Morgul Vale (Imlad Morgul in Sindarin[1]), was the valley of the Morgulduin in the western Mountains of Shadow. At its outflow into Ithilien stood the fortress of Minas Morgul ("Tower of Dark Sorcery"). The name was only used in the later Third Age, after the Nazgûl captured the fortress of Minas Ithil and turned it into the Tower of Dark Sorcery. The only vegetation in the valley were the Poisoned Meads[2] along the river.
Frodo, Sam, and Gollum entered the western end of the valley in order to reach the stairway to Cirith Ungol. As the three passed the white bridge Frodo was dazed by the noxious fumes and began running towards the city, but was stopped by Sam and Gollum. As they climbed the stairs they left the reek behind them on the floor of the valley.[3] Later, when the Host of the West came to and passed the Cross-roads, a vanguard led by Aragorn and Gandalf rode to Morgul Vale and there destroyed the bridge and set fire to the Poisoned Meads[2].[4] After the war was over, Aragorn as King Elessar ordered that Minas Morgul be utterly destroyed.[5]
Portrayal in adaptations
2019: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Added in the Minas Morgul expansion, the Morgul Vale contains the Stairs of Cirith Ungol, Shelob's Lair (Torech Ungol), Minas Morgul, the Ered Gorgoroth peak of Achathras under which the dead city is located, and the hidden valley of Thuringwath.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", lad
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien (editor: William Cloud Hicklin), The Chronology of The Lord of the Rings, p. 76
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Black Gate Opens"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King"