read instructions NO TALKING! Welcome to in the Library of Minas Morgul! Examine the shelves in this library to find which titles are available. It is not possible to borrow any books, but you can of course read any book that is present. Just type 'read '! > exa shelves There are many shelves, each containing a different sort of books. On each shelf is a plaque stating what kind of books it contains. These are the shelves to choose from: Legends, Lore, History, Geography and Miscellaneous. > exa legends This shelf is parted into several divisions, and a plaque reads: 'Legends of: Lands, Cities, Gods, Heroes, Kings, Artifacts, Enemies, Peoples. > exa lands In the shelf labelled 'Legends of the Lands' you see books about different countries in the world. These titles are available: Ithilien. > read ithilien You read the book titled Ithilien. ITHILIEN Ithilien, ("Moon-land"), is the second of the two original fiefs and provinces of Gondor, but is now deserted by the Gondorians. Ithilien was given to Isildur by his father, Elendil the Tall, to be his demesne. It covers the area bordered by River Anduin to the west, River Poros to the south, and the Ephel Duath, the western mountain-range of Mordor to the east. Its capital city was Minas Ithil, built on a western spur of the Ephel Duath in SA 3320, now known as Minas Morgul because of the dark sorcery the city now contains. After the fall of Minas Ithil in Third Age 2002, the inhabitants of Ithilien began to flee, as the land always had been bearing the brunt of Sauron's attacks on Gondor from its founding. From TA 2901, Mordor-orcs began invading Ithilien, and most of the inhabitants deserted the land. However, a force of Dunedain, called the Rangers of Ithilien was founded, and built secret refuges in Ithilien, hidden to all but the Rangers. In 2954 of the Third Age, Mount Doom, the great volcano in Mordor burst into flame and Sauron openly declared himself and his intentions, and the rest of the inhabitants of Ithilien fled across the Anduin, leaving only the Rangers to wreak havoc on Sauron's forces. Ithilien was once the fairest land of the West, with great forests and -- More -- 20/25 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- farmlands along the River Anduin in North Ithilien, and the Emyn Arnen hills and grasslands in South Ithilien. Ithilien is divided into these two parts by the Ithilduin (now called Morgulduin) Stream, flowing from the valley just north of Minas Ithil (now Minas Morgul), out into the River Anduin just south of the ruins of Osgiliath. > exa cities This shelf labelled 'Legends of Cities' seems to contain books about different cities. > exa gods The shelf labelled 'Legends of the Gods' contains books about the Valar who created Arda, the Earth. > exa heroes In the shelf labelled 'Legends of Heroes' you find books about famous people in the history of Middle-Earth. > exa kings The shelf labelled 'Legends of Kings' contains books about the Kings of Gondor and other famous kings. The only titles you can make out are: Kings_of_Gondor, Stewards_of_Gondor, Kings_of_Arnor, Kings_of_Rohan. > read kings_of_gondor You read the book titled Kings_of_gondor. The List of the Kings of Gondor of the House of Elendil -------------------------------------------------------- The number after the name of the King gives the year of his death. Unless otherwise noted, all years are of the Third Age. Elendil S.A. 3441 fell in battle with Sauron Anarion S.A. 3440 fell in battle in Mordor Meneldil 158 son of Anarion Cemendur 238 Earendil 324 Anardil 411 Ostoher 492 Romendacil I 541 called Tarostar, fell in battle with Easterlings Turambar 667 Atanatar I 748 Siriondil 830 Here followed the four 'Ship-kings': -- More -- 20/65 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- Tarannon 913 called Falastur, first childless king Earnil I 936 son of Tarciryan, brother of Falastur lost with many ships in a storm off Umbar Ciryandil 1015 fell in battle in Haradwaith Hyarmendacil I 1149 called Ciryaher Gondor now reached the height of its power. Atanatar II 1226 called Alcarin, the Glorious Narmacil I 1294 second childless king Calmacil 1304 younger brother of Narmacil I Romendacil II 1366 called Minalcar, regent 1240-1304 Valacar 1432 in his time the Kin-strife began Eldacar 1490 called Vinitharya Eldacar Vinitharya was deposed 1437 by Castamir the Usurper. Castamir was slain by Eldacar in 1447, and Eldacar was reinstated. -- More -- 40/65 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- Aldamir 1540 second son of Eldacar Hyarmendacil II 1621 called Vinyarion Minardil 1634 slain at Pelargir by Corsairs of Umbar Telemnar 1636 Telemnar and all his children perished in the Great Plague. The White Tree in Minas Anor dies. Tarondor 1798 son of Minastan, second son of Minardil plants a seedling of the White Tree in the Court of the Fountain. Telumehtar 1850 called Umbardacil Narmacil II 1856 slain in battle with Wainriders beyond the Anduin Calimehtar 1936 Ondoher 1944 fell with his two sons, Artamir and Faramir, in battle with Wainraider north of the Morannon Arvedui of the North Kingdom claims the crown as Isildur's Heir. The claim is rejected. -- More -- 60/65 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- Earnil II 2043 a descendant of Telumehtar Umbardacil Earnur 2050 died in Minas Morgul Here ends the line of the Kings. The realm is ruled by the Stewards. > read stewards_of_gondor You read the book titled Stewards_of_gondor. The List of the Stewards of the Kings of Gondor of the House of Hurin ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hurin of Emyn Arnen, Steward of King Minardil (1621-1634) was father of the house of the Stewards. -died- Pelendur 1998 ruled for a year after the fall of Ondoher in 1944, he advised Gondor to reject