Glittering Caves

The **Glittering Caves**, also known as **Aglarond**, was the cave system located behind the Deeping Wall of Helm's Deep.

## Overview

The Glittering Caves were located behind Helm's Deep under the three peaks of the Thrihyrne in the northwestern arm of the White Mountains. The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.

The entrance to the caves was behind the Deeping Wall in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught, making them an ideal refuge location.

Gimli called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World. Reportedly, Legolas was left speechless after visiting them, one of the few times that a dwarf has bested an elf with words.

## Description

The Glittering Caves was an immense, beautiful, and ore-laden cave system that extended deep down into the White Mountains for many miles and consisted of many different paths, tunnels, and chambers. A small stream ran down through The Narrows of Helm's Deep and into the caves and was its source of water.

## History

### Before the War of the Ring

The Hornburg was one of the two fortresses built by Númenóreans to guard the Fords of Isen, Angrenost (later Isengard) being the other. Like Angrenost to the north it was initially well - guarded, but as the population of Calenardhon (the later Rohan) dwindled it was increasingly less supplied and deemed unimportant, until it was only ruled by a hereditary small guard who intermarried much with Dunlendings. The caves themselves remained mostly unexplored.

When Cirion, Steward of Gondor, gave Calenardhon to the Éothéod, the Glittering Caves were transferred to the Rohirrim who used them for refuge during war, strife, and the storage of provisions, but guard duty of the Fords was initially shared between Gondor and Rohan. The fortress then underwent repair with help from the masons of Gondor. The original garrison was merged with that of Angrenost to the north, which remained in the keeping of Gondor.

During the reign of Helm Hammerhand, the Dunlendings attacked from Isengard and across the river Isen conquering parts of Rohan. Edoras was overran and sacked, and King Helm was forced to take refuge with many of his people in the fortress and caves where they remained during the Long Winter of TA 2758 and TA 2759. Because Helm always blew a great horn before riding out to fight the beleaguering Dunlendings, the keep was renamed the **Hornburg**.

### War of the Ring and afterwards

During the War of the Ring, the Hornburg was the refuge of the Rohirrim during the Battle of the Hornburg after being driven back by the Host of Saruman. After the war, Gimli the Dwarf, who had fought mightily in that battle, was allowed to settle a colony of Durin's folk there, leading a host of Dwarves from the Lonely Mountain and became the first Lord of the Glittering Caves. From this stronghold, Gimli forged a new gate for Minas Tirith made of Mithril and Steel. Gimli and Legolas made a pact of friendship, that when the wars of their age ended, that Gimli should walk in the deep woods of Fangorn and that Legolas should behold the jeweled splendor of the Glittering Caves. The Dwarves of the Glittering Caves restored and strengthened the Hornburg following the War of the Ring.