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Círdan

2008-05-29T01:05:49Z

70.116.88.59:

{{teleri infobox
| image=[[Image:Hope Hoover - Cirdan sketch.jpg|250px]]
| name=Círdan
| othernames=Nowë
| titles=The Shipwright
| birth=Sometime during [[Years of the Trees|Y.T.]], perhaps firstborn
| realm=[[Falas]], [[Isle of Balar|Balar]], [[Mithlond]]
| death=Sailed West sometime during the [[Fourth Age]]
| age=10000+
| spouse=None known
| children=
| parentage=Unknown; possibly firstborn
| gender=Male
| hair=Silver, bearded
| ref=''[[Appendices]]'', ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Last Writings]]''
|}}
{{quote|As they came to the gates Círdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them. Very tall he was, and his beard was long, and he was grey and old, save that his eyes were keen as stars; and he looked at them and bowed, and said 'All is now ready.'|[[The Lord of the Rings]], ''[[The Grey Havens]]''}}
'''Círdan''' was a [[Sinda]], and Lord of the [[Falathrim]] during the First Age. He was one of the wisest and most foresighted of the [[Elves]], and by the [[Second Age]] the oldest known [[elf]] in [[Middle-earth]], to remain so throughout that age and the [[Third Age]]. He was also awarded [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings]], until he surrendered it to [[Gandalf]]. He was one of the last elves in Middle-earth, sailing West at last probably sometime in the [[Fourth Age]].

==History==
===Early History===

Círdan, born ''Nowë''{{ref|LastWritingsN}}, was kin of both [[Elwë]] and [[Olwë]], a lord in the host of the former. During the push westward, seeking to go to [[Valinor]], Círdan and his followers kept going where most of his kin fell away throughout the journey. Despite Círdan’s great eagerness to see the light of Valinor (his "greatest desire"{{ref|LastWritings}}), he loyally searched for Elwë upon his disappearance. Because of this the Teleri missed the first trip on [[Tol Eressëa]] to [[Valinor]], on which went their close friends the [[Noldor]] and the [[Vanyar]]. [[Olwë]] they took for their king, and while waiting for [[Ulmo]] to return for them, Círdan headed the art of making and sailing ships, growing impatient. They also developed a great friendship with [[Ossë]]. At the same time, although most of the Teleri had given up, Círdan sought Elwë longer and harder than most of his kin, partly because of his love for him and his allegiance.

Because of this, Círdan came to the shores too late during the second embarking of Eressëa. He came to the sands to find them departed, and as he stood forlorn he saw far-off a glimmer of light upon Eressëa as it vanished into the West over [[Belegaer]]. Then he cried aloud:
{{quote|I will follow that light, alone if none will come with me, for the ship that I have been building is now almost ready.|Círdan, ''[[Last Writings]]''}}
But into his heart came a message, a voice. It warned him that his ship could not endure the voyage, nor would any ship for many years. The voice, come from the [[Valar]], said further, prophetically, "''Abide now that time, for when it comes then will your work be of utmost worth, and it will be remembered in song for many ages after.''" Círdan answered "''I obey''", and saw a vision of [[Vingilot]].

===Foundation and Return of the Noldor===
Círdan therefore remained with those Teleri who had chosen to stay east of the Sea for love of Ossë, and became their King. The folk became known as the [[Falathrim]], "''people of the foaming shore''", and dwelt in the [[Falas]] by the sea. There they built many ships, and the cities [[Eglarest]] and [[Brithombar]], and found pearls which they sent to their overlord, King [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]], who was once Elwë{{ref|Silmarillion1}}.

When [[Morgoth|Belegurth]] broke forth in the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] in [[Years of the Trees 1497|Y.T. 1497]], Círdan was cut off and unable to come to Thingol’s aid. Further, although Thingol conquered with the help of the [[Laiquendi]], the Falathrim were driven to the very edge of the sea, where they were besieged for some months, until the [[Return of the Noldor]], when [[Fëanor]] struck Morgoth from the north. The siege of the Falas was abandoned as the Orcs were ordered northward to help their master, where they were all destroyed by [[Celegorm]]. The Falas were saved.

Círdan attended the [[Mereth Aderthad]] with many of his people, where he swore oaths of friendship with the Noldor, and quite possibly met and befriended his later neighbors and friends [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]] and [[Finrod Felagund|Finrod]]. Although Turgon eventually moved from [[Vinyamar]] to faraway [[Gondolin]], Círdan’s friendship with Finrod was lasting{{ref|Silmarillion2}}, and Círdan became a close advisor to the Noldo. Círdan was, after all, a relative of his, being related (probably quite closely) to Olwë, Finrod’s grandfather.

===Early First Age===

When the tales began spreading (sown by [[Belegurth]]) of the [[Kinslaying of Alqualondë]], Círdan, being very wise even at that time, was greatly troubled, feeling that these rumors sprouted from great malice. Knowing the jealousy and dissention among the Noldor, he guessed that the malice was that of the kinslayers. Therefore he dutifully sent messages to his overlord Thingol, telling him all that he had heard. This resulted in the banishment of [[Quenya]], and greater strife between the Sindar and the Noldor{{ref|Silmarillion3}}.

Círdan may have assisted in the [[Dagor Aglareb]], but this is unknown. Nevertheless he did not take part in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], as he was far away and not directly attacked, if even he had time to come to the aid of his allies. Nevertheless Círdan made up for his lack of participation in the [[Second Assault on Hithlum]], coming to the timely aid of [[Fingon]] when he was most needed. They sailed up the [[Firth of Drengist]], then struck the unsuspecting [[orcs]] from the west, giving victory to the elves{{ref|Silmarillion4}}.

After the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], many fugitives came for shelter in the Falas. The Falathrim mariners harassed the orcs in guerilla attacks from the sea. But it was only a matter of time before Morgoth attacked. Then came the disastrous [[Fall of the Falas]]. Though both [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]] were strong, with mighty walls, both fell one at a time due to the impressive array of siege-masters Morgoth had in his train. The elves fought valiantly, but the walls were broken and most of the Falathrim killed or enslaved. [[Barad Nimras]] was cast down, and the Falas laid to waste. But Círdan and some of his followers escaped by sea, and he took with him [[Gil-galad]], one of the last of the princes of the Noldor. They came to the [[Isle of Balar]] and founded a new kingdom, but kept a foothold at the [[Mouths of Sirion]], keeping ships hidden in the reeds there, making a refuge for all who fled there{{ref|Silmarillion5}}.

===Lord of Balar===

Turgon, receiving the dreadful news, requested that Círdan send mariners to seek [[Valinor]] and the aid of the [[Valar]]. Círdan built seven swift ships, and sent them westward. None returned, save for only one mariner of the [[Gondolindrim]]. The way to the West was closed{{ref|Silmarillion5}}.{{Pronounce|Cirdan.mp3|Ardamir}}

Eventually Círdan served as messenger, when [[Ulmo]] delivered him a message for [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]], warning of the doom of [[Nargothrond]], and ordering him to shut his gates and cast down the bridge. The warning went unheeded, resulting of the [[Fall of Nargothrond]].

After news came to Balar of the [[Fall of Gondolin]], [[Gil-galad]] was proclaimed [[High King of the Noldor]]. Círdan soon after became a fast friend of the young half-elf [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] son of [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]], who had grown up essentially under his shadow, and was apprenticed to him. Círdan aided Eärendil in building the ship [[Vingilot]], giving him advice and help. Círdan doubtless remembered his vision, and this ship was indeed a fulfillment of it{{ref|LastWritings}}.

Círdan and Gil-galad came with their armies from the Isle of Balar too late to prevent the disastrous [[Third Kinslaying]], when the [[Havens of Sirion]] were ambushed and many fell. But Eärendil was not there, rather on a voyage, and the [[Silmaril]] of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien Tinúviel|Lúthien]] had been spirited away by [[Elwing]] his wife. Thus, wielding the Silmaril, Eärendil came to [[Valinor]] and found the forgiveness of the [[Valar]]{{ref|Silmarillion6}}. From that time on, Círdan was given foresight surpassing that of any of the elves{{ref|LastWritings}}, perhaps some special grace of the Valar for his deeds in this world-changing episode (like the return of [[Glorfindel]], who also contributed significantly). After the [[War of Wrath]], Círdan, heeding the bidding of the Valar long ago, once more obediently abstained from finding his heart’s desire and going West, but with a small following remained in [[Middle-earth]].

===Second Age===

The continents were shifted, but Círdan still took up his abode by the sea, in [[Harlindon]] with [[Celeborn (Lord of Lórien)|Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]{{ref|UT1}}. Harlindon was located south of the [[Gulf of Lune]], to the north of which was [[Forlindon]], where [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] dwelt. There he welcomed the friendly and then-unfallen [[Númenóreans]], making friends with [[Vëantur]], chief of the mariners of [[Tar-Elendil]], and later teaching [[Aldarion]] his grandson of ships (both management and construction) and seaside architecture{{ref|UT2}}, doubtless being the foremost authority on both. At some point he moved to [[Mithlond]].

Círdan advised against the creation of the [[Rings of Power]] when [[Annatar]] came, but, like Galadriel, his counsel went unheeded in the midst of the joy and enthusiasm of the [[Eregion]]-elves, and especially [[Celebrimbor]]. Nevertheless, when the [[Three Rings]] escaped the [[Sack of Eregion]], Celebrimbor had appointed him to inherit one of them. He received [[Narya]], the Ring of Fire{{ref|ROP}}. [[Sauron]], having revealed himself in the destruction of Eregion and empowered by the [[One Ring]] he had forged, [[Invasion of Eriador|invaded]] [[Eriador]] in the same blow. Nevertheless, though he killed many elves, he dared not attempt to take Mithlond or Lindon, feeling they were too strong and because they had the help of the Númenóreans. Indeed, they were his bane in that chapter of history, for the Númenóreans came and pushed him back beyond the [[Misty Mountains]], ending the [[Black Years]]{{ref|ROP}}.