the claim of Arvedui to the crown Vorondil 2029 'The Hunter' 1. Mardil Voronwe 2080 'The Steadfast', the first Ruling Steward 2. Eradan 2116 3. Herion 2148 4. Belegorn 2204 5. Hurin I 2244 6. Turin I 2278 7. Hador 2395 -- More -- 20/46 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- 8. Barahir 2412 9, Dior 2435 10. Denethor I 2477 11. Boromir 2489 died from a Morgul-wound 12. Cirion 2567 in his time the Rohirrim came to Calenardhon 13. Hallas 2605 14. Hurin II 2628 15. Belecthor I 2655 16. Orodreth 2685 17. Ecthelion I 2698 18. Egalmoth 2743 19. Beren 2763 gave Orthanc to Saruman 20. Beregond 2811 21. Belecthor II 2872 when he died, the White Tree also died 22. Thorondir 2882 23. Turin II 2914 24. Turgon 2953 25. Ecthelion II 2984 26. Denethor II -- More -- 40/46 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- The Stewards rule in the name of the Kings of Gondor. They take office with the oath: 'To Hold Rod and Rule in the Name of the King, until He Shall Return' The Stewards wear no crown and wield no sceptre, they do not sit on the ancient throne. They bear a white rod only as the token of their office; and their banner is white without charge. > read kings_of_arnor You read the book titled Kings_of_arnor. The Heirs of Isildur and Kings of Arnor and Arthedain ===================================================== Kings of Arnor: died - Elendil S.A. 3441 - Isildur 2 - Valandil 249 - Eldacar 339 - Arantar 435 - Tarcil 515 - Tarondor 602 - Valandur 652 - Elendur 777 - Earendur 861 Kings of Arthedain: - Amlaith of Fornost 946 - Beleg 1029 -- More -- 20/35 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- - Mallor 1110 - Celepharn 1191 - Celebrindor 1272 - Malvegil 1349 - Argeleb I 1356 - Arveleg I 1409 - Araphor 1589 - Argeleb II 1670 - Arvegil 1743 - Arveleg II 1813 - Araval 1891 - Araphant 1964 - Arvedui Last-king 1975 > read kings_of_rohan You read the book titled Kings_of_rohan. This is the list of the Kings of Rohan of the House of Eorl ------------------------------------------------------------ Year First Line ---------- 2485-2545 1. Eorl the Young. He was so named because he succeeded his father in youth and remainded yellow-haired and ruddy to the end of his days. These were shortened by a renewed attack of the Easterlings. Eorl fell in battle in the Wold, and the first mound was raised. Felarof, his horse, was laid there also. 2512-2570 2. Brego. He drove the enemy out of the Wold, and Rohan was not attacked again for many years. In 2569 he completed the great hall of Meduseld. At the feast his son Baldor vowed that he would tread 'the Paths of the Dead' and did not return. Brego died of grief the next year. 2544-2645 3. Aldor the Old. -- More -- 20/99 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- He was Brego's second son. He became known as the Old, since he lived to a great age, and was king for 75 years. In his time the Rohirrim increased, and drove out or subdued the last of the Dunlendish people that lingered east of Isen. Harrowdale and the other mountain-valleys were settled. Of the next three kings little is said, for Rohan had peace and prospered in their time. 2570-2659 4. Frea. Eldest son, but fourth child ol Aldor; he was already old when he became king. 2594-2680 5. Freawine. 2619-2699 6. Goldwine. 2644-2718 7. Deor. In his time the Dunlendings raided often over the Isen. In 2710 they occupied the deserted ring of Isengard, and could not be dislodged. 2668-2741 8. Gram. 2691-2759 9. Helm Hammerhand. At the end of his reign Rohan suffered great loss, by invasion and the Long Winter. Helm and his sons Haleth and Hama -- More -- 40/99 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- perished. Frealaf, Helm's sister's son, became king. Second Line ----------- 2726-2798 10. Frealaf Hildeson. In his time Saruman came to Isengard, from which the Dunlendings had been driven. The Rohirrim at first profited by his friendship in the days of dearth and weakness that followed. 2752-2842 11. Brytta. He was called by his people Leofa, for he was loved by all; he was openhanded and a help to all the needy. In his time there was war with Orcs that, driven from the North, sought refuges in the White Mountains. When he died it was thought that they had all been hunted out; but it was not so. 2780-2851 12. Walda. He was king only nine years. He was slain with all his companions when they were trapped by orcs, as they rode by mountain-paths from Dunharrow. 2804-2864 13. Folca. -- More -- 60/99 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- He was a great hunter, but he vowed to chase no wild beast while there was an orc left in Rohan. When the last orc was found and destroyed, he went to hunt the great boar of Everholt in the Firien Wood. He slew the boar but died of the tusk-wounds that it gave him. 2830-2903 14. Folcwine. When he became king the Rohirrim had recovered their strength. He reconquered the west-march (between Andorn and Isen) that Dunlendings had occupied. Rohan had received great help from Gondor in the evil days, When, therefore, he heard that the Haradrim were assailing Gondor with great strenght, he sent many men to the help of the Steward. He wished to lead them himself, but was dissuaded, and his twin sons Folcred and Fastred (born 2858) went in his stead. They fell side by side in battle in Ithilien (2885). Turin II of Gondor sent to Folcwine a rich weregild of gold. 2870-2953 15. Fengel. He was the third son and fourth child of Folcwine. He is not remembered with praise. He was greedy of food and of gold, and at strife with his marshals, and with his children. Thengel, -- More -- 80/99 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- his third child and only son, left Rohan when he came to manhood and lived long in Gondor, and won honour in the service of Turgon. 