recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Eye of Sauron

The **Eye of Sauron**, or **Great Eye**, was a symbol adopted by the Dark Lord in the Third Age. It was said that few could endure its terrible gaze. The Eye was used as a symbol on armor and banners of Mordor, representing Sauron's quasi-omnipotence.

With it, Sauron searched for and tracked the paths of the Ring-bearer Frodo Baggins at the end of the Third Age.

## History

It is unknown when the Eye of Sauron was formed. At the apex of Barad-dûr, the Eye was a flaming, visible, though perhaps not tangible presence during the events of *The Lord of the Rings*, made clear when it appeared through a window when clouds parted in Mordor.
Council of Gondor

The **Council of Gondor**, also known as the **Great Council of Gondor**, was composed of the Lords of the Fiefs and the Captains of the Forces in Gondor, the advisors to the ruler of Gondor who were the Kings of Gondor and later the Ruling Stewards.

## History

The Númenórean King of Gondor governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the lawmaker. He consulted the Council in debatable matters of importance domestic, or external.

The Council took authority over the realm after the loss of Ondoher left it kingless in T.A. 1944, and it acted under the control of Steward Pelendur. In 1945, Arvedui of Arthedain, whose wife was Ondoher's daughter, invoked the Law of Succession in Númenor to claim the throne of Gondor; the Council voted against his claim, in favour of Ondoher's distant relative, Eärnil II.

In all debatable matters of importance domestic, or external, however, even Denethor held Council, and at least listened to what the Lords of the Fiefs and the Captains of the Forces had to say. As the Siege of Gondor approached, Denethor II called the Council together on 11 March, T.A. 3019 and it advised him to make no stroke of war against the enemy due to the threat from the south.

Aragorn re-established the Great Council of Gondor, and in that Faramir, who remained by inheritance the Steward (or representative of the King during his absence abroad, or sickness, or between his death and the accession of his heir) was his chief counsellor.
Berserkers

**Berserkers** were tough Orcs bred in Isengard.

## History

A new breed of Orc Berserkers plays a critical role in the final battle on Ravenhill. Bolg arrives at Gundabad and releases the legions, including the Berserkers.

The Berserkers run up the side of Ravenhill near The Lonely Mountain. The Berserkers are wiped out quite easily despite their strength.

They are portrayed as tall, bulky Orcs with pale skin and glowing eyes.

They were larger, even more fearsome versions of the Uruk-hai, standing about six-and-a-half feet tall and weighing an estimated three hundred pounds. Before they were sent into battle, it is said that the bowl of their small, tight-fitting helmet was filled with the blood of their enemy, and then pushed onto their heads. The intoxicating smell awakened a blood-lust that drove them to a battle-frenzy and made them immune to pain. Berserkers had no regard for personal safety, wore no armor except their helmets, and were expected to fight to the death. Their sole object was to establish a bridgehead. One Berserker was given the task to set off the explosive mines planted by the Uruk-hai.

### The Battle of Helm's Deep

For Helm's Deep they almost certainly would have been trained to climb onto the siege ladders as they were raised up against the Deeping Wall, then to buy enough time for their comrades, who were swarming up the ladders and in behind the Berserkers. It proved very difficult to get close enough to wound the Berserkers, so although they only numbered about thirty, they were able to inflict heavy losses on the defenders before they were finally all killed. Gimli himself accounted for three or more, hitting one in the chest and two in their nether regions.

The Uruk Beserker's main purpose at this battle was to:

* Scale the ladders the Uruk Sappers had brought from Isengard.
* Kill as many of the enemy as they possibly could when they reached the top of the ladders so there was room for the Uruk-hai swordsmen coming behind them.
* Ignite the blasting powder that Saruman had created for destroying the Deeping Wall, with their torches.
Battle of Greenfields

The **Battle of Greenfields** was a battle that took place in the Northfarthing of the Shire in the latter half of the Third Age, and was the only time the Shire was ever attacked by the Goblins of Mount Gram.

## History

In TA 2747, a band of Goblins from Mount Gram led by their King Golfimbul invaded the Shire. The hobbits were prepared and met them with a force led by Bandobras Took in the Northfarthing. According to the traditional story, Bullroarer charged the ranks of the Goblin army on horseback and with a wooden club knocked Golfimbul's head clean off, sending it sailing a hundred yards through the air and down a rabbit-hole, thus winning the battle and simultaneously inventing the game of golf.

No other battle occurred within the borders of the Shire until the Battle of Bywater on November 1, 3019, over two-hundred years later.
Estel (Concept)

The Elvish word ***estel*** (the same in both Quenya and Sindarin) refers to a complex philosophical concept found in Elvish thought. This idea is best understood as *trust* or "*faith*", and the hope that comes from it: *estel* refers to the belief that Eru Ilúvatar, the Creator of the Universe (Eä), is good and that his designs for his creatures will ultimately be good as well, despite the troubles that seem to plague Arda, this world. Certain knowledge of what is to happen to the Elves after the end of Arda has thus been withheld from them, so that all they can rely on is *estel*. The Elven-king Finrod Felagund explained *estel* as an idea that "is not defeated by the ways of the world, for it does not come from experience, but from our nature and first being. If we are indeed the *Eruchin*, the Children of the One, then He will not suffer Himself to be deprived of His own, not by any Enemy, not even by ourselves."

