 | |
| Sinda | |
| Amroth | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Titles | King of Lórien |
| Location | Lothlórien, Edhellond |
| Language | Sindarin, Silvan Elvish |
| Birth | Before c. S.A. 730[1] |
| Rule | S.A. 3434 - T.A. 1981 |
| Death | T.A. 1981 (aged 4,685+) Bay of Belfalas |
| Family | |
| Parentage | Amdír |
| Spouse | Nimrodel (betrothed) |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Hair colour | Bright[2] |
| Gallery | Images of Amroth |
Amroth, was an Elf, and king of Lórien.
He was lost in the waters of the Bay of Belfalas when his ship, waiting for the arrival of his beloved Nimrodel, was blown to sea by a great storm and he attempted to swim back in order to not be parted from her.[3]
History
Early history
Amroth was Sinda, the son of Amdír.[2]
In S.A. 1697, after the fall of Eregion during the War of the Elves and Sauron, Amroth led a force of Elves from Lórinand, joined by Dwarves of Durin, against Sauron. Sauron's forces were engaged with those of Elrond, and would have overwhelmed them, but the intervention of Amroth and Durin enabled Elrond to extricate himself and withdraw north. Sauron then turned upon the Elves of Lórinand and the Dwarves and drove them back, but did not pursue them as his more immediate purpose was to capture Lindon, the capital of Gil-galad, where he believed one or more of the Three Rings were kept. Eventually, with the arrival of the Númenóreans Sauron was beaten and retreated to Mordor.[4]
Amroth became King of Lórien in S.A. 3434 after Amdír was slain in the Battle of Dagorlad.[2]
Around T.A. 1050, the shadow started to grow in Mirkwood.[5] The establishment of Dol Guldur especially caused Amroth to dwell in growing disquiet, and made his home in a high flet so that a watch over it might be kept.[2] Galadriel too felt this foreboding and, with Celeborn, journeyed to Lórien and stayed there a long time with Amroth. He was valiant and wise, and his people were content with him, so after many long journeys of enquiry throughout Rhovanion, Galadriel and Celeborn eventually returned west to dwell in Imladris.[2]
Around T.A. 1409, Elves from Lórien passed over the Misty Mountains to join forces with the Elves of Rivendell under Elrond against Angmar; along with assistance from the Elves of Lindon, they were successful in subduing the Witch-king and Angmar for some time.[6]
With Nimrodel
For many years Amroth loved Nimrodel, a Silvan Elf and for her he lived in their manner, housed in the tall trees of the great green mount of Cerin Amroth. Though she returned his love, she would not wed him. She regretted the coming of Elves from the West as she believed that they brought wars and destroyed the peace.[2]
In T.A. 1981 the Balrog emerged in Moria, drove out the Dwarves, and Moria became filled with the servants of Sauron. Nimrodel and many other Silvan folk fled away south and Amroth departed to seek for her, never to return to Lórien.[7]:fn. 9
Amroth eventually found her near Fangorn, which she would not enter as she felt the trees had menaced her and blocked her path. There they spoke, and plighted their troth, but Nimrodel insisted that they would only be wed once Amroth had brought her to a land of peace. Amroth agreed to this, even though it meant abandoning his people in their time of need. He told her of the Elf-haven in the south from where many of his own people had sailed into the West, and that there still remained a remnant who built ships and offered passage for those of the Eldar who had grown weary of Middle-earth.[2]
As they travelled they became separated, and seeking for her Amroth came to the Elf-haven. There he found few other Elves still lingering, less than a ship-load, and but one remaining seaworthy ship, which was already preparing to depart. He was welcomed, but the others were unwilling to wait for Nimrodel as their was little hope she would actually come: if she had come by Gondor she would have been untroubled, and maybe even received aid; but if she came through the mountains, there were many unfriendly Men and other evil things. The year was already waning to autumn, and soon great winds would be expected which would make travel dangerous, even to Elven-ships. However, for the grief of Amroth, they relented and waited many weeks, living aboard the ship as their houses had already been stripped and made empty.[2]
Eventually a great storm blew down from the north, sweeping away many ships of Men and tearing the light Elven-ship from its moorings. Amroth awoke to find the ship already far from land and in despair leapt into the sea in an attempt to swim back to shore. He battled for a long time against the waves, but was never seen again in Middle-earth.[2]
With the disaster in Moria, and the loss of Amroth, Lórien was in great peril and its people began to flee, risking it being left deserted to be occupied by Orcs. Galadriel and Celeborn then returned to Lórien where they were welcomed by its people and took up rule of the realm.[2]
In T.A. 3019 the Fellowship of the Ring entered Lórien and Legolas sung to them the Lay of Nimrodel which detailed the tale of Amroth and Nimrodel. Legolas further declared that in spring, when the winds were in the South, the voice of Amroth came up from the sea.[8]
Characteristics
Amroth was said to be beautiful even for one of the Eldar, and valiant and wise. His hair was 'bright' and the sun gleaming off it was like a spark of gold.[2]
Namesakes
Several places are named in honour of Amroth. Asides from Cerin Amroth, there were also Dol Amroth, a princedom of Gondor,[9] and Edhellond was otherwise known as "Amroth's haven".[10]
Other versions of the legendarium
Separate characters
The name Amroth first appears as the leader of the Númenóreans who survived the Downfall of Númenor, the character that would become Elendil.[11]
Drafts of Lord of the Rings
Before settling on Amroth for the lost king of Lórien, Tolkien considered the names Ammalas and Amaldor.[12]
Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn
In the earliest versions of Amroth's origin, he was the son of Celeborn and Galadriel, and brother of Celebrían.