Eventually there came the [[Akallabêth|Fall of Númenor]], when the great man-isle of Númenor was overturned and [[Aman]] removed from the circles of the world. But [[Elendil]] escaped with his sons to [[Middle-earth]] and founded the [[Two Kingdoms]] over a vast space of land, on both sides of the Misty Mountains{{ref|Akallabêth}}. This new kingdom of men profoundly impacted the lives of the elves of Lindon, as is seen in the [[War of the Last Alliance]].

Círdan joined the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|alliance]], and fought steadily beside his friends and comrades. Many fell there, including [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]]. Yet again Círdan outlived those around him, and survived the battle. With Elrond he urged [[Isildur]], Elendil’s first-born, to throw the captured One Ring into [[Orodruin]], where it would be unmade{{ref|ROP}}{{ref|LotR1}}. But Isildur refused.

===Third Age===

The early years of the [[Third Age]] were, for Círdan and the elves, mostly a time to catch their breaths after the fall of Sauron in the War of the Alliance. For more than a thousand years they went undisturbed{{ref|AppendixB}}, but at around T.A. 1050 a shadow began to lengthen. Though many deemed that Sauron was defeated forever, for the first time in many centuries some evil was stirring, and awake. It was at this time the [[Istari]], sent by the [[Valar]], came. Though the [[Blue Wizards]] and [[Glorfindel]] may have come earlier during the [[Second Age]], and Círdan most probably greeted them in [[Mithlond]], it is known for sure that he met [[Gandalf]] there. Círdan was one of the few of the [[Wise]] left; of the other ancient elves, only Celeborn, Galadriel, Glorfindel (who was resurrected), and Elrond remained. He was the most foresighted of all of them, and alone knew the true purpose of the Istari. He also saw deep into the future of Gandalf, and gave him [[Narya]], his greatest possession and one of the most secret and sought-after treasures in the world.
{{quote|Take this ring, Master… for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the [[Belegaer|Sea]], and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.|Círdan, ''[[Appendix B]]''}}
In [[Third Age 1409|1409]], Círdan aided King [[Araphor]] of [[Arnor]] in battle against [[Angmar]] during the [[Fall of Rhudaur]], after [[Weathertop]] was burned. With Círdan’s help, young Araphor drove the wraith’s armies from [[Fornost]] and the [[North Downs]]{{ref|AppendixA}}. The second time Círdan came to the aid of men was four and a half centuries later, in [[Third Age 1975|1975]], when Círdan sent a ship north to [[Forochel]] to rescue the lost [[Arnor]]ian king [[Arvedui]]. The crew endured a perilous journey, but found Arvedui. Yet Arvedui rashly attempted to return that winter, and all aboard perished{{ref|AppendixA}}. The next year Círdan mustered the elves to join with the [[Dúnedain]] in the victorious [[Battle of Fornost]]. Later Círdan took control of the abandoned [[palantíri|Elendil Stone]] on [[Emyn Beraid]], which could gaze into the [[Tol Eressëa|lost west]] and was without link to the other palantíri{{ref|UT3}}.

Círdan invited onto the [[White Council]] when it was formed in [[Third Age 2463|2463]] in response to the rise of the [[Necromancer]], whose identity was at that point concealed. Throughout all the recorded history of the White Council, his actions go unrecorded. His role may have only been passive; as an advisor rather than a planner. At any rate, nothing more is mentioned of his actions until the [[War of the Ring]] in [[Third Age 3018|3018]] and later [[Third Age 3021|3021]]. [[Galdor of the Havens|Galdor]] was his messenger to [[Rivendell]], though for reasons unknown. It may be that he, too, felt the growing shadow, even as his friend [[Gandalf]] did. Whatever the reason, Galdor attended the [[Council of Elrond]], speaking with authority on his lord’s behalf{{ref|LotR1}}.

The last mention of Círdan came with the end of the Third Age. When the Ringbearers came to Mithlond, Círdan greeted them before the gates. Although [[Gandalf]], [[Galadriel]], and [[Elrond]] passed west on the ship he had built for them, Círdan seems to have remained for a time. Eventually, however, he passed west on the last ship, fulfilling his heart’s desire that had waited so long.

==Characteristics and Impact==

Círdan is described briefly in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as appearing very old save for his eyes, with a consistent long silver beard. The beard, which originally was a subject of controversy among [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] fans as Elves allegedly did not have beards, was rationalized in the ''[[History of Middle-earth]]'' when it came out, where it is said that elves could grow beards in the "third cycle" of their lives (although what a cycle is remains uncertain). Other beard-growing elves included [[Mahtan]] and [[Tinfang Gelion]] (uncanonical). His apparent age may come from the many pains and troubles he has seen on Middle-earth (though Galadriel and Celeborn saw comparatively few less), though the terminology might also be a way to emphasize his ancientness.

Círdan had a profound effect upon the course of Middle-earth history. He was a loyal servant and friend of [[Elwë]], sacrificing his heart’s desire in search of him{{ref|LastWritings}}. This loyalty and sense of duty shows up numerous times over the course of history, including his second sacrifice in his submission to the [[Valar]]{{ref|LastWritings}}, and his sending of troubling and potentially destructive rumors to his overlord Thingol{{ref|Silmarillion3}}. He was also the most foresighted of the elves, a gift from the Valar{{ref|LastWritings}}{{ref|AppendixB}}. He conceivably saved Elven civilization with the founding of the havens at the [[Mouths of the Sirion]]{{ref|Silmarillion5}}, and with the fostering of both [[Gil-galad]] and [[Eärendil]]{{ref|Silmarillion6}}. His precious gift of [[Narya]] to [[Gandalf]] was also timely and valuable{{ref|AppendixB}}. He was clearly favored by [[Ulmo]], seen by the number messages passed through him.

==Portrayal in Adaptions==

[[Image:SBG - Cirdan.jpeg|thumb|'''Cirdan''' as visualized by the [[Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]]] In the [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Círdan briefly appears in [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|the third movie]]. His role as lieutenant of Gil-galad is given to [[Elrond]] instead (Elrond was Gil-galad's herald in the books) in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|the first movie]]. He does, however, appear very briefly in Galadriel's Monologue at the start of the first movie, in the very brief shot of the three elven ringbearers.

==References==
*{{note|LastWritings}} ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', ''[[Last Writings]]'', "Círdan"
*{{note|LastWritingsN}} ibid., note 30
*{{note|Silmarillion1}} ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Sindar]]''
*{{note|Silmarillion2}} ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of Beleriand and Its Realms]]''
*{{note|Silmarillion4}} ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin]]''
*{{note|Silmarillion5}} ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Fifth Battle]]''
*{{note|Silmarillion6}} ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath]]''
*{{note|UT1}} ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', ''[[The History of Galadriel and Celeborn]]''
*{{note|UT2}} ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', ''[[Aldarion and Erendis]]'' pg. 175 H-M
*{{note|ROP}} ''[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]''
*{{note|Akallabêth}} ''[[Akallabêth]]''
*{{note|LotR1}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Council of Elrond]]''
*{{note|AppendixB}} ''[[Appendix B]]''
*{{note|AppendixA}} ''[[Appendix A]]''
*{{note|UT3}} ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', ''[[The Palantíri]]'' pg. 413-414 H-M

[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Círdan]]
[[fi:Círdan]]

Cardolan

2008-03-21T14:34:41Z

70.116.88.59:

{{Pronounce|Cardolan.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{kingdom
| image =
| name = Cardolan
| meaning = Red Hill Land
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = King of Cardolan
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital =
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = Northern Eriador
| populace= [[Men]] and [[Hobbits]]
| currency =
| religious = Belief in [[Eru Ilúvatar]]
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = Disolution of Arnor
| established = III 861
| reorganized = III 1349
| fragmented =
| dissolved = III 1409
| restored =
}}
[[Cardolan]] was a breakaway realm of the [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of its tenth King [[Eärendur, King of Arnor|Eärendur]], his sons divided the kingdom into the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan.

Cardolan stretched from the river [[Baranduin]] (Brandywine) to the [[Mitheithel]] (Hoarwell). Its northern border was the [[Great East Road]], but Cardolan also claimed the Weather Hills, which contained the fortress of [[Amon Sûl]] (Weathertop). Amon Sûl housed a [[palantíri|palantír]], and for this reason it was also claimed by Rhudaur. This lead to a bitter conflict which continued until Rhudaur became a vassal of Angmar after the line of the [[Dúnedain]] failed there.

When the kingdom of [[Angmar]] appeared in northern [[Eriador]], Cardolan became the most important ally of Arthedain. It had to fight the combined armies of both Angmar and Rhudaur. It soon became apparent that Cardolan could not hold back the forces of Angmar, and in its last years the people became entrenched in their capital region, Tyrn Gorthad (the [[Barrow-downs]]). This position became unholdable after Angmar sent evil spirits to inhabit the downs (the [[barrow-wights]]). Arthedain could provide little aid, as it was itself under attack. Around T.A. 1409 Cardolan was destroyed, and its former inhabitants accepted the King of Arthedain as their lord. Arthedain managed to reconquer the land briefly, but few people wished to live there on account of the Barrow-wights, and Cardolan was soon lost again.

After the final fall of Arnor, and the destruction of Angmar at the [[Battle of Fornost]], Cardolan remained an unpopulated area until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] at the end of the Third Age.

The name Cardolan appears to be dialect [[Sindarin]] for "Red Hill Land".

