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[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Shadowfax.jpg|thumb|275px|''Gandalf and Shadowfax'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
{{other infobox
'''Shadowfax''' was a mighty horse of [[Rohan]], the chief of the [[Mearas]], tamed by [[Gandalf]] and reluctantly granted as a gift to him by King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]].
| image=[[File:John Howe - Shadowfax 01.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Shadowfax" by [[John Howe]]
| name=Shadowfax
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Rohan]]; [[Gondor]]
| affiliation=[[Gandalf]]
| language=
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| sailedwest=[[29 September]], {{TA|3021}}
| sailedfrom=[[Grey Havens]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Horses|Horse]] ([[Mearas]])
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=''grey
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Shadowfax''' was a mighty [[Horses|horse]] of [[Rohan]], the chief of the [[Mearas]], noted for his speed, "like an arrow".<ref name=siege>{{RK|Siege}}</ref>


Shadowfax had extraordinary speed and stamina.  He was able to run from [[Edoras]] to [[Minas Tirith]] almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivalled the flying speed of the [[fell beasts]] of the [[Nazgûl]].
==History==
{{quote|[Gandalf on Shadowfax] moved with the speed of an arrow and grew as it came, converging swiftly with the flight of the four men towards the Gate [of Gondor].|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]}}
In [[September]] {{TA|3018}}, Gandalf was in [[Rohan]] and [[Théoden]] reluctantly gave him any horse of his choosing. At first the horse did not allow him to come near, and Gandalf had to follow him far over the fields for two days before he tamed him,<ref>{{App|B3}}</ref> chasing him for over twenty miles.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "The Council of Elrond", p. 251</ref> Shadowfax was said to be much faster than the horses of the [[Nazgûl]], and carried Gandalf for about 620 miles from [[23 September|23]] to [[28 September]].<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "The Council of Elrond", pp. 252-253</ref> When they reached [[Weathertop]], Gandalf was followed and attacked by the Nazgûl on the night of [[3 October]].<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "A Knife in the Dark", pp. 166-8</ref> Shadowfax then carried Gandalf far into the north to distract the Ringwraiths from chasing the Ring-Bearer.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Flight tipo the Ford", p. 189</ref>


Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage.  He was the only free horse in the world capable of standing before the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] instead of fleeing.
In [[February]] of [[Third Age 3019|the next year]], Shadowfax returned to [[Edoras]].<ref>{{TT|Riders}}</ref>


{{quote|[...] all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]}}
Shadowfax came alone to Gandalf in the outskirts of the [[Fangorn Forest]] and he introduced the horse to the [[Three Hunters]]. [[Hasufel]] and [[Arod]] recognised him as their chieftain. Shadowfax carried Gandalf and [[Gimli]] to [[Edoras]].<ref>{{TT|White}}</ref> The horse was able to run from Edoras to [[Minas Tirith]] almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivaled the flying speed of the [[fell beasts]] of the [[Nazgûl]].<ref>{{RK|V1}}</ref> Shadowfax was at the [[Grey Havens]] with [[Gandalf]] when he sailed on the [[White Ship]].<ref>{{RK|Havens}}</ref> Shadowfax, as one of the line of [[Nahar]], presumably was with him when sailing for the West.<ref>{{L|268}}, p. 354</ref>


The phrasing "free horses" excludes horses enslaved by [[Sauron]], like the horses ridden by the Nazgûl in the guise of [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]].
Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage. He was the only free horse in the world capable of standing before the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] during the [[Siege of Gondor]] instead of fleeing.<ref name=siege/><ref group=note>This reference excludes horses used by the forces of Sauron such as the horses ridden by the Nine Riders.</ref>
 
==Appearance and abilities==
 
Shadowfax was described to have a silvery-grey coat which was only visible by day, and seldomly visible by night. He was capable of understanding humans when they talked. As chief of the Mearas, and by extension all horses, he possessed unrivaled speed, strength, intelligence, and endurance, capable of running faster than the wind in comparison to all other steeds, outrunning the Nazgul's horses and winged Fell Beasts, as well as an arrow in flight, and travel over great distances almost entirely without need for rest, and as mentioned above, he had immensely strong willpower and courageousness, enough so to stand up to The Witch-King of Angmar in Minas Tirith.
 
