Arod

From Tolkien Gateway
Arod
Horse
Marya Filatova - Friendship between peoples.jpg
"Friendship between peoples" by Marya Filatova
Information
LocationRohan
AffiliationLegolas, Gimli
Physical Description
RaceHorse
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Arod

Arod was a light horse of Rohan. He bore a Knight of Rohan in Éomer's éored that engaged the Orcs outside Fangorn. His rider was lost during the skirmish, but Arod himself survived and remained with the rest of the éored on their way back. In the Wold, Éomer loaned him to Legolas.[1]

Arod served his new rider faithfully, and for much of this time, Arod carried also Legolas's friend Gimli. At the Paths of the Dead Legolas spoke Elvish to calm the beast so that he would enter the Dark Door.[2] Presumably he bore Legolas on his way throughout the War of the Ring and during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.[3] Legolas and Gimli rode upon Arod with the rest of their company to take Théoden's body from the Hallows in Minas Tirith, to rest in Edoras.[4]

According to both versions of the unpublished Epilogue, Sam told his son Merry that Legolas let Arod run free when he and Gimli entered Fangorn.[5]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

In Old English (which represents Rohanese), the name means simply "quick, swift".[3]

By coincidence, there is also a Sindarin word arod, meaning "noble".[6]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Return of the King, Arod is played by a white stallion named Percy. According to Orlando Bloom, it was the friendliest horse on the set.

2012: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Arod and Hasufel, led by Shadowfax, appear in a mission in which the player has to stop Mordor orcs from stealing Black Horses of Rohan.

References