recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Buckland

**Buckland**, later known as the **Eastmarch**, was a small colony of Hobbits lying in between the Old Forest and the Brandywine River, which separated the region from the Shire. Although Shire-hobbits colonized it, it was not formally a part of the Shire until early in the Fourth Age, hundreds of years after it was founded.

## History

Buckland was settled around TA 2340 (SR 740) by Gorhendad Oldbuck, an ancestor of Meriadoc Brandybuck. Gorhenhad thus became the first Master of Buckland. He renamed himself Brandybuck, which remained his family's name after that.

Because Buckland was east of the Brandywine, it was not part of the land given to the Hobbits by King Argeleb II of Arthedain. Therefore it was not formally part of the Shire until the beginning of the Fourth Age when King Elessar officially granted the land to the Shire.

## Geography & villages

Buckland was located east of the Brandywine River. The hobbits living in Buckland grew a hedge to protect themselves against any evil that may have snuck through the near Old Forest, which bordered Buckland to the east. This "wall" was named the High Hay. Buckland was bordered in the north by the Hay Gate, the only entrance to Buckland near the Brandywine Bridge. In the south, the borders of Buckland follow the High Hay until the Withywindle joins the Brandywine near the village of Haysend. The most notable settlement of Buckland is Bucklebury***,*** where Brandy Hall is located. Brandy Hall is the home of the Master of Buckland, one of the chief officials of the Shire.

An important landmark is the Bucklebury ferry, a raft-ferry used as the second main crossing point of the Brandywine river from the Shire to Buckland (the first being the Brandywine Bridge, which is twenty miles further north). It is left unmanned to be used by hobbit travelers as needed. In route to the new house at Crickhollow, Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took crossed using the Ferry just before the arrival of a Black Rider, who was forced to go around to the Brandywine Bridge as there were no boats kept on the western bank of the river. (In the film version by Peter Jackson, the encounter is more immediate.)

## Culture

The Bucklanders were a prudent hobbit breed, and their preparations for danger made them less naïve than Shire-hobbits. Each night they would close the Hay Gate and their front doors, prepared to rush to arms when the Horn of Buckland blew. Most Bucklanders were originally of Stoor stock, and they were the only Hobbits known to use boats.
Celeborn

**Celeborn** was the maternal grandfather of Elladon, Elrohir, and Arwen, husband of Galadriel and father-in-law of Elrond. Celeborn was the co-ruler of Lorien with his wife. Celeborn later welcomed the Company of the Ring into Lóthlorien and gifted them with Elven cloaks. Three years later, Celeborn departed Middle-earth with Galadriel, Gandalf, Elrond, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

## Biography

### Early Life

Celeborn was most likely born in the Year of the Trees, before the sun was created by the Valar. Sometime later, Celeborn met, fell in love with and married Lady Galadriel. Together, they settle d in Lothlorien and had a daughter named Celebrian. Soon enough, their daughter married the Lord of Rivendell, Elrond. Through the two of them, they had two grandsons, Elladan and Elrohir, and a granddaughter named Arwen Undómiel. They were also once expecting Celebrian to visit them. However, their daughter never made it to Lothlorien, as her comany was waylaid by Orcs. It internally damaged Celebrian, who retreated to the Grey Havens.

### Rise of Sauron

For a specific amount of time, Celeborn helps nurse his wife Gladriel back to health after her duel with the Dark Lord on Dol Guldur
Captain of the White Tower

**Captain of the White Tower** was a title traditionally held by the heir to the stewardship of Gondor, in the latter half of the Third Age.

At the time of the War of the Ring the title was held by Boromir, son of Denethor II, until his death at Amon Hen. Faramir succeeded him as Captain of the White Tower.
Druedain

The **Drúedain**, also known as **Woses**, **Wild Men of the Woods** or **Púkel-men**, were a strange race of Men that lived in the Drúadan Forest and Drúwaith Iaur by the late Third Age. They were counted among the Edain.

## History

In the First Age, the Drúedain developed a close relationship with the Folk of Haleth, the Edain that inhabited the forest of Brethil. The Drúedain lived among the Second House of Men, the Haladin, in the First Age in that forest region. In the Second Age, there were also a number of the Drúedain present in Númenor, though they had left or died out before the Akallabêth, as had the Púkel-men of Dunharrow. At the end of the Third Age, the Drûg still lived in the Drúadan Forest of the White Mountains, and on the long cape of Andrast west of Gondor. The region north of Andrast was still known as Drúwaith Iaur, or "Old Drûg land".

The Woses of Ghân-buri-Ghân warded off an army of Orcs roaming in Anórien with poisoned arrows, and were vital in aiding the Rohirrim before the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the War of the Ring, King Aragorn II Elessar officially granted to them the Drúadan Forest "forever", promising that no man should enter that forest without their leave.

## Physical characteristics

They were a alien folk to the other Men: resembling Dwarves in stature and endurance, stumpy, clumsy-limbed (with short, thick legs, and fat, "gnarled" arms). According to the Elves and other Men, they had "unlovely faces": wide, flat, and expressionless with deep-set black eyes that glowed red when angered. They had "horny" brows, flat noses, wide mouths, and sparse, lanky hair. They had no hair lower than the eyebrows, except for a few men who had a tail of black hair on the chin. They were short-lived and had a deep dislike of Orcs.
Army of Dol Guldur

The **Dol Guldur Army** was a large fighting force, comprised mostly of Orcs, but also of Trolls, Ogres, Goblins, Wargs, and Bats, which was led by Azog against Erebor during the Battle of the Five Armies.