*Estel* is also connected to the more immediate hope found in the Children of Ilúvatar that keeps them from being overcome by the hardships of Arda Marred; the Valar refer to this gift as the ability to appreciate "the Unmarred that they discern in the Marred". That is, the Children of Ilúvatar can see what is good about Arda in its present state, despite its corruption by Morgoth. It is *estel* that gives them this ability.

*Estel* is similar to, but more deeply based in the heart than, *amdir*, another Sindarin word that can be translated as "hope".

## *Estel* in Arda's History

According to Elvish tradition, *estel* was one of only two things Eru demanded from his Children; the other was belief that he existed in the first place. Lack of *estel* was seen as a fault in the *fëa* of a person, and could have grave consequences: the most drastic example of a being lacking in *estel* is none other than that of Morgoth himself; his denial of the greatness of Eru led to his nihilism and despair. The failing of *estel* found in Finwë, the first High King of the Noldor, of his wife Míriel ever returning to him from the Halls of Mandos is another example. Finwë's decision to take another wife led to the strife between his sons that was instrumental to the tragic Fall of the Noldor. Ultimately, most poor choices of Elves and Men come from a failing in *estel*.

## *Estel* and Men

Unlike the Elves, the foundation of *estel* in Men was said to have been shaken because of their corruption by Morgoth in the earliest days of their race. Because they had denied the supremacy of Eru and taken Melkor as their God, they could no longer believe with certainty that Eru would accept them. This lack of *estel* in Men had an effect on their view of their mortality, which was originally their Gift from Eru.
Crown of Gondor

The **Crown of Gondor**, also called the **winged crown**, **White Crown**, **Silver Crown** and the **crown of Elendil**, was the ceremonial headgear of the Kings of Gondor, and was used as a symbol of the Kingship.

## Description

It is said that the original crown was a plain Númenórean war-helm. However a later crown replaced it, described as a tall, jeweled and winged helm, not unlike the helms of the Guards of the Citadel, but taller and all white, with wings resembling those of a sea-bird wrought of pearl and silver. Seven gems of adamant were set in the circlet. On its summit was a jewel, the light of which went up like a flame to represent Anarion.

## History

The original crown of Gondor was the battle-helmet of Isildur. This crown was used from the beginning of the Third Age until the reign of Atanatar II the Glorious, who fashioned a new jeweled crown, of silver.

It was tradition that the new king would receive the crown from his father before he died, or take it from his hands at his father's tomb. When Eärnur rode off to Minas Morgul in TA 2050, he left the crown in the lap of his father Eärnil II in the Hallows of Minas Tirith. There it remained for the next 969, years until the Crowning of King Elessar after the defeat of Sauron.
The silver crown was known to many outside Gondor; Gollum remembered being told of it as a child, despite being born long after the ending of the kings.
Desolation of the Dragon

The **Desolation of the Dragon** (or the **Desolation of Smaug**) was the wasted, unpeopled lands around Erebor and Dale, charred and blackened by the burning breath of Smaug the Dragon. The borders of the Desolation harboured a little clinging greenery and life, but its heart was scorched and utterly barren. The desolate lands extended southwards some miles along the banks of the River Running from Smaug's lair beneath the Lonely Mountain, but the lands to the north of the mountain seem to have suffered even more fiercely. After Smaug's death, it seems that the Desolation was slowly reclaimed, so that both Erebor and Dale were eventually to recover from their destruction and prosper once again.
Durthang

**Durthang** was a fortress in the mountains of northern Mordor, and one of the many Orc-holds along the northern mountains there.

It stood in the northern Ephel Dúath, on the slopes above Udûn and the Isenmouthe, which it in part watched over.

## History

It was originally built by Gondor after the War of the Last Alliance to keep watch on Mordor and prevent evil from entering there again. At first Durthang was like the other fortresses and castles built to watch over Mordor, fully maintained and manned. However, as Gondor's power began to decline, the fortress began to be neglected from the reign of Atanatar II. It was finally abandoned after the Great Plague that vastly depopulated Gondor and evil began to re-enter the formerly desolate land. The ruined fortress was repaired by Sauron upon his return to Mordor and was garrisoned by his forces during the War of the Ring.

Frodo and Sam passed this castle when they headed to Mount Doom as they had to go northwards and then south to avoid Barad-dûr, and they found this castle to be vigilant and hostile. The castle sent out Orc-forces to march to Udûn for the Battle of the Black Gate, the battle which ended the War of the Ring in the south-east. The exact fate of Durthang remains unknown.
Beleriand

**Beleriand** was the westernmost region of Middle-earth in the First Age, which was largely destroyed and sunk during the War of Wrath that ended that age.

## History

Beleriand was the land of the Sindar, ruled by Thingol in Doriath, and of the Petty-Dwarves. But they were soon joined by Noldor who came from the West to fight the Dark Lord Morgoth, who resided north of Beleriand; as well as by Green Elves, Men and Dwarves from the Blue Mountains. Ents lived in the forests of Beleriand, among which was Treebeard.

