The Rangers of Ithilien were a company of Gondorian soldiers, selected from the descendants of the people who had dwelt in Ithilien before it fell from Gondor's control.[1] At the time of the War of the Ring they crossed the Anduin dressed in camouflaging green and brown, with green gauntlets and green hoods and masks, armed with great bows, which were almost as high as themselves with great quivers with long arrows with green feathers or spears with broad bright heads and swords to harass the forces of the Enemy in Gondor's old domain[2][3] and used several secret retreats in the region.[4]
History
It is likely that the Rangers of Ithilien were established at the same time that Henneth Annûn was built, in T.A. 2901 when most of the remaining inhabitants of the region departed due to Uruk attacks from Mordor[5] during the reign of Steward Túrin II.[6] Steward Túrin II had secret refugees, such as Henneth Annûn, built in Ithilien for his soldiers.[4] The Rangers' main task seems to have been to harry Sauron's forces whenever they entered Ithilien.
At the time of the War of the Ring the leader of these Rangers was Faramir, son of the Ruling Steward Denethor.[1] Other Rangers at that time were Damrod, Mablung,[1] and Anborn.[7]
On 7 March 3019, Frodo and Sam were captured by Faramir and other Rangers[1] and witnessed a harassing attack by the Rangers of Ithilien upon a regiment of Southrons marching north.[3] After the battle Faramir learned of the One Ring carried by Frodo[8] and the two hobbits were taken to Henneth Annûn by Faramir and the Rangers.[9][10] There the Rangers captured Gollum at the Forbidden Pool,[11] but on 8 March[12] he let the three go to seek entry into Mordor.[13]
Faramir and the Rangers of Ithilien left Henneth Annûn on 9 March.[14] When the Army of the West marched through Ithilien on its way to the Morannon, a powerful force of Orcs and Easterlings tried to ambush its leading companies, but the Rangers of Ithilien, led by Mablung (since Faramir was recovering in the Houses of Healing) trapped the ambushers and destroyed them.[15]
Legacy
After the defeat of Sauron, it is possible that the Rangers of Ithilien may have become the White Company, the guard of Faramir, who became the Prince of Ithilien at the command of King Elessar.[16]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit", p. 659
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit", p. 656
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit", p. 660
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 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 Túrin II, p. 1054
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2901, p. 1088
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion", Ruling Stewards, entries for Thorondir and Túrin II, p. 1039
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West", p. 675
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West", pp. 664-71
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West", p. 674
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, March 7, p. 1093
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Forbidden Pool", p. 685
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, March 8, p. 1093
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Journey to the Cross-Roads", p. 694
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, March 9, p. 1093
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Black Gate Opens", p. 885
- ↑ Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 326, entry Rangers of Ithilien. p. 325-26