His birth was first given as between S.A. 350 and S.A. 400 while his parents dwelt at Nenuial. He travelled with his parents and came to dwell at Eregion. Galadriel entered friendship with the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, and with their assistance further came into contact with the realm of Lórinand which was peopled by Nandorin Elves who had no princes or rulers and led lives free of care. At some point between S.A. 1350 and S.A. 1400 strife between Galadriel & Celeborn the Gwaith-i-Mírdain resulted in the Mírdain seizing power. Galadriel, Amroth, and Celebrían then passed through Khazad-dûm to Lórinand, though Celeborn remained behind as he would not enter the mansions of the Dwarves.[4]
In S.A. 1695 Amroth provided his aid by leading the Elves of Lórinand in the War of the Elves and Sauron.[4]
Shortly after the war Galadriel, along with Celebrían, departed Lórinand, and committed it to Amroth. She reunited with Celeborn in Imladris and they remained there a long time before departing and settling in the Belfalas as the place that would afterwards be called Dol Amroth. There, Amroth would come at times to visit them, and their company was swelled by Elves from Lórinand. Galadriel and Celeborn remained there until Amroth was eventually lost in T.A. 1981.[4]
While dating of this text is not certain, Christopher Tolkien noted this lineage must have been later than the writing of the Lord of the Rings, otherwise "had [Amroth] been supposed to be their son when it was written, the fact would surely have been mentioned."[4]
Other accounts
In a note concerning the House of Dol Amroth, Amroth is described as the brother of Celeborn. This was struck out however, and replaced with "was a Sinda from Beleriand".[13]
While working out Elf aging, Tolkien considered the following for Amroth: born in S.A. 33, full-grown by S.A. 105, (apparent age of) 29 by the founding of Eregion in S.A. 750, 35 at the sack of Eregion in S.A. 1697, 47⅙ at the end of the Second Age, and 60-61 by T.A. 1981 at the time of the disaster in Moria. He was thus nearing the end of his youth, but (in mortal years) was about 45.[14]
Tolkien also considered, but rejected, that Amroth might be the son of Celeborn, but not Galadriel. In this thought Celeborn's wife stole away, leaving him with their son Amroth. Tolkien considered that Elves, after the judgement of Míriel were permitted to lawfully remarry if one partner deserted the other. It would have been a very seldom occurrence, but could happen in such as time as the divided feelings of the end of the First Age.[14]:fn. 6
As son of Galadriel and Celeborn, Tolkien considered Amroth remaining in Eregion with Celeborn. With the onset of Sauron, Celeborn sent Amroth to Lórien, bearing one of the Three Rings for Galadriel.[15]
Etymology
Amroth means "upclimber, high climber".[2] It was probably of Silvan origin, but adapted to Sindarin.[16] It was actually a nickname derived from his residing in a high talan or flet, as living in such lofty houses was no doubt at first thought remarkable, and Amroth was probably the first to do so.[2]
Genealogy
Portrayal in adaptations
2019: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Amroth appears during an extended flashback set during the Siege of Barad-dûr in the year S.A. 3440.
Notes
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife", "Notes", note 6
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Amroth and Nimrodel"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Lothlórien"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain, entry for king Arveleg
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XVII. Silvan Elves and Silvan Elvish"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Lothlórien"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "Notes", note 39
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Last Debate"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (i) The original outline"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "XII. Lothlórien"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil"
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XVIII. Elvish Ages & Númenórean"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XVI. Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of the Elves", footnote relating to the first paragraph