recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Helm's Deep

**Helm's Deep**, named for Helm Hammerhand, was a fortified gorge in the White Mountains located below the Thrihyrne. It lay near the Westfold and was commonly known as the location of the Hornburg. It was later made famous by the Battle of the Hornburg, a major battle of the War of the Ring.

## History

Helm's Deep was first known to be settled by the Men of Gondor, who constructed the Hornburg during the Second Age. When Calenardhon was given by Gondor to the Éothéod during the rule of Eorl the Young, it became a stronghold of the Rohirrim.

During the Long Winter of TA 2758-2759, Helm Hammerhand and a contingent of Rohirrim soldiers took shelter in the Hornburg, and from there rode to retake Edoras. It was at this time that the gorge's name was taken from Helm.

In the year TA 3019, during the War of the Ring, King Théoden of Rohan led the people of Edoras to the Hornburg to take refuge from the impending attack of Saruman's army. It was then that the Battle of the Hornburg was fought, which ended in victory for Rohan after Erkenbrand and Gandalf arrived with reinforcements. Following the beginning of the Fourth Age, Gimli founded a Dwarven colony in the Glittering Caves, becoming Lord of the Glittering Caves for a time.

## Description

The gorge narrowed from the north, with the cliffs on each side heightening until its southernmost point, where the fortress of the Hornburg and the source of the Deeping-stream lay. The Hornburg was built upon a great spur of rock which extended from the gorge's northern cliff, and from the fortress to the southern cliff was built the Deeping Wall. The earthen wall known as Helm's Dike spanned the width of the gorge, acting as a first defense of the fortress. Behind the Hornburg was located the Glittering Caves, which were renowned for their beauty.
Lake-Men

The **Lake-men** were a people living in Lake-town, or *Esgaroth*, from the Northmen race of Men, and were allies of Thrór and the Dwarves that lived in the Lonely Mountain.

## History

Lake-town was a settlement of men on Long Lake, and was built entirely out of docks that could be separated if necessary. This design made it easy for the Lake-men to catch trade goods that were sent down the River Running by the Elves of Mirkwood.

The Lake-men's main appearance in Tolkien's works comes in *The Hobbit*, when Thorin and Company escaped from Mirkwood by stowing away in barrels and floating down the river. The Dwarves entered the town and were welcomed generously. The Dwarves stayed in Lake-town for a few days, and then made their way towards the mountain. After Bilbo Baggins accidentally caused Smaug to assume that he was a Lake-man, the dragon became full of rage and flew off to destroy Lake-town. The dragon attacked Lake-town and proceeded to burn it until he was killed by a Black Arrow shot by Bard, who held his ground with a few loyal men while everyone else, including the town leader, fled.

Once Thorin and Company realized that the dragon wasn't coming back, they moved into the mountain and held it. Meanwhile, the elves of Mirkwood had been building up an army to go and claim some of the hoard left by Smaug; also the goblins of the Misty Mountains also had built an army to avenge the death of the Great Goblin. The Dwarves of the Iron Hills led by Dáin Ironfoot also massed an army to save Thorin and regain the Lonely Mountain for the Dwarves. The Lake-men gathered what men they had left and joined the Elves in front of the gate, hoping to get some of the treasure in order to rebuild the town. The Dwarves, Elves, and Men met and were about to do battle when Gandalf arrived and alerted them to the host of goblins. The three races, along with the help of the great eagles, united to combat the massive goblin army. When the battle was over, the coalition had won the day and the Dwarves had regained the Lonely Mountain, the Lake-men received a share of the treasure, which they used to rebuild their town.

## Weapons

*Bow*: Many of the Lake-men present during the onslaught of Smaug attempted, in vain, to shoot him down with arrows. Bard the Bowman is well known for his skill with the bow, as demonstrated when he brought the dragon down with the Black Arrow.

*Long Swords*: It is cited in *The Hobbit* that some of the Lake-men fought the Battle of Five Armies with “long swords”.
Ring-bearer

The title, **Ring-bearer**, refers to those who have carried a Ring of Power created by Sauron. It was their task to carry it and to carry it alone. It mostly refers to those who have carried the One Ring at a point in their lives.

## Known people to hold the title

### Bearers of the One Ring

* Sauron (creator)
* Isildur
* Déagol
* Sméagol/Gollum
* Bilbo Baggins
* Gandalf
* Frodo Baggins
* Boromir (for a few seconds)
* Samwise Gamgee (for a short period of time)

### Three Elven rings

* Galadriel (Nenya)
* Gil-Galad (Vilya, formerly)
* Elrond (Vilya)
* Cirdan (Narya, formerly)
* Gandalf (Narya)

### The Seven dwarf rings

* Thráin II (formerly)
* Linnar
* Sindri
* Uri
* Other four dwarf lords
* Smaug
* Azog the defiler (stole from Thrain)

### Nine Rings

* Witch-king of Angmar
* Khamul
* 7 unnamed Ringwraiths
Light of Valinor

The **Light of Valinor** was a term that referred not only to the glorious, unsullied light of the Two Trees, but also to the pure wisdom and understanding that those living in the Blessed Realm possessed.

The Light of Valinor derived from light before any fall and is the light of art bound with reason and good bound with beauty.