2905-2980 16. Thengel. He took no wife until late, but in 2943 he wedded Morwen of Lossarnach in Gondor, though she was seventeen years his younger. She bore him three children in Gondor, of whom Theoden, the second, was his only son. When Fengel died, the Rohirrim recalled him, and he returned unwillingly. But he proved a good and wise king; though the speech of Gondor was used in his house, and not all men thought that good. Morwen bore him two more daughters in Rohan; and the last, Theodwyn, was the fairest, though she came late (2963), the child of his age. Her brother loved her dearly. It was soon after Thengel's return that Saruman declared himself Lord of Isengard and began to give trouble to Rohan, encroaching on its borders and supporting its enemies. 2948 17. Theoden. He is the present King of Rohan. > exa artifacts In the shelf labelled 'Legends of Artifacts' you see several old books about ancient items and artifacts. You see these titles: Silmarils. > read silmarils You read the book titled Silmarils. OF THE SILMARILS 'Twas in the times of the First Age, following the Unchaining of Melkor, that Feanor, the Noldorian prince, wrought the greatest works of craft ever produced by the Children of Illuvatar. These were the Silmarils, jewels fashioned with shells of silima, but at their heart was the ever- radiant light of the Two Trees, and the Silmarils shone by themselves. They were hallowed by Varda so that any impure hand touching thme would be burnt and withered. Feanor soon lost his heart to these jewels, and as Melkor, who also lusted for them, influenced him, he kept them locked away, becoming greedy. It is said that when Melkor and Ungoliant poisoned the Two Trees, Feanor refused to sacrifice the Silmarils to restore the Trees, and at that time they were eventually stolen by Melkor. Feanor and his sons then took a great and terrible Oath, swearing that their House should ever seek to recover the Silmarils and pursue the thieves. Melkor fled from Valinor to Middle-earth, and Feanor, in his haste and pride, convinced the Noldor in following him. This led to the Kin-slaying in Aqualonde, when the Noldor slayed the Teleri-elves, to steal their ships and sail to Middle-earth. Melkor fortified himself in Angband, setting the Silmarills in his Iron -- More -- 20/21 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- Crown. There they remained, luring the Noldorian Exiles to their doom. > exa enemies This shelf labelled 'Legends of the Enemies' contains books about the Enemies of the Dark Lord. > exa peoples This shelf, labelled 'Legend of the Peoples' contains books about the different Peoples that live and have lived in the world. > exa lore The shelf labelled 'Lore' seems to contain books about several subjects of the Nature and life in the wilderness. > exa history This shelf is filled with several old books, most of them covered with dust. These are some of the titles you find: Akallabeth, MiddleEarth, WhiteTree. > read akallabeth You read the book titled Akallabeth. THE AKALLABETH The Isle of Numenor was given to the Edain in the beginning of the Second Age as a reward for their valour and faithfulness in the Wars of Beleriand. The island was raised in the sea between Middle-earth and Aman, the Undying Lands, where the Valar lived. But the Valar set forth the Ban of the Valar, refusing the Numenoreans ever to set foot upon the Undying Lands of Aman, as the Gift of Men is Mortality, not Eternal Life. The Numenoreans grew discontent and irritated with the Ban of the Valar, and ultimately also the fear of death. Seeking wealth and power they started establishing dominions on the shores of Middle-earth, to extract tribute and domination. In those days Sauron arose again in Middle-earth, and he hated the Dunedain because of the deeds of their fathers and their aid to Gil-galad in the last war. It is said that Sauron forged some rings of power, and with these ensnared three great Numenorean lords; and they fell under his power, along with six other Men, and became the Nine Ringwraiths. In those days the Shadow grew deeper upon Numenor, and the Numenoreans spoke openly about the discontent with the Valar, and they became estranged with their old Allies, the Eldar, and neglected serving Eru Illuvatar by worship. Only the Faithful remained loyal to the Valar and friendly with the Eldar, -- More -- 20/65 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- but by SA 2900 the Kings forbade the use of Elven-tongues and persecuted the Faithful. When Tar-Palantir ascended the throne, he gave peace to the Faithful for a while, but was usurped by his brothers son, Ar-Pharazon. Ar-Pharazon seized the sceptre in year 3255, and he was a cruel and chaotic king, resolving to gain kingship of the world. In his time Sauron once more put forth his might, taking the title of King of Men. Then Ar-Pharazon gathered a great hoard of weapons, and with mighty armies he sailed to Middle-earth. When Sauron saw the power of the Numenoreans, he smoothened his tongue and humbled before the king, and was taken as prisoner back to Numenor in SA 3262. Sauron quickly succeeded in corrupting Numenor with his counsels, erecting a temple to Melkor, and persuading Ar-Pharazon to convert to worship of the Dark; and most of the Numenoreans followed him. There was still a remnant of the Faithful, and their leader was Amandil and his son Elendil, and Elendils young sons Isildur and Anarion. In Numenor grew Nimloth, the White Tree, but Sauron wanted the king to cut it down. This was done, but not before Isildur had stolen a sapling of the Tree. The power of Sauron increased daily, and as Ar-Pharazon grew older, Sauron filled the kings mind with many dreams. The king was made to believe that he -- More -- 40/65 