After Beleriand's destruction, its only remnants were the Blue Mountains (and the adjecent mount Rerir) and Lindon, as well as the highlands of Himring, Taur-nu-Fuin and Morwen's grave, which became the islands of Tol Himring, Tol Fuin and Tol Morwen.

To the west and south, Beleriand had a long coast with the Great Sea Belegaer; to the north were the highland regions of Hithlum, Dorthonion, and the hills of Himring; to the east the Blue Mountains reached nearly to the sea. The land of Nevrast in the north-west was sometimes considered part of Beleriand.

Sirion, the chief river of Beleriand, running north to south, divided the continent into West Beleriand and East Beleriand. Crossing it east to west was a series of hills and a sudden drop in elevation known as Andram, the Long Wall. (The river sank into the ground at the Fens of Sirion, and reemerged below the Andram at the *Gates of Sirion*.) To the east of the Long Wall, was the River Gelion with its six tributaries draining the Blue Mountains, in an area known as Ossiriand or the Land of Seven Rivers. The River Brithon and the River Nenning were the two lesser rivers of the western land of Falas.

In the year FA 583, Beleriand was mostly destroyed by the War of Wrath of the Valar against Morgoth. Only a small section of East Beleriand remained, and was known as Lindon. In addition, fulfilling a prophecy, the graves of Túrin Turambar and Morwen also survived as the island Tol Morwen. Part of Dorthonion became Tol Fuin, and the Hill of Himring became the island of Himling. All of these together were known as the Western Isles.

The final words of Galadriel to Treebeard at their parting at Isengard, "Not in Middle-earth, nor until the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again. Then in the willow-meads of Tasarinan we may meet in the spring. Farewell!" suggests that Beleriand will be recovered from the Sea again, after the Dagor Dagorath, since it will be like Arda Unmarred but containing all the good things of Arda Marred.
Elros

**Elros**, also known as **Elros Tar-Minyatur**, the Half-elven, was the son of Eärendil and Elwing, brother of Elrond, uncle of Elladan and Elrohir and Arwen Undómiel, and the first King of Númenor; ancestor to a line of kings that led to his distant descendant Aragorn II Elessar. He had a strong friendship with the Elves, who were half his kin.

## Biography

### First Age

In FA 532, Elros was born in the Elven havens of Arvernien. When they were only children, the Sons of Fëanor attacked the havens in order to recover the Silmaril, and Elros and Elrond were taken captive by Maglor and Maedhros. Around the same time, Elwing, their mother, cast herself into the great sea and vanished from Middle-earth.

From then on, Elros and his brother were raised by Maglor. They were both raised in love for Maglor was not proud of his deeds. It is nowhere told when or if Elros and Elrond actually left Maglor or if they participated in the War of Wrath which broke the power of Morgoth for good.

### Second Age

Eventually the War of Wrath ended. As Elros and Elrond were Peredhil, or Half-elven, and only in these two remained the line of heroic chieftains of Men in the First Age. The Valar gave to Elrond and Elros the choice of which kindred they would belong to. Elros chose to be of Man-kind and as such he was granted a great life-span. Eonwë came among the faithful humans and he taught them and gave them wisdom, power, and a life longer than any others of mortal race, but none of the high men ever reached the age of Elros. A great land was prepared for them; not a part of Middle-earth yet not wholly separate from it. This land was Númenor, and Elros would be its first king.

Númenor was raised from the depths of the sea by Ossë, established by Aulë and enriched by Yavanna. The Elves came bringing flowers and fountains out of Tol Eressëa from Avallonë, and wrought gardens in Númenor. The Valar called it Andor, "The Land of Gift", and its own people called it Westernessë, for it lay west of all the lands inhabited by mortals.

At age 90, Elros ascended the throne of Númenor in the city of Armenelos where he was inscribed as Elros *Tar-Minyatur*. The sword Aranrúth, which once was his great-great-grandfather Thingol's sword, the Ring of Barahir, and Dramborleg, the Axe of Tuor, became heirlooms of the Kings of Númenor. During his reign, Elros had four children to an unnamed mortal wife. They included three sons, Vardamir Nólimon, Manwendil, and Atanalcar, and a daughter, Tindómiel.

Elros died in SA 442, after ruling Númenor for 410 years.
Deagol

**Déagol**, also known as **Nahald**, was a Stoor-hobbit of the Gladden Fields. Déagol was the cousin and best friend of Sméagol until his discovery of the Ring.

## Biography

Déagol was born some time between TA 2400 and TA 2430. Déagol and Sméagol apparently lived in an extended family under a Matriarch. He became the third bearer of the One Ring, after Isildur, when he found it in the Gladden river (a tributary to the Anduin) with his cousin Sméagol. On Sméagol's birthday in TA 2463 they went fishing (or rather Déagol fished while Sméagol dug in the earth), and a big fish pulled Déagol underwater. It was then that he discovered the One Ring, half-buried in the river-bed. When Sméagol saw the Ring, he stared at it with great desire, and then asked to keep it for his birthday. When his cousin refused, Sméagol became enraged and strangled Déagol to death, hiding the body, which was never found. This deed haunted Gollum for the rest of his life.

