[Gelmir (messenger of Círdan)|Gelmir]] and [[Arminas]] came to Nargothrond in name of [[Círdan]], bringing news from [[Ulmo]]: [[Eithel Sirion]] had been tainted by [[Morgoth]], and Ulmo's power was now withdrawn from the [[Sirion]]; therefore, Nargothrond should close its doors and destroy its bridge, so the Enemy would not find the hidden realm. Orodreth was troubled by this warning, but Túrin did not hearken to it, and refused to destroy the mighty bridge.<ref name=Fall>{{CH|11}}</ref>

In late autumn of the same year, the hosts of Nargothrond were defeated in the [[Battle of Tumhalad]], after which [[Glaurung]] led his [[Orcs]] to Nargothrond. In that moment the bridge proved a folly, as it was too big and strong, and could not be swiftly destroyed. Therefore the guards could do nothing to stop the coming of the enemies, and the doors were destroyed and the city [[Fall of Nargothrond|sacked]]. Thereafter all the inhabitants were killed or enslaved, and Glaurung destroyed the bridge and took the caves as his lair.<ref name=Fall />

{{References}}
[[Category:Nargothrond]]
[[Category:Bridges]]

Category:Nargothrond

2026-02-17T00:06:29Z

Aeglos: Created page with "{{main|Nargothrond}} Category:Beleriand Category:Elven realms"

{{main|Nargothrond}}

[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Elven realms]]

Crown of Nargothrond

2026-02-16T22:14:48Z

Aeglos: Created page with "The '''Crown of Nargothrond''' was a silver crown worn by Finrod and later Orodreth in their roles as king of Nargothrond. When his people were daunted by the words of Celegorm and Curufin, Finrod removed the crown and threw it to the ground. It was lifted up by Edrahil, and at his bidding Finrod bestowed it upon Orodreth.<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref> {{references}} Category:Nargothrond Category:Objects"

The '''Crown of Nargothrond''' was a silver crown worn by [[Finrod]] and later [[Orodreth]] in their roles as king of [[Nargothrond]].

When his people were daunted by the words of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], Finrod removed the crown and threw it to the ground. It was lifted up by [[Edrahil]], and at his bidding Finrod bestowed it upon Orodreth.<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Nargothrond]]
[[Category:Objects]]

Orodreth

2026-02-16T22:01:21Z

Aeglos: /* Arrival of Beren */

{{disambig-two|the Lord of [[Nargothrond]]| Steward of Gondor|[[Orodreth (Steward of Gondor)|Orodreth]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Noldor|Noldo]]
| name=Orodreth
| image=Marya Filatova - Artaresto.jpg
| caption="Artaresto" by [[Marya Filatova]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[oˈrodreθ]}}
| othernames=''Artaresto'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Father-name|fn]]) ''Artaher''/''Arothir'' ([[Quenya|Q]]/[[Sindarin|S]], [[Father-name|fn]])<ref name="Shibboleth">{{PM|XI4}}</ref>{{rp|note 47}}
| titles=[[King of Nargothrond]] Lord of Narog<ref name="Narn"/><ref>{{CH|8}}</ref>
| position=Warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] ({{FA|102}} - {{FA|457|n}})
| location=[[Tirion]]; [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]]; [[Nargothrond]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| birth=Between {{YT|1300}} & {{YT|1495|n}}
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule={{FA|465}} - {{FA|495|n}}
| death={{FA|495}}<ref name="GAS275">{{GA|275}}</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Battle of Tumhalad]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Angrod]] & [[Eldalótë]]<ref name="Shibboleth"/>
| siblings=
| spouse=Unnamed [[Sindar]]in wife
| children=[[Finduilas]] & [[Gil-galad]]<ref name="Shibboleth"/><ref name=Galad>{{PM|Gil-galad}}, p. 349-351</ref>[[Gil-galad#Parentage|NB]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Orodreth''' was a lord of the [[Noldor]] and a dynast of the [[House of Finarfin]]. He served as the warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] under his uncle [[Finrod]] until the fortress was overrun by [[Sauron]].

After Finrod’s death, Orodreth was proclaimed [[King of Nargothrond]] but was killed during the [[Fall of Nargothrond|fall of the city]]. He was the son of the Noldorin lord [[Angrod]] and the father of [[Finduilas]] and [[Gil-galad]].<ref name="Shibboleth" />

Orodreth was noted as being among the [[Lambengolmor]], "the greatest, kings, princes and warriors" among the Elves.<ref name="Shibboleth" />{{rp|note 23}}

==History==
===Early History===
He was born in [[Valinor]] sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]]. His name in [[Quenya]] was '''''Artaresto'''''.<ref name="Galad" />

During the [[Flight of the Noldor]], Orodreth spoke softly and sought to calm the Noldor to reflect before taking the decision to leave [[Aman]].<ref name="Flight">{{S|Flight}}</ref> After the return of the Noldor to [[Middle-earth]] and the completion of [[Nargothrond]], Orodreth's uncle [[Finrod]] gave the fortress of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] to Orodreth's keeping.<ref name="Beleriand">{{S|Beleriand}}</ref>

Orodreth held the fortress of Minas Tirith in the vale of [[Sirion]] until shortly after the [[Dagor Bragollach]] [[Sauron]], lieutenant of [[Morgoth]], overran the isle, took Minas Tirith by storm and turned it into [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], the Isle of Werewolves, in {{FA|457}}. Orodreth had to flee from Minas Tirith south to [[Nargothrond]].<ref name="Fingolfin">{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>

===Arrival of Beren===
[[File:Ebe Kastein - King Orodreth.jpg|225px|thumb|left|''King Orodreth'' by [[:Category:Images by Ebe Kastein|Ebe Kastein]]]]
When [[Beren]], son of [[Barahir]] came to Nargothrond in {{FA|465}}, Finrod, the [[King of Nargothrond]], decided to accompany him on his [[quest for the Silmaril]], fulfilling his oath. However, [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], the [[Sons of Fëanor]], were also at Nargothrond at the time, and persuaded almost all the people of Nargothrond to refuse to accompany Finrod on the quest for the Silmaril so that only [[Edrahil]] and ten companions agreed to go with Finrod and Beren. Finrod gave his [[Crown of Nargothrond|crown]] to Orodreth to rule Nargothrond as a regent in his absence. With Finrod gone, Celegorm and Curufin further swayed the hearts of the people of Nargothrond, and Orodreth had no power to withstand them. The ultimate goal of the brothers was to take control of all Elf-kingdoms before then seeking the Silmarils. When news came that Finrod had been killed and that Tol-in-Gaurhoth had been destroyed, the sons of Fëanor were shamed and fell from power, as the people cried out that the maiden [[Lúthien]] had done what the sons of Fëanor dared not. Orodreth returned to power and expelled Celegorm and Curufin from Nargothrond.<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref>

===Arrival of Túrin===
In {{FA|487}}, word of the inspiring deeds of [[Túrin]] and [[Beleg]], the "Two Captains" of [[Dor-Cúarthol]] who had thrown the power of Angband back, became known in Nargothrond. Many there grew restless, believing that if an outlaw could do such hurt to the Enemy, what might not the Lord of Narog do. Orodreth, however, would permit none of his people to join Túrin, and sent messages that Túrin was not to set foot in Nargothrond or drive Orcs into it. He did, however, offer help other than arms, possibly being moved to do so by Thingol and Melian with whom exchanged messages with.<ref>{{CH|8}}</ref>

[[File:Alarie - Turin in front of Orodreth.jpg|thumb|''Túrin in front of Orodreth'' by [[:Category:Images by Alarie|Alarie]]]]
In {{FA|490}},<ref>{{GA|267}}</ref> [[Gwindor]], a prince of Nargothrond and an escaped thrall of Morgoth returning from his captivity in [[Angband]], led [[Túrin]] son of [[Húrin]], a [[Man]] of the [[House of Hador]] to Nargothrond. In Nargothrond, Túrin hid his name, calling himself ''[[Agarwaen]]'', son of ''[[Úmarth]]'' ("Bloodstained, son of Ill-fate"). [[Finduilas]], daughter of Orodreth, fell in love with him, but he avoided her because she had previously been the beloved of his friend Gwindor. Túrin declined to tell her his name, so that she called him ''Thurin'' ("The Secret"). He was also called ''Adanedhel'' ("Man-Elf") because he was so alike to an Elf, though he was a Man.<ref name="Narn">{{UT|Narn}}</ref><ref name="Turin">{{S|Turin}}</ref><ref name="CH10">{{CH|10}}</ref>

His identity did not remain hidden for long. Gwindor revealed to Finduilas that 'Agarwaen' was in fact Túrin, and 'Úmarth' his famous father Húrin. When the news of this reached Finduilas' father, Orodreth, King of Nargothrond, Túrin was given great honor and standing, but the revelation of Túrin's identity would also bring Morgoth's curse with him.<ref name="Narn" /><ref name="Turin" /><ref name="CH10" />
[[File:Alan Lee - Fall of Nargothrond.jpg|225px|thumb|left|''Fall of Nargothrond'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
Túrin became a chief counselor of Orodreth, and was extremely influential in Nargothrond. He encouraged the people of Nargothrond to abandon their practice of secrecy, and they built a great bridge before the gates. Because of his prowess with [[Gurthang]], his black sword, he himself became known as ''Mormegil'' ("Black Sword").<ref name="Narn" /><ref name="Turin" /><ref name="CH10" />

However, sometime after, two messengers, named [[Gelmir (messenger of Círdan)|Gelmir]] and [[Arminas]], sent there by [[Círdan]], arrived to Nargothrond, delivering the message from [[Ulmo]], Lord of Waters himself, to the King Orodreth, advising him to shut the doors of Nargothrond and destroy the bridge before its gates. At this time Orodreth relied upon the counsel of Túrin, who scorned the words of the messengers, for it was upon his advice that the bridge had been built and it was his policy for the King's forces to go forth openly to war, and sent them away.<ref name="Narn" /><ref name="Turin" /><ref name="Fall">{{CH|11}}</ref>

This would prove to be a fatal mistake, since in {{FA|495}},<ref name="GAS275" /> Morgoth unleashed his forces at Nargothrond. Led by [[Glaurung]] the dragon, they devastated the army of Orodreth at the [[Battle of Tumhalad]]. In that battle Orodreth was slain, and after that the [[Fall of Nargothrond]] was inevitable, due to the bridge that allowed Glaurung and Morgoth's host to ravage the city, and most of its people were either enslaved or killed (including Orodreth's daughter Finduilas).<ref name="Narn" /><ref name="Turin" /><ref name="Fall" />

==Etymology==
''Orodreth'' translates to "mountaineer".<ref>{{PE|Eldarin}}, root '''RETE''', p. 182</ref> Paul Strack suggests that it is a combination of ''[[ered|orod]]'' ("mountain") and ''reth'' ("climber").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2927154629.html|articlename=S. ''Orodreth'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=19 October 2022}}</ref>

His Quenya name was '''''Artaresto''''' (''arta'' ("noble"); ''resto'' may be derived from √RETH (“endurance”)<ref group="note">See [https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-2018176983.html?neo Eldamo] for details</ref>) which Sindarized to '''''Rodreth''''' and was further altered to ''Orodreth'' because of his love of the mountains.<ref name="Galad" />

== Other names ==
In '' Ælfwine’s translation of the Quenta into Old English; Old English equivalents of Elvish names'', he is called '''Ordred''';<ref>{{SM|QA1}}</ref> while [[Christopher Tolkien]] does not provide a translation, it could mean "spear council" ("ord" meaning "spear",<ref>[https://archive.org/details/anglosaxondictio00tolluoft/page/676/mode/1up ''An Anglo-Saxon dictionary : based on the manuscript collections of the late Joseph Bosworth. Supplement'', pg. 676]</ref> and "rǣd", commonly shortened to "red", meaning council<ref>[https://archive.org/details/anglosaxondictio00tolluoft/page/683/mode/1up ''An Anglo-Saxon dictionary : based on the manuscript collections of the late Joseph Bosworth. Supplement'', pg. 683]</ref>)

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| MIR |y|~|~|~|~|~|~| FIN |y| IND | | | | | | | | OLW | | | | | | | |MIR=[[Míriel]] ''d. {{YT|1170}}''|FIN=[[Finwë]] ''d. {{YT|1495}}''|IND=[[Indis]] ''b. {{YT}}''|OLW=[[Olwë]] ''b. {{YT}}''}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FEA | | FDS | | FNG | | IRM | | FRF |y| EAW | | SON | | | | | |FEA=[[Fëanor]] ''{{YT|1169}} - {{YT|1497|n}}''|FDS=[[Findis]] ''b. {{YT}}''|FNG=[[Fingolfin]] ''{{YT|1190}} - {{FA|456}}''|IRM=[[Írimë]] ''b. {{YT}}''|FRF=[[Finarfin]] ''b. {{YT|1230}}''|EAW=[[Eärwen]] ''b. {{YT}}''|SON=''unknown sons''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|v|-|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | FRD | | ANG |y| ELD | | AEG | | GAL |y| CEL | |FRD=[[Finrod]] ''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|465}}''|ANG=[[Angrod]] ''d. {{FA|455}}''|AEG=[[Aegnor]] ''d. {{FA|455}}''|GAL=[[Galadriel]] ''b. {{YT|1362}}''|ELD=[[Eldalótë]] ''b. {{YT}}''|CEL=[[Celeborn]] ''b. {{FA}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ORO | | | | | | ELR |y| CLB | | | |ORO='''ORODRETH''' ''d. {{FA|495}}''|CLB=[[Celebrían]] ''b. {{SA}}''|ELR=[[Elrond]] ''b. {{FA|532}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | FIL | | GIL | | ELL | | ELO | | ARW ||FIL=[[Finduilas]][[Finduilas#Notes|NB]] ''{{FA|272}} - {{FA|495|n}}''|GIL=[[Gil-galad]][[Gil-galad#Parentage|NB]] ''d. {{SA|3441}}''|ELL=[[Elladan]] ''b. {{TA|130}}''|ELO=[[Elrohir]] ''b. {{TA|130}}''|ARW=[[Arwen]] ''{{TA|241}} - {{FoA|121}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
=== Decline into weakness and insignificance ===
As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], in ''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]'', Orodreth goes through a steady decline as the legendarium evolved.
{{quote|In the poem, on the other hand, Orodreth emerges as hostile and formidable, and his character is carefully outlined: he is quick to anger (1973) but his wrath is cold and long-enduring (2133–4), he is seldom moved to pity (1969, 2134), grim-hearted and deep-counselled (2132–3), but capable of deep love (1970) as also of fierce hate (2135). Afterwards, as the legends developed, Orodreth underwent a steady decline into weakness and insignificance, which is very curious. Many years later, when meditating the development of the Túrin saga, my father noted that Orodreth was ‘rather a weak character’; cf. the Narn, p. 160: ‘he turned as he ever did to Túrin for counsel’. Ultimately he was to be displaced as the second King of Nargothrond (Unfinished Tales p. 255, note 20). But all this is a far cry from the hard and grim king in his underground hall depicted in the poem; Felagund had not yet emerged, nor the rebellious power of Celegorm and Curufin in Nargothrond (see further p. 246).|{{LB|1d}}}}

===Early legendarium===
In earlier versions of the [[legendarium]], Orodreth was a more important character, and the original king of Nargothrond. However, his importance diminished over time.

In one of the early versions, he had two sons whose names were translated as [[Ordhelm]] and [[Ordláf]] in [[Old English]] by [[Ælfwine]], though the original [[Elvish]] names were lost to time.<ref name="Ord">{{SM|QA1}}, p. 213</ref> In another version, his two sons were [[Haldir (son of Orodreth)|Haldir]] [< Halmir] who was slain after being trapped by Orcs and hung on a tree,<ref>{{LR|AB}}</ref>{{rp|112}} and a younger son [[Orodlin (son of Orodreth)|Orodlin]].<ref>{{LR|A1}}</ref>{{rp|309}}

===Parentage and children===
In the published versions of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' Orodreth is the son of [[Finarfin]] and younger brother of [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]].<ref name="Flight" /><ref name="Beleriand" /><ref name="Beren" /><ref>{{S|Princes}}</ref><ref>{{UT|2o}}, much fuller account of the coming of the Elves Gelmir and Arminas to Nargothrond</ref>

In J.R.R. Tolkien's updates to the genealogical tables of the descendants of Finwë, dating between 1959-1968, Orodreth's lineage went through several revisions. First, while named as ''Artanáro Rhodothir'', he was changed to be son of Finrod Felegund. When Tolkien apparently recalled that Finrod had no wife or son, Orodreth was then made the son of Finrod's brother, Angrod. Orodreth's name was then changed from ''Artanáro'' to ''Artaresto''. Finally, in a note dated August 1965, Tolkien fully elaborated on both Orodreth (''Artaresto'') being the son of Angrod, and Gil-galad (''Artanáro'') in turn being the son of Orodreth.<ref name="Galad" />

[[Christopher Tolkien]] did not incorporate these changes into the published materials, but he did make several comments on them. ''"For a reason unknown to me, my father displaced the second King of Nargothrond and made him a member of the same family in the next generation; but this and associated genealogical changes were never incorporated in the narratives of The Silmarillion."''<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}, p. 255 note 20</ref> ''"There can be no doubt that this was my father’s last word on the subject; but nothing of this late and radically altered conception ever touched the existing narratives, and it was obviously impossible to introduce it into the published Silmarillion. It would nonetheless have been very much better to have left Gil-galad’s parentage obscure."''<ref name="Galad" />

===A note from ''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]]''===
However, in a very late note dated c. 1972-3, the name ''Orodreth'' is again mentioned in the list of some renowned heroes in the royal lines of old, so it seems that Tolkien abandoned the name ''Arothir'' (which was itself meant to replace ''Orodreth'' a few years earlier).<ref>{{NM|P2v}}, footnote, p. 189</ref>

{{references|note}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
|race=noldor
|house=[[House of Finarfin]] Cadet branch of [[House of Finwë]]
|born=After {{YT|1300}}
|died={{FA|495}}
}}
{{seq
|pvac=None
|prev=Position established
|list=Warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]]
|dates={{FA|102}} - {{FA|457|n}}
|next=Minas Tirith captuted by [[Sauron|Gorthaur]]
|nvac=None
}}
{{seq
|prev=[[Finrod]]
|list=2nd [[King of Nargothrond]]
|dates={{FA|465}} – {{FA|495|n}}
|next=[[Fall of Nargothrond|Kingdom destroyed]]
|nvac=None
}}
{{seq-end}}

[[Category:Calaquendi]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[Category:Rulers in the Great Lands]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]

[[de:Orodreth (Elb)]]
[[fi:Orodreth]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/orodreth]]

User:Aeglos

2026-01-29T12:55:57Z

Aeglos:

'''Aeglos''' has been a fan of the works of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] for many years.