The Light of Valinor appeared to be a quality that the inhabitants of Aman could spread to others: the Eldar who went there and were instructed by the Valar gained much wisdom and beauty, so that they surpassed all other Elven races in greatness. When the Noldor came back to Middle-earth in the First Age, they spread the Light of Valinor that was in them to the Edain, so that the Edain became a nobler people.
Fourth Age 6

**Fourth Age 6** (abbreviated to **Fo.A. 6** or **F.O. 6**) is the 6th year of the Sun of the Fourth Age of Middle-earth. Unless otherwise stated, Tolkien Gateway follows Shire usage in Appendix B for reckoning Fourth Age years: Fourth Age 6 was also known as **S.R. 1427** in Shire-reckoning.

Notable events in this year include:

## Mid-year's Day

* Will Whitfoot resigns as Mayor of Michel Delving. Samwise Gamgee is elected as Mayor for the first of seven terms.

## Within this Year

* King Elessar issues and edict that Men are not to enter either Drúadan Forest or the Shire. Elesssar makes the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre.
* Peregrin Took marries Diamond of Long Cleeve.
* Birth of Merry Gardner, fourth child and second son of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton.
Fourth Age 13

**Fourth Age 13** (abbreviated to **Fo.A. 13** or **F.O. 13**) is the 13th year of the Sun of the Fourth Age of Middle-earth. Unless otherwise stated, Tolkien Gateway follows Shire usage in Appendix B for reckoning Fourth Age years: Fourth Age 13 was also known as **S.R. 1434** in Shire-reckoning.

Notable events in this year include:

## Earlier this Year

* Death of Thain Paladin Took II.
* Peregrin Took, son of Paladin and Eglantine Banks, becomes the thirty-second Thain of the Shire.
* King Elessar makes the Thain, the Master, and the Mayor Counsellors of the North-Kingdom.

## Mid-year's Day

* Samwise Gamgee is elected Mayor of Michel Delving for the second time.
King of the West

**King of the West** was a title taken by Aragorn II Elessar on his accession to the throne of Gondor, signifying his kingship over all the Free Peoples of the West, from north to south.

In both the North- and South-kingdoms of the Dúnedain, there had been no king for many centuries. At the time of Aragorn's coronation, there had been no King of Gondor for 969 years and Arthedain, the last remnant of Arnor had been destroyed 1045 years prior. The last King to rule both realms jointly had been Aragorn's distant ancestor Isildur, though his Kingship was cut short at the Disaster of the Gladden Fields before he could truly take up the rule of his twin realms.

From that time, when the Third Age was just two years old, the West had had no uniting King. Aragorn's coronation was thus the beginning of the new Reunited Kingdom.
Mouth of Sauron

**Mouth of Sauron** was a servant of Sauron, the ambassador of Sauron.

## Biography

Before the Battle of the Black Gate,  the Mouth of Sauron went before Gandalf, Pippin, Merry, Eomer Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli.

The first time he had appeared was gloating in front of them by showing Frodo's shirt and throwing it at Gandalf, saying that Frodo was dead, playing on both Pippin and Gandalf's emotions and with others believing that there is no hope for them all because of Frodo's "death". He then faced Aragorn by mocking him to be fit improper for the King of the United Kingdoms. However, angered by the fact that Frodo was dead, he decapitated the man, believing Frodo was still alive.
Sackville-Baggins

The **Sackville-Baggins** were a wealthy Hobbit family of the Shire in the late Third Age.

## History

The family was founded by the marriage of Longo Baggins to Camellia Sackville, heiress of the Sackville family headship. Their son, Otho Sackville-Baggins, adopted a double name, kept by his wife Lobelia (née Bracegirdle). The family was never well-liked as they were extremely obnoxious, snobby, rude, and greedy. They were obsessed with acquiring the luxurious Bag End from their cousin Bilbo. They had almost succeeded in TA 2942 when Bilbo had disappeared a year earlier and was thought to be dead. When this was not so, the family became more and more detestable and for years denied that the Bilbo living in Bag End was the real Bilbo Baggins. They were even more envious of Bilbo's wealth when he adopted Frodo as his heir.

Frodo Baggins disliked them as they resented his inheritance. When Frodo went away in September, TA 3018, they had finally gotten Bag End. Lobelia's son Lotho had gained control of the Shire through alliance with Saruman. When he was murdered, Lobelia was the last significant member of the family and after her death the brief-lived family disappeared.
Muster of Edoras

The **Muster of Edoras** were the Rohirrim that could be mustered to war from Edoras and the King's Lands, including those from Harrowdale in the White Mountains. By tradition, the Muster of Edoras was under the command of the First Marshal of the Riddermark. At the time of the War of the Ring, this tradition had lapsed, partly through the schemes of Saruman and Gríma Wormtongue. Though there was no First Marshal, the Muster did have a leader in Elfhelm, though he did not at that time carry the title of Marshal.
Scouring of the Shire

The **Scouring of the Shire** was an event that took place in the Shire at the end of the War of the Ring, and was the only time the Shire was attacked during the Great Years.

## History

### Background

While Frodo Baggins and company were away, Lotho Sackville-Baggins began a massive land grab with the money he had made from Pipe-weed sales to Saruman at Isengard. This gave him great power. Lotho, now calling himself *the Chief*, began to stretch forth his authority and sought to control the Shire for himself. With help from Dunlendings and Goblin-men sent by Saruman, Lotho took over control of the Shire, imprisoning many, including important folk. He then began industrializing the once green and agrarian Shire, causing much damage. Soon Saruman arrived and took full control and Lotho was deposed, imprisoned, and later killed by Wormtongue. The pace of destruction greatly increased afterwards.

