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Mirkwood

2021-11-08T12:32:26Z

Middleearthcinematicfan: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Countdown}}
{{disambig-more|Mirkwood|[[Mirkwood (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Mirkwood
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Mirkwood.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Mirkwood" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]], Forest of Great Fear, [[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]], Greenwood the Great, Eryn Galen, Wood of Greenleaves, [[Eryn Lasgalen]]
| location=East of the [[Misty Mountains]], south of [[Ered Mithrin]]
| type=Forest
| description=Deep, thick, dark forest
| regions=[[East Lórien]], [[Narrows]], [[Woodland Realm]]
| towns=[[Amon Lanc]] (later [[Dol Guldur]]), [[Elvenking's Halls]], [[Rhosgobel]]
| inhabitants=[[Spiders]], [[Silvan Elves]], [[Woodmen]], [[Orcs]], [[Olog-hai]], [[Nazgûl]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle under the trees]], [[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
}}
{{quote|Well, here is Mirkwood! ''[...]'' Greatest of the forests of the Northern world. I hope you like the look of it.|[[Gandalf]]<ref name="Queer">{{HM|H}}, "[[Queer Lodgings]]"</ref>}}

'''Mirkwood''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]]'') or the '''Forest of Great Fear''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]]'') was a great forest in [[Rhovanion]]. It was only known by these names in the latter part of the [[Third Age]], having previously been called [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Mirkwood|Eryn Galen]]'') and later became the [[Eryn Lasgalen|Wood of Greenleaves]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Eryn Lasgalen]]'').

== Geography ==
Mirkwood seems to have had much the same boundaries as it did at the end of the Third Age for most of its history. It was roughly rectangular in shape: stretching from the foothills of the [[Grey Mountains]] in the north to the [[North Undeep]] in the south, and from the east edge of the vale of [[Anduin]] to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].

It was bisected by the ancient [[Old Forest Road]]. Later, when this road became unusable, a second path through the forest was made to the north. Between the two paths lay the [[Mountains of Mirkwood]]. The [[Forest River]] cut through the forest's northern end from its source in the western Grey Mountains, joined in the centre by the [[Enchanted River]] which flowed north from the Mountains of Mirkwood.
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Map of Wilderland.jpg|thumb|right|Map of [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]] by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] showing the northern part of Mirkwood.]]
South of the Old Forest road the [[East Bight]] created the ''Narrows of the Forest'', only one hundred miles across. South and west of the narrows was the a hill called [[Amon Lanc]].

== History ==

Originally called Greenwood the Great, the forest may have once formed part of the vast primeval woodland which covered most of [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Years of the Trees]], possibly linked to Lothlórien across the Anduin.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}} p. 252</ref> The [[Eldar]] passed through the area on their [[Great Journey|journey]] to [[Valinor]] and it was first populated at this time by the [[Nandor]]. Unwilling to cross the [[Misty Mountains]], these Elves settled also in the wooded valleys of the river Anduin. They multiplied and were joined by wandering [[Avari]], becoming known as Silvan or Wood-elves.

The Old Forest Road was constructed very early in Greenwood's history by the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeard]] [[Dwarves]] to carry traffic between their territory in the Misty Mountains to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], and the [[Iron Hills]].<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>

=== Second Age ===

In around the year {{SA|750}} the [[Sinda]] prince, [[Oropher]], removed from [[Lindon]] to Greenwood where he was taken by the Silvan Elves as their lord. This forested region to the east of the [[Anduin]] is where [[Silvan Elves]], of [[Nandor]] descent and the [[Avari]], lived.<ref>{{PM|Second}}</ref> Oropher built his halls at [[Amon Lanc]] and was accepted as the leader of the Wood-elves of Greenwood, later the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], forming the [[Woodland Realm]].

=== Third Age ===

The first millennium of the Third Age probably saw the creation of the East Bight by men living in the eastern eaves of the forest. These men may have formed part of the [[Rhovanion|Kingdom of Rhovanion]] led by [[Vidugavia]]. Men, such as the [[Éothéod]], and [[Hobbits]] also lived in the vale of Anduin and were likely responsible for the retreat of the forest's western border.

At the beginning of the Third Age [[Thranduil]] replaced [[Oropher]] as king of the Woodland Realm. Probably as a result of massive losses at the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] the Silvan population of Greenwood was diminished and became mainly concentrated in the hills then known as [[Mountains of Mirkwood|Emyn Duir]]. This included the abandonment of Amon Lanc, and around the turn of the first millennium [[Sauron]], under the guise of the '[[Necromancer]]', returned to Middle-earth and in {{TA|1050}} built a fortress there. The hill and the fortress together become known as [[Dol Guldur]], the "Hill of Sorcery".

Around the [[Third Age 1636|same time]] as the [[Great Plague]] devastated [[Gondor]] and [[Eriador]], the [[Shadow]] grew deep in Greenwood and evil things reappeared. Later the wise noted this coincidence and considered it a sign of Sauron's return.<Ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

Indeed, by the time of [[Cirion]] (c. T.A. 2500) [[Dol Guldur]] controlled the [[Balchoth]], a tribe of [[Easterlings]] who dwelt east of Mirkwood; often they made raids through the forest up to the [[Vales of Anduin]], until they were all but deserted, until [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant|defeated]].<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

Sauron's arrival caused a darkening of Greenwood, and at this point it became known as Mirkwood. The children of [[Shelob]], giant [[spiders]], as well as bats and orcs in Dol Guldur's service occupied the forest and it became thicker, darker and covered in cobwebs.<ref>{{H|Flies}}</ref>

This caused the Silvan population of Mirkwood to retreat even further, residing apparently exclusively in the [[Elvenking's Halls]] at the eastern end of the Forest River. The ancient Old Forest Road was abandoned by men and Dwarves alike, with a new but seldom used path being made further from Dol Guldur and the Hobbits near the forest's eastern border migrated away.

Mirkwood remained a place of fear throughout the Third Age, though the kingdoms of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and [[Dale]] flourished briefly in the time of the [[King under the Mountain|Kings under the Mountain]]. This prosperity was ended by the arrival of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] who brought yet further desolation to the area north-eastern Mirkwood. Small homesteads of 'Woodmen' are also recorded as living in the western edge of the forest south of the old road in {{TA|2941|n}}.<ref>{{HM|H}}, "Map of Wilderland"</ref>

In {{TA|2850|n}} [[Gandalf]] visited Mirkwood and discovered that the Necromancer was none other than Sauron, who had regained his powers, millennia after the Battle of Dagorlad.

[[File:Galadriel dol guldur bfmeII.JPG|thumb|240px|left|Galadriel casts down the walls of Dol Guldur.''.]]
The shadow over Mirkwood was lifted, albeit temporarily, in {{TA|2941|n}} when the [[White Council]], prompted by the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]]'s discovery of his true identity, drove Sauron from Dol Guldur. Gandalf also instigated the [[Quest of Erebor]] which resulted in the slaying of Smaug in the same year. The combination of these two events allowed the re-established kingdoms of Erebor and Dale, as well as the Woodland Realm and a confederacy of Woodmen led by the [[Beornings]] to flourish for a brief period.

However, only ten years after these events Sauron, now based in [[Mordor]], sent the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] and the other [[Nazgûl]] to secretly reoccupy Dol Guldur and begin amassing an army of Orcs and [[Easterlings]] there. In {{TA|3018|n}} these attacked the Woodland Realm, as well as Dale, Erebor and Lórien, in the opening moves of the [[War of the Ring]].

On 19 March {{TA|3019|n}} Thranduil repulsed Sauron's forces in a bloody battle under the trees and mounted a campaign to clear northern Mirkwood of Sauron's servants. At the same time the elves of Lórien led by [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]] assaulted and destroyed Dol Guldur, and began to cleanse the southern part of the forest. Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest on [[Elven New Year]] and formally renamed the forest Eryn Lasgalen. They then agreed to divide it between the Woodland Realm from the northern edge of the forest to the mountains, the Beornings from the mountains to the Narrows and [[East Lórien]] from the Narrows south.

=== Fourth Age ===

Though initially they prospered as the darkness was lifted, the elves of the Wood of Greenleaves were destined either to depart for Valinor or fade into rustic forest spirits. The forest probably then ultimately fell under the dominion of Men, the descendants of the Beornings and the men of Dale.

== Etymology ==
''Mirkwood'' is the Anglicized form of the Norse name ''[[wikipedia:Myrkviðr|Myrkviðr]]'' or ''mirkiwidu'', originally hailing from [[Poetic Edda|Eddaic poems]]. Myrkviðr was the name of a "dark boundary-forest ... the great forest that divided the land of the Goths from the land of the Huns".<ref>{{HM|SG}}, pp. 131, 227-8, 372</ref> In a letter to his grandson Michael, Tolkien says that "''Mirkwood'' is not an invention of mine", and continues to discuss the origin of the name in [[Old English]] and [[Old Norse]] writings.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Michael George Tolkien (29 July 1966)]]" (letter; partly published as [[letter 289]])</ref>

Projected into Old English, the term appears as ''Myrcwudu'' in Tolkien's ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings|The Lost Road]]'', as a poem sung by [[Ælfwine]]<ref>{{HM|LR}}: "The Lost Road: (iii) The unwritten chapters": ''[[King Sheave]]'' and note to line 150</ref>:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Sea-danes and Goths, Swedes and Northmen,
Franks and Frisians, folk of the islands,
Swordmen and Saxons, Swabes and English,
and the Langobards who long ago
beyond Myrcwudu a mighty realm
and wealth won them in the Welsh countries
where Ælfwine Eadwine's heir
in Italy was king. All that has passed.
</poem>

The name ''Mirkwood'' was also used by [[William Morris]] in his novel ''[[The House of the Wolfings]]'' ([[1888]]).<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 13</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Mirkwood is the setting of two large chapters of the game: the first one involves rescuing of Dwarves from the Spiders, while the second covers the Halls of King [[Thranduil]] and subsequent escape.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Several missions of both good and evil campaigns take place in Mirkwood. In the Evil campaign, the [[Witch-King]] is reclaiming [[Dol Guldur]] for Sauron, while in the Good campaign [[Legolas]] and elven archers pursue the escaped [[Gollum]].

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Mirkwood is one the battlefields for the non-storyline engagements.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Mirkwood makes appearance in both Good campaign and non-storyline skirmishes, in both cases the map is very different from the one in the first game.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Southern Mirkwood and Dol Guldur are the setting of the game's second expansion, ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood]]''. In its storyline, Celeborn and Galadriel organize a military campaign against Dol Guldur while the Fellowship still resides in Lothlorien (not to be confused with the later battle during the War of the Ring). The announced goal is to saw chaos into Orc forces by destroying as many of their troops, weapons and supplies as possible, to delay an inevitable assault upon Lothlorien. The true purpose, however, is to distract the Eye of Sauron from the company departing down the shores of Anduin. An assault by the Golden Host of the Galadhrim is successful despite minor losses and after establishing multiple camps throughout southern Mirkwood arrives at the walls of the fortress itself. However, without the White Lady they do not have the means of bringing down the walls, so the Elves prepare to swiftly fall back beyond Anduin before the main forces of the Enemy arrive.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Mirkwood is the setting of one the missions in the game, where [[Eradan]], [[Farin]] and [[Andriel]] have to rescue [[Radagast|Radagast the Brown]] from a giant spider.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''

The Greenwood was a large woodland in Rhovanion. Along with the nearby woodland of Lorinand, It was first populated by Elves trying to get from Lake Cuivienen to the Far West. From then on out, the Elves called it Greenwood. Some of the Elves dreaded the crossing of the Misty Mountains west of Greenwood and stayed there, becoming the Silvan Elves, although some of them later did continue west, becoming the Green Elves of Beleriand.
It was later bisected by the Dwarf Road, constructed by Dwarves in an attempt to link their realm of Khazad-Dum with their mansions in the Iron Hills. Later still it become the dwelling place of men (who in turn fled from the east where other Men were swayed by Sauron). Some of these Men would go on to migrate west into Beleriand, becoming the Men of the houses of Beor and Hador. Their kin that remained in Rhovanion became the Northmen, and those that remained specifically in Mirkwood were called the Woodsmen of Greenwood. The Skin-Changers were also descended from these.

==The Woodland Realm==

After the War of Wrath, Sindarin prince (and refugee of the woodland realm of Doriath) Oropher went to rule the Silvan Elves of Greenwood, just as the Noldorin Lord and Lady Celeborn and Galadriel (also refugees of Doriath) would rule Lorinand. Given the superiority of his bloodline, Oropher styled himself The Elvenking, and became the lord of the Woodland Realm.
He used the aid of the Dwarves to build an underground realm under the Mountains of Mirkwood to the North, where his stronghold was. His people built a new road, leading to their realm, called the Elf-path, with an Elven Gate at the forest's western border.
Oropher was slain in the battle of Dagorlad, and was succeeded by his son Thranduil. Married to the Elven-queen, Thranduil would gradually retreat into the underground fortress, as the influence of Gondor reached the southern border of the woods, where they built a fortress on the hill of Amon Lanc. Around this time, the Woodsmen residing in that part of the forest cut much of its trees, creating its Eastern Bight.

At some point in the early Third Age, one of the wizards, Radagast the Brown, settled in Rhosgobel on the Southern borders of Mirkwood. Also residing on the borders of the Woodland (specifically, in the Gladden Fields) were Halflings, an offshoot of the Northmen, who would go on to migrate west and away from the shadow of Angmar. Some however remained behind and two of these, Déagol and Sméagol, would find The One Ring, lost to the Anduin nearby.

Thranduil's Woodland Realm did not interfere in the wars of Gondor and the Northmen with the Easterlings, but still maintained a friendship with the people of Dale, Esgaroth and Dorwinion (the latter two were involved in a trade route that supplied Thranduil's cellars with wine), as well as the Dwarves that would later settle Erebor. Thranduil sent the White Gems of Lasgalen in order to have them fashioned into a necklace for his wife, but she never got to wear them.
Thranduil became involved in the war with Angmar, launching at least one attack on its fortress of Gundabad.. He forfeited when his wife was captured and killed in Gundabad. He placed an statue in her likeness at the Elven Gate into the realm, and began retreating from the affairs of the outside world entirely.
In TA 2340, an Orc raid from Angmar resulted in the deaths of two of Thranduil's Silvan subjects and while he hunted the Orcs down and adopted the victims' surviving child, Tauriel, he would not participate in the battle of Fornost and the ultimate downfall of Angmar.

==Shadow over Greenwood==

In 2941, a shadow fell on Greenwood. Emanating from the abandoned fortress of Amon Lanc (since then renamed Dol Guldur), it resulted in the trees twisting, their sap made foul. Wild animals were dying and replaced by bats and Giant Spiders. Orcs and Goblins from the Misty Mountains, led by Azog and Bolg, secretly came into an alliance with the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, and the Nine entombed in the High Fells of Rhudaur were released and summoned to Dol Guldur. The stream coming down from the Mountains of Mirkwood became enchanted, as was the forest's air, and the Elven Road - while considered safe - fell into disuse, its bridge over the stream broken. The woodsmen living nearby came to call the forest Mirkwood.

==Quest of Erebor==

During Thorin Oakenshield's and Bilbo Baggins' journey, they and their company wished to enter Mirkwood as a shortcut to the Lonely Mountain. At the edge of the forest at the Elven gate, Gandalf was tasked by Galadriel to investigate the High Fells. Before he departed, Gandalf gave the Company one more piece of advisement: The first, he told them to be wary in the forest because the air was befouled with dark magic that would cause hallucinations. Next, he warned them of an stream that had been enchanted with a dark spell and to cross the bridge stone only. He last warned them to stay on the Elf-path, for if they strayed away from it, they would never find it again.
The company traveled through the forest and stayed on the path as Gandalf had told them. However, the forest soon began twisting their minds, and causing Thorin and Company to either hallucinate or feel weakened. They travelled for days until they come across the enchanted stream Gandalf told them of but found that the bridge had been destroyed. Kíli had found a way to cross by using the vines to get to the other side. Thorin sent Bilbo across first, but as the Hobbit crossed, Bilbo began feeling the river's enchantment pulling him. Quickly, he had made across but Bilbo, fearing for the others, yelled for them to stop but turned and found that the company was already crossing. Thorin reached the other side before the others. During this time, Thorin and Bilbo spotted a White Stag approaching them. Though Bilbo was amazed by the creature, Thorin immediately fired at the creature, but the stag disappeared. Meanwhile, Bombur had succumbed to the spells and had fallen asleep, forcing the other Dwarves to fashion a stretcher and carry Bombur.
Thorin began succumbing to the polluted air of the forest and hurriedly led his company off the path. During the rest of their time in the dark forest, Nori had lost trace of the path the company had went on. Bilbo managed to snap out of the dark spell and told his companions they were lost but the Dwarves began to feel the foul air of the forest. Bilbo took it upon himself to find out where he and the company were at. When the company was distracted, Bilbo climbed up a tree while Thorin heard whispers Bilbo had warned him about earlier and told the company they were being watched. Meanwhile, when Bilbo reached the top, he saw they were almost to the Lonely Mountain. At the same time, Bilbo's Dwarven friends were captured by gigantic spiders. When he shouted to the Dwarves he knew they were in the right direction, Bilbo heard no response from them and saw something coming. Soon, Bilbo suffered the same fate as his companions and was captured by the other spiders.
However, Bilbo managed to free himself from his spider cocoon and killed his attacker with Sting. He soon rescued his companions when he saw one of the Spiders threatening to eat Bombur. While the Dwarves escaped their captors, Bilbo was separated from the group, where he attacked a baby spider due to the Ring's influence. Soon, the Hobbit heard his company in distress. Legolas of the Woodland Realm cornered Thorin Oakenshield and Company, along with Tauriel and other Elves. After defeating the spiders, the company was captured for "snooping around" in the lost kingdom.
Thranduil had Thorin and his company locked up in the King's dungeons with the exception of Bilbo who managed to evade capture yet again and had been trailing the Elves. Thranduil attempted to reach an accord with Thorin but the dwarf refused because he would not give up Bilbo Baggins. Soon, Bilbo freed Thorin and their friends from their cells and the company escaped in barrels bound for Esgorath.

==Battle of the Five Armies==

Learning of Smaug's demise and seeking his son, Thranduil set off at the head of his army. Learning of the predicament of the refugees of Laketown, Thranduil brought supplies to secure their allegiance against Thorin. Unbeknownst to them, the Dwarf summoned his cousin Dain with his army from the Iron Hills, and the three armies briefly skirmished in the Long Valley before Azog's Orc Army arrived, and they united against it. Many of Thranduil's Elves were killed, to the point that he nearly retreated before Tauriel confronted him. He arrived at Ravenhill, but only too late. Thranduil sent his son Legolas to find the Dunadan Strider.
==War of the Ring==
==Battle of Mirkwood==
After the Battle of Dol Guldur, when Sauron was banished from Dol Guldur, the Woodland was largely cured from his influence, but Dol Guldur remained out of Thranduil's borders within the realm.
During the War of the Ring, Thranduil sent his son and several emissaries to Rivendell to participate in the Council of Elrond. In defending his realm against an invasion of Orcs from the Misty Mountains, Thranduil fended off much of Sauron's forces and therefore contributed to the victory over the Dark Lord.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Mirkwood|Images of Mirkwood]]
*[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)]]
{{references}}
{{companyroute}}
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Düsterwald]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/forets/rhovanion/foret_noire]]
[[fi:Synkmetsä]]

Mirkwood

2021-11-08T12:28:09Z

Middleearthcinematicfan: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Countdown}}
{{disambig-more|Mirkwood|[[Mirkwood (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Mirkwood
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Mirkwood.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Mirkwood" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]], Forest of Great Fear, [[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]], Greenwood the Great, Eryn Galen, Wood of Greenleaves, [[Eryn Lasgalen]]
| location=East of the [[Misty Mountains]], south of [[Ered Mithrin]]
| type=Forest
| description=Deep, thick, dark forest
| regions=[[East Lórien]], [[Narrows]], [[Woodland Realm]]
| towns=[[Amon Lanc]] (later [[Dol Guldur]]), [[Elvenking's Halls]], [[Rhosgobel]]
| inhabitants=[[Spiders]], [[Silvan Elves]], [[Woodmen]], [[Orcs]], [[Olog-hai]], [[Nazgûl]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle under the trees]], [[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
}}
{{quote|Well, here is Mirkwood! ''[...]'' Greatest of the forests of the Northern world. I hope you like the look of it.|[[Gandalf]]<ref name="Queer">{{HM|H}}, "[[Queer Lodgings]]"</ref>}}

'''Mirkwood''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]]'') or the '''Forest of Great Fear''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]]'') was a great forest in [[Rhovanion]]. It was only known by these names in the latter part of the [[Third Age]], having previously been called [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Mirkwood|Eryn Galen]]'') and later became the [[Eryn Lasgalen|Wood of Greenleaves]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Eryn Lasgalen]]'').

== Geography ==
Mirkwood seems to have had much the same boundaries as it did at the end of the Third Age for most of its history. It was roughly rectangular in shape: stretching from the foothills of the [[Grey Mountains]] in the north to the [[North Undeep]] in the south, and from the east edge of the vale of [[Anduin]] to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].

It was bisected by the ancient [[Old Forest Road]]. Later, when this road became unusable, a second path through the forest was made to the north. Between the two paths lay the [[Mountains of Mirkwood]]. The [[Forest River]] cut through the forest's northern end from its source in the western Grey Mountains, joined in the centre by the [[Enchanted River]] which flowed north from the Mountains of Mirkwood.
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Map of Wilderland.jpg|thumb|right|Map of [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]] by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] showing the northern part of Mirkwood.]]
South of the Old Forest road the [[East Bight]] created the ''Narrows of the Forest'', only one hundred miles across. South and west of the narrows was the a hill called [[Amon Lanc]].

== History ==

Originally called Greenwood the Great, the forest may have once formed part of the vast primeval woodland which covered most of [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Years of the Trees]], possibly linked to Lothlórien across the Anduin.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}} p. 252</ref> The [[Eldar]] passed through the area on their [[Great Journey|journey]] to [[Valinor]] and it was first populated at this time by the [[Nandor]]. Unwilling to cross the [[Misty Mountains]], these Elves settled also in the wooded valleys of the river Anduin. They multiplied and were joined by wandering [[Avari]], becoming known as Silvan or Wood-elves.

The Old Forest Road was constructed very early in Greenwood's history by the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeard]] [[Dwarves]] to carry traffic between their territory in the Misty Mountains to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], and the [[Iron Hills]].<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>

=== Second Age ===

In around the year {{SA|750}} the [[Sinda]] prince, [[Oropher]], removed from [[Lindon]] to Greenwood where he was taken by the Silvan Elves as their lord. This forested region to the east of the [[Anduin]] is where [[Silvan Elves]], of [[Nandor]] descent and the [[Avari]], lived.<ref>{{PM|Second}}</ref> Oropher built his halls at [[Amon Lanc]] and was accepted as the leader of the Wood-elves of Greenwood, later the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], forming the [[Woodland Realm]].

=== Third Age ===

The first millennium of the Third Age probably saw the creation of the East Bight by men living in the eastern eaves of the forest. These men may have formed part of the [[Rhovanion|Kingdom of Rhovanion]] led by [[Vidugavia]]. Men, such as the [[Éothéod]], and [[Hobbits]] also lived in the vale of Anduin and were likely responsible for the retreat of the forest's western border.

At the beginning of the Third Age [[Thranduil]] replaced [[Oropher]] as king of the Woodland Realm. Probably as a result of massive losses at the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] the Silvan population of Greenwood was diminished and became mainly concentrated in the hills then known as [[Mountains of Mirkwood|Emyn Duir]]. This included the abandonment of Amon Lanc, and around the turn of the first millennium [[Sauron]], under the guise of the '[[Necromancer]]', returned to Middle-earth and in {{TA|1050}} built a fortress there. The hill and the fortress together become known as [[Dol Guldur]], the "Hill of Sorcery".

Around the [[Third Age 1636|same time]] as the [[Great Plague]] devastated [[Gondor]] and [[Eriador]], the [[Shadow]] grew deep in Greenwood and evil things reappeared. Later the wise noted this coincidence and considered it a sign of Sauron's return.<Ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

Indeed, by the time of [[Cirion]] (c. T.A. 2500) [[Dol Guldur]] controlled the [[Balchoth]], a tribe of [[Easterlings]] who dwelt east of Mirkwood; often they made raids through the forest up to the [[Vales of Anduin]], until they were all but deserted, until [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant|defeated]].<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

Sauron's arrival caused a darkening of Greenwood, and at this point it became known as Mirkwood. The children of [[Shelob]], giant [[spiders]], as well as bats and orcs in Dol Guldur's service occupied the forest and it became thicker, darker and covered in cobwebs.<ref>{{H|Flies}}</ref>

This caused the Silvan population of Mirkwood to retreat even further, residing apparently exclusively in the [[Elvenking's Halls]] at the eastern end of the Forest River. The ancient Old Forest Road was abandoned by men and Dwarves alike, with a new but seldom used path being made further from Dol Guldur and the Hobbits near the forest's eastern border migrated away.

Mirkwood remained a place of fear throughout the Third Age, though the kingdoms of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and [[Dale]] flourished briefly in the time of the [[King under the Mountain|Kings under the Mountain]]. This prosperity was ended by the arrival of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] who brought yet further desolation to the area north-eastern Mirkwood. Small homesteads of 'Woodmen' are also recorded as living in the western edge of the forest south of the old road in {{TA|2941|n}}.<ref>{{HM|H}}, "Map of Wilderland"</ref>

In {{TA|2850|n}} [[Gandalf]] visited Mirkwood and discovered that the Necromancer was none other than Sauron, who had regained his powers, millennia after the Battle of Dagorlad.

[[File:Galadriel dol guldur bfmeII.JPG|thumb|240px|left|Galadriel casts down the walls of Dol Guldur.''.]]
The shadow over Mirkwood was lifted, albeit temporarily, in {{TA|2941|n}} when the [[White Council]], prompted by the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]]'s discovery of his true identity, drove Sauron from Dol Guldur. Gandalf also instigated the [[Quest of Erebor]] which resulted in the slaying of Smaug in the same year. The combination of these two events allowed the re-established kingdoms of Erebor and Dale, as well as the Woodland Realm and a confederacy of Woodmen led by the [[Beornings]] to flourish for a brief period.

However, only ten years after these events Sauron, now based in [[Mordor]], sent the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] and the other [[Nazgûl]] to secretly reoccupy Dol Guldur and begin amassing an army of Orcs and [[Easterlings]] there. In {{TA|3018|n}} these attacked the Woodland Realm, as well as Dale, Erebor and Lórien, in the opening moves of the [[War of the Ring]].

On 19 March {{TA|3019|n}} Thranduil repulsed Sauron's forces in a bloody battle under the trees and mounted a campaign to clear northern Mirkwood of Sauron's servants. At the same time the elves of Lórien led by [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]] assaulted and destroyed Dol Guldur, and began to cleanse the southern part of the forest. Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest on [[Elven New Year]] and formally renamed the forest Eryn Lasgalen. They then agreed to divide it between the Woodland Realm from the northern edge of the forest to the mountains, the Beornings from the mountains to the Narrows and [[East Lórien]] from the Narrows south.

=== Fourth Age ===

Though initially they prospered as the darkness was lifted, the elves of the Wood of Greenleaves were destined either to depart for Valinor or fade into rustic forest spirits. The forest probably then ultimately fell under the dominion of Men, the descendants of the Beornings and the men of Dale.

== Etymology ==
''Mirkwood'' is the Anglicized form of the Norse name ''[[wikipedia:Myrkviðr|Myrkviðr]]'' or ''mirkiwidu'', originally hailing from [[Poetic Edda|Eddaic poems]]. Myrkviðr was the name of a "dark boundary-forest ... the great forest that divided the land of the Goths from the land of the Huns".<ref>{{HM|SG}}, pp. 131, 227-8, 372</ref> In a letter to his grandson Michael, Tolkien says that "''Mirkwood'' is not an invention of mine", and continues to discuss the origin of the name in [[Old English]] and [[Old Norse]] writings.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Michael George Tolkien (29 July 1966)]]" (letter; partly published as [[letter 289]])</ref>

Projected into Old English, the term appears as ''Myrcwudu'' in Tolkien's ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings|The Lost Road]]'', as a poem sung by [[Ælfwine]]<ref>{{HM|LR}}: "The Lost Road: (iii) The unwritten chapters": ''[[King Sheave]]'' and note to line 150</ref>:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Sea-danes and Goths, Swedes and Northmen,
Franks and Frisians, folk of the islands,
Swordmen and Saxons, Swabes and English,
and the Langobards who long ago
beyond Myrcwudu a mighty realm
and wealth won them in the Welsh countries
where Ælfwine Eadwine's heir
in Italy was king. All that has passed.
</poem>

The name ''Mirkwood'' was also used by [[William Morris]] in his novel ''[[The House of the Wolfings]]'' ([[1888]]).<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 13</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Mirkwood is the setting of two large chapters of the game: the first one involves rescuing of Dwarves from the Spiders, while the second covers the Halls of King [[Thranduil]] and subsequent escape.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Several missions of both good and evil campaigns take place in Mirkwood. In the Evil campaign, the [[Witch-King]] is reclaiming [[Dol Guldur]] for Sauron, while in the Good campaign [[Legolas]] and elven archers pursue the escaped [[Gollum]].

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Mirkwood is one the battlefields for the non-storyline engagements.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Mirkwood makes appearance in both Good campaign and non-storyline skirmishes, in both cases the map is very different from the one in the first game.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Southern Mirkwood and Dol Guldur are the setting of the game's second expansion, ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood]]''. In its storyline, Celeborn and Galadriel organize a military campaign against Dol Guldur while the Fellowship still resides in Lothlorien (not to be confused with the later battle during the War of the Ring). The announced goal is to saw chaos into Orc forces by destroying as many of their troops, weapons and supplies as possible, to delay an inevitable assault upon Lothlorien. The true purpose, however, is to distract the Eye of Sauron from the company departing down the shores of Anduin. An assault by the Golden Host of the Galadhrim is successful despite minor losses and after establishing multiple camps throughout southern Mirkwood arrives at the walls of the fortress itself. However, without the White Lady they do not have the means of bringing down the walls, so the Elves prepare to swiftly fall back beyond Anduin before the main forces of the Enemy arrive.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Mirkwood is the setting of one the missions in the game, where [[Eradan]], [[Farin]] and [[Andriel]] have to rescue [[Radagast|Radagast the Brown]] from a giant spider.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''

The Greenwood was a large woodland in Rhovanion. Along with the nearby woodland of Lorinand, It was first populated by Elves trying to get from Lake Cuivienen to the Far West. From then on out, the Elves called it Greenwood. Some of the Elves dreaded the crossing of the Misty Mountains west of Greenwood and stayed there, becoming the Silvan Elves, although some of them later did continue west, becoming the Green Elves of Beleriand.
It was later bisected by the Dwarf Road, constructed by Dwarves in an attempt to link their realm of Khazad Dum with their mansions in the Iron Hills. Later still it become the dwelling place of men (who in turn fled from the east where other Men were swayed by Sauron). Some of these Men would go on to migrate west into Beleriand, becoming the Men of the houses of Beor and Hador. Their kin that remained in Rhovanion became the Northmen, and those that remained specifically in Mirkwood were called the Woodsmen of Greenwood. The Skin-Changers were also descended from these.
The Woodland Realm
After the War of Wrath, Sindarin prince (and refugee of the woodland realm of Doriath) Oropher went to rule the Silvan Elves of Greenwood, just as the Noldorin Lord and Lady Celeborn and Galadriel (also refugees of Doriath) would rule Lorinand. Given the superiority of his bloodline, Oropher styled himself The Elvenking, and became the lord of the Woodland Realm.
He used the aid of the Dwarves to build an underground realm under the Mountains of Mirkwood to the North, where his stronghold was. His people built a new road, leading to their realm, called the Elf-path, with an Elven Gate at the forest's western border.
Oropher was slain in the battle of Dagorlad, and was suceeded by his son Thranduil. Married to the Elvenqueen, Thranduil would gradually retreat into the underground fortress, as the influence of Gondor reached the southern border of the woods, where they built a fortress on the hill of Amon Lanc. Around this time, the Woodsmen residing in that part of the forest cut much of its trees, creating its Eastern Bight.
At some point in the early Third Age, one of the wizards, Radagast the Brown, settled in Rhosgobel on the Southern borders of Mirkwood. Also residing on the borders of the Woodland (specifically, in the Gladden Fields) were Halflings, an offshoot of the Northmen, who would go on to migrate west and away from the shadow of Angmar. Some however remained behind and two of these, Déagol and Sméagol, would find The One Ring, lost to the Anduin nearby.
Thranduil's Woodland Realm did not interfere in the wars of Gondor and the Northmen with the Easterlings, but still maintained a friendship with the people of Dale, Esgaroth and Dorwinion (the latter two were involved in a trade route that supplied Thranduil's cellars with wine), as well as the Dwarves that would later settle Erebor. Thranduil sent the White Gems of Lasgalen in order to have them fashioned into a necklace for his wife, but she never got to wear them.
Thranduil became involved in the war with Angmar, launching at least one attack on its fortress of Gundabad.. He forfeited when his wife was captured and killed in Gundabad. He placed an statue in her likeness at the Elven Gate into the realm, and began retreating from the affairs of the outside world entirely.
In TA 2340, an Orc raid from Angmar resulted in the deaths of two of Thranduil's Silvan subjects and while he hunted the Orcs down and adopted the victims' surviving child, Tauriel, he would not participate in the battle of Fornost and the ultimate downfall of Angmar.
Shadow over Greenwood
In 2941, a shadow fell on Greenwood. Eminating from the abandoned fortress of Amon Lanc (since then renamed Dol Guldur), it resulted in the trees twisting, their sap made foul. Wild animals were dying and replaced by bats and Giant Spiders. Orcs and Goblins from the Misty Mountains, led by Azog and Bolg, secretly came into an alliance with the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, and the Nine entombed in the High Fells of Rhudaur were released and summoned to Dol Guldur. The stream coming down from the Mountains of Mirkwood became enchanted, as was the forest's air, and the Elven Road - while considered safe - fell into disuse, its bridge over the stream broken. The woodsmen living nearby came to call the forest Mirkwood.
Quest of Erebor
During Thorin Oakenshield's and Bilbo Baggins' journey, they and their company wished to enter Mirkwood as a shortcut to the Lonely Mountain. At the edge of the forest at the Elven gate, Gandalf was tasked by Galadriel to investigate the High Fells. Before he departed, Gandalf gave the Company one more piece of advisement: The first, he told them to be wary in the forest because the air was befowled with dark magic that would cause hallucinations. Next, he warned them of an stream that had been enchanted with a dark spell and to cross the bridge stone only. He last warned them to stay on the Elf-path, for if they strayed away from it, they would never find it again.
The company traveled through the forest and stayed on the path as Gandalf had told them. However, the forest soon began twisting their minds, and causing Thorin and Company to either hallucinate or feel weakened. They travelled for days until they come across the enchanted stream Gandalf told them of but found that the bridge had been destroyed. Kíli had found a way to cross by using the vines to get to the other side. Thorin sent Bilbo across first, but as the Hobbit crossed, Bilbo began feeling the river's enchantment pulling him. Quickly, he had made across but Bilbo, fearing for the others, yelled for them to stop but turned and found that the company was already crossing. Thorin reached the other side before the others. During this time, Thorin and Bilbo spotted a White Stag approaching them. Though Bilbo was amazed by the creature, Thorin immediately fired at the creature, but the stag disappeared. Meanwhile, Bombur had succumbed to the spells and had fallen asleep, forcing the other dwarves to fashion a stretcher and carry Bombur.
Thorin began succumbing to the polluted air of the forest and hurriedly led his company off the path. During the rest of their time in the dark forest, Nori had lost trace of the path the company had went on. Bilbo managed to snap out of the dark spell and told his companions they were lost but the Dwarves began to feel the foul air of the forest. Bilbo took it upon himself to find out where he and the company were at. When the company was distracted, Bilbo climbed up a tree while Thorin heard whispers Bilbo had warned him about earlier and told the company they were being watched. Meanwhile, when Bilbo reached the top, he saw they were almost to the Lonely Mountain. At the same time, Bilbo's dwarven friends were captured by gigantic spiders. When he shouted to the dwarves he knew they were in the right direction, Bilbo heard no response from them and saw something coming. Soon, Bilbo suffered the same fate as his companions and was captured by the other spiders.
However, Bilbo managed to free himself from his spider cocoon and killed his attacker with Sting. He soon rescued his companions when he saw one of the Spiders threatening to eat Bombur. While the dwarves escaped their captors, Bilbo was separated from the group, where he attacked a baby spider due to the Ring's influence. Soon, the Hobbit heard his company in distress. Legolas of the Woodland Realm cornered Thorin Oakenshield and Company, along with Tauriel and other Elves. After defeating the spiders, the company was captured for "snooping around" in the lost kingdom.
Thranduil had Thorin and his company locked up in the King's dungeons with the exception of Bilbo who managed to evade capture yet again and had been trailing the Elves. Thranduil attempted to reach an accord with Thorin but the dwarf refused because he would not give up Bilbo Baggins. Soon, Bilbo freed Thorin and their friends from their cells and the company escaped in barrels bound for Esgorath.
Battle of the Five Armies
News of Smaug's death reached Thranduil, who took his army from Mirkwood, and led them to the Lonely Mountain.
War of the RingBattle of Mirkwood
After the Battle of Dol Guldur, when Sauron was banished from Dol Guldur, the Woodland was largely cured from his influence, but Dol Guldur remained out of Thranduil's borders within the realm.
During the War of the Ring, Thranduil sent his son and several emissaries to Rivendell to participate in the Council of Elrond. In defending his realm against an invasion of Orcs from the Misty Mountains, Thranduil fended off much of Sauron's forces and therefore contributed to the victory over the Dark Lord.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Mirkwood|Images of Mirkwood]]
*[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)]]
{{references}}
{{companyroute}}
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Düsterwald]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/forets/rhovanion/foret_noire]]
[[fi:Synkmetsä]]

Legolas

2021-11-08T12:25:39Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{sources}}
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{{disambig-two|the elf of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|the elf in ''[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]''|[[Legolas (elf of Gondolin)]]}}
{{sindar infobox
| name=Legolas
| image=[[File:Līga Kļaviņa - Legolas.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Legolas" by [[:Category:Images by Līga Kļaviņa|Līga Kļaviņa]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Greenleaf, ''Laicolasse'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| titles=Prince of [[Woodland Realm]]
| position=
| location=[[Woodland Realm]] [[Ithilien]]
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Sindarin]] and [[Westron]]
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| sailedwest={{FoA|120}}
| sailedfrom=[[Ithilien]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=[[Thranduil]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=Green and brown garb
| weapons=[[Bow of the Galadhrim]] and "long white knife"
| steed=[[Arod]]
}}
{{Quote|There was also a strange Elf clad in green and brown, Legolas, a messenger from his father...|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Council of Elrond]]"}}
'''Legolas''' was a [[Sindar|Sinda]] Elf, the prince of the [[Woodland Realm]] of [[Mirkwood]]. His grandfather [[Oropher]] was of the [[Sindar]] of [[Doriath]], and his father [[Thranduil]] was king of Mirkwood ([[Greenwood the Great]]). His exact date of birth is not known, nor are his earliest exploits, but his most important recorded role is that which he played in the [[War of the Ring]], during which he was the [[Elves|Elven]] representative in the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. His Elven giftings, such as superior sight and hearing, lightness of foot, and skilled archery, were valuable assets to his eight companions.

Legolas was counted unusual for his strong friendship with a [[Dwarves|Dwarf]], [[Gimli]] son of [[Glóin]]. Such a friendship was rare between the two races, on account of the long-standing grievances between [[Dwarves]] and [[Elves]] dating back to the [[Elder Days]]. Also, friendship between these two was unlikely because of the grudge between their two particular houses for the rough treatment given Glóin and the rest of [[Thorin Oakenshield]]'s company by Thranduil on an earlier occasion.<ref>{{H|8}}; {{H|9}}</ref>

==History==
As has been said, little is known about his life before or during the [[Third Age]], restricted to the few things he himself has said on the matter.

