Cross-roads
The Cross-roads of the Fallen King where the point in the land of Ithilien were the road running northward from the Harad (Harad Road) was crossed by the east-west road from Osgiliath to Minas Ithil (later Minas Morgul).[1]
History
Originally maintained by the Men of Gondor, who grew tall trees and built a statue of a king, the Cross-roads had effectively fallen under the control of Sauron at the time of the War of the Ring.
When Frodo, Sam, and Gollum came to the Cross-roads they were in a belt of trees of vast size. Next to the road leading to Osgiliath they found the statue befouled by the Orcs. The head had been knocked off and replaced by a stone effigy, but seeing it gave Frodo hope, for the head was crowned with flowers.[2]
Sometime later, in the evening of March 18, a vanguard of Army of the West passed by the Cross-roads. Aragorn ordered a fanfare of trumpeteers and reclaimed the lands. Soldiers broke the defiling stone-head and restored the statue also washing the scrawls away.
The next day they were joined by the main Host. Before leaving, they stationed a strong force of archers there, to guard against any attack from the East or South.[3]