Being a fan of the [[Noldor]], he had hoped to take the username [[Ringil]] when he finally registered an account on Tolkien Gateway. However, as that name [[User talk:Ringil|was taken]], he opted to go for the only [[Aeglos (spear)|other named weapon]] wielded by any of the High Kings. Happily, no one had taken that yet.

==Funny (to me) thoughts==
Pippin in *The Fellowship*: I’m scared, man. I’m starting to doubt that I’m actually related to old Bullroarer.

Pippin in *The Return*: This sword killed a troll, and it won’t have much trouble with you if you don’t get lost.

A moment that canonically happened in *The Return of the King*:

Imrahil: We’re marching on Mordor with an army barely the size of Gondor’s vanguard at its height? That’s hilarious. Sauron is going to think that’s hilarious.

Gandalf: No, he won’t think it’s hilarious.

Aragorn: Yeah, cause it’s not. *Starts talking to his glowing sword*

A moment that I like to think happened shortly thereafter:

Eomer: Don’t listen to them, man. It was hilarious.

Imrahil: (inwardly) If we live through this, I’m introducing this kid to my daughter.

Elrond: “…I will say that your choice is right; and though all the mighty Elf-friends of old, Hador, and Húrin, and Túrin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them.”

Me: “In fact, we’d probably want to kick Túrin out so you could have his.”

Another Ent idea:

Say Sauron sent a Nazgul to Isengard rather sooner than he does in *The Two Towers*. And say that to make sure Saruman sits up and takes notice, the Witch-king is the one sent. He gets there after Isengard is emptied, but before it’s been flooded. Landing at the gate, who should he find but Merry and Pippin.

Naturally, ol’ Angmar goes for our boys. Unfortunately for him, he jumps down from his fell beast to do so. And even more unfortunately, he happens to do so without being aware of the presence of Treebeard. And so, in an alternative solution to Glorfindel’s prophecy, the Witch-king doesn’t fall by the hand of man…

…but by the foot of Ent.

So I find it a bit messed up that when Faramir tells Frodo that he’s going to blindfold him and Sam, Frodo feels the need to bring up that Gimli objected to such treatment when it happened in Lothlorien. Like, what’d Gimli do to you, Frodo? All you had to say was “Oh, they do that in Lothlorien too; I get it.” There was absolutely no need to throw Gimli under the oliphant like that.

Eomer upon hearing the account of the Three Hunters:

Aragorn, bro, you’re too fire for a weaksauce handle like Strider. Imma call you Wingfoot.

Manwe: Zeus, if Zeus didn’t suck.
Varda: Hera, if Hera wasn’t terrible (though a lot of that may be on Zeus)
Ulmo: Poseidon, now with impulse control.
Yavanna: Demeter
Aule: Hephaestus, without the mommy issues.
Nienna: Hestia, minus the hearth motif.
Mandos: Pretty much Hades.
Vaire: …Athena, I guess.
Irmo: Apollo
Este: …doesn’t really line up with any of the big names from Greek myth.
Orome: Hermes
Vana: Persephone
Tulkas: Hercules
Nessa: Artemis

Melkor: Ares

A conversation I can imagine happened before the Fellowship left Rivendell:

Gandalf: Aragorn, Boromir, I have a favor to ask. I’m afraid I may be too busy keeping Legolas and Gimli from fighting to devote my full attention to the hobbits. Could you two keep an eye on them?
Aragorn: Well, there’s four of them and two of us. Maybe we can each take care of two?
Merry and Pippin: *Fall out of a nearby tree*
Boromir: *pointing* I want those two.
Aragorn and Gandalf: *muttering* You can have them.

Amazon: oh, we’ve got to show that the orcs aren’t all bad.

Tolkien: this sword’s name is Goblin-cleaver.

==Sober Thoughts==
I’ve had a thought-a bit of speculation, really-concerning the Valar for a while. I half wonder if Melkor, through his rebellion, may not have spoiled Eru’s intentions for relations between the group. Perhaps his desire for light, had it not become a selfish and perverse thing, would have led to him and Varda becoming a couple. Manwe would then have paired with Yavanna, and the other Valar would have married off in sequence, with Vana perhaps wedding Aule since there would have been nothing to attract Tulkas into the world.

But since Melkor had to go and rebel, things got thrown off. Varda ended up with Manwe, and Aule with Yavanna. All the other Valar are apparently happily married, with the glaring exceptions of Ulmo and Nienna.

Tolkien: Animals in Arda don’t have souls.

Also Tolkien:
Fingolfin’s horse dies of a broken heart after returning from carrying him to Angband. And Thorondor, greatest of all the Grear Eagles, dares to strike at Morgoth himself in order to save the body of Fingolfin from an ignoble fate in the jaws of Morgoth’s wolves.

Huan follows Celeborn into exile out of love, then forsakes him in his wickedness out of love for Luthien and Beren. And it to Beren and Luthien that Huan speaks, as he can do only three times before death takes him.

The horses of the Grey Company are willing to face the terror of the Paths of the Dead out of love for their riders. When Arod, horse of Rohan, is too fearful to do the same, Legolas is able to move him to undertake the journey.

When the Witch-king enters the city of Minas Tirith, Men and horses alike flee in terror. But Shadowfax, lord of horses, stands unmoved.

And last, but certainly not least: Bill the pony.

I think it goes without saying that some of Tolkien’s best moments and most beloved characters are those who act in the face of despair.

Fingolfin sees the cataclysmic end of 400 years of peace in Middle-earth, and can no doubt foresee the ruin of all that he, his kin, and their friends have built. He knows now that the Noldor cannot defeat Morgoth without the aid of the Valar, which they have forfeited. And yet he rides to Angband, beats upon its doors, and calls the coward Morgoth forth to single combat. He has no hope of winning, but in spite of that he intends to fight.

Thorin Oakenshield sees his people and their enemies turned allies giving way before overwhelming odds. The kingdom of his forefathers, so lately regained, seems doomed to fall again. He has only twelve companions to lead into battle, and that is nothing in the face of the hosts already on the field. But still he charges, for it is better to die with his kin and those who always should have been his friends than atop a mountain of gold.

Boromir has betrayed the trust of his companions and dishonored everything he has always stood for. He faces too many enemies to hope that he can survive, let alone win. But for all that he fights until his sword is broken, his shield is cloven, and his horn lies in pieces. Because although “Gondor wanes…Gondor stands.”

Theoden has lost his son and many of his comrades and people, and all now seem doomed. The land of his mother, the land where he was born, is burning. He has come “too late”, and “too late [is] worse than never!” He is “the lesser son of great sires”, and he is old.

But Theoden does not “quail, bow his old head, turn, and slink away to hide in the hills.” Instead, he heeds his own call to arms: “Forth now, and fear no darkness!” Though “Spear shall be shaken, [and] shield be splintered”, he rides. And not, as is feared, “to ruin, or the world’s ending.” But to “a glad day, and a golden sunset!”

This doesn't really need to be said, but I'm gonna say it anyway:

The charge of the Rohirrim at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is easily one of the most, if not THE most, epic moments in Tokien's legendarium. Regardless of whether you're reading the original text, listening to one of the audiobooks or the BBC Radio production, watching the Peter Jackson films or even the Rankin/Bass one, this moment is one of the most stirring things in the entire story. The Rohirrim have arrived at Minas Tirith, by all appearances, too late. The city is burning, the gates are broken, and the hosts of Mordor stand ready to rush in. Every sense tells Theoden and his riders that to charge now will be an exercise in futility, an act of virtual suicide.

They charge anyway.

Theoden tells his hosts to fear no darkness. This man, who has so recently lost his son, and now sees what looks sure to be the end of the world of Men, rallies his people. Though so far as he knows only death awaits them, he knows that to face that death bravely is better than to than to wait until it finds them in spite of efforts to flee and hide. And so the king so recently consumed with despair leads his people in what he must fully expect will be their last charge.

And though it is indeed Theoden's last charge, his heroism is such that he is only the second known of the Children of Illuvatar to be compared with Orome, the huntsman of the Valar and the member of that high order most revered by the Rohirrim themselves.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've made myself ugly cry.

Felt like giving a shout out to one of my favorite minor-dare I say obscure-characters from the legendarium: Forlong, Lord of Lossarnach in Gondor.

In case you can’t recall him, here’s a bit of a refresher. Forlong is one of the lords and captains of Gondor’s outlying provinces who comes to join the defense of Minas Tirith in the War of the Ring. By this time, Forlong is somewhat advanced in age and prodigious in girth. Bergil, son of Beregond the guard, even refers to him as “old Forlong the Fat” in a somewhat bizarre display of affection. Makes me think of Frye from <#1056403607227994142>

Many of the men of Minas Tirith, as Forlong rides in with what force he can spare from his own land’s defense, call out to him. “True heart, true friend”, they say, and it cannot be doubted. Though he might well have sought excuse from such service based on his age and fitness, he did not do so. And he died, far from home, but in a matter befitting the mightiest and noblest of Men.

A little head canon of mine:

After word got back to Rivendell of what happened at the Pelennor Fields, either Bilbo or Glorfindel took the pieces of Frodo’s barrow-blade to the smiths. Then, when Glorfindel went to Minas Tirith as part of Arwen’s escort to her wedding, he brought the reforged blade with him. At some point after arriving, he presented it to Merry as a replacement for the one Merry used to wound the Witch-King.

Glorifindel also said whatever Noldorin lords say when they mean “Good job, kid.”

A little scene I like to imagine:

Many years into his reign, King Elessar is visiting his realm in Arnor. Finding himself with some spare time, he decides to visit an old haunt incognito. So it is that Strider the Ranger is found at the Prancing Pony again. And he finds that, just as Merry long ago said in jest, the worthies of Bree are still discussing the events of Frodo’s visit.

One hundred years later.

Narwhals

2026-01-13T11:15:36Z

Aeglos:

{{short description|Marine mammals}}
'''Narwhals''' are marine mammals that are also categorized as toothed-[[whale]]s. Along with [[sealions]] they drew [[Ulmo|Ulmo's]] car across the seas.<ref>{{LT2|III }}, p. 154</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Animals]]

Wizards

2026-01-13T11:11:12Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{short description|Messengers of the Valar}}
{{Cleanup}}{{organization infobox
| name=Order of Wizards
| image = Angel Falto - The Istari.jpg
| caption="[[:File:Angel Falto - The Istari.jpg|The Istari]]" by [[:Category:Images by Angel Falto|Angel Falto]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Heren Istarion, ''Istari'' ([[Quenya|Q]]), ''Ithryn'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), [[Five Wizards]]<ref name=Five>{{PM|Last}}, ''The Five Wizards'', second note on the reverse of a page probably from 1972</ref>
| founded=c. {{TA|1000}}
| founder=[[Manwë]]
| purpose=The help the [[Free peoples]] to resist [[Sauron]]
| members=[[Saruman]], [[Gandalf]], [[Radagast]], [[Alatar]], [[Pallando]]
| location=[[Orthanc]] (Saruman) [[Rhosgobel]] (Radagast) [[Rhûn]] and [[Harad]] (Blue Wizards)
| disbanded={{TA|3021}}
| notablefor=Bringing about the final defeat of [[Sauron]] (mostly by Gandalf)
}}

{{Quote|Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.|[[Gildor|Gildor Inglorion]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Three is Company]]"}}

The '''Wizards''', commonly known as the ''Istari'' ([[Quenya]]) and the ''Ithryn'' ([[Sindarin]]) was the title assigned to five [[Maiar]] in the [[Third Age]] of [[Middle-earth]]. They formed the '''Order of Wizards''' ([[Quenya|Q.]] '''Heren Istarion''') .<ref name="Istari">{{UT|Istari}}, ''the essay on the Istari''</ref>

Among [[Men]] it was initially assumed that the Wizards were also men who, by long and secret study, had acquired great knowledge of lore and arts. However, as the Third Age passed it was marked that the Wizards did not die, so Men began to believe that they were of [[Elves|Elven-kind]]. However, none except [[Elrond]], [[Círdan]], and [[Galadriel]] knew that, in actuality, the Wizards were vassals of the [[Valar]] who were sent to assist the [[Free peoples]] of Middle-earth against [[Sauron]] as he gathered his forces during the Third Age.<ref name="Istari" />

==History==

===Formation of The Order===
The five known [[Istar|Istari]] were:

*[[Curumo]], a Maia of [[Aulë]], the chief and the wisest of the Order according to Gandalf during the [[Council of Elrond]].
*[[Olórin]], a Maia of [[Manwë]] and [[Varda]] (held by [[Círdan]] the Shipwright to be the wisest of the Order).<ref>{{S|IIc}}</ref>
*[[Aiwendil]], a Maia of [[Yavanna]];<ref name="sketch" /> also known as Hrávandil.<ref name="nome">{{NM|P1xiii}}, pp. 95, 99</ref>
*[[Ithryn Luin|Two Wizards]] who went into the East and South, and do not appear in any of the main tales of [[Middle-earth]]. The names Alatar and Pallando, both Maiar of [[Oromë]] are known.<ref name="sketch" /> However there are tales about two Wizards, perhaps the same two, called Rómestámo and Morinehtar who operated during the [[Second Age]].<ref name="PMLast">{{PM|Last}}, pp. 384-85</ref> It is not known whether they are the same spirits as Palacendo and Haimenar.<ref name="nome" />

The precursor of the Heren Istarion were perhaps the [[Five Guardians]], who, under [[Melian]], were tasked by the [[Valar]] to protect the first [[Elves]] during the [[Battle of the Powers]]; the spirits assigned for this corresponded more or less to the Maiar who were sent millennia later.<ref name="nome" />

The Heren Istarion had been created in [[Valinor]]. A council of the [[Valar]] was called by [[Manwë]] which resolved to send three emissaries. Initially only Curumo, chosen by [[Aulë]], and Alatar, chosen by Oromë, stepped forward. Manwë then asked for Olórin and commanded him to go. Curumo took Aiwendil with him because [[Yavanna]] begged him to do so and Alatar took along his friend Pallando.<ref name="sketch">{{UT|Istari}}, sketch of a narrative about a council of the Valar</ref>

They were clothed in the bodies of old men, restricting their powers so that they would only assist the peoples of Middle-earth and not seek dominion like Sauron, who was also a Maia. They were charged by the Valar to assist the people of Middle-earth through persuasion and encouragement, not force or fear. By inhabiting the bodies of Men they also became susceptible to all of the weaknesses of a physical body: they felt hunger, pain, greed, sorrow, joy, and all other emotions and pains of [[Men]]. While they were vulnerable and they could be killed, they aged only very slowly and were [[immortality|immortal]].<ref name="Istari" />

===Arrival in Middle-earth===
Círdan witnessed the arrival of the Order in Middle-earth around the year c. {{TA|1000}} (though the two Wizards may have arrived much earlier). Their "mission" was to advise and persuade Men and Elves to resist [[Sauron]]. Each wizard was assigned a colour for his clothes. The wizard in white was Saruman, regarded by all as the leader of the order, with white being indicative of the chief. The Wizard clad in brown was Radagast and the one clad in grey was Gandalf, seemingly the oldest and the least of the Order. The other two who travelled to the East and South were sometimes said to clad themselves in robes of sea-blue and were known as the [[Blue Wizards]].<ref name="Istari" /> It is not known if the colour had any special meaning concerning their rank, abilities or nature.

In the northwest of Middle-earth Curumo became known as Saruman to Men and [[Curunír]] to [[Elves]]; Olórin was known as Gandalf to Men and [[Mithrandir]] to Elves;<ref name=":0">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[Appendix B]], "''The Third Age",'' p. 1085</ref> while Aiwendil became known as Radagast.

In spite of their specific and unambiguous goal, the Wizards were nevertheless capable of mortal, even negative feelings. Thus, Gandalf felt great affection for the [[Hobbits]] and Radagast for the animals. On the other hand, Saruman fell victim to greed, jealousy, and lust for power; the other two Wizards may have also fallen prey to these temptations during their journeys in the East.

Very few of Middle-earth's inhabitants knew who the Wizards really were, as the Istari did not share this information. Most believed they were Elves or wise Men; the name ''Gandalf'' represents this interpretation, meaning ''Wand-elf'', because the Men who gave him the nickname believed he was an Elf. They attracted few questions due to their gentle nature and dislike of direct interference with other people's affairs.