During the [[War of the Ring]], the creature [[Gollum]] was captured by [[Aragorn]], and put under lock and key by the [[Elves of Mirkwood]]. Through their over-kindliness to him, however, Gollum managed an escape with the help of [[Sauron]]'s [[Orcs]]. Legolas was dispatched to [[Rivendell]] to bring this ill news to [[Elrond]] and [[Gandalf]].<ref name=Council>{{FR|Council}}</ref>

Legolas was present at the [[Council of Elrond]] and related the news of Gollum's escape, being quick to add that it was not through lack of vigilance that he slipped their grasp, and gave detailed account of the whole affair to the Council.<ref name=Council/> He spoke little after his report, if at all, but later was chosen as the representative of the Elves in the [[Nine Walkers]] of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] to perform the [[Quest of the Ring]]. His capabilities would prove invaluable to the Company.

===The Fellowship of the Ring===
For the early part of the quest, the nine companions walked single file, [[Gandalf]] leading, Legolas, with his keen eyes, providing the rearguard. When the Company came to [[Hollin]], Legolas was very deeply moved: the wholesome air yet spoke of the Elves that dwelt there long ago, and his sharp ears heard the very stones crying out for grief at their departure and memory of their ways.

[[File:Peter Xavier Price - 'I go to find the Sun!'.jpg|thumb|''I go to find the Sun!'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
As they ascended [[Caradhras]], Legolas in his light shoes could walk on top of the snow, whereas the others were forced to trudge and wade their way forward. But snow or no snow, nothing could dampen his buoyant Elven spirit, and he joked lightly with Gandalf even at the darkest moments. He scouted ahead and behind the company, dancing over the snow with great ease, and brought news that the storm was, as they had been fearing, put out to stop them by some Power greater than they. When this report arrived, Gandalf reluctantly decided to abandon the idea of crossing by the [[Redhorn Gate]]. Legolas stayed close by the [[Hobbits]] on the dangerous descent.<ref>{{FR|South}}</ref>

At the bottom of the mountain, the company took a vote as to whether or not to attempt passing through [[Moria]]. Legolas was silent until asked his opinion, and then said simply and seemingly reluctantly, "I do not wish to go to Moria." His loyalty and respectful deference to the decisions of the two leaders, Aragorn and Gandalf, extended even to following them through darkness and unknown horror; of all the Company, he was arguably the most loyal to leadership. When the voices of the [[Wargs]] were heard and the attack began, Legolas did perhaps more than anyone save Gandalf, shooting numerous Wargs and even collecting his spent arrows to fire again, retrieving them, like a responsible bowman, after the fight ended.<ref> {{FR|Journey}}</ref>

The Fellowship reached the West Gate of Moria, and were halted by the doors fast shut. At last gaining entrance, the Company, following Gandalf's staff, began their march through Moria, a pit so profoundly dark that even Legolas' eyes could see nothing. He served his turn, like the others, in lookout duty through the night on the march. When they came to the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] and were brought to battle by the Orcs, Legolas dispatched at least two before following the others out the east door, having to drag Gimli away from [[Balin]]'s tomb. When [[Durin's Bane]] made its frightful appearance, Legolas was the first to recognize it as a [[Balrog]], and it is the only recorded time he was ever truly afraid: a Balrog held far more terror for an Elf than for any other, for only they remembered where the Demons of Fire had come from and whom they had first served.<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Crossing Nimrodel.jpg|thumb|''Crossing Nimrodel'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
After the fall of Gandalf, Aragorn led the Fellowship eastwards to the borders of the forest of Lórien. Legolas was seized with a deep excitement, for none of his kindred had been into the wood for many a year, and he himself had only heard of it from tales. He was grieved, though, that it was winter, and the full glory of the ''[[Mellyrn]]'' was departed. The Fellowship splashed across the [[Nimrodel]] river, feeling their weariness drained away by its cool waters. As they rested on the shore, Legolas told the tales of [[Lothlórien]] still remembered by the Mirkwood Elves and sang to them part of the [[Song of Nimrodel]]. At last, the Company turned aside from the path in order to shelter in the trees for the night, not caring to be caught on the ground by the Orcs pursuing them from Moria. Upon being surprised and questioned by the Elves of Lórien who were watching from a tree, Legolas responded cautiously in their own tongue. When [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise]] queried as to what they were saying, Legolas slyly responded, "They say that you breathe so loud they could shoot you in the dark." He hastened to add that they need not fear the Elves.

Legolas was called up to meet with the [[Galadhrim]], bringing Frodo, though Sam followed, as always. The Galadhrim had heard Legolas' singing and knew him for one of their northern kindred. They had had tidings from the sons of Elrond as to the Quest upon which the Company was embarked, and readily accepted all of the fellowship save Gimli, who was only grudgingly allowed, for the suspicion of the Elves of Lórien towards the Dwarves was especially accute. Legolas was forced to answer for the company, with the reminder to keep an eye on "that dwarf". The next morning, when the Elves took the company across the river [[Celebrant]] on their way to [[Caras Galadhon]], they told Gimli he would have to be blindfolded, but he was outraged and refused. When Aragorn offered for all of the Company to wear blindfolds, Gimli said if only Legolas would wear one, he would. Legolas was outraged in turn, but Aragorn settled the dispute by asking to blindfold the whole of the Company. In the end, Legolas had no choice but to agree.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref>

[[Image:Michael Kaluta - Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel'' by [[Michael Kaluta]]]]
In Lothlórien, many Elves sang of Gandalf, and their language was such that only Legolas could understand. Legolas would not translate the lamentations for the rest of the Company, saying that he had neither the skill nor the heart. During their time in Lórien, however, with the influence of the Lady [[Galadriel]] permeating the air, he became fast friends with Gimli, a friendship that would never be broken.<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref> He was one of the Company that could handle boats, and when the Fellowship prepared to leave Lórien, he was assigned to paddle one with Gimli. From the lady Galadriel, he received an Elven cloak and brooch, and a bow and quiver such as the Galadhrim used.<ref>{{FR|Farewell}}</ref>

When the Company was ambushed by orc-archers on the [[Anduin]], Legolas quickly leaped out onto dry ground and up the riverbank with his bow, searching in the darkness for any sign of the Orcs. From Frodo's low position in the boats, he appeared to be crowned with white stars as he stood tall upon the bank. Suddenly, the south wind chased the clouds away, and a chilling dread fell on the Company. Legolas looked up, and sighed, "[[Elbereth Gilthoniel]]!" as if to draw strength to face the terror riding high in the wind. As the Shadow approached, he bent the great bow of Lórien and shot the descending [[Fell beasts|Fell beast]] from the sky, one of his most masterful deeds. He was praised by the rest of the Company for this, especially Gimli.<ref>{{FR|River}}</ref>

===The Three Hunters===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Awaiting the Riders of Rohan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Awaiting the Riders of Rohan'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
When the company was ambushed on [[Amon Hen]], Legolas shot many [[Orcs]] until his arrows ran out, and then used his knife.<ref>{{FR|Breaking}}</ref> Upon the [[breaking of the Fellowship]], when he learned that Boromir had fallen, he sang a lament with Aragorn, taking the part of the South Wind, which came from the Sea.<ref>{{TT|Departure}}</ref> Legolas was of great aid to Aragorn in the days following, as he helped to track the [[Uruk-hai]] across [[Rohan]]. His eyes could see many leagues, and for a while he could see their quarry far ahead of them.<ref>{{TT|Riders}}</ref>

When accosted by the [[Riders of Rohan]] led by [[Éomer]], Legolas stood by his friend Gimli when confronted by the haughty Marchwarden, threatening him with death if he attempted to harm the dwarf. When Éomer lent them horses to speed them on their way, Legolas was given [[Arod]], a very high-spirited horse. But Legolas had the Elvish way with beasts, and after he had leaped lightly upon Arod, the horse was docile beneath him. Legolas let Gimli ride behind him on the way to [[Fangorn Forest]] in their search for Merry and Pippin. When they arrived by the smoking pile of Orc ashes, they combed the battle field for any sign of the Hobbits for several hours, but gave up as night approached. Camping under the eaves of the forest, Legolas noticed how the tree beneath which they sat seemed glad of the fire they lit, stretching out its limbs and leaves to the heat. Though the night was very dark, he was also the first to notice the absence of the horses. Later he asserted to Aragorn that the beasts sounded joyful, confirming Aragorn’s own guess.

Upon entering Fangorn, Legolas declared that he almost felt young again beside those trees. He commented that in earlier days he could have been happy there. Gimli snorted, saying, “''I dare say you could. You are a Wood-elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk.''” Legolas would later reverse this declaration at the [[Hornburg]]. When the [[Three Hunters]] met with the apparition of an old man, whom they believed to be [[Saruman]], despite Gimli’s encouragement Legolas did not shoot him, feeling moral objections to this. The old man declared, "''Put away that bow, Master Elf.''" Legolas dropped his bow, but later picked it up again, and was about to shoot when it was seen that beneath the old man’s robes there was white. Yet he recognised that it was [[Gandalf]] just in time, and shot his arrow high in the air to be consumed by fire. Gandalf coolly added, "''Well met, I say to you again, Legolas!''"

===With the Rohirrim===
Legolas was the first to ask Gandalf about [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], and Gandalf’s apparently miraculous escape. After the story, Gandalf delivered [[Galadriel's messages]] to each of them, Legolas' being:

{{blockquote|Legolas Greenleaf long under tree 
In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea! 
If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, 
Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.}}

Later, Legolas again used his eyes for the help of the company, as he spied both of [[Isengard]] and [[Edoras]] from afar. At the gates of [[Meduseld]], Legolas was the only one to lay down his weapons without hesitation. He played only a passive role in the healing of [[Théoden|Théoden King]], and later was arrayed in shining mail beside Aragorn. Gimli would not ride on Éomer's horse unless Legolas rode beside them, which he did gladly. Éomer declared, "''Legolas upon my left, and Aragorn upon my right, and none will dare to stand before us!''"

[[Image:John Howe - Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep.jpg|thumb|right|''Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep'' [[John Howe]]]]
As Legolas stood at the [[Hornburg]] at the eve of battle, he said that he did not like the place. Gimli comforted him, and he was glad that the dwarf stood by his side. He also wished that a hundred archers of [[Mirkwood]] were there, noting the small number of bowmen among the [[Rohirrim]]. At the opening of the battle, Legolas shot twenty at least, this figure being taken as precise by Gimli. When Gimli returned to the elf for the second time to declare that he slew twenty-one, Legolas counted his kills as twenty-four. By the time the [[Fire of Orthanc]] blew out a piece of the wall, his quiver was nearly empty. With the last arrow the elf saved Aragorn’s life when he stumbled while pursued. At the end of the battle, Legolas had shot a total of forty-one, though Gimli surpassed his count by one.

Legolas showed great interest in the [[Huorns]] on the way to [[Isengard]], discussing them with Gandalf and a less willing Gimli. Legolas promised Gimli that he would go to [[Glittering Caves|Aglarond]] after the war upon hearing the dwarf’s eloquence, if only Gimli would accompany him on a return to Fangorn. At Isengard he enjoyed a meal in the company of Gimli, Aragorn, and the [[Hobbits]], Merry and Pippin.

===The Return of the King===
When Aragorn made clear his purpose as to the taking of the [[Paths of the Dead]], Legolas and Gimli willingly volunteered to go with him. Legolas predicted, when Gimli suggested that Galadriel might have sent them soldiers from their own lands, that they need not ride away to find war.

Amidst the Paths of the Dead, riding with the [[Grey Company]], Legolas alone, save for [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], [[Elrond|Elrond's]] sons, felt no fear of the [[Oathbreakers]], and it may be remembered that the High Elves had power both in the worlds of the seen and unseen. Yet his turn came to be struck to the heart in the opposite sense – when he heard the gulls at [[Pelargir]], fulfilling Galadriel’s prediction and warning. While telling this story later, he stopped there, while Gimli promptly said, "''For my part I heeded them not''". Legolas saw as Aragorn led the Dead Men what a mighty lord he might have been if he had taken the [[One Ring]].

Legolas came with Aragorn from the ships during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields|Battle of Pelennor Fields]], and fought there beside his comrades. He survived the battle, and several times afterward commented on the longevity and eventual domination of [[Men]] to the dubious Gimli.

===Battle of the Morannon and aftermath===
Legolas rode for the last time into battle beside his friends to the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. He witnessed the Fall of the Dark Tower, and after the battle attended the ceremonies of the [[Field of Cormallen]] in the honour of Frodo and Samwise and their victory. That night Legolas would not go to bed, but instead went away to walk in the woods, singing of the Sea.

At the urging of Aragorn, Legolas remained in [[Minas Tirith]] for a time, after attending the coronation of Elessar. During the parting of the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]], Legolas went with Gimli to Aglarond. After that, he rode off with Gimli to return [[Fangorn Forest]].

===After the War of the Ring===
[[File:Turner Mohan - Legolas and Gimli depart.jpg|thumb|''Legolas and Gimli depart'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
Around {{FoA|20}},<ref name=Cormallen>{{RK|Cormallen}}</ref> Legolas brought south [[Elves of Mirkwood|Elves out of Greenwood]], and they dwelt in Ithilien, which became once again the fairest country in all the westlands.<ref name=Durin>{{App|Durin}}</ref> They stayed in Ithilien for a hundred years.<ref name=Cormallen/> Legolas and the [[Silvan Elves|Wood-Elves]] later worked together with Gimli and the Dwarves to rebuild and improve [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name="AppB">{{App|Later}}</ref> After King Elessar died, Legolas sailed West, reportedly taking Gimli with him, and with them left numerous other [[Elves]].<ref name=Cormallen/>

==Personality==
Legolas showed almost irrepressible cheerfulness throughout the journey, passing through Caradhras and even the Paths of the Dead without hesitation or complaint. His youthful nature can be seen from the mocking way he treated the "strong men" on Caradhras, whom Boromir (excluding Legolas) had said could forge a way out through the snow. He is perhaps most remembered for his friendship with Gimli the Dwarf, and it was during this friendship that we see his faithfulness, and also his love of beauty. Gimli's words moved him when the dwarf spoke of the [[Glittering Caves]].

==Description and equipment==
[[Christopher Tolkien]] recounts that his father wrote the following "wrathful" comment protesting against a "pretty" or "ladylike" depiction of Legolas:
{{blockquote|He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazgûl, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', p. 327}}

At Rivendell, Legolas was dressed in green and brown garb,<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> and he was probably dressed similarly for the duration of the quest.

He bore a bow from Mirkwood, and later a [[Bow of the Galadhrim]]. He also had a long white knife.

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| ORO |ORO=[[Oropher]] ''d. {{SA|3434}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| THR |THR=[[Thranduil]] ''Unknown''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| LEG |LEG='''LEGOLAS''' ''Sailed West {{FoA|120}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

== Etymology ==
The name ''Legolas'' is a [[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]] dialect form of pure [[Sindarin]] ''Laegolas'', which means "Greenleaf". At one point he is called "Legolas '''Greenleaf'''" by Gandalf, coupling his name and its translation like an epithet.<ref group=note>''Greenleaf'' is not his surname, as is sometimes erroneously believed; nor is it an epithet (like ''[[Oakenshield]]'').</ref>

''Legolas'' consists of the [[Sindarin]] words ''laeg'', a very rare, archaic word for "green" (cf. ''Laegrim, Laegel(d)rim'', the [[Green Elves]]), which is normally replaced by ''calen'' (cf. ''[[Calenhad]], [[Parth Galen]]'' and ''[[Pinnath Gelin]]''); and ''golas'', a collection of leaves, foliage (being a prefixed collective form of ''[[lass|las(s)]]'', "leaf").<ref>{{L|211}}</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 84, 153</ref>

The [[Quenya]] cognate of ''Laegolas'' was '''''Laicolasse'''''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 56</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The name "''[[Legolas (elf of Gondolin)|Legolas Greenleaf]]''" appeared first in "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]" in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', applied to a character who guided some survivors of the sack of the city to safety.<ref>{{LT2|IIIn}}, ''Entries in the Name-list to The Fall of Gondolin'', p. 217</ref> However, this character had no further development in the [[Legendarium]] and is unrelated to the Legolas of the Fellowship of the Ring.

While writting ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien first considered [[Glorfindel]] to be the Elven character of the Fellowship, however he dropped the idea, and Legolas was created to replace him. Perhaps this is the reason why Legolas is considered the most underdeveloped character of the Fellowship, playing only a minor role in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/post/53965333513/why-is-legolass-character-so-underdeveloped|articlename=Why is Legolas so underdeveloped?|website=[http://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com Ask About Middle-Earth]}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Legolas in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Legolas 2.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Legolas at Amon Hen.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Legolas.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Legolas.png|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]''
|File:Lego Legolas poster.png|Legolas as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Legolas.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}

'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Frank Duncan]] was the voice of Legolas.

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Legolas was voiced by [[Anthony Daniels]]. In the film, he takes [[Glorfindel]]'s place in the Flight to the Ford sequence; he meets Strider and the hobbits on their way to [[Rivendell]], and sets Frodo on his horse before he is chased by the Nazgûl to the ford of [[Bruinen]]. Here, he is apparently from Rivendell, because he answers to Elrond; he is not identified as a Wood-elf.

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:[[John Vickery]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Neither Legolas nor Gimli appeared in this film, as they were essentially followers irrelevant to the plot.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:[[David Collings]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Michael Reisz]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Legolas was portrayed by [[Orlando Bloom]].

:In the "official movie guide" for ''The Lord of the Rings'', a birthdate for Legolas is set to 87 of the [[Third Age]]. This would make him 2931 years old at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. This date for Legolas' birth was made up by the movie writers. Curiously, the year 2931 was the year Aragorn was born; the writers may have picked the number at random from the ''Tale of Years'' in the [[Appendix B|Appendices]].

:He is presented as an unstoppable fighter, arguably to the point of stealing the show; he performs show-stopping yet implausible stunts in battle scenes. For example, in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], he slides down a staircase using a shield, shooting arrows all the while, and in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], he takes down an [[Oliphaunts|Oliphaunt]] all by himself. However, in the books, Legolas's exploits in battle are not presented in great detail. Aside from shooting the fell beast, he undertakes no major actions other than to make peace with Gimli, overcoming their longstanding mutual racial animosity — he and Gimli are followers, rather than leaders. The film-makers later stated that the entire scene of Legolas killing the Oliphaunt and its entire crew was filmed during pick-ups (months after original filming) to insert a major action scene showcasing him, because at that point they realized that he simply doesn't get to do much in the third part of the trilogy.

:Legolas bears two long knives, while in the book he bears only one. Another, more trivial change, was the number of Orcs he and Gimli kill at [[Helm's Deep]]: 42 and 43, respectively. It is not clear whether this was an intentional change on the part of the filmmakers, though it seems likely that it was, since the original numbers were so clear in Tolkien's own text.

:Playing Legolas in the trilogy was Orlando Bloom's breakout route to superstardom. His handsome features and Legolas' "coolness", so to speak, as depicted in the film, have led to the character becoming an unprecedented fan favourite with both fangirls and fanboys, not to mention other Tolkien fans. Although the disproportionate popular reaction to Legolas met with mixed reactions from fans, many debaters on the Internet during earlier stages of production were worried that a film portrayal of Legolas might render him as far too effeminate for popular consumption. Later, many felt that Bloom was able to avoid this entirely.

Legolas arrived in Rivendell with a group of Elves. At the Council of Elrond, he was unimpressed by Boromir's attitude towards Aragorn. Legolas therefore declared "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance". Boromir was stunned by this revelation, but Aragorn was uncomfortable with the reminder. When Boromir argued against trying to destroy the ring, Legolas sharply refuted him as the ring had to be destroyed. Gimli figured that Legolas thought he should be the one to take the ring and then said he would be dead before he saw the ring in the hands of an elf. This started an argument between all the members of council but Frodo interrupted the quarreling saying that he would take the ring to Mordor. Gandalf and Aragorn tell Frodo that they will help him get to Mordor and Legolas decides he will also help, telling Frodo that he has his bow. Gimli and Boromir also were to go and the other Hobbits Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck were eavesdropping and decided they couldn't possibly be left behind. Elrond, although flustered by the Hobbits running in, announced them nine companions and the Fellowship of the Ring.

The Fellowship set off towards Mordor through the Misty Mountains. During a brief rest, Legolas was the first to spot a flock of Crebain heading their way. The group took cover immediately while the birds passed by. Afterwards Gandalf took them through the pass of Caradhras but the Fellowship was waylaid by a snowstorm while passing through the mountains. Legolas was able to walk on the snow with no difficulty, yet he soon heard Saruman's voice influencing the weather stating that there was a fell voice in the air. As the Fellowship were bombarded by stones and snow, Gandalf attempted to calm the storm, but Saruman sent a lightning bolt into the mountain. This resulted in an avalanche which fell on the group, at which point Gandalf and Frodo decide to go through Moria.

They reached the gate of the kingdom and Gandalf tried to open the door, speaking elvish. Frodo discovered that the password was the elvish word for friend and the door opened. As they walked in, Gimli noted to Legolas that they would soon enjoy the fabled hospitaliy of the Dwarves and his cousin Balin. Legolas and the others saw the Dwarven corpses awaiting them and the Elven prince immediately deduced that Goblins were lurking nearby. When Frodo was suddenly attacked by the Watcher in the Water from back outside. Legolas noticed that the watcher was searching for the ring, so he shot an arrow through one of its tentacles. After Aragorn and Boromir freed Frodo, Boromir yells Legolas' name and he shot an arrow into the beasts eye, holding it back to give them time to run into the mine again. The Watcher climbed up and broke apart the stone, which trapped the Fellowship within the mines. Legolas and the others quickly realised that they would have to go through Moria. Eventually Gandalf led the company to the Tomb of Balin where he discovered the Book of Marzabul. Legolas was uneasy as he knew that evil was lurking nearby. Before long Pippin accidentally sent a rotting carcass into the depths of the mines, which alerted a whole army of Goblins. Before they even broke through the doors, Legolas and Aragorn were able to hit them with arrows through the holes in the doors. Even when the doors were thrown open, Legolas shot them down before they could close the distance. When the cave troll stormed into the chamber, Legolas alone was able to avoid it with ease. He even climbed onto the troll and fired an arrow into its skull. When most of the Fellowship were fighting the troll, Legolas saw an opportunity when Pippin stabbed it in the head, causing the troll to roar. The Elf then fired an arrow directly into its mouth, penetrating its skull and killing it swiftly.
The Fellowship was forced to flee from the Balrog of Morgoth, a creature which even Legolas was alarmed by. At the crossing of the stairs, Legolas was the first to jump across the gap with no trouble. The company was attacked by archers from afar, so Legolas returned fire. When Gimli nearly fell off the edge, Legolas swiftly grabbed him by the beard and halled him back. Before they left Moria, Legolas witnesses the fall of Gandalf, at which he was horrified and subdued by the loss.

During their trip down the river, Legolas's far sight alerted him to the presence of the Uruk-Hai scouts bearing down on them. At Amon-Hen, Leoglas urged Aragorn to lead them away immediately, as he could sense the Uruk-Hai approaching. The Elf was called to action once more as the company was soon attacked. He arrived in time to see Boromir's final moments before he succumbed to his wounds.
After they sent Boromir's body along the river in one of the boats, Leoglas was prepared to follow Frodo and Sam, but seeing Aragorn hesitate he realised that the ranger didn't intend to follow them. Aragorn deemed that they must rescue Merry and Pippin from the Uruk-Hai. While disappointed at first, the Elf saw hope in that the Fellowship still held true. Therefore he eagerly joined Aragorn and Gimli in hunting down the Uruks.

The three hunters pursued the Uruks into the plains of Rohan. From afar, Legolas could see that the Uruks were now headed directly for Isengard. The trio soon encountered the riders of Rohan, who were hostile at first given that they were now at open war with Saruman. When Eomer was scornful towards Gimli, Legolas aimed his bow at Eomer's face and said "You would die before your stroke fell!" Aragorn quickly diffused the situation and after the cooling of words, Eomer lets them go and gave them two horses to help them find their friends. Legolas and the others discovered that the Uruks had been destroyed and burned by the Rohhirim. At first they believed the Hobbits were caught in the massacre, but Aragorn discovered Hobbit tracks leading away from the battle and into Fangorn Forest.

In the shade of the forest, Legolas was intrigued by the forest, yet he was also wary as he knew that the trees were alive. He soon sensed that someone was stalking them, so he warned Aragorn "The White Wizard approaches...". The trio turned against the stranger, but the Wizard overpowered them. He even knocked away Legolas' arrow at point blank range. The Wizard revealed himself to be Gandalf, having destroyed the Balrog and being resurrected by the great powers. Legolas was overwhelmed to see his return. Gandalf told them that the Hobbits were safe and that they must aid Rohan.

At Edoras, Legolas and the others were forced to disarm before seeing the King, although Gandalf managed to get his staff through. The possessed Théoden was under the control of Grima Wormtongue servant of Saruman and Saruman possessed his mind. Théoden and Wormtongue set their thugs on the group and Legolas, GImli and Aragorn fight them off while Gandalf walked towards the king, using his staff he freed him from the spell, revealing himself to Saruman as the new white wizard. Against the wishes of Gandalf and Aragorn, Théoden beleived it would be best to take refuge in the stronghold of Helm's Deep.

On the way to Helm's Deep, the company was attacked by Warg Riders. Legolas quickly aided Gamling in slaying the two scouts before the rest of the riders show up. Legolas shot down several Wargs and riders as they approached over the hills and then mounted up onto a horse as the Rohhirim from behind him.
In the midst of the fighting, Aragorn was dragged off a cliff and into the river below. Legolas and Gimli interrogated the dying Sharku, where the Elf recovered the Evenstar. Legolas believed that Aragorn had perished and was unable to carry on, but Théoden urged them to come to Helm's Deep. Legolas and Gimli had no choice to but to continue.

When Aragorn recovered and arrived at Helm's Deep later on, Legolas greeted him and returned the Evenstar to him. Aragorn revealed that he had seen ten thousand Uruk-Hai marching towards Helm's Deep, prompting the King to order the defense of the fortress. But Legolas and Gimli were doubtful that they can hold out against such sheer numbers. Legolas in particular despaired that they will all die, prompting Aragorn to say "Then I shall die as one of them!"
The Elf later reconciled with Aragorn before the battle. Legolas then heard a horn blowing and immediately recognizes it as an Elvish call. Haldir and an army of Lothlorien Elves arrived to aid the King as sent by Galadriel and Elrond.

On the rampart of the Hornburg, Legolas joined his kin with Gimli, although the Dwarf grumbled about not being tall enough to see over the rampart. When the Uruk-Hai arrived and started uttering war cries, Gimli frantically asked what was going on. Legolas offered either a description or a large box for Gimli to stand on, to which the Dwarf laughed.

The siege began and Legolas told the Elves and Men to aim at the Uruk's necks and underarms where their armor was weak. Uruks began climbing up on siege ladders and Legolas and Gimli began killing them on the wall. Legolas also spotted the Uruk berserker with a bomb and attempted to shoot him down, but the Uruk simply hurled himself into the hole in the wall. The wall of Helm's deep was blasted to pieces, although Legolas survived unharmed. He rode down the stairs on an Uruk shield while shooting arrows at the same time. Eventually however Legolas and the others were forced to retreat. When the Uruks began to throw up more siege ladders, the Elf managed to buy some time by shooting the ropes, causing one of them to topple over and flatten the Uruks. The Uruks broke into the fortress, so Legolas and the others withdrew into the keep. They continued to barely hold out through the night and as the sun of the following morning rose up Aragorn urged Théoden to ride out one last time. Legolas joined them and together they mowed down the Uruk-Hai outside on the bridge. Legolas also witnessed the return of Gandalf with an army of horsemen led by Éomer. The battle of Helm's Deep ended and the remaining Orcs fled back to Isengard where Treebeard and the Ents have attacked and destroyed them.

Legolas joined the others in finding Merry and Pippin at Isengard. When the group confronted Saruman, Gimli became impatient with the wizard and suggested that Legolas shoot him. Legolas actually began to do so, but Gandalf commanded him not to as they needed information. Eventually Legolas was forced to act when Wormtongue stabbed Saruman, so the Elf shot Wormtongue in the heart, but it was too late to save Saruman and the former white wizard's body plummeted and landed on a spiky wheel at the bottom. The Palantir fell into the water and Pippin picked it up. It was quickly confiscated by Gandalf.

On returning to Edoras, a celebration was held due to the recent victory at Helm's Deep. There Legolas was introduced to a drinking game with Gimli which seemingly he had never done before. Nevertheless he held his liquor very well, going through several pints and still standing, although he mentioned "I can feel something... a slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me". Gimli however passed out, whereupon Legolas won the game.
Later he stood outside and talked with Aragorn and felt Sauron's presence when Pippin grabbed the Palantir. Aragorn grabbed the ball and Legolas held him up as he almost fell, the Palantir rolling out of his hands. Gandalf quickly covered it with a cloth. The next morning he heard what Gandalf had discovered after Pippin's vision in the Palantir. The Elf was later seen when Gondor signaled for help and Théoden ordered everyone to ride to Dunharrow. Gimli wished that he could muster an army of Dwarves from his home, though Legolas speculated that war already marched on their lands as well.
At Dunharrow, Legolas and Gimli noticed that the men and horses were uneasy under the shadow of the mountain. Gimli inquired about the road leading into the mountain, which Legolas identified as the road to the Dimholt. Éomer warned them that the mountain is an evil place to be avoided.

Legolas caught Aragorn trying to leave without himself and Gimli, and together they joined him on the road through the haunted mountain. Gimli wondered aloud about the dead, whereupon Legolas explained how they refused to aid Isildur in the war against Sauron, breaking their oath and cursed to walk the earth endlessly. Inside the mountain, the King of the Dead confronted the trio and sent his army to kill them. Legolas tried to shoot the dead king, but the arrow simply passed through his skull. Aragorn's reforged sword physically blocked the weapon of the king, at which point the dead king realised that Aragorn was Isildur's Heir. Aragorn demanded that they fight and fulfill their oath. The Dead King and his army seemed to retreat, when the mountain is rocked by an earthquake. The trio were forced to flee the avalanche of skulls and rocks. Once outside, Legolas and the others saw the Corsairs of Umbar heading to Gondor, but the King of the Dead reappeared and agreed to fight.

Legolas and the others arrived in Gondor on the Black Ships after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields had already begun. There he and Gimli began another contest to kill as many Orcs as possible. Legolas mounted a stampeding Mumakil, where he climbed the great beast and cut the war tower loose, sending the Haradrim archers into the path of the oncoming Oathbreakers. Legolas then shot the Mumakil in the head with three arrows and slid down its trunk as it fell to it's death. Landing in front an indignant Gimli, the Dwarf declared that it is still only one, seemingly forgetting the war tower full of Haradrim. During the battle, the Witch King of Angmar was killed by Éowyn who had previously fatally wounded Théoden who died shortly after.

To give Frodo more time to get the ring to Mount Doom, the remaining forces go to the Black Gate to distract Sauron and his forces. At the Black gate, Legolas and Gimli acknowledged their friendhsip before the fight began. Legolas and Gandalf followed Aragorn as he charged at the host of Mordor. During the fighting Legolas noticed Aragorn struggling to fight an armoured troll and immediately rushed to his aid. Legolas is present when the Great Eagles arrive and began fighting the Nazgûl in the air. When the One Ring was destroyed, Legolas was one of the first to notice the Eye of Sauron screaming from afar. He then witnesses the fall of Barad-Dur and the destruction of Mordor. At first he was happy but then noticed the mountain erupting and immediately was worried for Frodo and Sam. Gandalf rode on Gwahir and took two other eagles to go get the Hobbits and brought them back to Minas Tirith.

Leoglas was present when Frodo reawakened in Minas Tirith. At Aragorn's coronation, the King thanked his friend again for his support. Legolas then stepped aside to reveal Arwen, whereupon Aragorn finally married her. Legolas then bowed before Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry with everybody else present to thank them for everything they did.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Legolas is provided by Richard Stanke.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Legolas is a non-playable character, accompanying the Ring-bearer since Rivendell.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Legolas is one of the three playable characters.

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Legolas is a playable character, skilled in both ranged and melee. He and Gimli accompany Aragorn through Paths of the Dead, later he fights on Pelennor fields and at the Black Gate.

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]'''
:Legolas makes a cameo as one of the Wood-elves that Bilbo must avoid in the "Barrels Out of Bond" level. He is recognizable due to his resemblance to Thranduil. While he is unnamed in-game, his identity is confirmed in the game files. No voice actor is specified for the character.<ref>''The Hobbit (2003 video game)'', "Barrels Out of Bond"</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Grant George]] provides the voice of Legolas.<ref>http://www.dynamicduovo.com/aboutgrant.html</ref> The game depicts Legolas's hunt for [[Gollum]] in northern Mirkwood, which is interrupted by the orcs.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Legolas is a Hero Unit for the Rohan faction in skirmishes, and accompanies the Fellowship in the storyline mode. He specializes in powerful ranged attacks.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Legolas is now the Hero for the Elven faction.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Legolas is first met in [[Rivendell]], where before the Fellowship's departure he helps the player in the search for the missing Nazgul. Later, the player catches up with Legolas at several points during the Fellowship's journey such as [[Cerin Amroth]], [[Meduseld]], [[Hornburg]] and the [[Pelennor Fields]]. After [[Sauron]]'s defeat, Legolas and [[Gimli]] accompany soldiers of [[Gondor]] who on the orders of King [[Elessar]] begin exploring and securing the Land of Shadow; Legolas assists the player in their exploration of [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]]. Afterwards, Legolas for a brief time returns home to his father's halls in [[Eryn Lasgalen]], where he introduces the player to [[Grimbeorn]]. He soon returns back to [[Minas Tirith]] for the wedding of Aragorn and [[Arwen]], after which he continues the exploration of the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]], eventually discovering the entrance to [[Shelob's Lair]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:[[Crispin Freeman]] plays Legolas, who is available as a Hero in several missions.<ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crispin_freeman_fansite/message/9438</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Legolas can be found and talked to in Rivendell, he retains the appearance from the movies. While he provides insight into many events, interactions with him do not affect the main plot.

'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
: Orlando Bloom reprised his role as Legolas in [[Peter Jackson]]'s adaptation of the Hobbit.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ/posts/10150265634081558|articlename=Ten years ago,...|dated=27-May-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> Bloom was [[Wikipedia:de-aging in film|digitally de-aged]] to match his appearance as Legolas in ''Lord of the Rings'' 13 years ago.<ref>{{webcite|author=Mat Bradley-Tschirgi|articleurl=http://www.gamesradar.com/7-movie-actors-made-impossibly-young-by-cgi/|articlename=7 movie actors made impossibly young by CGI|website=[http://www.gamesradar.com/ GamesRadar]|accessed=30-May-2017}}</ref> During one hunt, Legolas and Tauriel came across the Company of Thorin Oakenshield on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. Legolas and the Mirkwood Elf Rangers surrounded the Dwarves and took them captive, searching them. Legolas pulled out a photo of Glóin's wife and of his son Gimli and tossed it aside after asking who they were. He was handed Orcrist, which Thorin had been wielding. Legolas asked Thorin where he got the blade to which the stubborn Dwarf replied that it had been given to him. Legolas insulted the prince of being a thief and a liar before taking the blade for himself. Legolas led the Elves with the Dwarf prisoners back through the gates of the halls of Thranduil. Thinking that he heard something behind him, Legolas turned around, giving Bilbo Baggins enough time to sneak through the gates wearing the One Ring. The Dwarves were locked up while Thranduil tried to bargain with Thorin but the Dwarf turned down the deal. Legolas told his father that Tauriel fought well at some point and Thranduil confronted her, telling her that Legolas had grown fond of her and not to give him hope where there is none as he would never allow his son to pledge himself to a lowly silvan elf such as herself. Legolas later watched from above as Tauriel talked with Kíli the Dwarf.

Bilbo helped the Dwarves escape in barrels that were on their way to Lake-town but Legolas was alerted and told Feren to get the gate closed. Feren blew his horn and the Elf sentries closed the river gate but were immediately attacked and killed by Hunter Orcs led by Bolg of Gundabad. Legolas and Tauriel reached the gate with the support of the Silvan Guard and the Elf Rangers and they attacked the Orcs. Kíli got out of his barrel to open the gate and was shot by Bolg with a Mordor Shaft from his Morgul Bow. Legolas followed the Dwarves downstream and was the only elf able to keep up with the current. He continued to kill the Hunter Orcs as he went, jumping from one side of the creek to the other, using the Dwarf's heads as stepping stones. Towards the end of the skirmish an orc raised his axe behind Legolas' head and Thorin threw an axe from his barrel to kill the Orc, saving the Elf's life.

Tauriel shot an arrow to intercept Narzug's arrow that was aimed at Legolas from behind as he watched the Dwarves and Orcs continue down the stream. Legolas told her not to kill the Orc archer as he might be able to help them. They brought Narzug back to their kingdom where Legolas and Thranduil interrogated him. Thranduil promised to set him free but when he began talking about his master "The One" and the weapon that was going to be unleashed Thranduil beheaded him, telling Legolas that there was nothing more the Orc could tell him. Thranduil ordered the gates to be closed, nobody entering or exiting the kingdom. Legolas went to order the gates closed when he was told Tauriel had left with nothing but her knives and bow. Legolas decided to follow her to bring her back. When he finally caught up with her he tried to get her to come back but Tauriel convinced him that they needed to do their part and follow the Orcs. The continued on to Lake-town. By the time they reached Esgaroth it was night-fall and the Dwarves had already left for Erebor apart from Kíli, Fíli, Bofur and Óin and they were being attacked by Orcs in the house of Bard. Legolas came in through the roof and began killing the Orcs with Tauriel. Fimbul the Hunter, Bolg's lieutenant ran out and jumped onto a boat, letting Bolg know that Oakenshield had already left and Legolas pushed the last Orc's body out onto the end of the boat Fimbul had jumped onto, sending flying back up into Legolas' knives and he was beheaded by the elf. Legolas attempted to convince Tauriel to keep hunting with him but she opted to stay with Kíli who she was obviously growing feelings for. He said her name one more time before leaving and chasing down more Orcs.