Before returning to the Shire, Frodo Baggins and his companions stayed overnight at *The Prancing Pony* in Bree where they caught up on the last year's local events with the proprietor Barliman Butterbur. They learned that strangers from the South had come to settle in and around Bree, much to the discomfort of the peace-loving Men and Hobbits indigenous to the region. Barliman was impressed to discover that Strider has been crowned King of Gondor. There was also a fight in Bree between Bill Ferny's friends and some Bree-men such as Mat Heathertoes, who were then driven out.

Gandalf took the four Hobbits - Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took - part way to the Shire but detoured to have a long talk with Tom Bombadil. He assured the four that their training in the War of the Ring would be sufficient to settle the troubles.

### The Battle of Bywater

When they discovered that the evil they had fought had come home to roost, they roused the Shire and were able to kill or drive off the evil-doers that infested it. With the assistance of Farmer Cotton, Merry and Pippin led the Battle of Bywater, the last battle in the War of the Ring, in which 19 hobbits and 100 Ruffians were killed; the remaining Orcs and Ruffians retreated away from Hobbiton.
Mahud

**Mahuds** were Haradrim and leaders of one Mûmakil, sitting on top and commanding the crew in battle.

## History

Mahud Chieftains were known within the Haradrim as being able to know their animals so well as to be able to communicate with them. A Mûmakil owner would go to great lengths to hire a Mahud to take them into war.

During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields most to every Mûmakil had a Mahud commanding it. The chief Mahud was killed by Éomer and his spear.

## Notable Mahuds

* Chief Mûmakil Mahud
* Unidentified Mûmakil Mahud
Rhosgobel

**Rhosgobel** was the home of the wizard Radagast the Brown. It was said to be located between the Carrock and the Old Forest Road on Mirkwood's western borders, though Gandalf once mentioned Radagast as living near the southern borders of the forest.

Rhosgobel is depicted as a ramshackle cottage, with various walls and roofs from other cabins being pieced together haphazardly around the base of an old tree. It has several holes in the roof, through which spiders could be seen.

Rhosgobel, located in the Vales of Anduin region, is a large set of ruins located in the region of "Laerlad", once occupied by the Wood-elves, but abandoned long ago. The cottage of Radagast is located inside the ruins, which, after briefly being overrun by the "Ungoladan" tribe in the aftermath of the War of the Ring, was reclaimed by Radagast, who restored it as a refuge and sanctuary for the animals of Middle-earth.
Mauhur

**Mauhúr** was an Uruk-hai of Isengard in the late Third Age, during the War of the Ring.Mauhúr was an Uruk-hai captain in the company that was sent to accompany Uglúk and the Uruk-hai scouts as they returned with Merry and Pippin. He smelled the presence of Aragorn, prompting the Uruk's group to travel faster.

During a night rest, Mauhúr complained about having no food except maggoty bread, which led to skirmish between Uruks and Orcs who wanted to eat the Hobbits. Suddenly they were surrounded by a group of Rohirrim, led by Éomer, who killed all the Orcs including Mauhúr.
Ponies

**Ponies** were common beasts of burden in Middle-earth, especially used by Hobbits and Dwarves, whose small stature made the riding of horses difficult.

## History

Thorin and Company used ponies for the first part of their journey in the Quest of Erebor. They were loaded with all kinds of burdens, and the smallest one was for Bilbo Baggins. The ponies were captured by Goblins in the Front Porch. Beorn also used ponies and lent some of his to the Dwarves up to their way to Mirkwood, provided that they would release them by the Forest Gate. Although some considered breaking their promise, Gandalf warned them that Beorn had been following them as a bear, and would be watching them. Reluctantly, they released the ponies and sent them back to Beorn. The dwarves were provided ponies again by the people of Lake-town on their way to Erebor.

Meriadoc Brandybuck had some ponies in his house at Crickhollow. He had prepared five of them (Sharp-ears, Bumpkin, Wise-nose, Swish-tail, and White-socks, who at that time were unnamed) for Frodo Baggins and their friends on their way to Bree. In the Old Forest, the ponies stayed with Tom Bombadil's pony, Fatty Lumpkin, and became friends.

At Bree, spies let the ponies run to the wild to hinder the hobbits (eventually they returned to Fatty), so Samwise Gamgee bought one from Bill Ferny, a sick and mistreated pony, which Sam also named Bill. Bill was released outside the Doors of Durin as he could not follow the Fellowship of the Ring inside Moria. He found his way back to Bree.

Meriadoc was given the pony Stybba by Théoden. Stybba carried Merry through the mountain passes from the Hornburg east and south to Dunharrow and thence northward to Edoras.

In Minas Tirith, Frodo named his new pony Strider after Aragorn's nickname. With him, he rode back to the Shire. At Bree, the Hobbits found all their former ponies safe at the *Prancing Pony*, having returned there.

Frodo and Sam eventually rode Strider and Bill to the Grey Havens two years later.
Morgai

The **Morgai**, also known as the **Black Fence**, was a mountainous ridge in the Ephel Dúath (Mountains of Shadow) which formed a defensive inner wall in Mordor.