Of the Ring's bearers, Déagol carried it for the shortest collective time, possessing it only for no more than a few minutes. By contrast, the next shortest, Samwise Gamgee, carried it for a full day, and all the other Ring-bearers held it for at least a year. Déagol was also the only Ring-bearer never to use the Ring, all the others making use of its gift of invisibility at least once.
It was possible that the Ring had already affected Déagol in a way that made him desire to keep it, explaining his unwillingness to give it to Sméagol.
Eamon

**Eamon** was a Man of the Southlands in the Second Age.

## Biography

Eamon was one of many refugees from the Southlands after their settlement was attacked by Orcs; some of these people came to be on a ship, which was wrecked by a sea-serpent. Eamon and four others, including Halbrand, Abigail, and Astrid, survived by forming wreckage into a makeshift raft. After some time, they came upon the Elf Galadriel, and initially believed her to be human. When her nature was revealed, Eamon, with the others, was alarmed, but had no time to take further action before the sea-serpent returned and destroyed the raft, killing all but Galadriel and Halbrand.
Enedwaith

**Enedwaith** (S, pron. [eˈnedwa͡ɪθ]), also spelled **Enedhwaith** (pron. [eˈneðwa͡ɪθ]), the **Central Wilderness**, originally referred to both a region of Middle-earth between Arnor and Gondor, and the men that inhabited it; the region Enedwaith retained that name even when the Enedwaith people were no more.

## Geography

Enedwaith can be roughly defined as the region between Arnor (Eriador) and the northern parts of Gondor (Calenardhon), and was nominally shared by both, although it wasn't settled by the Dúnedain.

The boundaries of the Enedwaith were defined in the north by the rivers Gwathló and Glanduin, to the east by the Hithaeglir, and to the west by Belegaer. The southern border was less clear, but was probably formed by the river Isen.

## History

During the First and early Second Age Enedwaith was deeply forested, but the arrival of the timber-hungry Númenóreans, from the seventh century of the Second Age onwards, devastated the landscape.

The Enedwaith themselves "were forest dwellers, scattered communities without central leadership." They were distantly related to the Haladin of old, but this wasn't recognized in time by Númenóreans, who were mainly descended from the First and Third Houses of the Edain, and therefore spoke a language which was not related. The Enedwaith were not ranked as Middle Men, friends and distant kin of the Edain, but were ranked among the "people of darkness", enemies and aliens.

The denuded forests of Enedwaith, and much of those to the north in Eriador, were finally destroyed by the War of the Elves and Sauron around S.A. 1700, during which much of what had survived the felling was burnt. Only remote corners like Eryn Vorn survived in Eriador, and the Old Forest further north. Many surviving natives took refuge in the eastern highlands of Enedwaith, "the foothills of the Misty Mountains", which ultimately became Dunland.

After S.A. 3320, Enedwaith formed the most northern part of the new Kingdom of Gondor, at least officially. The south-east was still "in places well-wooded", but elsewhere Enedwaith was by this time "mostly grassland."

Enedwaith was said not to belong to either Arnor or Gondor, sharing an interest in that region. The hold was nominal as it wasn't settled by them, due to the hostility of the Gwathuirim. The only settlement was a fortified town and haven at Tharbad, a garrison populated by soldiers, mariners and engineers.

Following the Great Plague in T.A. 1636 the region fell quickly into decay; and back into wild fenlands however, Gondor's authority permanently lapsed throughout the region. At some point the Isen marked the western bounds of Gondor but it was of little concern other than the patrolling and upkeep of the great Royal Road.

Tharbad, originally one of two ancient cities on the Gwathló and the only one to survive beyond the early Third Age, was finally abandoned following devastating floods in T.A. 2912, and thereafter, only two groups survived in Enedwaith: the Dunlendings in the far east, and a "fairly numerous but barbarous fisher-folk" wandering the coast.
Ethir Anduin

The **Ethir Anduin**, otherwise known as the **Mouths of Anduin** or **Anduin's Mouths**, was the estuary formed by the River Anduin's egress into the Great Sea of Belegaer in the Bay of Belfalas, near Gondor's great harbour of Pelargir.

## History

The delta's first settlers were probably Nandor. Some of the Nandor who had lived upstream, in the Vales of Anduin under the Misty Mountains, passed to its Mouths southward. After they were gone, the "lesser men" settled there, though they were likely in conflict with Haradrim. After the coming of the Númenóreans, the confluence of cultures in the Ethir and Pelargir formed one of the earliest forms of Westron. The Númenoreans made a passage taken by the ships going to and from Pelargir.

During the Drowning of Númenor, the shores of the Bay of Belfalas had retreated a great distance, putting Pelargir much farther inland than it had been in its beginning. Afterwards, the Anduin carved a new path by many mouths to the Bay.

The delta was populated mostly by fishermen and other sea-crafty folk, and became an important part of Gondor in the days of Tarannon, the first Ship-king.

During the War of the Ring, some hundred fishermen that could be spared from the boats were sent to the defence of Minas Tirith. This left the Mouths themselves open to Umbarian conquest, but the occupation did not last very long; Aragorn and the Grey Company liberated it several days later.
Balchoth

The **Balchoth** were a fierce group of Easterlings.