He finally caught up to Bolg who anticipated his arrival, having a couple of Orcs ready to attack the Elf prince. Legolas attacked Bolg after killing the Orcs and an intense duel ensued. Legolas eventually lost Orcrist and had to pull out one of his knives and Bolg proved to be a stronger Orc than the others and made Legolas bleed for the first time. More Orcs attacked Legolas as Bolg escaped on his Warg, leaving Lake-town. Legolas stood there out of breath and saw the blood on his finger after touching the wound but was only stopped for a moment before taking a horse and chasing down the Gundabad Orc. Bolg led him to a Warg pack and the Orcs bore the sign of Gundabad which concerned Legolas greatly.
'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
In the wake of the destruction of Esgaroth from the flames of Smaug and the death of the Dragon by the Black Arrow fired by Bard, Legolas returned to the refugee camp and found Tauriel. He told her to take leave of the Dwarf as she was needed elsewhere. Legolas met with Bard who seemed to be the leader of the men due to the death of the Master of Lake-town. He asked what they would do and also warned Bard of the Gundabad Orcs he feared would come now that the mountain was no longer guarded by a dragon. Feren arrived and told Legolas to return immediately to his kingdom but when he found out Tauriel had been banished, he decided to stay with her and go scout out Gundabad. They rode to the Orc stronghold and lay waiting for nightfall to go in. Tauriel asked what was beyond Gundabad and Legolas told her it was the lands of Angmar. After a pause he added that his mother died in Angmar and that his father barely talked about her. As it got darker they were surprised by a hoard of Gundabad War Bats and then looked over to see Bolg commanding an entire army of Gundabad War Orcs. They rode back as quickly as they could to warn the others.
When they arrived back in the ruins of Dale, the Battle of Five Armies had already begun and they found Gandalf the Grey, telling him that another army of Orcs was arriving. Realising that they would trap Thorin, Dwalin, Kíli and Fíli on Ravenhill, Tauriel wished to go help Kíli and the other Dwarves, believing their lives to be worth just as much as that of an elf. Thranduil, trying to leave the battle, believing that he had spent enough elf blood on a worthless cause was stopped by Tauriel. He broke her bow and threatened to kill her but Legolas pushed his blade away, stepping up from behind him. He told his father that if he hurt her he would have to kill him. Legolas told Tauriel he would go with her and they made their way to Ravenhill. Legolas grabbed hold of a bat and flew up to the fortress where he hung upside-down and took down an entire line of Gundabad War Orcs on their way past before shooting his bat and landing on one of the towers. He saw Thorin fighting Azog the Defiler below on the ice and shot down the Orcs that were sent after the Dwarf. When he noticed Bolg attacking Tauriel he reached for an arrow but realised he had finally run out, grabbing Orcrist. He jumped down onto a Truncated Troll and commandeered it to push over the tower and create a stone bridge of sorts. Legolas and Bolg had a rematch on the stone bridges, Legolas using Orcrist until he noticed Thorin cornered on the ice above. He threw Orcrist up to stab the Orc above Thorin, returning the sword to the dwarf. Legolas then unsheathed his knives and attacked Bolg again. Bolg pushed him down and bits of the bridge began falling beneath him but Legolas used his light feet to step on the falling rocks and run back up. Bolg grabbed his knife in the same position that dominated Legolas in Lake-town but this time the elf was ready for it, swinging around on top and stabbing the big Gundabad Orc in the head before jumping off and letting his body fall and get crushed by rocks from the tower. Legolas decided he couldn't stay in Mirkwood after defying his father and Thranduil recommended he go to the rangers in the north where he would find a young man who went by the name of "Strider". As Legolas left, Thranduil called after him that his mother loved him. Legolas briefly looked back before walking off.
==See also =
* [[Legolas/Disputes]]=

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{{councilofelrond}}{{fellowship}}{{FellowshipRoute}}{{hobbitfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Silvan Elvish names]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Legolas (Thranduils Sohn)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/teleri/sindar/legolas]]
[[fi:Legolas]]

Legolas

2021-11-08T11:58:43Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

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{{disambig-two|the elf of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|the elf in ''[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]''|[[Legolas (elf of Gondolin)]]}}
{{sindar infobox
| name=Legolas
| image=[[File:Līga Kļaviņa - Legolas.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Legolas" by [[:Category:Images by Līga Kļaviņa|Līga Kļaviņa]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Greenleaf, ''Laicolasse'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| titles=Prince of [[Woodland Realm]]
| position=
| location=[[Woodland Realm]] [[Ithilien]]
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Sindarin]] and [[Westron]]
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| sailedwest={{FoA|120}}
| sailedfrom=[[Ithilien]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=[[Thranduil]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=Green and brown garb
| weapons=[[Bow of the Galadhrim]] and "long white knife"
| steed=[[Arod]]
}}
{{Quote|There was also a strange Elf clad in green and brown, Legolas, a messenger from his father...|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Council of Elrond]]"}}
'''Legolas''' was a [[Sindar|Sinda]] Elf, the prince of the [[Woodland Realm]] of [[Mirkwood]]. His grandfather [[Oropher]] was of the [[Sindar]] of [[Doriath]], and his father [[Thranduil]] was king of Mirkwood ([[Greenwood the Great]]). His exact date of birth is not known, nor are his earliest exploits, but his most important recorded role is that which he played in the [[War of the Ring]], during which he was the [[Elves|Elven]] representative in the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. His Elven giftings, such as superior sight and hearing, lightness of foot, and skilled archery, were valuable assets to his eight companions.

Legolas was counted unusual for his strong friendship with a [[Dwarves|Dwarf]], [[Gimli]] son of [[Glóin]]. Such a friendship was rare between the two races, on account of the long-standing grievances between [[Dwarves]] and [[Elves]] dating back to the [[Elder Days]]. Also, friendship between these two was unlikely because of the grudge between their two particular houses for the rough treatment given Glóin and the rest of [[Thorin Oakenshield]]'s company by Thranduil on an earlier occasion.<ref>{{H|8}}; {{H|9}}</ref>

==History==
As has been said, little is known about his life before or during the [[Third Age]], restricted to the few things he himself has said on the matter.

During the [[War of the Ring]], the creature [[Gollum]] was captured by [[Aragorn]], and put under lock and key by the [[Elves of Mirkwood]]. Through their over-kindliness to him, however, Gollum managed an escape with the help of [[Sauron]]'s [[Orcs]]. Legolas was dispatched to [[Rivendell]] to bring this ill news to [[Elrond]] and [[Gandalf]].<ref name=Council>{{FR|Council}}</ref>

Legolas was present at the [[Council of Elrond]] and related the news of Gollum's escape, being quick to add that it was not through lack of vigilance that he slipped their grasp, and gave detailed account of the whole affair to the Council.<ref name=Council/> He spoke little after his report, if at all, but later was chosen as the representative of the Elves in the [[Nine Walkers]] of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] to perform the [[Quest of the Ring]]. His capabilities would prove invaluable to the Company.

===The Fellowship of the Ring===
For the early part of the quest, the nine companions walked single file, [[Gandalf]] leading, Legolas, with his keen eyes, providing the rearguard. When the Company came to [[Hollin]], Legolas was very deeply moved: the wholesome air yet spoke of the Elves that dwelt there long ago, and his sharp ears heard the very stones crying out for grief at their departure and memory of their ways.

[[File:Peter Xavier Price - 'I go to find the Sun!'.jpg|thumb|''I go to find the Sun!'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
As they ascended [[Caradhras]], Legolas in his light shoes could walk on top of the snow, whereas the others were forced to trudge and wade their way forward. But snow or no snow, nothing could dampen his buoyant Elven spirit, and he joked lightly with Gandalf even at the darkest moments. He scouted ahead and behind the company, dancing over the snow with great ease, and brought news that the storm was, as they had been fearing, put out to stop them by some Power greater than they. When this report arrived, Gandalf reluctantly decided to abandon the idea of crossing by the [[Redhorn Gate]]. Legolas stayed close by the [[Hobbits]] on the dangerous descent.<ref>{{FR|South}}</ref>

At the bottom of the mountain, the company took a vote as to whether or not to attempt passing through [[Moria]]. Legolas was silent until asked his opinion, and then said simply and seemingly reluctantly, "I do not wish to go to Moria." His loyalty and respectful deference to the decisions of the two leaders, Aragorn and Gandalf, extended even to following them through darkness and unknown horror; of all the Company, he was arguably the most loyal to leadership. When the voices of the [[Wargs]] were heard and the attack began, Legolas did perhaps more than anyone save Gandalf, shooting numerous Wargs and even collecting his spent arrows to fire again, retrieving them, like a responsible bowman, after the fight ended.<ref> {{FR|Journey}}</ref>

The Fellowship reached the West Gate of Moria, and were halted by the doors fast shut. At last gaining entrance, the Company, following Gandalf's staff, began their march through Moria, a pit so profoundly dark that even Legolas' eyes could see nothing. He served his turn, like the others, in lookout duty through the night on the march. When they came to the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] and were brought to battle by the Orcs, Legolas dispatched at least two before following the others out the east door, having to drag Gimli away from [[Balin]]'s tomb. When [[Durin's Bane]] made its frightful appearance, Legolas was the first to recognize it as a [[Balrog]], and it is the only recorded time he was ever truly afraid: a Balrog held far more terror for an Elf than for any other, for only they remembered where the Demons of Fire had come from and whom they had first served.<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Crossing Nimrodel.jpg|thumb|''Crossing Nimrodel'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
After the fall of Gandalf, Aragorn led the Fellowship eastwards to the borders of the forest of Lórien. Legolas was seized with a deep excitement, for none of his kindred had been into the wood for many a year, and he himself had only heard of it from tales. He was grieved, though, that it was winter, and the full glory of the ''[[Mellyrn]]'' was departed. The Fellowship splashed across the [[Nimrodel]] river, feeling their weariness drained away by its cool waters. As they rested on the shore, Legolas told the tales of [[Lothlórien]] still remembered by the Mirkwood Elves and sang to them part of the [[Song of Nimrodel]]. At last, the Company turned aside from the path in order to shelter in the trees for the night, not caring to be caught on the ground by the Orcs pursuing them from Moria. Upon being surprised and questioned by the Elves of Lórien who were watching from a tree, Legolas responded cautiously in their own tongue. When [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise]] queried as to what they were saying, Legolas slyly responded, "They say that you breathe so loud they could shoot you in the dark." He hastened to add that they need not fear the Elves.

Legolas was called up to meet with the [[Galadhrim]], bringing Frodo, though Sam followed, as always. The Galadhrim had heard Legolas' singing and knew him for one of their northern kindred. They had had tidings from the sons of Elrond as to the Quest upon which the Company was embarked, and readily accepted all of the fellowship save Gimli, who was only grudgingly allowed, for the suspicion of the Elves of Lórien towards the Dwarves was especially accute. Legolas was forced to answer for the company, with the reminder to keep an eye on "that dwarf". The next morning, when the Elves took the company across the river [[Celebrant]] on their way to [[Caras Galadhon]], they told Gimli he would have to be blindfolded, but he was outraged and refused. When Aragorn offered for all of the Company to wear blindfolds, Gimli said if only Legolas would wear one, he would. Legolas was outraged in turn, but Aragorn settled the dispute by asking to blindfold the whole of the Company. In the end, Legolas had no choice but to agree.<ref>{{FR|Lorien}}</ref>

[[Image:Michael Kaluta - Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel'' by [[Michael Kaluta]]]]
In Lothlórien, many Elves sang of Gandalf, and their language was such that only Legolas could understand. Legolas would not translate the lamentations for the rest of the Company, saying that he had neither the skill nor the heart. During their time in Lórien, however, with the influence of the Lady [[Galadriel]] permeating the air, he became fast friends with Gimli, a friendship that would never be broken.<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref> He was one of the Company that could handle boats, and when the Fellowship prepared to leave Lórien, he was assigned to paddle one with Gimli. From the lady Galadriel, he received an Elven cloak and brooch, and a bow and quiver such as the Galadhrim used.<ref>{{FR|Farewell}}</ref>

When the Company was ambushed by orc-archers on the [[Anduin]], Legolas quickly leaped out onto dry ground and up the riverbank with his bow, searching in the darkness for any sign of the Orcs. From Frodo's low position in the boats, he appeared to be crowned with white stars as he stood tall upon the bank. Suddenly, the south wind chased the clouds away, and a chilling dread fell on the Company. Legolas looked up, and sighed, "[[Elbereth Gilthoniel]]!" as if to draw strength to face the terror riding high in the wind. As the Shadow approached, he bent the great bow of Lórien and shot the descending [[Fell beasts|Fell beast]] from the sky, one of his most masterful deeds. He was praised by the rest of the Company for this, especially Gimli.<ref>{{FR|River}}</ref>

===The Three Hunters===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Awaiting the Riders of Rohan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Awaiting the Riders of Rohan'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
When the company was ambushed on [[Amon Hen]], Legolas shot many [[Orcs]] until his arrows ran out, and then used his knife.<ref>{{FR|Breaking}}</ref> Upon the [[breaking of the Fellowship]], when he learned that Boromir had fallen, he sang a lament with Aragorn, taking the part of the South Wind, which came from the Sea.<ref>{{TT|Departure}}</ref> Legolas was of great aid to Aragorn in the days following, as he helped to track the [[Uruk-hai]] across [[Rohan]]. His eyes could see many leagues, and for a while he could see their quarry far ahead of them.<ref>{{TT|Riders}}</ref>

When accosted by the [[Riders of Rohan]] led by [[Éomer]], Legolas stood by his friend Gimli when confronted by the haughty Marchwarden, threatening him with death if he attempted to harm the dwarf. When Éomer lent them horses to speed them on their way, Legolas was given [[Arod]], a very high-spirited horse. But Legolas had the Elvish way with beasts, and after he had leaped lightly upon Arod, the horse was docile beneath him. Legolas let Gimli ride behind him on the way to [[Fangorn Forest]] in their search for Merry and Pippin. When they arrived by the smoking pile of Orc ashes, they combed the battle field for any sign of the Hobbits for several hours, but gave up as night approached. Camping under the eaves of the forest, Legolas noticed how the tree beneath which they sat seemed glad of the fire they lit, stretching out its limbs and leaves to the heat. Though the night was very dark, he was also the first to notice the absence of the horses. Later he asserted to Aragorn that the beasts sounded joyful, confirming Aragorn’s own guess.

Upon entering Fangorn, Legolas declared that he almost felt young again beside those trees. He commented that in earlier days he could have been happy there. Gimli snorted, saying, “''I dare say you could. You are a Wood-elf, anyway, though Elves of any kind are strange folk.''” Legolas would later reverse this declaration at the [[Hornburg]]. When the [[Three Hunters]] met with the apparition of an old man, whom they believed to be [[Saruman]], despite Gimli’s encouragement Legolas did not shoot him, feeling moral objections to this. The old man declared, "''Put away that bow, Master Elf.''" Legolas dropped his bow, but later picked it up again, and was about to shoot when it was seen that beneath the old man’s robes there was white. Yet he recognised that it was [[Gandalf]] just in time, and shot his arrow high in the air to be consumed by fire. Gandalf coolly added, "''Well met, I say to you again, Legolas!''"

===With the Rohirrim===
Legolas was the first to ask Gandalf about [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], and Gandalf’s apparently miraculous escape. After the story, Gandalf delivered [[Galadriel's messages]] to each of them, Legolas' being:

{{blockquote|Legolas Greenleaf long under tree 
In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea! 
If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, 
Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.}}

Later, Legolas again used his eyes for the help of the company, as he spied both of [[Isengard]] and [[Edoras]] from afar. At the gates of [[Meduseld]], Legolas was the only one to lay down his weapons without hesitation. He played only a passive role in the healing of [[Théoden|Théoden King]], and later was arrayed in shining mail beside Aragorn. Gimli would not ride on Éomer's horse unless Legolas rode beside them, which he did gladly. Éomer declared, "''Legolas upon my left, and Aragorn upon my right, and none will dare to stand before us!''"

[[Image:John Howe - Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep.jpg|thumb|right|''Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep'' [[John Howe]]]]
As Legolas stood at the [[Hornburg]] at the eve of battle, he said that he did not like the place. Gimli comforted him, and he was glad that the dwarf stood by his side. He also wished that a hundred archers of [[Mirkwood]] were there, noting the small number of bowmen among the [[Rohirrim]]. At the opening of the battle, Legolas shot twenty at least, this figure being taken as precise by Gimli. When Gimli returned to the elf for the second time to declare that he slew twenty-one, Legolas counted his kills as twenty-four. By the time the [[Fire of Orthanc]] blew out a piece of the wall, his quiver was nearly empty. With the last arrow the elf saved Aragorn’s life when he stumbled while pursued. At the end of the battle, Legolas had shot a total of forty-one, though Gimli surpassed his count by one.

Legolas showed great interest in the [[Huorns]] on the way to [[Isengard]], discussing them with Gandalf and a less willing Gimli. Legolas promised Gimli that he would go to [[Glittering Caves|Aglarond]] after the war upon hearing the dwarf’s eloquence, if only Gimli would accompany him on a return to Fangorn. At Isengard he enjoyed a meal in the company of Gimli, Aragorn, and the [[Hobbits]], Merry and Pippin.

===The Return of the King===
When Aragorn made clear his purpose as to the taking of the [[Paths of the Dead]], Legolas and Gimli willingly volunteered to go with him. Legolas predicted, when Gimli suggested that Galadriel might have sent them soldiers from their own lands, that they need not ride away to find war.

Amidst the Paths of the Dead, riding with the [[Grey Company]], Legolas alone, save for [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], [[Elrond|Elrond's]] sons, felt no fear of the [[Oathbreakers]], and it may be remembered that the High Elves had power both in the worlds of the seen and unseen. Yet his turn came to be struck to the heart in the opposite sense – when he heard the gulls at [[Pelargir]], fulfilling Galadriel’s prediction and warning. While telling this story later, he stopped there, while Gimli promptly said, "''For my part I heeded them not''". Legolas saw as Aragorn led the Dead Men what a mighty lord he might have been if he had taken the [[One Ring]].

Legolas came with Aragorn from the ships during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields|Battle of Pelennor Fields]], and fought there beside his comrades. He survived the battle, and several times afterward commented on the longevity and eventual domination of [[Men]] to the dubious Gimli.

===Battle of the Morannon and aftermath===
Legolas rode for the last time into battle beside his friends to the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. He witnessed the Fall of the Dark Tower, and after the battle attended the ceremonies of the [[Field of Cormallen]] in the honour of Frodo and Samwise and their victory. That night Legolas would not go to bed, but instead went away to walk in the woods, singing of the Sea.

At the urging of Aragorn, Legolas remained in [[Minas Tirith]] for a time, after attending the coronation of Elessar. During the parting of the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]], Legolas went with Gimli to Aglarond. After that, he rode off with Gimli to return [[Fangorn Forest]].

===After the War of the Ring===
[[File:Turner Mohan - Legolas and Gimli depart.jpg|thumb|''Legolas and Gimli depart'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
Around {{FoA|20}},<ref name=Cormallen>{{RK|Cormallen}}</ref> Legolas brought south [[Elves of Mirkwood|Elves out of Greenwood]], and they dwelt in Ithilien, which became once again the fairest country in all the westlands.<ref name=Durin>{{App|Durin}}</ref> They stayed in Ithilien for a hundred years.<ref name=Cormallen/> Legolas and the [[Silvan Elves|Wood-Elves]] later worked together with Gimli and the Dwarves to rebuild and improve [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name="AppB">{{App|Later}}</ref> After King Elessar died, Legolas sailed West, reportedly taking Gimli with him, and with them left numerous other [[Elves]].<ref name=Cormallen/>

==Personality==
Legolas showed almost irrepressible cheerfulness throughout the journey, passing through Caradhras and even the Paths of the Dead without hesitation or complaint. His youthful nature can be seen from the mocking way he treated the "strong men" on Caradhras, whom Boromir (excluding Legolas) had said could forge a way out through the snow. He is perhaps most remembered for his friendship with Gimli the Dwarf, and it was during this friendship that we see his faithfulness, and also his love of beauty. Gimli's words moved him when the dwarf spoke of the [[Glittering Caves]].

==Description and equipment==
[[Christopher Tolkien]] recounts that his father wrote the following "wrathful" comment protesting against a "pretty" or "ladylike" depiction of Legolas:
{{blockquote|He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazgûl, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', p. 327}}

At Rivendell, Legolas was dressed in green and brown garb,<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> and he was probably dressed similarly for the duration of the quest.

He bore a bow from Mirkwood, and later a [[Bow of the Galadhrim]]. He also had a long white knife.

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| ORO |ORO=[[Oropher]] ''d. {{SA|3434}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| THR |THR=[[Thranduil]] ''Unknown''}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree| LEG |LEG='''LEGOLAS''' ''Sailed West {{FoA|120}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

== Etymology ==
The name ''Legolas'' is a [[Silvan Elvish|Silvan]] dialect form of pure [[Sindarin]] ''Laegolas'', which means "Greenleaf". At one point he is called "Legolas '''Greenleaf'''" by Gandalf, coupling his name and its translation like an epithet.<ref group=note>''Greenleaf'' is not his surname, as is sometimes erroneously believed; nor is it an epithet (like ''[[Oakenshield]]'').</ref>

''Legolas'' consists of the [[Sindarin]] words ''laeg'', a very rare, archaic word for "green" (cf. ''Laegrim, Laegel(d)rim'', the [[Green Elves]]), which is normally replaced by ''calen'' (cf. ''[[Calenhad]], [[Parth Galen]]'' and ''[[Pinnath Gelin]]''); and ''golas'', a collection of leaves, foliage (being a prefixed collective form of ''[[lass|las(s)]]'', "leaf").<ref>{{L|211}}</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 84, 153</ref>

The [[Quenya]] cognate of ''Laegolas'' was '''''Laicolasse'''''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 56</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The name "''[[Legolas (elf of Gondolin)|Legolas Greenleaf]]''" appeared first in "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]" in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', applied to a character who guided some survivors of the sack of the city to safety.<ref>{{LT2|IIIn}}, ''Entries in the Name-list to The Fall of Gondolin'', p. 217</ref> However, this character had no further development in the [[Legendarium]] and is unrelated to the Legolas of the Fellowship of the Ring.

While writting ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien first considered [[Glorfindel]] to be the Elven character of the Fellowship, however he dropped the idea, and Legolas was created to replace him. Perhaps this is the reason why Legolas is considered the most underdeveloped character of the Fellowship, playing only a minor role in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com/post/53965333513/why-is-legolass-character-so-underdeveloped|articlename=Why is Legolas so underdeveloped?|website=[http://askmiddlearth.tumblr.com Ask About Middle-Earth]}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Legolas in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Legolas 2.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Legolas at Amon Hen.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Legolas.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Legolas.png|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]''
|File:Lego Legolas poster.png|Legolas as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Legolas.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}

'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Frank Duncan]] was the voice of Legolas.

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Legolas was voiced by [[Anthony Daniels]]. In the film, he takes [[Glorfindel]]'s place in the Flight to the Ford sequence; he meets Strider and the hobbits on their way to [[Rivendell]], and sets Frodo on his horse before he is chased by the Nazgûl to the ford of [[Bruinen]]. Here, he is apparently from Rivendell, because he answers to Elrond; he is not identified as a Wood-elf.

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:[[John Vickery]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Neither Legolas nor Gimli appeared in this film, as they were essentially followers irrelevant to the plot.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:[[David Collings]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Michael Reisz]] provided the voice of Legolas.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Legolas was portrayed by [[Orlando Bloom]].

:In the "official movie guide" for ''The Lord of the Rings'', a birthdate for Legolas is set to 87 of the [[Third Age]]. This would make him 2931 years old at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. This date for Legolas' birth was made up by the movie writers. Curiously, the year 2931 was the year Aragorn was born; the writers may have picked the number at random from the ''Tale of Years'' in the [[Appendix B|Appendices]].

:He is presented as an unstoppable fighter, arguably to the point of stealing the show; he performs show-stopping yet implausible stunts in battle scenes. For example, in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], he slides down a staircase using a shield, shooting arrows all the while, and in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], he takes down an [[Oliphaunts|Oliphaunt]] all by himself. However, in the books, Legolas's exploits in battle are not presented in great detail. Aside from shooting the fell beast, he undertakes no major actions other than to make peace with Gimli, overcoming their longstanding mutual racial animosity — he and Gimli are followers, rather than leaders. The film-makers later stated that the entire scene of Legolas killing the Oliphaunt and its entire crew was filmed during pick-ups (months after original filming) to insert a major action scene showcasing him, because at that point they realized that he simply doesn't get to do much in the third part of the trilogy.

:Legolas bears two long knives, while in the book he bears only one. Another, more trivial change, was the number of Orcs he and Gimli kill at [[Helm's Deep]]: 42 and 43, respectively. It is not clear whether this was an intentional change on the part of the filmmakers, though it seems likely that it was, since the original numbers were so clear in Tolkien's own text.

:Playing Legolas in the trilogy was Orlando Bloom's breakout route to superstardom. His handsome features and Legolas' "coolness", so to speak, as depicted in the film, have led to the character becoming an unprecedented fan favourite with both fangirls and fanboys, not to mention other Tolkien fans. Although the disproportionate popular reaction to Legolas met with mixed reactions from fans, many debaters on the Internet during earlier stages of production were worried that a film portrayal of Legolas might render him as far too effeminate for popular consumption. Later, many felt that Bloom was able to avoid this entirely.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Legolas is provided by Richard Stanke.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Legolas is a non-playable character, accompanying the Ring-bearer since Rivendell.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Legolas is one of the three playable characters.

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Legolas is a playable character, skilled in both ranged and melee. He and Gimli accompany Aragorn through Paths of the Dead, later he fights on Pelennor fields and at the Black Gate.

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]'''
:Legolas makes a cameo as one of the Wood-elves that Bilbo must avoid in the "Barrels Out of Bond" level. He is recognizable due to his resemblance to Thranduil. While he is unnamed in-game, his identity is confirmed in the game files. No voice actor is specified for the character.<ref>''The Hobbit (2003 video game)'', "Barrels Out of Bond"</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Grant George]] provides the voice of Legolas.<ref>http://www.dynamicduovo.com/aboutgrant.html</ref> The game depicts Legolas's hunt for [[Gollum]] in northern Mirkwood, which is interrupted by the orcs.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Legolas is a Hero Unit for the Rohan faction in skirmishes, and accompanies the Fellowship in the storyline mode. He specializes in powerful ranged attacks.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Legolas is now the Hero for the Elven faction.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Legolas is first met in [[Rivendell]], where before the Fellowship's departure he helps the player in the search for the missing Nazgul. Later, the player catches up with Legolas at several points during the Fellowship's journey such as [[Cerin Amroth]], [[Meduseld]], [[Hornburg]] and the [[Pelennor Fields]]. After [[Sauron]]'s defeat, Legolas and [[Gimli]] accompany soldiers of [[Gondor]] who on the orders of King [[Elessar]] begin exploring and securing the Land of Shadow; Legolas assists the player in their exploration of [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]]. Afterwards, Legolas for a brief time returns home to his father's halls in [[Eryn Lasgalen]], where he introduces the player to [[Grimbeorn]]. He soon returns back to [[Minas Tirith]] for the wedding of Aragorn and [[Arwen]], after which he continues the exploration of the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]], eventually discovering the entrance to [[Shelob's Lair]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:[[Crispin Freeman]] plays Legolas, who is available as a Hero in several missions.<ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crispin_freeman_fansite/message/9438</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Legolas can be found and talked to in Rivendell, he retains the appearance from the movies. While he provides insight into many events, interactions with him do not affect the main plot.

'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
: Orlando Bloom reprised his role as Legolas in [[Peter Jackson]]'s adaptation of the Hobbit.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ/posts/10150265634081558|articlename=Ten years ago,...|dated=27-May-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> Bloom was [[Wikipedia:de-aging in film|digitally de-aged]] to match his appearance as Legolas in ''Lord of the Rings'' 13 years ago.<ref>{{webcite|author=Mat Bradley-Tschirgi|articleurl=http://www.gamesradar.com/7-movie-actors-made-impossibly-young-by-cgi/|articlename=7 movie actors made impossibly young by CGI|website=[http://www.gamesradar.com/ GamesRadar]|accessed=30-May-2017}}</ref> During one hunt, Legolas and Tauriel came across the Company of Thorin Oakenshield on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. Legolas and the Mirkwood Elf Rangers surrounded the Dwarves and took them captive, searching them. Legolas pulled out a photo of Glóin's wife and of his son Gimli and tossed it aside after asking who they were. He was handed Orcrist, which Thorin had been wielding. Legolas asked Thorin where he got the blade to which the stubborn Dwarf replied that it had been given to him. Legolas insulted the prince of being a thief and a liar before taking the blade for himself. Legolas led the Elves with the Dwarf prisoners back through the gates of the halls of Thranduil. Thinking that he heard something behind him, Legolas turned around, giving Bilbo Baggins enough time to sneak through the gates wearing the One Ring. The Dwarves were locked up while Thranduil tried to bargain with Thorin but the Dwarf turned down the deal. Legolas told his father that Tauriel fought well at some point and Thranduil confronted her, telling her that Legolas had grown fond of her and not to give him hope where there is none as he would never allow his son to pledge himself to a lowly silvan elf such as herself. Legolas later watched from above as Tauriel talked with Kíli the Dwarf.

Bilbo helped the Dwarves escape in barrels that were on their way to Lake-town but Legolas was alerted and told Feren to get the gate closed. Feren blew his horn and the Elf sentries closed the river gate but were immediately attacked and killed by Hunter Orcs led by Bolg of Gundabad. Legolas and Tauriel reached the gate with the support of the Silvan Guard and the Elf Rangers and they attacked the Orcs. Kíli got out of his barrel to open the gate and was shot by Bolg with a Mordor Shaft from his Morgul Bow. Legolas followed the Dwarves downstream and was the only elf able to keep up with the current. He continued to kill the Hunter Orcs as he went, jumping from one side of the creek to the other, using the Dwarf's heads as stepping stones. Towards the end of the skirmish an orc raised his axe behind Legolas' head and Thorin threw an axe from his barrel to kill the Orc, saving the Elf's life.

Tauriel shot an arrow to intercept Narzug's arrow that was aimed at Legolas from behind as he watched the Dwarves and Orcs continue down the stream. Legolas told her not to kill the Orc archer as he might be able to help them. They brought Narzug back to their kingdom where Legolas and Thranduil interrogated him. Thranduil promised to set him free but when he began talking about his master "The One" and the weapon that was going to be unleashed Thranduil beheaded him, telling Legolas that there was nothing more the Orc could tell him. Thranduil ordered the gates to be closed, nobody entering or exiting the kingdom. Legolas went to order the gates closed when he was told Tauriel had left with nothing but her knives and bow. Legolas decided to follow her to bring her back. When he finally caught up with her he tried to get her to come back but Tauriel convinced him that they needed to do their part and follow the Orcs. The continued on to Lake-town. By the time they reached Esgaroth it was night-fall and the Dwarves had already left for Erebor apart from Kíli, Fíli, Bofur and Óin and they were being attacked by Orcs in the house of Bard. Legolas came in through the roof and began killing the Orcs with Tauriel. Fimbul the Hunter, Bolg's lieutenant ran out and jumped onto a boat, letting Bolg know that Oakenshield had already left and Legolas pushed the last Orc's body out onto the end of the boat Fimbul had jumped onto, sending flying back up into Legolas' knives and he was beheaded by the elf. Legolas attempted to convince Tauriel to keep hunting with him but she opted to stay with Kíli who she was obviously growing feelings for. He said her name one more time before leaving and chasing down more Orcs.

He finally caught up to Bolg who anticipated his arrival, having a couple of Orcs ready to attack the Elf prince. Legolas attacked Bolg after killing the Orcs and an intense duel ensued. Legolas eventually lost Orcrist and had to pull out one of his knives and Bolg proved to be a stronger Orc than the others and made Legolas bleed for the first time. More Orcs attacked Legolas as Bolg escaped on his Warg, leaving Lake-town. Legolas stood there out of breath and saw the blood on his finger after touching the wound but was only stopped for a moment before taking a horse and chasing down the Gundabad Orc. Bolg led him to a Warg pack and the Orcs bore the sign of Gundabad which concerned Legolas greatly.
'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
In the wake of the destruction of Esgaroth from the flames of Smaug and the death of the Dragon by the Black Arrow fired by Bard, Legolas returned to the refugee camp and found Tauriel. He told her to take leave of the Dwarf as she was needed elsewhere. Legolas met with Bard who seemed to be the leader of the men due to the death of the Master of Lake-town. He asked what they would do and also warned Bard of the Gundabad Orcs he feared would come now that the mountain was no longer guarded by a dragon. Feren arrived and told Legolas to return immediately to his kingdom but when he found out Tauriel had been banished, he decided to stay with her and go scout out Gundabad. They rode to the Orc stronghold and lay waiting for nightfall to go in. Tauriel asked what was beyond Gundabad and Legolas told her it was the lands of Angmar. After a pause he added that his mother died in Angmar and that his father barely talked about her. As it got darker they were surprised by a hoard of Gundabad War Bats and then looked over to see Bolg commanding an entire army of Gundabad War Orcs. They rode back as quickly as they could to warn the others.
When they arrived back in the ruins of Dale, the Battle of Five Armies had already begun and they found Gandalf the Grey, telling him that another army of Orcs was arriving. Realising that they would trap Thorin, Dwalin, Kíli and Fíli on Ravenhill, Tauriel wished to go help Kíli and the other Dwarves, believing their lives to be worth just as much as that of an elf. Thranduil, trying to leave the battle, believing that he had spent enough elf blood on a worthless cause was stopped by Tauriel. He broke her bow and threatened to kill her but Legolas pushed his blade away, stepping up from behind him. He told his father that if he hurt her he would have to kill him. Legolas told Tauriel he would go with her and they made their way to Ravenhill. Legolas grabbed hold of a bat and flew up to the fortress where he hung upside-down and took down an entire line of Gundabad War Orcs on their way past before shooting his bat and landing on one of the towers. He saw Thorin fighting Azog the Defiler below on the ice and shot down the Orcs that were sent after the Dwarf. When he noticed Bolg attacking Tauriel he reached for an arrow but realised he had finally run out, grabbing Orcrist. He jumped down onto a Truncated Troll and commandeered it to push over the tower and create a stone bridge of sorts. Legolas and Bolg had a rematch on the stone bridges, Legolas using Orcrist until he noticed Thorin cornered on the ice above. He threw Orcrist up to stab the Orc above Thorin, returning the sword to the dwarf. Legolas then unsheathed his knives and attacked Bolg again. Bolg pushed him down and bits of the bridge began falling beneath him but Legolas used his light feet to step on the falling rocks and run back up. Bolg grabbed his knife in the same position that dominated Legolas in Lake-town but this time the elf was ready for it, swinging around on top and stabbing the big Gundabad Orc in the head before jumping off and letting his body fall and get crushed by rocks from the tower. Legolas decided he couldn't stay in Mirkwood after defying his father and Thranduil recommended he go to the rangers in the north where he would find a young man who went by the name of "Strider". As Legolas left, Thranduil called after him that his mother loved him. Legolas briefly looked back before walking off.
==See also ==
* [[Legolas/Disputes]]

{{references|n}}
{{councilofelrond}}{{fellowship}}{{FellowshipRoute}}{{hobbitfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Silvan Elvish names]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Legolas (Thranduils Sohn)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/teleri/sindar/legolas]]
[[fi:Legolas]]

Rivendell

2021-11-08T11:50:58Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{disambig-more|Rivendell|[[Rivendell (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Rivendell.jpg|250px]]
| name=Rivendell
| pronun=
| othernames=''Imladris'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''Imbeláris'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Karningul'' ([[Westron|W]]) The First Homely House The House of Elrond The Last Homely House
| location=A hidden valley beneath the western [[Misty Mountains]] in [[Eriador]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Elves]] Few [[Arnorians]]
| language=[[Quenya]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| govern1=[[Elrond]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=[[Eregion]]
| event1=Founded
| event1date={{SA|1697}}
| event2=[[First Siege of Imladris|First Siege]]
| event2date={{SA|1697}} - {{SA|1700|n}}
| event3=[[Second Siege of Imladris|Second Siege]]
| event3date=c. TA 1400
| event4=[[Council of Elrond|Council of Elrond]]
| event4date=[[25 October]], {{TA|3018}}
| event5=Abandoned
| event5date=By {{FoA|120}}<ref name="Tale">{{App|Tale}}</ref>
| followedby=
}}
{{quote|And the house of Elrond was a refuge for the weary and the oppressed, and a treasury of good counsel and wise lore.|''[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]''}}
'''Rivendell''', or '''Imladris''', was an [[Elves|Elven]] outpost in the [[Misty Mountains]] on the eastern edge of [[Eriador]]. Because of its location, it was called "'''The Last Homely House East of the Sea'''" from the point of view of a traveller going to the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Wilderland]]; and also the '''First Homely House''' from the point of view of someone coming from these lands to the civilised lands of Eriador to the west.

It was established by [[Elrond]] in {{SA|1697}} as a refuge from [[Sauron]] after the fall of [[Eregion]].<ref name=SA>{{App|SA}}</ref> It remained Elrond's seat throughout the remainder of the Second Age and until the end of the Third Age, when he took the [[White Ship]] for [[Valinor]]. Rivendell had a strong alliance with the [[Kings of Arnor]] and after the fall of [[Arthedain]], it became a refuge for the [[Rangers of the North]] and the [[heir of Isildur|heirs of Isildur]]. Besides [[Elrond]] himself, notable Elves who lived there included [[Arwen]] and [[Glorfindel]].

==Location==
[[File:Soni Alcorn-Hender - Valley of Rivendell.jpg|thumb|250px|right|"Valley of Rivendell" by [[Soni Alcorn-Hender]]]]
Rivendell was located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the [[Bruinen|Bruinen River]],<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref> but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=Rest>{{H|Rest}}</ref>

==History==
===Founding===
During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], and as [[Sauron]] was moving against Eriador, Elrond led an army of [[Elves of Lindon]] to the region. They arrived late but were joined by a detachment out of [[Eregion]] led by [[Celeborn]]. Despite this, Sauron's armies overwhelmed the Elves, and Elrond was unable to reach Eregion. Forced northward toward the headwaters of [[Bruinen]], Elrond established a stronghold.<ref name=SA/>

This became a refuge for those seeking shelter from Sauron's onslaught in Eriador, and Elrond's and Celeborn's Elves were soon joined by many fleeing the [[Sack of Eregion]]. More came as Sauron ravaged Eriador on his march toward [[Lindon]]. By {{SA|1700}}, Sauron had overrun all of Eriador and Imladris was [[First Siege of Imladris|besieged]]. The siege ended when Gil-galad's forces, strengthened by the armament sent by [[Tar-Minastir]], routed Sauron's armies and drove him out of Eriador.

A Council held at that time made Elrond Gil-galad's vice-regent in Eriador, and Imladris his seat. Gil-galad bestowed [[Vilya]] upon Elrond in secret. Aided by the power of the [[Three Rings|Elven ring]], Elrond made Imladris one of the chief seats of Elvish strength in the west in the latter part of the Second Age. Imladris remained an Elvish stronghold in Eriador to the end of the Second Age and into the Third.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref>

===Last Alliance===
At the end of the Second Age, [[Elendil]] and Gil-galad formed the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] to challenge Sauron, and their host halted for a while at Imladris in {{SA|3431}} and they stayed there for 3 years, gathered their forces before crossing the Misty Mountains.<ref name=SA/><ref name="SV"/>

[[Isildur]]'s wife and his youngest son, [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], were in Imladris at that time, and Isildur was journeying back to them after Sauron's defeat when he was ambushed at the [[Gladden Fields]].<ref>{{UT|7}}</ref> After receiving the shards of [[Narsil]], Valandil took up his role as King of [[Arnor]] and left Imladris for [[Annúminas]].<ref name="SV">{{S|V}}</ref>

===Third Age===
After the fall of Gil-galad, Elrond remained in Imladris. During the Third Age, it was a refuge and sanctuary; many Elves gathered there, and it was the chief dwelling of the [[High Elves]] in Eriador, except the [[Elves of Lindon]], but also wise and powerful people of all the races. The heirs of Isildur were also harboured there due to their kinship with Elrond, as descendants of his brother [[Elros]].<ref name="SV"/> Rivendell maintained this relationship with the North Kingdom throughout the Third Age, and Elrond and his people remained steadfast allies to the heirs of Isildur. Situated on the western slopes of the Misty Mountains, Imladris was near [[Arnor]]'s eastern province of [[Rhudaur]], which became independent during the disintegration of the North Kingdom in {{TA|861}}.

Danger came to Eriador around {{TA|1300}} when the witch-kingdom of [[Angmar]] was established in the north-east beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. It was late in the reign of [[Arveleg I]] that [[Second Siege of Imladris|Rivendell was besieged by Angmar]]. After an incursion by Angmar into Eriador in {{TA|1409}}, the Elves of Rivendell joined [[Elves of Lindon|those of Lindon]] and the [[Galadhrim]] whom Elrond brought over the Mountains, in subduing the power of the [[Witch-king]] for many years.<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

After the end of the North-kingdom in {{TA|1975}} [[Aranarth]], the first [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]], had [[Arahael|his son]] fostered in Rivendell, as were all subsequent sons of the chieftains. The heirlooms and treasures of the house of Isildur, including the shards of [[Narsil]], were also kept there after [[Arvedui]]'s death.<ref name="SV"></ref> Among these were also some of the few remaining documents containing the history of Númenor.<ref>{{UT|3}}</ref>

There was traffic across the Misty Mountains in the Third Age between Imladris and [[Lothlórien]], for Elrond's wife was [[Celebrían]], daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn.

In the [[Quest of Erebor]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the [[Lonely Mountain]]<ref name=Rest/> and also on the way back to [[the Shire]] with [[Gandalf]].<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Bilbo retired there after his 111th birthday, writing his memoir ''[[There and Back Again]]''.<ref name=Meetings>{{FR|II1}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
Years later, [[Frodo Baggins]] and his [[Travellers|companions]] journeyed to Rivendell, where they met Bilbo. Several other Elves, [[Dwarves]] and [[Men]] had also arrived at Rivendell on separate errands;<ref name=Meetings/> at the [[Council of Elrond]] they learned that all of their errands were related to the fate of [[the One Ring]], and they had to decide what to do about it. In the end, the Hobbits influenced the decision.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>

===Later History===
Following the destruction of [[the One Ring]] at the end of the Third Age, Elrond's ring lost its power, and Elrond, with many of his household, left Rivendell to sail for [[Valinor]] from the [[Grey Havens]]; this marked the start of the [[Fourth Age]].