## *The Hobbit* (film series)

The army was marshaled in secret at the command of the Necromancer in the cesspits of Dol Guldur under a spell of concealment, drafted mostly from the Moria Orcs that were loyal to Azog.

It was discovered by Gandalf, who was detained in Dol Guldur and only capable of alerting Erebor when the army was well on its way, marching through tunnels burrowed by Wereworms. It was a roughly 31,000-strong army, equipped with siege weapons (mounted over the backs of Trolls and operated by Goblins) and was engaged in fighting the Iron-Hill and Woodland armies in the Long Valley, while simultaneously using its superior numbers to breach Dale and engage the Lake-men army within the city walls.

It was finally defeated with the help of Thorin and Company, as well as the Great Eagles. Its defeat marked the end of the Battle of Five Armies, and nearly decimated the Orc population of Moria.

## Members

* Orcs
	+ Azog the Defiler
	+ Bolg
* Trolls
* Ogres
* Goblins
* Wargs
* Olog-hai
Dome of Stars

The **Dome of Stars** was a great dome built by Isildur and Anárion in the city of Osgiliath, on top of a bridge that crossed the river Anduin. Under the great dome were the thrones of the two kings and subsequently the Kings of Gondor.

## History

The Dome of Stars was destroyed in TA 1437 when Castamir the Usurper ordered his men to ransack the city of Osgiliath, which was still Gondor's capital at the time, during the Kin-strife (a civil war that took place in Gondor).

The palantír kept inside it was forever lost beneath surface of the river Anduin. Osgiliath's palantír was the master stone of the south, in communication with the Ithil stone, Anor stone, and the stones in the North and in Isengard.
Beornings

**Beornings** also known as **Skin-changers** were a race of large Men.

## History

The origins of Beornings are not known, save that they dwelt in the Vales of Anduin between Mirkwood and the Great River in the late Third Age. Unlike other Men, they had the ability to change into bears. They were named after Beorn, their patriarch. They seemed to have the same life-span of mortal men, and could speak in both the tongue of men and of bears. They did not seem very fond of Dwarves, and were bitter enemies of the Goblins. The people of Rohan shared kinship with them. They hunted neither bird nor beast, their diet consisting mostly of cream and honey. The only known leaders of this people were Beorn and later his son Grimbeorn.

The Beornings were well known for their honey-cakes, which they likely made in their bee farms and sold openly to others, at least until the return of Sauron, for then the Beornings no longer trusted strangers and their trade stopped. Gimli considered the Beornings the best bakers he knew, though they were not so willing to give out their cakes to travelers during the days of the War of the Ring.

Gandalf thought the Beornings might have originated in the Misty Mountains. During the Third Age they guarded the Ford of Carrock from the Orcs and Wargs (in *The Lord of The Rings,* Gloin complained that their tolls were high) and they also aided the Elves in defending their kingdom in northern Mirkwood. During the War of the Ring, while wearing the One Ring at Amon Hen upon the seat of seeing, Frodo Baggins saw many things from afar, including the land of the Beornings aflame. This hints at an attack by Sauron's forces upon the Beornings, though the outcome of this attack is unknown.
Battle of the Morannon

The **Battle of the Black Gate**, also known as the **Battle of the Morannon**, was the final major battle of the War of the Ring, fought before the Black Gate It resulted in the ultimate defeat of Sauron not by victory on the battlefield, but by means of the destruction of the One Ring by the hobbit Frodo.

## History

### Background

After the victory of the Free Peoples in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the enemy retreated to Mordor. Sauron was defeated but he still had thousands of Orcs and evil men at his disposal in Mordor. He was aware that the One Ring was somewhat close to the vicinity of his territory, but he did not know that the Hobbit Frodo Baggins and his companion Samwise Gamgee had entered Mordor via Morgul Vale with the intention of destroying the Ring.

### Plot against the Dark Lord

After the Last Debate, the Men of the West assembled the Host of the West, 10,000 strong, led by Aragorn, who marched on the Black Gate as a diversionary feint to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo and Sam, who were carrying the One Ring through Mordor to be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. It was hoped that Sauron would think Aragorn had the Ring and was now trying to use it to overthrow him in Mordor. The Mouth is portrayed as a disfigured emissary, rather than a soldier, and he appears at the Gate alone. He first seems angered by what Gandalf says, but then regains his stature and speaks in a mock-friendly manner, calling him "Old Greybeard". He tells Gandalf that he has "a token he was bidden to show" and then takes out Frodo's mithril vest and throws it at Gandalf. He seems to be getting enjoyment out of seeing the shocked and horrified faces of Frodo's friends. Seeking to hurt Gandalf more, he begins lying about how Frodo suffered greatly before dying.

At this, Aragorn approaches on his horse. The Mouth immediately recognizes him as Isildur's heir and says, "It takes more to make a king than a broken elvish blade". At this Aragorn beheads him, which shocks Gimli, causing him to say sarcastically, "Well, I guess that concludes negotiations!" Aragorn turns around, saying he does not believe Frodo is dead. At this point, Sauron's eye moves towards the Black Gate

In the movie, during the last debate, Gandalf makes it clear that there is a force of ten thousand Orcs at the Black Gate, but the Host of the West is unquantified - they appear to be a few hundred. After slaying the Mouth of Sauron, before facing the host of Mordor that has come out and surrounded them, Aragorn gives his speech.