===Saruman===
[[File:John Howe - Saruman.jpg|thumb|Saruman by [[John Howe]]]]
Saruman was originally gifted with the greatest power of the five Istari and was named the head of the [[White Council]], a group of [[the Wise]] in opposition to Sauron. In {{TA|2759}}<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]], "The Third Age", p. 1088</ref>, he was invited by the rulers of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]] to settle in [[Isengard]] and the impenetrable tower of [[Orthanc]]. Saruman was learned in the lore of the [[Rings of Power]]<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[The Fellowship of the Ring|''The Fellowship of the Ring'']], [[The Shadow of the Past]], p. 48</ref> and, by [[Third Age 3000|T.A. 3000]], he had become corrupted by the desire for the Rings and by Sauron's direct influence on him through the ''[[Palantíri|palantír]]'' of Orthanc.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]], "The Third Age", p. 1090</ref> Eventually, he became ensnared in Sauron's power, and assisted him in the [[War of the Ring]]. He was later defeated by the [[Ents]] and Gandalf (then called "Gandalf the White" after his defeat of the [[Durin's Bane]], the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of [[Moria]]) who broke his staff and cast him from the Order of Wizards and from the Council.<ref name=":1">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[The Two Towers]], [[The Voice of Saruman]], p. 583</ref> Saruman's death came later at the hands of his servant [[Gríma|Wormtongue]] in [[The Shire]], after the destruction of the [[the One Ring|One Ring]] and the [[Battle of Bywater]]. His spirit was then dispersed by a wind from the West,<ref name=":2" /> becoming similar to Sauron in his destruction.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Field of Cormallen]]", p. 949</ref>

===Radagast===
[[File:Matt DeMino - Radagast the Brown.png|thumb|313x313px|Radagast the Brown by Matt DeMino]]
Radagast stayed true to his mission for a while, even serving as a messenger to Gandalf from Saruman, convincing Gandalf to meet with Saruman. He also instructed the birds in his service to assist Saruman and Gandalf. Radagast dwelt at [[Rhosgobel]]<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[The Fellowship of the Ring|''The Fellowship of the Ring'']], [[The Ring Goes South]], p. 274</ref> near the borders of [[Mirkwood]]. Eventually, Radagast is said to have become enamoured of the [[Animals|beasts]] and [[birds]] and to have ultimately failed to complete his mission. Later writings are less critical of Radagast, arguing that he did not fail at his mission as much as simply choose a tactic - working with the animal world - that ultimately proved less directly effective than working with Men and Elves.

===Gandalf===
[[File:John Howe - Gandalf 01.jpg|thumb|''Gandalf'' by [[John Howe]]|left]]Gandalf arrived in the [[Grey Havens]] shortly after Radagast and Saruman. He was welcomed by [[Círdan]] the shipwright, who gave him [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings|Three Elven Rings]], to support him in the weariness that he had taken upon himself.<ref name=":0" /> He then wandered Middle-earth for many years, serving as a counselor to many while being known by many names, though his sojourns were limited to the West and he never went East.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Window on the West]]", p. 670</ref> He held a seat in the White Council along with fellow Wizard Saruman (who led the Council in spite of [[Galadriel]] wanting Gandalf to lead it),<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), [[The Silmarillion|''The Silmarillion'']], [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]</ref> going on to expose the presence of Sauron in [[Dol Guldur]] in [[Third Age 2063|T.A. 2063]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[Appendix B]], "''The Third Age",'' p. 1087</ref> He then went on to be pivotal in the success of the [[Quest of Erebor]] and the defeat of [[Smaug]] in [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[Appendix B]], "''The Third Age",'' p. 1089</ref> After this, he was instrumental in the success of the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] during the [[Quest of the Ring]], wherein he defeated the Balrog of Moria and was reborn as Gandalf the White.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[The Two Towers|''The Two Towers'']], [[The White Rider]], p. 500</ref> After donning this new title, he cast Saruman from the Order of Wizards<ref name=":1" /> and went on to lead the West in their victory over Sauron and the establishment of the heir of [[Elendil]], [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]], as rightful [[king of Gondor]] in [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], [[Appendix B]], "''The Third Age",'' p. 1095</ref> Having been successful in his mission, he sailed West and returned to [[Valinor]] in [[Third Age 3021|T.A. 3021]]<ref>{{RK|Havens}}, p. 1030</ref>.

===Those who went East===
[[File:Daniel Pilla - The Blue Wizards.jpg|thumb|312x312px|The Blue Wizards by Daniel Pilla]]
The other two Wizards went into the East and South and did not enter the tales of the [[Westlands]]. Some came to call them the ''Ithryn Luin,'' or "Blue Wizards," and some thought that they also failed in their mission and fell to the temptations that had corrupted Saruman, and that their fall gave rise to magical cults in the East and South.<ref>{{UT|13a}}, note 3 referring to a letter by J.R.R. Tolkien from 1958</ref> However, other tales suggest otherwise, even that two Wizards had successful influence in the East and South ensuring the victories of the West.<ref name="Five" />

===End of The Order===
The Order of Wizards came to an end with the passing of Sauron. After being killed by Grima Wormtongue, it is probable that the spirit of Saruman was not allowed to return to the [[Aman|Aman]], because the grey mist that rose from his body and that lingered as a pale shrouded figure dissolved into nothing when a cold wind came from the West.<ref name=":2">{{RK|Scouring}}, p. 1020</ref> Gandalf, previously mentioned, was successful in his mission and returned to [[Aman]] alongside the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] [[Frodo Baggins]]. The fate of Radagast and the other Wizards who landed in the North is unknown, as one verse mentions that only Gandalf returned to the West.<ref name="Istari" />

==Etymology==
The name ''Wizards'', which means "wise" (in the sense of "Wise Men"<ref>{{PM|Third}}, manuscript T4, entry c. 1000</ref>) rather than "sorcerer" or "magician"<ref>{{L|131|24}}</ref><ref name="L156">{{L|156}}</ref> is a translation of the [[Quenya]] name ''Istari''.<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref>

==Other names==
The [[Quenya]] name '''''Istari''''' (singular ''Istar'') means "ones who know"<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry Q '''Istari''', p. 119</ref> or "those who know".<ref name="L156" /><ref>{{PM|XINotes}}, p. 360, note 30</ref> [[Helge Fauskanger]] suggests that it is a combination of the verb ''[[ista-]]'' ("to know") and the [[Wikipedia:Agentive ending|agentive ending]] ''[[-ro|-r(o)]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Helge Fauskanger|articleurl=https://folk.uib.no/hnohf/affix~1.htm|articlename=Quenya Affixes|website=Ardalambion|accessed=19 November 2022}}</ref>

The [[Sindarin]] name '''''Ithryn''''' (singular ''Ithron'') means "wizards".<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2467954793.html|articlename=S. ''Ithron'' n.|website=Eldamo|accessed=19 November 2022}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "wizard" is ''curug'' (and "witch" is ''curus''). An alternative word is ''thothweg'', also translated as "wizard".<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 27, 73</ref>

In ''[[The Hobbit]]'', while no mention is made of an Order of Wizards, Gandalf tells [[Beorn]] that Radagast is his "cousin".<ref>{{H|Queer}}</ref> In the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' it is said that the Wizards appeared in Middle-earth about [[Third Age 1000|T.A. 1000]],<ref name="Istari" /> but in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'' a rough note by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] said that the [[Blue Wizards]] (Alatar and Pallando, or Morinehtar and Rómestámo) came much earlier in the [[Second Age]].<ref>{{PM|Last}}, The Five Wizards, pp. 384-5</ref> [[Christopher Tolkien]] stated that much of the writings about the Istari are rapid jottings and often illegible.<ref name="Istari" />

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in a letter to [[Naomi Mitchison]] in 1954 before the publication of ''[[The Return of the King]]'' and the [[The Lord of the Rings Appendices|Appendices]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' that the wizards "disappeared with the end of the Rings".<ref>{{L|144}}</ref>

J.R.R. Tolkien mentioned in a letter to [[Rhona Beare]] in 1958 that he did not know the colours of the two Wizards whose names did not appear in ''The Lord of the Rings'' and that he did not know anything clearly about them. He wrote that he thought that they went to distant regions, East and South, far out of Númenórean range, that he feared that they failed in different ways and suspected that they founded and began secret cults and magic traditions that lasted longer than the fall of Sauron. He also mentioned that the names of the "Istari" were nicknames that they received from the Elves for a peculiarity, function, or deed.<ref>{{L|211}}, answers to Question 3 and Question 5.</ref>

It is mentioned in an essay on the Istari, which according to Christopher Tolkien appeared to have been written in 1954, that the Valar sent the Wizards as emissaries to resist Sauron when the shadow of Sauron began to stir again. It is stated that the number of Wizards is unknown, but that the chief wizards of the wizards who came to the North of Middle-earth were five. The first Wizard who came was dressed in white, there were two dressed in sea-blue and one in earthen-brown. Last came a wizard who was dressed in grey. He wrote that the Blue Wizards did not have names in the West, except ''Ithryn Luin'', the Blue Wizards, because they passed into the East with Saruman and never returned. He wrote that it is not now known if they pursued their purposes for which they were sent in the East or perished or were ensnared by Sauron and became his servants.<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref>

In a sketch of a narrative it is told that [[Manwë]] summoned a council of the Valar in which it was asked who would got as emissaires to Middle-earth. Curumo who was chosen by [[Aulë]] and Alatar who was sent by [[Oromë]] came forward. Manwë chose Olórin. Yavanna asked Curumo to take Aiwendil with him and Alatar took [[Pallando]] as a friend with him. In tables from the same time period Curumo is associated with Aulë, Olórin with Manwë and Varda, Aiwendil with Yvanna and Alatar and Pallando with Oromë (replacing Pallando with Mandos and Nienna). Christopher Tolkien guesses that the reason why Alatar and Pallando are associated with Oromë was, because he had the greatest knowledge of the further parts of Middle-earth and that they were sent to travel in those regions.<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref>

In notes that were written during the last year of his life<ref>{{PM|Last}}, introductory paragraph</ref> J.R.R. Tolkien mentioned that the Wizards did not come at the same time. Possibly Saruman, Gandalf and Radagast came at the same time.<ref name="Last">{{PM|Last}}, The Five Wizards</ref> He wrote that that Valinor received urgent messages and prayers in S.A. 1600 that asked for help when it became clear for all the leaders of Elves and Men that war against Sauron who was then unmasked as a new Dark Lord was inevitable. As a consequence, Glorfindel was sent back to Middle-earth to help Gil-galad and Elrond probably around S.A. 1600.<ref>{{PM|Last}}, Glorfindel, essay Glorfindel II</ref>

The other two wizards probably came at the same time as Glorfindel. Their names were Morinehtar ("Darkness-slayer") and Rómestamo ("East-helper"). The were sent to help the few tribes of Men who had rebelled against the worship of Melkor, to stir up rebellion, to search for the hiding place of Sauron after his first fall (which they could not find) and to create dissension and disarray in the dark East. They had a big influence in the Second Age and the Third Age to weaken and disarray the forces of the East who would otherwise have outnumbered the forces of the West in both Ages. It is mentioned that a note about their names and functions seems lost, but their general history and effect on the Third Age except their names is clear. Christopher Tolkien thinks that this could refer to the sketch of a narrative about a council of the Valar in which the Wizards were chosen and where their names were Alatar and Pallando.<ref name="Last"/>

A note on the delay of Gil-galad and the Númenóreans that was written around the same time mentions that emissaries of Sauron were busy among the tribes of eastern Men at this time. It took Sauron ninety years to gather and train armies. This gathering of armies had been opposed and Sauron had gathered much less than he hoped. The note mentions that notes about the Five Wizards cover this matter. Sauron had powerful enemies in the East and in the Southern lands about which he had not thought about sufficiently.<ref>{{NM|Delay}}</ref> It is not stated who these enemies were and what the term "the Southern lands" means. However, it is mentioned before that the Númenóreans who occupied the Mouths of Anduin and the shorelands of Lebennin discovered the devices of Sauron and informed Gil-galad about it. It is possible that the Númenóreans were also active in the region of Umbar and Harad at that time, beause Aldarion had already sailed to Harad before. In contrast to the letter from 1958 the note on the Five Wizards from the last year of J.R.R. Tolkien's life does not mention that the other two wizards went to the South.

==Other fiction==
In Tolkien's ''[[Roverandom]]'', an old wizard, [[Artaxerxes]], uses a spell to bewitch [[Rover]], a dog, into a toy for biting him.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:[[File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Saruman using Palantír.jpg|thumb|344x344px|Saruman as depicted by [[Christopher Lee]] in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]]]In Peter Jackson's film version of ''The Lord of the Rings'', two of the five Wizards (Saruman and Gandalf) were portrayed and featured heavily in the film trilogy (as the characters do in the books.)

'''2012: ''[[Lego|LEGO The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:In the [[Lego#Sets|set]] Tower of Orthanc, stickers depict portraits of five wizards, two of which are recognizable as Saruman and Gandalf. A third resembles Radagast as he appears in ''The Hobbit'' film trilogy.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Although Radagast has a small role in ''The Lord of the Rings'', his role was omitted in Peter Jackson's film trilogy. However, Radagast had a substantial supporting role in ''The Hobbit'' films, and Saruman had a brief appearance. The Blue Wizards are also referenced in passing by Gandalf, although they make no appearance.

{{notes}}

{{references}}
{{ainur}}
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/maiar/istari]]

Talk:Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo!

2025-12-29T22:25:34Z

Aeglos: /* Tom’s answer */ new section

== Tom’s answer ==

So I notice that there’s no page for Tom’s response to Frodo’s recitation of this poem. The one that ends with “His songs are stronger songs, and his feet are faster.” We have one for this poem, and one for “Get out, you old wight”, but not for the one that falls between them. [[User:Aeglos|Aeglos]] ([[User talk:Aeglos|talk]]) 22:25, 29 December 2025 (UTC)

Dragons

2025-12-10T11:45:24Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{rewrite}}
{{sources}}
{{disambig-two|the race|lecture|''[[Dragons (lecture)|Dragons]]''}}
{{race infobox
| name=Dragons
| image = J.R.R. Tolkien - Dragon.jpg
| caption="''hringboga heorte gefýsed''" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames="Great worms"
| origin=Morphed by [[Morgoth]] in [[Angband]]
| location=[[Angband]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Grey Mountains]], [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], [[Withered Heath]], [[Northern Waste]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| rivalry=
| language=Various Mannish and Elvish tongues<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Leila Keene and Pat Kirke]]" ([[Letters not published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|letter]]); quoted in {{PM|II}}, "Note on an unpublished letter", pp. 72-73</ref>
| people=[[Fire-drakes]], [[Cold-drakes]], [[Long-worms]], [[Sea-serpents]]
| members=[[Glaurung]], [[Ancalagon]], [[Scatha]], [[Smaug]]
| lifespan="Long and slow"<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
<center>{{quote|A serpent creature but with four legs and claws; his neck varied in length but had a hideous head with long jaws and teeth or snake-tongue. He was usually heavily armoured especially on his head and back and flanks. Nonetheless he was pretty bendable (up and down or sideways), could even tie himself in knots on occasion, and had a long powerful tail.|Excerpt from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Dragons (lecture)|lecture on Dragons]]}}</center>

'''Dragons''' also known as the '''Great Worms''' were creatures mostly seen in northern [[Middle-earth]] in the late [[First Age]]. They were greedy, cunning, seductive, and malicious servants of [[Morgoth]].

==History==
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
===Origin and early history===
In {{FA|155}},<ref>{{GA|115}}</ref> when Morgoth saw how strong the [[Noldor]] were in battle, he realized that [[Orcs]] alone were insufficient for defeating his enemies. His solution, breeding a new race of monsters: Dragons.<ref>{{GA|115}}</ref><ref group=note>How this was done is unclear.</ref>

The Father of Dragons was [[Glaurung]], a mighty wyrm with cunning intellect and a powerful hypnotic gaze. Glaurung was integral in the fate of the Children of [[Húrin]]. Among his many misdeeds were the destruction of the Elf-realm of [[Nargothrond]], and the spell which stripped [[Nienor]] of her memory, which eventually led her to reunite with and marry her long-lost brother [[Túrin]]. When Nienor learned of Glaurung's plot, she committed suicide by jumping into [[Cabed-en-Aras]]. Glaurung was finally slain by Túrin, who after discovering Glaurung's plot committed suicide by stabbing himself with his black sword, [[Gurthang]].

At the [[Fall of Gondolin]], Morgoth's army included dragons, "''many and terrible''".<ref>{{S|23}}</ref>

During the [[War of Wrath]], Morgoth unleashed a new terror upon Middle-earth – the winged Dragons. Chief among these was [[Ancalagon | Ancalagon the Black]]. Eventually slain by [[Eärendil | Eärendil the Mariner]], Ancalagon's fall crushed the towers of [[Thangorodrim]]. Many of the dragons were slain but some fled and survived into the later [[Ages]].<ref>{{S|24}}</ref>

===After the First Age===
It would appear that they fled to the [[Northern Waste]], far from the lands of [[Men]] and [[Elves]]. Though their number was lessened, over the centuries the race of Dragons continued to breed and repopulate, particularly in the [[Withered Heath]], an area in between two spurs of the [[Grey Mountains]]. Together with the Orcs, Dragons persisted as a threat to the race of [[Men]] throughout the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref><ref group=note>At the height of his power, Morgoth's successor, Sauron was said to have governed all foul things, possibly even a scarce few of the Dragons.</ref>

In the late [[Third Age]] the Dragons of the Withered Heath, stirred by the resurgence of all evil with [[Sauron|the One Enemy]]'s return, began to harass the [[Northmen]] and [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons|make war]] with the [[Dwarves]] around the year {{TA|2570}} ([[Dáin I]] and [[Frór]] of [[Durin's Folk]] were killed by a great [[Cold-drakes|Cold-drake]] in {{TA|2589|n}}).<ref>{{App|B2}}</ref><ref name=Durin>{{App|A3}}</ref> It was perhaps in these wars that Dragons swallowed four of the [[Seven Rings|Seven Dwarf-rings]].<ref name=Shadow>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

The most fearsome Dragon of the Third Age was [[Smaug]] the Terrible, who laid waste to the Dwarf-realm of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and the nearby town of [[Dale]]. This devastated the area and sent [[Durin's Folk]] into exile. The [[Fire-drakes|Fire-drake]] remained in the abandoned halls of the Lonely Mountain for many years. Soon enough, the [[Istari|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] became concerned that the Dark Lord Sauron could win the Dragon Smaug's allegiance and use him to devastate the North of Middle-earth. To prevent such a union, he encouraged and aided the expedition of [[Thorin and Company]] and their "burglar", the [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]]. This began a chain of events that led to Smaug's death at the hands of [[Bard]] the Bowman.