Although Elrond departed from Rivendell, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] remained for a while with some of the remaining [[Noldor]].<ref name=Prologue>{{FR|Prologue}}</ref> It is believed that [[Celeborn]] also relocated to Rivendell after the departure of [[Galadriel]] and having also grown weary of [[East Lórien]].<ref name=Prologue></ref><ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>

It is not known when Rivendell was finally abandoned, but shortly before [[Aragorn]] died in {{FoA|120}}, he said to [[Arwen]] that "none now walk" in the garden of Elrond, indicating that the last of the [[High Elves]] had departed to [[Valinor]].<ref name="Tale" />

==Geography==
Pine-trees grew on the top of the valley, and there was a "steep zig-zag path" to the valley bottom. The vegetation in the valley bottom was mostly oak and beech.<ref name=Rest/>

==Etymology and names==
''Rivendell'' ("[[Wiktionary:cloven|cloven]]-[[Wiktionary:dell|dell]]") is the [[Westron|Common Speech]] translation of the Sindarin name '''''Imladris''''' ("deep dale of the cleft").<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 774</ref> An alternative (or complementary) etymology, gives ''Rivendell'' as the Anglicised version of the [[Westron]] name '''''Karningul''''' (itself a translation of ''Imladris'').<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref>

The name ''Imladris'' is also glossed as "Canyon of the Cleft"<ref>{{VT|47a}}, p. 14 (note 18)</ref> and "flat-floored valley of the Cleft".<ref name="letter">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Anthony D. Howlett]]" ([[Letters not published in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien"|letter]])</ref>

The [[Quenya]] name '''''Arcimbelë''''' is used only once in a manuscript, and its meaning is unclear except for the element ''[[imbe]]'' ("deep vale").<ref name=Verb>{{PE|22c}}</ref>{{rp|125}} A more literal translation is given: ''Latimberista'', from ''latimbë'' ("glen") + ''rista'' ("cut"). However, on the same page, Tolkien stated that this name was not used in practice, and was replaced the Quenyarized form of ''Imladris'': '''''Imbeláris'''''.<ref name=Verb></ref>{{rp|127}}

==Inspiration==
A possible inspiration (so suggested by [[David Salo]]<ref>Aaron Fuegi, "[http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Rivimages/realriv.html Rivendell in Switzerland]" at [http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/home.html the Last Homely House] (accessed 15 November 2011)</ref>) could have been [[wikipedia:Lauterbrunnen|Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland]], which Tolkien visited in [[1911]]:

{{blockquote|I am... delighted that you have made the acquaintance of Switzerland, and of the very part that I once knew best and which had the deepest effect on me. The hobbit’s journey from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains, including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods, is based on my adventures in 1911 (he was 19 and travelled to Lauterbrunnen)... Our wanderings mainly on foot in a party of 12 are not now clear in sequence, but leave many vivid pictures as clear as yesterday." (He talks of similar conditions of the travel of Bilbo camping out, walking mountain paths, carrying packs).|[[Letter 306]]}}

==Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Rivendell in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2

|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:BFME2 - Elrond Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
|File:Aragorn's Quest - Rivendell1.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Concept Art of Rivendell.png|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - Gandalf and Galadriel.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
|File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[ArdaCraft]]''
}}
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''

Frodo Baggins and his companions journeyed to Rivendell, where they met Bilbo. Several other Elves, Dwarves and Men were summoned at Rivendell; at the Council of Elrond they learned that all of their errands were related to the fate of the One Ring, and they had to decide what to do about it. In the end, the Hobbits influenced the decision.

Following the destruction of the One Ring at the end of the Third Age, Elrond's ring lost its power, and Elrond, with many of his household, left Rivendell to sail for Valinor from the Grey Havens; this marked the start of the Fourth Age. It is not known when Rivendell was finally abandoned, but shortly after Aragorn died in Fo.A. 120, Arwen returned to the valley to find naught but "fading trees".

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Rivendell is the fifth level and the first where no fighting is required. After Frodo is taken to Rivendell by [[Glorfindel]], he is first woken by [[Gandalf]]; after that, the [[Council of Elrond]] starts. After the council, there is an opportunity to speak to the NPCs - [[Aragorn]], [[Arwen]], [[Boromir]], [[Elrond]], [[Gandalf]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]. The gameplay continues by entering a door. A short cutscene follows in which Bilbo gives [[Sting]] and the ''[[mithril]]'' shirt.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]], "Rivendell"</ref>

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the battlegrounds in the game and a site of a skirmish between Elves and Goblins.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game, located between Trollshaws and the Misty Mountains. Rivendell is also one of the places that players can choose as Elven character's homeland. The Last Homely House refers to a large dwelling of Elrond, not to the entire refuge of Rivendell. It is located on the eastern side of Rivendell. One can find Elrond's library, the [[Hall of Fire]], the scholar's guild and various guest rooms.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game and the only place characters are obliged to visit more than once (other cities can be re-visited, but this is optional).

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Rivendell appears in the [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|first film]] after [[Gandalf]] leads [[Thorin and Company]] away from [[Yazneg]] and the [[Wargs]].
In the Quest of Erebor, Gandalf intended to pass through Rivendell and ask Elrond for advice, particularly in deciphering Thror's Map, and sent word to Elrond in advance. Thorin, having developed a hatred of all Elves following the Elven-king's betrayal, objected to this at least twice, but Gandalf used the threat of a Warg attack to lead the company towards the Hidden Valley, where Elrond and a company of Riders intercepted the Warg riders.
With the Dwarves' suspicion and disrespect of the Elves, they nearly came to blows with Elrond's company, and later consumed all the foods in Rivendell's kitchens, bathed naked in their sacred fountains, stole some of Elrond's silverware (which then fell into the hands of the Goblins in Goblin-town) and used his furnite as fuel for campfires. Elrond, for his part, was hospitible but suspicious of the Dwarves' endeavour, as was Saruman who convened the White Council at the time. Bilbo, unlike the Dwarves, found Rivendell so enchanting that he almost defected to remain there, and would later return to it on his way back from the Quest, and again when he left the Shire following his 11th birthday.

Unknown to Elrond at the time, Sauron had secretly returned and sought to destroy Rivendell (as well as Lorien) by re-establishing Angmar. In order to do so, he forged an alliance with Smaug who would hold the Iron-Hill Dwarves and the Men and Elves of Rhovanion at bay to secure Angmar's flank. This was thwarted by the Quest of Erebor, in which Smaug was slain, the subsequent Battle of the Five Armies, in which the Orc Armies meant to remake Angmar were decimated; and the attack of the White Council, in which Sauron and his Nazgul were banished from the North.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Rivendell|Images of Rivendell]]

{{references}}
{{companyroute}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Elven realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[de:Bruchtal]]
[[fi:Rivendell]]

Rivendell

2021-11-08T11:47:31Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{disambig-more|Rivendell|[[Rivendell (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Rivendell.jpg|250px]]
| name=Rivendell
| pronun=
| othernames=''Imladris'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''Imbeláris'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Karningul'' ([[Westron|W]]) The First Homely House The House of Elrond The Last Homely House
| location=A hidden valley beneath the western [[Misty Mountains]] in [[Eriador]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Elves]] Few [[Arnorians]]
| language=[[Quenya]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| govern1=[[Elrond]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=[[Eregion]]
| event1=Founded
| event1date={{SA|1697}}
| event2=[[First Siege of Imladris|First Siege]]
| event2date={{SA|1697}} - {{SA|1700|n}}
| event3=[[Second Siege of Imladris|Second Siege]]
| event3date=c. TA 1400
| event4=[[Council of Elrond|Council of Elrond]]
| event4date=[[25 October]], {{TA|3018}}
| event5=Abandoned
| event5date=By {{FoA|120}}<ref name="Tale">{{App|Tale}}</ref>
| followedby=
}}
{{quote|And the house of Elrond was a refuge for the weary and the oppressed, and a treasury of good counsel and wise lore.|''[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]''}}
'''Rivendell''', or '''Imladris''', was an [[Elves|Elven]] outpost in the [[Misty Mountains]] on the eastern edge of [[Eriador]]. Because of its location, it was called "'''The Last Homely House East of the Sea'''" from the point of view of a traveller going to the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Wilderland]]; and also the '''First Homely House''' from the point of view of someone coming from these lands to the civilised lands of Eriador to the west.

It was established by [[Elrond]] in {{SA|1697}} as a refuge from [[Sauron]] after the fall of [[Eregion]].<ref name=SA>{{App|SA}}</ref> It remained Elrond's seat throughout the remainder of the Second Age and until the end of the Third Age, when he took the [[White Ship]] for [[Valinor]]. Rivendell had a strong alliance with the [[Kings of Arnor]] and after the fall of [[Arthedain]], it became a refuge for the [[Rangers of the North]] and the [[heir of Isildur|heirs of Isildur]]. Besides [[Elrond]] himself, notable Elves who lived there included [[Arwen]] and [[Glorfindel]].

==Location==
[[File:Soni Alcorn-Hender - Valley of Rivendell.jpg|thumb|250px|right|"Valley of Rivendell" by [[Soni Alcorn-Hender]]]]
Rivendell was located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the [[Bruinen|Bruinen River]],<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref> but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=Rest>{{H|Rest}}</ref>

==History==
===Founding===
During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], and as [[Sauron]] was moving against Eriador, Elrond led an army of [[Elves of Lindon]] to the region. They arrived late but were joined by a detachment out of [[Eregion]] led by [[Celeborn]]. Despite this, Sauron's armies overwhelmed the Elves, and Elrond was unable to reach Eregion. Forced northward toward the headwaters of [[Bruinen]], Elrond established a stronghold.<ref name=SA/>

This became a refuge for those seeking shelter from Sauron's onslaught in Eriador, and Elrond's and Celeborn's Elves were soon joined by many fleeing the [[Sack of Eregion]]. More came as Sauron ravaged Eriador on his march toward [[Lindon]]. By {{SA|1700}}, Sauron had overrun all of Eriador and Imladris was [[First Siege of Imladris|besieged]]. The siege ended when Gil-galad's forces, strengthened by the armament sent by [[Tar-Minastir]], routed Sauron's armies and drove him out of Eriador.

A Council held at that time made Elrond Gil-galad's vice-regent in Eriador, and Imladris his seat. Gil-galad bestowed [[Vilya]] upon Elrond in secret. Aided by the power of the [[Three Rings|Elven ring]], Elrond made Imladris one of the chief seats of Elvish strength in the west in the latter part of the Second Age. Imladris remained an Elvish stronghold in Eriador to the end of the Second Age and into the Third.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref>

===Last Alliance===
At the end of the Second Age, [[Elendil]] and Gil-galad formed the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] to challenge Sauron, and their host halted for a while at Imladris in {{SA|3431}} and they stayed there for 3 years, gathered their forces before crossing the Misty Mountains.<ref name=SA/><ref name="SV"/>

[[Isildur]]'s wife and his youngest son, [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], were in Imladris at that time, and Isildur was journeying back to them after Sauron's defeat when he was ambushed at the [[Gladden Fields]].<ref>{{UT|7}}</ref> After receiving the shards of [[Narsil]], Valandil took up his role as King of [[Arnor]] and left Imladris for [[Annúminas]].<ref name="SV">{{S|V}}</ref>

===Third Age===
After the fall of Gil-galad, Elrond remained in Imladris. During the Third Age, it was a refuge and sanctuary; many Elves gathered there, and it was the chief dwelling of the [[High Elves]] in Eriador, except the [[Elves of Lindon]], but also wise and powerful people of all the races. The heirs of Isildur were also harboured there due to their kinship with Elrond, as descendants of his brother [[Elros]].<ref name="SV"/> Rivendell maintained this relationship with the North Kingdom throughout the Third Age, and Elrond and his people remained steadfast allies to the heirs of Isildur. Situated on the western slopes of the Misty Mountains, Imladris was near [[Arnor]]'s eastern province of [[Rhudaur]], which became independent during the disintegration of the North Kingdom in {{TA|861}}.

Danger came to Eriador around {{TA|1300}} when the witch-kingdom of [[Angmar]] was established in the north-east beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. It was late in the reign of [[Arveleg I]] that [[Second Siege of Imladris|Rivendell was besieged by Angmar]]. After an incursion by Angmar into Eriador in {{TA|1409}}, the Elves of Rivendell joined [[Elves of Lindon|those of Lindon]] and the [[Galadhrim]] whom Elrond brought over the Mountains, in subduing the power of the [[Witch-king]] for many years.<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

After the end of the North-kingdom in {{TA|1975}} [[Aranarth]], the first [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]], had [[Arahael|his son]] fostered in Rivendell, as were all subsequent sons of the chieftains. The heirlooms and treasures of the house of Isildur, including the shards of [[Narsil]], were also kept there after [[Arvedui]]'s death.<ref name="SV"></ref> Among these were also some of the few remaining documents containing the history of Númenor.<ref>{{UT|3}}</ref>

There was traffic across the Misty Mountains in the Third Age between Imladris and [[Lothlórien]], for Elrond's wife was [[Celebrían]], daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn.

In the [[Quest of Erebor]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the [[Lonely Mountain]]<ref name=Rest/> and also on the way back to [[the Shire]] with [[Gandalf]].<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Bilbo retired there after his 111th birthday, writing his memoir ''[[There and Back Again]]''.<ref name=Meetings>{{FR|II1}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
Years later, [[Frodo Baggins]] and his [[Travellers|companions]] journeyed to Rivendell, where they met Bilbo. Several other Elves, [[Dwarves]] and [[Men]] had also arrived at Rivendell on separate errands;<ref name=Meetings/> at the [[Council of Elrond]] they learned that all of their errands were related to the fate of [[the One Ring]], and they had to decide what to do about it. In the end, the Hobbits influenced the decision.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>

===Later History===
Following the destruction of [[the One Ring]] at the end of the Third Age, Elrond's ring lost its power, and Elrond, with many of his household, left Rivendell to sail for [[Valinor]] from the [[Grey Havens]]; this marked the start of the [[Fourth Age]].

Although Elrond departed from Rivendell, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] remained for a while with some of the remaining [[Noldor]].<ref name=Prologue>{{FR|Prologue}}</ref> It is believed that [[Celeborn]] also relocated to Rivendell after the departure of [[Galadriel]] and having also grown weary of [[East Lórien]].<ref name=Prologue></ref><ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>

It is not known when Rivendell was finally abandoned, but shortly before [[Aragorn]] died in {{FoA|120}}, he said to [[Arwen]] that "none now walk" in the garden of Elrond, indicating that the last of the [[High Elves]] had departed to [[Valinor]].<ref name="Tale" />

==Geography==
Pine-trees grew on the top of the valley, and there was a "steep zig-zag path" to the valley bottom. The vegetation in the valley bottom was mostly oak and beech.<ref name=Rest/>

==Etymology and names==
''Rivendell'' ("[[Wiktionary:cloven|cloven]]-[[Wiktionary:dell|dell]]") is the [[Westron|Common Speech]] translation of the Sindarin name '''''Imladris''''' ("deep dale of the cleft").<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 774</ref> An alternative (or complementary) etymology, gives ''Rivendell'' as the Anglicised version of the [[Westron]] name '''''Karningul''''' (itself a translation of ''Imladris'').<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref>

The name ''Imladris'' is also glossed as "Canyon of the Cleft"<ref>{{VT|47a}}, p. 14 (note 18)</ref> and "flat-floored valley of the Cleft".<ref name="letter">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Anthony D. Howlett]]" ([[Letters not published in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien"|letter]])</ref>

The [[Quenya]] name '''''Arcimbelë''''' is used only once in a manuscript, and its meaning is unclear except for the element ''[[imbe]]'' ("deep vale").<ref name=Verb>{{PE|22c}}</ref>{{rp|125}} A more literal translation is given: ''Latimberista'', from ''latimbë'' ("glen") + ''rista'' ("cut"). However, on the same page, Tolkien stated that this name was not used in practice, and was replaced the Quenyarized form of ''Imladris'': '''''Imbeláris'''''.<ref name=Verb></ref>{{rp|127}}

==Inspiration==
A possible inspiration (so suggested by [[David Salo]]<ref>Aaron Fuegi, "[http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Rivimages/realriv.html Rivendell in Switzerland]" at [http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/home.html the Last Homely House] (accessed 15 November 2011)</ref>) could have been [[wikipedia:Lauterbrunnen|Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland]], which Tolkien visited in [[1911]]:

{{blockquote|I am... delighted that you have made the acquaintance of Switzerland, and of the very part that I once knew best and which had the deepest effect on me. The hobbit’s journey from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains, including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods, is based on my adventures in 1911 (he was 19 and travelled to Lauterbrunnen)... Our wanderings mainly on foot in a party of 12 are not now clear in sequence, but leave many vivid pictures as clear as yesterday." (He talks of similar conditions of the travel of Bilbo camping out, walking mountain paths, carrying packs).|[[Letter 306]]}}

==Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Rivendell in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2

|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:BFME2 - Elrond Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
|File:Aragorn's Quest - Rivendell1.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Concept Art of Rivendell.png|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - Gandalf and Galadriel.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
|File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[ArdaCraft]]''
}}
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Rivendell appears in every instalment, although its role in the second and third film is rather minor.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Rivendell is the fifth level and the first where no fighting is required. After Frodo is taken to Rivendell by [[Glorfindel]], he is first woken by [[Gandalf]]; after that, the [[Council of Elrond]] starts. After the council, there is an opportunity to speak to the NPCs - [[Aragorn]], [[Arwen]], [[Boromir]], [[Elrond]], [[Gandalf]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]. The gameplay continues by entering a door. A short cutscene follows in which Bilbo gives [[Sting]] and the ''[[mithril]]'' shirt.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]], "Rivendell"</ref>

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the battlegrounds in the game and a site of a skirmish between Elves and Goblins.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game, located between Trollshaws and the Misty Mountains. Rivendell is also one of the places that players can choose as Elven character's homeland. The Last Homely House refers to a large dwelling of Elrond, not to the entire refuge of Rivendell. It is located on the eastern side of Rivendell. One can find Elrond's library, the [[Hall of Fire]], the scholar's guild and various guest rooms.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game and the only place characters are obliged to visit more than once (other cities can be re-visited, but this is optional).

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Rivendell appears in the [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|first film]] after [[Gandalf]] leads [[Thorin and Company]] away from [[Yazneg]] and the [[Wargs]].
In the Quest of Erebor, Gandalf intended to pass through Rivendell and ask Elrond for advice, particularly in deciphering Thror's Map, and sent word to Elrond in advance. Thorin, having developed a hatred of all Elves following the Elven-king's betrayal, objected to this at least twice, but Gandalf used the threat of a Warg attack to lead the company towards the Hidden Valley, where Elrond and a company of Riders intercepted the Warg riders.
With the Dwarves' suspicion and disrespect of the Elves, they nearly came to blows with Elrond's company, and later consumed all the foods in Rivendell's kitchens, bathed naked in their sacred fountains, stole some of Elrond's silverware (which then fell into the hands of the Goblins in Goblin-town) and used his furnite as fuel for campfires. Elrond, for his part, was hospitible but suspicious of the Dwarves' endeavour, as was Saruman who convened the White Council at the time. Bilbo, unlike the Dwarves, found Rivendell so enchanting that he almost defected to remain there, and would later return to it on his way back from the Quest, and again when he left the Shire following his 11th birthday.
Unknown to Elrond at the time, Sauron had secretly returned and sought to destroy Rivendell (as well as Lorien) by re-establishing Angmar. In order to do so, he forged an alliance with Smaug who would hold the Iron-Hill Dwarves and the Men and Elves of Rhovanion at bay to secure Angmar's flank. This was thwarted by the Quest of Erebor, in which Smaug was slain, the subsequent Battle of the Five Armies, in which the Orc Armies meant to remake Angmar were decimated; and the attack of the White Council, in which Sauron and his Nazgul were banished from the North.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Rivendell|Images of Rivendell]]

{{references}}
{{companyroute}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Elven realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[de:Bruchtal]]
[[fi:Rivendell]]

Rhûn

2021-11-08T11:41:56Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{location infobox
| name=Rhûn
| image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Rhun map.jpg|250px]]
| caption=Rhûn from a map used for [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]]
| pronun=
| othernames=the East, the Eastlands, ''[[Rómen]]''
| location=Eastern Lands of [[Middle-earth]], east of [[Mordor]] and [[Rhovanion]]
| type=Region
| description=
| regions=[[Dorwinion]], [[Cuivienen]]<ref name=Captivity>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>, [[Hildorien]]<ref name=Men>{{S|Men}}</ref>, [[Wild Wood]]<ref name=Captivity></ref><ref name=Guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 427</ref><ref name=Atlas>{{HM|AME}}, p. 5</ref>
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Easterlings]], [[Dwarves]], [[Avari]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Awakening of Elves]], [[Seven Fathers of the Dwarves|Awakening of Dwarves]], [[Awakening of Men]]
}}
'''Rhûn''', also known as the '''East''', refers to the little-known lands in eastern [[Middle-earth]]. Almost nothing of the lands beyond the great [[Sea of Rhûn]] is known (see [[Land of the Sun|Uttermost East]]).

==History==
The first Elves awoke far east of the Sea of Rhûn, and many of them were led to the [[Westlands]] by [[Oromë]]. Some Elves forsook this [[Great Journey]] and chose to remain in Rhûn; they were called the [[Avari]]. Eventually some of the Avari would also migrate West.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 53</ref><ref>{{WJ|Author}}, note 9</ref>

The first Men also awoke in the far east, where they first met [[Dwarves]]<ref>{{WJ|Dwarves}}</ref> and Avari. The ancestors of the [[Edain]] and [[Drúedain]] traveled west out of Rhûn. At the shores of the Sea of Rhûn, some of the Mannish tribes traveling west separated and their languages soon diverged.<ref>{{PM|Ros}}, pp. 373-374</ref> Other men remained in Rhûn, and many of them came under the dominion of [[Morgoth]] and, later, [[Sauron]]. These men were called [[Easterlings]], and they led many attacks against [[Gondor]] and its allies during the [[Third Age]].

In the [[Second Age|Second]] or [[Third Age]]s the [[Blue Wizards]] went into the deep regions of Rhûn, never to return.<ref name="PMLast">{{PM|Last}}, pp. 384-85</ref> [[Saruman]] may have joined them before returning and occupying [[Isengard]]. During the [[Watchful Peace]], [[Sauron]] went to hiding in Rhûn for 400 years and gathered the Easterlings to his service; the Blue Wizards failed to discover his eastern stronghold.<ref name="PMLast"/>

The most western parts of Rhûn were conquered by Gondor twice, under the Kings [[Rómendacil I]] and [[Rómendacil II]], but the Númenóreans never had full control over it. Western Rhûn was finally subdued in the [[Fourth Age]] under [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] and his son [[Eldarion]].<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Stefano Baldo - Rhûn.jpg|thumb|left|''Rhûn'' by Stefano Baldo]]
Rhûn was a wide land largely unknown to those who dwelled in the western regions, and little of its geography was recorded. The western part of Rhûn was given in maps of the [[Westlands]] of Middle-earth. It contained the great inland [[Sea of Rhûn]], connected to the [[River Running]] in the northwest. A forest lay to the north-east of the Sea, and near the south-western shores there were many hills. Wild white [[Kine of Araw]], or oxen, lived near the shores of the Sea of Rhûn. North-west of the Sea of Rhûn lay also the land of [[Dorwinion]].

[[Cuiviénen]], the land where the first [[Elves]] [[awakening of the Elves|awoke]], was a 450 mile march east or south-east of the Sea of Rhûn.<ref>{{NM|P1vi}}, p. 38</ref> It lay on the shores of a bay at the inland [[Sea of Helcar]]'s eastern end, near the feet of the [[Orocarni]] (Red Mountains).<ref name=Captivity></ref> The [[Wild Wood]], the ancient and mythical forest where the Elves wondered at their first Dawn,<ref>{{TT|Uruk}}</ref> was located near Cuiviénen and the Orocarni.<ref name=Captivity></ref><ref name=Guide></ref><ref name=Atlas></ref> Far east of Cuiviénen lay [[Hildórien]], the land where the first Men awoke.<ref name=Men></ref>

Four [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] clans were also located in Rhûn;<ref name=Dwarves></ref>{{rp|301}} their mansions were at least as far east of [[Mount Gundabad]] as Mount Gundabad was east of the [[Blue Mountains]].

Far south of the Sea of Helcar was once another inland sea, the [[Sea of Ringil]], which lay at the feet of the [[Yellow Mountains]]. In the [[Battle of the Powers]], the Sea of Ringil "became a great sea flowing north-eastward and joining by straits both the Western and Eastern Seas"; it submerged the Yellow Mountains and split Middle-earth from a newly formed continent, the [[Dark Land]].<ref>{{SM|5b}}, pp. 293-294</ref><ref name=AmbarV>{{SM|A5}}</ref>

At its easternmost extent, Middle-earth ended on the shores of the [[East Sea]].<ref name=AmbarV>{{SM|A5}}</ref>

===Dwarves of Rhûn===
[[Dwarves]] emerged in Middle-earth in the [[Years of the Trees]]; after Elves but before Men. When the [[Fathers of the Dwarves|Seven Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke in far-flung corners of Middle-earth, some of them found themselves in Rhûn, and there they founded kingdoms in the [[East]]. In the First Age, it is said that some [[Men]] had met Dwarves of the [[East]] who had fallen under the [[Shadow]] and were of evil mind and were distrustful of their race.<ref name=Dwarves></ref>{{rp|323 n.28}}

The distance between their mansions in the East and the [[Misty Mountains]], specifically [[Gundabad]], was said to be as great or greater than that of Gundabad's distance from the [[Blue Mountains]] in the West. These four clans are the [[Ironfists]], [[Stiffbeards]], [[Blacklocks]] and [[Stonefoots]].<ref name=Dwarves>{{PM|X}}</ref>{{rp|301, 322}}

In the [[Third Age]], Dwarves of those kingdoms journeyed out of Rhûn to join all Middle-earth's other Dwarf clans in the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], which was fought in and under the [[Misty Mountains]]. After this war, the survivors returned home. Late in the Third Age, when war and terror grew in Rhûn itself, considerable numbers of its Dwarves left their ancient homelands. They sought refuge in Middle-earth's western lands, where some of them met [[Frodo Baggins]].<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The word '''''Rhûn''''' means "East" in [[Sindarin]]. Compare [[Quenya]] ''[[rómen]]''.<ref>{{App|E2i}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
When asked in an interview what lay east of Rhûn, Tolkien replied "Rhûn is the Elvish word for 'east'. Asia, China, Japan, and all things which people in the west regard as far away."<ref>{{webcite|author=Henry Resnick|articleurl=https://efanzines.com/Niekas/Niekas-18.pdf|articlename=An Interview with Tolkien|dated=2 March 1966|website=Niekas Volume 18 (archived on eFanzines.com)|accessed=27 September 2022}}, p. 41</ref>

In the earliest drafts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bilbo offered to walk from the [[The Shire|Shire]] "to ''[cancelled: [[Wikipedia:Hindu Kush|Hindu Kush]]]'' the [[Wikipedia:Gobi Desert|Great Desert of Gobi]] and fight the Wild Wire worm(s) of the [[Wikipedia:China|Chinese]]."<ref>{{HH|Pryftan}}, p. 9</ref> In a slightly later version [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] altered this to say "to the last desert in the East and fight the Wild Wireworms of the Chinese",<ref>{{HH|Bladorthin}}, p. 40</ref> and in the final version it was altered once more to say "to the East of East and fight the wild [[Were-worms]] in the [[Last Desert]]."<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

The Wainriders, as well as the Balchoth, were known for traveling in great camps of wagons which they fortified.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> Given the eastern origins of the group, this bears many similarities to the [[Wikipedia:Orda (organization)|orda]] military structure employed by the [[Wikipedia:Turkic peoples|Turkic]] and [[Wikipedia:Mongols|Mongol]] peoples.{{fact}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In a [[1948]] note on his ''[[General Map of Middle-earth]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] drew an arrow from the [[River Running]] with the direction to the end of the map, and carries the note: "To Sea of Rûnaer". [[Wayne G. Hammond|Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|Scull]] suggest that '''''Rûnaer''''' is likely an alternative name of ''Rhûn''.<ref>{{HM|AoL}}, p. 199</ref>

In early draft maps for ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Tolkien indicated that ''[[Neldoreth]]'' was the name of the forest bordering the Sea of Rhûn's north-eastern shore. This forest went unnamed in later maps.<ref>{{TI|MII}}, p. 307</ref>

==Other notes==
As the general direction of the [[West]] was revered by the [[Gondorians]],<ref>{{TT|Window}}</ref> conversely the East had evil connotations in some contexts as it was where [[Mordor]] lay; the people of Gondor endured the east wind but do not ask it for tidings, because it came from the "[[Sauron|Evil in the East]]".<ref>{{TT|III1}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:On the [[25 March]], the day when [[The One Ring]] was destroyed, an unknown calamity took place in Rhûn. In the weeks afterwards, streams of refugees begin pouring into the [[Iron Hills]] and the [[Dale]]-lands, despite those places having waged a war against the [[Easterlings]] not a full month before. The refugees are willing to take their chances against the prejudice and outward hostility directed against them from the men and dwarves of those lands, but none of them would speak in detail about what exactly had happened in Rhûn, other than it is absolutely impossible for them to go back. As of 2021, Rhûn itself does not appear in the game.

In The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Gandalf is briefly seen travelling through Rhun on a horse to warn Erebor and Dale of Sauron's approaching legions under Azog.

==See also==
*[[Uttermost East]]
*[[Last Desert]]
*[[Uttermost West]]

{{references}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhun}}
[[Category:Eastern lands]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin nouns]]
[[de:Rhûn]]
[[fi:Rhûn]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/rhun]]

Rohan

2021-11-08T11:34:03Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{cleanup}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Jef Murray - Edoras.jpg|250px]]
| name=Rohan
| pronun=
| othernames=Riddermark
| location=From [[Fangorn Forest]] to [[White Mountains]], between the [[Isen]] and the [[Entwash]]
| capital=[[Edoras]], earlier [[Aldburg]]
| towns=[[Aldburg]], [[Dunharrow]], [[Grimslade]], [[Hornburg]], [[Upbourn]], [[Underharrow]]
| regions=[[Eastemnet]], [[Westemnet]], [[Eastfold]], [[Folde]], [[Westfold]], [[The Wold]], [[West-march]]
| population=[[Rohirrim]] few [[Dwarves]]
| language=[[Rohirric]], [[Westron]], [[Khuzdul]]
| govern1=[[King of Rohan]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=[[Calenardhon]]
| event1=Formed
| event1date={{TA|2510}}
| event2=
| event2date=
| event3=
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
{{Quote|At the bottom [[Three Hunters|they]] came with a strange suddenness on the grass of Rohan. It swelled like a green sea up to the very foot of the [[Emyn Muil]].|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Riders of Rohan]]"}}
'''Rohan''' was a [[Men|Mannish]] kingdom on the northern borders of [[Gondor]]. It was the territory of the [[Rohirrim]], a people of herdsmen and farmers. Well-known for their [[horses]] and cavalry, they were Gondor's most important ally.

== Description ==
The borders of Rohan were the river [[Isen]] from its junction with the river [[Adorn]] and then northwards to the outer walls of [[Isengard]] and the river Adorn in the west; from the outer walls of Isengard eastwards and northwards along the eaves of [[Fangorn Forest]] to the river [[Limlight]] in the north; the river [[Anduin]] and the west-cliff of the [[Emyn Muil]] hills down to the marshes of the mouths of the river [[Entwash]] and beyond those marshes the [[Mering Stream|Mering stream]] that flowed from the Wood of Anwar to join the river Entwash in the east and the [[White Mountains]] as far as the end of their northward arm in the south.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, (iii) Cirion and Eorl, paragraph with the footnotes 45 and 46 and the following paragraph</ref><ref>{{RK|Map}}, red dotted line with the label "Border of Rohan"</ref>.

The most significant feature of Rohan's geography was the river [[Entwash]], which divided the country between [[Eastemnet]] and [[Westemnet]], itself divided as [[Eastfold]] and [[Westfold]]. Other lands were [[the Wold]], the [[Folde]], the line of downs to the north-west of the [[East Wall of Rohan]]<ref>{{TT|Riders}}</ref> and the [[Undeeps]].
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Riders of Rohan.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Riders of Rohan'']]
The Rohirrim found abandoned Gondorian fortresses and refuges in the White Mountains, such as [[Dunharrow]], [[Orthanc]] and the [[Hornburg]] which they restored and used themselves.

The capital of Rohan was the hill fort of '''[[Edoras]]''' which lay on the slopes of the [[White Mountains]]. Another large city was '''[[Aldburg]]''', the capital city of the Eastfold and original city of Eorl the Young. Other cities must have existed but are not named.

At the time of the War of the Ring, Rohan was roughly a third the size of Gondor, whose borders had slowly been shrinking for decades.{{fact}}

===Climate and countryside===
The countryside of Rohan was described as a land of pastures and lush tall grassland. The lands of Rohan are frequently described as appearing like "seas of grass". Most of the Rohirrim dwelt in small villages or farms.

== Background==
In the 1200s of the [[Third Age]], the Kings of Gondor made close alliances with the [[Northmen]] of [[Rhovanion]], a people akin to the [[Edain#The Three Houses|Three Houses of the Edain]] (later the [[Dúnedain]]) from the [[First Age]]. In the 2000s, a remnant tribe of such Northmen that called itself the [[Éothéod]] moved from the valleys of [[Anduin]] to the north west of [[Mirkwood]], clearing out what remained of the recently defeated witch kingdom of [[Angmar]], east of the [[Misty Mountains]].

In the meantime, the Gondorian province of Calenardhon was deserted by the [[Great Plague]] and during the [[Watchful Peace]] and local chieftains, such as [[Dunlendings]] gained control.<ref name=isen>{{UT|Isen}}</ref> During the time of [[Cirion]] the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward of Gondor]], Calenardhon was overrun by the [[Balchoth]].
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl]]
In {{TA|2509|n}}, Cirion sent summons to the Éothéod for aid in stopping a combined invasion of Men from the north east of Middle-earth, and [[Orcs]] from the [[Misty Mountains]]. [[Borondir]] reached [[Eorl the Young]], king of the Éothéod, who answered the summons, and arrived unexpectedly at a decisive [[battle of the Field of Celebrant]].

As a reward, Cirion invited Eorl on [[Amon Anwar]], over the [[tomb of Elendil]] and he swore mutual alliance and cooperation between the two peoples. The Steward also gave Eorl the deserted but fertile area of Calenardhon to take as their own and repopulate.

==History==
Eorl moved his people there driving out the Dunlendings who attempted to repopulate it without Gondor's consent. Eorl also built the first city of Rohan, [[Aldburg]]. Eorl lost his life fighting the [[Easterlings]] in [[the Wold]].<ref name=mark>{{App|Mark}}</ref> Migration was continued to the days of second king [[Brego]] who defended the borders against the Dunlendings and Easterlings, and drove the remaining [[Orcs]] and [[Balchoth]] off the Wold. Brego also built the Golden Hall of [[Meduseld]], and made [[Edoras]] the capital of Rohan.

[[File:Jan Pospisil - Edoras.jpg|thumb|Jan Pospisil - ''Edoras'']]
King [[Aldor]] was the founder of a golden age in Rohan's history, during which he completed Rohan's conquest east of the [[Isen]] and the [[Rohirrim]] increased greatly in numbers, who even settled valleys of [[Ered Nimrais]] including [[Harrowdale]]. It was he who succeeded in driving all the remaining Dunlendings from his realm. Rohan continued to prosper during [[Goldwine]]'s rule; but as the guard of the borders lessened, the Dunlendings slowly began to return to northern [[Westfold]], settling the area around the (friendly to them) [[Ring of Isengard]] and the southern eaves of [[Fangorn Forest]]<ref name=isen/>. A powerful Dunlendish force had been established, and King [[Déor]] was forced to ride northward from Edoras, ultimately to defeat his enemies but he was unable to recapture the Ring of Isengard. The following years the Dunlendings harassed and mingled with the Rohirrim.

The first line of kings lasted for 249 years, until the ninth king [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]]. In {{TA|2758}}, Rohan was invaded by Dunlendings under [[Wulf]], son of [[Freca]], of mixed Dunland and Rohan blood. The King, Helm Hammerhand, took refuge in the [[Hornburg]] until reinforcements from Gondor and [[Dunharrow]] (a refuge of the Rohirrim) arrived a year later and defeated the invaders. In a daring raid [[Fréaláf]] recaptured Edoras, and managed to reclaim it. He eventually drove the Dunlendings back across the rivers Isen and Adorn, freeing all of Rohan.

The Rohirrim now kept a strong force in north [[Westfold]], however at some time King [[Folcwine]] would need the help of Gondor to drive some of them from the area.<ref name=mark/> He was successful but the people who remained were largely of mixed blood, and not loyal to Edoras.<ref name=isen/>

It was soon after this that [[Saruman]] arrived and took over [[Isengard]], and was welcomed as a strong ally, since it would take Rohan close to 200 years to recover its strength after the invasion.

As Rohan was still recovering from the war with the Dunlendings, hostilities remained at the western borders. For two generations, during the coincidental [[War of Dwarves and Orcs|conflict]] many thousands of [[Orcs]] tried to claim a refuge in the [[White Mountains]] and troubled the Rohirrim; [[Brytta]] fought them off, and when he died it was believed Rohan was free of Orcs; they were not entirely driven from the White Mountains until {{TA|2864}} by [[Folca]].

During [[Thengel]]'s reign, a mysterious Northerner calling himself [[Thorongil]] entered his service, and rode with him for some time.

Around {{TA|2960|n}} Saruman started to harass Rohan and in {{TA|3014|n}}, he began using his influence to weaken the King, [[Théoden]], as part of a campaign to invade or take over the kingdom. In {{TA|3019|n}}, he launched a full-scale invasion of Rohan, with victories; (Théoden's son, [[Théodred]] was killed during the [[First Battle of the Fords of Isen]]) and defeat at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], where the [[Huorns]] came to the aid of the Rohirrim.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Pursuit in Rohan.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Pursuit in Rohan'']]
On the heels of this victory, [[Théoden]] rode with an army to [[Minas Tirith]] and helped break its siege in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], where he was slain. [[Éomer]], the nephew of King [[Théoden]], then succeeded to the throne, beginning the third line. [[Éomer]] rode with the armies of [[Gondor]] to the gates of Mordor and took part in the final battle with the forces of [[Sauron]], who was defeated when the [[The One Ring|Ruling Ring]] was destroyed.

The rule of the Stewards of Gondor was now over. King Éomer and the new king of Gondor, [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] (Aragorn), renewed their oath of alliance, and reaffirmed Cirion's grant of Calenardhon to the Rohirrim. But though Sauron had perished Éomer often fulfilled the Oath of Eorl and went with [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] far into the East and South. He was known as Éomer Éadig, or "the Blessed", because during his reign Rohan recovered from the hurts of the War and became a rich and fruitful land again.

After the downfall of [[Sauron]], [[Gimli]] led a party of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] to Aglarond, the [[Glittering Caves]] of the [[White Mountains]] within the realm of Rohan, of which there was an entrance in [[Helm's Deep]].<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref>

== Politics ==
===Military===
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Rohirrim.jpg|thumb|''"Forth Eorlingas!"'']]
The military of the Rohirrim was commanded by Marshals. The [[First Marshal of the Riddermark]] was the highest military rank and commanded the [[Muster of Edoras]]: Riders of the capital Edoras and the surrounding lands, including the King's Lands and [[Harrowdale]]. In his youth, King Théoden had led the Riders of the Muster of Edoras himself, so that no First Marshal was needed and at the time of the War of the Ring, there was no First Marshal.