The Host of the West then charges bravely into the Orcs. Despite having only about 300 soldiers of Gondor and 200 Rohirrim they kill many Orcs while sustaining light casualties, although it later becomes clear that unless the Ring is destroyed they will be completely wiped out as their casualties start getting heavy. When Aragorn is being stepped on by a troll the One Ring is destroyed and the forces of Mordor were almost completely destroyed, with only a few hundred fleeing.
Battle of Goblin-town

The **Battle of Goblin-town** is a brief fight between Thorin and Company and the Goblins of the Misty Mountains.

Around the same time, Bilbo was running away from Gollum.

## History

In TA 2941, Thorin II Oakenshield and his company of Dwarves encounter a battle between three Stone giants, and are forced to take refuge in a cave while crossing the Misty Mountains. While the company sleeps, Bilbo decides to leave and return to Rivendell, but before he could leave, they were captured by the Goblins of Goblin-town. After Bilbo was separated from the Dwarves right after their capture and encounters Gollum, the company were brought to the Great Goblin, who accused them as of being spies, thieves, murderers, and friends of Elves. However, he was quite surprised to see Thorin, and was hoping to turn him over to Azog.

While the Goblin King was singing for a celebration, one of his guards Grinnah was observing Thorin's sword and when he found out that it was Orcrist, he threw the sword in front of the Goblin King. The Goblin King howled with rage and ordered his guards to execute him and the Dwarves, but Gandalf arrives and saves the company in time. He leads the company as they fight their way out of Goblin-town, killing many goblins that were trying to prevent them from escaping. Before they about to reach their exit, the Goblin King appeared in front and engaged the wizard in a brief duel.

Gandalf managed to slay the Great Goblin King with his sword Glamdring.
Causeway Forts

The **Causeway Forts** was a twin-towered fortification in the Rammas Echor which surrounded the Pelennor Fields.

Its purpose was to guard the Causeway against the possibility of enemy attack.

## History

During the War of the Ring, they were guarded by Faramir and the men under his command. At the start of the Siege of Gondor on March 13, 3019, the Causeway Forts were overrun and captured by the armies of Mordor under the Lord of the Nazgûl, and Faramir and his troops were forced to retreat.

The defence lasted the better part of a day and bought vital time for Rohan to ride to the aid of Gondor.
Chamber of Mazarbul

The **Chamber of Mazarbul**, or **Chamber of Records**, was the name of a room in Moria containing the tomb of Balin.

## History

In TA 2989, after the events of *The Hobbit*, Balin established himself at this chamber after driving out the Orcs from Moria. Balin, along with all those accompanying him, was ultimately killed by Orcs in TA 2994. His tomb was built in the chamber before the last members of his colony were destroyed, however, positioned so that the shaft in the wall spilled its light directly upon its stone. The chamber itself had two wooden doors inlaid with iron trusses for fortification on either side.

When the Fellowship of the Ring arrived at the Chamber of Mazarbul in TA 3019, it was long unused. Littered about the floor of the chamber were many bones, papers, skeletons, and weapons such as Orc-scimitars. There were recesses carved into the walls, filled with broken chests of wood. Beside one of them was a badly damaged book called the Book of Mazarbul, with the records of the dwarves' colonization and attempt of defense found within.

During their short stay, the Fellowship of the Ring was attacked in the Chamber by many Orcs of the Misty Mountains, Gundabad, and Mordor[*citation needed*]. The Fellowship were able to drive them back before fleeing the chamber. Gandalf attempted to put a shutting-spell on the door as the rest of the fellowship fled, but something the orcs were calling *ghâsh* (their word for "fire", which they shouted amongst the drum sounds in the deep) put some counter-spell upon the door, and the door broke. The wall and roof of the Chamber gave way, burying Balin's tomb, as Gandalf was knocked down the steps - he soon recounted this to the Fellowship as they entered the Hall of the Dwarrowdelf on their way down to the Third Deep, only to be stopped by Durin's Bane.
Bamfurlong

**Bamfurlong** was the name given to the farmland of Farmer Maggot, and was located in the Marish, a part of the Shire's Eastfarthing.

## Description

Bamfurlong was boggy in nature and made for above ground habitation rather than the traditional Hobbit-hole. It also made excellent ground for growing mushrooms. Bamfurlong included a huge turnip field and a lane that led to a large, thatched house and outbuildings. The house and buildings were built of brick and were protected by a high wall with a wooden gate.

## History

In the year TA 3018, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and Peregrin Took came to the farm, and were invited to stay for a short time by Farmer Maggot. That night, the farmer secretly took them to Bucklebury Ferry, where they met Meriadoc Brandybuck.
Dorthonion

**Dorthonion** and later **Taur-nu-Fuin**, also called **Orod-na-Thon** and also later called **Deldúwath**, was a highland region of the First Age, lying immediately to the north of Beleriand, and south of the plains of Ard-galen (later Anfauglith) that bordered Morgoth's stronghold of Thangorodrim.