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- could sail to Aman and with the force of the Numenorean armies secure himself Immortality. Thus Ar-Pharazon built a great fleet, ready to sail farther West than ever before. Amandil however, knew the Ban of the Valar, and set out to warn the Valar about the King's plans, while Elendil and his sons led the Faithful to live in Middle-earth. Elendil escaped with four ships, Isildur with three and Anarion with two ships. With them they brought the fruit of the White Tree, and the Seven Stones, the gifts from the Eldar. It is said that when the Numenoreans Fleet reached the Undying Lands in SA 3319, Manwe, Lord of the Valar called upon Eru Illuvatar, and Eru the One showed forth his power. Numenor was swallowed by the sea, as was all the ships of the Numenorean Fleet, while Ar-Pharazon and those with him who had set foot upon the land of Aman were buried under falling hills. And Sauron, who was still in Numenor when the devouring wave rolled over the isle, and his body was lost, but his spirit once more returned to Barad-dur, his home in Mordor. The only survivors of the Downfall of Numenor were the Faithful, and those from Numenor that had moved to Middle-earth. Those who lived in Lindon and Pelargir were also among the Faithful, while the Numenoreans living in Umbar and Harad had been loyal to Ar-Pharazon; and they became -- More -- 60/65 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> qq x !<cmd> h ?) -- known as the Black Numenoreans. Elendil and his sons and the Faithful founded the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor in year 3320 SA. Isildur planted the White Tree in Minas Ithil, chief city of his royal fief, Ithilien. > read middleearth You read the book titled Middleearth. _________________________________________________________________ /_\ \ //_\| | |\_/___-_______-______/|________--___|\_____-______-__|\_____/\____/ \ \ | | | T H E H I S T O R Y O F M I D D L E E A R T H | | | | as penned down by Moribeor of the House of Beor | | | | | | Chapter I: Introduction | | | | Much has been written about the History of the lands on | | the continent of Middle Earth or Endor, but most of the | | writings that survive to these days were written by those | | who call themselves elf friends, and who came to Middle | | Earth out of the Great Sea in the Second Age of the Sun, | | first as conquerors, later as exiles. In those works of | -- More -- 20/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | history there is little said about any other peoples, and | | if other peoples are mentioned, they are pictured as wild | | and uncouth, with with minds bent solely on war, invasion, | | and plunder. Since few other peoples have survived in the | | western parts of Middle Earth to these days, and even less | | written evidence remains save that of the elf friends, | | many have considered their works to depict the actual | | historical events truthfully. Careful study though, even | | of those works, will reveal that this is not so. | | | | As a member of the First House of the Dunedain, in my | | youth I had ample opportunity to study works of history | | and lore as they are kept in the cities of Minas Tirith | | and Pelargir. Using these sources and oral traditions | | of my house, I have tried to lift the layer of lies and | | half-truths and to reconstruct a reliable history of the | | lands of Middle Earth from the beginning of the First Age | | of the Sun to these days in the last years of the third | | millennium of the Third Age. | | | -- More -- 40/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | | | | | Chapter II: The First Age of the Sun | | | | | | The Peoples of Beleriand | | | | There remain no independent sources of the history of | | Middle Earth in the First Age of the Sun. We know that | | three Houses of Men entered Beleriand and encountered the | | elves living there. Most parts of those three Houses were | | quickly forced into bondage to the elf lords of Beleriand, | | and those who were unwilling to endure this fate were | | driven out of Beleriand, back into Eriador. | | | | It is also uncontested that in later years more men | | crossed the Ered Luin and came into Beleriand, some to | | suffer the same fate of bondage to elves, but others too, | | who to escape bondage and slavery sought the protection of | | Melkor, the Lord of Angband, and became His allies. | -- More -- 60/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | | | The elves who had come into Beleriand not much earlier | | than the men, and who were less numerous, nevertheless | | claimed Lordship over all the lands, even though they | | lived only in few places, and hardly could populate those. | | Under the overlordship of the elves, humans lived in | | Mithrim and Dor-Lomin, in Ladros, in the Forest of | | Brethil, and in Thargelion. Some free houses who did not | | acknowledge any elven rule lived in East Beleriand, at the | | Andram, and around Amon Ereb. Though these houses did not | | involve themselves in the wars of Beleriand, and sought | | naught but peace for themselves, they too fell victim to | | wrath of the Valar and perished at the end of the Age. | | | | During the course of the Wars of Beleriand, Hithlum and | | Dorthonion fell again under the control of the Lord of | | Angband, and were given as fiefs to the men who had | | become His allies. | | | | The Wars of Beleriand are described in detail in other | -- More -- 80/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | works. Here it may suffice to note the outcome of the | | wars: Of all the men living in Beleriand in the First | | Age, only a few survived, those that were arrested by the | | elves and deported to the Island of Numenor. All others, | | including