The Second and Third Marshals had no fixed duties, and their roles changed according to the needs of the time. The [[Second Marshal of the Riddermark]] and was based in [[Helm's Deep]] and around the War of the Ring it was filled by Théoden's son, Prince [[Théodred]], and later [[Erkenbrand]] after the death of the prince. The [[Third Marshal of the Riddermark]] was based at [[Aldburg]] in the [[Folde]] and around the War of the Ring it was filled by [[Éomer]].

After the War of the Ring, the new rank of [[Marshal of the East-mark]] was created for eastern Rohan by King Éomer. The first Rider to hold it was his lieutenant, [[Elfhelm]].

The Riders were divided into one hundred [[Éored|Éoreds]]. in the days of King [[Folcwine]] a "full Éored" was defined as 120 horsemen (including its captain).<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, note 36</ref> This would imply that a full muster of the Riders of the Rohirrim would number at least twelve thousand, if not many more. This does not include levied infantry, such as those Erkenbrand led at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref>

===Alliance with Gondor===
The alliance between Rohan and Gondor came into existence in the year {{TA|2510|n}} of the [[Third Age]]. In that year the [[Easterlings]] launched a massive invasion of Gondor. The army of Gondor was defeated and trapped between the Limlight and the [[Celebrant]]. Gondor, which had always been on friendly terms with the different tribes of the [[Northmen]], sent messengers to the closest tribe, the [[Éothéod]]. Although it was unlikely that the message calling for aid would come through, it did. Then [[Eorl the Young]] and his fierce Éothéod Riders unexpectedly took the field during the Battle of Celebrant and turned the tide in the favour of Gondor. As a reward [[Cirion]], the [[Steward of Gondor]], gave Eorl the depopulated province of Calenardhon for his people to settle, while fulfilling Gondor's need for a strong ally. The [[Oath of Eorl]] was sworn by both Cirion and Eorl. Neither nation broke the alliance. Rohan went to great lengths to fulfill their part of the treaty including sacrificing two of its heirs when Gondor was under threat from the [[Haradrim]] in 2885, when [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]] and [[Folcred]], the twin sons of King [[Folcwine]], were killed during the Battle of Crossings of [[Poros]]. King [[Théoden]] once again honoured the alliance in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. In the years after his rise to the throne, King Éomer would often assist King [[Elessar]] of Gondor in his wars against the foes of Gondor.<ref>{{App|A2i}}</ref>

===War with the Dunlendings===
To the west of Rohan lived the [[Dunlendings]], a native people who had been hostile against the Free Peoples for a long time. The Dunlending [[Wulf]] (whose father [[Freca]] was killed by King [[Helm]]) invaded Rohan and usurped the throne. Pressed by the west and east, the Rohirrim took refuge in the White Mountains. The [[Long Winter]] came upon the combatants, which caused many losses from both sides. Prince [[Háma (son of Helm)|Háma]] was lost in a blizzard searching for food while Prince [[Haleth]] was slain on the doors of the [[Golden Hall]]. Helm had also died from the freezing temperature in {{TA|2759}}. Wulf was soon defeated by [[Fréaláf]], who was [[Helm Hammerhand]]'s nephew and became the tenth King of Rohan.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>

Rohan recovered very slowly from the war and the Winter and [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]] welcomed [[Saruman]] and allowed him to dwell in [[Isengard]] in {{TA|2759}} hoping that he would help the Rohirrim. The following years, after {{TA|2799|n}}, the [[Orcs]] who were defeated and fled from the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]], attempted to establish themselves in the White Mountains. As they crossed Rohan, they infested the dales and many years of fighting passed until they were eradicated.

During the [[War of the Ring]], Saruman incited the Dunlendings against the Rohirrim and they fought alongside the [[Uruk-hai]] in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref>

==Etymology==

The name ''Rohan'' (coined by [[Hallas]]) is [[Gondor Sindarin]], meaning "Horse-country". ''Rohan'' is a debased form of the proper [[Sindarin]] name ''Rochand'' (or ''Rochan''), containing the elements ''[[Horses#Etymology|roch]]'' ("[[Horses|horse]]") and the toponymical ending ''[[-nd|-and]]''.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Nancy Smith]], ""[[Index questions]]"</ref><ref name=Cirion>{{UT|Cirion}}, "iii. Cirion and Eorl"</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 247-8</ref>

The native name of the country was '''[[Riddermark]]''', or simply '''the Mark'''.

In a draft of ''The Appendices'', Tolkien noted that ''Rohan'' "is of [[Noldorin]] origin, a translation of the native ''[[Lōgrad]]''", having the "strictly correct form [...] ''Rochann''."<ref>{{PM|II}}, p. 53</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
Conceptualised as the "Horse kings of Rohan" allied with [[Mordor]] in early drafts of [[1939]], the Rohirrim took their final form in 1942 when the text of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' was completed to about one third.

==Inspiration==
Several aspects of Rohan's culture and history seem to be inspired by both Goths, Scandinavians and the medieval Anglo-Saxons.

Just like the Germanic Ostrogoths, Rohirric culture was a mounted culture. It had separated from the [[Northmen]], moved south, and had settled in close proximity with a civilization. In the Goths' case it was the Byzantine Empire and in the case of the Rohirrim, it was Gondor.

Especially the Hervarar saga, with its [[Mirkwood]], Gothic horsemen and shieldmaidens, appears to have inspired Tolkien when creating the Rohirrim, although he exchanged the Gothic tongue with the Anglo-Saxon.

The antipathy between the Rohirrim and the [[Dunlendings]] resembles the historical tension between the Anglo-Saxon settlers of Britain and the native Celts.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Rohan map with towns marked.jpg|thumb|250px|Map of Rohan towns in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2012: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rohan is split into two major halves, Eastern Rohan added in 2012 with the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan|Riders of Rohan]]'' expansion and Western Rohan (which includes [[Eastfold]]) added in 2013 with ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm's Deep|Helm's Deep]]'' expansion, with a smaller "Wildermore" area added in between. Other than those mentioned in Tolkien's work, in-game Rohan features many other towns and villages of the [[Rohirrim]]. Each of those is ruled by a hereditary Thane, who answer to regional Reeves, who in turn respond to either Aldor [[Harding (rider of Rohan)|Harding]] of the [[Eastemnet]] or to King [[Théoden]] directly. Outside the borders of Rohan proper, a large fortified town of Stangard on the northern shore of river [[Limlight]] guards the approaches from the [[Brown Lands]]. At the center of each settlement is a grand mead hall, which serves as the seat of the local Thane, the place for communal gatherings and the most defensible position in case of an attack. During the [[War of the Ring]] almost all Rohirric settlements come under attack by the enemy, with several towns completely razed and burned to the ground, while some smaller villages are completely abandoned when the inhabitants flee to nearby cities for protection.

In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, around 2960 Saruman started to harass Rohan and in 3001, he began using his influence to weaken the King, Théoden, as part of a campaign to invade or take over the kingdom. In 3002, he launched a full-scale invasion of Rohan, with victories; (Théoden's son, Théodred was mortally wounded during the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, and soon died) and defeat at the Battle of the Hornburg, where the Huorns came to the aid of the Rohirrim.
On the heels of this victory, Théoden rode with an army to Minas Tirith and helped break its siege in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where he was slain. Éomer, the nephew of King Théoden, then succeeded to the throne, beginning the third line. Éomer rode with the armies of Gondor to the gates of Mordor and took part in the final battle with the forces of Sauron, who was defeated when the Ruling Ring was destroyed.
The rule of the Stewards of Gondor was now over. King Éomer and the new king of Gondor, Aragorn II (Aragorn), renewed their oath of alliance, and reaffirmed Cirion's grant of Calenardhon to the Rohirrim. But though Sauron had perished Éomer often fulfilled the Oath of Eorl and went with King Elessar far into the East and South. He was known as Éomer Éadig, or "the Blessed", because during his reign Rohan recovered from the hurts of the War and became a rich and fruitful land again.

After the downfall of Sauron, Gimli led a party of the Dwarves of Erebor to Aglarond, the Glittering Caves of the White Mountains within the realm of Rohan, of which there was an entrance in Helm's Deep.
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Rohan|Rohan]]
[[de:Rohan]]
[[fi:Rohan]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/royaumes/rohan]]

Rohan

2021-11-08T11:31:38Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{cleanup}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Jef Murray - Edoras.jpg|250px]]
| name=Rohan
| pronun=
| othernames=Riddermark
| location=From [[Fangorn Forest]] to [[White Mountains]], between the [[Isen]] and the [[Entwash]]
| capital=[[Edoras]], earlier [[Aldburg]]
| towns=[[Aldburg]], [[Dunharrow]], [[Grimslade]], [[Hornburg]], [[Upbourn]], [[Underharrow]]
| regions=[[Eastemnet]], [[Westemnet]], [[Eastfold]], [[Folde]], [[Westfold]], [[The Wold]], [[West-march]]
| population=[[Rohirrim]] few [[Dwarves]]
| language=[[Rohirric]], [[Westron]], [[Khuzdul]]
| govern1=[[King of Rohan]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=[[Calenardhon]]
| event1=Formed
| event1date={{TA|2510}}
| event2=
| event2date=
| event3=
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
{{Quote|At the bottom [[Three Hunters|they]] came with a strange suddenness on the grass of Rohan. It swelled like a green sea up to the very foot of the [[Emyn Muil]].|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Riders of Rohan]]"}}
'''Rohan''' was a [[Men|Mannish]] kingdom on the northern borders of [[Gondor]]. It was the territory of the [[Rohirrim]], a people of herdsmen and farmers. Well-known for their [[horses]] and cavalry, they were Gondor's most important ally.

== Description ==
The borders of Rohan were the river [[Isen]] from its junction with the river [[Adorn]] and then northwards to the outer walls of [[Isengard]] and the river Adorn in the west; from the outer walls of Isengard eastwards and northwards along the eaves of [[Fangorn Forest]] to the river [[Limlight]] in the north; the river [[Anduin]] and the west-cliff of the [[Emyn Muil]] hills down to the marshes of the mouths of the river [[Entwash]] and beyond those marshes the [[Mering Stream|Mering stream]] that flowed from the Wood of Anwar to join the river Entwash in the east and the [[White Mountains]] as far as the end of their northward arm in the south.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, (iii) Cirion and Eorl, paragraph with the footnotes 45 and 46 and the following paragraph</ref><ref>{{RK|Map}}, red dotted line with the label "Border of Rohan"</ref>.

The most significant feature of Rohan's geography was the river [[Entwash]], which divided the country between [[Eastemnet]] and [[Westemnet]], itself divided as [[Eastfold]] and [[Westfold]]. Other lands were [[the Wold]], the [[Folde]], the line of downs to the north-west of the [[East Wall of Rohan]]<ref>{{TT|Riders}}</ref> and the [[Undeeps]].
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Riders of Rohan.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Riders of Rohan'']]
The Rohirrim found abandoned Gondorian fortresses and refuges in the White Mountains, such as [[Dunharrow]], [[Orthanc]] and the [[Hornburg]] which they restored and used themselves.

The capital of Rohan was the hill fort of '''[[Edoras]]''' which lay on the slopes of the [[White Mountains]]. Another large city was '''[[Aldburg]]''', the capital city of the Eastfold and original city of Eorl the Young. Other cities must have existed but are not named.

At the time of the War of the Ring, Rohan was roughly a third the size of Gondor, whose borders had slowly been shrinking for decades.{{fact}}

===Climate and countryside===
The countryside of Rohan was described as a land of pastures and lush tall grassland. The lands of Rohan are frequently described as appearing like "seas of grass". Most of the Rohirrim dwelt in small villages or farms.

== Background==
In the 1200s of the [[Third Age]], the Kings of Gondor made close alliances with the [[Northmen]] of [[Rhovanion]], a people akin to the [[Edain#The Three Houses|Three Houses of the Edain]] (later the [[Dúnedain]]) from the [[First Age]]. In the 2000s, a remnant tribe of such Northmen that called itself the [[Éothéod]] moved from the valleys of [[Anduin]] to the north west of [[Mirkwood]], clearing out what remained of the recently defeated witch kingdom of [[Angmar]], east of the [[Misty Mountains]].

In the meantime, the Gondorian province of Calenardhon was deserted by the [[Great Plague]] and during the [[Watchful Peace]] and local chieftains, such as [[Dunlendings]] gained control.<ref name=isen>{{UT|Isen}}</ref> During the time of [[Cirion]] the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward of Gondor]], Calenardhon was overrun by the [[Balchoth]].
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl]]
In {{TA|2509|n}}, Cirion sent summons to the Éothéod for aid in stopping a combined invasion of Men from the north east of Middle-earth, and [[Orcs]] from the [[Misty Mountains]]. [[Borondir]] reached [[Eorl the Young]], king of the Éothéod, who answered the summons, and arrived unexpectedly at a decisive [[battle of the Field of Celebrant]].

As a reward, Cirion invited Eorl on [[Amon Anwar]], over the [[tomb of Elendil]] and he swore mutual alliance and cooperation between the two peoples. The Steward also gave Eorl the deserted but fertile area of Calenardhon to take as their own and repopulate.

==History==
Eorl moved his people there driving out the Dunlendings who attempted to repopulate it without Gondor's consent. Eorl also built the first city of Rohan, [[Aldburg]]. Eorl lost his life fighting the [[Easterlings]] in [[the Wold]].<ref name=mark>{{App|Mark}}</ref> Migration was continued to the days of second king [[Brego]] who defended the borders against the Dunlendings and Easterlings, and drove the remaining [[Orcs]] and [[Balchoth]] off the Wold. Brego also built the Golden Hall of [[Meduseld]], and made [[Edoras]] the capital of Rohan.

[[File:Jan Pospisil - Edoras.jpg|thumb|Jan Pospisil - ''Edoras'']]
King [[Aldor]] was the founder of a golden age in Rohan's history, during which he completed Rohan's conquest east of the [[Isen]] and the [[Rohirrim]] increased greatly in numbers, who even settled valleys of [[Ered Nimrais]] including [[Harrowdale]]. It was he who succeeded in driving all the remaining Dunlendings from his realm. Rohan continued to prosper during [[Goldwine]]'s rule; but as the guard of the borders lessened, the Dunlendings slowly began to return to northern [[Westfold]], settling the area around the (friendly to them) [[Ring of Isengard]] and the southern eaves of [[Fangorn Forest]]<ref name=isen/>. A powerful Dunlendish force had been established, and King [[Déor]] was forced to ride northward from Edoras, ultimately to defeat his enemies but he was unable to recapture the Ring of Isengard. The following years the Dunlendings harassed and mingled with the Rohirrim.

The first line of kings lasted for 249 years, until the ninth king [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]]. In {{TA|2758}}, Rohan was invaded by Dunlendings under [[Wulf]], son of [[Freca]], of mixed Dunland and Rohan blood. The King, Helm Hammerhand, took refuge in the [[Hornburg]] until reinforcements from Gondor and [[Dunharrow]] (a refuge of the Rohirrim) arrived a year later and defeated the invaders. In a daring raid [[Fréaláf]] recaptured Edoras, and managed to reclaim it. He eventually drove the Dunlendings back across the rivers Isen and Adorn, freeing all of Rohan.

The Rohirrim now kept a strong force in north [[Westfold]], however at some time King [[Folcwine]] would need the help of Gondor to drive some of them from the area.<ref name=mark/> He was successful but the people who remained were largely of mixed blood, and not loyal to Edoras.<ref name=isen/>

It was soon after this that [[Saruman]] arrived and took over [[Isengard]], and was welcomed as a strong ally, since it would take Rohan close to 200 years to recover its strength after the invasion.

As Rohan was still recovering from the war with the Dunlendings, hostilities remained at the western borders. For two generations, during the coincidental [[War of Dwarves and Orcs|conflict]] many thousands of [[Orcs]] tried to claim a refuge in the [[White Mountains]] and troubled the Rohirrim; [[Brytta]] fought them off, and when he died it was believed Rohan was free of Orcs; they were not entirely driven from the White Mountains until {{TA|2864}} by [[Folca]].

During [[Thengel]]'s reign, a mysterious Northerner calling himself [[Thorongil]] entered his service, and rode with him for some time.

Around {{TA|2960|n}} Saruman started to harass Rohan and in {{TA|3014|n}}, he began using his influence to weaken the King, [[Théoden]], as part of a campaign to invade or take over the kingdom. In {{TA|3019|n}}, he launched a full-scale invasion of Rohan, with victories; (Théoden's son, [[Théodred]] was killed during the [[First Battle of the Fords of Isen]]) and defeat at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], where the [[Huorns]] came to the aid of the Rohirrim.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Pursuit in Rohan.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Pursuit in Rohan'']]
On the heels of this victory, [[Théoden]] rode with an army to [[Minas Tirith]] and helped break its siege in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], where he was slain. [[Éomer]], the nephew of King [[Théoden]], then succeeded to the throne, beginning the third line. [[Éomer]] rode with the armies of [[Gondor]] to the gates of Mordor and took part in the final battle with the forces of [[Sauron]], who was defeated when the [[The One Ring|Ruling Ring]] was destroyed.

The rule of the Stewards of Gondor was now over. King Éomer and the new king of Gondor, [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] (Aragorn), renewed their oath of alliance, and reaffirmed Cirion's grant of Calenardhon to the Rohirrim. But though Sauron had perished Éomer often fulfilled the Oath of Eorl and went with [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] far into the East and South. He was known as Éomer Éadig, or "the Blessed", because during his reign Rohan recovered from the hurts of the War and became a rich and fruitful land again.

After the downfall of [[Sauron]], [[Gimli]] led a party of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] to Aglarond, the [[Glittering Caves]] of the [[White Mountains]] within the realm of Rohan, of which there was an entrance in [[Helm's Deep]].<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref>

== Politics ==
===Military===
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Rohirrim.jpg|thumb|''"Forth Eorlingas!"'']]
The military of the Rohirrim was commanded by Marshals. The [[First Marshal of the Riddermark]] was the highest military rank and commanded the [[Muster of Edoras]]: Riders of the capital Edoras and the surrounding lands, including the King's Lands and [[Harrowdale]]. In his youth, King Théoden had led the Riders of the Muster of Edoras himself, so that no First Marshal was needed and at the time of the War of the Ring, there was no First Marshal.

The Second and Third Marshals had no fixed duties, and their roles changed according to the needs of the time. The [[Second Marshal of the Riddermark]] and was based in [[Helm's Deep]] and around the War of the Ring it was filled by Théoden's son, Prince [[Théodred]], and later [[Erkenbrand]] after the death of the prince. The [[Third Marshal of the Riddermark]] was based at [[Aldburg]] in the [[Folde]] and around the War of the Ring it was filled by [[Éomer]].

After the War of the Ring, the new rank of [[Marshal of the East-mark]] was created for eastern Rohan by King Éomer. The first Rider to hold it was his lieutenant, [[Elfhelm]].

The Riders were divided into one hundred [[Éored|Éoreds]]. in the days of King [[Folcwine]] a "full Éored" was defined as 120 horsemen (including its captain).<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, note 36</ref> This would imply that a full muster of the Riders of the Rohirrim would number at least twelve thousand, if not many more. This does not include levied infantry, such as those Erkenbrand led at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref>

===Alliance with Gondor===
The alliance between Rohan and Gondor came into existence in the year {{TA|2510|n}} of the [[Third Age]]. In that year the [[Easterlings]] launched a massive invasion of Gondor. The army of Gondor was defeated and trapped between the Limlight and the [[Celebrant]]. Gondor, which had always been on friendly terms with the different tribes of the [[Northmen]], sent messengers to the closest tribe, the [[Éothéod]]. Although it was unlikely that the message calling for aid would come through, it did. Then [[Eorl the Young]] and his fierce Éothéod Riders unexpectedly took the field during the Battle of Celebrant and turned the tide in the favour of Gondor. As a reward [[Cirion]], the [[Steward of Gondor]], gave Eorl the depopulated province of Calenardhon for his people to settle, while fulfilling Gondor's need for a strong ally. The [[Oath of Eorl]] was sworn by both Cirion and Eorl. Neither nation broke the alliance. Rohan went to great lengths to fulfill their part of the treaty including sacrificing two of its heirs when Gondor was under threat from the [[Haradrim]] in 2885, when [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]] and [[Folcred]], the twin sons of King [[Folcwine]], were killed during the Battle of Crossings of [[Poros]]. King [[Théoden]] once again honoured the alliance in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. In the years after his rise to the throne, King Éomer would often assist King [[Elessar]] of Gondor in his wars against the foes of Gondor.<ref>{{App|A2i}}</ref>

===War with the Dunlendings===
To the west of Rohan lived the [[Dunlendings]], a native people who had been hostile against the Free Peoples for a long time. The Dunlending [[Wulf]] (whose father [[Freca]] was killed by King [[Helm]]) invaded Rohan and usurped the throne. Pressed by the west and east, the Rohirrim took refuge in the White Mountains. The [[Long Winter]] came upon the combatants, which caused many losses from both sides. Prince [[Háma (son of Helm)|Háma]] was lost in a blizzard searching for food while Prince [[Haleth]] was slain on the doors of the [[Golden Hall]]. Helm had also died from the freezing temperature in {{TA|2759}}. Wulf was soon defeated by [[Fréaláf]], who was [[Helm Hammerhand]]'s nephew and became the tenth King of Rohan.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>

Rohan recovered very slowly from the war and the Winter and [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]] welcomed [[Saruman]] and allowed him to dwell in [[Isengard]] in {{TA|2759}} hoping that he would help the Rohirrim. The following years, after {{TA|2799|n}}, the [[Orcs]] who were defeated and fled from the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]], attempted to establish themselves in the White Mountains. As they crossed Rohan, they infested the dales and many years of fighting passed until they were eradicated.

During the [[War of the Ring]], Saruman incited the Dunlendings against the Rohirrim and they fought alongside the [[Uruk-hai]] in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref>

==Etymology==

The name ''Rohan'' (coined by [[Hallas]]) is [[Gondor Sindarin]], meaning "Horse-country". ''Rohan'' is a debased form of the proper [[Sindarin]] name ''Rochand'' (or ''Rochan''), containing the elements ''[[Horses#Etymology|roch]]'' ("[[Horses|horse]]") and the toponymical ending ''[[-nd|-and]]''.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Nancy Smith]], ""[[Index questions]]"</ref><ref name=Cirion>{{UT|Cirion}}, "iii. Cirion and Eorl"</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 247-8</ref>

The native name of the country was '''[[Riddermark]]''', or simply '''the Mark'''.

In a draft of ''The Appendices'', Tolkien noted that ''Rohan'' "is of [[Noldorin]] origin, a translation of the native ''[[Lōgrad]]''", having the "strictly correct form [...] ''Rochann''."<ref>{{PM|II}}, p. 53</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
Conceptualised as the "Horse kings of Rohan" allied with [[Mordor]] in early drafts of [[1939]], the Rohirrim took their final form in 1942 when the text of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' was completed to about one third.

==Inspiration==
Several aspects of Rohan's culture and history seem to be inspired by both Goths, Scandinavians and the medieval Anglo-Saxons.

Just like the Germanic Ostrogoths, Rohirric culture was a mounted culture. It had separated from the [[Northmen]], moved south, and had settled in close proximity with a civilization. In the Goths' case it was the Byzantine Empire and in the case of the Rohirrim, it was Gondor.

Especially the Hervarar saga, with its [[Mirkwood]], Gothic horsemen and shieldmaidens, appears to have inspired Tolkien when creating the Rohirrim, although he exchanged the Gothic tongue with the Anglo-Saxon.

The antipathy between the Rohirrim and the [[Dunlendings]] resembles the historical tension between the Anglo-Saxon settlers of Britain and the native Celts.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Rohan map with towns marked.jpg|thumb|250px|Map of Rohan towns in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2012: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rohan is split into two major halves, Eastern Rohan added in 2012 with the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Riders of Rohan|Riders of Rohan]]'' expansion and Western Rohan (which includes [[Eastfold]]) added in 2013 with ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm's Deep|Helm's Deep]]'' expansion, with a smaller "Wildermore" area added in between. Other than those mentioned in Tolkien's work, in-game Rohan features many other towns and villages of the [[Rohirrim]]. Each of those is ruled by a hereditary Thane, who answer to regional Reeves, who in turn respond to either Aldor [[Harding (rider of Rohan)|Harding]] of the [[Eastemnet]] or to King [[Théoden]] directly. Outside the borders of Rohan proper, a large fortified town of Stangard on the northern shore of river [[Limlight]] guards the approaches from the [[Brown Lands]]. At the center of each settlement is a grand mead hall, which serves as the seat of the local Thane, the place for communal gatherings and the most defensible position in case of an attack. During the [[War of the Ring]] almost all Rohirric settlements come under attack by the enemy, with several towns completely razed and burned to the ground, while some smaller villages are completely abandoned when the inhabitants flee to nearby cities for protection.

Around 2960 Saruman started to harass Rohan and in 3001, he began using his influence to weaken the King, Théoden, as part of a campaign to invade or take over the kingdom. In 3002, he launched a full-scale invasion of Rohan, with victories; (Théoden's son, Théodred was mortally wounded during the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, and soon died) and defeat at the Battle of the Hornburg, where the Huorns came to the aid of the Rohirrim.
On the heels of this victory, Théoden rode with an army to Minas Tirith and helped break its siege in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where he was slain. Éomer, the nephew of King Théoden, then succeeded to the throne, beginning the third line. Éomer rode with the armies of Gondor to the gates of Mordor and took part in the final battle with the forces of Sauron, who was defeated when the Ruling Ring was destroyed.
The rule of the Stewards of Gondor was now over. King Éomer and the new king of Gondor, Aragorn II (Aragorn), renewed their oath of alliance, and reaffirmed Cirion's grant of Calenardhon to the Rohirrim. But though Sauron had perished Éomer often fulfilled the Oath of Eorl and went with King Elessar far into the East and South. He was known as Éomer Éadig, or "the Blessed", because during his reign Rohan recovered from the hurts of the War and became a rich and fruitful land again.

After the downfall of Sauron, Gimli led a party of the Dwarves of Erebor to Aglarond, the Glittering Caves of the White Mountains within the realm of Rohan, of which there was an entrance in Helm's Deep.
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Rohan|Rohan]]
[[de:Rohan]]
[[fi:Rohan]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/royaumes/rohan]]

Battle of Five Armies

2021-11-08T11:14:13Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{Countdown}}
{{disambig-more|Battle of Five Armies|[[Battle of Five Armies (disambiguation)]]}}
{{battle
|image=[[File:Matt Stewart - The Battle Under the Mountain.jpg|300px]]|
name=Battle of Five Armies
|conflict=
|date="the last week of autumn" in {{TA|2941}}<ref>{{H|11}}</ref>
|place=The valley of [[Dale]] and the slopes of [[Erebor]]
|result=Victory for the [[Elves of Mirkwood|Elves]], [[Lake-men|Men]], and [[Durin's Folk|Dwarves]]
*Death of [[Thorin II Oakenshield]]
*[[Dáin II Ironfoot]] becomes [[King under the Mountain]]
*[[Bard]] becomes [[King of Dale]] soon after
*[[Esgaroth]] rebuilt soon after
*[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] become diminished
|side1=
[[Elves of Mirkwood]]
 [[Lake-men]]
 [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]]
 [[Thorin and Company]]
 [[Eagles]]
|side2=
[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Orcs of the Mountains]]
 [[Wargs]]
 [[Bats]]
|commanders1=
[[Gandalf]]
 [[Thranduil]]
 [[Bard the Bowman]]
 [[Thorin II Oakenshield]] †
 [[Dáin Ironfoot]]
 [[Gwaihir]]
|commanders2=
[[Bolg]] †
|forces1=
Unknown, except for:
*Over 1,000 Elf spearmen and several hundred more archers<ref>{{H|17}}</ref>
*Over 500 [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]]<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref>
*[[Thorin and Company|Thorin's 12 Dwarf companions]]
|forces2=Unknown, except for "A vast host"
|casual1=Unknown
|casual2=Heavy: "three parts of the goblin warriors of the North perished"<ref>{{H|18}}</ref>
}}

The '''Battle of Five Armies''' was an important battle waged in {{TA|2941}}.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> The five warring parties were the [[Orcs#Goblins|Goblins]] and the [[Wargs]] against [[Men]], [[Elves]] and [[Dwarves]] on and near the [[Lonely Mountain]].

==History==
=== Prelude ===
Thorin and Company, including the "master-thief" [[Bilbo Baggins]] trying to recapture the heirloom of their fathers' (and possibly to kill Smaug, too, and thus to recapture the whole Kingdom) had camped without at [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] for some weeks. Bilbo had already done some exploration of the old hallways using the [[Back Door]] and had stolen a golden cup from the treasure. By this deed and by Bilbo's bold speech Smaug's anger was kindled.

Erroneously believing, due to some remarks Bilbo had made during his conversation with Smaug,<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref> that some scheme of the Men of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]] was the reason for the Dwarves' (and Bilbo's) presence, Smaug flew to Esgaroth to show them who is "the true [[King under the Mountain]]".<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref> Smaug's fires burned down the whole town, but the dragon was killed by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]]. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] soon learned that Smaug had been killed and thus set forth to claim the treasure, believing there was no one left who had a claim on it. Having heard of the disaster that had struck the befriended men, the Elven host turned aside to offer any help that could be provided. Some day after the Elves had arrived at the [[Long Lake]] a united host of Men and Elves set forth towards Erebor, believing that the Dwarves had been among the first casualties of Smaug's wrath. To their surprise they found Thorin and Company quite alive, the gate to the halls beneath Erebor barred by a wall and themselves treated as foes, coming armed towards the gates.<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref>

For several reasons Bard, being heir of [[Girion]], Lord of [[Dale]], claimed one twelfth of the treasure: first, he was the dragonslayer and without him, the Dwarves could never have reclaimed their old home. Second, a great deal of Dale's treasure had been robbed by Smaug and thus belonged rightfully to Bard and not the Dwarves. Third, the men of Esgaroth had helped the Dwarves on their journey and now had suffered severely; their whole city burned to the ground and their stocks being destroyed by Smaug, whose anger in the end was only risen by the Dwarves alone. Therefore they demanded compensation and Bard intended to pay it from the part of the treasure he claimed.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

Yet Thorin rebuked these claims. He would not fulfill any of the conditions as long as an armoured Elven host camped near Erebor. For the Elves did not have any claims on the treasure and Thorin himself had been imprisoned by the Elves.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

As a result, [[Thorin and Company]] were trapped in a bloodless siege, with [[Thranduil]] and Bard hoping to wait him out.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref> However, Thorin had sent messages of his plight to his relatives using as messengers talking [[Ravens]] that lived on the Lonely Mountain. These reached [[Dáin Ironfoot]] of the nearby Iron Hills, and he marched to Erebor with 500 heavily armed [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]], most of them skilled veterans of the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref>. When Dain's forces arrived, battle was almost joined between the two sides (now ''three'' armies were on the field) but at the last moment [[Gandalf]] intervened between the two and revealed that while they were bickering amongst themselves, the Goblins of the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] under [[Bolg]] were using the opportunity to march against them. They had been incited by Gandalf's earlier slaying of the [[Great Goblin]], but had now mobilized for a full-scale attack after hearing news of the death of the Dragon and the now relatively unguarded treasure hoard.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

=== The Battle ===
The three commanders agreed that the Goblins and Wargs were the enemies of all and previous grievances between them were put on hold in face of the greater threat. They arranged their forces on the two spurs of the Mountain that lined the valley leading to the now-sealed off great [[Front Gate|Gate of Erebor]]; the only entrance to the Mountain that remained unblocked (any others had been destroyed by Smaug long before). The 500 Dwarves and 200 or so Lake-men formed up on one spur and over 1000 Elves on the other, while a light rear-guard lined across the mouth of the valley to lure the Goblins between the two spurs of the mountain, and thus destroy them. [[Bilbo Baggins]] tried to sit out the battle on [[Ravenhill]] which was held by the Elves and where also Gandalf had withdrawn to.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

[[File:Joona Kujanen - Battle of Five Armies - Men of Esgaroth.jpg|300px|thumb|left|'''Battle of Five Armies: Men of Esgaroth''' by Joona Kujanen.]]Soon the Goblins and Wargs arrived, and at first the plan worked: they were lured into the chokepoint and took heavy losses. However, due to their superior numbers, the allied Free peoples did not hold the advantage long. The second wave was even worse than the first, and due to their sheer number now many Goblins scaled the mountain from the opposite side, and began to attack the arrayed forces from above and behind, as the main wave pressed forward. The battle raged across the Mountain, and then a great noise was heard: Thorin and his 12 Dwarf companions inside the mountain had thrown down a section of the stone wall they had erected across the mouth of the gates, killing many Goblins. Thorin and Company emerged, covered in the best armour and armed with the best weapons in Erebor. Then Thorin cried, "''Rally to me my kinsfolk''," and charged down into the valley to join the battle with many Dwarves and many Men and Elves joining them. Thorin advanced through the Goblins' ranks all the way up to the gigantic Goblins that formed the Bodyguard of Bolg, but could not get past them. Also his battle-line was too short, the flanks unprotected and thus his attack soon crumbled, Thorin and many others were cut off and hard beset by Bolg's [[Bodyguard of Bolg|bodyguard]]. The battle degenerated into a chaotic close quarters melee, no quarter asked or given.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

As the battle was turning fully against the Free Folk, a large army of Giant [[Eagles]] of the Misty Mountains arrived, led by the [[Great Eagle]]. Bilbo was the first to spot their entrance on the scene and began shouting that "the Eagles are coming!", a shout that was then continued among the other troops of the Free Folk. At this point Bilbo was knocked in the head by a large stone thrown by a Goblin from above on the Mountain, and he was knocked out.<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref> With the support of the Giant Eagles, the Goblins that had scaled Erebor were driven off. The tide was eventually turned, when [[Beorn]] himself arrived at the battle, apparently having heard news that a large army of Goblins were on the move. This time he did not appear in his former shape of a giant Man, but in that of a gigantic Bear. Beorn drove through the Goblin lines, but paused to carry the wounded Thorin out of the battle with his paw. Beorn then returned to the battle with even greater wrath and smashed the [[Bodyguard of Bolg|bodyguard of Bolg]], ultimately killing [[Bolg]]. The Goblins panicked and scattered, to be picked off by hunting forces from the victors later.<ref name="Return">{{H|Return}}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===

[[Thorin]] had been mortally wounded on the field, and his nephews [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]] died defending him as he lay on the ground with shield and body. Thorin died soon after the battle, after he had met Bilbo one last time and had taken back the harsh words he had spoken before.

After defeating the Goblins and Wargs, the victors divided the treasure. Bard took [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the [[Arkenstone]], whereupon he shared his reward with the [[Master of Lake-town]] and gave the Elvenking [[Thranduil]] the emeralds of [[Girion]]. Bilbo, despite having forfeited his share, was offered a rich reward by [[Dáin Ironfoot]] but refused to take more than two small chests of gold and silver.

It is said that three quarters of the Goblin warriors of the North were killed on that day. The Goblins of the Misty Mountains and the Dwarves both were significantly spent after the battle, and until the [[War of the Ring]], the North remained quiet on both sides.<ref name="Return"/>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In its first versions, the conflict around Erebor ended after the Siege. While Bard and the Elvenking laid siege, Gandalf would arrive and negotiate a peace treaty. The actual Battle, dubbed by [[John D. Rateliff]] the "Battle of Anduin Vale", would be on the return journey, in what would later be known as the [[Vales of Anduin]]. There, Goblins and Wargs would waylay Bilbo. The Five Armies in this incarnation were the Goblins, the Wargs, the Woodelves, the Woodmen, and [[Beorn|Beorn Medwed]] leading a troop of bears.<ref name=TBo5A">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[John D. Rateliff]] (ed.), ''[[The History of The Hobbit|The History of The Hobbit: Return to Bag-End]]'', pages 713-4</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==

The Battle of the Five Armies was a five way battle between the five Armies: the Dwarves of Erebor, Elves of Mirkwood, Men of Dale (along with the Wizard Gandalf, the Hobbit Bilbo, the skin-changer Beorn and the Eagles of Manwë) versus the two Orc armies of Dol Guldur and Gundabad.
The battle was the first conflict in the War of the Ring.
==Prelude==
==Quest of Erebor==
In TA 2940, Gandalf intercepted a message promising payment for the head of Thorin Oakenshield. This aroused his suspicion of rising darkness and he intercepted the Dwarf exilarch and hatched the idea of the Quest of Erebor.
The wizard claimed to Thorin that such darker minds could turn towards Erebor, possibly sway the dragon, who took it from Thorin's people, to their side and maybe use the location and riches of the Mountain itself to their advantage.
Unable to muster a great enough army without the support of all seven Dwarf kingdoms, Thorin assembled twelve of his compatriots to undergo a quest to retrieve the Arkenstone from the dragon. With it, he could command all seven armies against the dragon Smaug. Gandalf suggested Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, as a burglar to sneak past Smaug and take the stone and the Quest was under way.

Unknown to Gandalf, a Necromancer had settled in Dol Guldur. This sorcerer was in league with Azog (who set the price on Thorin's head) and with Smaug, and intended to stop the quest at all costs, sending Azog to hunt the company. Gandalf later uncovered the Necromancer as a returned Sauron, but not before the Dark Lord sent out his secret army under Azog to secure the Mountain. It was his intention to use Smaug in the War of the Ring, as well as to use the Mountain to secure the Lands of Angmar and use them to harass the Northern kingdoms of Middle Earth.

Meanwhile, the company awoke Smaug and failed to slay him in the forges. The dragon, mistaking Bilbo for a man of Lake-town, went out to burn the city in revenge.
==Destruction of Lake-town==
As he burnt the city, Smaug was confronted by Bard, a descendant of Dale (itself conflagerated by the dragon) wielding the Black Arrow which would penetrate the dragon's weak-spot.
Smaug was slain, but the town of Lake-town was burnt and the survivors led by Bard had to resettle, choosing the ruins of Dale.
==Siege of Erebor==
The company was reunited, but Thorin's grief and failure led him to spiral into madness. Blinded by greed and consumed by the dragon's curse, he refused to share his treasure with the Lake-town refugees to help alleviate their hardships. Instead, the Elvenking Thranduil came to their support, seeking to reclaim his own heirlooms: The White Gems of Lasgalen from Thorin's hoard.
Seeing that Thorin is beyond reason, the Elves and Men assembled an army to besiege the Dwarves inside Erebor until Thorin relinquishes some of his gold. The Dwarf, however, sent Roac the Raven to call upon Dain Ironfoot from the nearby Iron Hills. Thranduil was so bent on reclaiming the gems that he ignored Gandalf's warnings of the approaching of the Dol Guldur army. Unbeknownst to any of them, Azog's army was marching in secret through Rhun using tunnels dug by Wereworms, while Bolg mustered yet another army from Gundabad.

As the siege was underway, Dain arrived at the head of a Dwarven army, and the warring parties came to blows just as the Dol Guldur Army arrived.
==The Battle==
==Skirmish at the Gates of Erebor==
Thranduil relented and sent his Elven soldiers to join the fight against the Orcs
Azog's army engaged the Dwarves, but not before Thranduil relented to assist them. Azog then deployed Trolls, before Thranduil's volley killed some, allowing the Dwarven chariots to cut through the Orc lines. Ogres were then used to rush the chariots.

Dáin was pushed back to the side of the Mountain with heavy loses. Meanwhile, Thorin - who refused to join the fight - was confronted by Dwalin and eventually snapped out of his dragon sickness. He led the company out of the Mountain and rallied the Dwarven army to an assault which broke through Azog's lines.

Thorin decided to lead an assault towards Azog's command tower in Ravenhill. Dwalin, Balin, Fíli and Kíli commandeered a Dwarven war chariot, following Thorin through the frozen channel of the River Running. Azog, intending the entire battle as a trap for Thorin, tried to stop his friends from reaching him, sending ogres, a Troll and Wargs after them. Bofur, astride a Troll, managed to help them against the Troll, but the Wargs forced Dwalin, Fili and Kili to take the mounts and leave Balin behind to fend off his foes while they went to Ravenhill.
Meanwhile, the ax in Bifur's head was struck to the head of one of his Orc foes. Bofur and Bombur helped throw the Orc off, dislodging the ax from Bifur's head, which instantly mended his speech problems.
==Siege of Dale==

To force his adversaries to split forces, Azog had Dale attacked, forcing Bard to draw his forces into the city to defend the women and children. Gandalf and Bilbo went to fight with him, leaving the Elves and Dwarves to fight in the field.
Bard saved his children and ordered them to evacuate the women, children and wounded to the Great Hall. However, Hilda Bianca rallied the women to rejoin the battle. They took up weapons and decided that if they live with their men, then they'll die with them. Hilda discovered that Alfrid was hiding with them and called him a coward and a weasel before the women left to fight with their men.