Between it and the Ephel Dúath lay a road which ran between Durthang and the Morgul Pass. Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee followed this road north for awhile after the most direct crossing of the Morgai was blocked by a Nazgûl.
Narsil

**Narsil** is the sword wielded by Elendil, one of the Kings of Gondor and briefly, by Isildur.

Elendil held it with him until his death during the Last Alliance of Men and Elves. Isildur attempted to wield the sword after his father's death. However, it was broken in half and smaller pieces when Isildur attempted to lift it but Sauron stepped on it. Isildur used the blade that had remained on the handle and severed Sauron's finger that had the One Ring on it

The shards were collected by Elrond, who kept it on a pedestal and near a painting of Sauron's defeat.

## The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

When Bilbo is exploring Rivendell, he came across Narsil's shards, but he was more mesmerized by the painting of the Ring.

## *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King*

Arwen persuades Elrond to have the sword re-forged by the elves, and Elrond in turn persuades Aragorn to accept it, as the symbol of kingship with which he can command obedience from the Army of the Dead.
Paladin II Took

**Paladin II Took** was the thirty-first Thain of the Shire, and the father of the famous hobbit Peregrin Took.

## Biography

Paladin was the only son of Adalgrim Took and his unnamed wife and the brother of Esmeralda (Took) Brandybuck. Paladin married Eglantine Banks, and had four children: Pearl Took, Pimpernel Took, Pervinca Took, and Peregrin Took. Paladin lived near Whitwell, near Tuckborough, where he owned a farm.

Paladin succeeded his childless second cousin Ferumbras III Took as Thain of the Shire in TA 3015.

Paladin Took II died in FO 13, at the age of one-hundred and one.
Red Book of Westmarch

The **Red Book of Westmarch** was a red-leather bound book written by the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his household-heir Frodo Baggins, (with supplemental information later added by Samwise Gamgee) which chronicled both their adventures, as well as background information which the Bagginses had collected.

Bilbo Baggins started the book recounting his quest to Erebor, which he entitled *There and Back Again*. He later gave the book to Frodo at Rivendell after completing it. Frodo organized Bilbo's manuscript and used it to write down his own quest of the War of the Ring.

## Description and history

Inscribed within, it reads:

*~~My Diary.~~ ~~My Unexpected Journey.~~ ~~There and Back Again. And~~*
*~~What Happened After.~~*
*~~Adventures of Five Hobbits.~~ ~~The Tale of the Great Ring, compiled by~~*
*~~Bilbo Baggins from his own observations and the accounts of his friends.~~*
*~~What we did in the War of the Ring.~~*
THE DOWNFALL
OF THE
LORD OF THE RINGS
AND THE
RETURN OF THE KING
(as seen by the Little People; being the memoirs of Bilbo and
Frodo of the Shire, supplemented by the accounts of their friends
and the learning of the Wise.)
Together with extracts from Books of Lore translated by Bilbo
in Rivendell.

Bilbo's translations of legends from the Elder Days were also added to it, as were various Hobbit poems and a significant amount of background information on the realms of Arnor, Gondor and Rohan, added to it by Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck.

After Bilbo and Frodo left for Valinor, the Red Book passed into the keeping of Samwise Gamgee, Mayor of Michel Delving. The book was left in the possession of Sam Gamgee's eldest daughter, Elanor Fairbairn, and her descendantsFairbairns. Several copies, with various notes and later additions, were made and the original was kept in a red case (with a three-volume Elvish Translation and a fifth volume [genealogical tables and commentaries]). Copies were passed on to future generations, of which one, the "*Thain's Book*", is the most important.

The copy which was kept at Great Smials, however, was made in Gondor by the scribe Findegil in FO 171, and was said to have been requested by Peregrin Took's great-grandson.

From the cover it was properly red colored; and had signature print on the top, shaped as a shine of light. It also had stitch patterns and beautiful marks around the edges. Bilbo Baggins' initials BB were imprinted on the cover in gold and it was very smooth, soft and silky to the touch. On the inside, there was a page of contents; writing each story by the four owners. There is a chance that *The Adventures of Tom Bombadil* (a book of poems) was written by Samwise Gamgee. However it is unknown what Elanor Gardner wrote.
Rangers of the North

The **Rangers of the North** were the last remnant of the people of the kingdom of Arnor. They were therefore the only descendants of Numenor living in the north. They were considered rangers by the people of Eriador, who thought them "dangerous folk, roaming the wild" but were in fact busy protecting them, and the people of the Shire. They also maintained the line of Isildur through the line of Aranarth.

## Background

The Dúnedain of Arnor dwindled after the breaking of Arnor into three kingdoms and the wars with Angmar. Cardolan and Rhudaur soon fell and only the petty-kingdom of Arthedain maintained the noble line of Isildur. Finally, that too was destroyed in the Battle of Fornost and Arvedui, the last King of Arthedain was lost in the sea. Arvedui's son and heir, Aranarth claimed the title of the Chieftain, who would rule the remnants of his people. Elrond had in his keeping the heirlooms of the house of Isildur: the shards of Narsil, the Star of Elendil, the Sceptre of Annúminas and later the Ring of Barahir, ransomed from the Lossoth.

The Rangers became a secretive wandering and nomadic people around Eriador, far from Sauron's spies, little known or remembered, and their deeds were seldom recorded.

## History

The Watchful Peace followed the loss of Arnor and after its end, the enemies concentrated mostly against Rhovanion and Gondor. During that time, the Rangers fought minor battles and skirmishes against orcs and wolves in order to keep the region safe. The hobbits of the Shire flourished under their protection.