everyone living in Hithlum and Dorthonion, and | | in East Beleriand perished miserably, when those who live | | in Aman and claim lordship of all of Arda without pity or | | remorse destroyed Beleriand, and murdered all living | | beings there, with no regard for sex or age, showing no | | more mercy to innocent children and women than to their | | foes in war. Never before had any power of Arda killed so | | many, and never before had any power killed so many | | innocent people. | | | | | | | | The Peoples of Eriador | | | | Little is known of Eriador in the First Age, save that | | elves did not dwell there then. Since many men of Eriador | -- More -- 100/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | undertook to journey into Beleriand, it stands to reason | | that the peoples of Eriador prospered and multiplied in | | the First Age, so that their most adventuresome families | | decided to search for new lands and new fortunes west of | | the Ered Luin. The lack of enemies and war is most likely | | also the reason that no large political bodies were | | founded, as the peoples of Beleriand saw no reason to do | | so, since their lives and freedom were not at risk during | | the First Age. | | | | | | | | Chapter III: The Second Age of the Sun | | | | | | The First Millennium - the Elvish Invasion | | | | The peace in Eriador came to an end at the beginning of | | the Second Age. Survivors of the destruction of Beleriand | | --- only elves, no men among them! --- invaded Eriador in | -- More -- 120/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | force. | | | | It is instructive to compare the two great migrations, | | first the one of men from Eriador into Beleriand, then the | | one of elves from Beleriand into Eriador. In the | | migration of men in the First Age, a numerous people came | | in peace into an underpopulated land. When they met with | | the self-styled rulers of that land, most of the men | | accepted their lordship, and they were given land to work | | for their living only as bondsmen of the elven lords. In | | the migration of the elves, a small band of survivors | | invaded a well populated land. They took what they | | wished, with regard neither for the ancient rights nor for | | the needs of the men who had been living in Eriador in | | peace for centuries. | | | | Large parts of the land were occupied, and the men living | | there were driven away or slain. The west and the east of | | Eriador fell completely under the rule of the elves: the | | Ered Luin and the lands east of it ruled by a so-called | -- More -- 140/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | 'High King' in Mithlond; the east under the control of | | elves who founded the city of Ost-in-Edhil in Eregion. | | Of the men who had been living in those lands, those who | | survived the invasion by the elves were driven away south- | | and eastward. Of these, some settled in the forests that | | in those years still covered all lands along the coast in | | Eriador. Others fled further east, some settling in the | | fruitful vales north and south of the Ered Nimrais, some | | traveling as far as what is now known as Ithilien and | | Mordor. | | | | In Mordor at that time resided Sauron, the Lord of | | Barad-Dur. The construction of the Tower of Barad-Dur was | | begun around the year 1000 of the Second Age, and Sauron | | the Great was acknowledged Lord and Protector of all | | peoples of men that lived at that time in the East and the | | South of Middle Earth. Sauron the Great received the | | fugitives from Eriador with open arms and gave them what | | help He had to offer. | | | -- More -- 160/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | Heeding their prayers, He granted the fugitives protection | | against all who might try to drive them from their new | | lands. He also send ambassadors to the elven lords of | | Mithlond and Ost-in-Edhil, but they were not received by | | the elves in their delusion. | | | | | | The Years of Parley (1200 S.A. - 1600 S.A.) | | | | Unwilling to wage war unless war was unavoidable, after | | His ambassadors had been rejected, the Lord of Barad-Dur, | | He who had been acknowledged as High King by all peoples | | of the South Lands, and of the East, even beyond the Sea | | of Rhun, went to Eriador to parley in person for the | | peoples who had been driven out of their lands by the | | elven invaders. | | | | Coming to Mithlond, to the city of one Gil-Galad, who | | claimed to be `High King' of the elves of Middle Earth, | | the Lord of Barad-Dur was insulted and treated no better | -- More -- 180/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | than His ambassadors, not being admitted by Gil-Galad. | | Ignoring this insult, He then turned to Ost-in-Edhil, | | there to parley with one Celebrimbor. The elves of | | Eregion received the Lord of Barad-Dur, but were unwilling | | to parley when they perceived that the Lord of Barad-Dur | | was speaking for those they had driven from their lands. | | The Lord of Barad-Dur then offered His goodwill, | | friendship, and trade to the elves of Eregion should they | | return to the fugitives at least those lands they could | | not populate. Hearing this, Celebrimbor made vague | | promises about taking such a move into consideration | | should the friendship of the Lord of Barad-Dur prove | | profitable enough. | | | | Seeing that war might be evaded, and that at least parts | | of the lands might be returned to the fugitives, the Lord | | of Barad-Dur decided to reveal part of His power to the | | elves of Eregion so they might be moved to grant His wish. | | Many gifts He made them, and knowing that the elves were | | enamoured with magic and power, He crafted rings which | -- More -- 