## History

Under the influence of Sauron from Dol Guldur, the Balchoth attacked Gondor in TA 2510. They overran the plains of Calenardhon and almost destroyed the army of the Ruling Steward Cirion, but were defeated by the Éothéod under Eorl the Young at the Battle of the Field of Celebrant; the entire army was pursued and slaughtered by Eorl and his men. The Balchoth do not reappear in sources after this, although Easterlings continued to trouble Rohan, killing Eorl and finally being driven off by his son, Brego.

Like the Wainriders, whom the Balchoth could be said to have succeeded, they rode in chariots and wagons.
Dwarf Runes

**Dwarf Runes** (one technical term is "**the Angerthas**") were a runic script used by the Dwarves, and was their main writing system. This Dwarven writing system utilizes runes and glyphs when written.

Dwarf Runes were first created by the elven loremaster Daeron of Doriath and were called Cirth or Certar Daeron. Daeron was inspired by the Tengwar script of Fëanor and wanted to create a new script for his Sindar kin. The dwarves learned the runes from the elves and adapted them for their own language Khuzdûl. The letters are thin and angular for they were designed for cutting or scratching on wood, stone, or metal. By the Third Age only the dwarves made regular use of them. The Cirth alphabet originally had nineteen characters which was sufficient for the Sindarin language. More were later added by the Noldor of Eregion to make it easier to express certain subtle sounds in their language. This full expansion of the script is generally called Angerthas Daeron or Angerthas Eregion. After the destruction of Eregion the elves generally ceased to use Cirth at all. Dwarves made their own variations of the script called Angerthas Moria and Angerthas Erebor.

Some dwarves knew a secret way of writing runes called Moon letters. These runes were written with a silver pen and could only be seen under the light of the moon. With the more advanced forms of Moon letters it had to be a moon of the same shape and season as the day when the runes were written.

The runes of the dwarves were adapted by Tolkien from the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian rune scripts.
Dwimorberg

**Dwimorberg** was a mountain located in the White Mountains. It was haunted by the Army of the Dead, spirits of the men of the White Mountain after being cursed by Isildur.

## Description

Dwimorberg was situated within the White Mountains at the valley of Harrowdale. The location, Dunharrow stood above a cliff on the eastern side of the Dwimorberg valley, which was also surrounded by the Dimholt, a forest of pinewood and fir that housed the Dark Door.

A standing stone was placed in front of a doorway that led to the path of the Dead.

## History

### Second Age

Before they were cursed, the Men of the White Mountain swore an oath to serve Gondor and its king, Isildur. However, the men's ancestors worshipped Sauron during the Dark Years. During the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, the men still retained their love for the Dark Lord; when it was their time to fulfill their oath, the Men refused to serve Isildur. Enraged, the king of Gondor cursed them to never rest until their oaths were fulfilled by one of his descendants.

### War of the Ring

During the War of the Ring, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli travelled through Dwimorberg to reach the Army of the Dead and gain their help in defeating their enemies led by Sauron. They were freed them from their curse and considered their oath fulfilled shortly after the Battle of Pelennor Fields, leaving Dwimorberg haunted no more.
Evendim

**Evendim** was a Hobbitish name to refer to the dusk of the evening known to the Elves as *aduial* or *undómë*.

It was used to refer to the Hills and Lake around Annúminas in western Arnor.

Evendim was a region of Eriador with Lake Evendim dominating most of the map. On the southern coast of the lake lies Annúminas. Oatbarton lies to the very south on the road to The Shire. Along the south-eastern side lay the Brandywine River. The lake was watched over by the spirit Gwindeth, the Blue Lady of Nenuial, and the surrounding Arnorian ruins were preserved by a faction of Rangers known as the Wardens of Annúminas.
Dunland

**Dunland** is a region of hills to the North-East of Rohan.

## Inhabitants

Dunland was inhabited by the Dunlendings, an ancient but wild people who harassed the people of Rohan (most notably at the times of Helm and Théoden) for robbing them of the more fertile lands of Calenardhon. It was also the habitat of the Crebain, a race of crows, which Saruman (whose stronghold of Isengard was beside Dunland) later used as spies.

It was also briefly the home of the Dwarven refugees of Erebor, who settled there after failing to reclaim Moria to the North. They worked there in the service of men as merchants, miners and toy-makers before their leader Thorin led them west to the Blue Mountains. It seems that some Dwarves continued to nevertheless live there, as Bofur was quick to use this as an excuse for Thorin and Company's presence in the Misty Mountains (when inquired by their captor, the Goblin King), saying that they were overdue to visit distant relations of his.

## History

In TA 2941, Thorin heard rumours that his missing father, Thrain, was seen in the wilds near Dunland, and went looking there, in vain. It was during this visit, in which he drew near the Misty Mountains, that he was spotted by spies of The Necromancer, and contacted by Gandalf, thereby inciting the Quest of Erebor.

The Dwarves also continued to deal with the inhabitants of Dunland, as Kíli recalls escorting merchants there, who were trading for the region's furs with silver.

During the War of the Ring, The Dunlendings swore allegiance to Saruman and attacked the Westfold of Rohan, burning many of its villages to the ground.
Assault on Osgiliath

On June 20 of TA 3018, the forces of Sauron **assaulted** the ruined city of **Osgiliath**, in what would become the first battle of the War of the Ring.