## Description

Dorthonion was 60 leagues east to west. In the north, it rose gradually from the plains, with great pine forests. The Ered Gorgoroth formed the southern boundary of Dorthonion, bending to the north on the east side to create the **Pass of Aglon** between Dorthonion and Hills of Himring. To the south and west of Dorthonion were the Echoriath, which surrounded the hidden kingdom of Gondolin. The upper reaches of the River Sirion passed between the western slopes of Dorthonion and the Ered Wethrin.

## History

Dorthonion was originally ruled by Angrod and Aegnor, sons of Finarfin, but it was overrun by Morgoth in the Dagor Bragollach, after which it was known as Taur-nu-Fuin which translates as *Forest under Night* or *The Forest under the Shadow of the Night*.

The northeastern slopes of Dorthonion were known as Ladros, a fief given to Boromir of the House of Bëor. Here Barahir and a small band of outlaws dwelt until they were all slain at Tarn Aeluin by Orcs sent by Sauron, save for Beren, Barahir's son in FA 460. Beren dwelt alone in the wilderness of Dorthonion for a time until he left for Doriath and met Lúthien.

Along with the other lands west of the Blue Mountains, Taur-nu-Fuin was mostly destroyed in the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age. Afterwards, its highest points survived as the island **Tol Fuin** (Isle of Night), part of the **Western Isles**.
Carrock

**Carrock** was a stony eyot in the upper reaches of the River Anduin, to the north of the Old Ford a few miles west of Beorn's farmstead.

## History

The stairs had been built by Beorn who sometimes would be seen climbing to the top in the form of a bear to look at the Moon or the Misty Mountains. During their journey to Erebor, Thorin and Company were housed there overnight by the Eagles before they went to see Beorn.

Gandalf states that the steps from the base of the rock to the flat top were made by Beorn and that "Carrock" is Beorn's name for it.

The Carrock is located in the "Vales of Anduin" region, where one can access the Eagles' Eyrie via Great Eagle. A secret cave located in the base of The Carrock, can only be accessed by the kin of Beorn and Grimbeorn.
Battle of the Peak

The **Battle of the Peak** was the climax of the fight between Gandalf the Grey and the Balrog (Durin's Bane) atop Zirakzigil after they ascended the Endless Stair from the depths of Moria.

## History

After their fight at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gandalf and the Balrog both fell into the deep chasm. Gandalf was burned by the Balrog's fire on the way down, then almost froze in the water at the bottom. He pursued his foe for days through dark tunnels, and then all the way up the Endless Stair to the top of Durin's Tower in the living rock of Zirakzigil, where the two engaged in a two-day long battle at the pinnacle of the Silvertine above the clouds. They fought in a narrow space upon Celebdil, above the mists of the world. The sun shone fiercely, but all below was wrapped in cloud, so that anyone watching from below would think they saw flashes from lightning and heard thunder. A great smoke of vapor and steam rose about them, and ice fell like rain.
There they fought until at last Gandalf threw down his enemy, and the Balrog broke the mountain-side as it fell. Then darkness took Gandalf, and he passed away. The battle had left Durin's Tower in ruins and caused the destruction of the Endless Stair. The entire battle, from the confrontation on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm to the mutual demise of the Balrog and Gandalf, had taken ten days.

Gandalf's body lay on the peak for nineteen days, until he was resurrected by Eru and sent back to Middle-earth alive to complete his task. For three days he lay in a trance, until he was found by the Windlord Gwaihir and carried to Caras Galadhon in Lothlórien, where he was healed and clothed in white, and thus became Gandalf the White, more powerful than ever before.
Figwit

**Figwit** is the fan-derived name for an unnamed Elf extra in *The Lord of the Rings* movies.

Figwit is seen at the Council of Elrond. He sits next to Aragorn until they all stand up to argue. After Frodo shouts "I will take it!" and everyone turns and looks at him, Figwit is standing on the far right.

Figwit is also seen in the third movie in the scene where Arwen is leaving for the Grey Havens and has the vision about her future son Eldarion. Figwit is the elf that tells her to continue with the others. His exact words: "Lady Arwen, we cannot delay" and then "My lady!"
Dark Sorcery

**Dark sorcery**, more commonly known as "witchcraft" or "Morgul magic" by the Free People of Middle-earth, was the practice of dark magic for evil purposes. Sorcerors in Arda were mostly servants of the Dark Lords Melkor and Sauron.

## History

Before his defeat, the Dark Lord Morgoth (simply known as Melkor) had used dark sorcery in his fortress of Utumno and later Angband. He was most infamous for his experiments in creating and mutilating monsters, including the orcs, Wargs and Dragons and used much of his powers to corrupt Arda.

Dark sorcery was also used in the Second and the Third Age by the Black Númenóreans, a group of corrupted Númenóreans who grew during the later period of Númenor (especially after the arrival of Sauron) and who survived in the Númenórean colonies south of Gondor. Originally they styled themselves as "King's Men" and persecuted the "Elf-friends" because of their loyalty to the Valar (The King's Men had grown jealous of the elves' immortality). After Sauron's arrival at Númenor they begun worshiping Melkor and the darkness they so feared, bringing human sacrifices to him. After the fall of Númenor ,the Black Númenóreans continued to serve Sauron. Two Black Númenóreans who were infamous for using sorcery within Sauron's armies were the Witch-king of Angmar and the Mouth of Sauron.

