Gwaihir

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"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
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Gwaihir by Roger Thomasson.

Gwaihir was the Lord of the Eagles of Middle-earth at the time of the War of the Ring.

History

He rescued Gandalf from the pinnacle of Orthanc, and from the peak of Zirakzigil, and he and his kind brought Frodo and Sam out of Mordor after the destruction of the One Ring.

Age

Template:Noncanon The Grey Annals published in History of Middle Earth also mentions he and Landroval alongside Thorondor rescuing Beren and Lúthien from Angband as they escaped Carcharoth. If this was to be considered canon then Gwaihir would be exceptionally old by the time of his actions in the War of the Ring; at least 6000 years old.

Etymology

Gwaihir comes from the Sindarin gwaew "wind" + hîr "lord". His name translated into English would be, therefor, "Windlord".

Portrayal in Adaptations

2001: Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring:

Gandalf whispers "Gwaihir" repeatedly to the moth that arrives at Isengard. Later, Gwaihir rescues Gandalf from Isengard, and carries him to safety.

2003: Peter Jackson's The Return of the King:

Gwaihir and his Eagles come to aid at the Battle of the Morannon. They attack the Nazgûl and their fell beasts. After the battle is won and the One Ring destroyed, Gwaihir along with Gandalf and a second Eagle rescue Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee from the rocks of Mount Doom.

See Also


Named Eagles
Thorondor · Gwaihir · Landroval · Meneldor