## History

### Prelude

Prior to the battle, Sauron had regained all his military strength and was prepared to attack his enemies. He first planned to attack his most powerful enemy, the land of Gondor, where "the hammer stroke will fall hardest", but in order to destroy Gondor's capital, Minas Tirith, he first needed to capture Osgiliath, a ruined fortress-city strategically positioned on the Anduin river. Fords across the river were located in the ruined city (half of Osgiliath was located on each side of the river) that were the only path a large army could cross the Anduin for hundreds of miles up or downstream (from Cair Andros to Pelargir). If captured, Sauron could freely move his main army across the river and to the primary target of his strategy in the war, Minas Tirith. The attack was a probing attack, meant to test the strength and preparedness of Denethor II and also provided the necessary cover for the Nazgûl to cross the Anduin and begin their hunt for the Shire.

### The battle

As later related by Boromir to the Council of Elrond, Sauron's forces came upon Osgiliath without warning, outnumbering the Men of Gondor which defended the city under Boromir and Faramir's command. Aided by Easterlings and Haradrim, and led by the Witch-king, Sauron's forces overwhelmed the defenses, forcing the Men of Gondor to break the last bridge over the Anduin as they retreated. Still, only Boromir, Faramir, and two others escaped the battle, swimming to the western shore.

Once the bridge was destroyed, Sauron ceased the assault in order to allow the Ringwraiths to begin searching for the One Ring.

### Aftermath

Orcs under the command of Sauron attacked Thranduil's people in Mirkwood on the same day with the intent of freeing Gollum, with both battles concurrently a major prelude to the War of the Ring. Following the attack East Osgiliath was where the Siege towers were constructed in preparation for the assault on Gondor. Sauron would attack West Osgiliath some nine months later, this time succeeding in conquering the entire city and clearing the way for the Siege of Gondor.
Eohere

An **éoherë** was the name used by the Men of the Éothéod for a full muster of their armed riders. When Eorl rode from the north to the aid of Gondor, he led an éoherë of some seven thousand horsemen, as well as several hundred mounted archers. The successors of the Éothéod were the Rohirrim, and they continued to use this term. In Théoden's day, some five centuries after the Ride of Eorl, the full éoherë of Rohan was reckoned as one hundred éoreds, or a total of twelve thousand fighting men.
Blue Wizards

The **Blue Wizards** were two Wizards sent to contest the will of Sauron in the furthest regions of Middle-earth. They were known as Allatar and Pallando and were part of the Order of the Istari.

It is told that aside from Saruman, Gandalf, and Radagast, there were others of the Istari who went into the east of Middle-earth, and do not come into these tales. The two Wizards were sent to the East whose names were "Alatar" and "Pallando". Alatar was a Maia of the Vala Oromë who chose him to go to Middle-earth. Alatar asked his friend Pallando to join him on his mission. The time that the Blue Wizards arrived in Middle-earth is uncertain. Tolkien wrote that the five Istari came to Middle-earth together in TA 1000. However, in *The Peoples of Middle-earth*, they are said to have arrived in the Second Age, around the year SA 1600, the time of the forging of the One Ring. Their mission was directed at weakening Sauron's forces in the eastern and southern parts of Middle-earth, whereas the other Istari were focused on the west.
Dark Lord

The **Dark Lord**, the **Enemy** or **Dark Power** were names given to the two great foes of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth, Morgoth the great rebel Vala, and Sauron, the mighty fallen Maia. It was the title held by the two most powerful evil overlords in the world of Arda, each of whom worked to take control of all Middle-earth for themselves and enslave the Free Peoples.

## Description

The first Dark Lord was Morgoth, the prime mover of evil in Middle-earth throughout the early years of Arda and the First Age. Purposed by the nihilistic goals of marring and destroying the world since he could not do with it as he pleased, Morgoth rose in defiance of Arda's creator and the other Valar. In Middle-earth he would wage perpetual wars against Elves and Men and came close to triumph, only to be vanquished by the Host of the West.

The second Dark Lord was Sauron, the main and effective mover of evil in Middle-earth throughout the long Second and Third Ages. In his pride-goaded impatience to impose order, he came to desire to be the self-stylized "Lord of the Earth" - to have subjects and be worshipped as god-king - Sauron too rebelled thought not so outwardly at first. Later, as the heir of Morgoth he strove to build an empire over Middle-earth (and the island of Numenor) through endless wars with Elves, Men and Dwarves and came very close to total domination until he was toppled from power and eventually defeated by the allied Free Peoples.

That which they could not control, they sought to destroy. The first Dark Lord was the rebel Vala first known as **Melkor** and then as Morgoth Bauglir. The second Dark Lord was the Maia, and former lieutenant of Morgoth known as **Sauron**. Both Dark Lords were very influential in the history of Middle-earth, waging numerous wars against the Valar, the Elves, and a few select groups of Men. Their actions, especially those of Morgoth, had a permanent negative impact on the world, as the Dark Lords both destroyed many beautiful things and places, and caused untold anguish and grief. Eventually both Dark Lords were overthrown and defeated; Melkor was cast into the Void at the end of the First Age by his brethren, and Sauron was permanently weakened at the end of the Third Age by Frodo Baggins with the aid of Samwise Gamgee and Gollum, when they cast the One Ring into Mount Doom and robbed Sauron of most of his power.
Crebain

**Crebain** were a species of large black, crow-like birds native to both Dunland and Fangorn Forest in Middle-earth, that Saruman the White in Isengard used as spies after he joined forces with Sauron.