At around the late Third Age, in the fortress of Dol Guldur, the Necromancer (Sauron in disguise) was believed to be an Úlairi. He was eventually forced out by the White Council, but he returned to his former kingdom of Mordor and publicly declared himself alive, shown as Mount Doom erupted once again.

After Sauron's final destruction that began the Fourth Age, a Man by the name of Herumor had rose to power and was rumored to have established a cult that worshiped the Dark Powers in Gondor.

## Powers and abilities

Dark sorcery included a variety of spells, potions (alchemy) and other ghastly things that belonged to the Dark Arts. Dark sorcery was frequently used as a weapon, shown by the Witch-king's bewitched sword at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Morgul-blades were noted to have been enchanted with dark sorcery, so that a victim would go through the Shadow World and turn into a wraith if stabbed.

The Fires of Orthanc were said to be sorcery invented or created by Saruman.

Many of the Rings of Power (the only known exception being the three Elf-rings) amplified the wearer's abilities as a sorcerer and warrior and were presumably forged with the help of Dark Magic. The fortresses of Dol Guldur and Minas Morgul were enchanted with sorcery, hence their translated names in Sindarin.

## Known practitioners

Practitioners of dark sorcery were named 'Sorcerers' and these included:

* All the Dark Powers
	+ Melkor
	+ Sauron
		- Dark Servants of Sauron
			* Mouth of Sauron
			* Herumor
			* Saruman
			* Nazgûl
				+ Witch-king of Angmar
Elfwine

**Elfwine** is the crown prince, later King, of Rohan and the son of Éomer and Lothíriel.

He is also the grandson of Imrahil, Éomund and Théodwyn and nephew of Faramir and Éowyn

## Biography

Elfwine was born to Éomer and Lothíriel on Fourth Age 8 (FO 8)

His reign was never recorded. It is not known if Elfwine had married or had any children that succeeded him and his death date was never recorded.
Bill Ferny Sr.

**Bill Ferny Sr.** was a Man of Bree and father of Bill Ferny who worked as an assassin, mercenary and bandit, alongside his partner in crime, the Squint.

## Biography

In TA 2941, Ferny was hired by Azog, along with the Squint to assassinate Thorin II Oakenshield and found him in Bree at the Prancing Pony but failed to kill him due to the appearance of Gandalf and later left the inn by the time of his warning to Thorin about someone planning to murder him.
Firien Wood

The **Firien Wood** (also called **Firienholt** by the Rohirrim, or **Wood of Anwar**) was an oak forest below Halifirien, the westernmost of the Warning beacons of Gondor, on the fringes of Gondor and Rohan. a section of the wood was called Everholt.

The forest was located at the northern feet of the White Mountains, bordering the Mering Stream and the Eastfold of Rohan in the land of Anórien. It spanned twenty or twenty-five miles from west to east, and covered some of the slopes of Amon Anwar. The Great West Road passed through it.

Save for beasts and birds, its only inhabitants by the War of the Ring were the Beacon-wardens, living near Halifirien's summit. A path marked by standing stones led from the road to the summit of Halifirien.

## History

In the Second Age, this forest was first named **Eryn Fuir** (Sindarin for 'North Wood'), and the Great West Road was blazed through it by the Dúnedain exiles from Númenor, to facilitate travel that avoided the wetlands to the north. It is told that after the departure of Isildur some time before TA 2, no tree was ever felled in the woods again except by the eventual Beacon-wardens, suggesting that the Dúnedain had used the forest substantially for its timber.

After the coming of Eorl the Young and his people to Calenardhon in TA 2510 and the Battle of the Field of Celebrant, the woods were named **Firienholt** (Rohirric for "Firien Wood") upon the founding of Rohan. In TA 2864, the giant Boar of Everholt was hunted in these woods by Folca, thirteenth King of Rohan, resulting in his death.

When the Kingdom of Gondor established seven warning beacons along Ered Nimrais, for the calling of aid from the Rohirrim, the westmost and highest beacon was beside the Firien Wood upon a slope of Amon Anwar or "Halifirien". Since the early Third Age, Beacon-wardens dwelt in the woods, living in tree-lodges and maintaining the road.
Druadan Forest

**Drúadan Forest**, also known as the **Tawar-in-Drúedain**, was a pine forest of Gondor, located in Anórien, which was north of Minas Tirith. The forest was inhabited by a strange folk of men known as the Drúedain, the Wild Men of the Woods.

The forest was over forty miles in total length. The highest point in the forest was Eilenach, which was the second Warning beacon.

## History

The forest had been occupied by the Drúedain since sometime between or sometime after the Second Age years: SA 883 and SA 1075. It was known for being avoided by outsiders. The forest is remembered most for when the Riders of Rohan where guided through it on their way to the relief of Minas Tirith, by the leader of the Wild Men, Ghân-buri-Ghân. There was a road there, created long ago by the "Stonehouse-folk" (Men of Gondor), that everyone except the Wild Men had forgotten. It would have taken the Drúedain from sunrise to noon to walk it, but it required around ten hours for all of Rohan's army to get through. Each company of soldiers was guided by a Wild Man, who also sent out scouts to keep their movements secret. Movement through the forest keep the army from being spotted by the enemy.