During the rule of Arassuil, the Orcs and Goblins of the Misty Mountains became more bold, daring to invade Eriador. The Rangers fought many battles trying to hold them back, but one party from Mount Gram managed to reach the Shire, and were fought off by a party of brave Hobbits under Bandobras Took in TA 2747. Soon after, the Long Winter arrived and many lives were lost, and Gandalf and the Rangers had to help the Hobbits of the Shire survive.

In 2911, during Argonui's rule, the Fell Winter began with the Brandywine freezing over. This was a catalyst for White Wolves invading Eriador from the North which must have harassed the Rangers. In the last year of his reign, great floods devastated Enedwaith and Minhiriath leaving Tharbad ruined and deserted. The following years were peaceful although Arador was killed by hill-trolls and his son Arathorn II was killed while hunting orcs.

Arathorn's son, Aragorn II succeeded him, who between 2957 to 2980 took great journeys, serving in the armies of King Thengel of Rohan, and Steward Ecthelion II of Gondor. Many of his tasks weakened Sauron and his allies, and the West endured him during the War of the Ring. At that time Aragorn's Rangers were scattered and diminished. They were unable to stop Ringwraiths from breaking through their watch at Sarn Ford, entering The Shire.

After the War of the Ring, however, they helped to re-establish Arnor as part of the Reunited Kingdom under Aragorn's rule.
Olga

**Olga** was a woman who lived in Lake-town.

## Biography

### The Hobbit

As the dragon Smaug flies out to destroy Lake-town for Thorin II Oakenshield, his company of Dwarves association with the intruders, Olga was among the survivors that escaped the destruction while Bard the Bowman, a descendant of Lord Girion who failed to kill Smaug, managed to fire the last Black Arrow upon the beast, killing him. After accepting Bard as their King for slaying the dragon, Olga and all survivors sought refuge in the ruined city of Dale, the place that was deserted for many years while the mountain was still under the control of Smaug. She later volunteered in serving in Bard's army where they ally with Thranduil's army to claim some of the treasure that was kept in the mountain. However, their plan failed when Azog the Defiler led his legion of Guldur Orcs to attack the Lonely Mountain. She fought in the Battle of Five Armies between the Lonely Mountain and Dale and was killed.
Master Worrywort

**Master Worrywort** was a Hobbit of the Shire.

## Biography

In TA 2941, Worrywort appeared selling tubers near the market at the Green Dragon Inn, when Bilbo Baggins shopped at the market after encountering Gandalf he asked Worrywort if he saw the wizard and he replies that he hadn't, which his neighbor would later run when he thought he saw Gandalf. When Bilbo was leaving to join Thorin II Oakenshield and the other Dwarves on their journey to the Lonely Mountain, Worrywort asked where he was off to. Later, he was the first to greet Bilbo when he returned to Shire. But he quickly figured out that Bilbo should be dead and shouldn't appear at that moment.
Sea of Nurnen

The **Sea of Núrnen**, also called **Lake Núrnen**, was a large inland body of water in Mordor. It was roughly half the size of the Sea of Rhûn.

After the War of the Last Alliance Gondor built defensive outposts around Núrnen to watch over it and protect the lands around it from invading forces from the south trying to enter Mordor through the Nargil pass. The southern tributary of the Sea of Núrnen is also given a name, the Gurthrant river (borrowed from MERP). However, when the Great Plague struck from the east, the Gondorian forts were abandoned, allowing the Corsairs of Umbar to claim them as places from which to direct pirate raids into Ithilien and Khand. Over the time these Corsairs, separated from their evil lords in Umbar, settled down as a peaceful independent nation, naming themselves the Tribesmen of Núrn and starting to farm the fertile lands around Mordor's inland sea. However, when Sauron returned, he fought with the Tribesmen - even though they tried to defend against him they were trapped inside Mordor, so he enslaved them to make food for his growing armies.

Núrnen was located in the southeast of Mordor. It was fed by rivers flowing down from the outcroppings of the Ephel Dúath and Ash Mountains that separated the volcanic plateau of Gorgoroth from the fertile volcanic plains of Núrn, and its waters were described by Tolkien as "the dark, sad waters of Lake Núrnen". Its waters were likely used for irrigation purposes to water the fields of Nurn.

After the War of the Ring, King Elessar granted the lands around Núrnen to the freed slaves of Mordor.
Mrs. Bracegirdle

**Mrs. Bracegirdle** was a Hobbit of the Shire.

## Biography

### The Fellowship of the Ring

Mrs. Bracegirdle is one of the Bracegirdles from Hardbottle who, according to Bilbo Baggins, are block-headed. Nevertheless, the Bracegirdles are invited to Bilbo’s eleventy-first birthday party, and Mrs. Bracegirdle greets Bilbo, who is surprised at the number of children she has.
Pelennor Fields

The **Pelennor Fields** was a large field surrounding (mostly to the east) Minas Tirith, the largest city and capital of Gondor.

## History

After Minas Ithil had fallen and was renamed Minas Morgul, the Pelennor Fields were walled by the Rammas Echor, to prevent attacks from Mordor. During the War of the Ring, the Pelennor Fields were the location of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, when Sauron's Orc and Easterling armies overran the Rammas Echor and besieged the city.
It was on these fields that Théoden King was slain, along with the Witch-king of Angmar, and that most of the great battle was fought. After the War of the Ring, the Rammas Echor was rebuilt by the Dwarves of the Glittering Caves.
Knight of Gondor

**Knight of Gondor** was a title of the Kingdom of Gondor.

The title referred to the nobility of Gondor, who fought as mounted soldiers during wartime. Peregrin Took, a member of the Fellowship of the Ring was knighted by King Elessar after the War of the Ring ended, for his services to Gondor during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the Battle of the Black Gate.
Lords of Gondor

**Lords of Gondor** was a title of the Kingdom of Gondor.

This title referred to the nobility of Gondor, who either ruled fiefs in the kingdom or held lands.