Thranduil led his forces into the city, but his mount was slain. He would later order a retreat after seeing most of his fallen brothers. However he has confronted by his son Legolas and by Tauriel.
Dale's siege ended with the men victorious.
==Skirmish at Ravenhill==

Thorin, Fili, Kili and Dwalin arrived at Ravenhill just as Tauriel and Legolas broke news to Gandalf of the approach of the Gundabad Army. Bilbo used the Ring to go and warn the Dwarves off of the trap, and Tauriel went with Legolas, after Thranduil was unmoved to go help them.

Azog feigned a retreat, which drew Fili and Kili into the ruins of Ravenhill. When Bilbo arrived, Thorin realized the trap but before Dwalin could fetch back Fili and Kili, the former was caught by Azog and executed before his brother and uncle. Kili chased Azog and Thorin went after him. Dwalin also started to give chase before he went back, helping Bilbo fend off the Gundabad berserkers led by Bolg.

Legolas and Tauriel arrived, with Legolas latching unto the Bats of Dol Guldur brought from Gundabad, and dispatching a force going up Ravenhill to corner the Dwarves. He then settled on a sentry over the frozen waterfall.

Thorin engaged Azog before the pale Orc retreated again, and had the Berserkers menace Thorin, pushing him to the edge of the frozen waterfall and breaking his sword. Legolas aided him with his bow.

Meanwhile, Tauriel was menaced by Bolg as she looked for Kili. The dwarf came to save her, but was killed by Bolg. Enraged, the elf lunged at the Orc and threw herself with him over the precipice to the slopes besides the waterfall. The Orc was not killed, however, and Legolas had to tip a tower across the gorge to get to Bolg and fend him off.

Overhead, Thorin threw one of the Berserkers, which loosened Bolg's balance. To return the favor, Legolas threw Orcrist, which plunged into an Orc about to deliver a killing blow to Thorin. With his sword returned to him Legolas then dispatched Bolg with his knives.

Thorin engaged Azog with his returned sword, letting the Orc use his flail to crack the ice all about them. Distracted by the arrival of the Eagles and Beorn, who dispatched the approaching Gundabad Army, Azog didn't notice that he was now standing on a circle of ice. As Thorin stepped off, the ice tipped and the Orc slipped and fell under.

He burst from the ice however, not before stabbing Thorin in the foot, and standing over the Dwarf he drew his blade arm towards him. Thorin released Orcrist, allowing Azog to deal him a mortal wound, but giving himself the leverage to thrust back at Azog, killing him. Below, he witnessed the Dol Guldur army dispersed and routed before the Dwarf expired.

==Aftermath==

With their commanders dead, their back-up forces gone and Allied reinforcements closing in, the Guldur-Gundabad forces were now trapped in the Erebor valley between three armies with no way out. The allied armies pressed home their advantage and commenced a terrible slaughter of Sauron's forces that lasted for countless hours while only a bare few managed to escape back into the tunnels from whence they came. They left behind tens of thousands of corpses and left the battered but victorious Allied forces in complete control of Erebor and Dale. Helpless to interfere, Sauron abandoned his conquest of Erebor and retreated into himself within Mordor to bide his time.

The Allied victory had however come with a terrible price; the Allied forces had suffered heavy losses including the loss of the Dwarven king Thorin Oakenshield.

In the wake of the battle, a funeral was held for Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli and Kíli, with members of Thorin and Company, Beorn and Radagast in attendance while those in the city of Dale honored those who had fallen in Battle. The mountain was garrisoned by the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and portions of its wealth were distributed to various parties like the Men of the Lake, who set up permanent residence in Dale and elected Bard as the new Lord of Dale.

The Elves of Mirkwood stayed just a short time to receive their share of the treasure before returning to their forest homeland. With Thorin and his immediate family members dead, Dain succeeded him as King under the Mountain. His job done, Bilbo Baggins parted ways with the Company and returned home to the Shire with Gandalf with his secret magic ring always close at hand.

Repopulated with Dwarvish colonists from each of the seven Dwarf kingdoms, Erebor was soon restored to its former glory and flourished once more, as did its neighbor-city Dale. In time, Erebor retook its place as the most powerful Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth.
However the people of Dale, Erebor and Mirkwood banded together in the late Third Age during the War of the Ring
{{references}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[de:Schlacht der Fünf Heere]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:3a:guerres:bataille_des_cinq_armees]]
[[fi:Viiden Armeijan Taistelu]]

Battle of Five Armies

2021-11-08T09:27:33Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{Countdown}}
{{disambig-more|Battle of Five Armies|[[Battle of Five Armies (disambiguation)]]}}
{{battle
|image=[[File:Matt Stewart - The Battle Under the Mountain.jpg|300px]]|
name=Battle of Five Armies
|conflict=
|date="the last week of autumn" in {{TA|2941}}<ref>{{H|11}}</ref>
|place=The valley of [[Dale]] and the slopes of [[Erebor]]
|result=Victory for the [[Elves of Mirkwood|Elves]], [[Lake-men|Men]], and [[Durin's Folk|Dwarves]]
*Death of [[Thorin II Oakenshield]]
*[[Dáin II Ironfoot]] becomes [[King under the Mountain]]
*[[Bard]] becomes [[King of Dale]] soon after
*[[Esgaroth]] rebuilt soon after
*[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] become diminished
|side1=
[[Elves of Mirkwood]]
 [[Lake-men]]
 [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]]
 [[Thorin and Company]]
 [[Eagles]]
|side2=
[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Orcs of the Mountains]]
 [[Wargs]]
 [[Bats]]
|commanders1=
[[Gandalf]]
 [[Thranduil]]
 [[Bard the Bowman]]
 [[Thorin II Oakenshield]] †
 [[Dáin Ironfoot]]
 [[Gwaihir]]
|commanders2=
[[Bolg]] †
|forces1=
Unknown, except for:
*Over 1,000 Elf spearmen and several hundred more archers<ref>{{H|17}}</ref>
*Over 500 [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]]<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref>
*[[Thorin and Company|Thorin's 12 Dwarf companions]]
|forces2=Unknown, except for "A vast host"
|casual1=Unknown
|casual2=Heavy: "three parts of the goblin warriors of the North perished"<ref>{{H|18}}</ref>
}}

The '''Battle of Five Armies''' was an important battle waged in {{TA|2941}}.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> The five warring parties were the [[Orcs#Goblins|Goblins]] and the [[Wargs]] against [[Men]], [[Elves]] and [[Dwarves]] on and near the [[Lonely Mountain]].

==History==
=== Prelude ===
Thorin and Company, including the "master-thief" [[Bilbo Baggins]] trying to recapture the heirloom of their fathers' (and possibly to kill Smaug, too, and thus to recapture the whole Kingdom) had camped without at [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] for some weeks. Bilbo had already done some exploration of the old hallways using the [[Back Door]] and had stolen a golden cup from the treasure. By this deed and by Bilbo's bold speech Smaug's anger was kindled.

Erroneously believing, due to some remarks Bilbo had made during his conversation with Smaug,<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref> that some scheme of the Men of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]] was the reason for the Dwarves' (and Bilbo's) presence, Smaug flew to Esgaroth to show them who is "the true [[King under the Mountain]]".<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref> Smaug's fires burned down the whole town, but the dragon was killed by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]]. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] soon learned that Smaug had been killed and thus set forth to claim the treasure, believing there was no one left who had a claim on it. Having heard of the disaster that had struck the befriended men, the Elven host turned aside to offer any help that could be provided. Some day after the Elves had arrived at the [[Long Lake]] a united host of Men and Elves set forth towards Erebor, believing that the Dwarves had been among the first casualties of Smaug's wrath. To their surprise they found Thorin and Company quite alive, the gate to the halls beneath Erebor barred by a wall and themselves treated as foes, coming armed towards the gates.<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref>

For several reasons Bard, being heir of [[Girion]], Lord of [[Dale]], claimed one twelfth of the treasure: first, he was the dragonslayer and without him, the Dwarves could never have reclaimed their old home. Second, a great deal of Dale's treasure had been robbed by Smaug and thus belonged rightfully to Bard and not the Dwarves. Third, the men of Esgaroth had helped the Dwarves on their journey and now had suffered severely; their whole city burned to the ground and their stocks being destroyed by Smaug, whose anger in the end was only risen by the Dwarves alone. Therefore they demanded compensation and Bard intended to pay it from the part of the treasure he claimed.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

Yet Thorin rebuked these claims. He would not fulfill any of the conditions as long as an armoured Elven host camped near Erebor. For the Elves did not have any claims on the treasure and Thorin himself had been imprisoned by the Elves.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

As a result, [[Thorin and Company]] were trapped in a bloodless siege, with [[Thranduil]] and Bard hoping to wait him out.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref> However, Thorin had sent messages of his plight to his relatives using as messengers talking [[Ravens]] that lived on the Lonely Mountain. These reached [[Dáin Ironfoot]] of the nearby Iron Hills, and he marched to Erebor with 500 heavily armed [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]], most of them skilled veterans of the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref>. When Dain's forces arrived, battle was almost joined between the two sides (now ''three'' armies were on the field) but at the last moment [[Gandalf]] intervened between the two and revealed that while they were bickering amongst themselves, the Goblins of the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] under [[Bolg]] were using the opportunity to march against them. They had been incited by Gandalf's earlier slaying of the [[Great Goblin]], but had now mobilized for a full-scale attack after hearing news of the death of the Dragon and the now relatively unguarded treasure hoard.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

=== The Battle ===
The three commanders agreed that the Goblins and Wargs were the enemies of all and previous grievances between them were put on hold in face of the greater threat. They arranged their forces on the two spurs of the Mountain that lined the valley leading to the now-sealed off great [[Front Gate|Gate of Erebor]]; the only entrance to the Mountain that remained unblocked (any others had been destroyed by Smaug long before). The 500 Dwarves and 200 or so Lake-men formed up on one spur and over 1000 Elves on the other, while a light rear-guard lined across the mouth of the valley to lure the Goblins between the two spurs of the mountain, and thus destroy them. [[Bilbo Baggins]] tried to sit out the battle on [[Ravenhill]] which was held by the Elves and where also Gandalf had withdrawn to.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

[[File:Joona Kujanen - Battle of Five Armies - Men of Esgaroth.jpg|300px|thumb|left|'''Battle of Five Armies: Men of Esgaroth''' by Joona Kujanen.]]Soon the Goblins and Wargs arrived, and at first the plan worked: they were lured into the chokepoint and took heavy losses. However, due to their superior numbers, the allied Free peoples did not hold the advantage long. The second wave was even worse than the first, and due to their sheer number now many Goblins scaled the mountain from the opposite side, and began to attack the arrayed forces from above and behind, as the main wave pressed forward. The battle raged across the Mountain, and then a great noise was heard: Thorin and his 12 Dwarf companions inside the mountain had thrown down a section of the stone wall they had erected across the mouth of the gates, killing many Goblins. Thorin and Company emerged, covered in the best armour and armed with the best weapons in Erebor. Then Thorin cried, "''Rally to me my kinsfolk''," and charged down into the valley to join the battle with many Dwarves and many Men and Elves joining them. Thorin advanced through the Goblins' ranks all the way up to the gigantic Goblins that formed the Bodyguard of Bolg, but could not get past them. Also his battle-line was too short, the flanks unprotected and thus his attack soon crumbled, Thorin and many others were cut off and hard beset by Bolg's [[Bodyguard of Bolg|bodyguard]]. The battle degenerated into a chaotic close quarters melee, no quarter asked or given.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

As the battle was turning fully against the Free Folk, a large army of Giant [[Eagles]] of the Misty Mountains arrived, led by the [[Great Eagle]]. Bilbo was the first to spot their entrance on the scene and began shouting that "the Eagles are coming!", a shout that was then continued among the other troops of the Free Folk. At this point Bilbo was knocked in the head by a large stone thrown by a Goblin from above on the Mountain, and he was knocked out.<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref> With the support of the Giant Eagles, the Goblins that had scaled Erebor were driven off. The tide was eventually turned, when [[Beorn]] himself arrived at the battle, apparently having heard news that a large army of Goblins were on the move. This time he did not appear in his former shape of a giant Man, but in that of a gigantic Bear. Beorn drove through the Goblin lines, but paused to carry the wounded Thorin out of the battle with his paw. Beorn then returned to the battle with even greater wrath and smashed the [[Bodyguard of Bolg|bodyguard of Bolg]], ultimately killing [[Bolg]]. The Goblins panicked and scattered, to be picked off by hunting forces from the victors later.<ref name="Return">{{H|Return}}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===

[[Thorin]] had been mortally wounded on the field, and his nephews [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]] died defending him as he lay on the ground with shield and body. Thorin died soon after the battle, after he had met Bilbo one last time and had taken back the harsh words he had spoken before.

After defeating the Goblins and Wargs, the victors divided the treasure. Bard took [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the [[Arkenstone]], whereupon he shared his reward with the [[Master of Lake-town]] and gave the Elvenking [[Thranduil]] the emeralds of [[Girion]]. Bilbo, despite having forfeited his share, was offered a rich reward by [[Dáin Ironfoot]] but refused to take more than two small chests of gold and silver.

It is said that three quarters of the Goblin warriors of the North were killed on that day. The Goblins of the Misty Mountains and the Dwarves both were significantly spent after the battle, and until the [[War of the Ring]], the North remained quiet on both sides.<ref name="Return"/>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In its first versions, the conflict around Erebor ended after the Siege. While Bard and the Elvenking laid siege, Gandalf would arrive and negotiate a peace treaty. The actual Battle, dubbed by [[John D. Rateliff]] the "Battle of Anduin Vale", would be on the return journey, in what would later be known as the [[Vales of Anduin]]. There, Goblins and Wargs would waylay Bilbo. The Five Armies in this incarnation were the Goblins, the Wargs, the Woodelves, the Woodmen, and [[Beorn|Beorn Medwed]] leading a troop of bears.<ref name=TBo5A">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[John D. Rateliff]] (ed.), ''[[The History of The Hobbit|The History of The Hobbit: Return to Bag-End]]'', pages 713-4</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==

The Battle of the Five Armies was a five way battle between the five Armies: the Dwarves of Erebor, Elves of Mirkwood, Men of Dale (along with the Wizard Gandalf, the Hobbit Bilbo, the skin-changer Beorn and the Eagles of Manwë) versus the two Orc armies of Dol Guldur and Gundabad.
The battle was the first conflict in the War of the Ring.
PreludeQuest of Erebor
Gandalf urges Thorin to reclaim Erebor
In TA 2940, Gandalf intercepted a message promising payment for the head of Thorin Oakenshield. This aroused his suspicion of rising darkness and he intercepted the Dwarf exilarch and hatched the idea of the Quest of Erebor.
Gandalf worried about Erebor's fate because of it's riches and position
Gandalf worried that Smaug may join with the Enemy, being used to devastating effects
The wizard claimed to Thorin that such darker minds could turn towards Erebor, possibly sway the dragon, who took it from Thorin's people, to their side and maybe use the location and riches of the Mountain itself to their advantage.
Unable to muster a great enough army without the support of all seven Dwarf kingdoms, Thorin assembled twelve of his compatriots to undergo a quest to retrieve the Arkenstone from the dragon. With it, he could command all seven armies against the dragon Smaug. Gandalf suggested Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, as a burglar to sneak past Smaug and take the stone and the Quest was under way.
Sauron planned on conquering Erebor to re-establish the kingdom of Angmar
Sauron sent out his marshaled army to Erebor to claim it from the Dwarves
Unknown to Gandalf, a Necromancer had settled in Dol Guldur. This sorcerer was in league with Azog (who set the price on Thorin's head) and with Smaug, and intended to stop the quest at all costs, sending Azog to hunt the company. Gandalf later uncovered the Necromancer as a returned Sauron, but not before the Dark Lord sent out his secret army under Azog to secure the Mountain. It was his intention to use Smaug in the War of the Ring, as well as to use the Mountain to secure the Lands of Angmar and use them to harass the Northern kingdoms of Middle Earth.
An enraged Smaug flies to Lake-town to destroy it
Meanwhile, the company awoke Smaug and failed to slay him in the forges. The dragon, mistaking Bilbo for a man of Lake-town, went out to burn the city in revenge.
Destruction of Lake-town
Smaug confronted by Bard
As he burnt the city, Smaug was confronted by Bard, a descendant of Dale (itself conflagerated by the dragon) wielding the Black Arrow which would penetrate the dragon's weak-spot.
The survivors of Lake-town resettled in Dale after their home was destroyed
Smaug was slain, but the town of Lake-town was burnt and the survivors led by Bard had to resettle, choosing the ruins of Dale.
Siege of Erebor
Thranduil came with his own army to Dale to claim his own heirlooms
The company was reunited, but Thorin's grief and failure led him to spiral into madness. Blinded by greed and consumed by the dragon's curse, he refused to share his treasure with the Lake-town refugees to help alleviate their hardships. Instead, the Elvenking Thranduil came to their support, seeking to reclaim his own heirlooms: The White Gems of Lasgalen from Thorin's hoard.
The Elves and the Men of Lake-town demand remunerations from Thorin's hoard
Seeing that Thorin is beyond reason, the Elves and Men assembled an army to besiege the Dwarves inside Erebor until Thorin relinquishes some of his gold. The Dwarf, however, sent Roac the Raven to call upon Dain Ironfoot from the nearby Iron Hills. Thranduil was so bent on reclaiming the gems that he ignored Gandalf's warnings of the approaching of the Dol Guldur army. Unbeknowst to any of them, Azog's army was marching in secret through Rhun using tunnels dug by Wereworms, while Bolg mustered yet another army from Gundabad.
Dain, the Dwarf Lord of the Iron Hills, arrives to aid Thorin with his army
As the siege was underway, Dain arrived at the head of a Dwarven army, and the warring parties came to blows just as the Dol Guldur Army arrived.
The BattleSkirmish at the Gates of Erebor
Thranduil relented and sent his Elven soldiers to join the fight against the Orcs
Azog's army engaged the Dwarves, but not before Thranduil relented to assist them. Azog then deployed Trolls, before Thranduil's volley killed some, allowing the Dwarven chariots to cut through the Orc lines. Ogres were then used to rush the chariots.
Thorin and Company blast out of Erebor to join the battle
Dáin was pushed back to the side of the Mountain with heavy loses. Meanwhile, Thorin - who refused to join the fight - was confronted by Dwalin and eventually snapped out of his dragon sickness. He led the company out of the Mountain and rallied the Dwarven army to an assault which broke through Azog's lines.
The Dwarves ride to Ravenhill to kill Azog
Balin fends off the Guldur Wargs
Thorin decided to lead an assault towards Azog's command tower in Ravenhill. Dwalin, Balin, Fíli and Kíli commandeered a Dwarven war chariot, following Thorin through the frozen channel of the River Running. Azog, intending the entire battle as a trap for Thorin, tried to stop his friends from reaching him, sending ogres, a Troll and Wargs after them. Bofur, astride a Troll, managed to help them against the Troll, but the Wargs forced Dwalin, Fili and Kili to take the mounts and leave Balin behind to fend off his foes while they went to Ravenhill.
Meanwhile, the ax in Bifur's head was struck to the head of one of his Orc foes. Bofur and Bombur helped throw the Orc off, dislodging the ax from Bifur's head, which instantly mended his speech problems.
Siege of Dale
The Orcs attack Dale
To force his adversaries to split forces, Azog had Dale attacked, forcing Bard to draw his forces into the city to defend the women and children. Gandalf and Bilbo went to fight with him, leaving the Elves and Dwarves to fight in the field.
Bard saved his children and ordered them to evacuate the women, children and wounded to the Great Hall. However, Hilda Bianca rallied the women to rejoin the battle. They took up weapons and decided that if they live with their men, then they'll die with them. Hilda discovered that Alfrid was hiding with them and called him a coward and a weasel before the women left to fight with their men.
Thranduil orders a retreat after seeing most of his fallen brothers
Thranduil led his forces into the city, but his mount was slain. He would later order a retreat after seeing most of his fallen brothers. However he has confronted by his son Legolas and by Tauriel.
Dale's siege ended with the men victorious.
Skirmish at Ravenhill
Legolas arrives after witnessing the Gundabad Army's approach
Thorin, Fili, Kili and Dwalin arrived at Ravenhill just as Tauriel and Legolas broke news to Gandalf of the approach of the Gundabad Army. Bilbo used the Ring to go and warn the Dwarves off of the trap, and Tauriel went with Legolas, after Thranduil was unmoved to go help them.
Bolg leads the Gundabad Berserkers into Ravenhill
Azog feigned a retreat, which drew Fili and Kili into the ruins of Ravenhill. When Bilbo arrived, Thorin realized the trap but before Dwalin could fetch back Fili and Kili, the former was caught by Azog and executed before his brother and uncle. Kili chased Azog and Thorin went after him. Dwalin also started to give chase before he went back, helping Bilbo fend off the Gundabad berserkers led by Bolg.
Legolas killed an Orc platoon, latched onto a Gundabad Bat
Legolas and Tauriel arrived, with Legolas latching unto the Bats of Dol Guldur brought from Gundabad, and dispatching a force going up Ravenhill to corner the Dwarves. He then settled on a sentry over the frozen waterfall.
Azog sends the Berserkers after Thorin
Thorin engaged Azog before the pale Orc retreated again, and had the Berserkers menace Thorin, pushing him to the edge of the frozen waterfall and breaking his sword. Legolas aided him with his bow.
Legolas sends a Troll to collide with a tower to fend off Bolg
Meanwhile, Tauriel was menaced by Bolg as she looked for Kili. The dwarf came to save her, but was killed by Bolg. Enraged, the elf lunged at the Orc and threw herself with him over the precipice to the slopes besides the waterfall. The Orc was not killed, however, and Legolas had to tip a tower across the gorge to get to Bolg and fend him off.
Thorin gets Orcrist back
Legolas duels Bolg, dispatching him with his knives
Overhead, Thorin threw one of the berserkers, which loosened Bolg's balance. To return the favor, Legolas threw Orcrist, which plunged into an Orc about to deliver a killing blow to Thorin. With his sword returned to him Legolas then dispatched Bolg with his knives.
The Eagles destroy the Gundabad Orc army
Thorin engaged Azog with his returned sword, letting the Orc use his flail to crack the ice all about them. Distracted by the arrival of the Eagles and Beorn, who dispatched the approaching Gundabad Army, Azog didn't notice that he was now standing on a circle of ice. As Thorin stepped off, the ice tipped and the Orc slipped and fell under.
Azog is killed by Thorin
He burst from the ice however, not before stabbing Thorin in the foot, and standing over the Dwarf he drew his blade arm towards him. Thorin released Orcrist, allowing Azog to deal him a mortal wound, but giving himself the leverage to thrust back at Azog, killing him. Below, he witnessed the Dol Guldur army dispersed and routed before the Dwarf expired.
Aftermath
Thorin overseeing that the Orc army bring completely wiped out.
Sauron fled into Mordor, abandoning his conquest of Erebor to bide time
With their commanders dead, their back-up forces gone and Allied reinforcements closing in, the Guldur-Gundabad forces were now trapped in the Erebor valley between three armies with no way out. The allied armies pressed home their advantage and commenced a terrible slaughter of Sauron's forces that lasted for countless hours while only a bare few managed to escape back into the tunnels from whence they came. They left behind tens of thousands of corpses and left the battered but victorious Allied forces in complete control of Erebor and Dale. Helpless to interfere, Sauron abandoned his conquest of Erebor and retreated into himself within Mordor to bide his time.
The Free Peoples' victory came at the price of Thorin Oakenshield's life
The Allied victory had however come with a terrible price; the Allied forces had suffered heavy losses including the loss of the Dwarven king Thorin Oakenshield.
Dàin Ironfoot succeeds Thorin as King under the Mountain.
A funeral was held in Thorin Oakenshield's honor
In the wake of the battle, a funeral was held for Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli and Kíli, with members of Thorin and Company, Beorn and Radagast in attendance while those in the city of Dale honored those who had fallen in Battle. The mountain was garrisoned by the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and portions of its wealth were distributed to various parties like the Men of the Lake, who set up permanent residence in Dale and elected Bard as the new Lord of Dale.
The Elves of Mirkwood stayed for a while to receive their share of the treasure.
Bilbo would leave the Company after his job was done, keeping the Ring as a trophy
The Elves of Mirkwood stayed just a short time to receive their share of the treasure before returning to their forest homeland. With Thorin and his immediate family members dead, Dain succeeded him as King under the Mountain. His job done, Bilbo Baggins parted ways with the Company and returned home to the Shire with Gandalf with his secret magic ring always close at hand.
Erebor was restored and became the greatest Dwarf kingdom of Middle-earth
Repopulated with Dwarvish colonists from each of the seven Dwarf kingdoms, Erebor was soon restored to its former glory and flourished once more, as did its neighbor-city Dale. In time, Erebor retook its place as the most powerful Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth.
However the people of Dale, Erebor and Mirkwood banded together in the late Third Age during the War of the Ring
{{references}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[de:Schlacht der Fünf Heere]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:3a:guerres:bataille_des_cinq_armees]]
[[fi:Viiden Armeijan Taistelu]]

Mordor

2021-11-08T09:25:01Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{disambig-more|Mordor|[[Mordor (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Mordor
| pronun=
| othernames=Dark Land, ''Nargûn'' ([[Khuzdul|K]])
| location=Within [[Ered Lithui]] and [[Ephel Dúath]]
| capital=[[Barad-dûr]]
| towns=[[Minas Morgul]], [[Carchost]], [[Narchost]], [[Tower of Cirith Ungol|Cirith Ungol]], [[Durthang]]
| regions=[[Nurn]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth|Gorgoroth]], [[Lithlad]], [[Udûn (valley)|Udûn]]
| population=[[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Nazgûl]], [[Men]], other creatures of Evil
| language=[[Westron]], [[Black Speech]], [[Orkish]]
| govern1=[[Gondor]] (until the Great Plague) [[Sauron]] later ruled by his freed slaves
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Established
| event1date=c. {{SA|1000}}
| event2=Defeated
| event2date={{SA|3441}}
| event3=Nazgûl return
| event3date={{TA|1980}}
| event4=Sauron returns
| event4date={{TA|2941}}
| event5=Defeated
| event5date={{TA|3019}}
| followedby=
}}
{{quote|In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.|[[Ring Verse]]}}
'''Mordor''' was a land in the south-east of the [[Westlands]] east of [[Gondor]]. During most of the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s it was ruled by [[Sauron]] and it was his dwelling and base from which he attempted to conquer [[Middle-earth]].

Mordor was surrounded by three enormous mountain ridges from the North, from the West and from the South, protecting it from an unexpected invasion by any of the [[Free peoples]].

Only a few times in history did the free peoples have anything to do with Mordor; the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] broke into the land to fight Sauron, and millennia later [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] infiltrated that land to destroy [[the One Ring]].

== Geography ==
Mordor was protected from three sides by mountain ranges, arranged roughly rectangularly: [[Ered Lithui]] in the north, and [[Ephel Dúath]] in the west until turned to the east, forming a southern range. A narrow pass led through Ephel Dúath and the city of [[Minas Morgul]] (earlier [[Minas Ithil]]) was guarding that; an even more difficult pass was guarded by the giant spider [[Shelob]] and the fortress of [[Cirith Ungol]]. Another known fortress was [[Durthang]] in northern Ephel Dúath.

In the north-west corner of Mordor the deep valley of [[Udûn (valley)|Udûn]] was the only entrance for large armies, and that is where Sauron built the Black Gate of Mordor. In front of the [[Morannon]] lay the [[Dagorlad]]. Sauron's main fortress [[Barad-dûr]] was at the foothills of [[Ered Lithui]]. To south-west of Barad-dûr lay the arid [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]] and the volcanic [[Mount Doom]] (also called [[Orodruin]]); to the east lay the plain of [[Lithlad]]. The land in the western parts of Mordor were largely infertile, producing only sparse [[Brambles of Mordor|brambles]].

The southern part of Mordor, [[Nurn]], was slighly more fertile, and moist enough to carry the inland [[sea of Núrnen]]. Nurn was made somewhat fertile because the ash blown from Mount Doom left its soil nutrient rich, thus allowing dry-land farming. Unfortunately, the inland sea of Núrn was salty, not freshwater.

To the west of Mordor was the narrow land of [[Ithilien]] with the great river [[Anduin]], to the east [[Rhûn]], and to the south-east, [[Khand]].

== History ==
=== Early history ===
[[Melkor]] created Mount Doom in the [[First Age]], and the name "Mordor" may have been given to the land before Sauron settled there because of its eruptions.<ref>{{PM|Last}}, p. 390 (note 14).</ref> Also in the First Age, the [[Drúedain]] migrated westward, and historians in Gondor believed that they came through lands south of Mordor and, after turning northward into [[Ithilien]], became the first Men to cross the [[Anduin]].<ref>{{UT|12b}}, pp. 339-340.</ref>

The first being known to occupy the mountains of Mordor was [[Shelob]], fleeing from the [[War of Wrath]] in [[Beleriand]] at the end of the First Age. She fed herself on [[Elves]] and [[Men]] living or passing nearby until these became scarce.<ref>{{TT|Lair}}</ref>

Sauron settled in Mordor around {{SA|1000}}. In the north-western corner of this land stood Mount Doom, where he had forged [[the One Ring]]. Near Orodruin he built his stronghold [[Barad-dûr]]. After this time, Sauron was known as the [[Dark Lord|Dark Lord of Mordor]].

For two and a half thousand years, Sauron ruled Mordor uninterruptedly. It was from Mordor that he [[War of the Elves and Sauron|made war against]] the [[Elves of Eregion]] and came to dominate most of Eriador in a period known as the [[Dark Years]]. That was until he was repelled by the [[High Men]] of [[Númenor]]. Retreating to Mordor, Sauron then directed his power over the far south and east of Mordor conquering and dominating the savage tribes of the [[Easterlings]] and the [[Haradrim]].<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref> Almost a thousand years later, Sauron was captured by the Númenóreans and brought to their island kingdom, eventually causing its [[Númenor#Destruction|destruction]]. Sauron returned to Mordor as a spirit and resumed his rule.

=== The Last Alliance and Third Age===
Sauron's rule was interrupted yet again when his efforts to overthrow the surviving Men and Elves failed, and they fought their way back to their foe's domain. After several months of siege in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], forces of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] came into Mordor. Sauron was defeated in a final battle and the Dark Tower was leveled to the ground, but Mordor was not settled by Men because of the dreadful memory of Sauron, and Orodruin.<ref name=rings>{{s|V}}</ref>

The [[Kings of Gondor]] built watchtowers and fortresses around Mordor, such as the mountain fortress of [[Durthang]], the [[Towers of the Teeth]] at the [[Morannon]], and the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]], in order to prevent Sauron's servants from returning to Mordor.<ref name=Tower>{{RK|VI1}}</ref>

However, Gondor had failed in the long run; during the [[Great Plague]], the population was so diminished that troops were recalled and the fortresses abandoned.<ref>{{App|South}}</ref><ref>{{App|TA}}, {{TA|1640}}</ref> Deprived of guard, Mordor began to fill with evil things again, and it is said the first shadow was the [[Lord of the Nazgûl]] ({{TA|1980}}) who summoned the other [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], first appearing since the [[War of the Last Alliance]], to prepare the return of Sauron.<ref name=rings/><ref name=ta/> [[Minas Ithil]] was conquered by the Ringwraiths in {{TA|2002}}; other fortifications that were supposed to defend Gondor from the menace inside Mordor were captured and turned into a means of shielding Mordor. Sauron resided in [[Dol Guldur]], until the [[White Council]] [[Attack on Dol Guldur|attacked]] it in {{TA|2941}}, forcing Sauron to flee.

Meanwhile Mordor had been long prepared for him, and declaring himself openly he returned to Mordor in {{TA|2951}}, where he finished reconstructing his Dark Tower.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref><ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> By that time Mordor was protected too well to be captured by any military might that was available to the Free Peoples; in the north of Mordor during the War of the Ring were the great garrisons and forges of war, while surrounding the bitter inland [[Sea of Núrnen]] to the south lay the vast fields tended for the provision of the armies by hordes of slaves brought in from lands to the east and south.

=== War of the Ring ===
During the War of the Ring, Sauron gathered all his forces to Mordor. After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], a Host of the West went to the Black Gate. Sauron sent his army to destroy the Men of Gondor and Rohan, but then [[Frodo Baggins]] destroyed the One Ring and Mordor fell. The Dark Tower, the Black Gate and the Towers of Teeth collapsed to ruin. Mount Doom exploded. Both Sauron and his Ringwraiths were apparently destroyed.

After the ultimate defeat of Sauron, Mordor became mostly empty again as the [[Orcs]] inside it fled or were killed. Crippled by thousands of years of abuse and neglect, but capable of sustaining life, the land of Mordor was given to the defeated foes of Gondor as a consolation, as well as to the freed slaves of Nurn who were formerly forced to farm there to feed the armies of Mordor.

== Etymology ==
The term ''Mordor'' translates to "The Black Land" or "The Dark Land" in [[Sindarin]]. ''[[mor]]'' ("dark, black") + ''[[dôr]]'' ("land").<ref>{{S|Elements}}, entries ''mor'', ''dôr''</ref>

In [[Khuzdul]] there is also the name '''''Nargûn'''''.<ref>{{RS|4XXVN}}, p. 466, note 39</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The first ever reference to Sauron's land is mentioned without a name, in the story of the Fall, written in the 1930s, as an inner land far from the sea, over the mountains. There [[Thû]] had a fortress, and "[[Amroth]]" assailed him.<ref>{{LR|P1II2}}</ref> The name Mordor, the Black Country, appears first time in the second version of that text, along with Elendil and Gil-galad (both of them mentioned first time).<ref>{{LR|P1II3}}</ref>
==Inspiration==
It is not uncommon for names in Tolkien's fiction to have relevant meanings in several languages, both those invented by Tolkien, and "real" ones, but this of course happens with any two languages.

*A proposed etymology is [[Old English]] ''morðor'', which means "mortal sin" and later "murder".
*''Mordor'' is also a name cited in some Nordic mythologies referring to a land where its citizens practice evil without knowing it, imposed on themselves by the society long created for that purpose.

Tolkien is reported to have identified Mordor with the volcano of [[Stromboli]] off Sicily.<ref>[[Clyde S. Kilby]], [[Dick Plotz]] ([[1968]]), "Many Meetings with Tolkien: An Edited Transcript of Remarks at the December 1966 [[Mythopoeic Society|TSA Meeting]]", ''Niekas'' (Niekas Publications, New Hampshire, USA) (19): 39–40 Referred to at tolkienguide.com and by another publication of the Niekas editor. Referred to at [http://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/wordpress/?p=3 tolkienguide.com ] and by [http://efanzines.com/ERM/veh36.htm another publication of the Niekas editor].</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptationss==
Sauron settled in Mordor 1,000 years after the end of the First Age of Middle-earth, and it remained the pivot of his evil contemplation for the rest of the Second Age (and throughout the Third Age). In the northwestern corner of this land, near the volcano Mount Doom (Orodruin), Sauron built his great stronghold Barad-dûr, the Dark Tower. After this time, Sauron was known as the Dark Lord of Mordor.
Sauron had forged the One Ring in secret in his realm of Mordor
The savage Easterlings were dominated by Sauron from Mordor
The fierce Haradrim tribes were coerced into allegiance with Sauron from Mordor
The Last Alliance marched to Mordor to defeat Sauron and his armies
The loss of the One Ring caused Sauron to disintegrate,
In about S.A. 1600 Sauron forged the One Ring in Orodruin. He then set about conquering Middle-earth. In 1697 he launched an attack upon Eriador (a region far to the west of Mordor), and in particular the Elves of Eregion. Initially he conquered most of Eriador, but in S.A. 1700 he was eventually repelled by the Men of Númenor, an island kingdom far to the west of Middle-earth. Sauron returned to Mordor, which continued to dominate the surrounding lands. Retreating to Mordor, Sauron then directed his power over the far south and east of Mordor conquering and dominating the savage tribes of the Easterlings and the Haradrim.
In TA 2940, Sauron settled in Dol Guldur under the pseudonym of the Necromancer, intending to reclaim the lands of Angmar to attack the realms of Rhovanion and Eriador before he returns to Mordor to assail Gondor and Rohan. However, the White Council attacked it in TA 2941 and Galadriel banished Sauron. He fled into the East, evading Saruman, before returning to Mordor in TA 2951. Barad Dur was rebuilt in TA 3001. By that time Mordor was protected too well to be captured by any military might that was available to the Free Peoples; in the north of Mordor during the War of the Ring were the great garrisons and forges of war, while surrounding the bitter inland Sea of Núrnen to the south lay the vast fields tended for the provision of the armies by hordes of slaves brought in from lands to the east and south.

==See also==
* [[Sauron]]
* [[Barad-dûr]]
* [[Orodruin]]
* [[Black Gate]]

{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Mordor| ]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]

[[de:Mordor]]
[[fi:Mordor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/mordor]]

Gondor

2021-11-08T06:52:02Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Abe Papakhian - Minas Tirith.jpg|250px]]
| name=Gondor
| pronun=
| othernames=Kingdom of the South, The South-kingdom, Stoningland
| location=Lands around the [[White Mountains]], west of [[Mordor]]
| capital=[[Osgiliath]] ({{SA|3320}} - {{TA|1640}}) [[Minas Tirith]] (from {{TA|1640}})
| towns=[[Pelargir]], [[Calembel]], [[Dol Amroth]], [[Erech]], [[Linhir]] Formerly: [[Minas Morgul|Minas Ithil]]
| regions=[[Anórien]], [[Ithilien]], [[Lossarnach]], [[Lebennin]], [[Harondor]] (contested), [[Belfalas]], [[Lamedon]], [[Anfalas]], [[Enedwaith]] (shared with [[Arnor]]) Formerly: [[Calenardhon]]
| population=Primarily [[Gondorians]] ([[Belfalas]] was inhabited by [[Elves]] for some time)
| language=[[Westron]], [[Númenórean Sindarin]], [[Quenya]]
| govern1=[[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]/[[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]]
| govern2=Later [[Ruling Steward]]
| govern3=[[Council of Gondor]]
| currency=[[tharni]], [[castar]]
| holiday=[[Cormarë]] (Fourth Age)
| precededby=[[Númenor]]
| event1=Founded
| event1date={{SA|3320}}
| event2=Independence
| event2date={{TA|2}}
| event3=First [[Ruling Steward]]
| event3date={{TA|2050}}
| event4=[[Rohan]] formed
| event4date={{TA|2510}}
| event5=Kings return
| event5date=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}}
| followedby=[[Reunited Kingdom]]
}}
<center>{{quote|Gondor! Gondor, between the Mountains and the Sea! West Wind blew there; light upon the Silver Tree...|[[Aragorn]] in ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Riders of Rohan]]"}}</center>

'''Gondor''', or the '''South-kingdom''', was one of the two [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]] (the other being [[Arnor]] in the north) in the lands about the [[Mouths of Anduin]]. Initially the lesser of the [[Realms in Exile|Realms in-Exile]], Gondor survived to the end of the [[Third Age]], unlike [[Arnor]], and had an instrumental role in the [[War of the Ring]].

