Aglarond
From Tolkien Gateway
| 'I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess,' said Sam. This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality. |
Aglarond was a name for the Hornburg as well as the Glittering Caves behind it at Helm's Deep.
[edit] History
Aglarond was one of the two fortresses built by Gondor guarding the Fords of Isen, Angrenost (later Isengard) being the other. Like Angrenost to the north it was initially well guarded, but as the population of Calenardhon (the later Rohan) dwindled it was increasinly less supplied and deemed unimportant, until it was only ruled by a hereditary small guard who intermarried much with Dunlendings.
When Cirion, Steward of Gondor, gave Calenardhon to the Éothéod Aglarond was transferred into Rohirrim care, who named it Súthburg (southern burg) in their language. The Gondorian guard was merged with that of Angrenost to the north, which remained in the keep of Gondor. Guard duty of the Fords was initially shared between Gondor and Rohan, but later maintained only by the Rohirrim.
During the reign of Helm Hammerhand, Rohan was attacked from Isengard and across the river Isen by Dunlendings. Edoras was taken, and Helm and much of his people retreated to Súthburg. Because Helm always blew a great horn before riding out to fight the beleaguering Dunlendings, the keep was renamed Hornburg. During the War of the Ring, the Hornburg was the refuge of the Rohirrim as they defended Helm's Deep.
Gimli the Dwarf, had fought mightily in that battle and was enchanted by the beauty of the cave which lay in front of a huge and very beautiful cave system, irresistible to him.
Gimli established a colony of Durin's folk there and became known as Lord of the Glittering Caves, although this new realm was presumably under the overlordship of Thorin III Stonehelm, his kinsman and heir of the lordship of all Durin's folk.
The Dwarves of Aglarond restored the Hornburg following the War of the Ring, and it became a shared fortress between them and the Rohirrim. They made great works for Gondor and Rohan during the Fourth Age, like the new Great Gate of Minas Tirith.
[edit] Etymology
aglarond is Sindarin and obviously contains the elements aglar+rond, therefore "caves of glory". However since the word aglar is related to light, the Westron "Glittering Caves" can be the exact translation.
The Rohirrim called them Glæmscrafu or Caverns of Helm's Deep.
