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Aragorn II

2009-06-12T19:08:49Z

214.13.141.100: /* The early War of the Ring */

{{disambig-two|the King of [[Gondor]]|the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]|[[Aragorn I]]}}
{{disambig-two|the King of [[Gondor]]|fabled gems|[[Elessar of Eärendil]]}}

{{gondorian
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Elessar (Battlefields boardgame).jpg|250px]]
| name=Aragorn II
| othernames=[[Elessar]], [[Thorongil]], Strider ([[Aragorn II#Names|see more below]])
| position=[[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] and King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| birth=[[March 1]], [[Third Age 2931|T.A. 2931]]
| rule=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]] - [[Fourth Age 120|Fo.A. 120]]
| death=[[Fourth Age 120|Fo.A. 120]]
| gender=Male
| parentage=[[Arathorn II]] + [[Gilraen]]
| spouse=[[Arwen Undómiel]]
| children=[[Eldarion]], at least two daughters
}}{{Pronounce|Aragorn Elessar.mp3|Ardamir}}
<center>{{quote|Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Steward and the King]]}}</center>
'''Aragorn II''' ([[Third Age]] March 1, 2931 – [[Fourth Age]] 120, aged 210 years<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]].</ref>) was the son of [[Arathorn II]] and [[Gilraen]]. He was a [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] and a direct descendant through many generations of [[Isildur]], the last [[High King]] of both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. Aragorn would become the greatest man of his time, leading the [[Men of the West]] against [[Sauron]]'s forces, helping to destroy the [[One Ring]], and reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]].

==History==
===Early Life===
At his birth, he received the name Aragorn from his father as "a name used in the House of the Chieftains". But his grandmother, Ivorwen, noted with foresight that Aragorn would one day wear on his breast a green stone; from this would come his royal name [[Elessar]] ([[Quenya]] for "Elfstone"), and he would be a healer and a renewer.

When Aragorn was two years old, his father was slain when an [[Orc]] arrow pierced his eye. As was the tradition of his people, Aragorn was fostered in [[Rivendell]] by [[Elrond]]. By Elrond's order, his identity was kept secret, as he feared he would be slain like his father and grandfather. Aragorn was named '''''[[Estel]]''''' ([[Sindarin]] for "Hope") instead, and was not told about his heritage until he came of age in [[Third Age 2951|2951]].

Elrond revealed to "Estel" his true name and ancestry in 2951, when Aragorn was twenty years old, and delivered to him the heirlooms of his House: the shards of [[Narsil]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]]. The next day, in the woods of Rivendell, Aragorn met and fell in love with [[Arwen Evenstar|Arwen]], daughter of Elrond, who had newly returned from [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lórien]].
[[Image:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''Aragorn and Arwen'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]

===Life as a Ranger===
Aragorn took up his proper name as Aragorn II, sixteenth of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, and went into [[The Wild]].
In [[Third Age 2953|2953]] he was not present in Rivendell for the last meeting of the [[White Council]]. Aragorn met [[Gandalf the Grey]] in [[Third Age 2956|2956]], and they became great friends. At Gandalf's advice he started to become interested in the [[Shire]], and became known around the area as '''''Strider'''''.
[[Image:Catherine Chmiel - Ecthelion,Thorongil and Boromir study.jpg|thumb|200px|right|"Thorongil" with [[Ecthelion II]], by [[Catherine Karina Chmiel]]]]
From [[Third Age 2957|2957]] to [[Third Age 2980|2980]] Aragorn took great journeys, serving in the armies of King [[Thengel]] of [[Rohan]], and Steward [[Ecthelion II]] of Gondor. Many of his tasks weakened [[Sauron]] and his allies, which during the [[War of the Ring]] helped the West survive. His name in Gondor and Rohan was '''''Thorongil''''' (Sindarin for "Eagle of the Star"), and with a few Gondorian ships he led a [[Surprise Attack on Umbar|Surprise Attack on the Havens of Umbar]], destroying many of their ships and slaying its lord. He later left Gondor to travel into the far East and South "exploring the hearts of men good and evil" and learning about the "plots and devices" of the servants of the Dark Lord. Later in 2980 he was in [[Lothlórien]], and there once again met Arwen. He gave her the heirloom of his House, the [[Ring of Barahir]], and Arwen pledged her hand to him in marriage.

Elrond gave his foster-son permission to marry his daughter, on the condition that he must first become king of both Gondor and Arnor, for only a king would be worthy of Arwen's hand. This may seem a harsh condition, but it should be noted that it is significantly more lenient than the closest precedent, King [[Thingol]]'s request that [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] obtain a [[Silmaril]] from [[Morgoth]] before marrying his daughter [[Lúthien]].

===War of the Ring===
====Fellowship of the Ring and events preceding====
In the year [[Third Age 3001|3001]], as a now revealed [[Sauron]] continued to regain power in [[Mordor]], Aragorn began assisting [[Gandalf]] for news of [[Gollum]]. Gandalf suspected that the ring [[Bilbo Baggins]] found near Gollum's lake was in fact the [[One Ring]]. In [[Third Age 3018|3018]] after searching intermittently over the years, Aragorn finally overtakes Gollum in the [[Dead Marshes]] and takes him to Thranduil in Mirkwood to be held captive. He then returns west where he meets with Gandalf and learns of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo Baggins]]' plan to leave the shire with the ring.

Aragorn and his [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] kept watch over the border of the [[Shire]] waiting for sight of Frodo. While staying in [[Bree]], Aragorn crossed the paths of four hobbits in [[The Prancing Pony]]. Aragorn watched as the hobbits clumsily hid their names and intentions. He watched as [[Frodo Baggins]], the leader of the party, fell from a table and disappeared as he put the ring on. Aragorn, whose name was given as Strider, seemed to show no surprise, only annoyance at Frodo’s foolish vanishing act. He arranged for an interview that night, where he warned them of the [[Black Riders]] and [[Bill Ferny]], then bluntly requested that they use him as a guide. After some consideration, and a note given them by the forgetful [[Barliman Butterbur]] from Gandalf condoning him, Frodo agreed.

