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[[Image:Jef Murray - The Grey Company.jpg|thumb|''The Grey Company'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
[[Image:Jef Murray - The Grey Company.jpg|thumb|[[Jef Murray]] - ''The Grey Company'']]
The '''Grey Company''' was a company of thirty [[Dúnedain of Arnor|Northern Dúnedain]] commanded by [[Aragorn]]'s kinsman [[Halbarad]].
The '''Grey Company''' was a company of thirty [[Dúnedain of Arnor|Northern Dúnedain]] (clad in grey) commanded by [[Aragorn]]'s kinsman [[Halbarad]].<ref name="Grey">{{RK|V2}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
The company, aided by [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], they rode south to fight beside their [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]] Aragorn in the [[War of the Ring]]. The Dúnedain are clad almost entirely in gray. They have received a mysterious message requesting that they come to Aragorn's aid.
Halbarad received a mysterious message requesting to come to the aid of his [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]] [[Aragorn]] at [[Rohan]] ([[Legolas]] later surmised that it was actually sent by [[Galadriel]] who could read the hearts of men). Gathering thirty of his kin, and aided by [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] who wished to join the [[War of the Ring|war]], they rode south to [[Rohan]]. They found Aragorn near [[Dol Baran]] before dawn on [[6 March]], {{TA|3019}}<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> and he admitted that Halbarad was often in his thoughts but had sent no message. Halbarad bore with him a furled standard, which was a gift from [[Arwen]], and a message from her; and Elrohir conveyed a message from [[Elrond]] to take the [[Paths of the Dead]]. They journeyed with the [[Rohirrim]] to [[Helm's Deep]], where they parted ways.<ref name="Grey"/>


They found him near the [[Fords of Isen]] in the night between the [[5 March|5th]] and the [[6 March|6th of March]], at [[Dol Baran]]. Halbarad gave his kinsman a standard, which was a gift from [[Arwen]]and Elrohir conveyed a message to Aragorn from Rivendell: "If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead." They were welcomed by [[Théoden]] and after a time, the group reached [[Helm's Deep]].
The Rangers rode through the plains of [[Rohan]] and reached [[Dunharrow]] by morning of [[7 March]].<ref name="Great"/> Théoden had not yet arrived, and [[Éowyn]] in vain begged Aragorn to avoid the Paths of the Dead.<ref name="Grey"/>


As Théoden prepared the group to resume the journey, Aragorn realized that they would not arrive at Minas Tirith in time. He has decided to take the Dúnedain with him to Minas Tirith via the Paths of the Dead as the proper heir of [[Elendil]]. Meanwhile, the [[Rohirrim]] took a slower, safer path east through the mountains to Edoras.
Spurred only by the strength of Aragorn's will, the Company with [[Legolas]] and [[Gimli]] entered the dark path [[8 March|the next day]]. At midnight Aragorn summoned the Dead at a clearing to follow him to the [[Stone of Erech]]. After creeping in the darkness for what seemed like ages, the Company emerged from the Paths and rode quickly through the mountain fields with the Dead behind. They followed the river [[Morthond]] briefly to [[Erech]]. The inhabitants of the surrounding countryside fled in fear, calling Aragorn the "King of the Dead".
[[File:Abe Papakhian - Oathbreakers, Why Have Ye Come (colour).jpg|thumb|left|At the Stone of Erech]]
Arriving at the large, black Stone of Erech, the legion of the Oathbreakers announced their allegiance to Aragorn. Aragorn unfurled a black flag and pronounced himself the [[Heir of Isildur]]’s kingdom. The Company rides on to Anduin.<ref name="Grey"/>


The Rangers rode through the plains of [[Rohan]] and reached [[Dunharrow]] by morning of [[March 7]]. Théoden had not yet arrived, and [[Éowyn]] in vain begged Aragorn to avoid the Paths of the Dead.
On [[9 March]]<ref name="Great"/> they led the [[Oathbreakers]] over [[Tarlang's Neck]], across the [[Ciril]] and [[Ethring]] on the way to [[Pelargir]] and reached [[Calembel]].<ref name="Grey"/> [[10 March|A day later]] they passed across the river [[Ringló]].  


Spurred only by the strength of Aragorn’s will, the Company with [[Legolas]] and [[Gimli]] entered the dark path. At a clearing, Aragorn summoned them to follow him to the [[Stone of Erech]].
While in [[Lamedon]], the Dead drove forth the assailants from [[Linhir]], but the staunch defenders fled as well, except for [[Angbor]]. Aragorn bade him gather his folk and follow them. After Linhir they reached [[Lebennin]]. The [[Corsairs of Umbar]] were beaten back to [[Pelargir]] the [[12 March|next day]].
[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Fleet of Harad.jpg|thumb|''The Fleet of Harad'' by Darrell Sweet]]
On [[13 March]]<ref name="Great"/> they found Pelargir overrun by Corsairs once again with fifty great ships and many more smaller vessels ready to sail to [[Harlond (Gondor)|Harlond]]. The Company and the Dead drove the Corsairs away. After manning the [[Black Ships]], Aragorn released the curse of the Dead.<ref name="Debate">{{RK|Debate}}</ref> Halbarad captained a Corsair ship and they sailed toward Harlond.