Although Smaug was the greatest of the Dragons of his day,<ref name=Durin/> he seems not to have been the last of his kind as Gandalf told [[Frodo Baggins]] that "''there is not now any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough'' [to melt the Rings of Power]",<ref name=Shadow/> indicating the presence of other, lesser dragons.<ref>{{L|144}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Dragons.jpg|thumb|Dragons by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
The dragons were huge and longeval, with their lives spanning centuries. They shared a greed of treasure (especially gold), subtle intelligence, immense cunning, great physical strength, and their eyes and words had a hypnotic power called "dragon-spell". Those clever enough to avoid the spell never give direct information, but talked vaguely in riddles, since plainly refusing an answer would invite an immediate attack.

Apparently, dragons came from eggs.<ref>{{UT|9b}}: [[Glóin]]: "dragonet new from the shell"</ref>

It may be that dragons could sport horns.<ref>{{FR|Earendil}} where [[Eärendil]] wielded a [[bows|bow]] "made of dragon-horn"</ref>

While dragons were armoured with iron scales, they had a soft spot underneath, in the region of the chest, which could be pierced by blades or darts.<ref>{{TT|Choices}}: "But Shelob was not as dragons are, no softer spot had she save only her eyes."</ref><ref>{{H|12}}: "dragons were softer underneath, especially in the region of the - er - chest".</ref>
===Means of locomotion===
Some dragons ([[Glaurung]]) crawled like snakes, yet had four legs, like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrapodophis Tetrapodophis].<ref>{{CH|14}}</ref><ref>{{S|20}}'</ref> These must have been the most common type of dragons in the late First Age, since the winged fire-dragons only first appeared during the [[War of Wrath]], while the winged [[Cold-drakes]] are only reported in ''[[Turambar and the Foalókë]]''. These (such as [[Ancalagon]] and [[Smaug]]) could both walk on four legs and fly using wings. Breeds of wingless dragons did survive into later Ages.

===Fire breathing===
The ''[[Urulóki]]'' (singular ''Urulokë'', Fire-drakes) could breathe fire. It is not entirely clear whether the term "Urulóki" referred only to the first dragons such as Glaurung that could breathe fire but were wingless, or to any dragon that could breathe fire, and thus include Smaug.

Dragon-fire (of the Urulóki) was hot enough to melt [[Rings of Power]]: four of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves were consumed by Dragon-fire, although it was not powerful enough to destroy the One Ring itself.<ref name=Shadow/>

The dragons who could not breathe fire were known as [[Cold-drakes]]. Those were found mainly in [[Ered Mithrin]].

== Individual dragons ==
[[Image:John Howe - Smaug.jpg|thumb|''Smaug'' by [[John Howe]]]]
* [[Glaurung]] — Father of Dragons, slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]. First of the Uruloki, the Fire-drakes of Angband. He had four legs and could breathe fire, but didn't have wings.
* [[Ancalagon]] the Black — first and mightiest of the Winged-dragons, slain by [[Eärendil]] in the [[War of Wrath]].
* [[Scatha]] — Slain by Fram of the [[Éothéod]]. Apparently a cold-drake. Described as a "long-worm", although this imprecise term seems to be more of an expression rather than a separate taxonomic group.
* [[Smaug]] — the last great dragon of [[Middle-earth]], slain by [[Bard]] of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]]. A winged Urulokë.
* [[Gostir]] — was one of the Dragons of Morgoth only known by name.
* An unnamed dragon appears in [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] verse, said to have had red eyes, black wings and teeth like knives.<ref>{{AB|Hoard}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Dragon'' is derived from French; ''drake'' is an English word, from [[Old English]] ''draca'' (derived from Latin).<ref>{{HM|LT2}}, "Short Glossary of Obsolete, Archaic, and Rare Words", p. 350</ref>

Words denoting "dragon" in [[Quenya]] are ''[[lókë]]'' and ''[[angulóke]]''. [[Sindarin]] has ''[[lhûg]]'' and ''[[amlug]]''.

In [[Gnomish]], "dragon" is ''fuithlug'' ("a dragon who guards treasure"), ''lingwir'' or ''ulug'' (plural ''ulûgin''; "she dragon" is ''uluch'', ''uluchnir'' or ''ulugwin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 36, 54, 74</ref>

==Other names==
The dragons were known by many different names:

'''Worms''' referred to the race of dragons. It was used to refer to [[Glaurung]]<ref>{{CH|16}}</ref> as well as [[Smaug]].<ref>{{H|1}}</ref> In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, "worm" is ''gwem''.<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 45</ref> ''Worm'' is also an actual old word for dragon,<ref>{{HM|OFS}}, p. 108</ref> derived from [[Old English]] ''[[wikipedia:European dragon|wyrm]]'', [[Old Norse]] ''ormr'' ("[[serpents|serpent]]").

'''Long-worms''' referred to at least some dragons, although the only named example is related to [[Scatha]]:
{{blockquote|[[Frumgar]], they say, was the name of the chieftain who led his people to [[Éothéod]]. Of his son, [[Fram]], they tell that he slew [[Scatha]], the great dragon of [[Grey Mountains|Ered Mithrin]], and the land had peace from the long-worms afterwards.|{{App|Eorl}}}}

'''[[Serpents]]''' was used for dragons (properly great serpents),<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 370, entry "[[LOK|LOK-]]"</ref> as well as ordinary snakes.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the early [[The Book of Lost Tales|Lost Tale]] of "[[Turambar and the Foalókë]]", a legend among [[Men]] exists concerning dragons. Whoever tastes the heart of a dragon and can withstand its poisonous blood "would know all tongues of Gods or Men, of birds or beasts, and his ears would catch whispers of the Valar or of Melko".<ref>{{LT2|II}}, p. 85</ref>

In the "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|Fall of Gondolin]]" it is told that Melko forged mechanical [[Iron Dragons]] to carry the armies of [[Orcs]] into the city.<ref name=Gondolin>{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|169}} However, along the battle there are many mentions of fire-drakes and beasts of unclear nature that resemble actual dragons, like the creature of fire with [[Balrogs]] in its back.<ref name=Gondolin>{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|181}}

==Other fiction==
A dragon named [[Chrysophylax]] appears in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s story ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''.

In the story ''[[Roverandom]]'', white dragons are among the creatures living on the moon. A dragon, called the Great White Dragon, attacks Rover and the moon-dog, and is said to be the origin of all white dragons. In Merlin's time, this dragon had been to the earth, and fought with the Red Dragon in Caerdragon. The Great White Dragon has wings and can breathe fire.<ref>{{HM|R}}, "[Chapter] 2"</ref>

Dragons also feature in ''[[Letters from Father Christmas]]''. In 1927 several were revealed to be living on the [[moon]]. The [[Man-in-the-Moon]] is said to keep them under control with ice-based magic.<ref>{{LFC|1927}}</ref> In 1932 [[Father Christmas]] discovered a number of ancient pictures of them in caves beneath the [[North Pole]].<ref>{{LFC|1932}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<center><gallery perrow="4">
File:SBG - Dragon.png||<center>''[[Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:SBG - Cave Drake.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Jeff Murchie - Dragon.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery></center>
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Apart from the type of dragons created by Tolkien, additional races include ''Rain-drakes'', ''Light-drakes'', ''Ash Drakes'' and several others.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The ''Dragon'', which can have the ability to breathe fire and fly, is a powerful enemy of the Good players.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1080191 Dragon] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp Games-Workshop.com] (accessed 23 September 2011)</ref> The game also includes the subterranean ''Cave Drake'', a large but agile monster and natural enemy of the Dwarves.<ref>''[[White Dwarf]]'', issue 371 (November 2010), p. 42</ref>

'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:''Dragon-kind'' includes several varieties: ''Cold-'', ''Fire-'' and ''Shadow-drakes'', ''Fire-worms'', ''Rock-worms'', and many more. Related beasts include the ''salamander'', a weaker and simpler breed of dragons, the pygmy-sized ''dragonet'', and the turtle-like ''avanc''.<ref>"[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Category:Dragon-kind Dragon-kind]" at [http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Lorebook_home Lord of the Rings Online: Lorebook] (accessed 28 October 2010)</ref>

'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:[[Thranduil]] claims to have faced "the great-serpents of the North."

'''2017: [[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]:'''
:There are only two types of ''drakes'' in the game, a ''poison-drake'', and a ''fire-drake.'' Also featured is a "drake" seemingly made of wood, that is controlled by Càrnan.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria]]'':'''
:The female dragon Narag-Shazon is discovered to have taken up residence in Moria in the Fourth Age.

==See also==
*[[Fell beasts]]

==External links==
*[http://cogitemusaccurate.blogspot.com/2013/02/concerning-origin-of-dragons.html Concerning the Origin of Dragons] by Randall Johnson
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/04/15/what-happened-to-the-other-dragons-of-middle-earth/ What Happened to the Other Dragons of Middle-earth?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[http://johngarth.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/dragon-scale-why-its-impossible-to-size-up-tolkiens-middle-earth/ Dragon scale: Why it’s impossible to size up Tolkien’s Middle-earth] by [[John Garth]]

{{references|note}}

{{dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons|*]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[de:Drachen]]
[[fr:encyclo:biologie:faune:dragons]]
[[fi:Lohikäärmeet]]

Thranduil

2025-12-10T11:43:25Z

Aeglos: /* Films */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Sindar|Sinda]]
| name=Thranduil
| image=Lourdes Velez - King Thranduil.jpg
| caption="King Thanduil" by [[:Category:Images by Lourdes Velez|Lourdes Velez]]
| othernames=The Elvenking
| titles=King of the [[Silvan Elves]] in northern Mirkwood<ref>{{UT|15}}</ref>
| position=
| location=[[Doriath]], [[Lindon]], [[Woodland Realm]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]
| language=[[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| birth=Before {{FA|507}} or early {{SA}}<ref name="Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref><Ref group=note name=Birth>Thranduil's birth is unknown, but some things can be deduced from two passages in ''Unfinished Tales'' taken together: "Before the building of the Barad-dûr many of the Sindar passed eastward, and some established realms in the forests [...] Thranduil, king in the north of Greenwood the Great, was one of these," and "Oropher had come among them [the Elves of the Greenwood] with only a handful of Sindar, and they [...] came from Doriath after its ruin." Since Oropher's Sindar journeyed east from Doriath after its ruin and Thranduil was one of the Sindar who made the journey, Thranduil must have had his origins in Doriath prior to its ruin or somewhere in Middle-earth in the early Second Age.</ref>
| birthlocation=''[[#Other versions of the legendarium|See below]]''
| rule=From {{SA|3434}}
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| house=
| parentage=[[Oropher]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=[[Legolas]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Golden<ref name=H8>{{H|8}}, "sat a woodland king with a crown of leaves upon his golden hair"</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Sword
| steed=
}}

<center>{{quote|In a great hall with pillars hewn out of the living stone sat the Elvenking on a chair of carven wood. On his head was a crown of berries and red leaves, for the autumn was come again. In the spring he wore a crown of woodland flowers. In his hand he held a carven staff of oak.|''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Barrels Out of Bond]]"}}</center>
'''Thranduil''', also known as the '''Elvenking''', was a [[Sindar]]in [[Elves|Elf]]<ref name="Princes" /> and King of the [[Silvan Elves|Silvan]] [[Elves of Mirkwood]] of the [[Woodland Realm]]. Thranduil was son of [[Oropher]] and father of [[Legolas]].

The Elvenking is a name used for the ruler of the [[Woodland Realm]], the realm of the [[Silvan Elves]] in the far northeast of [[Mirkwood]] by the late [[Third Age]].<ref group="note">While he is nameless throughout the ''[[The Hobbit]]'', his name is first revealed in ''[[The Council of Elrond]]'' chapter of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as the father of [[Legolas]].</ref>

==History==
===Early History===
{{seealso|#Other versions of the legendarium}}

Thranduil's birth date and early life are not recorded. He may have been born in the First Age, or early Second Age. He was of Sindarin descent. His father [[Oropher]] was originally one of the [[Iathrim]] of [[Doriath]].<ref name="Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>

[[Image:Anna Lee - Thranduil and Legolas.jpg|left|thumb|''Thranduil and Legolas'' by [[Anna Lee]]]]

Many of the Sindar left [[Lindon]] and travelled eastward before the building of the [[Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|1000}}.<ref name="AppB">{{App|B}}</ref> Thranduil is first recorded in this event, when he and his father, [[Oropher]], arrived "with only a handful of Sindar"<ref name="Princes" /> in {{SA|750}}, in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]].<ref name="foundation">{{PM|Second}}</ref> Oropher was taken by the [[Silvan Elves]] as their lord and founded the [[Woodland Realm]].<ref name="Princes" />

The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] joined the [[Last Alliance]] and in {{SA|3434}}, Thranduil followed his father and numerous lightly armed Elves in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. In the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], Oropher was slain in the first assault upon Mordor, "rushing forward at the head of his most doughty warriors before Gil-galad had given the signal for the advance."<ref name="Princes" /> His son survived, but over the course of the war, two-thirds of his people had perished. After the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|3441}}, when [[Sauron]] was defeated, Thranduil led the remainder of his people north back to the Woodland Realm, where he was crowned king.<ref name="Princes" />

===Third Age===
====The Shadow Returns====
Upon the return of [[Sauron]] - disguised as the [[Sauron|Necromancer]] - in around {{TA|1050}}, southern Greenwood became increasingly dangerous; evil creatures such as the great [[spiders]] came to dwell in it and the forest soon came to be known as "[[Mirkwood]]".<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> Thranduil's folk retreated to the north of the forest, where they established themselves near the [[Forest River]]. Thranduil had [[Elvenking's Halls|his halls]] delved underground, fashioned partly in memory (it was said) of the mighty, but long-lost, [[Menegroth]] of [[Doriath]].<ref group="note">In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', it is stated by [[Gimli]] that the [[Dwarves]] aided in the making of Thranduil's halls. However, in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', it is stated that Thranduil's halls "were not to be compared with [[Menegroth]]. He had not the arts nor wealth nor the aid of the Dwarves."</ref><ref name="Princes" /><ref>{{TT|Road}}</ref> In north-eastern Mirkwood, they were near the Forest River behind great, stone gates.

====Battle of Five Armies====
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Thorin and Thranduil.jpeg|thumb|right|''Thorin and Thranduil'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
In {{TA|2941}}, Thranduil and some of his folk were feasting in the woods when they were repeatedly disturbed by [[Thorin and Company|a party]] of [[Dwarves]]. After the third disturbance, the Elves captured [[Thorin]] who refused to reveal to Thranduil the reason for their journey through Mirkwood.<ref name="Flies" /> Following their battle with the spiders, the rest of [[Thorin and Company|the company]] was also captured by the Elves. Following their repeated failure to explain their presence in Mirkwood, Thranduil placed all the Dwarves under lock and key. They escaped, however, with the aid of a Hobbit, [[Bilbo Baggins]]. Baggins had evaded capture by Thranduil's people through the use of [[The One Ring|his magic ring]].

After the Dwarves' escape, Thranduil received word of what had transpired from the [[Raft-elves]] who returned up the [[Forest River]]. Thus he was now aware of the Dwarves' quest. Upon learning this, he stated, "no treasure will come back through Mirkwood without my having something to say in the matter."<ref>{{H|Welcome}}</ref> He believed the Dwarves were incapable of slaying the Dragon. However, he soon heard from his own messengers (including the birds) that the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] had been felled (and the [[Lake-town]] was destroyed).

Thranduil was aware that Smaug had a massive hoard of treasure. Believing the Dwarves to be dead, and desiring a share of the treasure, he set out towards the [[Lonely Mountain]] with a company of Elves. On the way, they met messengers from [[Bard]] who was seeking aid for his destroyed town. Thranduil gave aid to these Men, as the [[Lake-men]] had been friends with the Wood-elves, and left elven craftsmen to aid in the labour and building of huts to fortify them against the coming winter.<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref> Together, Thranduil and Bard led their forces towards the Lonely Mountain and were surprised when they found out that the Dwarves not only survived Smaug's attacks, but had taken possession of the Mountain and its treasures; the [[King under the Mountain]] had returned.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|left|''The Arkenstone'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

As Thorin refused to give away any part of the treasure for [[Dale]] and Lake-town under armed threat, Thranduil and Bard besieged the mountain. After a few days, a Dwarvish host led by [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]], who had been summoned by [[Ravens|raven]] messengers, approached to support Thorin. But, two evenings before his arrival, Bilbo came before Thranduil and Bard bringing the [[Arkenstone]], a great jewel that Thorin valued above all, in order to make Thorin open to negotiations again. Thranduil was impressed by Bilbo and urged him to remain in order to avoid Thorin's wrath, but Bilbo returned to his friends. The next morning Bard and Thranduil entered into negotiations with an angered Thorin, who agreed to pay one-fourteenth share of the treasure in exchange for the stone. Thranduil was reluctant to start a war over gold, but when the forces of Dáin arrived the next day, before the trade had been made for the Arkenstone, the Dwarves proceeded to attack.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - The Battle.jpeg|thumb|''The Battle'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
At that moment, the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] under [[Bolg]] were using the opportunity to march after the hoard, and he was accompanied by a cloud of great bats. After skirmishing among themselves, under the council of Gandalf, the three commanders agreed that the Goblins were the enemies of all. So the [[Battle of Five Armies]] began, "upon one side were the Goblins and the Wild Wolves, and upon the other were Elves and Men and Dwarves."<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref> Thranduil's host was positioned on the southern side of the Mountain, and they were the first to charge. Many Elves and allies were slain and things looked grim when the [[Eagles]] and [[Beorn]] arrived on the battlefield. They turned the tide and the battle was won.

Thorin died soon after the battle. Thranduil laid [[Orcrist]] on Thorin's tomb, where it was said to glow in warning when foes approached.