## History

During the Siege of Gondor, the lords of Gondor sent contingents or came personally to defend Minas Tirith. Unfortunately, many of the lords were killed in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

This title continued into the Fourth Age in the Reunited Kingdom.

## Notable lords

* Imrahil: Prince of Dol Amroth
* Duinhir: Lord of Blackroot Vale
* Hirluin: Lord of Pinnath Gelin
* Angbor: Lord of Lamedon
* Golasgil: Lord of Anfalas
* Forlong: Lord of Lossarnach

* Unnamed Lord of Ringló Vale, who sent his son, Dervorin, with 300 men to aid Minas Tirith
Second Age 1700

**Second Age 1700** (abbreviated to **S.A. 1700**) is the 1700th year of the Sun of the Second Age of Middle-earth.

Notable events in this year include:

* Tar-Minastir sends a great navy from Númenor to Lindon and to the mouth of the Gwathló.
* Sauron is defeated at the Battle of the Gwathló and utterly routed.
Ithil-Stone

**Ithil-stone** was the *palantír* that stood in Isildur's ancient fortress of Minas Ithil placed there soon after the founding of the city. The stone was captured by the Nazgûl in T.A. 2002 when the city fell to them (being known afterwards as Minas Morgul), and was used by Sauron to entrap Saruman and deceive Denethor during the War of the Ring. It is likely that the stone was destroyed in the fall of Barad-dûr.
First Age 503

**First Age 503** (abbreviated to **F.A. 503**) is the 503rd year of the Sun of the First Age of Middle-earth.

Notable events in this year include:

* The Dwarves of Nogrod enter Doriath and attack Menegroth. In the Battle of the Thousand Caves the elves are defeated, Mablung is slain, and the dwarves take the Nauglamír.
* Beren leads and army of Ents and Elves at the Battle of Sarn Athrad. The Dwarves are defeated and Beren returns to Ossiriand with the Nauglamír.
* Birth of Elwing.
* Dior removes to Doriath and becomes King. His family goes with him.

## Autumn

* Death of Beren and Lúthien. A messenger brings Dior the Nauglamír.
Giant Spiders

The **Great Spiders** or **Ungoliant-spawn** were a race of giant spider-like creatures that were bred in Dol Guldur by the Necromancer. They were released on Greenwood and brought a sickness upon the forest. It started to be known as Mirkwood due to the great sickness. Shelob was a Great Spider that eventually ventured near Mordor and took residence for years near Cirith Ungol.

## History

The first Dark Lord, Melkor, used Ungoliant to help him destroy the Two Trees of Valinor and steal the Silmarils. Ungoliant, who had an insatiable desire to devour light, demanded the Silmarils. Melkor refused and she attempted to kill him. Ungoliant was subsequently driven off by Melkor's Balrogs, and she ultimately wandered across Middle-earth, consuming anything that gave light such as gemstones; and often mated with other large spiders. Her offspring were a great bane on the world in later years. She was described as surrounded by "an aura of darkness". Her fate is unknown, but it is said that, always hungry, Ungoliant ended by devouring herself.

The hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his thirteen Dwarf companions encountered giant spiders in Mirkwood on their Quest to the Lonely Mountain. They managed to capture and entangle in webs each of the thirteen Dwarves. Only Bilbo's magic ring and his Elven blade (Sting) allowed them to escape from being eaten.

Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee encountered the lone, giant spider Shelob in her lair, within caves near Cirith Ungol, as they were trying to enter Mordor in their quest to destroy the One Ring. Frodo was ambushed by her twice, and paralyzed by her poison on the second encounter. Sam used Sting to attack Shelob and wound her, which caused her to flee. Her fate is unspecified.
Otho Sackville-Baggins

**Otho Sackville-Baggins** was a Hobbit of the Shire.

## Biography

Otho was married to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. He adopted the name of both his parents, Longo Baggins and Camellia Sackville, effectively founding a new family. He was the head of the family for many years, and his son Lotho had ambitions to succeed Bilbo (and later Frodo) as head of the Baggins family. Had that happened before he died, Lotho would have called himself 'Baggins-Sackville-Baggins'.
Nurn

**Núrn** was a region located in the southernmost portion of the realm of Mordor that held the inland Sea of Núrnen.

Núrn was a semi-arid place due to its close proximity to Gorgoroth and consisted mostly of short grass landed plains, fertile enough for farming to support the armies of Sauron, as opposed to the arid plateau of Gorgoroth, which is north-west of Núrn.

## History

Núrn was partially inhabited by Westron-speaking men that were enslaved by the Dark Lord Sauron. It was fertile enough to feed Sauron's numberless hordes during the War of the Ring, and covered in vast fields of grain worked by slaves. Its soil had been enriched by ash from Orodruin's eruptions, and its grasslands were fed by water from the Sea of Núrnen.

