 | |
| River | |
| Lhûn | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Pronunciation | S, [ˈɬuːːn] |
| Other names | Lune (W) |
| Location | Western Eriador, east of the Ered Luin |
| Type | River |
| Gallery | Images of Lhûn |
The Lhûn, or Westronized Lune,[1] was a river in the north-west of Eriador. It gave its name to the Gulf of Lune and the Mountains of Lune (also known as the Blue Mountains). Of old, the Lhûn had been a line of defence: first against Sauron, and later against the Witch-king.
Geography
The Lhûn flowed from its source on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains near their northern end southward for about 400 miles into the Gulf of Lune. Its first tributary, the Little Lune[2] flowed from its source on the eastern side of the central part of the Blue Mountains eastward into the Lhûn about 150 miles downstream from the source of the Lhûn. Its secondary tributary, an unnamed river flowed from the western side of the central part of the Emyn Uial southwestward into the Lhûn over 200 miles downstream from the source of the Lhûn.[3][4]
The course of the Lhûn during the First Age is no longer recorded in history. In the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age a great gap appeared between Blue Mountains towards their southern end and a gulf of the sea flowed into the gap. The river Lhûn fell by a new course into the gulf, which was since then called the Gulf of Lhûn.[5]
History
After Elendil landed with his ships in Lindon[5] in S.A. 3319, he travelled up the river Lhûn and established his realm[5] of Arnor east of the river Lhûn[6]. His people lived in many places in Eriador about the course of the Lhûn.[5]
During the War of the Elves and Sauron Gil-galad and Númenóreans that had been stationed in Lindon managed to hold the Lhûn against the forces of Sauron.[7]
During the War with Angmar, it formed the end of the Witch-king's influence: many of the Dúnedain were driven by the forces of Angmar across the Lhûn.[8] When Prince Eärnur, the son of King Eärnil II of Gondor came with a fleet to the aid of Lindon and Arnor, the combined forces of Lindon, Arnor and Gondor crossed the Lune and defeated the forces of Angmar.[9]
Etymology
The meaning of Lhûn is not known. In connection with its first appearance, in a manuscript dating from ca. 1940, the translation "Blue River" is given.[10][11] Apparently, Tolkien originally envisioned it as Noldorin for "blue" (cf. Sindarin luin).[12] Lhûn, and especially the initial /lh/, may have been valid in Noldorin, it was not so in Sindarin, so Tolkien had to rewrite the etymology. He considered the following:[11][13]
Portrayals in adaptations
2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:
External links
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation", p. 1134
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "Notes", note 63
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", second paragraph, p. 1039
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ {{App|Eriador}, entry for King Arvedui, p. 1041
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entry for King Eärnil II, p. 1051
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "VI. The Council of Elrond (1): The Third Version, (iii)", p. 124
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part Two: The Problem of Lhûn" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 48, December 2005
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entry for LUG2-
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), entry S Lhûn, pp. 136-7
- ↑ "Lhûn". The Lord of the Rings Online Wiki