Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Uruk-hai

2009-10-22T21:51:38Z

Earlon: /* Appearance */

{{sources}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
|name= Uruk-hai
|dominions=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
|languages=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height= over 5' 5"
|length=
|skincolor= Probably sallow
|haircolor= Probably black
|feathers=
|distinctions= Elvish ears(?), Large build
|lifespan= Possibly eternal
|members= [[Uglúk]] Lurtz
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]], ''[[The Riders of Rohan]]''}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|human]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]]. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though some were still shorter than Men. There are suggestions that the Uruk-hai were the result of crossbreeding Orcs and [[Men]]. Certainly, other creatures in Saruman's armies, and under his command in the Shire, appear to have been hybrids, though these "half-orcs" were as tall as Men and are never described simply as Orcs, as the Uruk-hai frequently are. It is never explained exactly ''how'' Orcs were hybridized with humans,it was more probably that some form of alchemy used to infuse Orcs with human qualities. [[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil". Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength" first appeared about the year [[Third Age 2475|2475]] of the Third Age, when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the [[Eye of Sauron|Red Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat. He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Lurtz] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name Uruk-hai has the element ''Uruk'', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning ''Orc''. Many known languages have a word related to thus ([[Quenya]] ''[[orco]]'', [[Sindarin]] ''[[orch]]'', [[Westron]] ''[[orka]]'', [[Khuzdul]] ''[[rukhs]]'' and presumably [[Drúedain|Drúedainic]] ''[[gorgûn]]''). The element ''-hai'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] and [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identical as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on a early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men": this may be a dialogue error because in Tolkien's works "Orc" is a synonym for goblin. This description may however refer to humans corrupted by Goblins. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks include Pikesmen, Swordsmen, Archers, and Berserkers.
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armor in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikesmen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry crossbows. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, eg in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges than the Orcs, eg the Orcs demanding to eat the hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

[[Category:Races]]
[[category:orcs]]

Uruk-hai

2009-10-22T21:50:53Z

Earlon:

{{sources}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
|name= Uruk-hai
|dominions=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
|languages=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height= over 5' 5"
|length=
|skincolor= Probably sallow
|haircolor= Probably black
|feathers=
|distinctions= Elvish ears(?), Large build
|lifespan= Possibly eternal
|members= [[Uglúk]] Lurtz
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]], ''[[The Riders of Rohan]]''}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|human]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]]. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though some were still shorter than Men. There are suggestions that the Uruk-hai were the result of crossbreeding Orcs and [[Men]]. Certainly, other creatures in Saruman's armies, and under his command in the Shire, appear to have been hybrids, though these "half-orcs" were as tall as Men and are never described simply as Orcs, as the Uruk-hai frequently are. It is never explained exactly ''how'' Orcs were hybridized with humans,it was more probably that some form of alchemy used to infuse Orcs with human qualities. [[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil". Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength" first appeared about the year [[Third Age 2475|2475]] of the Third Age, when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the [[Eye of Sauron|Red Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat. He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name Uruk-hai has the element ''Uruk'', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning ''Orc''. Many known languages have a word related to thus ([[Quenya]] ''[[orco]]'', [[Sindarin]] ''[[orch]]'', [[Westron]] ''[[orka]]'', [[Khuzdul]] ''[[rukhs]]'' and presumably [[Drúedain|Drúedainic]] ''[[gorgûn]]''). The element ''-hai'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] and [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identical as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on a early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men": this may be a dialogue error because in Tolkien's works "Orc" is a synonym for goblin. This description may however refer to humans corrupted by Goblins. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks include Pikesmen, Swordsmen, Archers, and Berserkers.
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armor in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikesmen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry crossbows. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, eg in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges than the Orcs, eg the Orcs demanding to eat the hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

[[Category:Races]]
[[category:orcs]]

Uruk-hai

2009-10-22T21:48:05Z

Earlon: /* Appearance */

{{sources}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
|name= Uruk-hai
|dominions=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
|languages=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height= over 5' 5"
|length=
|skincolor= Probably sallow
|haircolor= Probably black
|feathers=
|distinctions= Elvish ears(?), Large build
|lifespan= Possibly eternal
|members= [[Uglúk]]
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]], ''[[The Riders of Rohan]]''}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|human]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]]. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though some were still shorter than Men. There are suggestions that the Uruk-hai were the result of crossbreeding Orcs and [[Men]]. Certainly, other creatures in Saruman's armies, and under his command in the Shire, appear to have been hybrids, though these "half-orcs" were as tall as Men and are never described simply as Orcs, as the Uruk-hai frequently are. It is never explained exactly ''how'' Orcs were hybridized with humans,it was more probably that some form of alchemy used to infuse Orcs with human qualities. [[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil". Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength" first appeared about the year [[Third Age 2475|2475]] of the Third Age, when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the [[Eye of Sauron|Red Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat. He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name Uruk-hai has the element ''Uruk'', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning ''Orc''. Many known languages have a word related to thus ([[Quenya]] ''[[orco]]'', [[Sindarin]] ''[[orch]]'', [[Westron]] ''[[orka]]'', [[Khuzdul]] ''[[rukhs]]'' and presumably [[Drúedain|Drúedainic]] ''[[gorgûn]]''). The element ''-hai'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] and [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identical as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on a early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men": this may be a dialogue error because in Tolkien's works "Orc" is a synonym for goblin. This description may however refer to humans corrupted by Goblins. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks include Pikesmen, Swordsmen, Archers, and Berserkers.
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armor in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikesmen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry crossbows. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, eg in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges than the Orcs, eg the Orcs demanding to eat the hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

[[Category:Races]]
[[category:orcs]]

Fell beasts

2009-10-22T01:46:13Z

Earlon:

[[Image:John_Howe_-_Nazgul.jpg|thumb]]
The term '''fell beast''' is used to describe the gigantic flying pterosaur-like creatures on which the [[Nazgûl]] rode on after being unhorsed at the [[Bruinen|Ford of Bruinen]].