The victors divided the treasure, with Bard giving Thranduil the emeralds of [[Girion]]. When Bilbo and [[Gandalf]] bade farewell to Thranduil, Bilbo gave him a necklace of silver and pearls. Thranduil gave the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] the title [[Elf-friends|Elf-friend]] and returned with the remainder of his host to his realm in Mirkwood.

====War of the Ring====
On [[21 March]], {{TA|3018}} [[Aragorn]] and [[Gandalf]] delivered [[Gollum]] as a prisoner to Thranduil; but in June he later escaped. Thranduil sent his son [[Legolas]] to Rivendell to inform [[Elrond]], and during the [[Council of Elrond]] Legolas was selected as one of the nine members of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].<ref name="council">{{FR|II2}}</ref> Another member of the Company was the Dwarf, [[Gimli]], the son of [[Glóin]] of [[Thorin and Company|Thorin's company]], who had previously been imprisoned by Thranduil. The unprecedented friendship between Elf and Dwarf helped to reconcile Thranduil's people and the Dwarves.

On [[15 March]], {{TA|3019}}, [[Sauron]]'s army from [[Dol Guldur]] attacked Mirkwood. There was a long [[battle under the trees]] and the woods were set on fire, but in the end Thranduil was victorious. And after the passing of Sauron, the [[Galadhrim|forces]] of the [[Lord and Lady of Galadhrim]] stormed Dol Guldur and threw down its walls, finally cleansing the forest.<ref name="great">{{App|Great}}</ref>

On [[6 April]]<ref>{{App|Chief}}</ref> (the [[Yestarë|day of the Elven New Year]]), the Elvenking met with [[Celeborn]] in the midst of Mirkwood and renamed it ''[[Eryn Lasgalen]]'', "The Wood of the Greenleaves". With the forest cleansed and Sauron's forces destroyed, the forest was divided; Celeborn claimed the southern part of the forest north to the Narrows, Thranduil took the northern part of the forest south to the [[Mountains of Mirkwood|Mountains]], and the two Elf-lords granted the middle to the [[Beornings]] and [[Woodmen]].<ref name="great" />

===Fourth Age===
The partition of Eryn Lasgalen is the last reference to Thranduil in the histories of Middle-earth. It is not said that he joined his son Legolas in settling Ithilien or in departing over the Sea.<ref name="AppBLater">{{App|Later}}</ref> Presumably, he continued to rule the re-established Woodland Realm into the Fourth Age, but nothing of this is known for certain, as he could have sailed to the West at some unknown date.{{Fact}}<ref group="note" name="Departure">Thranduil's deeds during the Fourth Age are completely unknown and his fate remains uncertain; yet the later can be deduced by combining the conjecture made in regards of his birth (which is displayed in [note 1]) and a passage from ''[[Fellowship of the Ring]]''. "[...] but there is no record of the day when at last he [Celeborn] sought the [[Grey Havens]], and with him went the last living memory of the [[Elder Days]] in Middle-earth." If Thranduil had been born in Doriath prior its ruin, then it would be certain that he had journeyed to the West; being born during the "Elder Days". However, had he been born in the early Second Age, his possible departure would remain undetermined.</ref>

==Personality==
[[Image:Marya Filatova - Thranduil.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Thranduil by [[Marya Filatova]]'']] Although his concern was primarily for his realm, the memory of the end of the [[Second Age]] and what lay outside his borders haunted him:
{{blockquote|But there was in Thranduil's heart a still deeper shadow. He had seen the horror of [[Mordor]] and could not forget it. If ever he looked south its memory dimmed the light of the Sun, and though he knew that it was now broken and deserted and under the vigilance of the Kings of Men, fear spoke in his heart that it was not conquered for ever; it would arise again.|''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', "[[The History of Galadriel and Celeborn]]", "Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves"}}

Thranduil lived in atunement with nature, wearing a crown of woodland flowers, or autumn berries and red leaves, according to the season.<ref name="Barrels">{{H|Barrels}}</ref> His banner was green in colour.<ref>{{H|Gathering}}</ref> He loved the forest, though it was dark and dangerous in many parts; and enjoyed hunting and feasting among the trees with his people.<ref name="Flies">{{H|Flies}}</ref> He was distrustful of strangers for the most part, although he had business dealings with the men of [[Lake-town]].<ref name="Barrels" /> He was mostly unconcerned with affairs of the world beyond Mirkwood unless a common enemy was shared or for trade with "their kinsfolk in the South, or [...] Men in distant lands."<ref name="Barrels" />

He had a particular fondness for white gems and wanted to acquire more: "if the elf-king had a weakness it was for treasure, especially for silver and white gems; and though his hoard was rich, was eager for more, since he had not yet as great a treasure as other elf-lords of old."<ref name="Flies" /> Despite this weakness, he was wise and would not wantonly go to war, risking his people's lives, over treasure. This was evidenced when the Elvenking said, "long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold [...] let us hope still for something that will bring reconciliation."<ref name="Burst" />

==Etymology==
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Thranduil.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
The name '''''Thranduil''''' means "Vigorous spring" in [[Sindarin]], from ''[[tharan]]'' ("vigorous") and [[Lenition|lenited]] ''[[tuil]]'' ("spring"). Though the name is said to be of [[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]] origin, Tolkien's notes on ''tharan'' state it was used only in Sindarin.<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 27, 187</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The published [[Appendix B]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', as well as one of its drafts,<ref name="foundation">{{PM|Second}}</ref> mention Thranduil as King of the Woodland realm, founded in {{SA|750}}, suggesting (but not explicitly mentioning) that he was possibly its founder and first king.

His father Oropher was invented later, while Tolkien was fleshing out the background of Thranduil and the history of the Silvan realms, given a far older origin, explicitly clarifying that Thranduil was not the founder of the realm, and he only succeeded his father after the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. Oropher and Thranduil's backstory were never incorporated in more "canonical" narratives, and the drafts exploring them were published in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''.<ref name="Princes" /><ref group="note" name="Birth"></ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| ORO |ORO=[[Oropher]] ''d. {{SA|3434}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| THR |THR='''THRANDUIL''' ''Unknown''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| LEG |LEG=[[Legolas]] ''Sailed West {{FoA|120}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Thranduil in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Thranduil.jpg|The "Elvenking" in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (2003 video game) - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Battle for Middle-earth II - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Thranduil - Rise to War.jpeg| Thranduil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Thranduil's description.jpeg|Thranduil's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Thranduil is voiced by [[Otto Preminger]]. For some reason, in the movie, the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] are portrayed as squat and ugly, as opposed to the noble Elves of [[Rivendell]]. Like Fenton before him, Preminger's Thranduil speaks with a German accent.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Thranduil is played by [[Lee Pace]] in the ''Hobbit'' [[The Hobbit (film series)|film trilogy]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150239464391558|articlename=Casting news!|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> Thranduil is first seen in the prologue paying homage to King [[Thrór]] inside within the [[Lonely Mountain]], though leaves in a huff when the [[Dwarves]] refuse to give him a box of white jewels. He is next seen with an army outside of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] riding an elk, seemingly ready to help during the [[Sack of Erebor]]. However, he decides not to help and turns away.

'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:Mentioning his past, Thranduil is portrayed as a widower and also an isolationist king who isn't concerned with the evil that happens beyond his borders. He has generously raised [[Tauriel]] for the last 600 years, and also mentions that he has fought the "[[Dragons|serpents of the North]]".
:When [[Thorin]] is taken before Thranduil in the [[Elvenking's Halls]], he surmises that he and his [[Thorin and Company|Company]] are going to try to reclaim the [[Lonely Mountain]] from [[Smaug]] (unlike in the book, where he had no idea as to their purpose). He offers a deal to Thorin, saying he will let the Company go if they will pay him the white jewels he desires inside the Mountain. When the Dwarf refuses and chastises him for not offering aid to the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]] the day of the Sack, the Elven-king reveals a large disfigurement on his face underneath his skin, mentioning his fighting against the 'great serpents of the North.'
:Later, an [[unseen|invisible]] Bilbo Baggins spies his discussion with Tauriel, having ordered her company of Elves to destroy the [[spiders]]'s nests, but not beyond the borders of the Woodland Realm, displaying his disregard for the outside world.
:He and Legolas interrogate [[Narzug]], a captured [[Orcs|Orc]] who claims that [[Sauron|"The One"]] is returning, and will unleash a powerful weapon (possibly Smaug). Despite his own promise to "set him free", he beheads the orc, and orders the kingdom to be completely sealed off from the outside world.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:After learning of [[Smaug]]'s demise, Thranduil leads his Elven army to claim the white jewels from the Dwarves of Erebor, even by force. It is revealed that these jewels were meant for his wife, who had been taken to [[Gundabad]] and tortured by Orcs to death many years prior. When the army arrives in [[Dale]], he forges an allegiance with [[Bard]], also offering the [[Lake-town]] refugees food and supplies. When Gandalf arrives at Erebor to warn them of the impending attack by the approaching Orc army, the Elven-king refuses to listen. Thranduil's soldiers come to clashes with those of [[Dáin Ironfoot]] right before the Orcs arrive, leading to the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. Thranduil himself fights in the battle against the Orcs, but withdraws his forces when defence of Dale results in many Elven casualties. This leads to a confrontation between him and [[Tauriel]] before she and [[Legolas]] go to Thorin's aid at [[Ravenhill]]. The event causes a rift between Thranduil and his son, to the point where Legolas decides not to return to the kingdom. Thranduil then advises him to go and find the [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] known as "[[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]]" among the [[Dúnedain]]. The Elven-king also accepts Tauriel's love for [[Kíli]] when he finds her mourning over the Dwarf's death.

===Radio series===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Leonard Fenton]] provided the voice of Thranduil. He provides him with a Germanic accent.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:The Elven-king is played by Martin Hirthe.

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of the Elven-king is provided by Alfréd Swan. He is not identified by his personal name, in keeping with the original novel.

===Games===
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Thranduil is referred to as "Elvenking Thranduil", using both his title from ''The Hobbit'' and his name from ''The Lord of the Rings'', to accommodate players who have only read ''The Hobbit''. Thranduil first appears in the level "Barrels Out of Bond", in which he can be overheard speaking about the [[White Council]] and their attack on [[Dol Guldur]]. He returns as a conversation partner in the last level, "The Clouds Burst", in which he and Gandalf ask the player, in the persona of Bilbo, to deliver a message to Bard. No voice actor is specified for this part.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Thranduil is a hero for the Elven faction. In the good campaign, he shows up after the [[Battle of Dale]], and participates in the Siege of [[Dol Guldur]].

'''2017: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Thranduil's earliest appearances are during the War of the [[Last Alliance]]. He can be found during the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] and later is seen during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]].

:In the present time, Thranduil is first encountered fighting in [[Mirkwood]] during the last days of the [[War of the Ring]]. He joins the forces of Lord [[Celeborn]] and Lady [[Galadriel]] and their combined host moves on [[Dol Guldur]] where Galadriel brings down the fortress. Afterwards he and Celeborn renamed the forest [[Eryn Lasgalen]] and divide it into three parts, giving the middle section to the [[Woodmen]]. Thranduil then returns to his halls in Felegoth where his son [[Legolas]] and the player join him after the [[One Ring]] is destroyed. Thranduil's people have to deal with an unexpected situation when most of spiders in Mirkwood, except for the very young or very old ones, suddenly depart the forest en masse, travelling south to answer the call of [[Shelob|their mother]]. In their place come the Wood-trolls from the north and Thranduil tasks the player with finding the source of the new threat and preventing it from reaching his borders.

'''2021: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War]]'':'''
:Thraduil is a flawless rarity commander for the [[Lothlórien|Elves]] Faction and is extremely hard to get loyalty for.

{{references|note}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
|race=sindar
|house=
|born=Before {{FA|507}}
|died=
}}
{{seq
|prev=[[Oropher]]
|list=2nd King of the [[Woodland Realm]]
|dates={{SA|3434}} - after {{FoA|171}}
|nvac=None
|next=Heir apparent: [[Legolas]]
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Moriquendi]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Silvan Elvish names]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Thranduil]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/teleri/sindar/thranduil]]
[[fi:Thranduil]]

Thranduil

2025-12-10T11:42:38Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Sindar|Sinda]]
| name=Thranduil
| image=Lourdes Velez - King Thranduil.jpg
| caption="King Thanduil" by [[:Category:Images by Lourdes Velez|Lourdes Velez]]
| othernames=The Elvenking
| titles=King of the [[Silvan Elves]] in northern Mirkwood<ref>{{UT|15}}</ref>
| position=
| location=[[Doriath]], [[Lindon]], [[Woodland Realm]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]
| language=[[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| birth=Before {{FA|507}} or early {{SA}}<ref name="Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref><Ref group=note name=Birth>Thranduil's birth is unknown, but some things can be deduced from two passages in ''Unfinished Tales'' taken together: "Before the building of the Barad-dûr many of the Sindar passed eastward, and some established realms in the forests [...] Thranduil, king in the north of Greenwood the Great, was one of these," and "Oropher had come among them [the Elves of the Greenwood] with only a handful of Sindar, and they [...] came from Doriath after its ruin." Since Oropher's Sindar journeyed east from Doriath after its ruin and Thranduil was one of the Sindar who made the journey, Thranduil must have had his origins in Doriath prior to its ruin or somewhere in Middle-earth in the early Second Age.</ref>
| birthlocation=''[[#Other versions of the legendarium|See below]]''
| rule=From {{SA|3434}}
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| house=
| parentage=[[Oropher]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=[[Legolas]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Golden<ref name=H8>{{H|8}}, "sat a woodland king with a crown of leaves upon his golden hair"</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Sword
| steed=
}}

<center>{{quote|In a great hall with pillars hewn out of the living stone sat the Elvenking on a chair of carven wood. On his head was a crown of berries and red leaves, for the autumn was come again. In the spring he wore a crown of woodland flowers. In his hand he held a carven staff of oak.|''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Barrels Out of Bond]]"}}</center>
'''Thranduil''', also known as the '''Elvenking''', was a [[Sindar]]in [[Elves|Elf]]<ref name="Princes" /> and King of the [[Silvan Elves|Silvan]] [[Elves of Mirkwood]] of the [[Woodland Realm]]. Thranduil was son of [[Oropher]] and father of [[Legolas]].

The Elvenking is a name used for the ruler of the [[Woodland Realm]], the realm of the [[Silvan Elves]] in the far northeast of [[Mirkwood]] by the late [[Third Age]].<ref group="note">While he is nameless throughout the ''[[The Hobbit]]'', his name is first revealed in ''[[The Council of Elrond]]'' chapter of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as the father of [[Legolas]].</ref>

==History==
===Early History===
{{seealso|#Other versions of the legendarium}}

Thranduil's birth date and early life are not recorded. He may have been born in the First Age, or early Second Age. He was of Sindarin descent. His father [[Oropher]] was originally one of the [[Iathrim]] of [[Doriath]].<ref name="Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>

[[Image:Anna Lee - Thranduil and Legolas.jpg|left|thumb|''Thranduil and Legolas'' by [[Anna Lee]]]]

Many of the Sindar left [[Lindon]] and travelled eastward before the building of the [[Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|1000}}.<ref name="AppB">{{App|B}}</ref> Thranduil is first recorded in this event, when he and his father, [[Oropher]], arrived "with only a handful of Sindar"<ref name="Princes" /> in {{SA|750}}, in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]].<ref name="foundation">{{PM|Second}}</ref> Oropher was taken by the [[Silvan Elves]] as their lord and founded the [[Woodland Realm]].<ref name="Princes" />

The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] joined the [[Last Alliance]] and in {{SA|3434}}, Thranduil followed his father and numerous lightly armed Elves in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. In the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], Oropher was slain in the first assault upon Mordor, "rushing forward at the head of his most doughty warriors before Gil-galad had given the signal for the advance."<ref name="Princes" /> His son survived, but over the course of the war, two-thirds of his people had perished. After the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|3441}}, when [[Sauron]] was defeated, Thranduil led the remainder of his people north back to the Woodland Realm, where he was crowned king.<ref name="Princes" />

===Third Age===
====The Shadow Returns====
Upon the return of [[Sauron]] - disguised as the [[Sauron|Necromancer]] - in around {{TA|1050}}, southern Greenwood became increasingly dangerous; evil creatures such as the great [[spiders]] came to dwell in it and the forest soon came to be known as "[[Mirkwood]]".<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> Thranduil's folk retreated to the north of the forest, where they established themselves near the [[Forest River]]. Thranduil had [[Elvenking's Halls|his halls]] delved underground, fashioned partly in memory (it was said) of the mighty, but long-lost, [[Menegroth]] of [[Doriath]].<ref group="note">In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', it is stated by [[Gimli]] that the [[Dwarves]] aided in the making of Thranduil's halls. However, in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', it is stated that Thranduil's halls "were not to be compared with [[Menegroth]]. He had not the arts nor wealth nor the aid of the Dwarves."</ref><ref name="Princes" /><ref>{{TT|Road}}</ref> In north-eastern Mirkwood, they were near the Forest River behind great, stone gates.

====Battle of Five Armies====
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Thorin and Thranduil.jpeg|thumb|right|''Thorin and Thranduil'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
In {{TA|2941}}, Thranduil and some of his folk were feasting in the woods when they were repeatedly disturbed by [[Thorin and Company|a party]] of [[Dwarves]]. After the third disturbance, the Elves captured [[Thorin]] who refused to reveal to Thranduil the reason for their journey through Mirkwood.<ref name="Flies" /> Following their battle with the spiders, the rest of [[Thorin and Company|the company]] was also captured by the Elves. Following their repeated failure to explain their presence in Mirkwood, Thranduil placed all the Dwarves under lock and key. They escaped, however, with the aid of a Hobbit, [[Bilbo Baggins]]. Baggins had evaded capture by Thranduil's people through the use of [[The One Ring|his magic ring]].