[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

[[de:Cardolan]]
[[fi:Cardolan]]

Cardolan

2008-03-21T14:33:09Z

70.116.88.59:

{{Pronounce|Cardolan.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{kingdom
| image =
| name = Cardolan
| meaning = Red Hill Land
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = King of Cardolan
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital =
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = Northern Eriador
| populace= [[Men]] and [[Hobbits]]
| currency =
| religious = Belief in [[Eru Ilúvatar]]
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = Disolution of Arnor
| established = III 1600
| reorganized = III 1349
| fragmented =
| dissolved = III 1409
| restored =
}}
[[Cardolan]] was a breakaway realm of the [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of its tenth King [[Eärendur, King of Arnor|Eärendur]], his sons divided the kingdom into the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan.

Cardolan stretched from the river [[Baranduin]] (Brandywine) to the [[Mitheithel]] (Hoarwell). Its northern border was the [[Great East Road]], but Cardolan also claimed the Weather Hills, which contained the fortress of [[Amon Sûl]] (Weathertop). Amon Sûl housed a [[palantíri|palantír]], and for this reason it was also claimed by Rhudaur. This lead to a bitter conflict which continued until Rhudaur became a vassal of Angmar after the line of the [[Dúnedain]] failed there.

When the kingdom of [[Angmar]] appeared in northern [[Eriador]], Cardolan became the most important ally of Arthedain. It had to fight the combined armies of both Angmar and Rhudaur. It soon became apparent that Cardolan could not hold back the forces of Angmar, and in its last years the people became entrenched in their capital region, Tyrn Gorthad (the [[Barrow-downs]]). This position became unholdable after Angmar sent evil spirits to inhabit the downs (the [[barrow-wights]]). Arthedain could provide little aid, as it was itself under attack. Around T.A. 1409 Cardolan was destroyed, and its former inhabitants accepted the King of Arthedain as their lord. Arthedain managed to reconquer the land briefly, but few people wished to live there on account of the Barrow-wights, and Cardolan was soon lost again.

After the final fall of Arnor, and the destruction of Angmar at the [[Battle of Fornost]], Cardolan remained an unpopulated area until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] at the end of the Third Age.

The name Cardolan appears to be dialect [[Sindarin]] for "Red Hill Land".

[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

[[de:Cardolan]]
[[fi:Cardolan]]

Elbereth (disambiguation)

2008-03-21T14:10:11Z

70.116.88.59:

{{Pronounce|Elbereth.mp3|Ardamir}}
A [[Sindarin]] name meaning 'star-queen', used by the [[Elves]] of [[Middle-earth]] of [[Varda|Varda Elentári]].

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

Mámandil

2008-03-20T22:56:23Z

70.116.88.59:

{{merge|Hallacar}}

[[Ancalimë]] was the only Heir of [[Tar-Aldarion]] of [[Númenor]], and as such was pursued by many noble suitors. To escape from these, she withdrew from court life, and hid among the pastoral lands of Emerië. There she met a man who seemed to be a simple shepherd, by the name of Mámandil. Their friendship grew, but at last she discovered that he was not a shepherd at all, but [[Hallacar]] son of [[Hallatan]], a nobleman of [[Hyarastorni]]. He sought her royal hand, and though she rejected him at first, at last they wed and produced a son, [[Anárion]], who would ultimately succeed his mother to become the [[King of Númenor]].

[[category:Númenóreans]]

Ruling Queens of Númenor

2008-03-20T22:26:36Z

70.116.88.59: Unessicary repitition by someone who doesn't know what "agnatic primogeniture" means

The '''Ruling Queens of Númenor''' were [[Dúnedain]] women who ruled the kingdom of [[Númenor]]. Out of Númenor's twenty-five [[King of Númenor|rulers]], only three were female, but the existence of Ruling Queens under Númenórean law was remarkable in a society and a world dominated by male rulers.

It is worth noting that, although the females in Tolkien's writings generally have less authority than the males, the laws of Númenor were ahead of their time in this fictitious universe. The first European nation to adopt equal primogeniture (Sweden) did not do so until 1980.

In the early days of Númenor, succession followed the principle of agnatic primogeniture—that is, rule passed to the oldest ''male'' offspring of the King. A similar principle was used by the High Kings of the [[Ñoldor]]in [[Elves]], with whom the [[Edain]] of Númenor had had extensive dealings.

Silmariën (born [[Second Age|S.A.]] 5211), the progenitor of the line of the Lords of [[Andúnië]]—from which the Kings of [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] later sprung—was the oldest child of King [[Tar-Elendil]]. Under the laws at the time, women were not allowed to rule, so she was passed over in favor of her younger brother, [[Tar-Meneldur]]. Nevertheless, Silmariën is one of the most significant of Númenor's royal family, as she presumably inherited both the sword [[Narsil]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]] from Tar-Elendil, her father, as these were handed down to her descendants, the Lords of Andúnië and later the Kings of [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]]. Silmariën also probably commissioned the creation of other precious heirlooms to survive into the [[Fourth Age]]: the Sceptre of Andúnië, which after the Downfall became the Sceptre of [[Arnor]] and the [[Star of Elendil]], which likewise became the token of royalty in [[Arnor]].

[[Tar-Aldarion]], the sixth ruler of Númenor, had only one child: a daughter, Ancalimë. To prevent the throne from passing to his nephew, [[Soronto]], he changed the law to allow full cognatic primogeniture, under which rule would pass to the oldest child of the ruler, whether male or female.

==Tar-Ancalimë==
'''Tar-Ancalimë''' ([[Second Age|S.A.]] 873 - 1285, r. 1075 - 1280) was the seventh ruler and first Ruling Queen of Númenor. Her name means "Most bright".

She married the nobleman [[Hallacar]], son of [[Hallatan]] of Hyarastorni. Both Tar-Ancalimë and Hallacar were fifth-generation descendants of King [[Vardamir Nólimon]], and the marriage was more one of politics than of love. The Queen aimed to produce of an heir in order to secure her throne from her first cousin [[Soronto]]. Following the birth of their son, Hallacar and Tar-Ancalimë lived apart.

Tar-Ancalimë was raised by her mother [[Erendis]] and a childhood companion was [[Zamîn]]. Her mother's tragic married life might have influenced Tar-Ancalimë's rejection of her husband. She was succeeded by her son, [[Tar-Anárion]]. She died in year 1285 of the [[Second Age]], at the age of 412 years.

{{sequence|
prev=[[Tar-Aldarion]]|
next=[[Tar-Anárion]]|
list=[[Rulers of Númenor]]
}}

==Tar-Telperiën==
'''Tar-Telperiën''' ([[Second Age|S.A.]] 1320 - 1691, r. 1556 - 1691) was the 10th ruler and second Ruling Queen of [[Númenor]]. She succeeded her father, King [[Tar-Súrion]] (who was King because his two elder sisters had no interest in ruling). She was named for [[Telperion]], the White Tree of [[Valinor]].

Tar-Telperiën ruled for 175 years. During her reign, the [[Rings of Power]] were forged, and [[Sauron]] conquered [[Eriador]]. She did little to react to these events. She refused to marry and bore no children. She was succeeded by [[Tar-Minastir]], the son of her younger brother, [[Isilmo]]. She died in year 1691 of the [[Second Age]] at the age of 371 years.

{{sequence|
prev=[[Tar-Súrion]]|
next=[[Tar-Minastir]]|
list=[[Rulers of Númenor]]
}}

==Tar-Vanimeldë==
'''Tar-Vanimeldë''' ([[Second Age|S.A.]] 2277 - 2637, r. 2526 - 2637) was the 16th ruler and third ruling Queen of [[Númenor]]. She was the daughter and heir of [[Tar-Telemmaitë]]. She had little interest in ruling, however, and left the day-to-day chores of monarchy to her husband, the nobleman [[Herucalmo]]. Her name means "Beautiful Beloved".

Tar-Vanimeldë ruled for 111 years. When she died in 2637 of the [[Second Age]] at the age of 360 years, the Kingship should have gone to her son, [[Tar-Alcarin]], but Herucalmo usurped the throne and ruled for twenty years as King Tar-Anducal. His rule was not considered legitimate, and in the official records Vanimeldë was directly followed by Alcarin.

{{sequence|
prev=[[Tar-Telemmaitë]]|
next=[[Herucalmo]] (usurper) [[Tar-Alcarin]]|
list=[[Rulers of Númenor]]
}}

==Míriel Ar-Zimraphel==
'''Míriel'''2 was the daughter of King [[Tar-Palantir]], and the rightful heir of [[Númenor]]. She should have been Queen, but her throne was usurped by her husband, [[Ar-Pharazôn]], who gave her the name '''Ar-Zimraphel''' (as Ruling Queen she would have preferred the [[Quenya]] ''Tar-''; she would have been '''Tar-Míriel'''). When the [[Valar]] sank Númenor, Míriel attempted to ascend [[Meneltarma]], but she drowned before reaching the summit.

==Ruling Queens in Gondor and Arnor==

After the [[Akallabêth|destruction of Númenor]], the suriving Númenóreans (led by descendents of Silmariën) founded the kingdoms of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]] in [[Middle-earth]]. At that point, cognatic primogeniture seems to have been abandoned; none of the rulers of [[Kings of Arnor|Arnor]] or [[Kings of Gondor|Gondor]] were women, and in the case of [[Anárion]]'s children the youngest child [[Meneldil]] received the throne, as his older siblings were women. [[Queen Berúthiel]] of Gondor, although certainly formidable, was a Queen-consort, and therefore did not rule, at least officially.

In [[Third Age|T.A.]] 1945, [[Arvedui]] of [[Arthedain]]—who was married to [[Fíriel]], daughter and only surviving child of King [[Ondoher]]—invoked the old Númenórean law to claim that ''he'' (not his wife) should be granted the throne. Instead, the Steward [[Pelendur]] gave the throne to [[Eärnil II]], a prominent general. Ironically, the Kingship ''did'' eventually pass to Fíriel's line, in the person of King [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]].

