Course
The Lefnui flowed from its source in the far west of the White Mountains southwest in a partially erratic course through the lands west of the hills of Pinnath Gelin, until it emptied into the Bay of Belfalas through a long narrow firth.[1] It was the longest and broadest of the five rivers Erui, Sirith, Serni, Morthond and Lefnui. The Lefnui formed the western border of Gondor, because the Númenóreans had never established permanent settlements in the promontory of Andrast to its west where they only kept a coast-guard force and beacons at the end of the cape of Andrast.[2]
History
The Lefnui played little part in history, though it was remembered by the people of Gondor and the Men of Rohan. When the Dunlendings invaded Rohan[3] in T.A. 2758,[4] during the rule of King Helm of Rohan and Steward Beren of Gondor,[5] they were aided by Gondor's enemies from the south, the Corsairs of Umbar[3]. These sea-going marauders landed at Lefnui's mouth on their mission to overrun and destroy the Rohirrim, though they would eventually be defeated.[3]
Etymology
Lefnui (also spelt Levnui) is a Sindarin name, which is said to mean "fifth". It received its name, because it was the fifth river south of the White Mountains in Gondor counting the rivers westwards from the Anduin after the rivers Erui, Sirith, Serni and Morthond.[2]
Other versions of the legendarium
In the "working map" that J.R.R. Tolkien used while writing The Lord of the Rings this river had the name Lhefneg.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, entry Levnui, p. 14
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl", entry for King Helm, pp. 1066-67
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2758, p. 1088
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards", entry for Steward Beren, p. 1054
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Ring, "Part Three: Minas Tirith", "XIV. The Second Map", West, p. 434