== History ==
===Second Age===
==== Foundation ====
After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], the [[Exiles of Númenor]], led by [[Elendil]], established the [[Realms in Exile]] of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. Arriving at the [[Mouths of Anduin]], Elendil's sons, [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]], ascended the great river and founded the realm of Gondor.<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

In [[Númenor]]ean colonies and outposts, such as [[Belfalas]] and [[Pelargir]],<ref name="UTD">{{UT|Druedain}}</ref> there were many [[Faithful]], fully or partially of [[Númenórean]] blood, who descended from [[Númenor]] long before its [[Downfall of Numenor|Downfall]]. The colonists welcomed Elendil's sons and allied themselves with the founders of the [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]].<ref name=rings/><ref name=languages>{{App|Men}}</ref> Elendil made the Faithful nobles (kin of Elendil) who ruled Belfalas "[[Princes of Dol Amroth|Princes]]".<ref name="Cirion">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> There were also many men of mingled blood, descended from the [[Men of the Mountains|Men of]] the [[White Mountains]] during the [[Dark Years]].<ref name="Minas Tirith">{{RK|V1}}</ref>

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The White Tree.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The White Tree'']]

At this early point in its history, Gondor was the lesser of the Kingdoms of the Dúnedain, with their conjoint [[King of Gondor|Kings]] subject to the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]] who ruled [[Arnor]] in the North. After their arrival and acceptance by the people, [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]] put themselves to the task of ordering their realm. Isildur took the area then known as [[Arnen]] (later [[Ithilien]])<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 17</ref> and built the tower of [[Minas Ithil]] near Mordor as a threat to the [[Mordor|Black Land]], and within its walls he planted a seedling of the [[Nimloth of Númenor|White Tree]] of [[Númenor]] that he had taken before its burning. [[Anárion]] raised the tower of [[Minas Anor]] on the other side of [[Anduin]]'s floodplain as a bulwark against the [[Wild Men]]. In between their cities, the brothers founded [[Osgiliath]], their capital, from which they jointly reigned; these three cities also housed three of the [[palantíri]], the Seeing Stones that the [[Faithful]] had taken with them from [[Númenor]], to maintain contact with [[Elendil]] and the other areas under their control.

Extraordinary knowledge of stonework was brought to the South-kingdom from [[Númenor]], and this skill was a vital part of the character of Gondor and its people. In the early years of the realm, the [[Gondorians]] worked to erect mighty cities and monuments throughout their new land.<ref name=rings/> Their original capital at [[Osgiliath]] had great stone bridges spanned the [[Anduin]], as well as mighty houses and towers of stone.<ref name=rings/> Other works marvellous and strong they built in the land in the days of their power, at the [[Argonath]], and at [[Aglarond]], and at [[Erech]]; and at [[Isengard]], they made the [[Orthanc|Pinnacle of Orthanc]] of unbreakable stone.<ref name=rings/> Great roads that ran both north and south of the [[White Mountains]] traversed through the realm.<ref>{{RK|Ride}}</ref>

Gondor was, from the beginnning of its history, always more powerful and populous than its northern counterpart, the [[Arnor]], in spite of its borders being impeded in the South and East.<ref name=Atani>{{PM|Atani}}</ref>

==== War of the Last Alliance ====
{{main|War of the Last Alliance}}
Gondor was at first unaware that [[Sauron]], who had been taken as a prisoner to [[Númenor]] before its destruction, had survived the disastrous [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]]. However, not long after the kingdom's cities were built, the awakening of the fires of [[Orodruin]] signalled his return. At that time, the [[Men of Gondor]] first called the mountain ''[[Amon Amarth]]'', or [[Mount Doom]].<ref>{{App|Numenor}}</ref>

Soon after, in {{SA|3429}}, [[Sauron]] launched an [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|attack on Minas Ithil]], which forced [[Isildur]] into a retreat. Sauron took the fortress and burned the [[White Tree of Gondor]] that had grown there, but Isildur saved one of its seedlings and took it and his family on a ship down the [[Anduin]]. He sailed to the north to confer with [[Elendil]] about these events while [[Anárion]] remained in Gondor and continued to hold [[Minas Anor]] and [[Osgiliath]].<ref>{{App|B1}}</ref> He also managed to push back [[Sauron]]'s forces to the mountain range of [[Ephel Dúath]], but Sauron began to gather reinforcements and the [[Men of Gondor]] knew that their realm was in great danger of being destroyed unless aid came.

[[Elendil]] reacted to the threat of Sauron by combining forces with [[Gil-galad]], the [[High King of the Noldor]], to make the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. Their armies marched south-east from [[Arnor]] and [[Lindon]]. Supported by the forces of Gondor, [[Lórinand]], the [[Woodland Realm]], and [[Khazad-dûm]], the [[Last Alliance|Alliance]] fought a great battle on the plain of [[Dagorlad]], north of [[Mordor]]. The [[Last Alliance]] was victorious, and entered [[Mordor]] itself, where they laid a siege on Sauron's Tower of [[Siege of Barad-dûr|Barad-dûr]] for seven years. During this time, [[Anárion]], joint [[King of Gondor]], was killed by a rock thrown from [[Barad-dûr]] that broke his helm. The siege ended when [[Sauron]] himself emerged from [[Barad-dûr]] to fight the [[Last Alliance|Alliance]]. [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]] were slain in single combat, but [[Isildur]] cut the [[One Ring]] from Sauron's finger ending the war.<ref name=rings/>

=== Third Age ===
====Independence====
After the battle, [[Isildur]], former joint [[King of Gondor]] and heir to the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High Kingship]], built a secret tomb for [[Elendil]] on the mountain [[Amon Anwar]]<ref name="CE"/> and placed the rule of Gondor in the hands of his brother's eldest eligible son, [[Meneldil]]. Isildur planted the seedling of the White Tree that he had saved in [[Minas Ithil]], and brought to Minas Anor, and it endured for several centuries.

After these acts, Isildur left Gondor in {{TA|2}} with the intent of taking up the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High Kingship]] in [[Annúminas]]. He [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields|never arrived]].<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB">{{App|B2}}</ref> [[Isildur]] had relinquished the rule of Gondor to his nephew [[Meneldil]] who became the first [[King of Gondor]] to rule in his own right and so, Gondor became an independent realm.<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB"/>

==== Golden Age ====
After the war, Gondor's power and wealth grew steadily (only interrupted by an [[Easterlings|Easterling]] invasion in {{TA|492}}). Its power would continue to grow into the 9th century of the [[Third Age]]. While the power of Gondor's sister kingdom [[Arnor]] peaked during the 9th century, when it broke into various successor states, Gondor's greatest glory was yet to come.
[[File:Steven White Jr. - Gondor TA1050.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gondor in {{TA|1050}}]]
Gondor's power reached its Golden Age under the four "[[Ship-kings]]": [[Tarannon Falastur]], [[Eärnil I]], [[Ciryandil]], and [[Hyarmendacil I]].

Tarannon was [[Captain of the Hosts]] and the first of the [[Ship-kings]] of Gondor, who extended Gondor far along the shores west and south of the [[Ethir Anduin]]. Commemorating his victories, Tarannon assumed the name "Falastur" when he took the crown.<ref name="AppGondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref> Tarannon was also famous for his Queen, the "nefarious, solitary, and loveless" [[Berúthiel]]. Tarannon had built a house in [[Pelargir]] that rested upon arches sunk into the [[Anduin]], but the queen refused to live within the sound and smell of the sea. She lived in the King's House in [[Osgiliath]] where she owned cats said to be able to spy upon men. Eventually Tarannon placed her upon a boat cast adrift at sea.<ref>{{UT|Istari}}, Note 7</ref> He was then the first king to die without an heir, and was succeeded by his nephew, the second of the Ship-kings, [[Eärnil I]].<ref name="South"/>

[[Eärnil I]] continued with the expansionist maritime policy of his predecessor by constructing a great navy and repairing the ancient haven of [[Pelargir]].<ref name="Elendil"/> But Gondor was not the supreme "Lord of the Coasts" as Tarannon boasted; the [[Haven of Umbar]] stood in their way of complete domination. So in {{TA|933}}, [[Eärnil I]] defeated the forces of Umbar, seizing control of the seas and making Umbar a great harbour and fortress of Gondor. Even though Gondor's naval power was uncontested, [[Eärnil I]] was lost at sea and was never seen again.

When he was lost at sea, he was succeeded by his son [[Ciryandil]], who continued his father's naval policies of building more ships. Ciryandil reigned over Gondor for seventy-nine years, and died in the defence of Umbar against the Haradrim, in Haradwaith, led by the lords exiled from Umbar.

When Ciryandil was slain, his son Ciryaher took up the Crown. After biding his time and building up his forces, he avenged his father, and defeated the kings of Harad, by land and by sea and made them acknowledge the overlordship of Gondor in {{TA|1050}}. In the reign of the powerful king Hyarmendacil I Gondor reached the height of its power. After this victory he took the name ''Hyarmendacil'', meaning "South-victor". Hyarmendacil's reign brought [[Gondor]] to its greatest extent and power. For the rest of his one hundred and thirty-four year reign Gondor was at peace; the passes of [[Mordor]] were well guarded, and no one dared contest his power. During Hyarmendacil I's reign, Gondor's borders reached their furthest extent. The Kingdom extended east to the [[Sea of Rhûn]]; south to the [[Harnen]] and all the coast up to the cape of [[Umbar]]; as far north as [[Celebrant]]; and west towards [[Greyflood]]. Gondor would also enjoy several centuries of peace due to its military might. The [[Men of the Vales of Anduin]] as well as the Haradrim acknowledged its authority and overlordship, with the Kings of Harad paying homage.<ref name="AppGondor"/> Hyarmendacil I was the last of the [[Ship-kings]]. He was succeeded by his lazy son [[Atanatar II|Atanatar II Alcarin]].

==== Decline ====
The extent and power of the realm [[Atanatar]] had inherited earned him the title [[Alcarin]] ("Glorious") but he did little to maintain its strength, and nothing to expand its influence. Already during Atanatar's reign, then, Gondor began to stagnate. There is some evidence to suggest that [[Gandalf]] first visited Gondor during this period, earning the name ''[[Incánus]]'' from the [[Gondorians]]. Atanatar II ruled Gondor for seventy-seven years, during which the wealth and power created by his father slowly began to wane. Atanatar was succeeded by his eldest son, who ruled as [[Narmacil I]], but [[Narmacil]] had no children and was succeeded in turn by his brother, Atanatar's younger son [[Calmacil]].

After sixty-four years as [[Regent of Gondor|Regent]] under the old King [[Calmacil]], [[Minalcar]] took the throne in his own right. In memory of a great victory over the [[Easterlings]] he had won in his [[Regent of Gondor|Regency]], he became King in the name [[Rómendacil II]]. [[Rómendacil II]] built, on the northern approach to [[Nen Hithoel]], the giant pillars [[Argonath]] to mark the northern border of Gondor following his great victory over the [[Easterlings]] in {{TA|1248}}.<ref>{{App|B2}}</ref> He developed less tangible defences, too, working to cement a bond between Gondor and the [[Northmen]] who lived to the east. He went so far as to send his son [[Valacar]] to live among them, an act from which the evils of the [[Kin-strife]] would eventually develop. After Rómendacil II's reign, decadence spread under the kings of Gondor and a long period of decline began (although Gondor experienced several revivals). Three great calamities struck Gondor during the second millennium of the Third Age, which are held to be the chief reasons for its decline: the [[Kin-strife]], the [[Great Plague]], and the invasion of the [[Wainriders]] (a tribe of Easterlings), one of series of conflicts in the [[Wainrider/Balchoth War]].

===== Kin-strife =====
{{main|Kin-strife}}
In the 15th century a great civil war named the Kin-strife tore the nation apart. The current King Eldacar was of mixed blood: his mother was of the Northmen. Popular displeasure at this led to the overthrow of King Eldacar by Castamir, the admiral of all of Gondor's naval forces who possessed some royal blood. Eldacar's son was slain, and Eldacar fled north. Castamir was afterwards known as [[Castamir|Castamir the Usurper]]. During his ten year rule he proved to be very cruel, and because of his love of his old fleet, he lavished attention on the coastal regions while the interior provinces were ignored and left to rot. Eldacar then returned with an army of his Northmen kinsmen, and they were joined by armies of Gondorians from interior provinces such as Anórien. [[Osgiliath]] was devastated during this conflict, its great bridge destroyed and its ''[[palantíri|palantír]]'' lost. Eldacar slew Castamir and reclaimed his throne, but Castamir's sons and their forces were besieged in Pelargir, the great port of Gondor. They eventually retreated to Umbar, where they joined with the Corsairs, and troubled Gondor for many years, until their descendants died out.

===== Great Plague =====
{{main|Great Plague}}
In [[Third Age 1636]], the [[Great Plague]] struck and the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] died. This Plague was no localized event: the Plague swept through all of Middle-earth, reaching the successor states of Arnor and the [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]] in the North. King [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] found a sapling of the White Tree, and moved the capital from Osgiliath to [[Minas Anor]], the City of Anárion. During this time, Gondor was so depopulated that the fortifications guarding against the re-entry of evil into Mordor were abandoned. It is believed that had the Haradrim or Easterlings been capable of attacking Gondor at this time, it would have fallen. However, the Plague left Gondor's enemies in no better condition than Gondor itself, and neither side was capable of mounting new offensives.

===== Invasion of the Wainriders =====
The first invasion of the Wainriders began {{TA|1856}} during the reign of King [[Narmacil II]], following the sapping of Gondor's strength by the plague. The spirit of Sauron in the East stirred up the forces of the Wainriders to attack the lands of Gondor and her allies. The Wainriders were stronger than any other horde of Easterlings before, and so in 1856, on the fields of Rhovanion, the Wainriders defeated the forces of Gondor and the Northmen, killing [[Narmacil II]] and enslaving Rhovanion. During the enslavement of Rhovannion, the Nazgûl entered Mordor. But the Gondorians would not sit idle, while their allies to the north were suffering under the Wainriders. In 1899 Kingn Calimehtar led a revot in Rhovanion, and defeated the Wainriders in the Battle of Dagorlad.

{{TA|1940}} The King [[Ondoher]] took council with [[Araphant]] the king of [[Arthedain]]. The kings realized that one force was beset on destroying the kingdoms of the [[Dunedain]]. For a long time it had lain dormant, but in the weakness of both kingdoms, it attacked. The Kingdoms allied against the power, and Prince [[Arvedui]] of Arthedain married Firiel the daughter of Ondoher.

After licking their wounds for 45 years the Wainriders returned with allies from Khand and Harad {{TA|1944}}. The Wainriders came in the north from Rhovanion and the men of Harad and Khand attacked from the South. The Wainriders destroyed the Northern Army of Gondor, but in the south Gondor defeated the Southrons at the River Poros. Their Captain Eärnil gathered the remnants of the northern army, and went north to challenge the Wainriders. In the [[Battle of the Camp]] Eärnil surprised the Wainriders, while they were celebrating their victory.

===== Reunification Rejected =====
In 1944, Gondor also faced a constitutional crisis when King [[Ondoher]] was slain in a previous battle with both his sons. Prince [[Arvedui]], son of King [[Araphant]] of [[Arthedain]] and Ondoher's son-in-law, and the victorious general Eärnil, who was a distant blood-relative of Ondoher, claimed the throne. Arvedui's claim lay mainly in the reintroduction of the old Númenórean law of accession, which stated the eldest (remaining) child should succeed the king. If the law was reintroduced, then Arvedui's wife [[Fíriel]], Ondoher's daughter and last remaining child would become [[Ruling Queens of Númenor|Ruling Queen]], making their descendants Kings of both Arnor and Gondor. Arvedui also tried to put weight behind his claim as he was Isildur's heir. The Council of Gondor recognised that the name of Isildur was held in honour in Gondor, but they dictated that the South-Kingdom must be ruled by an Heir of Anárion. Due to his ancestry from Fíriel and Arvedui, more than a millennium later, Aragorn Elessar put forward his claim as the heir of both Isildur and Anárion.

Eärnil lay his claim as being a direct descendant of King [[Telumehtar]] Umbardacil. His claim was also greatly bolstered by the popularity he had gained as the victorious general who saved Gondor from the Wainriders after winning the southern theatre of the war. Steward [[Pelendur]] who was temporarily ruling Gondor as serving as arbiter of succession, intervened in favour of Gondor's victorious general who would rule as [[Eärnil II]].

===== Last Heir of Anárion =====
During the [[Battle of Fornost]], Eärnil II's heir Eärnur led Gondor's forces to victory over the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]], who was actually the Lord of the [[Nazgûl]]. Although Eärnur wished to fight him, Eärnur's horse was terrified and fled the battle against his wishes. By the time he mastered his horse and return, the Witch-king had fled. [[Glorfindel]] the Elf then prophesied to him that it was better that he not fight the Lord of the Nazgûl because "never by the hand of man shall he fall".

Eärnur later ascended to the throne, ruling from Minas Anor (Tower of the Sun). During this time, the Ringwraiths captured Minas Anor's sister city, Minas Ithil (Tower of the Moon), renaming it Minas Morgul (Tower of Sorcery) and taking it as their lair. Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith (Tower of Guard) as a result. The Lord of the Nazgûl repeatedly sent messengers to Minas Tirith challenging Eärnur to single combat, taunting him that he had fled out of cowardice from facing him during the Battle of Fornost. Eventually, King Eärnur was overcome by wrath and rode with a small company of knights to Minas Morgul, to accept the challenge. They were never heard from again. So ended the Line of [[Anárion]].

==== Ruling Stewards of Gondor ====
{{main|Ruling Stewards}}
The realm was governed by a long line of hereditary Stewards after the disappearance of [[Eärnur]], son of Eärnil, since there was no proof that the last king was dead, and no claimant had enough support to be accepted as his successor. The line of Anárion was held to have failed, and Gondor was not willing to risk to another Kin-strife, which would surely have destroyed it. Whenever there was a new Steward, he would swear an oath to yield rule of Gondor back to the King, in essence only an heir of Isildur, if he should ever return. In Gondor there was no one who could claim descent from Isildur in direct line, and the northern line of Arnor had effectively disappeared, so this oath was not considered seriously. The line of Stewards ruled as Kings, without having the title.

===== Cirion and Eorl =====
[[File:Anke Eißmann - The oath of Cirion and Eorl.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The oath of Cirion and Eorl'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
In [[Third Age 2510]], when Steward [[Cirion]] ruled over Gondor, the nation faced one of its greatest perils: an Easterling tribe named the ''[[Balchoth]]'' invaded Gondor with massive force. Gondor's army marched to fight the Balchoth but were cut off from [[Minas Tirith]] and pushed back in the direction of the [[Limlight]].

Messengers were sent to get help from the [[Éothéod]], a tribe which lived in the northern vales of the [[Anduin]], but nobody expected the messengers to reach their destination. When certain peril came upon Gondor, however, the Éothéod turned the tide of the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]]. After the victory the Éothéod were awarded the fields of [[Calenardhon]] north of the [[Ered Nimrais]] from the Gap of Rohan at the southern end of the [[Misty Mountains|Hithaeglir]], [[Fangorn Forest]], rivers Limlight to river [[Anduin]], western [[Emyn Muil]] and the [[Mering Stream]], where they established the kingdom of [[Rohan]] with [[Eorl the Young]] as their first king. A perpetual alliance between Gondor and Rohan was established by the oath Eorl swore to Cirion.<ref name="CE"/>

In {{TA|2710}} King [[Déor]] asked the help of [[Egalmoth (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Egalmoth]] to drive off the [[Dunlendings]] from the occupied [[Ring of Isengard]], but a renewed war against the Orcs prevented the Steward from fulfilling the Oath.<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

Southern Gondor was assailed by three great fleets from Umbar and Harad and [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Beren]] spent much of his rule fighting the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]. In the meantime, during the [[Long Winter]] of {{TA|2758}} - {{TA|2759|n}}, Rohan came under attack from the Dunlendings, so neither nation could help the other, until captain Beregond, Beren's son, repeled the invaders. Therefore when [[Saruman]] suddenly appeared and requested leave to dwell in [[Isengard]], Beren gladly gave the [[Wizard]] the [[key of Orthanc]]. By the time of Beregond, Gondor started recovering its strength.<ref name="Stewards">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

Upon the death of [[Belecthor]], the [[White Tree of Gondor]] also died, but was left standing "until the King comes".<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, p. 206</ref>

In {{TA|2885}}, when Ithilien was invaded in great strength, King [[Folcwine]] of Rohan fulfilled the Oath and sent many men to Gondor. With their aid Steward [[Túrin II]] won a victory at the [[Crossings of Poros]]. Since then, Gondor withdrew from Ithilien and only the [[Rangers of Ithilien]] remained with special refuges for them, and a fortification on Cair Andros.<ref name="AppGondor"/>

It was near the end of [[Turgon (Steward of Gondor)|Turgon]]'s rule, in {{TA|2951}}, when [[Sauron]] declared himself openly in [[Mordor]]; he gathered his power there, and began rebuilding [[Barad-dûr]].<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> [[Ecthelion II]] strengthened [[Pelargir]] and refortified [[Cair Andros]].<ref name="Elendil"/> Under his service, the stranger [[Thorongil]], severely damaged the Corsairs' fleet at Umbar in a [[Surprise Attack on Umbar|surprise attack]].<ref name="Stewards"/>

===== War of the Ring=====
{{main|War of the Ring}}
[[File:Steven White Jr. - Gondor TA3019.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gondor in {{TA|3019}}]]
In 3019, during the [[War of the Ring]], Gondor was the strongest of the free nations that opposed Sauron, and thus, its defeat was his primary strategic goal in the war.<ref name="MT">{{RK|V1}}</ref> Gondor faced an all out attack on its capital Minas Tirith in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. Although nearly defeated, the Rohirrim once again turned the tide of battle, and helped win the war, though with heavy losses.<ref name="tBotPF">{{RK|Battle}}</ref> The combined army of the West then carried the battle to Sauron at the Battle of the Morannon, a feint to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo Baggins's quest to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom, thus causing Sauron's destruction and the allies' ultimate victory.

===Later history===
{{main|Reunited Kingdom}}
After the second and final defeat of Sauron, the [[King of Gondor|Kingship of Gondor]] was restored, [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] became the third [[King of Gondor and Arnor]].

During his reign, [[Aragorn]] restored Gondor and repeopled it, but retained [[Minas Tirith]] as the chief city.<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>. He, alongside [[King of Rohan|King]] [[Éomer]], led military campaigns beyond the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and on the far fields of the [[South]].<ref name="Appendix A">{{App|Mark}}</ref> As a result, he was able to re-establish his dominance in places which Gondor initially held at the height of its power. The threat of the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] was finally completely subdued during his reign and [[Umbar]] was finally re-taken.<ref name="AppGondor"/> He also made peace with the [[Haradrim]] after his coronation.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|VI5}}</ref>

===Politics===
[[Gondor]] was divided into regions described as 'fiefs', each under the control of a lord who in turn owed their allegiance to the Ruler of Gondor, whether the [[King of Gondor|King]] or (in later years) the [[Ruling Steward]].<ref name="Fortyone">{{PM|Languages}}, §41, p. 45</ref> Many of these fiefs were dominated by the [[Dúnedain]], notably the royal lands of [[Anórien]] and [[Ithilien]], as well as the shoreland fief of [[Belfalas]].<ref name=languages/>

The [[Númenórean]] [[King of Gondor]] governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker. In all debatable matters of importance domestic, or external, however, even [[Denethor II|Denethor]] had a [[Council of Gondor|Council]], and at least listened to what the Lords of the Fiefs and the Captains of the Forces had to say. [[Aragorn]] re-established the [[Council of Gondor|Great Council of Gondor]], and in that [[Faramir]], who remained by inheritance the [[Steward]] (or representative of the King during his absence abroad, or sickness, or between his death and the accession of his heir) was his chief counsellor.<ref name="politics">{{L|244}}</ref>

==Geography==
At its greatest extent, the realm extended:<ref name="AppGondor"/>

* North to the [[Field of Celebrant]] and the southern eaves of [[Mirkwood]]<ref name="AppGondor"/>
* West to the [[Greyflood]]<ref name="AppGondor"/>
* East to the inland [[Sea of Rhûn]]<ref name="AppGondor"/>
* South to the [[River Harnen]], and also along the coast to the peninsula and haven of [[Umbar]]<ref name="AppGondor"/>

[[Calenardhon|A large part of the northern territories]] was gifted to the [[Éothéod]] in {{TA|2510}}.<ref name="CE">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> Gondor's close proximity to Sauron's land was the catalyst of many battles and skirmishes, but its location also gave the Gondorians more ability to protect the other regions of Middle-earth from the Dark Lord and his servants.<ref name="CoE">{{FR|Council}}</ref>

At the height of its power, between the reigns of [[Hyarmendacil I]] and [[Rómendacil II]] ({{TA|1015}}-{{TA|1366|n}}), the wide lands between [[Anduin]] and the [[Sea of Rhûn]] were never effectively settled or occupied, and the only true north boundary of the Kingdom east of [[Anduin]] was formed by the [[Emyn Muil]] and the marshes south and east of them.<ref name=Atani/> Númenorean influence, however, went far beyond even these extended bounds, passing up the [[Vales of Anduin]] to its sources, and reaching the lands east of [[Mirkwood]], between the [[River Running]] and the [[River Carnen]].<ref name=Atani/>

===Regions===
Gondor was divided between several nearly autonomous regions. These were the following:

* [[Andrast]], the de-populated peninsula of [[Ras Morthil]]
* [[Anfalas]], or the Langstrand, in the south-west
* [[Anórien]], surrounding [[Minas Tirith]] and north of Ered Nimrais
* [[Belfalas]], the peninsula jutting out from the southern coast of Gondor ruled by the [[Prince of Dol Amroth]]
* [[Ethir Anduin]], the estuary of the [[Anduin|River Anduin]]
* [[Ithilien]], the lands across the [[Anduin]] from Minas Tirith
* [[Lamedon]], north of the [[Ringló]]
* [[Lebennin]], the land between Lossarnach and the Bay of Belfalas
* [[Lossarnach]], in the mountain vales south-west of Minas Tirith
* [[Morthond]], south of Erech
* [[Pinnath Gelin]], the hills north of Anfalas and east of the river Lefnui
* [[Ringló Vale]], between Lamedon and [[Belfalas]]

Additionally, Gondor held or had held the following regions at certain points in its history:
* [[South Gondor]], which was contested between Gondor and the forces of [[Harad]] and [[Umbar]]
* [[Calenardhon]], which was given to the Éothéod and became Rohan
* [[Enedwaith]], the timberlands of Gondor (shared with [[Arnor]]), which were never really populated and soon abandoned
* [[Rhovanion]], which was never fully under the control of Gondor but under Gondorian influence at certain times during the Third Age
* [[Haradwaith]], tributary of Gondor for a while

===Cities===
Cities in Gondor included:
* [[Calembel]]
* [[Dol Amroth]], the seat of [[Prince of Dol Amroth|Princes]] on the coasts of Gondor
* [[Linhir]]
* [[Minas Tirith]] (originally named [[Minas Anor]]), the seven-tiered citadel of the [[Kings of Gondor]]
* [[Minas Ithil]], conquered by the [[Ringwraiths]] and renamed [[Minas Morgul]] by the [[Gondorians]]
* [[Osgiliath]], the ancient capital of Gondor
* [[Pelargir]], the greatest and most ancient of the havens of Gondor
* [[Tarnost]] (debatable)<ref name="t2M">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]], ''[[The War of the Ring]]'', "[[The Second Map]]"</ref>

===Fortresses and outposts===
Additionally, Gondor used the following locations as military strongholds at certain points in its history, many of which Mordor later took:
* The outposts of [[Amon Hen]] and [[Amon Lhaw]] on [[Emyn Muil]] probably had small garrisons
* [[Isengard|Angrenost]], the fortress of Isengard, later granted to [[Saruman]]
* The Gondorian fortress later known as [[Hornburg]], guarding the [[Helm's Deep]]
* The [[Towers of the Teeth]], built by the Gondorians to keep watch over Mordor.
* The [[Tower of Cirith Ungol|fortress]] guarding the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]]
* The castle that came to be called [[Durthang]], the largest fortress in Mordor, originally built to guard the [[Ephel Dúath]]
* [[Tharbad]] to the north, held by both Gondor and Arnor but abandoned and later ruined after Gondor retreated from [[Enedwaith]]
* [[Umbar]], which was contested between Gondor and the forces of [[Harad]] and [[Umbar]]

==Languages==
[[Westron]], or the Common Speech, was the main language of the people of [[Gondor]]. An antique, more formal and terse, form of the Common Tongue was spoken by the Gondorians.<ref>{{App|Translation}}</ref>

Many of the Men of Gondor could also speak the [[Elvish]] tongues, a notable distinction and characteristic among the [[Dúnedain of the South]].<ref name=languages/> [[Sindarin]] had long ceased to be a "first language" in Gondor, but was learned in early youth (by those claiming [[Númenórean]] descent) from loremasters, and used by them as a mark of rank and high-blood.<ref name="Elendil"/> It had changed very little since the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and though the [[Men of Gondor]] altered some of the sounds, they could still understand the [[Elves]] and be understood by them.<ref name="Elendil"/> [[Westron]] became used more and more by the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] themselves, so that at the time of the [[War of the Ring]], [[Sindarin]] was known to only a small part of the peoples of Gondor (and spoken daily by fewer); they dwelt mostly in [[Minas Tirith]] and the adjacent townlands, and in the land of the tributary princes of [[Dol Amroth]].<ref name=languages/> [[Sindarin]] was used to be polite, especially in [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name="quenya">{{L|347}}</ref>

[[Quenya]] was known to the learned of Gondor, a tradition which has continued from the loremasters of [[Númenor]], to be used for places of fame and reverence in addition to the names of royalty and men of great renown.<ref name="quenya"/><ref name=languages/> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Gondor]] as well as all the [[Stewards]] until [[Mardil Voronwë]] were [[Quenya]] names.<ref name=languages/><ref name="South">{{App|South}}</ref> At the end of the [[Third Age]], there were more [[Gondorians]] (those of [[Minas Tirith]] and its fiefs) that knew [[Quenya]] or spoke [[Sindarin]] than there were [[Elves]] (those of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], and [[Lórien]]) who did either.<ref name="quenya"/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Gondor.mp3|Ardamir}}
In earlier times, it was called the South Kingdom, or ''Hyaralondie'', ''Hyallondie'' and ''Turmen Hyallondiéva'' in Quenya, and ''Arthor na Challonnas'' in Sindarin from the Númenórean point of view: the elements ''[[londie]]'' and ''[[lonnas]]'' mean "harbour, landing".<ref name="PE17">{{PE|17}}</ref>

The name '''Gondor''' was likely adopted from the lesser people's terminology<ref name="L324">{{L|324}}</ref> and translates from [[Sindarin]] as "Stone-land", from the words ''[[gond]]'', "stone", and ''(n)[[dor]]'', "land".<ref name="L324"/> The (generally not used) [[Quenya]] form of the name was ''Ondonóre''.<ref name="VT42">{{VT|42}}</ref> Gondor received its name because of the abundance of stone in the [[Ered Nimrais]], and the usage of it in great stone cities, statues, and monuments, such as Minas Tirith and the Argonath.

In [[Rohan]], it was known as '''Stoningland''' (a modernization of [[Old English]] ''Stāning-(land)''<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 776</ref>),<ref name="tBotPF"/> and [[Ghân-buri-Ghân]] of the [[Drúedain]] also recognized their use of stone.<ref name="RotR">{{RK|Ride}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Lord of the Rings film trilogy==
==The Last Alliance==
Gondor was at first unaware that Sauron, who had been taken as a prisoner to Númenor before its destruction, had survived the disastrous Downfall. However, not long after the kingdom's cities were built, the awakening of the fires of Orodruin signalled his return. At that time, the Men of Gondor first called the mountain Amon Amarth, or Mount Doom.
Soon after, in SA 3429, Sauron launched an attack on Minas Ithil, which forced Isildur into a retreat. Sauron took the fortress and burned the White Tree of Gondor that had grown there, but Isildur saved one of its seedlings and took it and his family on a ship down the Anduin. He sailed to the north to confer with Elendil about these events while Anárion remained in Gondor and continued to hold Minas Anor and Osgiliath.
He also managed to push back Sauron's forces to the mountain range of Ephel Dúath, but Sauron began to gather reinforcements and the Men of Gondor knew that their realm was in great danger of being destroyed unless aid came.
Elendil reacted to the threat of Sauron by combining forces with Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor, to make the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Their armies marched south-east from Arnor and Lindon. Supported by the forces of Gondor, Lórinand, the Woodland Realm, and Khazad-dûm, the Alliance fought a great battle on the plain of Dagorlad, north of Mordor. The Last Alliance was victorious, and entered Mordor itself, where they laid a siege on Sauron's Tower of Barad-dûr. Anárion, joint King of Gondor, was killed by a rock thrown from Barad-dûr that broke his helm. The siege ended when Sauron himself emerged from Barad-dûr to fight the Alliance. Gil-galad and Elendil were slain in single combat, but Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger ending the war.
After the battle, Isildur, former joint King of Gondor and heir to the High Kingship, built a secret tomb for Elendil on the mountain Amon Anwar and placed the rule of Gondor in the hands of his brother's eldest eligible son, Meneldil. Isildur planted the seedling of the White Tree that he had saved in Minas Ithil, and brought to Minas Anor, and it endured for several centuries.
After these acts, Isildur left Gondor in SA 3436 with the intent of taking up the High Kingship in Annúminas. He never arrived. Isildur had relinquished the rule of Gondor to his nephew Meneldil who became the first King of Gondor to rule in his own right and so, Gondor became an independent realm.
==The War of the Ring==
In 3000, during the War of the Ring, Gondor was the strongest of the free nations that opposed Sauron, and thus, its defeat was his primary strategic goal in the war. Gondor faced an all out attack on its capital Minas Tirith in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Although nearly defeated, the Rohirrim once again turned the tide of battle, and helped win the war, though with heavy losses. The combined army of the West then carried the battle to Sauron at the Battle of the Morannon, a feint to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo Baggins's quest to destroy the One Ring in Mount Doom, thus causing Sauron's destruction and the allies' ultimate victory.
After the second and final defeat of Sauron, the Kingship of Gondor was restored, Aragorn II became the third King of Gondor and Arnor.
During his reign, Aragorn restored Gondor and repeopled it, but retained Minas Tirith as the chief city.. He, alongside King Éomer, led military campaigns beyond the Sea of Rhûn and on the far fields of the South. As a result, he was able to re-establish his dominance in places which Gondor initially held at the height of its power. The threat of the Corsairs was finally completely subdued during his reign and Umbar was finally re-taken. He also made peace with the Haradrim after his coronation.

==Inspiration==
The history and civilization of Gondor has been compared to historical elements of the real world. Many real-world civilizations experienced periods in which a regent, vizier, or or general held actual power in the name a rightful monarch, like the Ruling Stewards did in Gondor. In his letters Tolkien compared the Ruling Stewards of Gondor to the Carolingians of France--Charlemagne's line descended from a marshal in service to the Merovingian dynasty that eventually replaced them.
===Italy===
[[Letter to Jennifer Brookes-Smith (28 July 1955)|Writing in a letter]] about an impending trip in [[1955]], Tolkien identified Gondor as [[Wikipedia:Italy|Italy]].<ref>{{CG|C}}, p. 462</ref>
===Egypt===
[[Tolkien]] himself likened Gondor in a degree to ancient Egypt, in terms of how Gondorians constructed gigantic stone structures, and the [[Crown of Gondor]] being similar to the [[Wikipedia:Pschent|crown of the Pharaohs of Egypt]].<ref>{{L|211}}, p. 281</ref> Notably, some "scholars" claimed that ancient Egypt was a colony of [[Atlantis]],<ref>[[Wikipedia:Ignatius L. Donnelly|Ignatius L. Donnelly]], [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/4032 Atlantis: The Antediluvian World] (1882), Part V, Chapter II: The Egyptian Colony</ref> much like how Gondor was a survival of Númenor (although it is unknown if Tolkien considered this aspect).
===Byzantine Empire===
In online discussions, many [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]] have entertained the idea that Gondor is comparable to the [[Wikipedia:Byzantine Empire|Byzantine Empire]],<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.middleearthcenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21307|articlename=Gondor -> Byzantine Empire|dated=|website=[http://www.middleearthcenter.com/ Middle-earth Center]|accessed=22 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=229914|articlename=Is Gondor Constantinople?|dated=|website=Plaza|accessed=22 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.thephora.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12555|articlename=Gondor = Byzantium?|dated=|website=[http://www.thephora.net/forum/index.php The Phora]|accessed=22 September 2012}}</ref> and Tolkien himself referred to Minas Tirith as a "Byzantine City".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref> Some of the parallels noted between Gondor and the Byzantine Empire are:<ref>Miryam Librán-Moreno, "'Byzantium, New Rome!': Goths, Langobards, and Byzantium in ''The Lord of the Rings''", in ''[[Tolkien and the Study of His Sources]]'' (edited by [[Jason Fisher]]</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=Tom Simon|articleurl=http://www.bondwine.com/essays/38/gondor.html|articlename=Gondor, Byzantium, and Feudalism|dated=13 March 2010|website=[http://www.bondwine.com/ Bondwine]|accessed=22 September 2012}}</ref>

Gondor is the south-eastern portion of [[Elendil]]'s original kingdom. The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern remnant of the Roman Empire. The [[Wikipedia:Western Roman Empire|Western Roman Empire]] eventually withered and dissolved, like [[Arnor]], while the Byzantine Empire endured, although in declined state. Their geographical role is also comparable as the Byzantine Empire encircled the Mediterranean while Gondor occupied the region around the [[Bay of Belfalas]]; both were threatened by [[Easterlings|eastern]] and [[Haradrim|southern]] adversaries. The Byzantine Empire absorbed several "barbaric" peoples like the Wends and Slavs, much like Gondor did with the [[Northmen]] and other [[Middle Men]].

As a final note, the last Byzantine Emperor, [[Wikipedia:Constantine_XI_Palaiologos#Legacy|Constantine XI]], remained in legend and folklore as the [[Wikipedia:King in the mountain|"Marble King"]] whose messianic ressurection and return would signal the restoration of the Empire. This parallels the fate of [[Earnur]] and Gondor's interregnum period until the "Return of the [[Aragorn|King]]" who [[Reunited Kingdom|restored the Kingdom]]. However unlike the Byzantine Empire, Gondor did not fall. Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Gondor| ]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]

[[de:Gondor]]
[[fi:Gondor]]

Dale

2021-11-08T06:21:00Z

Middleearthcinematicfan: /* History */

{{disambig-two|the City of Dale|Kingdom|[[Kingdom of Dale]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Dale
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Dale.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Dale" by Matěj Čadil
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=Northern [[Rhovanion]] on the banks of [[River Running]], between the south-west and south-east arms of [[Lonely Mountain]]
| type=City
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Men of Dale]]
| created=c. {{TA|2590}} ''[[#Foundation|See below]]''
| destroyed={{TA|2770}}
| rebuilt={{TA|2944}}
| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Battle of Five Armies]], [[Battle of Dale]]
}}
'''Dale''' was a great city of the [[Northmen]] which destroyed by [[Smaug]] and rebuilt as the capital of a great [[Kingdom of Dale|kingdom]] after his demise.

==Description==
Dale was situated in the valley between the south-western and south-eastern arms of the [[Lonely Mountain]], nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the [[River Running]].<ref>{{H|Thror}}</ref>

It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> and the town was renowned for its bells.<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>

==History==

==Foundation==

[[File:Angus McBride - Dale.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Dale'']]
In {{TA|2590}}, King [[Thrór]] re-established the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> The realm prospered and about this time, the [[Northmen]] living to the south came up the River Running and built Dale.<ref name="Party"/> The town shared in the prosperity of the Dwarves and it was initially governed by the [[Lord of Dale]], of whom the last was named [[Girion]].<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref>

==Destruction==

In {{TA|2770|n}}, [[Smaug]] descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom.<ref name="TA"/> Although the [[Men of Dale]] fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the [[Front Gate]] of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.<ref name="Party"/>

==Re-establishment==

The death of Smaug and the [[Battle of Five Armies]] occurred in {{TA|2941|n}}. Three years after the battle, Dale was rebuilt by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]],<ref name="TA"/> who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of Girion. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity: Bard founded the [[Kingdom of Dale]] and it gathered men from the [[Long Lake]], the South, and the West. [[Lake-town]] was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Its people became more commonly known as [[Bardings]], after their new ruler.