----
*1The ''Tale of Years'' as published in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' gives Silmariën a birthdate of [[Second Age|S.A.]] 548, but it is clear that Silmariën was the oldest child of Tar-Elendil, while that of her sister Isilmë is fixed at 532 and her brother at 543. The reason for this apparent error is that her birthdate was changed from 548 to 521, but this revision was missed in the ''Tale of Years'' (see [[Timeline]]).
*2In the earliest version of the tale of the [[Downfall of Númenor]] (in ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]''), Míriel's name is '''Tar-Ilien'''.

[[Category: Rulers of Númenor]]
[[Category: Titles]]

Glóin (Son of Gróin)

2008-03-17T00:21:07Z

70.116.88.59:

''{See also [[Glóin son of Thorin I]]}''
{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Gloin.jpg|250px]]
| name=Glóin
| othernames=
| life=[[Third Age 2783|T.A. 2783]] - [[Fourth Age 15|F.A. 15]]
| realm=[[Erebor]], Northern [[Blue Mountains]]
| parentage=[[Gróin]]
| lineage=[[Durin's line]]
| hood=White
| gender=Male
|}}
{{Pronounce|Gloin.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Glóin''' ([[Third Age]] 2783 – [[Fourth Age]] 15, aged 253 years), was a [[Dwarf]] of [[Durin's folk]], the son of [[Gróin]], brother of [[Óin son of Gróin|Óin]].

== [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]] ==

Not much is known about Glóin during the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, other than he survived the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]], but it is possible that he was too young to fight in the beginning of the war, and joined the the Dwarf-host later on.

After the battle, he was one of the Dwarves among the surviving army of King [[Thráin II]]'s, which returned to the exiled people at [[Dunland]]. Not long after, they wandered North till, they came to the northern [[Blue Mountains]] where they settled.

== Life in [[Thorin's Halls]] ==

During Glóin's life in Blue Mountains he saw the departure of King Thráin, who tried to go back to [[Erebor]], but was captured and tortured for the [[Ring of Thrór]], and he died several years later.
But his life wasn't so bad in the Ered Luin. Under King [[Thorin Oakenshield]] they had fair halls in the mountains, and became prosperous in a fashion and trafficked goods with other peoples, and gained what wealth they could. But ever they spoke of the [[Lonely Mountain]].

== The [[Quest of Erebor]] ==

After nearly a hundred years of living in the Ered Luin King Thorin happened to meet [[Gandalf]] the Wizard. They both came up with a plan to retake the Lonely Mountain from Smaug the Dragon.
Before Thorin left his halls, he selected twelve Dwarves to come with him, among them being Glóin and his brother, Óin.
When [[Thorin and company]] observed the "burglar" Gandalf had picked named [[Bilbo Baggins]], they were not impressed, and were ready to leave. But the Wizard convinced them to give the Hobbit one more chance. A couple days later, they were in Bilbo's home at [[Bag End]], where they discussed their quest. Once morning came around they set out for Erebor.
On their quest Glóin was quite useful, especially at making fires. But he tended to be very cross with Bilbo, but as their journey went on and the Hobbit rescued them several times he grew an affection for Bilbo.

Months later they reached Erebor. And once word reached their ears that the Dragon was dead, and that a host of [[Elves]] from [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lake-men]] were coming for wealth they sat up defenses.
Not long later they came out of the mountain to help the Elves, Men, and kinsfolk from the [[Iron Hills]] fight the [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].
Glóin survived the battle, was given his share of the treasure by [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] who became King after Thorin's death, and settled in the Lonely Mountain.

== Erebor, and the [[War of the Ring]] ==

Years later, he was present with his son, [[Gimli]], at the [[Council of Elrond]]. Like his brother, he was said to be an expert at producing fire.
It is also possible if not likely that '''Glóin''' fought in the [[Battle of Dale]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |FAR=[[Farin]]}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |FUN=[[Fundin]]|GRO=[[Gróin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | }}
{{familytree| BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |BAL=[[Balin]]|DWA=[[Dwalin]]|OIN=[[Óin son of Gróin|Óin]]|GLO='''GLOIN'''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | GIM | GIM=[[Gimli]] }}
{{familytree/end}}

==Adaptations==
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Gloin.jpg|thumb|left|Glóin from [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]]]
{{Template:Thorin and Company}}

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Glóin|Images of Glóin]]

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

The Shire

2008-03-16T21:05:22Z

70.116.88.59:

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:fotr0066.jpg|300px]]
| name = The Shire
| meaning =
| type = Thainship
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[King of Arnor]] (de jure), [[Thain]], [[Mayor of Michel Delving]]
| executive = [[Shirriffs]]
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Michel Delving]] (de facto)
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = Central [[Eriador]]
| populace= [[Hobbits]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = The westward migration of Hobbits led by [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]]
| established = [[Third Age 1600|T.A. 1600]]
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved =
| restored =
}}
'''The Shire''' is the region that is occupied by [[Hobbits]]. It is located in the northwest of Middle-earth, in the 'continent' of [[Eriador]] and the Kingdom of [[Arnor]]. Its name in [[Westron]] was '''[[Sûza]]''' "Shire" or '''Sûza-t''' "The Shire".

According to Tolkien, the Shire measured 40 leagues (193 km, 120 [[Númenórean]] miles) from the Far Downs in the west to the Brandywine Bridge in the east, and 50 leagues (241 km, 150 miles) from the northern moors to the marshes in the south. This is confirmed in an essay by Tolkien (on the Languages of Middle-earth) wherein he describes The Shire as having an area of 18,000 square miles (47,000 km²). In order for this figure to be accurate it must be assumed that the Shire was roughly rectangular in shape.

The Brandywine ([[Baranduin]]) river bounds the Shire from the east. (Hobbits also live in ''Buckland'', which lies east of the river and west of the Hedge protecting the Shire from invasion from the [[Old Forest]]; however, Buckland was not formally recognised as part of The Shire until after the [[War of the Ring]], when it was granted officially to The Shire by [[Aragorn]] King Elessar.) From the north and the west The Shire has no topographical borders, but rather is bounded by the ancient south and east roads, and by vague geographical features such as the [[Tower Hills]].

The Shire was settled by Hobbits in the year 1601 of the Third Age (Year 1 in Shire Reckoning). The Hobbits (who originally lived in the vale of [[Anduin]]) had migrated west over the perilous [[Misty Mountains]] in the decades before that, and before entering The Shire they had lived in [[Dunland]] and parts of the depopulated [[Arnor]]ian splinter-realms [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. It has been speculated that the Hobbits had originally moved west to escape the evils of [[Mirkwood]], and the trouble caused by the [[Easterlings]].

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - One Morning Long Ago.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''One Morning Long Ago'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
The Shire was a part of [[Arthedain]], and as such a part of Arnor. The Hobbits got official permission from King [[Argeleb II]] at Norbury ([[Fornost]]) to settle the lands, which were not populated and seen as the King's hunting grounds. The Hobbits considered themselves as subjects of the King, and sent some support troops to the great battles Arnor fought against [[Angmar]]. After the fall of Arnor, the Shire remained a minor but independent political unit.

Its small size, relative lack of importance, and brave and resilient Hobbit population made it too modest an objective for conquest. More important was that the Shire was guarded and protected by the [[Dúnedain]] Rangers, who watched the borders and kept out intruders. The only strangers to enter the Shire were the [[Dwarves]] travelling on the [[Great East Road]] that ran through the Shire to and from their mines in the [[Blue Mountains]], and the occasional [[Elves]] on their way to the [[Grey Havens]].

Officials of the Shire were the '''[[Mayor of Michel Delving|Mayor]]''' of [[Michel Delving]] in the [[White Downs]] (by extension seen as the [[Mayor of the Shire]]), the '''[[Thain]]''' from ''[[Tuckborough]]'' who was the head of the important [[Took Family|Took clan]], and the '''[[Master of Buckland]]''' at ''[[Bucklebury]]''. While nominally the Thain ruled over the four [[Farthings]], in practice authority was so decentralized that the title was seen as more of a formality. The Mayor's chief duties were serving as postmaster of the Shire's mail service and presiding at fairs, while the Master controlled Buckland.

This peaceful situation changed after [[Bilbo Baggins]]' acquisition of the [[The One Ring|One Ring]] in the year 1343 of the Shire Reckoning. Shortly after the beginning of the events described in [[The Lord of the Rings]] (autumn of the year 1419 in Shire Reckoning), the Shire was first visited by the Nine [[Ringwraiths]] and then captured by [[Saruman]]. It was liberated with the help of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Sam Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] after the end of the Quest of the Ring through their victory at the [[Battle of Bywater]]. After [[Aragorn]]'s return as the King of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], the Shire became a protected enclave inside the Reunited Kingdom. He is known to have issued an order that forbade the entrance of full-sized [[Men]] into the Shire.

[[Image:fotr0059.jpg|300px|left|thumb|The Shire in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]].]]

The Shire is described as a small but beautiful and fruitful land, beloved by its inhabitants. The Hobbits had an extensive agricultural system in the Shire, but did not proceed with industrialization. Various supplies could be found in the Shire, including cereals, fruit, wood and tobacco (a favourite treat of Hobbits). Its relatively peaceful existence during the perilous period preceding the defeat of [[Sauron]] can be attributed to the vigilance of [[Gandalf]] and [[Rangers of the North]] led by [[Aragorn]] who used daring tactics to keep evil at bay. However when these set out to a distant war, the Shire became essentially defenceless, which led to its capture. But the damage which Saruman caused by forced industrialization was undone by the Hobbits' efforts. The Shire was restored with soil from [[Lórien]], given to Sam by [[Galadriel]]. The year 1420 (SR) was considered by the inhabitants of the Shire to be the most productive and prosperous year in their history.