200/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | would give the elves control over the elements. He | | offered these rings to Celebrimbor as token of His | | friendship should the elves permit the fugitives to return. | | | | Perceiving the power of the rings, Celebrimbor was burning | | with desire to possess them, but never did he consider to | | be truthful to his promises. He therefore decided to | | steal the rings, and swiftly executed this plan, even | | attempting in his madness to slay the Lord of Barad-Dur. | | But no elf or man can be a danger to Him, and He returned | | to His land of Mordor. | | | | | | The War for Eriador (1693 S.A. - 1701 S.A.) | | | | Bound by His pledge to protect the fugitives, and after | | the failure of His attempts to parley with the elven | | invaders, no other way was left but open war to end the | | occupation of Eriador by the elves. In the year 1695 of | | the Second Age, the Lord of Barad-Dur entered Eriador once | -- More -- 220/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | more, but this time at the head of His armies. | | Ost-in-Edhil was conquered in 1697 S.A., and Celebrimbor, | | thief and liar, fell in the battle for the city. The Lord | | of Barad-Dur then sent again ambassadors to Mithlond, now | | demanding that the fugitives be put in their right, and | | that all lands east of the Ered Luin be returned to them. | | | | Gil-Galad that time received the ambassadors and began | | parley, making some promises now, withdrawing them again, | | prolonging the negotiations by every means available. On | | Yule 1699, he gave finally in to the demands of the Lord | | of Barad-Dur, swearing a solemn oath to respect the rights | | of the men who had been living in Eriador long before | | elves entered it from Beleriand. | | | | The Lord of Barad-Dur then dismissed His armies, and | | returned to His land of Mordor, to bring the happy news to | | the fugitives, and to oversee Himself the preparations for | | the return of those of the fugitives who wished to return | | to the lands of their fathers. | -- More -- 240/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | | | Into these preparations suddenly broke the news of the | | treachery of Gil-Galad. While he seemingly had parley | | with the ambassadors of Barad-Dur, he had sent for help | | from Numenor. When that help arrived in 1700 S.A. all | | oaths were quickly forgotten, and war resumed. | | | | The armies of Barad-Dur were still on their march home, in | | peaceful mood and taking no special precaution, believing | | to be in peace time and protected by Gil-Galad's oaths. | | To lighten the burden on the countryside that comes when a | | large army has to be provisioned, the regiments took their | | way home by different routes, and marched with several | | days distance from each other. When they were attacked | | suddenly from the rear by hosts of elves and from the | | flanks by men of Numenor who had landed on the coasts, the | | armies of Barad-Dur were ill-prepared for battle, and | | though all regiments fought with valour, they were singly | | and separately destroyed by foes who in every battle had a | | vast numerical superiority. | -- More -- 260/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | | | | | The First Numenorean Invasion (1800 S.A. - 2500 S.A.) | | | | After their great victory, the Numenoreans demanded and | | took the price for the assistance they had given the elves | | in their war against the men of Eriador. | | | | Ignoring the ancient ties of blood with the people living | | in Eriador, the Numenoreans began their occupation, | | building great fortresses along the coast, as harbours for | | their war fleets, and to house the occupation forces. | | First of these fortresses was Lond Daer upon Gwathlo, from | | which all southern Eriador was first brought under the | | rule of Numenor, and then denuded of its forests to | | satisfy the unquenchable hunger of the Numenorean navy for | | wood. In later years, Umbar and Pelargir upon Anduin were | | founded, each serving as a stronghold for the subjugation | | of the people living in the lands around it. | | | -- More -- 280/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | Exploiting the riches of Middle Earth, the Numenoreans | | brought rich bounty to their island from their colonies. | | And while Numenor grew rich and the Numenoreans lived in | | splendour and utmost luxury, the peoples of Middle Earth | | had to pay the price, and famine and poverty, which had | | before been unknown in the rich and fertile lands of | | Middle Earth, were the bitter fate of all living under the | | cruel yoke of the Numenorean invaders. | | | | | | The Second Numenorean Invasion (3261 S.A.) | | | | Not content with ruling over all the coast lands of Middle | | Earth from Harlindon to Umbar, Ar-Pharazon, King of | | Numenor, decided that he would make war on Sauron the | | Great, Lord of Barad-Dur, the protector of the South and | | the East, who was the only power still hindering the | | Numenoreans from expanding their rule over even more lands | | of Middle Earth. In the year 3261 S.A., Ar-Pharazon | | landed with a vast army at Umbar, and prepared to invade | -- More -- 300/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | Mordor in the following year. | | | | Perceiving that even a quick victory against such vast an | | army would result in death and devastation for many living | | under His protection, the Lord of Barad-Dur offered | | parley. He resolved that He Himself would go to Umbar, to | | negotiate there with Ar-Pharazon, so that He might | | convince the king that not the Lord of Mordor was his | | enemy, but the elves and those of Aman. | | | | In Ar-Pharazon the Lord of Barad-Dur found an ambitious | | man, but