==War of the Ring==
[[File:Jan Pospisil - Dale units vs. Rhun.jpg|left|thumb|Jan Pospisil - ''The Battle of Dale'']]
During the reign of King [[Brand]], the grandson of Bard the Bowman, Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref> However, as [[Glóin]] revealed at the [[Council of Elrond]], in {{TA|3017|n}} a messenger from [[Mordor]] came to ask King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of [[Hobbits]] and to ask for [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo's]] [[The One Ring|ring]]. Messengers had also come to King Brand and there were enemies gathering upon the [[Kingdom of Dale]]'s eastern borders.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>

==Battle of Dale==

During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Easterlings]] crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On [[17 March]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Battle of Dale]] began. Not able to hold back the Easterlings the [[Bardings]] and the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], retreated into the Lonely Mountain, but lost Kings Brand and [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] who were both slain at the Gate of Erebor. For seven days, the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of [[Sauron]]. The new Kings of Dale and Erebor ([[Bard II]] and [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]), broke the siege and drove the Easterlings out of Dale. Bard later sent an emissary to the coronation of King [[Aragorn II Elessar]] and his realm was ever after in perpetual friendship and under the protection of the [[King of the West]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The word ''dale'' means "valley", as it was built in the [[River Running|Celduin]] valley between two arms of Erebor.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===Foundation===
According to ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Thorin]] tells [[Bilbo]] that the [[Northmen]] built “the merry town of Dale” during the time when his grandfather [[Thror]] was [[King under the Mountain]], soon after {{TA|2590}}. This is the only definitive statement of Dale's foundation. However, in the ''[[Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth]]'', in the section titled “[[Cirion and Eorl]],” the following comment is found (after the defeat of King [[Narmacil II]] of Gondor in {{TA|1856}}):

:{{blockquote|As for the Northmen, a few, it is said, fled over the Celduin (River Running) and were merged with the folk of Dale under Erebor (with whom they were akin), some took refuge in Gondor, and others were gathered by Marhwini son of Marhari (who fell in the rearguard action after the Battle of the Plains).|{{UT|8}}}}

It is possible to reconcile the texts if {{TA|1856}} is seen as the latest year of the foundation of the first, primitive [[Northmen]] settlements in the area with the years after {{TA|2590}} as the foundation of the city with the coming of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]; the canonicity of this, however, is unknown.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Dale-BFME2.jpg|thumb|Dale in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|''BFME'' II]]]]
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:The City of Dale appears in the ''Erebor'' map, just south-east of the mountain itself. It appears to contain several houses, taverns and bridges, as well as a statue of a man. The city is built around the mountain's river.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
==Fall of Dale==
In TA 2770 Smaug descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom. Although the Men of Dale fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the Front Gate of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.
'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:The ruined city of Dale appears briefly when [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]] are heading for [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
==Battle of Five Armies==
Smaug was killed in T.A. 2941, but not before conflagrating Lake-town. The surviving refugees sought shelter in the ruins of Dale, and were bolstered by the arrival of Thranduil, who brought provisions alongside his army. Together, the Men of Dale (led by Girion's descendant, Bard) and Elves of Mirkwood besieged Erebor, where Thorin refused to share his treasure with them, and fought the Iron Hill army before Orcs under Azog intervened.
After the Destruction of Lake-town, the men and women of Lake-town took refuge in Dale, where Thranduil would join their forces. Bard wanted to resolve the conflict without going to wear; however, when he sight for it by Thorin, he refused to give them their share due to being consumed by the gold sickness that once plagued his grandfather. Returning to the city, Bard told Thranduil what had happened and that going to war was the only option. During the night, Bilbo Baggins gave them the Arkenstone to ransom to Thorin in exchange for their promised treasure. During the Battle of the Five Armies, the Siege of Dale took place, where both Elves and Men fought Azog's forces. Despite Dol Guldur's greater strength, the army was defeated. Those who survived the battle gathered and honored those who had fallen.
The fighting spilled into the streets of Dale, forcing Bard to retreat to defend the women and the children who remained among its ruins. The great hall ontop of the hill served as a refugee for most of the elderly, the women and the children during the fighting, although many of them chose to stand and fight. With Thorin leading a charge that pushed the Orcs back in the Long Valley, the defenders were able to get the upper hand before Thorin went to Ravenhill to confront Azog. A second army by Bolg arrived, but was thwarted by Beorn.
==Aftermath==
Dale was a city-state, and a Lordship until it was re-established by Bard, becoming a Kingdom. It was rebuilt with Bilbo's share of the treasure he refused to have and gave to the people. Alliances between Dale, the Mountain and Mirkwood was restored, and Girion's descendants ruled for a long time.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Dale|Images of Dale]]

{{References}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Thal]]
[[fi:Laakso]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rhovanion:dale]]

Dale

2021-11-08T06:13:23Z

Middleearthcinematicfan: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{disambig-two|the City of Dale|Kingdom|[[Kingdom of Dale]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Dale
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Dale.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Dale" by Matěj Čadil
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=Northern [[Rhovanion]] on the banks of [[River Running]], between the south-west and south-east arms of [[Lonely Mountain]]
| type=City
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Men of Dale]]
| created=c. {{TA|2590}} ''[[#Foundation|See below]]''
| destroyed={{TA|2770}}
| rebuilt={{TA|2944}}
| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Battle of Five Armies]], [[Battle of Dale]]
}}
'''Dale''' was a great city of the [[Northmen]] which destroyed by [[Smaug]] and rebuilt as the capital of a great [[Kingdom of Dale|kingdom]] after his demise.

==Description==
Dale was situated in the valley between the south-western and south-eastern arms of the [[Lonely Mountain]], nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the [[River Running]].<ref>{{H|Thror}}</ref>

It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> and the town was renowned for its bells.<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Angus McBride - Dale.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Dale'']]
In {{TA|2590}}, King [[Thrór]] re-established the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> The realm prospered and about this time, the [[Northmen]] living to the south came up the River Running and built Dale.<ref name="Party"/> The town shared in the prosperity of the Dwarves and it was initially governed by the [[Lord of Dale]], of whom the last was named [[Girion]].<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref>

In {{TA|2770|n}}, [[Smaug]] descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom.<ref name="TA"/> Although the [[Men of Dale]] fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the [[Front Gate]] of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.<ref name="Party"/>

The death of Smaug and the [[Battle of Five Armies]] occurred in {{TA|2941|n}}. Three years after the battle, Dale was rebuilt by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]],<ref name="TA"/> who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of Girion. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity: Bard founded the [[Kingdom of Dale]] and it gathered men from the [[Long Lake]], the South, and the West. [[Lake-town]] was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Its people became more commonly known as [[Bardings]], after their new ruler.

[[File:Jan Pospisil - Dale units vs. Rhun.jpg|left|thumb|Jan Pospisil - ''The Battle of Dale'']]
During the reign of King [[Brand]], the grandson of Bard the Bowman, Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref> However, as [[Glóin]] revealed at the [[Council of Elrond]], in {{TA|3017|n}} a messenger from [[Mordor]] came to ask King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of [[Hobbits]] and to ask for [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo's]] [[The One Ring|ring]]. Messengers had also come to King Brand and there were enemies gathering upon the [[Kingdom of Dale]]'s eastern borders.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>

During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Easterlings]] crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On [[17 March]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Battle of Dale]] began. Not able to hold back the Easterlings the [[Bardings]] and the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], retreated into the Lonely Mountain, but lost Kings Brand and [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] who were both slain at the Gate of Erebor. For seven days, the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of [[Sauron]]. The new Kings of Dale and Erebor ([[Bard II]] and [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]), broke the siege and drove the Easterlings out of Dale. Bard later sent an emissary to the coronation of King [[Aragorn II Elessar]] and his realm was ever after in perpetual friendship and under the protection of the [[King of the West]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The word ''dale'' means "valley", as it was built in the [[River Running|Celduin]] valley between two arms of Erebor.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===Foundation===
According to ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Thorin]] tells [[Bilbo]] that the [[Northmen]] built “the merry town of Dale” during the time when his grandfather [[Thror]] was [[King under the Mountain]], soon after {{TA|2590}}. This is the only definitive statement of Dale's foundation. However, in the ''[[Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth]]'', in the section titled “[[Cirion and Eorl]],” the following comment is found (after the defeat of King [[Narmacil II]] of Gondor in {{TA|1856}}):

:{{blockquote|As for the Northmen, a few, it is said, fled over the Celduin (River Running) and were merged with the folk of Dale under Erebor (with whom they were akin), some took refuge in Gondor, and others were gathered by Marhwini son of Marhari (who fell in the rearguard action after the Battle of the Plains).|{{UT|8}}}}

It is possible to reconcile the texts if {{TA|1856}} is seen as the latest year of the foundation of the first, primitive [[Northmen]] settlements in the area with the years after {{TA|2590}} as the foundation of the city with the coming of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]; the canonicity of this, however, is unknown.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Dale-BFME2.jpg|thumb|Dale in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|''BFME'' II]]]]
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:The City of Dale appears in the ''Erebor'' map, just south-east of the mountain itself. It appears to contain several houses, taverns and bridges, as well as a statue of a man. The city is built around the mountain's river.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
==Fall of Dale==
In TA 2770 Smaug descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom. Although the Men of Dale fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the Front Gate of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.
'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:The ruined city of Dale appears briefly when [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]] are heading for [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
==Battle of Five Armies==
Smaug was killed in T.A. 2941, but not before conflagrating Lake-town. The surviving refugees sought shelter in the ruins of Dale, and were bolstered by the arrival of Thranduil, who brought provisions alongside his army. Together, the Men of Dale (led by Girion's descendant, Bard) and Elves of Mirkwood besieged Erebor, where Thorin refused to share his treasure with them, and fought the Iron Hill army before Orcs under Azog intervened.
After the Destruction of Lake-town, the men and women of Lake-town took refuge in Dale, where Thranduil would join their forces. Bard wanted to resolve the conflict without going to wear; however, when he sight for it by Thorin, he refused to give them their share due to being consumed by the gold sickness that once plagued his grandfather. Returning to the city, Bard told Thranduil what had happened and that going to war was the only option. During the night, Bilbo Baggins gave them the Arkenstone to ransom to Thorin in exchange for their promised treasure. During the Battle of the Five Armies, the Siege of Dale took place, where both Elves and Men fought Azog's forces. Despite Dol Guldur's greater strength, the army was defeated. Those who survived the battle gathered and honored those who had fallen.
The fighting spilled into the streets of Dale, forcing Bard to retreat to defend the women and the children who remained among its ruins. The great hall ontop of the hill served as a refugee for most of the elderly, the women and the children during the fighting, although many of them chose to stand and fight. With Thorin leading a charge that pushed the Orcs back in the Long Valley, the defenders were able to get the upper hand before Thorin went to Ravenhill to confront Azog. A second army by Bolg arrived, but was thwarted by Beorn.
==Aftermath==
Dale was a city-state, and a Lordship until it was re-established by Bard, becoming a Kingdom. It was rebuilt with Bilbo's share of the treasure he refused to have and gave to the people. Alliances between Dale, the Mountain and Mirkwood was restored, and Girion's descendants ruled for a long time.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Dale|Images of Dale]]

{{References}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Thal]]
[[fi:Laakso]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rhovanion:dale]]

Lonely Mountain

2021-11-08T05:45:28Z

Middleearthcinematicfan: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{cleanup}}
{{disambig-more|Lonely Mountain|[[Lonely Mountain (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Lonely Mountain
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Smaug flies round the Mountain.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Smaug flies round the Mountain" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Erebor'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| location=North-east of [[Rhovanion]]
| type=Mountain
| description=A large mountain apart from any other ranges.
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=Generally, [[Dwarves]]. It was once occupied by [[Smaug]] the [[Dragon]].
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Siege of Erebor]]
| gallery=the Lonely Mountain
}}
'''The Lonely Mountain''', or '''Erebor''', was a mountain in the north-east of [[Rhovanion]]. It was the source of the river [[River Running|Running]] and a major [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] [[Dwarf realms|stronghold]], the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]], at the end of the [[Third Age]] and well into the [[Fourth Age|Fourth]].

==History==
The [[Longbeards]] had control of Erebor since at least the early [[Second Age]].<ref>{{PM|Relations}}</ref>

With the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] in the capital of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], [[Thráin I]] led a group of Dwarves to Erebor. Once there, the dwarves dug caves and halls to form an underground city, thus establishing the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] in {{TA|1999}}.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref> During Thráin's rule many riches were mined from the depths of the mountain, including the [[Arkenstone]]. The increased prosperity of the region led to the founding of the town of [[Dale]], built by [[Men of Dale|Men]] between its slopes.

Thráin's son [[Thorin I]] abandoned the Mountain in {{TA|2210}} for the [[Grey Mountains]]; but after the [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons]], in {{TA|2590}}, King [[Thrór]] led a group back to the Lonely Mountain, re-establishing it as the capital of Durin's folk.

===[[Sack of Erebor]]===
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Coming of Smaug.jpg|left|thumb|''The Coming of Smaug'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
The great dragon [[Smaug]] had lust for the Dwarven riches and in {{TA|2770}} he descended on the mountain driving out the Dwarves and destroying the town of [[Dale]]. The Lonely Mountain was empty for almost two hundred years, save Smaug who slept in the innermost chamber on a great pile of wealth.

In the year {{TA|2941}} with Gandalf's council, King [[Thorin II]] and a small company of friends and family actually made it to the Lonely Mountain. After the Dragon Smaug had realized that the Dwarves had been helped by the [[Lake-men]] he went to their town of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]] intent on destroying them, only to be killed by a man named [[Bard]].

===Return of the Longbeards===
With the help of a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] named [[Bilbo Baggins]] Thorin and company were able to retake the city and the treasure, therefore allowing Thorin to proclaim himself [[King under the Mountain]]. But after refusing to give any of the treasure to the Men of Esgaroth, and the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], [[Thorin and Company]] were placed under siege (not to be confused with the later [[Siege of Erebor]].)
[[File:Matt Stewart - The Battle Under the Mountain.jpg|thumb|''The Battle Under the Mountain'' by [[Matt Stewart]]]]
Things nearly came to blows when Thorin's cousin [[Dáin Ironfoot]] (Grór's grandson) arrived as aid to his kinsman and nearly went to battle against the besiegers. But Gandalf interceded and warned them all of a great host of [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] coming to take the mountain. So the Elves, Men, and Dwarves made an alliance, and fought a [[Battle of Five Armies|bloody battle]] against their foes in the valley before the gate. In the end the defenders were victorious against the Orcs and Wargs. Thorin was mortally wounded during the battle, but finally, after so many years of longing, Dáin returned the Longbeards to the Lonely Mountain.

The Longbeards would set about the task of rebuilding their kingdom, which included various improvements to the Mountain itself. [[Gloin]] would tell [[Frodo Baggins]] of creations such as towers built on the Mountain, and roads dug deep underground.<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> Yet neither the Lonely Mountain nor its occupants would escape the eye of the great [[Sauron|Shadow]] that rose in the last years of the Third Age.

During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Easterlings]] invaded the [[Kingdom of Dale]]. The Dwarves aided the [[Men of Dale]] who gave a [[Battle of Dale|great battle]] at the feet of the Mountain for three days, before King [[Brand]] and King Dáin were killed at its very gates, forcing Men and Dwarves to retreat into the mountain. They held out for several days until word reached the ears of the Easterlings that the great hosts of Sauron in the south had been defeated. When the besieged saw this they came forth from the Lonely Mountain, and attacked their enemy driving them from Dale across the Running.<ref>{{app|Great}}</ref>

Erebor and Dale continued to prosper into the [[Fourth Age]].

==Geography==
[[File:Jef Murray - The Lonely Mountain 2.jpg|thumb|''The Lonely Mountain'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
The Lonely Mountain was possibly 3,500 meters tall, as it was snowcapped at spring. Geologically, it was rich in metals and jewels.<ref>[[Karen Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''</ref>

The mountain was star-shaped with six ridges radiating as spurs from the peak.

The south-western spur contained [[Ravenhill]] housing a Dwarven guard-post. Between the two western spurs was a narrow vale which was the exit of the [[Back Door]], behind an overhanging cliff. Rough steps ascended to the top of the southern ridge along a narrow ledge turning east behind a boulder into a steep bay.

Inside, the mountain was dug with passages and tunnels leading to cellars and halls and mansions such as the great chamber of Thrór near the Front Gate. A secret tunnel led to the "bottommost cellar".

The main entrance into the mountain was the [[Front Gate|Gate of Erebor]] on the south side, opening onto a valley between two great spurs of the mountain. The [[River Running]] sprang from beneath the mountain and issued from the [[Front Gate]], forming a waterfall that fell into the valley below.

Inside the gate was a broad paved road that went alongside the river in a wide curve leading into the mountain. Not very far from the entrance was the [[Great Chamber of Thrór]] where feasts and councils were held.

In the Lower Halls, there was a vast chamber called the [[Great Hall of Thráin]] at the root of the mountain. From there a secret passageway led to a hidden door in the western side of the mountain. The [[Back Door]] was invisible from the outside except on Durin's Day, when the light of the setting sun would reveal the keyhole.

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Erebor.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Erebor'' is the [[Sindarin]] translation of "Lonely Mountain" and can be analyzed as ''[[ereb]]'' + ''[[orod|or(od)]]''.

==Portrayal in adaptations==

The Hobbit film trilogy
Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014) featured computer-generated shots of the Lonely Mountain, Dale, and other Dwarven cities.
Erebor is seen in flashbacks as the elderly Bilbo Baggins recounts the beginnings of his adventure, along with Dale.

Erebor is described as the stronghold and subterranean realm of Thror, King under the Mountain, most powerful among the Dwarf lords and the strongest Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth beneath the Lonely Mountain and it's ruler being considered the lord of all Dwarf mansions. Alongside it's neighbor, Dale, a great prosperous city of Men and Esgaroth, prosperity became commonplace in the Dwarven realm. Eventually, the Dwarves of Erebor uncover riches beneath the earth, making their realm into a great kingdom, and benefiting Dale. While the Dwarves are mining, the Arkenstone is discovered, which Thror proclaims the King's Jewel, while forging a golden statue in his likeness.

Succumbing to greed, Thror denies his potential ally, Thranduil, the Elven king of the Woodland Realm, ownership of the the White Gems, which creates a rift between their peoples, with Thranduil warning the Dwarf lord of his vast horde of gold luring evil in the future. With Thror losing himself in his greed, he spends longer time periods in his lower halls with his gold, must to his grandson's fear. The Elven king's prediction came to be true as the vast wealth attracts the dragon, Smaug, noticed by Thorin, who lays waste to the city of Dale, unhindered by Girion, despite the use of Black Arrows. Thorin rescues Balin from incineration and rallies his troops for a confrontation with Smaug, who bests the marshaled army. Thorin survives and rescues his grandfather, who in avarice, fled to his treasure hoard, losing the Arkenstone.

Thorin leads an exodus of Dwarves from their stolen homeland, Thorin sees Thranduil and his soldiers approaching, pleading for help. Thranduil, bitter over his rift with Thror, withdraws alongside his forces, making Thorin hateful of Elves for a long period. Thorin leads his people across Rhovanion and into Dunland, where he works as a blacksmith to provide for his people and leads them into the Blue Mountains. But he never got over the events that transpired with his home, lacking forgetfulness and forgiveness over it.

After losing Erebor, the Dwarves became a nomadic people, residing in human settlements. After their losses in the Battle of Moria, with both the king and the prince gone, Thorin led his people into the Blue Mountains, where they ultimately established a new colony. Many accepted the Blue Mountains as their new home, with Thorin's nephews, Kili and Fili born in there, several viewed Erebor as their true home.

Thorin later pursued rumors of his father being spotted in the wild near Dunland, after disappearing in the conflict in Moria against Azog. Clinging to false hopes, he went searching in vain. Unknown to him, Azog, having survived his duel with Thorin, set a price on his head, spreading the message through the wild. Gandalf found a copy of this, and showed it to Thorin to Bree. His suspicions of darkness rising aroused, Gandalf convinced the Dwarf exilarch to undertake a quest to reclaim Erebor. The reluctant and mistrustful Dwarf prince, stated he requires the Arkenstone to exert his authority over the other Dwarf Lords and marshal an army against Smaug. Gandalf offered to call upon a burglar to help sneak it past the dragon. Thorin called upon his people, and twelve of his kinsmen answered. Gandalf bade them to the burglar's home, which he marked. Meanwhile, Thorin sent a call for emissaries from all seven Dwarf kingdoms to come to his halls, asking their aid in the Quest of Erebor, which he was denied. Thorin was taken aback by Gandalf's suggestion to use a Hobbit as the burglar, but nonetheless agreed to meet him. However, Thorin's attempts were unsuccessful and instead, settled with the other twelve Dwarves who answered his call.

==The Quest of Erebor==

In TA 2941, Bilbo Baggins and Thorin's company traveled to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a secret door, five feet high and wide enough for three to walk through abreast. Gandalf had managed to obtain the door's key, which fit a key hole which could be found only when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn (also known as Durin's Day) were in the sky would the light shine upon the keyhole. Bilbo entered the mountain himself, stumbling upon the dragon Smaug, who he met for the first time. The company tried to eliminate Smaug themselves by burying him under molten gold made in the forges; however, the trap failed.
Smaug was enraged by the actions of Thorin and Company and, to punish them, set his eyes on destroying Lake-town and its citizens. When Smaug came to the city, the Master packed up his treasure and left by boat. He was however crushed under Smaug's carcass when Bard slew him, but not before the dragon conflagrated the whole of the town and many of its people.

==Battle of Five Armies==

The survivors fled by boat to the shore, where they lived in tents before Bard came and ordered them to leave for the ruins of Dale. Thranduil came to his aid, but only with the intention of recruiting the people of Lake-town to his cause of forcing Thorin to surrender some of the riches of the mountain to him. Bard convinced Thranduil he could reason with Thorin without the need to go to war. However, Thorin, overcome by the gold sickness, refused, sending Bard away. Without any other option, Bard and Thranduil joined forces, leading to a small siege around Erebor. During the night, they were visited by Bilbo, who Bard recognized from Lake-town, who gave them the Arkenstone, believing that they could use it to their own advantage.Meeting at the front gate, Thranduil and Bard ransomed the Arkenstone; however, Thorin did not believe it was the stone he was searching for until Bilbo revealed it was the true Arkenstone, revealing the truth. Enraged, Thorin nearly killed the hobbit, believing it was betrayal until Gandalf intervened, demanding Thorin release Bilbo and remarking that set an ill example as King under the Mountain. The dwarf king released Bilbo but banished him from Erebor, refusing to ever accept help from Wizards or Hobbits again.
Dain Ironfoot arrived at that moment, and a small skirmish ensued among the Dwarves, Men and Elves. Gandalf attempted to reason with Dain, telling them they were all fighting the wrong enemy and the true one was heading its way, led by Azog, who was sent to take Erebor for his master, Sauron because of its' strategic position. However, the elves and men began to fight the dwarves, who appeared to have the upper hand until three Were-worms dug through the ground, as the Forces of Dol Guldur emerged. To Dáin, Thranduil and Bard's horror, Gandalf had spoke the truth upon watching Azog's armies emerge.
The three Free Peoples almost did battle with one another, but then Orcs attacked and the Dwarves, Elves, and Men joined ranks together with the Great Eagles against the Orcs, in what became known as the Battle of the Five Armies. The battle extended to the city of Dale, meant to serve as a distraction. As Dáin and his people fought, they were lost without Thorin's absence.
After Thorin overcame his gold sickness, the Dwarves emerged from the mountain, the company joined in the Battle of the Five Armies. Thorin decided to lead an assault towards Azog's command tower in Ravenhill. Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili commandeered a Dwarven war chariot, following Thorin through the frozen channel of the River Running. Azog, intending the entire battle as a trap for Thorin, tried to stop his friends from reaching him, sending ogres, a Troll and Wargs after them. Bofur, astride a Troll, managed to help them against the Troll, but the Wargs forced Dwalin, Fili and Kili to take the mounts and leave Balin behind to fend off his foes while they went to Ravenhill.
During the showdown between Azog and Thorin, the Eagles, Radagast and Beorn arrived, quickly dispatching the Gundabad army. During the battle, both Thorin and Azog mortally wounded each other, resulting in their deaths.

==Aftermath==

In the wake of the battle, a funeral was held for Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli and Kíli, with members of Thorin and Company, Beorn and Radagast in attendance while those in the city of Dale honored those who had fallen in Battle. The mountain was garrisoned by the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and portions of its wealth were distributed to various parties like the Men of the Lake, who set up permanent residence in Dale and elected Bard as the new Lord of Dale.
The Elves of Mirkwood stayed just a short time to receive their share of the treasure before returning to their forest homeland. With Thorin and his immediate family members dead, Dain succeeded him as King under the Mountain. His job done, Bilbo Baggins parted ways with the Company and returned home to the Shire with Gandalf with his secret magic ring always close at hand.
Repopulated with Dwarvish colonists from each of the seven Dwarf kingdoms, Erebor was soon restored to its former glory and flourished once more, as did its neighbor-city Dale. In time, Erebor retook its place as the most powerful Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth.
{{Gallery
|title=The Lonely Mountain in adaptations
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=3
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Erebor.jpg|The Lonely Mountain, as it appeared in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film trilogy]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Lonely Mountain.jpg|The Lonely Mountain in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''2018: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:After a minor appearance depicting the [[Siege of Erebor]], Erebor proper was added in 2018 as part of [[Eryn Lasgalen]] and the [[Dale]]-lands. After the breaking of the siege, it is now ruled by King [[Thorin Stonehelm]] who must deal with some of the enemy's army still remaining near his lands. Other than the main hall of Erebor, players can also visit the living quarters, the burial tombs as well as several hidden chambers within the Mountain.

{{references}}
{{companyroute}}{{durinskings}}
[[Category:Mountains]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Erebor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/rhovanion/erebor]]
[[fi:Erebor]]

Lonely Mountain

2021-11-08T05:33:48Z

Middleearthcinematicfan:

{{cleanup}}
{{disambig-more|Lonely Mountain|[[Lonely Mountain (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Lonely Mountain
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Smaug flies round the Mountain.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Smaug flies round the Mountain" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Erebor'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| location=North-east of [[Rhovanion]]
| type=Mountain
| description=A large mountain apart from any other ranges.
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=Generally, [[Dwarves]]. It was once occupied by [[Smaug]] the [[Dragon]].
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Siege of Erebor]]
| gallery=the Lonely Mountain
}}
'''The Lonely Mountain''', or '''Erebor''', was a mountain in the north-east of [[Rhovanion]]. It was the source of the river [[River Running|Running]] and a major [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] [[Dwarf realms|stronghold]], the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]], at the end of the [[Third Age]] and well into the [[Fourth Age|Fourth]].

==History==
The [[Longbeards]] had control of Erebor since at least the early [[Second Age]].<ref>{{PM|Relations}}</ref>

With the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] in the capital of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], [[Thráin I]] led a group of Dwarves to Erebor. Once there, the dwarves dug caves and halls to form an underground city, thus establishing the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] in {{TA|1999}}.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref> During Thráin's rule many riches were mined from the depths of the mountain, including the [[Arkenstone]]. The increased prosperity of the region led to the founding of the town of [[Dale]], built by [[Men of Dale|Men]] between its slopes.

Thráin's son [[Thorin I]] abandoned the Mountain in {{TA|2210}} for the [[Grey Mountains]]; but after the [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons]], in {{TA|2590}}, King [[Thrór]] led a group back to the Lonely Mountain, re-establishing it as the capital of Durin's folk.

===[[Sack of Erebor]]===
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Coming of Smaug.jpg|left|thumb|''The Coming of Smaug'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
The great dragon [[Smaug]] had lust for the Dwarven riches and in {{TA|2770}} he descended on the mountain driving out the Dwarves and destroying the town of [[Dale]]. The Lonely Mountain was empty for almost two hundred years, save Smaug who slept in the innermost chamber on a great pile of wealth.

In the year {{TA|2941}} with Gandalf's council, King [[Thorin II]] and a small company of friends and family actually made it to the Lonely Mountain. After the Dragon Smaug had realized that the Dwarves had been helped by the [[Lake-men]] he went to their town of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]] intent on destroying them, only to be killed by a man named [[Bard]].

===Return of the Longbeards===
With the help of a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] named [[Bilbo Baggins]] Thorin and company were able to retake the city and the treasure, therefore allowing Thorin to proclaim himself [[King under the Mountain]]. But after refusing to give any of the treasure to the Men of Esgaroth, and the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], [[Thorin and Company]] were placed under siege (not to be confused with the later [[Siege of Erebor]].)
[[File:Matt Stewart - The Battle Under the Mountain.jpg|thumb|''The Battle Under the Mountain'' by [[Matt Stewart]]]]
Things nearly came to blows when Thorin's cousin [[Dáin Ironfoot]] (Grór's grandson) arrived as aid to his kinsman and nearly went to battle against the besiegers. But Gandalf interceded and warned them all of a great host of [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] coming to take the mountain. So the Elves, Men, and Dwarves made an alliance, and fought a [[Battle of Five Armies|bloody battle]] against their foes in the valley before the gate. In the end the defenders were victorious against the Orcs and Wargs. Thorin was mortally wounded during the battle, but finally, after so many years of longing, Dáin returned the Longbeards to the Lonely Mountain.

The Longbeards would set about the task of rebuilding their kingdom, which included various improvements to the Mountain itself. [[Gloin]] would tell [[Frodo Baggins]] of creations such as towers built on the Mountain, and roads dug deep underground.<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> Yet neither the Lonely Mountain nor its occupants would escape the eye of the great [[Sauron|Shadow]] that rose in the last years of the Third Age.

During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Easterlings]] invaded the [[Kingdom of Dale]]. The Dwarves aided the [[Men of Dale]] who gave a [[Battle of Dale|great battle]] at the feet of the Mountain for three days, before King [[Brand]] and King Dáin were killed at its very gates, forcing Men and Dwarves to retreat into the mountain. They held out for several days until word reached the ears of the Easterlings that the great hosts of Sauron in the south had been defeated. When the besieged saw this they came forth from the Lonely Mountain, and attacked their enemy driving them from Dale across the Running.<ref>{{app|Great}}</ref>

Erebor and Dale continued to prosper into the [[Fourth Age]].

==Geography==
[[File:Jef Murray - The Lonely Mountain 2.jpg|thumb|''The Lonely Mountain'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
The Lonely Mountain was possibly 3,500 meters tall, as it was snowcapped at spring. Geologically, it was rich in metals and jewels.<ref>[[Karen Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''</ref>

The mountain was star-shaped with six ridges radiating as spurs from the peak.

The south-western spur contained [[Ravenhill]] housing a Dwarven guard-post. Between the two western spurs was a narrow vale which was the exit of the [[Back Door]], behind an overhanging cliff. Rough steps ascended to the top of the southern ridge along a narrow ledge turning east behind a boulder into a steep bay.

Inside, the mountain was dug with passages and tunnels leading to cellars and halls and mansions such as the great chamber of Thrór near the Front Gate. A secret tunnel led to the "bottommost cellar".

The main entrance into the mountain was the [[Front Gate|Gate of Erebor]] on the south side, opening onto a valley between two great spurs of the mountain. The [[River Running]] sprang from beneath the mountain and issued from the [[Front Gate]], forming a waterfall that fell into the valley below.

Inside the gate was a broad paved road that went alongside the river in a wide curve leading into the mountain. Not very far from the entrance was the [[Great Chamber of Thrór]] where feasts and councils were held.

In the Lower Halls, there was a vast chamber called the [[Great Hall of Thráin]] at the root of the mountain. From there a secret passageway led to a hidden door in the western side of the mountain. The [[Back Door]] was invisible from the outside except on Durin's Day, when the light of the setting sun would reveal the keyhole.

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Erebor.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Erebor'' is the [[Sindarin]] translation of "Lonely Mountain" and can be analyzed as ''[[ereb]]'' + ''[[orod|or(od)]]''.

==Portrayal in adaptations==

The Hobbit film trilogy
Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014) featured computer-generated shots of the Lonely Mountain, Dale, and other Dwarven cities.
Erebor is seen in flashbacks as the elderly Bilbo Baggins recounts the beginnings of his adventure, along with Dale.
Erebor is described as the stronghold and subterranean realm of Thror, King under the Mountain, most powerful among the Dwarf lords and the strongest Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth beneath the Lonely Mountain and it's ruler being considered the lord of all Dwarf mansions. Alongside it's neighbor, Dale, a great prosperous city of Men and Esgaroth, prosperity became commonplace in the Dwarven realm. Eventually, the Dwarves of Erebor uncover riches beneath the earth, making their realm into a great kingdom, and benefiting Dale. While the Dwarves are mining, the Arkenstone is discovered, which Thror proclaims the King's Jewel, while forging a golden statue in his likeness.
Succumbing to greed, Thror denies his potential ally, Thranduil, the Elven king of the Woodland Realm, ownership of the the White Gems, which creates a rift between their peoples, with Thranduil warning the Dwarf lord of his vast horde of gold luring evil in the future. With Thror losing himself in his greed, he spends longer time periods in his lower halls with his gold, must to his grandson's fear. The Elven king's prediction came to be true as the vast wealth attracts the dragon, Smaug, noticed by Thorin, who lays waste to the city of Dale, unhindered by Girion, despite the use of Black Arrows. Thorin rescues Balin from incineration and rallies his troops for a confrontation with Smaug, who bests the marshaled army. Thorin survives and rescues his grandfather, who in avarice, fled to his treasure hoard, losing the Arkenstone.
Thorin leads an exodus of Dwarves from their stolen homeland, Thorin sees Thranduil and his soldiers approaching, pleading for help. Thranduil, bitter over his rift with Thror, withdraws alongside his forces, making Thorin hateful of Elves for a long period. Thorin leads his people across Rhovanion and into Dunland, where he works as a blacksmith to provide for his people and leads them into the Blue Mountains. But he never got over the events that transpired with his home, lacking forgetfulness and forgiveness over it.
After losing Erebor, the Dwarves became a nomadic people, residing in human settlements. After their losses in the Battle of Moria, with both the king and the prince gone, Thorin led his people into the Blue Mountains, where they ultimately established a new colony. Many accepted the Blue Mountains as their new home, with Thorin's nephews, Kili and Fili born in there, several viewed Erebor as their true home.
Thorin later pursued rumors of his father being spotted in the wild near Dunland, after disappearing in the conflict in Moria against Azog. Clinging to false hopes, he went searching in vain. Unknown to him, Azog, having survived his duel with Thorin, set a price on his head, spreading the message through the wild. Gandalf found a copy of this, and showed it to Thorin to Bree. His suspicions of darkness rising aroused, Gandalf convinced the Dwarf exilarch to undertake a quest to reclaim Erebor. The reluctant and mistrustful Dwarf prince, stated he requires the Arkenstone to exert his authority over the other Dwarf Lords and marshal an army against Smaug. Gandalf offered to call upon a burglar to help sneak it past the dragon. Thorin called upon his people, and twelve of his kinsmen answered. Gandalf bade them to the burglar's home, which he marked. Meanwhile, Thorin sent a call for emissaries from all seven Dwarf kingdoms to come to his halls, asking their aid in the Quest of Erebor, which he was denied. Thorin was taken aback by Gandalf's suggestion to use a Hobbit as the burglar, but nonetheless agreed to meet him. However, Thorin's attempts were unsuccessful and instead, settled with the other twelve dwarves who answered his call.
The Quest of Erebor
In TA 2941, Bilbo Baggins and Thorin's company traveled to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a secret door, five feet high and wide enough for three to walk through abreast. Gandalf had managed to obtain the door's key, which fit a key hole which could be found only when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn (also known as Durin's Day) were in the sky would the light shine upon the keyhole. Bilbo entered the mountain himself, stumbling upon the dragon Smaug, who he met for the first time. The company tried to eliminate Smaug themselves by burying him under molten gold made in the forges; however, the trap failed.
Smaug was enraged by the actions of Thorin and Company and, to punish them, set his eyes on destroying Lake-town and its citizens. When Smaug came to the city, the Master packed up his treasure and left by boat. He was however crushed under Smaug's carcass when Bard slew him, but not before the dragon conflagrated the whole of the town and many of its people.
Battle of Five Armies
The survivors fled by boat to the shore, where they lived in tents before Bard came and ordered them to leave for the ruins of Dale. Thranduil came to his aid, but only with the intention of recruiting the people of Lake-town to his cause of forcing Thorin to surrender some of the riches of the mountain to him. Bard convinced Thranduil he could reason with Thorin without the need to go to war. However, Thorin, overcome by the gold sickness, refused, sending Bard away. Without any other option, Bard and Thranduil joined forces, leading to a small siege around Erebor. During the night, they were visited by Bilbo, who Bard recognized from Lake-town, who gave them the Arkenstone, believing that they could use it to their own advantage.Meeting at the front gate, Thranduil and Bard ransomed the Arkenstone; however, Thorin did not believe it was the stone he was searching for until Bilbo revealed it was the true Arkenstone, revealing the truth. Enraged, Thorin nearly killed the hobbit, believing it was betrayal until Gandalf intervened, demanding Thorin release Bilbo and remarking that set an ill example as King under the Mountain. The dwarf king released Bilbo but banished him from Erebor, refusing to ever accept help from Wizards or Hobbits again.
Dain Ironfoot arrived at that moment, and a small skirmish ensued among the Dwarves, Men and Elves. Gandalf attempted to reason with Dain, telling them they were all fighting the wrong enemy and the true one was heading its way, led by Azog, who was sent to take Erebor for his master, Sauron because of its' strategic position. However, the elves and men began to fight the dwarves, who appeared to have the upper hand until three Were-worms dug through the ground, as the Forces of Dol Guldur emerged. To Dáin, Thranduil and Bard's horror, Gandalf had spoke the truth upon watching Azog's armies emerge.
The three Free Peoples almost did battle with one another, but then Orcs attacked and the Dwarves, Elves, and Men joined ranks together with the Great Eagles against the Orcs, in what became known as the Battle of the Five Armies. The battle extended to the city of Dale, meant to serve as a distraction. As Dáin and his people fought, they were lost without Thorin's absence.
After Thorin overcame his gold sickness, the Dwarves emerged from the mountain, the company joined in the Battle of the Five Armies. Thorin decided to lead an assault towards Azog's command tower in Ravenhill. Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili commandeered a Dwarven war chariot, following Thorin through the frozen channel of the River Running. Azog, intending the entire battle as a trap for Thorin, tried to stop his friends from reaching him, sending ogres, a Troll and Wargs after them. Bofur, astride a Troll, managed to help them against the Troll, but the Wargs forced Dwalin, Fili and Kili to take the mounts and leave Balin behind to fend off his foes while they went to Ravenhill.
During the showdown between Azog and Thorin, the Eagles, Radagast and Beorn arrived, quickly dispatching the Gundabad army. During the battle, both Thorin and Azog mortally wounded each other, resulting in their deaths.
Aftermath
In the wake of the battle, a funeral was held for Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli and Kíli, with members of Thorin and Company, Beorn and Radagast in attendance while those in the city of Dale honored those who had fallen in Battle. The mountain was garrisoned by the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and portions of its wealth were distributed to various parties like the Men of the Lake, who set up permanent residence in Dale and elected Bard as the new Lord of Dale.
The Elves of Mirkwood stayed just a short time to receive their share of the treasure before returning to their forest homeland. With Thorin and his immediate family members dead, Dain succeeded him as King under the Mountain. His job done, Bilbo Baggins parted ways with the Company and returned home to the Shire with Gandalf with his secret magic ring always close at hand.
Repopulated with Dwarvish colonists from each of the seven Dwarf kingdoms, Erebor was soon restored to its former glory and flourished once more, as did its neighbor-city Dale. In time, Erebor retook its place as the most powerful Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth.
{{Gallery
|title=The Lonely Mountain in adaptations
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=3
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Erebor.jpg|The Lonely Mountain, as it appeared in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film trilogy]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Lonely Mountain.jpg|The Lonely Mountain in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
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'''2018: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:After a minor appearance depicting the [[Siege of Erebor]], Erebor proper was added in 2018 as part of [[Eryn Lasgalen]] and the [[Dale]]-lands. After the breaking of the siege, it is now ruled by King [[Thorin Stonehelm]] who must deal with some of the enemy's army still remaining near his lands. Other than the main hall of Erebor, players can also visit the living quarters, the burial tombs as well as several hidden chambers within the Mountain.

{{references}}
{{companyroute}}{{durinskings}}
[[Category:Mountains]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Erebor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/rhovanion/erebor]]
[[fi:Erebor]]