In the Fourth Age, King Elessar declared that the men of the forest would have the land to themselves because of their help during the war.
Arkenstone

The **Arkenstone**, also known as a **King's Jewel** is an object featured in *The Hobbit*. It is a jewel and object Thorin Oakenshield craved for.

It was a wondrous gem sought by Thorin Oakenshield which had been discovered beneath the Lonely Mountain by Thorin's grandfather Thrór, and then shaped by the Dwarves. The Arkenstone had been the family heirloom of Durin's folk, but was lost when the dragon Smaug stole the mountain from the Dwarves.

## Appearance

The Arkenstone shone of its own inner light, and appeared a "little globe of pallid light" in darkness, and yet, cut and fashioned by the Dwarves, it took all light that fell upon it and changed it into "ten thousand sparks of white radiance, shot with glints of the rainbow".

## History

The Arkenstone was a gem, the object most prized by Thorin Oakenshield of all the treasures of the Lonely Mountain. Such did he consider its value that he was willing to trade 1/14th of all the gold and silver of Smaug's hoard for it.

When Bilbo Baggins found it on Smaug's golden bed deep inside the Lonely Mountain, he pocketed it, having learned how much Thorin valued it. While the Dwarves with Thorin sorted the treasure, Thorin sought only the Arkenstone, unaware that Bilbo was hiding it in his pillow. When the Dwarves refused to share any of the treasure with King Thranduil and Bard, the man who had killed Smaug the Magnificent, Bilbo crept out of the Dwarves' fort inside the Mountain, and gave them the Arkenstone; Bard, Thranduil, and Gandalf then tried to trade it for Bilbo's fourteenth share of Smaug's hoard. Then an army of Orcs arriving from Dol Guldur interrupted the dispute, the Battle of the Five Armies ensued, and Thorin was killed. The Arkenstone was placed upon Thorin's chest within his tomb deep under the Lonely Mountain, and so was returned to the earth at last.
Blue Mountains

The **Blue Mountains** (also called **Ered Luin**) are a range of blue mountains to the west of Eriador and The Shire. They were home to Dwarves, namely the Firebeards and Broadbeams in the First Age, and refugees of Erebor in the Late Third Age.

## History

Sometime during the Years of the Trees two Dwarven Fathers awoke under Mount Dolmed and founded the two westernmost houses of the Dwarves (the Firebeards and Broadbeams). They subsequently built two great city-states, Nogrod and Belegost. A Dwarven Road was built through Eriador to connect Belegost and Nogrod with the Kingdom of Durin's Folk in Moria.

In the First Age, the Blue Mountains were an unbroken line separating Eriador from Beleriand. The Blue Mountains were ruined during the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age, and in the south central end of the range the sea broke through. On the western side a small section of Lindon remained, and here the retreating Elves built the kingdom of Lindon

The Dwarven cities of Nogrod and Belegost were also ruined when the mountains were broken, causing most of the Dwarves to migrate east to Khazad-dûm, leaving a remnant behind. However, there remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterwards, especially in the parts south of the Gulf of Lhun where they have mines that are still in use. In TA 1974, fleeing the fall of Fornost Erain, Arvedui briefly hid in old dwarven mines in the far north of the Blue Mountains.

It also became the new home for many of Durin's Folk who were exiled from their halls in Erebor by Smaug the Dragon who had driven them out. After the Battle of Moria, Thorin established his throne in the Southern range beyond the Shire and many of the wandering Longbeards joined him in his halls and they became prosperous in a fashion. Some local Dwarves joined their ranks, and Bombur, Bofur and Bifur hailed from these. Erebor was retaken from Smaug by Thorin and company in T.A. 2941, and it can be assumed most if not all of Durin's folk relocated there.
Dunlendings

The **Dunlendings**, or **Wild-men of Dunland**, were Men from the west of the Misty Mountains in Middle-earth, who lived in the barren hills of Dunland. Incited by Saruman, they eagerly rushed to raise arms for Sauron's cause.

## History

The Dunlendings were a barbaric folk, far more primitive than the other races of Men, and yet a significant threat if in great numbers. They were dressed in rugged cloths made of animal-skins and armed with torches, pikes, axes and knives and some even riding horses into battle. Their ancestors had once inhabited the region that would become Rohan, but they were pushed out and their lands granted to the Rohirrim, with whom they shared a bitter enmity throughout the Ages.

At times when the Rohirrim were weak, the Dunlendings would cross the river to pillage and burn the neighboring kingdom's villages before being time and time again forced back by the horse-riders. Chief among these incidents was the attempt of their king to claim the throne of Rohan, even going as far as to besiege Helm Hammerhand at the fortress that would since be called Helm's Deep. All this resulted in a crushing defeat for the Dunlendings and even more bad blood between the two peoples.

During the War of the Ring, they threw in with Saruman, who by fueling their feud with the Rohirrim, earned himself and Sauron their blood-oaths; hordes of Dunlendings were unleashed upon Rohan together with orc-parties from Isengard, overpowering the old men and young boys left and laying waste to anything they would call home.
Balrogs

The **Balrogs**, or **Balrogath** ("Balrog-kind") were Maiar corrupted by Morgoth during the creation of Arda, who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords. Famed Balrogs include Gothmog, slain by Ecthelion, and Durin's Bane, slain by Gandalf.

## History

Balrogs, also called Valaraukar, were originally Ainur created by Ilúvatar, probably those who joined Melkor during his discordance in the Music of the Ainur. After entering into Eä, they were Maiar, lesser spirits at the service of the Valar.