Aragorn’s plan to reach Rivendell was to first head toward [[Archet]] and bear right to [[Weathertop]]. After the [[Ambush at Weathertop]] and the wounding of Frodo, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] took over the position as leader of the Hobbits. After a while they met [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]], a friend of Aragorn’s, and it was not much later that they arrived in Rivendell.
[[Image:Inger Edelfeldt - Death of Boromir.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Aragorn at the death of Boromir, by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]

At the Council of Elrond Aragorn was as a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. Aragorn's intentions were to travel with the company for a while before returning to [[Gondor]] with [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir)]].

Aragorn encouraged the taking of the [[Redhorn Pass]], which ended in disaster. He reluctantly conceded to Gandalf’s plan to pass through [[Moria]], though his sense of foresight warned him for Gandalf. Indeed, after Gandalf fell into the abyss with [[Durin’s Bane]], Aragorn was naturally elected leader of the company, despite some resentment by Boromir.

Aragorn again amazed the rest of the Fellowship by his apparent closeness to the people of [[Lothlórien]], and his friendship with [[Celeborn (Lord of Lórien)|Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]. Even at the [[Falls of Rauros]] he was undecided, leaving it to Frodo for the final decision. For though it was obvious he wished to go to [[Minas Tirith]] with Boromir, he yet felt that it was his duty to go where the [[Ringbearer]] chose.

====The early War of the Ring====

After Frodo escaped him and Boromir perished, he with the remaining members of the Fellowship, namely [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] and [[Gimli Elf-friend|Gimli]], chose to try and save Merry and [[Pippin]] from the [[Uruk-hai]] that had ambushed them, forming the group that would later be known as the [[Three Hunters]].

He met [[Éomer]] in the fields of [[Rohan]], and an instant friendship formed, both feeling the honesty and lordliness of the other. Éomer took a risk for his sake, giving him horses, with the promise that one day soon Aragorn would return to [[Edoras]]. Aragorn, tracking the Hobbits, followed into Fangorn forest, where he met the resurrected [[Gandalf the White]]. After the restoration of [[Théoden]], he rode to [[Helm's Deep]] to fight in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]]. There he, alongside his new-found “brother” Éomer, and King Théoden, marshaled the defense against [[Saruman]]’s army. His revealed majesty upon the battlements of the Hornburg as he waited for the dawn caused some of the [[Dunlendings|Wild men]] to pause and shudder, and he heralded the return of Gandalf with [[Erkenbrand]].

After Pippin’s terrifying experience with the [[Orthanc-stone]], Gandalf presented it in a formal manner to Aragorn, its rightful master, who hinted that it would be used by him eventually. After the departure of Gandalf and Pippin to Minas Tirith, he rode for a while longer with Théoden, meeting up with his friend [[Halbarad]] of the North, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], and a company of staunch and fearless Rangers. Elladan and Elrohir gave him a message from Elrond: "''The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the [[Paths of the Dead]]''". Halbarad bore a gift from the Lady Arwen – the [[Standard of Elendil]]. Aragorn knew the path set before him.

====Return of the King====
A little while later Aragorn took his companions and his rangers and set out for [[Dunharrow]], departing from the King’s company. His course was clear: to take the Paths of the Dead, to summon the [[Dead Men]]. In Dunharrow, he met the lady [[Éowyn]], who had fallen in love with him. After making it clear that he could not accept her love, he turned towards the evil road with the dawn.

The [[Grey Company]] passed through the [[Dark Door]] and the [[Dwimorberg]], the Dead following, and coming at last to the [[Black Stone of Erech]], Aragorn summoned them to his aid. They drew their swords and blew their horns in answer, and swept down upon the [[Corsairs]] at [[Pelargir]] drove the mariners away. Aragorn released them, and took the [[Black Ships]] north to Minas Tirith, where the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] raged. The Standard of Elendil broke forth, and his Dúnedain swept down, giving the final blow to the army of [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. The counterattacked army of [[Sauron]] crumbled utterly. But Aragorn did not enter the city.
[[Image:Luca Michelucci - 1999 - March.jpg|thumb|175px|left|The Black ships, by [[Luca Michelucci]]]]
Aragorn, furling his banner, appointed [[Imrahil]] the temporary lord of the City, as the law demanded. Eventually, however, Aragorn did come to the [[Houses of Healing]], where he tended and restored Merry, Éowyn, and [[Faramir son of Denethor II|Faramir]], in accordance with the prophecy “''The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known''”. Aragorn then left the city, hooded and cloaked, and yet the people of Minas Tirith followed him, for they had heard rumors. Yet when in the morning they saw the banner of [[Dol Amroth]], they wondered if the Return of the King had been but a dream.

Aragorn held [[Last Debate|council]] with his trusted companions, namely Gandalf, Éomer, Imrahil, and Elrond’s sons – Halbarad had fallen in battle. He agreed to draw forth the forces of [[Mordor]] for the benefit of the [[Quest of the Ring]], and so arranged matters for the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. After the Destruction of the Ring in [[Orodruin]] and victory at the [[Morannon]], Aragorn returned at last in the triumphant manner that befitted his position. He was crowned at the gates of Minas Tirith, winning the hearts of the people of [[Gondor]]. Gandalf took him up the slopes of Mount [[Mindolluin]], and there Aragorn found the scion of [[Nimloth]], the symbol of his mastery of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. He wedded Arwen on Midsummer's day of 3019, and then was forced to bid his old friends farewell. He turned back to his new kingdom as the [[Fourth Age]] dawned and the Ringbearers left the shores of Middle-earth forever.

===Reign as Elessar===

Aragorn ruled the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and Arnor until year 120 of the [[Fourth Age]]. He died after 210 years of life and 122 years of rule. His wife Arwen, now mortal, gave up her life shortly afterwards in year 121, aged 2,901.

He founded the [[House of Telcontar]], and was succeeded by his son [[Eldarion]]. He also had a number of daughters, whose names were not recorded.

Through his ancestor Elendil, Aragorn was a descendant of the [[Númenóreans]], great [[Men]] who were granted long lives by the [[Valar]]. Though [[Númenor]] was destroyed, its people lived on as the [[Dúnedain]], and like their ancestors they too were long-lived. Thus Aragorn lived to a great age, finally passing on at 210 years.