They seem to have been bred from earlier Ages. They had no feathers or quills and they had vast hide between their fingers, which they used for pinions. They also stank.
It is never stated that ''all'' the Nazgûl rode fell pterosaur-like creatures, but some infer that they did so.

At the River [[Anduin]], Faramir of Gondor,brother of Boromir] shoots one down in the night as it approaches them.

They are especially prominent during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], where the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], the Lord of the Nazgûl, rides his in battle against King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]].

The fell beast attacked and eventually killed [[Snowmane]], Théoden's horse. The horse fell on Théoden, crushing him. Dernhelm (who revealed herself as [[Éowyn]]) defended the dying Théoden, and challenged and killed the beast.

==Etymology==
Tolkien actually only used the name "fell beast" as a descriptor and not an actual name. ("Fell" in this sense is an archaic English word meaning "cruel", "evil" or "lethal".) However, since this creature lacked any real name, "fell beast" is often used to refer to it.

In [[Letter 100]], Tolkien referred to them as ''Nazgûl-birds''.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''

:One of the Nazgûl (possibly the Witch-king, for he carries a mace), is shown riding a fell beast. However, Bakshi's film only covers events up to the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], so that is the last we see of the fell beasts and their riders.

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'':'''

:The Nazgûl ride winged horses. In the confrontation of Éowyn and the Witch-king, the latter rode a plump red dragon-like animal.
[[Image:Fell Beast descends.jpg|thumb|250px|''Fell beast'' descending in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''

:The fell beasts are depicted as more [[Dragon]]-like and serpentine creatures, i.e. their heads appear more like a snake's and they don't have beaks, leading to the common misconception that they are dragons in the books; Tolkien definitely meant a pterosaur-like creature, as shown in the quote above. This depiction came largely from [[John Howe]]'s influence.

:Also, they are much larger than is implied in the books, where they are essentially used as light observation planes. In the movies, they are used for attack much more often, with the Nazgûl usually swooping down and screeching, making the defenders at the gate of Minas Tirith run away, leaving [[Gandalf]] alone to face the Witch-king as he enters.

:Although on screen the films never make this mistake, sometimes cast or crew members ([[Lawrence Makoare]] and [[Richard Taylor]] most notably) on the commentary tracks and the documentaries refer to the fell beast as a Nazgûl; this is incorrect. The fell beast is the creature that the nine Nazgûl ride, and the mistake probably arose because fell beasts are always seen with a Nazgûl atop them.

[[Category:Creatures]]
[[de:Reittiere der Nazgûl#Flugwesen]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveiden siivekkäät ratsut]]

Haldir

2009-10-22T01:42:12Z

Earlon: /* History */

{{nandor infobox
| image=[[Image:Anke Eissmann - Atop Cerin Amroth.jpeg|250px]]
| name=Haldir
| othernames=
| titles=
| realm=[[Lothlórien]]
| hair=
| death=
| age=
| parentage=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| birth=
| ref=
|}}{{Pronounce|Haldir.mp3|Ardamir}}
<center>{{quote|But there are some of us still who go abroad for the gathering of news and the watching of our enemies, and they speak the languages of other lands. I am one. Haldir is my name.|Haldir<ref name="LL">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Lothlórien (chapter)|Lothlórien]]"</ref>}}</center>

'''Haldir''' was an [[Elf]] of [[Lothlórien]], probably a [[Silvan Elves|Silvan Elf]], and a marchwarden who guarded the forest's northern borders.

==History==
Haldir encountered the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] between [[January 15]] and [[February 16]], [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[Appendix B]]'', "The Great Years"</ref> and it is presumed that he lived long before this period.

When the Fellowship of the Ring arrived in Lórien, Haldir became their guide to the city of [[Caras Galadhon]]. He and his companions are described as wearing grey hooded cloaks and living on ''[[flets]]'' in the trees.

Haldir was accompanied by his brothers, [[Rúmil of Lórien|Rúmil]] and [[Orophin]], who interacted little with the Fellowship because they, unlike Haldir, spoke little of the [[Common Speech]]. He had heard of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], but there is no indication that they had met before.<ref name="LL"/> After [[Celeborn (Lord of Lórien)|Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]] had nourished their guests, and they were set to depart, Haldir led them to their Elven boats.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Farewell to Lórien]]</ref> He also fought in the battle of Helms Deep where an Uruk-hai commander slaid him in the back.

==Etymology==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explained the name ''Haldir'' as [[Sindarin]] for "Hidden Hero", though this Haldir refers to the (later omitted) son of [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', "[[The Etymologies]]", entry SKAL</ref>

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Haldir.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Craig Parker]] as Haldir in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]''.]]
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Haldir was omitted. Aragorn and Boromir briefly discuss the possibility of entering Lothlórien, and in the next shot, they are welcomed by Galadriel.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Haydn Wood]] provided the voice of Haldir.

'''2001: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Haldir was played by [[Craig Parker]].

'''2002: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Haldir leads a regiment of Elven archers from Lórien to the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]], where he is eventually slain, along with most of his archers. This aspect of the movie has been much critized by [[Tolkienist|Purists]].{{fact}}.

==References==
<small><references/></small>

[[Category:Nandor]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Haldir aus Lórien]]
[[fi:Haldir (haltia)]]

User talk:Earlon

2009-10-22T01:25:37Z

Earlon: Adding welcome message to new user's talk page