They took the forms of demons with hearts of fire and whips of flame. Melkor gathered them about him after the fall of the Two Lamps and they dwelt in Utumno. When this fortress was destroyed by the Valar, they fled to the west and hid in the pits of Angband, awaiting their master's return.

When Morgoth and Ungoliant escaped from Valinor many years later with the Silmarils, the Balrogs were still awaiting their master in Angband. After Ungoliant threatened Morgoth, his cry was heard by them. Then the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and ran to Lammoth like a tempest of fire. With their whips they destroyed Ungoliant's webs and made her take flight.

The Balrogs were first encountered by the Elves during the Dagor-nuin-Giliath ("Battle under the Stars") before the First Age began. After the victory of the Noldorin Elves over Morgoth's forces, the Elf Lord Fëanor pressed on towards Angband, but the Balrogs came up against him. He was surrounded and fought long against them before being mortally wounded by Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs (the only Balrog known by name). Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.

During the Wars of Beleriand, Morgoth only came out of Angband on one occasion. Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the Fall of Gondolin: Gothmog by Ecthelion, and another by Glorfindel.

After the War of Wrath, some Balrogs escaped the destruction of Beleriand and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth. Only one Balrog appears after the defeating of Morgoth: In the Third Age the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm unwittingly released the Balrog, afterwards known as Durin's Bane, while mining for *mithril* and were driven out of Moria by the creature. Encountered by the Fellowship of the Ring, it was faced by Gandalf.

Another Balrog named Thaurlach, he can be found in the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu, where Angmar meets Misty Mountains. He fled there are the breaking of Thangorodrim, but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosening and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.
Dwarves of the Blue Mountains

The **Dwarves of the Blue Mountains** were the various Dwarven cultures that settled the Ered Luin.

## History

### Elder Days

The Firebeards and Broadbeams awoke in the Blue Mountains, and lived there throughout the history of their people. These two houses built the great Dwarven cities of Nogrod and Belegost.

From their mountain-cities, the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains came down into Beleriand to trade with the Elves. These Dwarves were friends to the Sindar and later allies of the Noldor of Beleriand. They played a great part in the making of Thingol's halls at Menegroth, and later aided in the delving of Nargothrond beside Narog. Finrod rewarded them with treasures he brought from Tirion. It was during this time that the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains created the Nauglamír for Finrod, the most renowned of their works of the Elder Days.

After Morgoth's return to Middle-earth, the Dwarves were loosely allied with the Elves in the Wars of Beleriand that followed. They fought in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where Azaghâl of Belegost drove Glaurung from the field but was himself slain. After the battle, relations between the Elves and Dwarves cooled; the Dwarves of Nogrod slew Thingol and stole the Nauglamír, and after this time, enmity and mistrust grew between the two peoples.

### Later History

The cities of Nogrod and Belegost were ruined in the breaking of Thangorodrim in the War of Wrath. As a result, by around S.A. 40, the power and wealth of Khazad-dûm was much increased for it was enriched by the lore and craft of the Dwarves of Ered Lindon; however, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterwards.

After the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, Thráin II and his people established a new realm-in-exile in the northern Ered Luin beyond the Little Lune. His people prospered in a fashion and were swelled in numbers by many of the wandering folk of Durin and they built many fair houses in the hills. Years later, after King Thorin went on the Quest of Erebor and was killed in the Battle of Five Armies, the Kingdom under the Mountain was re-established by the new king Dáin II Ironfoot. Many of the people of Durin's folk went to him and it became a great and prosperous kingdom once again.

Even later in the Fourth Age, there were still Dwarves in mines in the east side of the Blue Mountains, especially south of the Gulf of Lune, still trading along the East Road.
Elfhelm

**Elfhelm** was a noble man in Théoden's court, with the title of Marshal, in Rohan.

## Biography

Elfhelm was born in the late 30th century of the Third Age. In the War of the Ring, he fought in the Battles of the Fords of Isen with Grimbold and Théodred, who died there. He also led a company under Théoden when they rode to Gondor to fight in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. His company also happened to be the company that Éowyn, under the guise of Dernhelm, and Merry, were in during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
He led the company on the right against the war machines and drove the enemy into the fire pits. He survived the battle and was left in charge of 3000 Rohirrim in Minas Tirith while the Army of the West rode to the Black Gate. After the war, he was granted the position of Marshal of the East-Mark by King Éomer.
Dunharrow

**Dunharrow** was a refuge of the Rohirrim hidden in the White Mountains in the vale of Harrowdale below the mountain Dwimorberg. It was fortified against attack by Rohan's enemies.

## Description

Dunharrow was a positioned on a clifftop overlooking Harrowdale, the valley of the river Snowbourn. The refuge could be reached by way of a winding path known as the Stair of the Hold. This path was lined with statues known as the Púkel-men, statues originally carved by the Men of the White Mountains, in the likeness of the Drúedain. The "Firienfeld", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers, preceded the stair. Large carved stones marked the entrance to the Dimholt forest, with a road leading to the Paths of the Dead.

Upbourn and Underharrow lay north of Dunharrow, in the dale.

## History

Dunharrow had been used as a refuge by the Middle Men of the White Mountains during the Second Age several centuries before Rohan, and was scouted by Brego and his son Baldor in the early years of the kingdom.