After creeping in the darkness for what seemed like ages, the Company emerged from the Paths and rode quickly through the mountain fields with the Dead behind and followed the river [[Morthond]] briefly to [[Erech]] on their way to southern Gondor.
They arrived at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] on [[15 March]],<ref name="Great"/> where Halbarad fell.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref>
 
The inhabitants of the surrounding countryside flee in fear, calling Aragorn the "King of the Dead". Arriving at the large, black Stone of Erech, the legion of the Oathbreakers announce their allegiance to Aragorn. Aragorn unfurls a black flag and pronounces himself the heir of Isildur’s kingdom. The Company rides on to Anduin.<ref name="Passing">{{RK|V2}}</ref>
 
On [[9 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> they led the [[Oathbreakers]] over [[Tarlang's Neck]], across the [[Ciril]] and [[Ethring]] on the way to [[Pelargir]].<ref name="Passing"/> On [[March 10]] they passed across the river [[Ringló]].
 
While in [[Lamedon]], the Dead drove forth the assailants from [[Linhir]], but the staunch defenders fled as well except for [[Angbor]]. Aragorn bade him gather his folk and follow them. The [[Corsairs of Umbar]] were sent back to [[Pelargir]]
 
On their way back they freed [[Ethir Anduin]] from [[Umbar]]ian occupation. freeing Gondor's southern armies to follow them north to relieve [[Minas Tirith]]. On [[March 13]] they found Pelargir overrun by Corsairs once again with 50 great ships and many more smaller vessels ready to sail to [[Harlond]]. The Company with the Dead drove the Corsairs away. After manning the [[Black Ships]], Aragorn released the curse of the Dead.<ref name="Debate">{{RK|Debate}}</ref> Halbarad captained a [[Corsair]] ship and they sailed toward [[Harlond in Gondor|Harlond]].
 
They arrived on to the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] on [[15 March|March 15]], where Halbarad fell.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref>
 
Many of the men of Lamedon, [[Lebennin]] and other southern fiefs, came on the Corsairs to Minas Tirith, where they bore themselves bravely in battle. Angbor, leading four thousand, went by land, coming to garrison Minas Tirith after the hosts departed for the Black Gate and the ensuing Battle of the Morannon.


==Portrayal in Adaptations ==
==Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:In the opening narration, Gandalf mentions Aragorn travels with a small band of kinsmen.
:In the opening narration, Gandalf mentions Aragorn travels with a small band of kinsmen.



Revision as of 16:02, 7 March 2016

Jef Murray - The Grey Company

The Grey Company was a company of thirty Northern Dúnedain (clad in grey) commanded by Aragorn's kinsman Halbarad.[1]

History

Halbarad received a mysterious message requesting to come to the aid of his Chieftain Aragorn at Rohan (Legolas later surmised that it was actually sent by Galadriel who could read the hearts of men). Gathering thirty of his kin, and aided by Elladan and Elrohir who wished to join the war, they rode south to Rohan. They found Aragorn near Dol Baran before dawn on 6 March, T.A. 3019[2] and he admitted that Halbarad was often in his thoughts but had sent no message. Halbarad bore with him a furled standard, which was a gift from Arwen, and a message from her; and Elrohir conveyed a message from Elrond to take the Paths of the Dead. They journeyed with the Rohirrim to Helm's Deep, where they parted ways.[1]

The Rangers rode through the plains of Rohan and reached Dunharrow by morning of 7 March.[2] Théoden had not yet arrived, and Éowyn in vain begged Aragorn to avoid the Paths of the Dead.[1]

Spurred only by the strength of Aragorn's will, the Company with Legolas and Gimli entered the dark path the next day. At midnight Aragorn summoned the Dead at a clearing to follow him to the Stone of Erech. After creeping in the darkness for what seemed like ages, the Company emerged from the Paths and rode quickly through the mountain fields with the Dead behind. They followed the river Morthond briefly to Erech. The inhabitants of the surrounding countryside fled in fear, calling Aragorn the "King of the Dead".

At the Stone of Erech

Arriving at the large, black Stone of Erech, the legion of the Oathbreakers announced their allegiance to Aragorn. Aragorn unfurled a black flag and pronounced himself the Heir of Isildur’s kingdom. The Company rides on to Anduin.[1]

On 9 March[2] they led the Oathbreakers over Tarlang's Neck, across the Ciril and Ethring on the way to Pelargir and reached Calembel.[1] A day later they passed across the river Ringló.

While in Lamedon, the Dead drove forth the assailants from Linhir, but the staunch defenders fled as well, except for Angbor. Aragorn bade him gather his folk and follow them. After Linhir they reached Lebennin. The Corsairs of Umbar were beaten back to Pelargir the next day.

The Fleet of Harad by Darrell Sweet

On 13 March[2] they found Pelargir overrun by Corsairs once again with fifty great ships and many more smaller vessels ready to sail to Harlond. The Company and the Dead drove the Corsairs away. After manning the Black Ships, Aragorn released the curse of the Dead.[3] Halbarad captained a Corsair ship and they sailed toward Harlond.

They arrived at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on 15 March,[2] where Halbarad fell.[4]

Portrayal in Adaptations

1980: The Return of the King (1980 film):

In the opening narration, Gandalf mentions Aragorn travels with a small band of kinsmen.

2010-: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Grey Company forms during Volume III: Allies of the King. There are more than thirty Rangers in the company, but by the time they meet with Aragorn their numbers are reduced to thirty. Members of the Grey Company include many of the important rangers met over the epic storyline in the game, including Calenglad, Candaith, Corunir, Daervunn, Dagoras, Golodir, Halbarad, Halros, Lothrandir, Mincham and Saeradan.

References