Blackroot Vale
| Blackroot Vale | |
|---|---|
| Valley | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Mornan |
| Location | Southern Gondor, at the feet of the White Mountains. |
| Type | Valley |
| Description | Grassy upland valley inhabited by Men |
| Regions | Gondor Reunited Kingdom |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Gondorians |
| Events | Aragorn's ride to Erech |
The Blackroot Vale, known as Mornan in Sindarin,[1] was a valley of rich grassland through which the River Blackroot flowed.[2] The river rose beneath the sheer mountainsides of the White Mountains' southern extent,[3] and in the shadowed rocks above its spring was the hidden gateway leading out from the Paths of the Dead.[2]
The people of the vale were known in Gondor for their archery skills, and their lord Duinhir took a small company of his bowmen to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.[4] With them went Duinhir's sons, Derufin and Duilin, both of whom were lost in the defense of Minas Tirith.[5]
On 8 March T.A. 3019, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and the Grey Company exited the Paths of the Dead at the source of the Morthond.[6] They rode to the Stone of Erech where Aragorn, as the heir of Isildur, called upon the Oathbreakers to follow him and fulfill their pledge.[2]
Etymology
Carl F. Hostetter has suggested that the name Mornan consists of mor- ("dark") + nan (valley).[7]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 14
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 29 (note 31)