In TA 2759, during the war between Rohan and the Dunlendings, Rohirrim led by Fréaláf took shelter in Dunharrow during the Long Winter. From there Fréaláf led a successful raid to retake Edoras.

Later, in the year TA 2851, Brytta Léofa was slain by orc refugees from the War of the Dwarves and Orcs while riding from Dunharrow.

In TA 3019, during the War of the Ring, Aragorn, along with Legolas, Gimli, and the Grey Company, passed through Dunharrow on their way to the Paths of the Dead. After a Nazgûl passed over Edoras, Gandalf commanded that muster of Rohan be moved there. Having ridden by mountain paths, Théoden arrived two days later and stayed the night before riding for Minas Tirith.
Arda Unmarred

**Arda Unmarred** (Val. ***Aþāraphelūn Amanaišal***, Q. ***Arda Alahasta*** or ***Arda Envinyanta*** "Healed") is a concept in Elvish religion and philosophy. It refers to Arda (the world) as it existed in a perfect state following its creation, as opposed to **Arda Marred**, the flawed world as it currently exists. Arda Unmarred was a world not yet tainted by the evil of Morgoth. This reflects the original intention of the creator, Eru Ilúvatar, and his servants the Ainur.

The Elves lament the spiritual and physical corruption of Arda. They live in hope that one day this damage will be undone and the world will be purged of all evil, restoring it to a paradise state.
Emyn Muil

The hills of **Emyn Muil**, upon either side of Nen Hithoel, were a vast, seemingly impenetrable maze of crags situated in the region of Rhovanion in Middle-earth.

The Emyn Muil lies between the Eastemnet of Rohan and the relatively empty lands that contained the Dead Marshes and the Nindalf. It was approximately seventy-five miles from east to west and some one-hundred miles from north to south. The western boundary of Emyn Muil and eastern border of Rohan were formed by the East Wall of Rohan, a great, natural rocky cliff running in a curve from north to south.

In TA 3002, Éomund, father of Éomer and Éowyn, was slain while pursuing a band of Orcs near Emyn Muil.

## History

The Emyn Muil had once marked the northern borders of the Kingdom of Gondor at its height.

At the beginning of *The Two Towers*, Frodo and Sam, attempting to reach the Black Gate of Mordor, are lost in the eastern Emyn Muil for days until Gollum finds them. After a great deal of persuasion, he agrees to show them the way, leading them south into the Dead Marshes.
Celos

The **Celos** was a lesser river or stream that flowed out of the White Mountains into the Gondorian land of Lebennin, a little to the west of Minas Tirith. It was a tributary of the larger River Sirith.

## Location

The smaller-scale map that accompanies *The Lord of the Rings* and *Unfinished Tales* shows the Celos flowing into the Sirith from the east, while the large-scale contour map of Gondor shows it flowing from the west. A brief reference in *Unfinished Tales* suggests that the Celos was the next river eastward from the Gilrain, which would make the large-scale map correct. The mistake was carried over to *The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age* for the *Unfinished Tales*. Christopher Tolkien noted the error of the small-scale map in *The Treason of Isengard*; the correct location of the Celos is thus being the western tributary.

Later prints of the *Unfinished Tales* (but not all) corrected the labels.

The river Celos was located between Lower Lebennin in the region of Central Gondor and Upper Lebennin in the region of Eastern Gondor. The river Sirith joined it to the east, below the beacon of "Sirthanc". The village of "Erynos" stood across from the mouth of the Sirith, on the western bank of the juncture. South of the meeting of the rivers the combined river flowed south through the city of Pelargir and into the Anduin. The Celos was the domain of the lighthearted River-maid "Silverfroth", one of the Five Sisters, though she and her sisters were widely considered a myth by the time of the War of the Ring.
Arondir

**Arondir** was a Silvan Elf of the Second Age.

## Biography

Arondir grew up in Beleriand before its destruction, and by the Second Age was stationed in the Southlands of Middle-earth, for the Silvan Elves watched the land's inhabitants to ensure they did not revert to evil as their ancestors had done in serving Morgoth. Arondir remained in the Southlands for 79 years, during that time becoming acquainted with and falling in love with the woman Bronwyn, who lived in Tirharad.

After being confronted by Rowan in Tirharad's tavern, Arondir briefly spoke to Bronwyn before leaving quickly to avoid attention. He returned to the watchtower of Ostirith with Médhor, who warned him of the dangers of pursuing a relationship with a human, though Arondir dismissed his concerns. It was then that a messenger from High King Gil-galad came, bearing news that the occupation of the Southlands was to end. Noticeably perturbed, Arondir was visited by the Watchwarden Revion, who urged him to be encouraged at the thought of returning home.

Instead of leaving with his fellow Elves, Arondir returned to Bronwyn, just as a farmer brought his cow to Bronwyn for medical attention. Arondir discovered that instead of milk, a foul black substance came from the cow's udders, and, alarmed, he left to investigate where the cow had been grazing. Bronwyn accompanied him towards Hordern. They reached the settlement at dusk to discover it had been burned and ransacked, though no casualties or survivors were to be seen. In one of the houses the two discovered a tunnel opening, which Arondir entered to investigate further. After being forced to crawl part of the way, Arondir was suddenly grabbed by Orcs and taken prisoner.