After the overthrow of Sauron, the land was granted to the freed slaves of Mordor. They may have been allowed to govern it for themselves.

it is portrayed as a lush but ailing land. Before the War of the Ring, the land was the domain of tribesman under the rule of Lady Marwen, Queen of the Shore. At the time the game takes places, the tribesmen were in the process of being conquered and enslaved by Sauron's forces. It was home to the settlements of Barad Núrn, Fort Morn, and the Núrnen Fishery which were overrun and used to supply Sauron's forces at the time of the War of the Ring.

Many of Mordor's beasts resided in Núrn, among them Graugs, Trolls, Wargs, Caragors, Caragaths, Ghûls, Hell-hawks, Fellbeasts and other nameless horrors.
Maggot

**Farmer Maggot** was a Hobbit farmer who lived at Bamfurlong, which was located in the Marish region of the Shire's Eastfarthing.

## Biography

Farmer Maggot had a large turnip-field and mushrooms grew abundantly on his land. Farmer Maggot often had to deal with hobbits, like Frodo Baggins, stealing his mushrooms and was ferocious to trespassers. Farmer Maggot was married to Mrs. Maggot and had at least two sons and three daughters. At least two other hobbits also belonged to the farm household. He owned three dogs, Grip, Fang and Wolf, and used them to chase off any trespassers. His family served Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee, and Peregrin Took supper when they accidentally trespassed on their farm. Farmer Maggot is seen directing the Black Riders to Hobbiton when they arrive at his house in search of the Ring; in another scene, his voice is heard yelling at Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took for stealing from his fields. His crops appeared to include corn, cabbages and carrots, as well as other vegetables.
Princes of Ithilien

**Prince of Ithilien**, was a title created for Faramir, the Steward of Gondor and his descendants by King Elessar after the War of the Ring.

## History of the Title

King Elessar created the subsidiary titles of Prince of Ithilien and Lord of Emyn Arnen for Faramir, the Steward of Gondor and invested Faramir as, the first Prince of Ithilien on May 1, 3019. Following the death of Faramir in FO 82, his son Elboron succeeded him as the second Prince of Ithilien.

The Prince's guard was known as the White Company.

## Princes of Ithilien

 2
Orcrist

**Orcrist** was an elven sword wielded by the Turgon , Thorin Oakenshield (and briefly) Legolas Greenleaf.

## History

### Origin

Orcrist (which meant the "Goblin-cleaver") was forged in the Elvish hidden city of Gondolin in the First Age. It was wielded by Ecthelion of the Fountain, a Lord of the city, who used to "slice a thousand necks" in battle. The sword's pommel was made of a dragon's tooth. It was however lost during the sack of the city (in which Ecthelion died) and became part of the plunder of the city.

Curiously, the sword ended up in the hands of Mountain Trolls - Bill, Bert and Tom - who came down from the Ettenmoors and left the sword (along with Glamdring and a dagger of similar make) in their hoard in Trollshaws.

### An Unexpected Journey

After encountering the Trolls who ended up turning to stone at sunrise, Thorin and company surveyed the hoard and found the sword. Thorin very nearly refused wielding an Elvish blade, but was convinced by Gandalf when he said "you could not wish for a finer blade." The sword was later identified and named by Elrond, a descendant of the people of Gondolin. It was also identified as "Biter" by the Goblin-King who ordered Thorin and Company flogged and be killed upon seeing the blade.

### The Desolation of Smaug

Thorin wielded Orcrist against the Wargs, Goblins, Orcs and finally the Giant Spiders, when Legolas appeared. Identifying it as a Noldorin sword from Gondolin, the Sindar Elf accused Thorin of having stolen it, and took it for himself. He wielded it in his first battle with Bolg, and again in their second encounter.

### The Battle of the Five Armies

However, repaying a favor to Thorin, who was being menaced by Gundabad Berserker Orcs above, Legolas threw the sword at the chest of one of the Orcs, saving Thorin and allowing him to reclaim it for his final battle with Azog.

Thorin used it to deliver the killing blow to Azog. It was laid on his chest when he was entombed at Erebor.
Riddle-Game

**Riddle-Game** was an ancient game of the Hobbits, used as a means of settling disputes. The players continued to ask each other riddles until one failed to provide a correct answer.

## History

The origins of the game are not known, save that it was very ancient and its rules were agreed by the Authorities and respected as sacred. According to Frodo, riddles of similar folk were asked by other folk besides hobbits, although Bilbo and Gollum knew the same ones.

The most famous riddle-game was the one in which Bilbo Baggins and Gollum competed. If Gollum failed to answer a riddle, he would show Bilbo out of the Misty Mountains. However, if Bilbo lost, Gollum would eat him. The two exchanged several riddles, and Gollum's knowledge of the answers suggested to Gandalf years later that he had possibly been a hobbit once. At last, strapped for riddles to ask the loathsome creature, Bilbo, touching the ring he had found in the tunnels, asked "What have I got in my pocket?".

Gollum assumed it to be a riddle, and while he had the right to reject it, his attempt to answer bound him to the rules of the game. Knowing it was an improper question, he was given three guesses, but he guessed incorrectly nonetheless. Reneging on his promise, Gollum plotted to use his "Precious" to murder and eat Bilbo, but when he found it missing, he too late guessed the right answer to Bilbo's "riddle".