==Etymology==
The name '''Aragorn''' has long been without a clear etymology. [[Ruth S. Noel]] and several others proposed "King of the Tree"<ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'', page 114.</ref>, but [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] specifically said that this was not the case<ref>''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 347]].</ref>. [[David Salo]] deduces "Having Kingly Valor" <ref>[[David Salo]], ''[[A Gateway to Sindarin]]'', page 341.</ref> from Tolkien's cryptic "'Kingly Valour (for so is that name interpreted)"<ref>''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', Foreword, page xii.</ref>. This is still the most often cited etymology; Robert Ireland's ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'' gives the variation "Royal Zeal"<ref>Robert Ireland, ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'', [http://www.quicksilver899.com/Tolkien/LOTR/LOTR_AC.html The Lord of the Rings A-C].</ref>. [[Carl F. Hostetter]] proposed the meanings "King of the Globe" or "King of the Hill" in his analysis of the [[King's Letter]]<ref>[[Carl F. Hostetter]], "The 'King's Letter': An Historical and Comparative Analysis", [[Vinyar Tengwar 31]], page 18.</ref>. In "Words, Phrases & Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''", a late 1950's manuscript by Tolkien, the most clear, and apparently final, thoughts of Tolkien indicate the name means '''"Revered King"''', from ''[[aran]]'' "king" and ''ngorn'' "dreaded, revered"<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "Words, Phrases & Passages in 'The Lord of the Rings'", [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17, page 113.</ref>.

===Names and titles===
* Aragorn II - Aragorn's name as [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]. He was likely named after [[Aragorn I]].
* [[Thorongil]] - "Eagle of the Star", a pseudonym used in [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]].
* [[Elessar]] - The Elfstone, Aragorn's name as a king. Despite popular use as such, Aragorn was never known as "Aragorn Elessar", "Aragorn II Elessar" or "[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King|King Aragorn]]".
* Edhelharn - The [[Sindarin]] equivalent of Elessar, used in the King's Letter''<ref>[[Sauron Defeated]]'', The Epilogue, page 128 and following.</ref>.
* [[Elfstone]] - The [[Common Speech]] version of the previous two.
* [[Estel]] - Usually glossed as "Hope", the concept ''estel'' more widely means "hope, trust, a temper of mind, steady fixed in purpose, and difficult to dissuade and unlikely to fall into despair or abandon its purpose".
* [[Strider]] - A sobriquet given by the men of [[Bree]]. Aragorn used it mockingly.
* [[Wingfoot]] - A honorary name given by [[Éomer]] after the pursuit of the [[Uruk-hai]] through the [[Eastemnet]].
* [[Telcontar]] - A [[Quenya]] form of "Strider", this was the name of Elessar's Royal House. It was not used independently.
* [[Isildur's Heir]] - A poetic address, as he was the heir of [[Isildur]].
* The Dúnadan - "[[Dúnedain|Man of the West]]", a name given by [[Bilbo Baggins]] when their friendship evolved.
* Longshanks - another, though less frequently used, sobriquet in Bree, ascribed to [[Bill Ferny]]. The legs of the [[Bree-men]] were shorter than the legs of the [[Dúnedain]].
* Arakorno - A rare Quenya form of Aragorn, which only appeared in a discussion about the words for Quenya "and"<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "Words, Phrases & Passages in 'The Lord of the Rings'", [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17, page 71.</ref>.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the earliest unpublished versions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]''), the character that later became Aragorn was called '''''[[Trotter]]''''' instead of Strider, and was a [[Hobbit]] instead of a [[Men|Man]]. He had wooden feet, because he had once traveled to Mordor and been tortured there.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<center><gallery>
Image:Strider from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|<center>''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]''</center>
Image:Aragorn from Rankin-Bass' The Return of the King.jpg|<center>''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]''</center>
Image:Aragorn grimace.jpg|<center>''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]''</center>
Image:Aragorn Anduril viv lotr.JPG|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''</center>
Image:Aragorn LOTRO.jpg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''</center>
</gallery></center>

'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Godfrey Kenton]].

'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[John Hurt]]. Some critics have accused this character of looking too much like a [[wikipedia:Stereotypes_of_Native_Americans|stereotype of a Native American]].

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Theodore Bikel]].

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Robert Stephens]].

'''2001: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is played by [[Viggo Mortensen]], though originally, [[Stuart Townsend]] was cast in the role. Townsend was deemed too young. Mortensen had just two weeks to train for his first scene, the standoff with the [[Nazgûl]] at [[Weathertop]]. Mortensen portrays Aragorn full of self-doubt; a change that was presumably made to fit him in the modern "anti-hero" jacket.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Daran Norris]] provided the voice of Aragorn.

'''2002: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Aragorn's part is this film is largely similar to the events in book. The most significant difference being that in the book, their was no [[Warg]] attack on the party travelling to Helm's Deep and Aragorn did not fall down a cliff.

'''2003: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Aragorn shows great trouble over the choice whether or not he should become king, whereas in the book, there is no doubt of his purpose to return as the king from the very first time his lineage is revealed.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a non-playable character, who the player first meets at the [[Prancing Pony]] and later in the story in [[Rivendell]].

'''See also:''' [http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf "Aragorn Seen Through Different Media"] by [[Connie Veugen]], comparing the introduction of Strider in Ralph Bakshi's film, the radio play, Peter Jackson's film and [[Vivendi]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|video game]] of ''The Fellowship of the Ring.