The industrialization of the Shire was based on Tolkien's witnessing of the extension of the Industrial Revolution to rural Warwickshire during his youth, and especially the deleterious consequences thereof. The rebellion of the hobbits and the restoration of the pre-industrial Shire may be interpreted as a prescription of voluntary simplicity as a remedy to the problems of modern society.

On Tolkien's maps, the Shire is located at about the same position as England is on modern European maps and has been cited as an example of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_England#Deep_England Deep England] ideology (of course, England being an island while Shire is inside the continent). Throughout the narrative, Tolkien also implies numerous points of similarity between the two, such as weather, agriculture and dialect. One can also see England as Tolkien's source of inspiration for the Shire in its very name.

The Shire was originally divided in four Farthings (''[[Northfarthing]]'', ''[[Southfarthing]]'', ''[[Eastfarthing]]'', and ''[[Westfarthing]]''), but [[Buckland]] and later the [[Westmarch]] were added to it. Within the Farthings there are some smaller, unofficial divisions such as family lands: the [[Took Family|Tooks]] nearly all live in or near Tuckborough in Tookland, for instance. In many cases a Hobbit's last name indicates where their family came from: [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s last name derives from ''Gamwich'', where the family originated. Outside the Farthings, Buckland itself was named for the [[Oldbucks]] (later [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]]). See further ''[[Regions of the Shire]]''.

The Shire was quite densely populated in parts with many villages and a few towns, but it still was open enough to allow for wide forested areas and marshes.

==Inspiration==
{{quote|Though a Tolkien by name, I am a Suffield by tastes, talents, and upbringing, and '''any comer of that county [Worcestershire] (however fair or squalid) is in an indefinable way 'home' to me, as no other part of the world is.'''|[[Letter 44]]}}

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Shire|Images of the Shire]]
*[[Thain|Thains of the Shire]]

[[Category:Shire]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]

[[de:Auenland]]
[[fi:Kontu]]

Khuzdul

2008-03-14T14:57:30Z

70.116.88.59: Untrue

'''Khuzdul''' is the language of the [[Dwarves]] written with [[Cirth]] script. It appears to be structured, like the Semitic languages, around triconsonantal roots: ''kh-z-d'', ''b-n-d'', ''z-g-l''. Not much is known of the language, as the Dwarves kept it to themselves, except for their battle-cry: ''[[Baruk]] [[Khazâd]]! Khazâd [[ai-mênu]]!'' meaning ''Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!''

Among the [[Languages]], Khuzdul is unique in belonging to a separate language phylum, not related to the languages of [[Elves]].
Nevertheless there are many similarities between Khuzdul and the native tongues of men, such as [[Taliska]], the language of the first and third houses of the [[Edain]]. This is because in the early days of Middle-Earth, before men crossed the mountains into [[Beleriand]], they had contact to the Dwarves of the [[Blue Mountains]] and further East. Taliska was the ancestor of [[Adûnaic]], the tongue of Númenor and the direct ancestor of the [[Common Speech]], and both languages still had Khuzdul influences.

The Dwarvish language sounds much like Hebrew, and indeed [[Tolkien]] noted some similarities between Dwarves and Jews: both were "at once natives and aliens in their habitations, speaking the languages of the country, but with an accent due to their own private tongue…" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|Letters]]'', 176). Another reason Hebrew was chosen as a basis for Khuzdul is that it is unlike any of the European languages, and thus sufficiently alien to western ears to show just how different the Dwarven speech was from the Elvish languages.

It is said in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' that [[Aulë]], the creator of the first Dwarves, taught them "the language he had devised for them," which implies that Khuzdul is technically, in reality and fictionally, a constructed language.

For [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], the linguist [[David Salo]] used what little is known of the Khuzdul to create enough of a language for use in the movies. This is usually referred to as neo-Khuzdul by [[Tolkienists]].

==External links==
* [http://chroniqueschantdefer.free.fr/v3_khuzdul_moria_walls.htm Translation of a Moria wall from Peter Jackson's films]
* [http://www.uib.no/people/hnohf/khuzdul.htm Ardalambion article on Khuzdul]

[[Category:Languages]]

Fourth Age

2008-03-12T17:47:22Z

70.116.88.59:

{{History of Arda}}
The '''Fourth Age''' began after [[Sauron]] was finally defeated, when his [[One Ring|Ruling Ring]] was destroyed, and the Elves left Middle-earth for the [[Valinor|Uttermost West]].

Tolkien's writing does not provide information on more than the first few centuries of this age, so it is not known when it ended, if it ever did.

This age was (presumably) marked by the recovery of the [[Númenor]]ean kingdoms in exile ([[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]), the final ascent of [[Men]] and the total wane of the [[Elves]].

Tolkien said that he thought the distance between the end of the Third Age and the 20th century C.E. was about 6000 years, and that in 1958 it should have been around the end of the Fifth Age if the Fourth and Fifth Ages were about the same length as the Second and Third Ages. He said, however, in a letter written in 1958 that he believed the Ages had quickened and that it was about the end of the Sixth Age/beginning of the Seventh. (This letter is referred to in the "Fourth Age" article of ''The Encyclopedia of Arda'' as mentioned below.)

For a complete list of events during the Fourth Age see the [[Timeline#Fourth Age|Timeline]]

[[Category:Ages]]
[[de:Das Vierte Zeitalter]]
[[fi:Neljäs Aika]]

User talk:Narfil Palùrfalas

2008-03-01T20:40:36Z

70.116.88.59:

== Hi Narfil! ==
I'm the head of the Tolkienian eZine "the voice of edoras".
I ask you a collaboration with the eZine.
reply to: edoras@alice.it

:I'm afraid I'm unaware of what the "Tolkienian eZine" is. Could you please inform me further as to its nature? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 18:08, 9 January 2007 (EST)

yeah...an eZine is a magazine legible online. The eZine "the voice of edoras" talk about Tolkien's works, Fantasy generaliter, RPG & MMORPGS. write on my mail, so i can give you the http of the eZine and you can create an idea more clear.
edoras@alice.it

:Sorry, but I don't have an email account set up currently. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 12:50, 11 January 2007 (EST)

you don't have an email???
...however, if you can collaborate contact me:edoras@alice.it
the site is: http://lavocediedoras.altervista.org/ (I hope is permitted to release it^^)

:The lack of email is only temporary. Anyway, I'm not exactly sure I understand what you are asking for (Hyarion, do you have an opinion?). --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 16:26, 15 January 2007 (EST)

== Maedhros' mother-name ==
Hello Narfil. Quick question about Maedhros. You have has mother name as ''Caitimo'' in the [[Sons of Fëanor]] entry, but as ''Maitimo'' in the [[Maedhros]] entry. Since I don't have the reference books in front of me, do you remember which is the right entry? Thanks for the help. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 18:41, 27 April 2006 (EDT)

Sorry. ''Maitimo'' is right. For some reason I have it in my head as ''Caitimo'', but this is not correct. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 20:42, 27 April 2006 (EDT)

==Lay of Leithian==
One of my current projects is working on the [[Lay of Leithian]]-related material on this site. I have thus far carried on the project by myself, finishing up a summary of every Canto on this day. I am trying to type out and post every canto, but it is very time-consuming. I was hoping that others who posses a copy of [[the Lays of Beleriand]] might help and finish the task. Also, thanks for the corrections, Ebakunin. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 16:48, 6 May 2006 (EDT)

:No problem. You're doing all the heavy lifting. I'm just cleaning up the crumbs. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 17:06, 6 May 2006 (EDT)

:Hello, your doing a phenomenal job with the articles. I might have some text from the Lay of Leithian I can send you. If you want to either let me know what your email is or click "Preferences" to validate your email and then click to allow email from other users then I can send it that way. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 18:18, 6 May 2006 (EDT)

== Aulë's Valarin Name ==
Narfil, would you please double-check [[Aulë]]'s Valarin name? On my browser it looks like this: ''A3ûlêz''. Notice the number 3. Thanks. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 12:46, 14 May 2006 (EDT)

:The number '3' is on purpose; the spirant equivalent of 'g'. See http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/valarin.htm for an explanation. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 12:54, 14 May 2006 (EDT)

::Actually I think the 3 was just there because of the inability to render the correct symbol. '''Aȝûlêz''' should be correct if I'm not mistaken. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 12:57, 14 May 2006 (EDT)

:::On my browser whatever you put in showed as an empty square. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 12:58, 14 May 2006 (EDT)

::::Odd, the second character is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogh yogh] and renders fine on my screen. I'll look into it. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 13:02, 14 May 2006 (EDT)

:::::After some searching, I found the HTML codes for upper and lower case '''yoghs''': Ʒ and ʒ, as in Aʒûlêz. See the edit page for the actual codes ;-)
:::::Edit: I see, though, that the codes don't work on MicroSocks' IE. *rolls eyes* --[[User:Earendilyon|Earendilyon]] 15:40, 14 May 2006 (EDT)

== More Maps ==
Narfil, could you make a map of [[Númenor]] using MS Fireworks? I really like what you did with [[Gondolin]]. Thanks. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 18:23, 11 June 2006 (EDT)

:Sure. I'll get to work with that. By the way, don't expect the 3d Gondolin for another week or so. I was rather lazy with it last week. Now its just down to multi-replicating the houses to fit the many streets and roadways. Rather boring but time-consuming. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 09:37, 12 June 2006 (EDT)

::Done! Tell me what you think. The tree [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] drew, by the way. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 18:41, 12 June 2006 (EDT)

:I like it a lot. One small thing: could you use a standard font like Tahoma or Ariel for region and city names? The fantasy script is tough to read when its small type. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 18:56, 12 June 2006 (EDT)

::I was thinking about changing the region font as it is hard to read. But if you do see the map full size the font on the cities isn't that small. If you try it full size and you still don't like it, I'll change it to Times New Roman or Ariel. Any other suggestions? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 19:05, 12 June 2006 (EDT)

