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Orthanc
Tower
File:Alan Lee-Orthanc.jpg
General Information
LocationIsengard
TypeTower
DescriptionCarved black Tower
RegionsIsengard as part of Gondor[1], Treegarth of Orthanc as part of the Reunited Kingdom[2]
People and History
InhabitantsNúmenóreans-in-exile, Gondorians, Saruman
EventsBattle of Isengard
"BLAH"
― BLAH[3]

Orthanc was the impregnable tower of Isengard built by the Númenóreans-in-exile during the Second Age.[4]

History

Second Age

Third Age

Fourth Age

One of King Elessar's first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of Orthanc. He ordered that the palantir recovered from Saruman should be returned to the tower. It was then that the tower was searched and many secrets were revealed. It became clear that Saruman had hoarded many ancient treasures and heirlooms. They found that, with the aid of Wormtongue, Saruman had acquired jewels and heirlooms of Eorl. With the help of Gimli a hidden door was found and opened. Inside a casket found on a shelf they found two precious items. One was a small golden case attached to a chain; this was used by Isildur to bear the One Ring. The second item in the casket was the Elendilmir, the "white star of Elvish crystal upon a fillet of mithril" that had been lost since Isildur's demise. Elessar recieved the Elemdilmir with reverence and took it with him as he established his full kingship of Arnor. It was clear that Saruman had found the remains of Isildir and that he had probably burned the body.[1]

Orthanc and Isengard remained part of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor. However King Elessar granted the Ents complete self-governance of the area surrounding Orthanc. This new forest became known as the Treegarth of Orthanc.[2]

Etymology

Orthanc
Tengwar, Sindarin mode

Orthanc displays a curious double etymology since it has a meaning both in Old English and Tolkien's constructed language Sindarin.[source?]

In Sindarin, it means for "Mount Fang", containing root or and the word tanc "tooth". In Old English (used to render Rohirric) orþanc or orþonc means "intelligence, understanding, mind; cleverness, skill; skillful work, mechanical art".[source?]

Tolkien gave both etymologies as valid and co-existing in Middle-earth, and said that the Rohirrim reinterpreted and understood the word as such in their languages.[source?]

However another curiosity arises in that although Old English is used to "translate" Rohirric, the Rohirrim did not speak Old English. So, it is likely that it also had a different meaning in original Rohirric (although its etymology is not given).[source?]

Portrayal in adaptations

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Sea also

References