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | |EAR|y|ELW| | | | | | EAR=[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | | |GAL|y|CEL| | GAL=[[Galadriel]]|CEL=[[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!|}}
{{familytree | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |!| }}
{{familytree | | |ROS| |RON|~|y|~|CLB| | | ROS=[[Elros]]|RON=[[Elrond]]|CLB=[[Celebrían]] }}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | |!| | | }}
{{familytree | | |KON| | | | | |!| | | | KON=[[Kings of Númenor]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | |!| | | }}
{{familytree | | |LOA| | | | | |!| | | LOA=Lords of [[Andúnië]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | |!| | | }}
{{familytree | | |ELE| | | | | |!| | | ELE=[[Elendil]]}}
{{familytree | | | |!| | | | | | |!| | | }}
{{familytree | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | |!| | }}
{{familytree |ISI| |ANA| | | |!| | | ISI=[[Isildur]]|ANA=[[Anárion son of Elendil|Anárion]]}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | | |!| | }}
{{familytree |KOA| |KOG| | | |!| | KOA=[[Kings of Arnor]]|KOG=[[Kings of Gondor]] }}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | | |!| | }}
{{familytree | |:| | |EAN| | | |!| | | EAN=[[Eärnur]]}}
{{familytree |COD| | | | | | | |!| | COD=[[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]}}
{{familytree | |:| | | | | | | | |!| | | }}
{{familytree |ART|~|y|~|GIL| |!| | ART=[[Arathorn II]]|GIL=[[Gilraen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | |!| | | | | |!| | | }}
{{familytree | | | |ARA|~|y|~|ARW| | | ARA='''ARAGORN II'''|ARW=[[Arwen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|-|.| | }}
{{familytree | | | | |ELD| | |SDS| | ELD=[[Eldarion]]|SDS=''several daughters}}
{{familytree/end}}

{{references}}

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Aragorn|Images of Aragorn]]
*[[Timeline of Aragorn II|Timeline of Aragorn]]

{{sequence
|prev=[[Gandalf]]
|next=none
|list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] [[January 15]], [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]] - [[February 16]], T.A. 3019
}} 
{{sequence
|prev=[[Arathorn II]]
|next=none (abandoned)
|list=[[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] [[Third Age 2933|T.A. 2933]] – T.A. 3019
}} 
{{sequence
|prev=[[Eärnur]], 971 years earlier
|next=[[Eldarion]]
|list=[[King of Gondor]] T.A. 3019 – [[Fourth Age 120|Fo.A. 120]]
}} {{sequence
|prev=[[Arvedui]], 1,046 years earlier
|next=[[Eldarion]]
|list=[[King of Arnor]] T.A. 3019 – Fo.A. 120
}} {{sequence
|prev=[[Isildur]], 3,017 years earlier
|next=[[Eldarion]]
|list=[[High King]] of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] T.A. 3019 – Fo.A. 120
}} {{sequence
|prev=none
|next=[[Eldarion]]
|list=[[House of Telcontar]] T.A. 3019 – Fo.A. 120
}}{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Rulers of Arnor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]

[[de:Aragorn II.]]

The Return of the King

2009-05-01T21:24:37Z

214.13.141.100: /* Chapters */

{{disambig-more|{{PAGENAME}}|[[{{PAGENAME}} (disambiguation)]]}}
{{rotkchapters}}
'''''The Return of the King''''' is the third and final volume of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', following ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' and ''[[The Two Towers]]''.

==Book V==

The Return of the King, being the third and final part of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy - The Lord of the Rings - which came out on October 20, 1955. The story begins as Pippin is in Rohan, reunited with the remnants of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. He steals Saruman's Palantír and sees that Sauron will attack Minas Tirith. Then Gandalf delivers news to the steward of Gondor that war is imminent. Gandalf brings Pippin with him, who enters the service of the steward. [[Aragorn]] by his courage and leadership proves himself a worthy ruler of men. He is destined to find a lost army of men now dead yet entrapped in a curse set forth long ago by their own disobedience, in the place known as the paths of the dead. The remnants of the Fellowship lead the forces of Gondor and Rohan in defence of Gondor's capital city, [[Minas Tirith]], resulting in the cataclysmic [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. Those characters that manage to survive the battle are led by [[Aragorn]] on a assuredly suicidal feint-attack against the Black Gates of Mordor, partly to distract Sauron from defending his other borders so that Frodo and Sam can gain a clear passage into Mordor. Aragorn's company now surrounds the Black Gates of the Morannon exchanging idle words with the Mouth of Sauron.

===Chapters===

*'''I - [[Minas Tirith (chapter)|Minas Tirith]]''' - Gandalf with Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith; they talk with [[Denethor]]; Pippin enters the service of the steward.
*'''II - [[The Passing of the Grey Company]]''' - Follows Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as they pass through the paths of the dead between Rohan and Gondor.
*'''III - [[The Muster of Rohan]]''' - Rohan prepares for war; Merry heads off for Minas Tirith, on a horse with a rider who calls himself Dernhelm.
*'''IV - [[The Siege of Gondor]]''' - Back to Gandalf and Pippin, and the preparations of the city of Minas Tirith for the attack by the armies of Mordor; Minas Tirith is besieged; chapter ends with the gate of Minas Tirith broken, and the army of Rohan finally arriving.
*'''V - [[The Ride of the Rohirrim]]''' - The Rohirrim pass through the Druadan Forest with the aid of the wild men who live there, that are led by Ghan-buri-Ghan; the army arrives in Minas Tirith. (as seen from their point of view)
*'''VI - [[The Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]''' - Armies of Rohan and Gondor fight the armies of Mordor, Rhun and Harad as described in [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]; Merry and Eowyn help to kill the chief of the Nazgul.
*'''VII - [[The Pyre of Denethor]]''' - Denethor goes mad and tries to burn Faramir alive; he is saved by Gandalf; Denethor then sets fire to himself. They discover that Denethor has been using a palantir.
*'''VIII - [[The Houses of Healing]]''' - Merry, Faramir, Eowyn and many others are injured and placed in the houses of healing; Aragorn uses [[kingsfoil]] to help treat the injured.
*'''IX - [[The Last Debate]]''' - Gimli and Legolas meet Merry and Pippin again; the captains of the west hold a counsel on their next action; they decide to send 7000 men against Mordor to march on the Black Gate.
*'''X - [[The Black Gate Opens]]''' - The army, with Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Pippin (but not Merry) marches to the black gate. The Mouth of Sauron comes out to discuss terms, and presents tokens which were owned by Frodo; he then departs and the army of Mordor attacks them.