:::Love the map Narfil! When you view it at full size the text is fine by me. Keep up the great work! --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 21:32, 12 June 2006 (EDT)

::I'd still like the cities to be in a more regular font. Most people are going to be looking at the map as an embedded image, rather than full screen. Just my two-cents. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 21:35, 12 June 2006 (EDT)

:::I can do that. But still, in my opinion it would be too hard to read the names as an embedded image even if they were regular font. I didn't think the font was too hard to read, unless it were the region titles, but then I thought it was large enough. But I'll do that. Thanks. Another thing, though. Now I'm wondering if the tree image is a bit much. Unless you view it full size it looks like someone spilled coffee on the edge or something. It would make it less fancy, but as it is a map I suppose that's fine. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 21:39, 12 June 2006 (EDT)

==User pics==

I was just wondering, is it all right to upload pictures for your user page? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 08:42, 16 June 2006 (EDT)

:Yet again something that I have had on my mind but have yet to come to a conclusion on. I believe in the future we should set a limit to how many non-Tolkien images can be uploaded but as long as you are using them on your user page, and you don't have 100 of them on there, and your not using the site as an image hosting service (like uploading them but linking to them from other sites and not using them on pages here) then I think we are fine as space is not a problem. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 10:31, 16 June 2006 (EDT)

== Years Articles ==

Hello, go ahead and hold off on converting any more year articles. I was playing around with the Fourth Age last night and unfortunately it doesn't seem like we'll be able to do my 'include trick' I was hoping to. I'm kind of liking having the titles non-abbreviated, although ''Years of the Lamps 100'' does seem rather long. In the end I suppose we can always have redirects to all of the non-abbreviated titles. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 11:36, 27 July 2006 (EDT)

I just noticed that yesterday, July 29, only one person edited - and that was a non-member signing the Google petition. Is that supposed to tell us something, do you think? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 12:24, 30 July 2006 (EDT)

== Early return ==

Welcome back! Just was curious the reason for your early return, I hope you're vacation didn't get spoiled. It's glad to have you back though. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 22:18, 11 August 2006 (EDT)

:No, it didn't get spoiled. You see (or, I suppose, you do not), we have five children in my family, all younger than I. We had rented a small cabin in the woods (well, within a stone's throw of seven other identical cabins), expecting to be there until the thirteenth. But all of us were practically bored that time (and it rained a little), so we saw no reason to stay any more than two nights, which we did, and returned to spend the rest of our vacation time taking trips from the home. So, I'm technically still on vacation, though no longer away from my computer all day and night. I'll probably be gone much of today, but I'll be back tonight. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 08:52, 12 August 2006 (EDT)

== Image categorization ==

Hello Narfil, good idea on classifying those images. Do you think a category for images created in Bryce/Fireworks/etc may be too much? What do you think about a ''CG images'' or ''Computer generated images'' or ''CGI'' or something similar category? Otherwise we'd have to add Maya/Photoshop/Photodraw/Paint/etc. Just a thought. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 02:24, 13 August 2006 (EDT)

:You're right. But I do think we should distinguish between what, for instance, Bryce does, which is computer generating, and what Fireworks does, graphics, which is like Photoshop only more vector-oriented. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 18:29, 13 August 2006 (EDT)

==Moving page==
*I knew about the talk page moving as well so dw lol. And yes i have, i've been at home alot with nothing to do :'( [[User:Jasca Ducato|Jasca Ducato]] 15:38, 4 September 2006 (EDT)

== Wanted Pages ==
Hi, I've been looking through the Wanted Pages lately in an effort to expand the Wiki. I noticed that a whole lot of wanted articles come from empty links to things in your fanfictions and such. Would you mind clearing these up yourself so they don't clutter up the Wanted Pages? It's your work so I don't want to alter it. Thanks. [[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 19:28, 7 October 2006 (EDT)

:I'll do that right away. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 19:34, 7 October 2006 (EDT)

::Done. The only links to non-existing pages are actual [[Quenya]]/[[Sindarin]] words which need an article anyway. By the way, it is usually accepted to put new sections on talk pages at the bottom of the page. It doesn't really matter, but it helps to keep things in order. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 19:47, 7 October 2006 (EDT)

:::Thanks a lot, and thanks also for making me aware of this. I assumed new discussions were put on top of the page because that is how it is usually done on the internet (consider message boards, emails, etc.). I'll put new comments on this wiki on the bottom in the future. [[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 20:17, 7 October 2006 (EDT)

== TG Chat ==

Hi... I think you have heard about this before, but this wiki has a chat room in which people can more easily discuss editing plans in real time. I (and Hyarion too) would very much like to see you there! If you don't want to go to the trouble of installing an IRC client, and have Java on your computer, the Chat link on the side of this page will take you to the chatrooms. It's really easy to use. Hyarion and some others are nearly always around to talk to; he really likes having people there se he can discuss his plans for the wiki. Since you're one of the main editors, it'd be great to have you around for these discussions! I also admire your work and would like to be able to talk to you. [[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 02:33, 24 October 2006 (CDT)

:I haven't used it primarily because I don't know how to. I've never used anything like it before. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 08:09, 24 October 2006 (CDT)

::Hey there Narfil, I had a feeling that's why we never have seen you in there :) It's very easy and quite addicting, you definitely need to give it a try. Just use the [http://tolkiengateway.net/java Java link], sometimes it can take a while to load but a prompt will come up, just click yes you trust the applet and then you'll be automatically connected to the main channel. You can then chat, you can also change your name by typing "/nick Narfil". When we have a few more active editors we can setup weekly meetings to discuss the direction of the wiki and various other aspects. Sometimes chatting can be a lot easier than having to use talk pages. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 13:15, 24 October 2006 (CDT)

== Welcome template ==

The w template is a bit awkward and to display it right you actually have to type <nowiki>{{w|Narfil Palùrfalas|[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]]}}</nowiki> The first "variable" before the | is the link to your talk page and the second "variable" after the | is what is displayed as your signature. I'll have to fix it so the default {{w}} just doesn't display a signature/talk page link. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 22:03, 25 October 2006 (CDT)

== Edits ==

hello,
I have been told by Tar-Telperien and Hyarion that you have great knowledge regarding Tolkiens works,and all your articles confirm this.And I completely agree with what you have said about Gil-galad.

I do no wish to start an edit war with you.I only changed the Gil-galad's geneology because I thought that people who have read the Unfinished Tales and The Silmarillion would be under the impression that Gil-galad was Fingon's son,and I think I would be right to assume that most people do not know about the 'mistake' that Chris Tolkien made.And to them it would seem that Tolkiengateway is posting wrong information.

I am sorry if I have offended you in any way by editing your articles.But all I wanted to do was match the informatio that is present here with the information that is given in the books.

--[[User:Legolas|Legolas]]

:Perhaps, Narfil, in every article you write that contains a reference to [[Gil-galad]]'s parentage, you should have a note at the bottom of the page with the citations you gave [[User:Legolas|Legolas]]. He can't be the first person to have become confused about it. Furthermore, please try to be less confrontational in the future. I'm sure he had no intentions of starting an "edit war" with you, and bringing such terms into your conversation with him created far more friction than necessary. --[[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 00:56, 11 November 2006 (EST)

::I apologize if I sounded accusing. I did not believe you wanted to start an edit war, I just didn't want that to happen. By "edit war" I meant when two or more people constantly change the same article back and forth because of their interpretation of the facts. I thought the best way would be to post the references. Please understand that in no way did I think you wanted to start an edit war. I was not offended, but I apologize if I offended you. I'll try and add a footnote to the article (if I can figure out how to get that template to work). If you wish we can move this discussion to the Gil-galad talk page on how to fit the various scattered pieces of information into it. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 21:04, 11 November 2006 (EST)

== Speaking of that Gatekeeper thing... ==

Your [[Quenya]] is good but not quite "correct" (though it is from a certain point of view, see below). The main part I'm talking about is the phrase ''*Tirno Otya Andon'', "Keeper of the Seventh Gate" (the asterisk marks a construction not attested in Tolkien's writings). The suffix ''-n'' was indeed [[Tolkien]]'s marker for the Quenya genitive for some time, but while writing ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', he switched it to ''-o'', and ''-n'' became the dative ending instead. This change was apparently in effect for the rest of his life; as far as I know there is no record of Tolkien using any other suffix for genitive after changing to ''-o''. Thus, your phrase would actually mean "Keeper for a Seventh Gate", in Quenya as later envisioned by Tolkien.

So what happens to the genitive if the word to be inflected ends in ''-o'' already, you ask? It was simply hidden and implied by the context—an attested example is ''Indis i Ciryamo'', "The Mariner's Wife". ''Ciryamo'' is in the genitive here, but since it already has the agental suffix ''-mo'', we don't see the genitive marking. It is merely inferred from the context. Also, from this phrase it also seems that the definite article ''i'' was used in genitive constructions.

Thus, if I were you, I would translate "Keeper of the Seventh Gate" as ''*Tirno i Otya Ando''.

As for the sign itself, I quite like the coloring, it looks nice. However, I think the "G" in "TG" could use more of a stroke; it looks too much like a "C". —[[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 22:15, 13 November 2006 (EST)

:I know about the "G". I'm going to change it next time I upload.