After the Dwarves' escape, Thranduil received word of what had transpired from the [[Raft-elves]] who returned up the [[Forest River]]. Thus he was now aware of the Dwarves' quest. Upon learning this, he stated, "no treasure will come back through Mirkwood without my having something to say in the matter."<ref>{{H|Welcome}}</ref> He believed the Dwarves were incapable of slaying the Dragon. However, he soon heard from his own messengers (including the birds) that the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] had been felled (and the [[Lake-town]] was destroyed).

Thranduil was aware that Smaug had a massive hoard of treasure. Believing the Dwarves to be dead, and desiring a share of the treasure, he set out towards the [[Lonely Mountain]] with a company of Elves. On the way, they met messengers from [[Bard]] who was seeking aid for his destroyed town. Thranduil gave aid to these Men, as the [[Lake-men]] had been friends with the Wood-elves, and left elven craftsmen to aid in the labour and building of huts to fortify them against the coming winter.<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref> Together, Thranduil and Bard led their forces towards the Lonely Mountain and were surprised when they found out that the Dwarves not only survived Smaug's attacks, but had taken possession of the Mountain and its treasures; the [[King under the Mountain]] had returned.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|left|''The Arkenstone'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

As Thorin refused to give away any part of the treasure for [[Dale]] and Lake-town under armed threat, Thranduil and Bard besieged the mountain. After a few days, a Dwarvish host led by [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]], who had been summoned by [[Ravens|raven]] messengers, approached to support Thorin. But, two evenings before his arrival, Bilbo came before Thranduil and Bard bringing the [[Arkenstone]], a great jewel that Thorin valued above all, in order to make Thorin open to negotiations again. Thranduil was impressed by Bilbo and urged him to remain in order to avoid Thorin's wrath, but Bilbo returned to his friends. The next morning Bard and Thranduil entered into negotiations with an angered Thorin, who agreed to pay one-fourteenth share of the treasure in exchange for the stone. Thranduil was reluctant to start a war over gold, but when the forces of Dáin arrived the next day, before the trade had been made for the Arkenstone, the Dwarves proceeded to attack.

[[File:Anke Eißmann - The Battle.jpeg|thumb|''The Battle'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
At that moment, the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] under [[Bolg]] were using the opportunity to march after the hoard, and he was accompanied by a cloud of great bats. After skirmishing among themselves, under the council of Gandalf, the three commanders agreed that the Goblins were the enemies of all. So the [[Battle of Five Armies]] began, "upon one side were the Goblins and the Wild Wolves, and upon the other were Elves and Men and Dwarves."<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref> Thranduil's host was positioned on the southern side of the Mountain, and they were the first to charge. Many Elves and allies were slain and things looked grim when the [[Eagles]] and [[Beorn]] arrived on the battlefield. They turned the tide and the battle was won.

Thorin died soon after the battle. Thranduil laid [[Orcrist]] on Thorin's tomb, where it was said to glow in warning when foes approached.

The victors divided the treasure, with Bard giving Thranduil the emeralds of [[Girion]]. When Bilbo and [[Gandalf]] bade farewell to Thranduil, Bilbo gave him a necklace of silver and pearls. Thranduil gave the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] the title [[Elf-friends|Elf-friend]] and returned with the remainder of his host to his realm in Mirkwood.

====War of the Ring====
On [[21 March]], {{TA|3018}} [[Aragorn]] and [[Gandalf]] delivered [[Gollum]] as a prisoner to Thranduil; but in June he later escaped. Thranduil sent his son [[Legolas]] to Rivendell to inform [[Elrond]], and during the [[Council of Elrond]] Legolas was selected as one of the nine members of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].<ref name="council">{{FR|II2}}</ref> Another member of the Company was the Dwarf, [[Gimli]], the son of [[Glóin]] of [[Thorin and Company|Thorin's company]], who had previously been imprisoned by Thranduil. The unprecedented friendship between Elf and Dwarf helped to reconcile Thranduil's people and the Dwarves.

On [[15 March]], {{TA|3019}}, [[Sauron]]'s army from [[Dol Guldur]] attacked Mirkwood. There was a long [[battle under the trees]] and the woods were set on fire, but in the end Thranduil was victorious. And after the passing of Sauron, the [[Galadhrim|forces]] of the [[Lord and Lady of Galadhrim]] stormed Dol Guldur and threw down its walls, finally cleansing the forest.<ref name="great">{{App|Great}}</ref>

On [[6 April]]<ref>{{App|Chief}}</ref> (the [[Yestarë|day of the Elven New Year]]), the Elvenking met with [[Celeborn]] in the midst of Mirkwood and renamed it ''[[Eryn Lasgalen]]'', "The Wood of the Greenleaves". With the forest cleansed and Sauron's forces destroyed, the forest was divided; Celeborn claimed the southern part of the forest north to the Narrows, Thranduil took the northern part of the forest south to the [[Mountains of Mirkwood|Mountains]], and the two Elf-lords granted the middle to the [[Beornings]] and [[Woodmen]].<ref name="great" />

===Fourth Age===
The partition of Eryn Lasgalen is the last reference to Thranduil in the histories of Middle-earth. It is not said that he joined his son Legolas in settling Ithilien or in departing over the Sea.<ref name="AppBLater">{{App|Later}}</ref> Presumably, he continued to rule the re-established Woodland Realm into the Fourth Age, but nothing of this is known for certain, as he could have sailed to the West at some unknown date.{{Fact}}<ref group="note" name="Departure">Thranduil's deeds during the Fourth Age are completely unknown and his fate remains uncertain; yet the later can be deduced by combining the conjecture made in regards of his birth (which is displayed in [note 1]) and a passage from ''[[Fellowship of the Ring]]''. "[...] but there is no record of the day when at last he [Celeborn] sought the [[Grey Havens]], and with him went the last living memory of the [[Elder Days]] in Middle-earth." If Thranduil had been born in Doriath prior its ruin, then it would be certain that he had journeyed to the West; being born during the "Elder Days". However, had he been born in the early Second Age, his possible departure would remain undetermined.</ref>

==Personality==
[[Image:Marya Filatova - Thranduil.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Thranduil by [[Marya Filatova]]'']] Although his concern was primarily for his realm, the memory of the end of the [[Second Age]] and what lay outside his borders haunted him:
{{blockquote|But there was in Thranduil's heart a still deeper shadow. He had seen the horror of [[Mordor]] and could not forget it. If ever he looked south its memory dimmed the light of the Sun, and though he knew that it was now broken and deserted and under the vigilance of the Kings of Men, fear spoke in his heart that it was not conquered for ever; it would arise again.|''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', "[[The History of Galadriel and Celeborn]]", "Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves"}}

Thranduil lived in atunement with nature, wearing a crown of woodland flowers, or autumn berries and red leaves, according to the season.<ref name="Barrels">{{H|Barrels}}</ref> His banner was green in colour.<ref>{{H|Gathering}}</ref> He loved the forest, though it was dark and dangerous in many parts; and enjoyed hunting and feasting among the trees with his people.<ref name="Flies">{{H|Flies}}</ref> He was distrustful of strangers for the most part, although he had business dealings with the men of [[Lake-town]].<ref name="Barrels" /> He was mostly unconcerned with affairs of the world beyond Mirkwood unless a common enemy was shared or for trade with "their kinsfolk in the South, or [...] Men in distant lands."<ref name="Barrels" />

He had a particular fondness for white gems and wanted to acquire more: "if the elf-king had a weakness it was for treasure, especially for silver and white gems; and though his hoard was rich, was eager for more, since he had not yet as great a treasure as other elf-lords of old."<ref name="Flies" /> Despite this weakness, he was wise and would not wantonly go to war, risking his people's lives, over treasure. This was evidenced when the Elvenking said, "long will I tarry, ere I begin this war for gold [...] let us hope still for something that will bring reconciliation."<ref name="Burst" />

==Etymology==
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Thranduil.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
The name '''''Thranduil''''' means "Vigorous spring" in [[Sindarin]], from ''[[tharan]]'' ("vigorous") and [[Lenition|lenited]] ''[[tuil]]'' ("spring"). Though the name is said to be of [[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]] origin, Tolkien's notes on ''tharan'' state it was used only in Sindarin.<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 27, 187</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The published [[Appendix B]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', as well as one of its drafts,<ref name="foundation">{{PM|Second}}</ref> mention Thranduil as King of the Woodland realm, founded in {{SA|750}}, suggesting (but not explicitly mentioning) that he was possibly its founder and first king.

His father Oropher was invented later, while Tolkien was fleshing out the background of Thranduil and the history of the Silvan realms, given a far older origin, explicitly clarifying that Thranduil was not the founder of the realm, and he only succeeded his father after the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. Oropher and Thranduil's backstory were never incorporated in more "canonical" narratives, and the drafts exploring them were published in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''.<ref name="Princes" /><ref group="note" name="Birth"></ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| ORO |ORO=[[Oropher]] ''d. {{SA|3434}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| THR |THR='''THRANDUIL''' ''Unknown''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| LEG |LEG=[[Legolas]] ''Sailed West {{FoA|120}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Thranduil in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Thranduil.jpg|The "Elvenking" in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (2003 video game) - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Battle for Middle-earth II - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Thranduil.jpg|Thranduil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Thranduil - Rise to War.jpeg| Thranduil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Thranduil's description.jpeg|Thranduil's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Thranduil is voiced by [[Otto Preminger]]. For some reason, in the movie, the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] are portrayed as squat and ugly, as opposed to the noble Elves of [[Rivendell]]. Like Fenton before him, Preminger's Thranduil speaks with a German accent.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Thranduil is played by [[Lee Pace]] in the ''Hobbit'' [[The Hobbit (film series)|film trilogy]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150239464391558|articlename=Casting news!|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> Thranduil is first seen in the prologue paying homage to King [[Thrór]] inside within the [[Lonely Mountain]], though leaves in a huff when the [[Dwarves]] refuse to give him a box of white jewels. He is next seen with an army outside of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] riding an elk, seemingly ready to help during the [[Sack of Erebor]]. However, he decides not to help and turns away.

'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:Mentioning his past, Thranduil is portrayed as a widower and also an isolationist king who isn't concerned with the evil that happens beyond his borders. He has generously raised [[Tauriel]] for the last 600 years, and also mentions that he has fought the "[[Drsgons|serpents of the North]]".
:When [[Thorin]] is taken before Thranduil in the [[Elvenking's Halls]], he surmises that he and his [[Thorin and Company|Company]] are going to try to reclaim the [[Lonely Mountain]] from [[Smaug]] (unlike in the book, where he had no idea as to their purpose). He offers a deal to Thorin, saying he will let the Company go if they will pay him the white jewels he desires inside the Mountain. When the Dwarf refuses and chastises him for not offering aid to the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]] the day of the Sack, the Elven-king reveals a large disfigurement on his face underneath his skin, mentioning his fighting against the 'great serpents of the North.'
:Later, an [[unseen|invisible]] Bilbo Baggins spies his discussion with Tauriel, having ordered her company of Elves to destroy the [[spiders]]'s nests, but not beyond the borders of the Woodland Realm, displaying his disregard for the outside world.
:He and Legolas interrogate [[Narzug]], a captured [[Orcs|Orc]] who claims that [[Sauron|"The One"]] is returning, and will unleash a powerful weapon (possibly Smaug). Despite his own promise to "set him free", he beheads the orc, and orders the kingdom to be completely sealed off from the outside world.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:After learning of [[Smaug]]'s demise, Thranduil leads his Elven army to claim the white jewels from the Dwarves of Erebor, even by force. It is revealed that these jewels were meant for his wife, who had been taken to [[Gundabad]] and tortured by Orcs to death many years prior. When the army arrives in [[Dale]], he forges an allegiance with [[Bard]], also offering the [[Lake-town]] refugees food and supplies. When Gandalf arrives at Erebor to warn them of the impending attack by the approaching Orc army, the Elven-king refuses to listen. Thranduil's soldiers come to clashes with those of [[Dáin Ironfoot]] right before the Orcs arrive, leading to the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. Thranduil himself fights in the battle against the Orcs, but withdraws his forces when defence of Dale results in many Elven casualties. This leads to a confrontation between him and [[Tauriel]] before she and [[Legolas]] go to Thorin's aid at [[Ravenhill]]. The event causes a rift between Thranduil and his son, to the point where Legolas decides not to return to the kingdom. Thranduil then advises him to go and find the [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] known as "[[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]]" among the [[Dúnedain]]. The Elven-king also accepts Tauriel's love for [[Kíli]] when he finds her mourning over the Dwarf's death.

===Radio series===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Leonard Fenton]] provided the voice of Thranduil. He provides him with a Germanic accent.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:The Elven-king is played by Martin Hirthe.

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of the Elven-king is provided by Alfréd Swan. He is not identified by his personal name, in keeping with the original novel.

===Games===
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Thranduil is referred to as "Elvenking Thranduil", using both his title from ''The Hobbit'' and his name from ''The Lord of the Rings'', to accommodate players who have only read ''The Hobbit''. Thranduil first appears in the level "Barrels Out of Bond", in which he can be overheard speaking about the [[White Council]] and their attack on [[Dol Guldur]]. He returns as a conversation partner in the last level, "The Clouds Burst", in which he and Gandalf ask the player, in the persona of Bilbo, to deliver a message to Bard. No voice actor is specified for this part.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Thranduil is a hero for the Elven faction. In the good campaign, he shows up after the [[Battle of Dale]], and participates in the Siege of [[Dol Guldur]].

'''2017: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Thranduil's earliest appearances are during the War of the [[Last Alliance]]. He can be found during the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] and later is seen during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]].

:In the present time, Thranduil is first encountered fighting in [[Mirkwood]] during the last days of the [[War of the Ring]]. He joins the forces of Lord [[Celeborn]] and Lady [[Galadriel]] and their combined host moves on [[Dol Guldur]] where Galadriel brings down the fortress. Afterwards he and Celeborn renamed the forest [[Eryn Lasgalen]] and divide it into three parts, giving the middle section to the [[Woodmen]]. Thranduil then returns to his halls in Felegoth where his son [[Legolas]] and the player join him after the [[One Ring]] is destroyed. Thranduil's people have to deal with an unexpected situation when most of spiders in Mirkwood, except for the very young or very old ones, suddenly depart the forest en masse, travelling south to answer the call of [[Shelob|their mother]]. In their place come the Wood-trolls from the north and Thranduil tasks the player with finding the source of the new threat and preventing it from reaching his borders.

'''2021: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War]]'':'''
:Thraduil is a flawless rarity commander for the [[Lothlórien|Elves]] Faction and is extremely hard to get loyalty for.

{{references|note}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
|race=sindar
|house=
|born=Before {{FA|507}}
|died=
}}
{{seq
|prev=[[Oropher]]
|list=2nd King of the [[Woodland Realm]]
|dates={{SA|3434}} - after {{FoA|171}}
|nvac=None
|next=Heir apparent: [[Legolas]]
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Moriquendi]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Silvan Elvish names]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Thranduil]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/teleri/sindar/thranduil]]
[[fi:Thranduil]]

Dragons

2025-12-10T11:33:20Z

Aeglos: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{rewrite}}
{{sources}}
{{disambig-two|the race|lecture|''[[Dragons (lecture)|Dragons]]''}}
{{race infobox
| name=Dragons
| image = J.R.R. Tolkien - Dragon.jpg
| caption="''hringboga heorte gefýsed''" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames="Great worms"
| origin=Morphed by [[Morgoth]] in [[Angband]]
| location=[[Angband]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Grey Mountains]], [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], [[Withered Heath]], [[Northern Waste]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| rivalry=
| language=Various Mannish and Elvish tongues<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Leila Keene and Pat Kirke]]" ([[Letters not published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|letter]]); quoted in {{PM|II}}, "Note on an unpublished letter", pp. 72-73</ref>
| people=[[Fire-drakes]], [[Cold-drakes]], [[Long-worms]], [[Sea-serpents]]
| members=[[Glaurung]], [[Ancalagon]], [[Scatha]], [[Smaug]]
| lifespan="Long and slow"<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
<center>{{quote|A serpent creature but with four legs and claws; his neck varied in length but had a hideous head with long jaws and teeth or snake-tongue. He was usually heavily armoured especially on his head and back and flanks. Nonetheless he was pretty bendable (up and down or sideways), could even tie himself in knots on occasion, and had a long powerful tail.|Excerpt from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Dragons (lecture)|lecture on Dragons]]}}</center>

'''Dragons''' also known as the '''Great Worms''' were creatures mostly seen in northern [[Middle-earth]] in the late [[First Age]]. They were greedy, cunning, seductive, and malicious servants of [[Morgoth]].

==History==
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
===Origin and early history===
In {{FA|155}},<ref>{{GA|115}}</ref> when Morgoth saw how strong the [[Noldor]] were in battle, he realized that [[Orcs]] alone were insufficient for defeating his enemies. His solution, breeding a new race of monsters: Dragons.<ref>{{GA|115}}</ref><ref group=note>How this was done is unclear.</ref>

The Father of Dragons was [[Glaurung]], a mighty wyrm with cunning intellect and a powerful hypnotic gaze. Glaurung was integral in the fate of the Children of [[Húrin]]. Among his many misdeeds were the destruction of the Elf-realm of [[Nargothrond]], and the spell which stripped [[Nienor]] of her memory, which eventually led her to reunite with and marry her long-lost brother [[Túrin]]. When Nienor learned of Glaurung's plot, she committed suicide by jumping into [[Cabed-en-Aras]]. Glaurung was finally slain by Túrin, who after discovering Glaurung's plot committed suicide by stabbing himself with his black sword, [[Gurthang]].