## Other riddles

Riddles also appear in *The Lord of the Rings*. Théoden described a poem recited by Gandalf as a riddle, and Gollum yet again provides a riddle.
Redwater

**Redwater** was a river that ran near the eastern fringes of the known part of Middle-earth. It rose among the Iron Hills, east of Erebor, and from there it flowed southwards until it met the River Running in the middle of that river's course. Its name is direct translation of the Elvish Carnen, and seems to be a literal description: rivers that flow out of land with strong iron deposits do indeed show a distinctive red-orange colour in their water.

Little is known of the peoples who lived along the river, except for the Northmen who lived in the lands west of the Redwater in the Third Age. These Men enjoyed a strong alliance with the Dwarves of the Iron Hills, maintaining a prosperous community in this region.
Midgewater Marshes

The **Midgewater Marshes** were a swamp to the north-east of Bree in Eriador.

## History

The Midgewater Marshes were where Aragorn and the Hobbits Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, and Sam Gamgee had to cross on their journey to Rivendell. Chetwood was on the western side of the marshes, and the Weather Hills were to the east.

The terrain of the marshes was boggy and unyielding, dotted with pools and reeds. The marshes were home to biting midges, annoying cricket-like insects that Sam Gamgee dubbed "Neekerbreekers" as well as small but hidden birds.
Necromancer

the Necromancer is an obscure villainous entity mentioned fleetingly by Gandalf as one of the dangers of the wider world. He is peripheral to the plot of the book: explaining why the company takes the dangerous road though Mirkwood rather than going around, and providing a reason for Gandalf's absence for that section of the journey. Thematically the Necromancer, a truly 'terrible' force beyond the power of the main protagonists, gives the world of *The Hobbit* a greater level of reality which Tolkien felt was necessary for a "fairy-tale" to ring true.

Despite the alias it would appear that the Necromancer was always intended to stand for **Sauron**, a figure from the very earliest phases of his legendarium (as Tevildo in "The Tale of Tinúviel").

Indeed, in the *Lay of Leithian*, Thû is called a "necromancer" who "held his hosts of phantoms and of wandering ghosts" (l. 2075) in Tol-in-Gaurhoth.

However, as *The Hobbit* was not originally intended to be integrated with Tolkien's wider mythology the Necromancer did not necessarily need to be consistent with his First Age counterpart Sauron, rather the two were loosely linked to add an 'impression of depth' to the narrative of *The Hobbit*. With Tolkien's decision to merge the two 'worlds' and make Sauron the central antagonist *Lord of the Rings* came the need to reconcile the two figures and account for his whereabouts in the millennia between the end of the First Age and his dwelling in Bilbo's Mirkwood. This was largely achieved in the *Tale of Years*, with Sauron becoming a much greater figure after the fall of his master, one who arguably drove the history of the entire Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth.

Fans have noted that the alias "Necromancer" for Sauron is obscure, as in the context of neither *The Hobbit* nor *The Lord of the Rings* Sauron is ever specifically mentioned to use necromancy, i.e. controlling the spirits of the dead.

A later essay mentions the practice of necromancy concerning the *fëar* of the Unbodied Elves, mentioning that Sauron possibly did so and also taught his followers, although this reference isn't given in context of the story.
Runes

The **runic alphabet** is a writing system based on angular shapes, originally carved into wood or stone. Runes were first used mainly in Northern Europe by the Anglo-Saxons and Norse tribes. One theory says that runes evolved from Etruscan writing, however, other quasi-runic scripts in other parts of the world (e.g. Rovásírás and Orkhon) also exist.

## Relevance

J.R.R. Tolkien decided that a number of his races of Arda would used runic scripts. In *The Hobbit*, Old English runes, or *Futharc*, are used to display the writing of the Dwarves on Thrór's Map; they read as Westron (English) words and not Dwarven. The foreword of *The Hobbit* (50th anniversary edition and later) explains the usage of the Old English runes and help the reader read the Map, although translations are also revealed at the end of chapter 3, "A Short Rest".

Eventually Tolkien elaborated on a totally original runic writing system while writing *The Lord of the Rings*. Although most of the letters between historical runes and Tolkien's **Cirth**, invented by Elves, are identical, they do not share the same values, since the Cirth follow the phonetic principles of Tengwar characters.

In the history of Arda, a runic script called Cirth was invented by Daeron of Doriath to represent Sindarin words. Runes came to be used widely by races other than the Elves; especially the Dwarves.
Ogres

**Ogres** were monstrous and destructive creatures of legend and folklore of Middle-earth, although it cannot be said if they indeed existed.

During the Riddle-game with Gollum, Bilbo Baggins, in his attempt to solve Gollum's fifth riddle, sat thinking of all the horrible names of all the giants and ogres he had ever heard told of in tales.

No ogre is ever mentioned in the annals of the Elder Days and none played any role in the wars and battles. It is entirely possible that they were a mythical race.
It is also possible that Ogre was just another name for the Trolls.
They are stated in to have been based off Half Trolls, suggested to be somewhere between the largest orcs and the smallest trolls. They served in Azog's Army as both shock troops and Troll commanders. One commanded a team of catapult trolls. Several Ogres appear in Dale and two are killed by Bard the Bowman. One of the them, notably, had an abnormally small left arm, while his right arm that held his club was more proportionate to the size of his body.

Azog orders a group of Ogres to destroy the Dwarvish war chariots at the beginning of the battle. The Ogres successfully accomplish their mission, knocking down the machines and killing Dwarves with their maces. Some time later, Azog sends another group of Ogres to bring down the chariot used by Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili on their way to Ravenhill. However, the spiked wheels of the chariot behead all the attacking Ogres.