==Book VI==

In the meanwhile, the brave and loyal [[Sam Gamgee]] (who for a short time has himself become the ring-bearer) enables the long-suffering [[Frodo Baggins]] to navigate the barren wasteland of Mordor. For part of the way they are captured by a company of orcs and must pretend to be orcs before they are able to escape. The company, tired and half-alive, finally reach the [[Crack of Doom]], where the [[One Ring]] is destroyed along with [[Gollum]], freeing [[Middle-earth]] from [[Sauron]]'s power forever. This happens when Frodo at the last moment decides to keep the ring rather than destroy it, and is attacked by Gollum who bites off Frodo's finger to take the ring, trips, and falls into the lava while still holding the ring. Frodo and Sam are rescued by the giant eagles who Gandalf rides to Mount Doom, from the black gates of Morannon. After Sauron is defeated, his armies at the black gates flee, and the men of Gondor and Rohan are victorious in the battle.

Aragorn is crowned King of Gondor at Minas Tirith. After a series of goodbyes, the [[Hobbit]]s return home, only to find [[the Shire]] under the control of 'sharky' who they find out is [[Saruman]], diminished in power but not in malevolence. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], now experienced warriors of [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]] respectively, take the lead in setting things right again, and lead an uprising of hobbits against Saruman, freeing the shire. Time passes. The Shire heals, but Frodo does not. Eventually Frodo departs for the [[Undying Lands]] to find healing, along with [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Gandalf]] and the [[Elves]]. [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], Merry and Pippin watch them depart and return home in silence. Sam is greeted by his wife Rose and his daughter Elanor. The last line of the book Sam says to Rose; "Well, I'm back".

===Chapters===

*'''I - [[The Tower of Cirith Ungol]]''' - Sam goes to find Frodo in the orc tower.
*'''II - [[The Land of Shadow]]''' - Sam and Frodo make their way into Mordor; they are captured by an orc company
*'''III - [[Mount Doom (chapter)|Mount Doom]]''' - Frodo and Sam reach Mount Doom; the final battle for the ring between Gollum and Frodo.
*'''IV - [[The Field of Cormallen]]''' - The story returns to the Field of Cormallen, continuing from Book Five, chapter X; the eagles arrive; Captains of the west victorious; Frodo and Sam rescued by Gandalf; all the company meets again in Ithilien
*'''V - [[The Steward and the King]]''' - chapter begins in Minas Tirith at the Houses of Healing after the armies departed for the black gate; Eowyn taken to see Faramir, Merry is also in Minas Tirith; later they see the arrival of the armies with Aragorn, Gandalf and the four hobbits; Gandalf crowns Aragorn King of Gondor; Aragorn makes Faramir prince of ithilien and keeps the office of steward; Gandalf takes Aragorn to Mount Mindolluin to survey the lands of his kingdom. On midsummers eve Elrond, Galadriel, Arwen and the elves arrive in the city from the north; wedding of Aragorn and Arwen.
*'''VI - [[Many Partings]]''' - The company rides north to Rohan, then Isengard, where Gimli and Legolas head north through Fangorn, Aragorn returns to his kingdom, the rest of the company heads north where they meet Saruman and Wormtongue who were just released from Isengard; Galadriel and the Lorien elves leave over the pass of Caradhras; the hobbits and Gandalf then arrive in Rivendell.
*'''VII - [[Homeward Bound]]''' - The hobbits and Gandalf travel to Bree where they stay at the Prancing Pony, and are told by Butterbur that there has been trouble in Bree while they have been away.
*'''VIII - [[The Scouring of the Shire]]''' - The hobbits arrive in the Shire to find it taken over by 'the Chief' or 'Sharkey' at Bag End; Battle of Bywater; the hobbits find Saruman and Wormtongue at Bag End; Wormtongue kills Saruman, and is then killed himself by hobbit archers.
*'''IX - [[The Grey Havens]]''' - cleaning up of the shire; several years pass; Sam and Frodo meet the elves and Bilbo travelling west through the Shire, they travel to the Grey Havens where they meet Gandalf, and Merry and Pippin arrive; Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf and the elves set sail to the west; Sam returns to Rose and their daughter Elanor at Bag End.

==Title==

Tolkien conceived of ''The Lord of the Rings'' as a single volume comprising six sections he called "books" and extensive appendices. The original publisher made the decision to split the work into three parts, publishing the fifth and sixth books and the appendices under the title ''The Return of the King'', in reference to [[Aragorn]]'s assumption of the throne. Tolkien indicated he would have preferred ''The War of the Ring'' as a title, as it gave away less of the story; but he was overruled by his publishers.

==Structure==

The structure of ''The Return of the King'' mirrors somewhat that of ''The Two Towers'' in that the first section recounts the various adventures of several characters including a massive battle, and the second section resumes the quest of the [[Ring-bearer]]s.

* Book V: The War of the Ring

* Book VI: The End of the Third Age

{{lotr}}

[[Category:Books|Return of the King]]
[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien|Return of the King]]
[[de:Die Rückkehr des Königs]]
[[fi:Kuninkaan paluu]]

Arnor

2009-05-01T21:11:57Z

214.13.141.100: /* Cities, Fortresses and Watchtowers */

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Arnor map.gif|300px]]
| name = Arnor
| meaning= Land of the King, High Lands
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = (High) King of [[Arnor]] (and Gondor), King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| executive = Council of Arnor
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Annúminas]]
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = [[Eriador]]
| populous = [[Men]], [[Hobbit|Hobbits]], [[Elves]], [[Dúnedain]]
| currency =
| religious = State Eru worship
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Downfall of Númenor]] in [[Second Age 3319|S.A. 3319]]
| established = [[Second Age 3320|S.A. 3320]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]]
| fragmented = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974 ]]
| restored = [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]
| era = Second/Third/Fourth Ages
}}

{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}

'''Arnor''', or the '''Northern Kingdom''', was a kingdom of the [[Dúnedain]] in the land of [[Eriador]] in [[Middle-earth]]. It was the original seat of the [[Kings of Arnor|High King of Arnor]] who ruled over both Arnor and Gondor.