:Thanks for your input on the Quenya. I can't speak Quenya, and most of my declension comes from Ardalambion. Are there any other examples of the definite article ''i'' in Quenya? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 07:55, 14 November 2006 (EST)

::There are several in Helge's wordlists; look up ''i'' in the Quenya list and ''THE'' in the English list if you are interested. I shall quote a section most relevant to our discussion, taken from the English entry: ''"When a noun is determined by a following genitive, it is evidently optional whether it takes the article or not: '''mannar Valion''' "into the hands [lit. simply "hands"] of the Lords", '''Indis i Ciryamo''' "The Mariner's Wife, *The Wife [lit. simply "Wife"] of the Mariner" - but contrast '''I Equessi Rúmilo''' "the Sayings of Rúmil", '''i arani Eldaron''' "the Kings of the Eldar"."'' —[[Helge Fauskanger]]

::(The reason the inflection appears as ''-ron'' in the last example is because that is the plural genitive for words ending in vowels (''Elda'' in this case); ''-ion'' is the plural genitive for words ending in consonants—hence ''Silmarillion'', "Of the Silmarils"!)

::So apparently, using ''i'' in genitive phrases is not required ''per se'', but appears more often than not. Also, I hadn't bothered to verify your use of ''otya'' for "seventh" until I was looking at these lists to get that quote! I discovered that the Quenya word for "seventh" is actually '''''otsëa''''' instead! So that would require another change to your translation: it would most likely be ''*Tirno i Otsëa Ando'' (which in speech would probably be elided as "''*Tirno i Otsë' Ando''"), actually. Sorry for not checking that earlier. —[[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 15:07, 14 November 2006 (EST)

:::I got the ''Otya'' from [http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/numerals.htm here], again an Ardalambion site. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 17:31, 14 November 2006 (EST)

::::Ah. But notice that Helge says in that document that these numbers and ordinals are unattested formations, created by analogy with attested examples—and that was true, at the time. ''Otya'' was indeed a good guess based on what was published when he wrote that document. But it is out of date; ''otsëa'' (and probably the other ordinals as well) has been attested in ''[[Vinyar Tengwar]]'' 42, which was published relatively recently, clearly after he wrote that document anyway. When in doubt, go with the information in the wordlists: they are quite complete, are updated often, and only show attested information. —[[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 18:20, 14 November 2006 (EST)

== [[Main Page/Development]] ==

Hey there Narfil, if you get a chance I could use some help over on the new page, specifically with the new portals, I want to make sure they are at least not entirely under construction and at least have a new color scheme when we launch the new main page, hopefully on the day [[The Children of Hurin]] is released. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:32, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

:I'll go look at that. That day is coming up soon, isn't it? At least this gives me a somewhat easier project. I was not looking forward to the amount of work needing to be done on the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]" and "[[Arda]]". Still, I suppose I'll do it some other Saturday or Sunday if I don't get to it today. By the way, on those articles I mentioned, do you think a complete rewrite would be in order? In my opinion it would be easier and probably turn out better. If I have the chance today I'll write out a draft (or drafts), post it here, and see what you think. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 15:40, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

::Thanks, and it is coming up very quickly, Beren and I are working non-stop trying to make sure the [[The Children of Hurin Release Party|Release Party]] goes smoothly, hopefully we'll have some new editors after that. I think we need to rewrite most of the articles, including the two you mentioned and I agree it will not only be easier but turn out better. Thanks for all your hard work! --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:46, 1 April 2007 (EDT)

== Positions and occupations ==

Seems like a good catergory to me.
[[User:Findegil|Findegil]] 09:28, 22 April 2007 (EDT)

==Back from Israel, and Image suggestion==

The chat hasn't worked for me today, so I'm just saying here that I've returned from my three-and-a-half-week trip to Israel, and should resume regular editing in a few days. I got an idea on the trip, as to images. Is it a good idea to upload images of real-life places that look like what we'd imagine Tolkien places to look like and place them on that page? We have images from films which is often essentially that. For instance, I've taken several pictures of the Rephaim valley, which just had me the entire time thinking of [[Dorthonion]]. Is it a good idea, or do you think it might get out of hand? I think it could very well get out of hand if we had a lot of people uploading images of dozens of places that remind them of what they'd personally pictured such and such to look like, etc. On the other hand, though, it might be quite beneficial. What are your thoughts? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 21:09, 6 June 2007 (EDT)

:Hyarion, do you have an opinion on this? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 15:54, 10 June 2007 (EDT)

::Sorry, I read this but forgot to respond. Actually working on the java client right now, should be up today or tomorrow. My first impression was the same as yours, that it would probably get out of hand with images only remotely resembling their Arda counter-parts. I think real-life images of locations around England that may have inspired Tolkien would be a good idea, but unless something is just dead-on, we should probably stick to imagery specifically created to represent Tolkien's world. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 16:13, 10 June 2007 (EDT)

:::The Java applets should now be working again. Sorry about that. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 14:21, 16 June 2007 (EDT)

== Rejig of [[The Fall of Gondolin]] ==

Hi there, i was just browsing the [[Fall of Gondolin]] article and i have a bit of a criticism of it, which i fealt you, being the major author (so i've heard), thought i'd come and voice them with you and get your blessing before i go in and bugger things up. My criticism is that i think the bulk of the text reads too much like the actual source it's about. The problem with that is that it can be confusing since people who havnt read the text (which i hadnt when i first came across the article) could take it as being quoted rather than summerised. I would favour rewriting it in a far more detached style so as to make the destinction clear. Part and parcel of that criticism is the fact that most articles on battles are decidedly more concise omitting any dialogue whereas the Fall of Gondolin features it extensively.

I'm trying to word this very carefully since it's plainly a tour-du-force of article writing but feel it could be better done differently. [[User:Dr Death|Dr Death]] 13:17, 20 June 2007 (EDT)

:Feel free to rewrite it. I was younger at the time (it makes a big difference around my age), and had some different ideas. I agree, it was an overall poor summary. I actually was considering redoing it completely myself. Go ahead and do what you like with the article. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 16:28, 20 June 2007 (EDT)

== Spammer(s) at it again ==

Narfil,

Pardon my language but we need to find some way to ban these **** spammer(s)!!!--[[User:Dwarf Lord|Dwarf Lord]] 17:26, 9 August 2007 (EDT)

:I'm sorry, but I'm not an admin, and really have no power over things like that. Hyarion's in Washington, but when he gets back, you can post something on his page. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 21:24, 9 August 2007 (EDT)

::I'm back :) Thanks for holding down the fort guys. The spammers are most likely coming from a single source which uses random IPs so there isn't much we can do to block them if they don't insert external links (we have spam protection against bots that add external links). We'll be adding better prevention systems in the future, but at the moment I don't want to force all the anonymous users to type a captcha. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 14:30, 10 August 2007 (EDT)

== [[Template:Hobbit]] ==

Allo Narfil, I see your point in the Race being redundant in the Hobbit infobox, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea, it adds some extra information to the minor Hobbit articles, otherwise the infobox just lists their name and gender. But I'm fine with it either way. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:14, 3 October 2007 (EDT)

:I think we should try and think up some way to have each infobox specify which race it belongs to other than just color. If we don't see a way, it would be good to add "race", but not as a variable. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 16:50, 3 October 2007 (EDT)

== Gandalf Article ==

Hello there. I am curious why you think this is better:

"Representatives of most of the free peoples attended, those who happened to be in Imladris already for various reasons."

I changed it previously because it appeared to be poor grammar and inaccurate and misleading.

Yes they 'happened to be there'-- all were 'summoned' in various ways. As written however it could be misinterpreted by casual readers.

Would you approve "... , some happened to be in Imladris already"?

Cheers [[User:Glorfindel Mk. II|Glorfindel Mk. II]]

:Hmm, the reason I changed it was because I felt it was misleading. Elrond never summoned them; they had come to Rivendell for various reasons and "just happened" to be there at the time of the council (i.e., divine will).

{{quote|That is the purpose for which you are called hither. Called, I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world.|[[Elrond]], ''[[The Council of Elrond]]''}}

:You are no doubt aware of this quote, but I just wanted to have it up front. I am sure we can work out the best phrasing for this piece. You are right, the structure of the sentence as I wrote it is rather awkward. I don't like "some happened to be in Imladris already" because it seems to say that Elrond literally called people to his council, and some, well, happened to be in Imladris already. As I said before, I'm sure we can work something out. Of course, it's rather insignificant in the article as a whole, and isn't even necessary if we don't want it there. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 20:18, 15 October 2007 (EDT)

:: You are correct that they were all there by 'chance' (as Gandalf might say) and not summoned so to speak. JRRT is obviously implying that the Valar and/or Eru had a hand in this 'coincidence.'

::I was thinking of when Elrond upbraided Sam for his presence at a council to which he was not 'summoned.'

::Perhaps it is not required anyway as this is the article on 'Gandalf' and not 'The Council of Elrond.'

::Cheers [[User:Glorfindel Mk. II|Glorfindel Mk. II]] 18:39, 16 October 2007 (EDT)

== Seven Gates of Gondolin ==

Hey Narfil, if you can spare some time then will you please draw the images for the remaining three gates of Gondolin? I have written the articles for them.--[[User:Legolas|Legolas]] 10:01, 21 October 2007 (EDT)

:Sorry about that, I'll try and get that done. The other remaining gates are considerably more difficult than the others. You can go ahead and post your articles if you like, because I daresay they'll be a while in coming. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 12:54, 21 October 2007 (EDT)

::Hello Narfil, the Image of the Gate of Silver is excellent. Very nice job.--[[User:Legolas|Legolas]] 01:04, 24 November 2007 (EST)

:::Thank you. I've actually benefited somewhat from its rather strenuous making. Now I know how to do trees in Bryce. . . The Gate of Gold will be coming (hopefully) soon. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 10:48, 24 November 2007 (EST)

==Canon Scale Images==
Hey Narfil, the canon scale images are great. They're useful and look good. However, do you think you could upload somewhat larger versions? At present they are difficult to read. —[[User:Tar-Telperien|Tar-Telperien]] 07:08, 29 November 2007 (EST)

== IRC ==

Allo Narfil, long time no chat. Hope you're having fun at school. I see you stopped by the chat earlier, dangit, of course I was sleeping :) We've just about got enough IRC-wiki editors where I think we'll be setting up weekly meetings, is any time good for you or do you think you'll be busy with school? Happy Holidays. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 13:22, 19 December 2007 (EST)

:Greetings, Hyarion. It's been a good while since we've talked. Well, I'm not sure I'll have much time to edit after the Christmas-New Years break is over, but I'll try. I am not available Monday, Thursday, or Friday nights, and it's on-off Sundays. Saturday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings would probably work for me. I'll have to see what my schedule looks like later. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 15:45, 19 December 2007 (EST)

==You should probably know==
Brythonic and Old Welsh aren't Germanic languages.