At the [[Fall of Gondolin]], Morgoth's army included dragons, "''many and terrible''".<ref>{{S|23}}</ref>

During the [[War of Wrath]], Morgoth unleashed a new terror upon Middle-earth – the winged Dragons. Chief among these was [[Ancalagon | Ancalagon the Black]]. Eventually slain by [[Eärendil | Eärendil the Mariner]], Ancalagon's fall crushed the towers of [[Thangorodrim]]. Many of the dragons were slain but some fled and survived into the later [[Ages]].<ref>{{S|24}}</ref>

===After the First Age===
It would appear that they fled to the [[Northern Waste]], far from the lands of [[Men]] and [[Elves]]. Though their number was lessened, over the centuries the race of Dragons continued to breed and repopulate, particularly in the [[Withered Heath]], an area in between two spurs of the [[Grey Mountains]]. Together with the Orcs, Dragons persisted as a threat to the race of [[Men]] throughout the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref><ref group=note>At the height of his power, Morgoth's successor, Sauron was said to have governed all foul things, possibly even a scarce few of the Dragons.</ref>

In the late [[Third Age]] the Dragons of the Withered Heath, stirred by the resurgence of all evil with [[Sauron|the One Enemy]]'s return, began to harass the [[Northmen]] and [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons|make war]] with the [[Dwarves]] around the year {{TA|2570}} ([[Dáin I]] and [[Frór]] of [[Durin's Folk]] were killed by a great [[Cold-drakes|Cold-drake]] in {{TA|2589|n}}).<ref>{{App|B2}}</ref><ref name=Durin>{{App|A3}}</ref> It was perhaps in these wars that Dragons swallowed four of the [[Seven Rings|Seven Dwarf-rings]].<ref name=Shadow>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

The most fearsome Dragon of the Third Age was [[Smaug]] the Terrible, who laid waste to the Dwarf-realm of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and the nearby town of [[Dale]]. This devastated the area and sent [[Durin's Folk]] into exile. The [[Fire-drakes|Fire-drake]] remained in the abandoned halls of the Lonely Mountain for many years. Soon enough, the [[Istari|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] became concerned that the Dark Lord Sauron could win the Dragon Smaug's allegiance and use him to devastate the North of Middle-earth. To prevent such a union, he encouraged and aided the expedition of [[Thorin and Company]] and their "burglar", the [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]]. This began a chain of events that led to Smaug's death at the hands of [[Bard]] the Bowman.

Although Smaug was the greatest of the Dragons of his day,<ref name=Durin/> he seems not to have been the last of his kind as Gandalf told [[Frodo Baggins]] that "''there is not now any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough'' [to melt the Rings of Power]",<ref name=Shadow/> indicating the presence of other, lesser dragons.<ref>{{L|144}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Dragons.jpg|thumb|Dragons by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
The dragons were huge and longeval, with their lives spanning centuries. They shared a greed of treasure (especially gold), subtle intelligence, immense cunning, great physical strength, and their eyes and words had a hypnotic power called "dragon-spell". Those clever enough to avoid the spell never give direct information, but talked vaguely in riddles, since plainly refusing an answer would invite an immediate attack.

Apparently, dragons came from eggs.<ref>{{UT|9b}}: [[Glóin]]: "dragonet new from the shell"</ref>

It may be that dragons could sport horns.<ref>{{FR|Earendil}} where [[Eärendil]] wielded a [[bows|bow]] "made of dragon-horn"</ref>

While dragons were armoured with iron scales, they had a soft spot underneath, in the region of the chest, which could be pierced by blades or darts.<ref>{{TT|Choices}}: "But Shelob was not as dragons are, no softer spot had she save only her eyes."</ref><ref>{{H|12}}: "dragons were softer underneath, especially in the region of the - er - chest".</ref>
===Means of locomotion===
Some dragons ([[Glaurung]]) crawled like snakes, yet had four legs, like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrapodophis Tetrapodophis].<ref>{{CH|14}}</ref><ref>{{S|20}}'</ref> These must have been the most common type of dragons in the late First Age, since the winged fire-dragons only first appeared during the [[War of Wrath]], while the winged [[Cold-drakes]] are only reported in ''[[Turambar and the Foalókë]]''. These (such as [[Ancalagon]] and [[Smaug]]) could both walk on four legs and fly using wings. Breeds of wingless dragons did survive into later Ages.

===Fire breathing===
The ''[[Urulóki]]'' (singular ''Urulokë'', Fire-drakes) could breathe fire. It is not entirely clear whether the term "Urulóki" referred only to the first dragons such as Glaurung that could breathe fire but were wingless, or to any dragon that could breathe fire, and thus include Smaug.

Dragon-fire (of the Urulóki) was hot enough to melt [[Rings of Power]]: four of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves were consumed by Dragon-fire, although it was not powerful enough to destroy the One Ring itself.<ref name=Shadow/>

The dragons who could not breathe fire were known as [[Cold-drakes]]. Those were found mainly in [[Ered Mithrin]].

== Individual dragons ==
[[Image:John Howe - Smaug.jpg|thumb|''Smaug'' by [[John Howe]]]]
* [[Glaurung]] — Father of Dragons, slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]. First of the Uruloki, the Fire-drakes of Angband. He had four legs and could breathe fire, but didn't have wings.
* [[Ancalagon]] the Black — first and mightiest of the Winged-dragons, slain by [[Eärendil]] in the [[War of Wrath]].
* [[Scatha]] — Slain by Fram of the [[Éothéod]]. Apparently a cold-drake. Described as a "long-worm", although this imprecise term seems to be more of an expression rather than a separate taxonomic group.
* [[Smaug]] — the last great dragon of [[Middle-earth]], slain by [[Bard]] of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]]. A winged Urulokë.
* [[Gostir]] — was one of the Dragons of Morgoth only known by name.
* An unnamed dragon appears in [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] verse, said to have had red eyes, black wings and teeth like knives.<ref>{{AB|Hoard}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Dragon'' is derived from French; ''drake'' is an English word, from [[Old English]] ''draca'' (derived from Latin).<ref>{{HM|LT2}}, "Short Glossary of Obsolete, Archaic, and Rare Words", p. 350</ref>

Words denoting "dragon" in [[Quenya]] are ''[[lókë]]'' and ''[[angulóke]]''. [[Sindarin]] has ''[[lhûg]]'' and ''[[amlug]]''.

In [[Gnomish]], "dragon" is ''fuithlug'' ("a dragon who guards treasure"), ''lingwir'' or ''ulug'' (plural ''ulûgin''; "she dragon" is ''uluch'', ''uluchnir'' or ''ulugwin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 36, 54, 74</ref>

==Other names==
The dragons were known by many different names:

'''Worms''' referred to the race of dragons. It was used to refer to [[Glaurung]]<ref>{{CH|16}}</ref> as well as [[Smaug]].<ref>{{H|1}}</ref> In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, "worm" is ''gwem''.<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 45</ref> ''Worm'' is also an actual old word for dragon,<ref>{{HM|OFS}}, p. 108</ref> derived from [[Old English]] ''[[wikipedia:European dragon|wyrm]]'', [[Old Norse]] ''ormr'' ("[[serpents|serpent]]").

'''Long-worms''' referred to at least some dragons, although the only named example is related to [[Scatha]]:
{{blockquote|[[Frumgar]], they say, was the name of the chieftain who led his people to [[Éothéod]]. Of his son, [[Fram]], they tell that he slew [[Scatha]], the great dragon of [[Grey Mountains|Ered Mithrin]], and the land had peace from the long-worms afterwards.|{{App|Eorl}}}}

'''[[Serpents]]''' was used for dragons (properly great serpents),<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 370, entry "[[LOK|LOK-]]"</ref> as well as ordinary snakes.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the early [[The Book of Lost Tales|Lost Tale]] of "[[Turambar and the Foalókë]]", a legend among [[Men]] exists concerning dragons. Whoever tastes the heart of a dragon and can withstand its poisonous blood "would know all tongues of Gods or Men, of birds or beasts, and his ears would catch whispers of the Valar or of Melko".<ref>{{LT2|II}}, p. 85</ref>

In the "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|Fall of Gondolin]]" it is told that Melko forged mechanical [[Iron Dragons]] to carry the armies of [[Orcs]] into the city.<ref name=Gondolin>{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|169}} However, along the battle there are many mentions of fire-drakes and beasts of unclear nature that resemble actual dragons, like the creature of fire with [[Balrogs]] in its back.<ref name=Gondolin>{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|181}}

==Other fiction==
A dragon named [[Chrysophylax]] appears in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s story ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''.

In the story ''[[Roverandom]]'', white dragons are among the creatures living on the moon. A dragon, called the Great White Dragon, attacks Rover and the moon-dog, and is said to be the origin of all white dragons. In Merlin's time, this dragon had been to the earth, and fought with the Red Dragon in Caerdragon. The Great White Dragon has wings and can breathe fire.<ref>{{HM|R}}, "[Chapter] 2"</ref>

Dragons also feature in ''[[Letters from Father Christmas]]''. In 1927 several were revealed to be living on the [[moon]]. The [[Man-in-the-Moon]] is said to keep them under control with ice-based magic.<ref>{{LFC|1927}}</ref> In 1932 [[Father Christmas]] discovered a number of ancient pictures of them in caves beneath the [[North Pole]].<ref>{{LFC|1932}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<center><gallery perrow="4">
File:SBG - Dragon.png||<center>''[[Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:SBG - Cave Drake.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Jeff Murchie - Dragon.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery></center>
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Apart from the type of dragons created by Tolkien, additional races include ''Rain-drakes'', ''Light-drakes'', ''Ash Drakes'' and several others.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The ''Dragon'', which can have the ability to breathe fire and fly, is a powerful enemy of the Good players.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1080191 Dragon] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp Games-Workshop.com] (accessed 23 September 2011)</ref> The game also includes the subterranean ''Cave Drake'', a large but agile monster and natural enemy of the Dwarves.<ref>''[[White Dwarf]]'', issue 371 (November 2010), p. 42</ref>

'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:''Dragon-kind'' includes several varieties: ''Cold-'', ''Fire-'' and ''Shadow-drakes'', ''Fire-worms'', ''Rock-worms'', and many more. Related beasts include the ''salamander'', a weaker and simpler breed of dragons, the pygmy-sized ''dragonet'', and the turtle-like ''avanc''.<ref>"[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Category:Dragon-kind Dragon-kind]" at [http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Lorebook_home Lord of the Rings Online: Lorebook] (accessed 28 October 2010)</ref>

'''2017: [[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]:'''
:There are only two types of ''drakes'' in the game, a ''poison-drake'', and a ''fire-drake.'' Also featured is a "drake" seemingly made of wood, that is controlled by Càrnan.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria]]'':'''
:The female dragon Narag-Shazon is discovered to have taken up residence in Moria in the Fourth Age.

==See also==
*[[Fell beasts]]

==External links==
*[http://cogitemusaccurate.blogspot.com/2013/02/concerning-origin-of-dragons.html Concerning the Origin of Dragons] by Randall Johnson
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/04/15/what-happened-to-the-other-dragons-of-middle-earth/ What Happened to the Other Dragons of Middle-earth?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[http://johngarth.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/dragon-scale-why-its-impossible-to-size-up-tolkiens-middle-earth/ Dragon scale: Why it’s impossible to size up Tolkien’s Middle-earth] by [[John Garth]]

{{references|note}}

{{dragons}}

[[Category:Dragons|*]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[de:Drachen]]
[[fr:encyclo:biologie:faune:dragons]]
[[fi:Lohikäärmeet]]

Fell beasts

2025-12-10T11:30:26Z

Aeglos: /* Fell beasts in adaptations */

{{disambig-two|the winged steeds of the [[Nazgûl]]|vague term|[[Fell beasts (vague term)|fell beasts]]}}
{{race infobox
| name=Fell beasts
| image = John Howe - Nazgul 01.jpg
| caption="Nazgul" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Nazgûl-birds, Black Wings, hell-hawks
| origin=
| location=[[Mordor]]
| affiliation=[[Nazgûl]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| people=
| members=
| lifespan="Older world" - [[Third Age]]
| distinctions=A long neck and vast pinions
| height=
| hair=None
| skin=Webbed and plain
| clothing=
| weapons=Horned fingers, claws, and a beak
}}

"'''[[Fell beasts (vague term)|Fell beasts]]'''"<ref name="pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>, also called '''Nazgûl-birds'''<ref name="name">{{L|100}}</ref>, '''Black Wings'''<ref name="blackwing">{{TT|Gate}}</ref>, and "'''hell-hawks'''"<ref name="siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref>, were huge pterodactylic flying creatures that served as steeds for the [[Nazgûl]].

== Description ==
Fell beasts were huge winged creatures with a beak and claws and were described as similar to carrion<ref name="blackwing" /> birds but much greater and more monstrous<ref name="harrowdale">{{RK|Muster}}</ref> than any kind of bird, including [[Eagles]].<ref name="siege"/> They were dark and appeared shadow-like even at night.<ref name="dark">{{FR|River}}</ref> Their body was plain and naked, lacking any quills or feathers. They had a long neck as well as vast pinions consisting of a web-like "hide between horned fingers". They possessed a "fell speed" which allowed them to fly faster than the wind.<ref name="deadmarshes">{{TT|Marshes}}</ref> Furthermore, fell beasts also gave off a stench. In battle they swooped upon prey with their feet to drop foes from the sky,<ref name="siege"/> crushed enemies under their sheer weight,<ref name="siege"/> and used their vast wings to blow foul gusts of wind.<ref name="pelennor" />

== History ==
While their origins are unspecified, it was believed that fell beasts were creatures "of an older world" that may have been survivors of earlier "geological eras".<ref name="letter211">{{L|211}}</ref> While most of their kind presumably fell in those eras,<ref name="letter211"/> some "outstayed their day" and lingered on, breeding within a hideous eyrie "in forgotten mountains" that were "cold beneath the [[Moon]]". The fell beasts dwindled over time until, eventually, all that remained was a single "untimely brood" with an instinct for [[:Category:Evil|evil]]. Sometime later, this brood was taken by the [[Dark Lord]], who "nursed it with fell meats" until they grew larger than every other winged creature.<ref name="pelennor" />

In the year {{TA|3018}} of the late [[Third Age]], the [[Nazgûl]] rode black [[horses]] in their pursuit of [[Frodo Baggins]]. These horses were killed when they and their riders were washed away by [[Elrond]]'s flood at the [[Ford of Bruinen]].<ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref> However, the Nazgûl survived; over the next few months made their way unseen to [[Mordor]], where [[Sauron]] gave them fell beasts to serve as new steeds.<ref name="pelennor" />

When the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] had left [[Lothlórien]] and were camped on the western shore of the river [[Anduin]] near [[Sarn Gebir]], a winged creature tried to approach them at night. However, it vanished "into the gloom of the eastern shore" with "a harsh croaking scream" after [[Legolas]] shot it with an arrow.<ref name="dark"/>

On Thursday [[1 March]],<ref name="thursday">''[[The Chronology of The Lord of the Rings]]'', p. 60</ref> a Nazgûl was sent from Mordor to the [[Dead Marshes]]. As Frodo, [[Samwise Gamgee]], and [[Gollum]] traveled through the marshes, the Nazgûl passed overhead on a winged creature at midnight<ref name="thursday" /> at "the speed of the wrath of Sauron" back to Mordor.<ref name="deadmarshes" />

In the evening of Sunday [[4 March]],<ref name="date">''[[The Chronology of The Lord of the Rings]]'', p. 62</ref> Frodo, Sam, and Gollum witness another Nazgûl, possibly "on some swift errand from Barad-dûr", pass overhead on a winged creature. On Monday [[5 March]],<ref name="date" /> a third winged creature flew overhead towards Mordor "an hour after midnight" which Gollum claimed was a very bad omen.<ref name="deadmarshes" />

In the dawn of Tuesday<ref name="tuesday">''[[The Chronology of The Lord of the Rings]]'', p. 64</ref> [[6 March]], a winged creature flew over [[Edoras]] in [[Rohan]] and stooped just over [[Meduseld]]. They described it as being a darkness in the shape of a monstrous bird. After this, [[Gandalf]] told the [[Rohirrim]] to assemble at [[Dunharrow]] rather than outside Edoras to prevent any attack. Three days later in the evening of [[9 March]], [[Dúnhere]], the lord of [[Harrowdale]], reported the incident to [[King of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]], who had just returned from the [[Hornburg]].<ref name="harrowdale" />

When [[Faramir]], captain of [[Gondor]], was fleeing from the besieged city of [[Osgiliath]] on his way to [[Minas Tirith]], he and his men were beset many times by five winged creatures ridden by Nazgûl until Gandalf rode out and drove them away with a shaft of white light from his raised hand.<ref name="siege"/>

During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] rode his winged steed in battle against King Théoden; the Witch-king shot a dart which killed Théoden's [[Snowmane|horse]], who fell upon him, mortally wounding him. [[Éowyn]] removed her guise as Dernhelm and defended the dying Théoden, challenging and decapitating the winged creature. She then confronted and slew the Nazgûl, with the aid of [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].<ref name="pelennor" />

== Etymology ==
As in the expression "fell things" occurring earlier in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'',<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref> the word ''[[Wiktionary:fell#Etymology 4|fell]]'' in this sense is an archaic English word meaning "dreadful, terrible".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 110</ref>

The term "[[Fell beasts (vague term)|fell beasts]]" is not used solely for the winged steeds of the Nazgûl: it was also used as a descriptor for various evil creatures of [[Mirkwood]],<ref>{{FR|Breaking}}</ref> and also a descriptor of a type of creature hunted by [[Oromë]] in addition to monsters.<ref name=valar>{{S|IIb}}</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==

== Inspiration ==
In a reply to a letter, [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote that he did not intend for the Nazgûl-bird<ref name="name" /> to be a [[Wikipedia:Pterosaur|pterodactyl]], though he acknowledged that it was "''pterodactylic''" and "owes much to" the "mythology of the 'Prehistoric'". He considered that its description left open the possibility for it to be "a last survivor of older geological eras".<ref name="letter211"/>

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
=== Fell beasts in adaptations ===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="180px" heights="180px">
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Witch-king.png|[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980)]]
File:Liz Danforth - Fell beast.png|"Fell beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]''
File:Angus McBride - Wild Fell Beast.jpg|"Wild Fell Beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Fell beast attacks Minas Tirith.jpg|Fell beast descending in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:SBG - Fell beast.jpeg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Mark Evans - Hell-hawk.png|"Hell-hawk" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]''
File:LOTR-WITN-Fell Beast-1.png|"Fell beast" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
</gallery>

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:One of the Nazgûl (possibly the Witch-king, for he carries a mace) is shown riding on a winged creature. However, Bakshi's film only covers events up to the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], so that is the only appearance of a Nazgûl-bird<ref name="name" />.