==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | NAH | | | | |NAH=[[Nahar]]<br/><small></small>}}
{{familytree | | | | | |:| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | |:| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | FEL | | | | |FEL=[[Felaróf]]<br/><small></small>}}
{{familytree | | | | | |:| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | |:| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | SHA | | | | |SHA='''SHADOWFAX'''<br/><small></small>}}
{{familytree/end}}


Shadowfax was at the [[Grey Havens]] with [[Gandalf]] when he sailed on the [[White Ship]]. Shadowfax, as one of the line of [[Nahar]] presumably was with him when sailing for the West.<ref>{{L|268}}</ref>
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
It is an anglicized form of [[Rohirric]] ''Sceadu-faex'' 'having shadow-grey mane (and coat)'. It does not actually occur in Old English. Fax is an obsolete English word.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 762-3</ref>
It is an anglicized form of [[Old English]] ''Sceadu-fæx'' 'having shadow-grey mane (and coat)'. It does not actually occur in Old English. ''Fax'' is an obsolete English word.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 762-763</ref>
==See also==
 
* [[:Category:Images of Shadowfax|Images of Shadowfax]]
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{references}}
{{Gallery
|title=Shadowfax in adaptations
|width=200
|height=150
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Shadowfax.png|Shadowfax in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Shadowfax.jpg|Shadowfax in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
 
'''2012: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Shadowfax accompanies [[Gandalf]] since his return as Gandalf the White.
 
{{references|notes}}
[[Category:Horses]]
[[Category:Horses]]
[[de:Schattenfell]]
[[de:Schattenfell]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:animaux:chevaux:gripoil]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:animaux:chevaux:gripoil]]
[[fi:Hallavaharja]]
[[fi:Hallavaharja]]

Revision as of 16:23, 17 July 2022

Shadowfax
Horse (Mearas)
John Howe - Shadowfax 01.jpg
"Shadowfax" by John Howe
Information
LocationRohan; Gondor
AffiliationGandalf
Physical Description
RaceHorse (Mearas)
GenderMale
Hair colorgrey
GalleryImages of Shadowfax

Shadowfax was a mighty horse of Rohan, the chief of the Mearas, noted for his speed, "like an arrow".[1]

History

In September T.A. 3018, Gandalf was in Rohan and Théoden reluctantly gave him any horse of his choosing. At first the horse did not allow him to come near, and Gandalf had to follow him far over the fields for two days before he tamed him,[2] chasing him for over twenty miles.[3] Shadowfax was said to be much faster than the horses of the Nazgûl, and carried Gandalf for about 620 miles from 23 to 28 September.[4] When they reached Weathertop, Gandalf was followed and attacked by the Nazgûl on the night of 3 October.[5] Shadowfax then carried Gandalf far into the north to distract the Ringwraiths from chasing the Ring-Bearer.[6]

In February of the next year, Shadowfax returned to Edoras.[7]

Shadowfax came alone to Gandalf in the outskirts of the Fangorn Forest and he introduced the horse to the Three Hunters. Hasufel and Arod recognised him as their chieftain. Shadowfax carried Gandalf and Gimli to Edoras.[8] The horse was able to run from Edoras to Minas Tirith almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivaled the flying speed of the fell beasts of the Nazgûl.[9] Shadowfax was at the Grey Havens with Gandalf when he sailed on the White Ship.[10] Shadowfax, as one of the line of Nahar, presumably was with him when sailing for the West.[11]

Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage. He was the only free horse in the world capable of standing before the Lord of the Nazgûl during the Siege of Gondor instead of fleeing.[1][note 1]

Appearance and abilities

Shadowfax was described to have a silvery-grey coat which was only visible by day, and seldomly visible by night. He was capable of understanding humans when they talked. As chief of the Mearas, and by extension all horses, he possessed unrivaled speed, strength, intelligence, and endurance, capable of running faster than the wind in comparison to all other steeds, outrunning the Nazgul's horses and winged Fell Beasts, as well as an arrow in flight, and travel over great distances almost entirely without need for rest, and as mentioned above, he had immensely strong willpower and courageousness, enough so to stand up to The Witch-King of Angmar in Minas Tirith.

Genealogy

 
 
 
 
Nahar
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Felaróf
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHADOWFAX
 
 
 
 


Etymology

It is an anglicized form of Old English Sceadu-fæx 'having shadow-grey mane (and coat)'. It does not actually occur in Old English. Fax is an obsolete English word.[12]

Portrayal in adaptations

Shadowfax in adaptations

2012: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Shadowfax accompanies Gandalf since his return as Gandalf the White.

Notes

  1. This reference excludes horses used by the forces of Sauron such as the horses ridden by the Nine Riders.

References