Ents

2008-02-09T16:26:53Z

70.116.88.59: /* The March of the Ents */

[[Image:John Howe - Treebeard.jpg|thumb|''Treebeard'' by [[John Howe]].]]
'''Ents''' were created at the request of [[Yavanna]] to guard the trees, and thus were called "Shepherds of the Trees".

As with ''[[Hobbit]]'', '''Ent''' is a term that in modern times is almost exclusively connected with [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], and the usage of the term seldom evokes in people its earlier meanings.

==Concerning Ents==

Ents are a very old race that appeared in [[Middle-earth]] when the [[Elves]] did. They were apparently created by [[Ilúvatar|Eru Ilúvatar]] at the behest of Yavanna, after she learned that [[Aulë]]'s children, the [[Dwarves]], were wont to fell trees. Ents were envisioned as Shepherds of the Trees, to protect the forests from [[Orcs]], Dwarves and other perils. The Elves have tales of teaching the trees to talk, and they also taught the Ents to talk: although the Ents were sentient beings at the time, they did not know how to speak until the Elves taught them. [[Treebeard]] said of the Elves "curing the Ents of their dumbness" that it was a great gift that could not be forgotten ("Always wanted to talk to everything, the old Elves did").

[[Image:John Howe - Ents.jpg|thumb|200pxlleft|''Ents'' by [[John Howe]].]]
Ents are tree-like creatures, having become like the trees that they shepherd. They vary in traits, from everything to height and size, colouring, and the number of fingers and toes. An individual Ent more or less resembles the specific species of tree that they typically guard. For example, [[Quickbeam]] guarded Rowan trees and thus looked very much like a Rowan (tall and slender, etc.). In the [[Third Age]] of Middle-earth, the [[Fangorn Forest|Forest of Fangorn]] was apparently the only place Ents still inhabited, although the Ent-like [[Huorns]] may still have survived elsewhere, as in the Old Forest.

=== History ===
Almost nothing is known of the early history of the Ents — they apparently lived in and protected the large forests of Middle-earth in previous ages, and they briefly appear near the end of the [[First Age]], attacking a band of Dwarves, apparently summoned by [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien Tinúviel|Lúthien]]. Treebeard told of a time when apparently all of [[Eriador]] was one huge forest and part of his domain, but these immense forests were cut by the [[Númenóreans]] of the Second Age, or destroyed in the calamitous War of the Elves and Sauron of the 17th century of the Second Age. Treebeard's statement is also supported by remarks [[Elrond]] Half-elven made at the Council of Elrond. Elrond said that "Time was once when a squirrel could carry a nut from tree to tree from Rivendell to the Great Sea...", further indicating that all of Eriador was once a single vast primeval forest, of which Fangorn Forest was just "the Eastern End of it" according to Treebeard.

[[Image:Luka Luka - Farewell to Fangorn.jpg|thumb|[[Entwives]] in ''Farewell to Fangorn'' by [[Luka Luka]].]]
There used to be ''[[Entwives]]'' (literally "Ent-women"), but they started to move farther away from the Ents because they liked to plant and control things, so they moved away to the region that would later become the [[Brown Lands]] across the Great River [[Anduin]]. This area was destroyed by [[Sauron]], and the Entwives disappeared. The Ents looked for them, but have never found them. It is sung by the Ents that one day they will find each other. In the Fellowship of the Ring, Sam Gamgee says his cousin Hal saw treelike giant in the north of the Shire. When Pippin and Merry tell Treebeard about the Shire, Treebread says the entwives would like that land.

=== Language ===
Ents are not hasty creatures, they take their time; even their language is "unhasty". In fact, their language appears to be based on an ancient form of [[Common Eldarin]], later enriched by [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]], although it includes many unique 'tree-ish' additions. There are actually two different languages:

{{quote|It takes a long time to say anything in Old [[Entish]]...|[[Treebeard]]}}

* Old Entish. Originally, the Ents had a language of their own, described as long and sonorous; it was a tonal language (like Chinese). It is unknown if a non-Ent could even pronounce Old Entish correctly: it was filled with many subtle vowel shades, and was very longwinded. Only Ents spoke Old Entish; not because they kept their language a secret, as the Dwarves did with Khuzdul, but because no others could master it. It was quite an alien language to all others. The Huorns and trees of Fangorn forest could understand Old Entish and converse with the Ents and each other with it. The only extant sample, ''a-lalla-lalla-rumba-kamanda-lindor-burúme'', the word for ''hill'' (or possibly even just part of the name of a specific hill), was described as a very inaccurate sampling. Even the Elves, master linguists, could not learn Old Entish, nor did they attempt to record it due to its complex sound structure. The grammar structure of Old Entish was also quite bizarre, often described as a lengthy, long-winded discussion of a topic. There may not even have been a word for ''yes'' and ''no'': such questions would be answered by a long monologue on why the Ent in question did or did not agree with the Ent who asked the question. The Ent Quickbeam was regarded as a very "hasty" Ent for answering a question before another Ent had finished: the end may only have been another hour away. Ents as a rule would say nothing in Old Entish unless it was worth taking a long time to say. For everyday language function, they usually resorted to "New" Entish.
*"New" Entish (Never named as such in the text). Due to contact with the Elves, the Ents learned much from them. The Ents found the Elvish language Quenya to be a lovely language, and adapted it after their fashion to everyday use. However, they basically adapted Quenya vocabulary to Old Entish grammatical structure. Thus, unlike Old Entish, the individual words of "New Entish" that characters such as Treebeard spoke were easily translatable. However, in context they formed lengthy run-on sentences of redundant adjectives that could still stretch well over an hour in length. For example, when Treebeard essentially wanted to tell Merry and Pippin, "There is a shadow of the Great Darkness in the deep dales of the forest", he literally said in New Entish "Forest-golden-leaves, deep-dales-winter, forest-many-shadowed, deep-valley-black". Unlike Old Entish, a non-Ent conceivably could speak "New" Entish. Even when speaking the Common Speech, Westron, Ents fell into the habit of adapting it into their grammatical structure of repeating compound adjectives used to express fine shades of meaning.

[[Image:Treebeard.jpeg|thumb|[[Treebeard]] from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]].]]
Treebeard boasted to Merry and Pippin about the strength of the Ents. He said that they were much more powerful than [[Trolls]], which [[Morgoth]] (in the Elder Days or First Age) supposedly made as imitations of the Ents, but did not come near to their power. He compares this with how [[Orcs]] were Morgoth's imitation of [[Elves]].

The Elvish name for Ents is ''Onodrim'', singular ''Onod''.

=== The March of the Ents ===
{{quote|The Ents are going to war!|[[Treebeard]]}}
In ''[[The Two Towers]]'', the second volume of Tolkien's ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', the Ents—usually a very patient, deliberate people—do become angry at [[Saruman]], whose armies are cutting down large numbers of their trees. They convene an ''Entmoot'', a meeting of the Ents of [[Fangorn Forest]] at Derndingle.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Tree Shepherds.jpg|thumb|''The Tree Shepherds'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
After lengthy deliberation (though from the perspective of the Ents, this is very quick action), they march on Saruman's fortress at [[Isengard]]: the last march of the Ents. They are led by Treebeard, the oldest Ent, and accompanied by the [[Hobbits]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and [[Peregrin Took]]. They destroy Isengard in an all-out assault and trap Saruman in the tower of [[Orthanc]]. Tolkien later noted that the destruction of Isengard by the Ents was based off of personal disappointment in MacBeth, when "Birnham Wood is come to castle Dunsinane", Tolkien was less than thrilled that it amounted to men walking on stage with leaves in their hats; he decided that when he did that scene for himself, he'd do it right.

==Portrayal in Adaptions==

Ents in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] were portrayed as, perhaps, more tree-ish than in the books (the books describe them as having smooth skin; the movie has them with skin like thick and rough bark. They have been accused of being "stupidified", though the exuse that [[Peter Jackson]] gives is that he wanted to give Merry and Pippin a more important part in the scheme of things (though one wonders why, then, Pippin does not kill a Troll at the [[Morannon]]). In the movie adaption, the Ents at the Entmoot decide that this is "not our war", despite strong protest from Merry. The scene is also shorter, cutting out [[Bregalad]] completely.

Treebeard is about to take them north to the border, when Pippin insists that they go South instead, because "''the closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm''". This "does not make sense" to Treebeard, but he does as they ask, and sees the ruin and destruction that Saruman has wrought on southern Fangorn. Treebeard then calls the Ents to battle with his booming Ent-call, and they appear out of the forest as if they had been standing there waiting for it. That they do not know the borders of their own forest is another critizism. One wonders why they are named "Tree-shepherds" if they do not know about the trees in their own forest. But others have accepted Jackson's reasoning as valid, because of the seemingly minor actions of Merry and Pippin throughout The Two Towers.

==Trivia==
J.R.R. Tolkien most likely had not heard of the phenomenon, but there are actually rare trees which can "walk" by growing roots on the side in which they intend to move and killing the roots on the opposite side. [http://boonedocks.net/pa/pa.php?p:339:15]

==External links==
* [http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/news/tm_objectid=15530734&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=tolkien-statue-plan-splits-community-name_page.html Plan to construct a 25' Ent in Birmingham]

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[[Category:Races]]

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