==History==

=== Early History ===

Arnor was founded at the end of the [[Second Age]] (S.A. 3320) by [[Elendil]], whose sons founded [[Gondor]] at the same time. The history of the [[Two Kingdoms|two kingdoms]] is intertwined; both kingdoms are known as the Realms of the [[Dúnedain]] in exile.

Before the foundation of Arnor there was already a sizable Númenórean population living there, a result of the slow emigration of [[Númenóreans]] which had started under [[Tar-Meneldur]] and [[Tar-Aldarion]]. Before the arrival of the [[Dúnedain]] Arnor was home to [[Middle Men]] of [[Edain]] stock, and the early colonists soon interbred with the indigenous population. Elendil and his people were aided by Noldorin High King Gil-galad and his people, and his ships sailed up the Lune river. He established the city of Annúminas as his capital. Arnor was originally favored over the more southern regions (Gondor) because the [[Elves]] under [[Gil-galad]] lived near it across the river [[Lhûn]].{{ref|1}} However, in later days after the Númenóreans fell under [[Sauron|Sauron's]] shadow they settled more to the south. This led to a situation where [[Elendil]] arrived in an area populated by people who, unlike his own [[Númenóreans]], were mainly still friends with the [[Elves]], and unlike [[Gondor]] to the south in Arnor much knowledge of the [[Elder Days]] was preserved. [[Image:Ann18.jpg|left|300px|thumb|''Palace Complex at Annúminas'' by Steven White, Jr.]]

=== The [[Palantíri]] ===

The '''[[Palantíri]]''' or 'seeing stones' were spherical stones that could communicate with each other and give visual impressions to a skilled remote user. These stones were divided originally between [[Elendil]] and his two sons. They were usually heavily guarded and under the control of the kings. There were seven of these stones in total, with three of them assigned to the northern kingdom, with the other four going to Gondor.{{ref|2}} They were:

* the [[Elostirion-stone]], in the tower of [[Elostirion]], and was used to communicate with the master stone in [[Tol Eressëa]] of the Elves, along the Straight Road. It could not contact the other Middle-Earth stones.

* the [[Amon Sûl-stone]], in the watchtower of [[Amon Sûl]]. A large stone, it was often used to contact its corresponding large stone in Gondor, at the great dome in [[Osgiliath]].

* the [[Annúminas-stone]], in the capital city of [[Annúminas]]. Though one of the lesser stones, it was the stone most often used by the [[Kings of Arnor]].

=== [[War of the Last Alliance]] ===

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Isildur2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Isildur'' in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']] At the end of the Second Age, Arnor allied itself with Noldorin High King [[Gil-galad]] in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. This war was fought over a period of several years on the [[Battle of Dagorlad|Dagorlad plain]] and in Mordor itself, at the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. Both [[Elendil]] and his son [[Anárion]] were slain in this conflict, but [[Isildur]] cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and prevailed. [[Elrond]], Gil-galad's herald, urged Isildur to cast it into Mt. Doom and destroy it, but Isildur refused, and the Ring survived. Arnor suffered heavy casualties in the war, and some parts of the land were partially depopulated. {{ref|3}}

Arnor's second king [[Isildur]] (also King of [[Gondor]]) was killed in [[Third Age 2|T.A. 2]] by [[Orcs]] in the disastrous [[Battle of the Gladden Fields]]. His three eldest sons were killed with him, but the fourth and youngest, [[Valandil]], who had remained at [[Rivendell]] due to his youth, became king of Arnor (T.A 2). [[Isildur]] also lost the [[One Ring]] at this time, when it slipped off his finger as he tried to escape pursuing Orcs. It was later found by [[Gollum]] over 2,000 years later in the River [[Anduin]].

Because [[Valandil]] and his heirs did not claim the throne of [[Gondor]] the realms were split, but Arnor's ruler kept the title [[High King]], whereas in the south the ruler was 'just' King.

=== Decline and Breakup ===

{{Transcribed|Arnor_tengwar.png|Arnor|Tengwar, Sindarin mode}}
Arnor's capital was [[Annúminas]] on [[Lake Evendim]], but by [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]] [[Fornost Erain]] had become the capital instead as Annúminas became depopulated and was slowly abandoned.

 After the death of its tenth king, [[Eärendur]], in [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]], Arnor was shaken by civil war between the three sons of [[Eärendur]]. The eldest son, [[Amlaith]], claimed Kingship over all Arnor but was reduced to only ruling the region of Arthedain as his kingdom, while the other sons founded the breakaway kingdoms of [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].

Arnor was refounded ''de jure'' by [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] king [[Argeleb I]], when [[Cardolan]] placed itself under the suzerainty of Arthedain. However, even Arthedain was eventually destroyed. The people of Arnor were mostly wiped out by the continuing wars, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in [[the Shire]], Men survived in [[Bree]] and probably other villages, and the [[Dúnedain]] of Arnor created new homes in the [[Angle of Eriador|Angle]] south of [[Rivendell]], where some of them became known as the [[Rangers of the North]].{{ref|1018}}

=== Conflict with Angmar ===

[[Image:Grant Gould - The Witch King.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''The Witch King'' by Eliot Gould]] Arnor's greatest enemy in the north by the middle of the Third Age was Angmar, ruled by the [[Witch-king|Witch King of Angmar]]. During the reign of Malvegil (c. [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]), this new power arose beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. This land became populated with the Orcs and men of Sauron, and began attacking Rhudaur and Cardolan. Eventually this Witch-king was identified as in fact the chief of Sauron's Ringwraiths. Years later, Argeleb I of [[Arthedain]], reasserted control over [[Cardolan]], and fortified a line along the [[Weather Hills]]. Despite this action, Argeleb fell in battle with Angmar and its ally, [[Rhudaur]]. His son Arveleg, however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and drove the enemy back. He held this frontier in force for quite some years successfully.

[[Image:BFME2 - Weathertop.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Weathertop'' from BFME2]] Then in [[Third Age 1409|T.A. 1409]], Angmar crossed the Hoarwell river into Cardolan and attacked again. This time, Weathertop was captured and Arveleg fell in battle. While Amon Sûl fell, the palantír was recovered and taken to Fornost. While Cardolan was laid waste, Angmar was eventually stopped by Elven forces from [[Lindon]] and [[Rivendell]], where [[Elrond]] countered them.