## Characteristics

Crebain were known to fly in large flocks resembling a huge black cloud and a big shadow cast below them. They made a horrible croaking, squawking noise when in flight which makes their presence known to all near them. Like crows and ravens, they seemed to possess at least some level of intelligence, though are not known to have spoken in known tongues. They were often used as spies by various evil powers. In the War of the Ring, flocks of Crebain were used by Saruman as spies to search for Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship, since he wanted the One Ring.
Elven queen

The **Elven queen** was the Queen of Mirkwood, wife of Thranduil, and the mother of Legolas.

## Character information.

The Queen of Mirkwood may have been either a Lady, Princess or someone with a high status before becoming the Queen of Mirkwood. She was beloved by her son and husband. Thranduil gathered the White Gems of Lasgalen for her, but she never got to wear them.

During the Woodland Realm's War with the Kingdom of Angmar, the Elven-queen, defending by Orcs to Gundabad, where she died. After this, Thranduil receded from the world, caring only to preserve his realm and family, and the Woodland Realm (which was later known as the forest of Mirkwood became neutral with the war on Sauron. There was no grave for her son nor her husband to grieve, although Thranduil had a statue of her likeness posted at the Elven gate.

Thranduil was never given back the necklace that he had commissioned from Thrór for her. During the Quest of Erebor and the Battle of Five Armies, he was obsessed with retrieving it, to the point of marching to war. Ultimately, he had forgotten that his relationship with his son was of greater importance.

## The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

In the Battle of the Five Armies, Azog recently declared war on the heroes, causing Legolas to take his friend and Elven companion Tauriel to Gundabad. When they were there, Legolas recalled his mother and told Tauriel that she died there after being tortured, and he is upset that he cannot ever grieve for her at her grave.

Thranduil mentioned to Legolas before he left to join Aragorn with the Rangers of the North that his mother loved him more than anything, even life
Dor-en-Ernil

**Dor-en-Ernil** was a coastland region of southern Gondor. Its name is Sindarin for "Land of the Prince", a reference to the Princes of Dol Amroth.

## Geography

Though its boundaries are not clearly established, it appears to have been part of - or perhaps synonymous with - the mountainous coastland fief known as Belfalas. Extending out from its western shores was a smaller peninsula on which was built Dol Amroth, the seat of the Princes of Dol Amroth in the later Third Age.

## History

In the late First Age, Sindar refugees from Beleriand settled the area and established an Elven settlement about 50 miles north of the later-named Dol Amroth, at Edhellond.

A family of Faithful from Númenor had ruled over the land of Belfalas since the Second Age. This family of Númenóreans were akin to the Lords of Andúnië, and thus related to Elendil and descended from the House of Elros. After the Downfall of Númenor they had been given the title *Prince of Belfalas* by Elendil and their land, now a fief of Gondor, was called Dor-en-Ernil. He granted this family a noble title, making them the hereditary Princes of Belfalas.

Amroth, King of Lórien from the beginning of the Third Age, left his realm behind in T.A. 1981 in search of his beloved Nimrodel, who had fled from the horror unleashed by the Dwarves in Moria, along with numerous Galadhrim. He waited for her at Edhellond for their final voyage together into the West. But Nimrodel, who loved Middle-earth as much as she did Amroth, failed to join him. When the ship was blown prematurely out to sea, he jumped overboard in a futile attempt to reach the shore to search for her, and drowned in the bay. When Amroth was lost at sea in T.A. 1981 the last of these Elves left the region.

It was from the name of this king that Dol Amroth (the "Hill of Amroth") took its name. The first Prince of Dol Amroth was Galador, the son of Imrazôr. According to legend, Imrazôr had married the Elven-lady Mithrellas, a companion of Nimrodel.

During the War of the Ring, the nearby city of Linhir was attacked by the Corsairs of Umbar and the Haradrim and Men of Lamedon under Angbor tried to keep them off, until the Grey Company with the wraiths of the Oathbreakers arrived and ended the conflict.

Dor-en-Ernil was an area in the region of Central Gondor, located south of the Ringló Vale and west of Lower Lebennin. During the War of the Ring, it was attacked by Corsairs of Umbar and Haradrim. The fishing village of "Gaerlond" and the inland village of "Tungobel" were both burned, the lighthouse of "Barad Rill" was toppled, and the beacon "Dol Brannor" was seized by the Enemy. The river Gilrain and the city of Linhir formed the eastern border. The hills to the west, between Dor-en-Ernil and the Havens of Belfalas were mostly inaccessible but were identified in dialogue as the "Emyn Ernil".
Braga

**Braga** was captain of the Lake-town guard.

In TA 2941, when Bard the Bowman was sneaking a company of Dwarves into Lake-town by smuggling them in fishing barrels, although Braga accompanied Alfrid Lickspittle, the Master's second-in-command, who became suspicious of Bard as he is not licensed to bring in shipments of fish from Mirkwood. Under Alfrid's command, Braga ordered his men to dump the barrels of fish, which carried the the Dwarves, back into the water, but Bard was able to convince Alfrid not to since the morale is low in Lake-town due to dwindling food supplies.