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl ride winged horses. In the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWjt6LGhHsI confrontation] between Éowyn and the Witch-king, the latter is seen riding a plump black-grey dragon-like animal. Gandalf had called it a '''Carrion-fowl'''.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The Fell Beasts are said to likely be "distant relatives of ancient [[Cold-drakes]]", and "grow to lengths of 30 feet (with 30-35-foot wingspans)". In the middle Third Age they live in [[Mountains of Mirkwood|mountainous]] areas of Mirkwood, presumably because of the [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]]'s presence at [[Dol Guldur]]. They are used as steeds by both the Nazgûl and a few [[Olog-hai]] warlords.<ref>{{ICE|2019}}</ref><ref group="note">In the supplement, ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', the Fell beasts are said to be "presumably bred from Winged-drakes" and to have a body between 15-25 feet and a wingspan between 30-40 feet.</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:'''Fell Beast''' increases the number of strikes of one Nazgûl hazard-creature. '''Wild Fell Beast''' is a Drake which attacks with three strikes. With the card "Fell Rider" the Ringwraith may move to a non-Darkhaven site, but without allies and followers.

'''2001-3: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The fell beasts are depicted as more [[Dragons|Dragon]]-like and serpentine. As opposed to having beaks, they have lipless mouths full of jagged teeth, fins running along their spine, long whip-like tails and dark gray scales. This depiction is heavily influenced by [[John Howe]], who was one of the concept artists for the films.

:In the films, the fell beasts are used for attack much more often than in the books, with the Nazgûl usually swooping down and screeching, making the defenders at the gate of Minas Tirith run away, leaving [[Gandalf]] alone to face the Witch-king as he enters.

:Although on screen the films never make this mistake, sometimes cast or crew members ([[Lawrence Makoare]] and [[Richard Taylor]] most notably) on the commentary tracks and the documentaries refer to the fell beasts as Nazgûl; this is incorrect. The fell beasts are the creature that the nine Nazgûl ride, and the mistake probably arose because fell beasts are always seen with a Nazgûl atop them.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The Fell Beasts are portrayed without beaks, reminiscent of the depiction in ''The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy''.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod480006a&_requestid=1321389 Winged Nazgûl] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/ Games-workshop.com] (accessed 10 June 2011)</ref>

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:A Nazgûl mounted on a fell beast (depicted as a dragon-like creature) appears in the [[Amon Hen]] stage of the PC and console versions of the game, where it serves as the final boss. In the first phase of the battle, the beast crawls on the ground and fights Aragorn (armed with his sword). During the second and final phase, it flies into the sky and shoots green fireballs from its mouth down at Aragorn (who shoots back at it with his bow), until it is weakened and finally shot down by Legolas in the game's ending cutscene.

'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:Hell-hawks, employed as mounts by the Ringwraiths and found wild in southern Mirkwood and (after the War of the Ring) in Gondor, resemble a "cross between lizards and featherless birds". They were bred by Sauron in mockery of the [[Eagles|Great Eagles]].<ref>{{D|Fell}}, pp. 30-31</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Agandaûr has several Fell beasts under his control. At the end of Chapter 1, Agandaûr flees on the back of one of them.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Citadel Tower''</ref>

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria]]'':'''
:Fell beasts are among the monsters infesting Moria. The female dragon Narag-Shazon claims that Sauron forcibly employed her to breed the creatures.

{{references|note}}

[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]

[[de:Reittiere der Nazgûl#Flugwesen]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveiden siivekkäät ratsut]]

War of the Last Alliance

2025-12-09T09:12:38Z

Aeglos: /* Opening Stages */

{{war
| previous=[[War of the Elves and Sauron]]
| next= [[Angmar War]]
| image=[[File:Matt DeMino - Sauron - War of the Last Alliance.png|300px]]
| name= War of the Last Alliance
| place= [[Mordor]] and the lower [[Vales of Anduin]]
| result= Victory for the [[Last Alliance]]
*Fall of [[Sauron]]
*Loss of the [[One Ring]]
*Decline of [[Elvendom]] in [[Middle-earth]] and the [[Men of Arnor]]
| battles= [[First Fall of Minas Ithil]], [[Anárion's defence of Osgiliath]], [[Battle of Dagorlad]], [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
| begin= {{SA|3429}}
| end= {{SA|3441}}
| side1= [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]
| side2= Forces of [[Sauron]]|
|casual1=|
|casual2=|
| commanders1=
[[Gil-galad]]†
 [[Círdan]]
 [[Elrond]]
 [[Oropher]] †
 [[Thranduil]]
 [[Amdír]] †
 [[Elendil]] †
 [[Isildur]]
 [[Anárion]] †
| commanders2=
[[Sauron]]
}}

The '''War of the Last Alliance''', also simply known as the '''War of the Alliance''', was the war at the close of the [[Second Age]] in which the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] marched against the forces of [[Sauron]]. Against all hope, they were victorious, but when the [[One Ring]] was not destroyed, [[Sauron]] rose again during the long years of the [[Third Age]].

==History==
===Prelude===
Ever since his defeat in the [[Battle of the Gwathló]] Sauron nursed a special hatred against the [[Númenóreans]] and longed to take revenge on them.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref> In {{SA|3261|n}}, Sauron dared to wage war against Númenor and the last [[King of Númenor]] [[Ar-Pharazôn]] had gathered a massive army to counter this threat. Perceiving the might and splendour of the Númenóreans Sauron's servants deserted him, and Sauron was filled with fear and humbled himself. He was brought as a hostage to Númenor and finally succeeded in taking his revenge by playing a vital role in the events that led to the Downfall. Yet of all Númenóreans he hated Elendil most, and his wrath was great that he and his sons had escaped.

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] in {{SA|3319}}, the remaining [[Faithful]] led by [[Elendil]] and his sons [[Isildur]] and [[Anarion]] established the [[Realms in Exile]] in [[Middle-earth]]. Elendil ruled [[Arnor]] in the north, Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled the southern realm of [[Gondor]]. [[Sauron]] however perished physically, by drowning; being caught in the Fall of Númenor which he had cleverly schemed to bring about. Yet nevertheless, even though he truly was drowned, Sauron's spirit endured; he returned to his fortress [[Barad-dûr]] in [[Mordor]] and was able in time to take shape again. However, it should be noted that hereafter Sauron could no longer take on a deceptively fair and greatly pleasing form, as Sauron had done so long before, in order to deceive the Elves and then again much later, the [[Númenóreans]] too, whilst he was held a willing captive.<ref name=Rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

===Opening Stages===
Perceiving that his enemies of old had escaped the downfall, Sauron's wrath was great and in {{SA|3429|n}} he launched an attack upon Isildur's fortress, Minas Ithil. Believing that Sauron had perished in the [[Downfall of Númenor]], they were completely taken by surprise, [[Minas Ithil]] was [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taken]], and the [[White Tree of Gondor]] that Isildur had planted there was burned. Nevertheless Isildur, his wife and children escaped, saving a seedling of the tree, too, and sailing down [[Anduin]] journeyed to Elendil's realm in Arnor. There Elendil and [[Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]] forged the [[Last Alliance|Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] in {{SA|3430|n}}, to defeat Sauron ultimately. Meanwhile, Anárion held out in Gondor, defending [[Osgiliath]] and [[Minas Anor]].<ref name=Rings/>

In {{SA|3431}}, the [[Elves of Lindon]] led by Gil-galad and [[Círdan]] marched eastward and were awaited by Elendil at [[Amon Sûl]]. The combined host marched towards [[Rivendell|Imladris]], where they joined with [[Elrond|Lord Elrond]], who was Gil-galad's herald, and acted as his second-in-command in the coming campaign.<ref name=Rings/>

The united host rested for about three years in Imladris, forging weapons and making plans. They crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] over many passes and marched down [[Anduin]] where they were joined by Elves from [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] led by king [[Oropher]] and his son [[Thranduil]] and [[Elves of Lórien]] under King [[Amdír]],<ref name="Silvan Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref> as well as by the [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm|kindred]] of [[Durin]] from [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].<ref name=Rings/> At the southern eaves of [[Eryn Galen]], the host turned south-east and marched through desolate areas that had once been the [[Entwives]]' gardens. They, and probably the Entwives themselves, had been destroyed by [[Sauron]] to deprive the Alliance's forces of supplies.<ref>{{TT|Treebeard}}</ref>

Isildur called upon the [[Men of the Mountains]] to join the war against Sauron, but they refused to do so despite having sworn an oath of allegiance to Gondor. As such, Isildur cursed them, proclaiming that they would find no rest until the day they came forth to fulfill their oath. In response, the oathbreakers fled into their haunts in the [[White Mountains]] and did not join themselves to either the Last Alliance or to Sauron's hosts.<ref>{{RK|Debate}}, p. 876</ref>

The Alliance entered the vast plain outside Mordor where Sauron's host awaited them from the north-west.

Of the Dwarves, few fought upon either side; but the folk of Durin from Khazad-dûm fought against [[Sauron]].<ref name=Rings/>

===Battle of Dagorlad===
{{main|Battle of Dagorlad}}
The [[Silvan Elves]] of [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] led by their King [[Oropher]] and of [[Lórien]] led by King [[Amdír]] were not well equippied with armour and weapons in comparison with the [[Eldar]] of the West and did not want to place themselves under the supreme command of Gil-galad. [[Oropher]] and his bravest warriors the [[Silvan Elves]], charged forward before Gil-galad had given the command and suffered heavy casualties, including Oropher himself. Amdír and his forces were cut off from the main battle and driven to the north-west into the marshes, where he also fell along with more than half of his troops.<ref name="Silvan Princes"/> This area became known afterwards as the [[Dead Marshes]], because of the thousands of bodies buried there.

This battle raged for days and nights continuously. But the Elves were still mighty in these times and the Númenóreans were tall and strong and terrible. And none could withstand [[Aeglos (spear)|Aeglos]] and [[Narsil]], Gil-galad's spear and Elendil's sword which filled the orcs and wicked men with fear. Slowly Elves and Númenóreans whittled down the vast numbers of Orcs and pushed them back towards the [[Black Gate]].<ref name=Rings/>
No account is given how the Alliance managed to break through this mighty fortification though.

===Siege of Barad-dûr===
{{main|Siege of Barad-dûr}}
The forces of the Last Alliance had forced their way through the Black Gate into Mordor itself. Victory seemed close, but no power short of the [[Valar]] could breach the [[Dark Tower]] by force. Though a great part of Sauron's forces was destroyed at the Dagorlad his host was still numerous and Sauron ordered many a sortie. The siege went on year after year, from {{SA|3434}} to {{SA|3441|n}}.<ref name=Rings/> Isildur's sons, [[Aratan]] and [[Ciryon]], were detached and sent to Minas Ithil to guard against a breakout to the southwest, but his oldest son, Elendur served by his side till the end.<ref name="Gladden">{{UT|Gladden}}</ref> [[Anárion]] was killed in {{SA|3440|n}} by a projectile thrown from the tower.<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In the seventh year of the siege, it became so pressing that [[Sauron]] himself came forth. His onslaught was terrible and the siege was almost broken as Sauron and his host advanced to the slopes of [[Mount Doom]]. There he was encountered by the captains of the Alliance, Gil-galad and Elendil and to their side stood Elrond, Círdan and Isildur. Sauron fought with Gil-galad and Elendil, and both were slain. As Elendil fell, his sword was broken beneath him. Yet Sauron was thrown down, too, and Isildur seized the hilt of his father's sword and cut off the finger on which Sauron wore the One Ring. Being bereft of its power, Sauron was no longer able to hold a physical form and perished.<ref name=Rings/>

===Aftermath===
The Alliance pursued the Orcs, who were then in disarray, and killed them all. The Barad-dûr was levelled but its foundations remained behind since they were built with the power of the [[One Ring]] which was not destroyed. The thousands of dead Men and Elves were taken out of Mordor and buried in the Dagorlad Plain.

Over the course of the war, which ended with the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|3441}}, most of the Silvan army had been lost. Thranduil led the remaining third of his army back home to the Greenwood.<ref name="Silvan Princes"/>

While he had captured the [[One Ring]], Isildur refused Elrond and Círdan's entreaties that he destroy it by casting it into the [[Crack of Doom]], claiming it as a weregild for his father's and brother's death.<ref name=Rings/> The result of this was that while [[Sauron]] was defeated and cast down, his spirit was not destroyed. He hid in the dark lands east of Mordor, and slowly rebuilt his power. The Nine ([[Nazgûl]]) also bided their time for the day when he would rise again.

While the Orc armies of Sauron had been well nigh destroyed in the War, scattered groups of them survived. In the Last Alliance, the casualties had been heavy. [[Elendil]] and [[Anárion]] were gone, and [[Gil-galad]], last [[High King of the Noldor]], was no more. [[Arnor]] took grievous losses, and suffered from a decline in population. It never really recovered as a major power and broke into three pieces some centuries later. [[Gondor]] suffered less heavily and became a powerful nation. [[Isildur]], the new [[Kings of Arnor|High King of Arnor]], perished only two years later in the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]], along with his three older sons. They were ambushed by an Orc task force operating near the River Anduin. In the course of Isildur's death, the Ring was lost in the depths of [[Anduin]].<ref name="Gladden"/> Much was lost, but [[Sauron]] was suppressed- for a while.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===The War of the Last Alliance in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - War of the Last Alliance.png|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Last Alliance.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers (video game) - War of the Last Alliance.png|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Battle for Middle-earth - War of the Last Alliance.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]''
File:Shadow of War - War of the Last Alliance.png|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]''
</gallery>
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The entire venture of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] was combined into a short silhouette play, in which [[Isildur]] cut the [[The One Ring|Ring]] off [[Sauron]]'s hand in battle - not when Sauron was already conquered.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:This film also compresses the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], the Siege, and the final duel into one, and places them all at [[Mount Doom]], in a prologue similar to that of the 1978 film. The main perspective of the entire [[Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All...|Prologue - ''One Ring to Rule Them All...'']] - lies with [[Elrond]]. The death of [[Gil-galad]] is not mentioned, [[Anárion]] is cut completely, and the deaths of [[Elendil]] and Sauron are rewritten: after coming forth, Sauron wreaks havoc among the [[Elves]] and [[Men]], and a blow from his mace throws Elendil against the mountainside, killing him. Isildur tries to take up [[Narsil]], but it breaks as Sauron steps on it. In a desperate strike, Isildur slashes the Ring, and four fingers, from Sauron's hand. Sauron's body sends a shockwave over the land and dissolves into nothingness.

:In a later scene, named ''[[The Fate of the Ring]]'', Elrond tells [[Gandalf]] of the final debate with Isildur, inside Mount Doom. [[Círdan]] is not present, and Isildur refuses by simply saying "No".

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)]]'':''''
:The war serves as the setting for the tutorial. The player controls Isildur making his way through Mordor.

{{References}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[Category:Wars]]

[[fr:encyclo/evenements/2a/guerres/guerre de la derniere alliance]]

Háma (son of Helm)

2025-12-08T06:41:22Z

Aeglos: /* Háma in adaptations */

{{disambig-two|the son of Helm|guard of [[Meduseld]]|[[Háma]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Rohirrim|Rohir]]
| name=Háma
| image=Lída Holubová - The House of Eorl - Children of Helm Hammerhand.jpg
| caption="The House of Eorl - Children of Helm Hammerhand" by [[Lída Holubová]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Rohan]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Rohanese]] and [[Westron]]
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death={{TA|2759}}
| deathlocation=Near the [[Hornburg]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Eorl]]
| parentage=[[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]]
| siblings=[[Haleth (son of Helm)|Haleth]] and [[Helm's daughter|unnamed sister]]
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Háma''' was the second son of [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]].

==History==
When the [[Dunlendings]] invaded [[Rohan]] in {{TA|2758}}, Háma took refuge in [[Helm's Deep]] with his father. During the [[Long Winter]] Helm was besieged, the Rohirrim's food ran low, and the people began to starve. After [[Yule]], Háma led a group out of the fortress on a sortie to find food, but they got lost in a snow storm and never returned.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>

==Etymology==
Háma in [[Old English]] means "of home".

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | GRA | | |GRA=[[Gram]] ''{{TA|2668|n}} - {{TA|2741|n}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | HEL | | HIL |HEL=[[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]] ''{{TA|2691|n}} - {{TA|2759|n}}''†|HIL=[[Hild]] ''unknown''}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|(| | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | HAL | | HAM | | DAU | | FRE |HAL=[[Haleth (son of Helm)|Haleth]] ''d. {{TA|2758|n}}''†|HAM='''HÁMA''' ''d. {{TA|2759|n}}''†|DAU=''daughter'' ''unknown''|FRE=[[Fréaláf|Fréaláf Hildeson]] ''{{TA|2726|n}} - {{TA|2798|n}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | BRY |BRY=[[Brytta|Brytta Léofa]] ''{{TA|2752|n}} - {{TA|2842|n}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | WAL |WAL=[[Walda]] ''{{TA|2780|n}} - {{TA|2851|n}}''†}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Háma in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
The War of the Rohirrim - Háma.png|Háma in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim]]''
</gallery>

'''2024: ''[[War of the Rohirrim]]'':'''

{{references}}
{{title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hama (son of Helm)}}
[[Category:Rohirrim]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Háma (Sohn von Helm)]]
[[fi:Háma (Helmin poika)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/hommes du nord/rohirrim/hama fils de helm]]