=== The [[Great Plague]] ===

Another threat appeared to the northern successor kingdoms, this time one that swords and spears could not deter. A [[Great Plague|major plague]] began in the east, in the vicinity of the [[Sea of Rhûn]], northeast of [[Mordor]]. After doing great damage in [[Rhovanion]], it struck [[Osgiliath]] in Gondor in [[Third age|T.A. 1636]], killing [[Telemnar|King Telemnar]] and his family. In seriously affected areas, the plague killed 50% or more of the populace. This plague, which barely affected western Gondor, spread northwards to [[Cardolan]].

In Cardolan, it struck severely, wiping out the last of Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] at the [[Barrow-downs]]. The Witch-king, exploiting the tragedy, sent evil spirits, the [[Barrow-wights]], to infest the area. The Hobbits of the Shire were damaged by it, but not heavily. The plague lost its strength, however, at this point, so that most of [[Arthedain]] was unaffected.{{ref|5}}

=== The Fall of Arthedain ===

In [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]], the final chapter in [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] history began. The Witch-king attacked during the harsh winter weather. The capital of [[Fornost]] fell, and the remaining Arnorian forces were driven over the Lune river into Lindon. King [[Arvedui]] was compelled to flee to [[Forochel]], and ask aid of the Snowmen there. His son, [[Aranarth]], journeyed to [[Círdan]] at the Havens to inform him of Arthedain's fall. Círdan responded by sending a ship north to rescue Arvedui. When the [[Snowmen of Forochel]] saw the ship arrive, they were uncomfortable and nervous about the escape plan.{{ref|6}} Their chief replied to Arvedui:
{{quote|Do not mount on this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.|''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018}}

It turned out that the Snowmen were right. A storm blew in that night and drove the ice towards the shore, and the ship was crushed and sank, with great loss of life, including King Arvedui. He unfortunately fulfilled [[Malbeth the Seer|Malbeth the Seer's]] prophecy about him at his birth that he would be the 'Last king' of Arthedain. So the North-kingdom ended, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in the Shire. They eventually chose a [[Thain]] from among themselves to replace the King, and the first of these was [[Bucca of the Marish]], in [[Third Age 1979|T.A. 1979]].

=== Showdown with Angmar ===

Envoys from Arthedain had journeyed to Gondor to ask assistance from the southern Dúnedain in fighting the Witch-king's forces. Gondor, however, was preoccupied with its own threats from the [[Easterlings]], and so could not respond immediately. Gondor had been in a weakened condition since the death of King Ondoher and his two sons in the [[Battle of the Camp]] fighting the Easterlings in [[Third Age 1944|T.A. 1944]]. [[Arvedui]] of Arnor tried to claim the southern throne but this claim was rejected by Gondor. [[Eärnil]], the victorious commander in the above battle and a member of the royal house, claimed the throne, and was confirmed by the Gondorian royal council.{{ref|5}}

[[Image:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Servant of Death'' by Amir Salehi]]King Arvedui sent increasingly urgent messages to Gondor about the crisis he faced from Angmar's continuing assaults. [[Eärnil II]] was unable to react quickly due to his need to order Gondor after succeeding to the throne, however. The king sent his son and heir [[Eärnur]] north to the Havens with a powerful fleet. Unfortunately, it was not in time to save [[Arthedain]], and the northern kingdom perished. When Eärnur's naval forces landed in the [[Grey Havens]], they dazzled both Men and Elves with their size and majesty. From these ships debarked the most powerful army seen in the north of Middle-earth in centuries. Círdan's people were quite impressed with the strength of Gondor's army, particularly its [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|cavalry forces]], dominated by riders from the [[Vales of Anduin]]. [[Círdan]] and Eärnur combined their forces, along with the remnant of Arnor's army, in the greatest joint Elf-Man army since the [[War of the Last Alliance]]; this great [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]] re-crossed the River Lune and marched northward. {{ref|rotk1026}} These allies drove relentlessly toward the Arnorian capital of [[Fornost]], where the Witch-king had occupied the palace complex there.

=== Angmar is Vanquished ===

When the Witch-king saw the invading [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host]], he failed to take it for the serious threat that it in fact was. Instead of awaiting the invaders in the fortress city of Fornost, he confidently marched his forces out to meet them in the open. He expected to defeat them as easily as had vanquished Arvedui's forces the previous year. But there was an appreciable difference this time-- the ground and naval might of Gondor. The allied Host continued to advance, and instead of establishing a merely defensive position, they attacked him from the [[Hills of Evendim]], and a [[Battle of Fornost|large battle]] broke out. The Witch-king's army could not stand before the allies, however, and began to retreat back towards their capital. Any hopes for an orderly withdrawl were in vain, however.

[[Image:Lena - Glorfindel.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Glorfindel'' by Lena]][[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|Gondorian cavalry forces]], attacking from the north, routed the forces of Angmar, and put them to flight signaling an end to what became known as the [[Battle of Fornost]]. The Witch-king, in full flight, forsook his new conquests, and made for Angmar. But the cavalry under [[Eärnur]] continued the pursuit and rode down what remained of his forces. To add to his difficulties, an Elven force under [[Glorfindel]] also attacked from [[Rivendell]], and completed his forces' destruction. At the last, the Witch-king charged Eärnur in frustration, but his horse shied away from the evil wraith. As Eärnur once again mastered his horse, Glorfindel uttered his famous prophecy:
{{quote|Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|''The Lord of the Rings'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1027.}}
This prophecy would not be fulfilled until a thousand years later, at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

=== [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] ===

After the death of King Arvedui, his son, [[Aranarth]], perceived that the northern Dúnedain had become too few to reestablish the realm of [[Arthedain]]. He took his dwindling people and turned them into nomads who traveled from place to place in [[Eriador]]. Instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]]. Through them the royal line of Arnor was maintained successfully for a thousand years until the refounding of Arnor in [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]. Aranarth brought his son [[Arahael]] to [[Rivendell]] and gave him to [[Elrond]] for safekeeping until he was grown. This became a tradition that was followed through the rest of the Third Age. Also brought to Elrond were the heirlooms of the House of Elendil: the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]], the [[Ring of Barahir]], the shards of [[Narsil]], and the [[Star of Elendil]].{{ref|rotk1018}}

So the Dúnedain survived in the shadows, waiting for a better day when the kingdom of Arnor would be reborn. There were sixteen Chieftains in direct descent, with [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] being the last. There were many perils in Eriador in that time, and many of the Chieftains died premature deaths. One of these was Aragorn II's father, [[Arathorn II]], who was slain by Orcs raiding the area.