While Bard was leading the Dwarves through Lake-town, they were spotted by several guards, but the Dwarves managed to knock them until Braga and his men arrived. When Braga wanted to know what was going on and ordered every citizen to stay where they were, Bard approached to him and offered him a white dress, saying that it would look lovely for Braga's wife. Braga angrily takes the dress from Bard and left with his guards. After giving the dress to his wife, Braga and his men captured Thorin and the Dwarves that were stealing weapons and brought them to the Master. He was present when Thorin Oakenshield revealed his identity to him and everyone else in the town, and convinces the townfolk, including the Master, that he and his company will share the riches of the recaptured mountain if they are provided weapons and boats and allowed safe passage to the mountain.

The next night, when Bard hears the rumbling caused by Smaug's awakening and attempts to affix the last Black Arrow to the town's wind lance, Braga and his men tried to arrest him, but Bard was able to avoid them until Alfrid and the Master were able to stop him. After arresting Bard and placing him in the cell, Braga and his men were drinking and celebrating at the time when Bard awoke and noticed Smaug flying over to Lake-town. At the sound of the bells, Braga and the guards left the prison (with Bard who was still in there) and ran to the Master's headquarters and escaped in a boat with a large quantity of gold. While trying to make their escape through the fires, Bard and his son managed to kill Smaug with the last Black Arrow and the dead body of the dragon fell in the boat, killing the Master, Braga and the guards, who were all crushed by Smaug's dead body.
Attack of the Stone Giants

**Attack of the Stone-Giants** was part of the Quest of Erebor.

Stone-giants are described as hurling rocks at one another as in a game, during a violent thunderstorm. Their physical form was not described, nor was much else about them.

Gandalf used to tell stories to Bilbo when he was young at parties about dragons, goblins, giants, and rescue of princesses, and the luck of widow's sons. During the riddle game Bilbo thought of all the giants and Ogres he had heard of in tales.

At one point Bilbo saw a rock in a stream, and wondered if it had been cast miles into the plain by some giant among giants. He also compared being struck like the crash of battering-rams made of forest oaks and swung by giants.

Gandalf later remarked that he would like to find 'a more or less decent giant' to block several of the orc caves.

These stone giants were depicted as fighting each other as well as throwing rocks. They appeared as hewn from stone, and as the size of mountains - indistinguishable from a cliff-face when still. This is somewhat reminiscent of the more tree-like design of the Ents in the previous trilogy, with the giants appearing more inspired by nature than by humanoid appearance.
Battle under the Trees

**Battle under the Trees** is a battle that took place during the War of the Ring conflict. It took place on March 15, 3002 in Mirkwood.

During the battle, Dol Guldur invaded Mirkwood, but the Elves took their stand and fought their forces. It was a victory for the Free Peoples, leading peace to enter Mirkwood once more after Sauron's demise.

## History

On March 15, 3019, the realm of Thranduil was invaded by the forces of Dol Guldur. The majority of the Orcs were sent to Lothlórien, with the remainder attacking the Woodland realm, trying to secure the Elven king's flank. Easterlings were supposed to arrive and overwhelm the Elves, but they were occupied in battle with the Dwarves and Men at the Lonely Mountain. The Elvenking himself repelled the attack, and there was a long battle from which ensued a "great ruin of fire" among the woods. King Thranduil and his people emerged as victors, and he announced a New Year of the Elves.

### Aftermath

On the day of the New Year, Thranduil and Celeborn met in the forest where they renamed Mirkwood as Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of the Greenleaves. Thranduil gave the southern part of his realm to Celeborn, and kept the northern part as far as the mountains for himself and his people. The woodlands in between were given to the Beornings and Woodmen.
Durin IV

**Durin IV** was a King of Durin's Folk and of Khazad-dûm in the Second Age.

## Biography

Durin IV was the descendant of the previous three kings to be named Durin, and like them was considered by many to be the reincarnation of Durin I, resembling him greatly in manner and appearance. He bore the ring of power given to his ancestor Durin III, and may have been ruling as king during the War of the Last Alliance.

Durin is the son of Durin III, and more open-minded as opposed to his father, who seeks to keep Khazad-dûm isolated. Elrond, who befriended the younger Durin some decades past, returns to Khazad-dûm to reunite with his friend and seek an audience on behalf of Celebrimbor. The only way Elrond can find to gain access to the Dwarf-kingdom is by challenging the prince in a ceremonial rock-breaking contest. Durin outlasts Elrond, and, upset with the Elf over how long has passed since he visited, attempts to make him leave. Elrond convinces Durin to let him apologize to his family, and meets Durin's wife Disa, who insists Elrond stay for dinner. Through her intercession, Durin makes amends with Elrond and hears his proposal, which he presents to his father, though to little avail.
Firienfield

**Firienfeld** was a grassy field in Dunharrow between the Irensaga and Starkhorn.

It served as an encampment and gathering point for the Men of Rohan during times of war.

The road to the Dimholt ran through tents and pavilions that were raised as shelter for the soldiers and their horses.

## History

The Rohirrim were camped here in twenty-eight century of the Third Age during their war with Dunlendings. It was also encamped by the Rohirrim during the War of the Ring.