=== [[War of the Ring]] ===

[[Image:ME-GondorKing.png|right|175px|thumb|Banner of Arnor (Reunited Kingdom)]] The Kingdom of Arnor had been fallen for a thousand years by the time the [[War of the Ring]] broke out, but northern forces did participate in the War. [[Aragorn II]] was a [[Rangers of the North|Dúnedain Ranger of the North]], and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict. A company of this group accompanied Aragorn through the [[Paths of the Dead]] and during the attack on [[Umbar]] which captured the Corsair fleet. They were with him at the last battle, fighting under his banner, at the [[Battle of the Morannon]], where [[Sauron]] was finally thrown down.

There was conflict in other areas of the North. There were three different invasions of [[Lorien]], which were thrown back by the Elven army under [[Celeborn]] and [[Thranduil]]. Finally, Celeborn and led an attack resulting in the [[Fall of Dol Guldur|capture of Dol Guldur]] and put an end to Sauron's northern threat.

There was also a battle fought in the [[Shire]], between Saruman's [[Ruffians]] and [[Hobbit]] militia forces. This was the last battle fought in the [[War of the Ring]], and resulted in the death of Saruman and the death or capture of his followers. This became known as the [[Battle of Bywater]], and represents the Hobbit contribution to the War.{{ref|10}}

== Restoration and the [[Reunited Kingdom]] ==

[[Image:Rowena Morrill - The Last Steward of Gondor.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''The Last Steward of Gondor'' by Rowena Morrill]]Faramir, son of Denethor II the last Ruling Stewart, presented his rod of office to the new king, and received it back from him. [[Aragorn II]] then was crowned by [[Gandalf]] as [[Aragorn Elessar|King Elessar]], refounded the Kingdom of Arnor as part of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], and made [[Annúminas]] his new capital city.{{ref|rotk1019}} [[Image:John Alvin - Untitled (Aragorn and Arwen).jpg|right|thumb|250px|''Aragorn and Arwen'' by John Alvin]] He was wed to the Elven princess Arwen, who became [[Arwen Evenstar|Queen Evenstar]] of Arnor and Gondor. After the fall of [[Sauron]] Arnor was safe again for human resettlement, and although it remained less populated than [[Gondor]] to the south, in time Arnor became a more densely populated region again, even if it had dwindled in size due to the independence of the [[Shire]]. The area encompassed by the Reunited Kingdom now encompassed the territory of the [[Two Kingdoms]] at their greatest extent. In the North, this included all the land between the [[Lune|River Lune]] and the [[Misty Mountains]], and in the South included all the land between Dunland in the west, to the [[Far Harad]] southwards, to [[Rhûn]] in the east. The reborn kingdom continued on into the Fourth Age, with [[Eldarion]] eventually succeeding his father to the throne of this now empire-sized state.

== Regions of Arnor ==

* [[Arthedain]], core of the north-kingdom bordering the Lune
* [[Cardolan]], south of the [[Great East Road]], east of the Brandywine
* [[Rhudaur]], between the Weather Hills and the [[Misty Mountains]]

== Cities, Fortresses and Watchtowers ==

* [[Annúminas]], the old capital on the shore of Lake Evendim
* [[Fornost]], the new capital of the successor state of Arthedain
* [[Bree]], a trading center located on the Great East Road
* [[Lond Daer]], an old harbor town founded by Númenóreans
* [[Amon Sûl]], also called Weathertop, a watchtower on the highest of the Weather Hills
* [[Elostirion]], a watchtower in the Tower Hills
* [[Tharbad]], a fortified town and port along the River Greyflood on the southern border of Arnor

== Languages ==

The people of Arnor were of Númenórean stock, so the predominant language spoken by them was [[Westron]]. With the proximity of the Elves of [[Lindon]], at least some of the population, especially the upper classes, were probably fluent in Quenya and Eldarin.

== Etymology ==

'''Arnor''' was the colloquial name for the '''North Kingdom'''. The North Kingdom, as the land was called at its conception, was also known as ''Turmen Follondiéva'' in [[Quenya]] and ''Arthor na Forlonnas'' in [[Sindarin]]. These names quickly fell out of use, in favor of ''Arnor'': the ''Land of the King'', so called for the kingship of [[Elendil]], and to seal its precedence over the [[Gondor|southern realm]]. In full, poetic Sindarin, it was called ''Arannor'', which mirrored its Quenya name, '''Arandórë'''{{ref|n1}}. Though technically ''Arandórë'' would have a Sindarin form ''Ardor'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] chose ''Arnor'' because it sounded better. This linguistic change was ascribed to a later, Mannish development of Sindarin.{{ref|n2}}.

== References ==

# {{note|1}} ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 360.
# {{note|2}} ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 362.
# {{note|3}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.
# {{note|4}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], pp. 1017-1018.
# {{note|5}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1023.
# {{note|6}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.
# {{note|7}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1017.
# {{note|8}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1019.
# {{note|9}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1017.
# {{note|10}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[The Scouring of the Shire]], pp. 992-996.
# {{note|11}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1020.
# {{note|e1}} [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "Words, Phrases and Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''" (edited by [[Christopher Gilson]]), published in [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17 (July [[2007]]), p. 28.
# {{note|e2}} ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 347]] ([[December 17]], [[1972]]); see also ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 17.

==See also==

* [[Kings of Arnor]]
* [[Kings of Gondor]]
* [[Gondor]]
* [[War of the Last Alliance]]
* [[War of the Ring]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Arnor]]
[[fi:Arnor]]