one with an open mind, and less twisted by the | | guile and the lies that the elves had spun for centuries | | to confuse men and to bind their minds in service unto | | them. Thus war was averted by the wise counsel of the | | Lord of Barad-Dur, and many who would have died were | | spared. Seeing that His words were not lost on the king, | | Sauron the Great consented to accompany Ar-Pharazon back | | to Numenor, to aid the king as counsellor. | | | -- More -- 320/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | When Ar-Pharazon, guided by the Lord of Barad-Dur, his new | | and wisest counsellor, perceived the truth about the elves | | and those who sit in Aman and claim to rule all of Arda, | | his wrath was terrible and his mind was set on revenge for | | the senseless slaying of so many men at the end of the | | First Age. The king of Numenor then swore to make war | | against Aman, and to liberate Arda from oppression by the | | devils of Aman. | | | | But, alas, being of a free mind, he underestimated the | | force by which the elves hold in bondage the minds of | | lesser men. The plans of king Ar-Pharazon were betrayed | | to Aman by an elf friend of his own court. | | | | The traitor, one Amandil, clandestinely set sail to Aman | | and alerted its rulers. What happened to the traitor is | | unknown, but since nothing is mentioned of him after his | | arrival in Aman, one may hope that he found his just | | reward at the hands of those of Aman, as he had outlived | | his usefulness for them. This should be a warning to any | -- More -- 340/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | who want to betray their king, land, and people to the | | enemy: they who profit by treason may still have no liking | | for the traitor. | | | | The Fall of Numenor does not belong to the History of | | Middle Earth, and its full account has been given | | elsewhere. Here, let us just point out that once more | | those who claim to be the rulers of all Arda struck | | ruthlessly without showing any mercy, killing men, and | | women, and children, exterminating a people with less | | compunction than a farmer might show towards killing the | | vermin in his fields. And still some cling to their false | | beliefs and give honour instead of contempt to those of | | Aman, and their henchmen, the elves. | | | | After the destruction of Numenor, the lords of Aman set | | out with vast hosts to conquer all of Middle Earth. It | | was their plan to kill all men and to give the lands of | | Middle Earth into the hands of the elves. The hosts of | | Aman landed in the far South of Middle Earth, in lands | -- More -- 360/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | strange and far distant from the Westlands. For many long | | years in these lands unheard of to most living today in | | Gondor or Mordor, a terrible war was fought in defence of | | all men of Middle Earth against the invaders from Aman. | | The forces of the defenders were led by Sauron the Great, | | who far from his own land of Mordor in that war saved the | | men of Middle Earth from death and destruction that Aman | | had planned for them. In the end, the invasion was beaten | | off through the wise leadership of Sauron the Great, and | | those of Aman in panic returned to whence they came. To | | escape the just wrath of the men of Middle Earth, ever | | since then they have made Aman inaccessible from the | | outside for all but elves, hiding there in fear. The | | lands in the South where the war was waged, however, never | | recovered from the terrible battles, and ever since then | | they have been deserts and wastelands. | | | | | | The Third Numenorean Invasion (3320 S.A. - 3441 S.A.) | | | -- More -- 380/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | The only survivors of the Downfall of Numenor were some of | | the family of the traitor Amandil, and those Numenoreans | | who had been living in the cities and fortresses along the | | coasts of Middle Earth. | | | | The spawn of Amandil, though only few in number, was quick | | to claim rulership, not only over those settlements of | | Numenoreans on the coasts, but over all of Eriador and all | | the lands north and south of the Ered Nimrais, and even | | over Ithilien, on the east bank of the Anduin. That these | | lands were populated by men who had been living there for | | centuries, sometimes even for millenia before the exiles | | arrived to claim lordship, did not seem to bother them. | | | | After having fortified their possessions and dividing the | | lands among themselves, they decided to make war against | | Barad-Dur, and invaded Mordor. Barad-Dur at that time was | | held only by a small force, commanded by a Lieutenant of | | the Lord of Barad-Dur, as Sauron the Great and the larger | | part of His forces were defending Middle Earth in the far | -- More -- 400/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | South against the invasion from Aman. Nevertheless, even | | combined with the forces of the elves, the exiles had to | | lay siege to Barad-Dur for seven years before they could | | take it. | | | | During the course of the siege, there grew strife between | | the heirs of the realms in Exile, Isildur and Anarion. | | Isildur as the elder son claimed to be heir of all the | | realms held by the exiles. Anarion, the younger, claimed | | the south kingdom as his inheritance. Their father | | Elendil, son of the traitor Amandil, took the side of the | | younger son, believing Isildur to be too vain and too | | ambitious to be trusted with the kingship over all the | | lands held by the exiles. One day, in 3440 S.A., Anarion | | was found murdered in his tent, where he was recovering | | from a slight headwound he had received from a stone | | thrown by the valiant defenders of Barad-Dur. | | | | Suspicion turned against Isildur, who was thought capable | | of such a vile deed by his father and by Gil-Galad more | -- More -- 420/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | than by any other, but no proof was found. | | | | In the following year Barad-Dur finally surrendered. The | | Lord of Barad-Dur, far away in the South, had learnt that | | His soldiers were besieged by forces vastly superior in | | numbers. In order to save their lives, He commanded them | | to surrender should safe-conduct be granted to them. And | | thus, after Elendil had sworn a solemn oath not to slay | | the defenders should they surrender the Tower of Barad-Dur | | to him, the siege was finally ended, and the invaders were | | victorious. But from Gil-Galad, Elendil had heard of Rings | | of Power forged by the Lord of Barad-Dur that were said to | | be hidden in the Tower of Barad-Dur. To find those rings | | was Elendil's purpose, and when a first search of Barad-Dur | | proved futile, Elendil ordered to torture the captive | | defenders, breaking his oath to spare their lives. | | | | When all but one of the defenders had died under the | | torture, the last survivor perceived that his life, too, | | was forfeit, and that in his greed Elendil would never | -- More -- 440/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | accept that what he searched for did not exist. This last | | of the defenders then made up a story of one Ring of Power | | that could control all other rings, and that this One Ring | | would give eternal life, and absolute power, thus feeding | | Elendil's greed, turning it into a fire that devoured | | Elendil internally. Thus, even though he died shortly | | thereafter, the last defender of Barad-Dur took his | | terrible revenge of Elendil. | | | | What happened then is hidden more than all else by a web | | of lies and deceit. All that is known is that after | | hearing the tale of the 'One Ring', Gil-Galad, Elendil, | | and Isildur alone entered the chamber at the top of the | | tower of Barad-Dur one last time, there to search for the | | 'One Ring'. Together they went in, and out came Isildur | | alone, with a tale even more fantastic than the one about | | the 'One Ring'. Isildur claimed that his father Elendil, | | Gil-Galad, and he had fought with the Lord of Barad-Dur | | Himself in that topmost chamber of the Tower, and that | | only he alone survived that battle. And Isildur also | -- More -- 460/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | claimed that he had cut the 'One Ring', this figment of | | the imagination of a tortured and dying man, from the hand | | of the Lord of Barad-Dur. | | | | Having little chance to prove Isildur wrong, most of the | | the exiles accepted his tale. Others, less credulous, | | accused him of first slaying his brother, and now his | | father. Few of those who made these accusations lived | | long thereafter, none survived unless they fled from | | Isildur's wrath into the East. | | | | | | | | Chapter IV: The Third Age of the Sun | | | | | | Throughout the Third Age, Middle Earth has for the most | | parts either been under the dominion of the exiles of | | Numenor, or it has been depopulated by their wars. | | | -- More -- 480/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | Since there are many accounts of the history of the Realms | | in Exile, their history will not be repeated here. The | | topic of this account is the fate of the peoples native to | | Middle Earth, and the history of the Realms in Exile (or | | rather, Realms of Occupation) will enter this account only | | where it touches this topic. | | | | | | Eriador | | | | In the wars of the Second Age, Eriador had been | | depopulated. The men living there had either been slain | | by the elves and Numenoreans, or been driven away, or | | later, under Numenorean rule, often starved by merciless | | taxes and levies. | | | | | | The Ered Nimrais and Dunland - the Dunlendings | | | | The western vales of the Ered Nimrais, north and south of | -- More -- 500/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | the mountains, and the lands west of the mountains to the | | sea were the lands of the Dunlendings. They were the | | descendants of the men driven out of Eriador by the elves | | at the beginning of the Second Age. | | | | For many centuries they lived in peace and prospered as | | farmers and hunters, from time to time being forced to | | acknowledge nominally the authority of the south kingdom. | | | | This good fortune lasted until the year 2510 T.A., when | | the steward of the south kingdom gave Calenardhon and the | | lands of the Dunlendings to a wild tribe from the north, | | called 'Horsemen' or 'Rohirrim'. The Rohirrim quickly | | subjugated the Dunlendings, stealing their land and their | | farms, sometimes permitting the old owners to stay on the | | land as serfs of the new lords, sometimes slaying them, | | sometimes driving them into the mountains. | | | | To this day, the Dunlendings are a people without rights | | in their own land, and may be killed by one of the | -- More -- 520/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | Rohirrim without peril or consequence. The most infamous | | of these murders was committed by one of the chieftains of | | the Rohirrim, who call themselves kings. The victim was | | one Freca, who by valour, industry, and wisdom had become | | respected by the Rohirrim even though many despised him | | for he had Dunlending ancestors. | | | | The chieftain of the Rohirrim, one Helm, had grown envious | | of Freca, so he invited him to his hall. There Helm slew | | Freca, his guest, by his own hand. Then Helm confiscated | | Freca's property, and declared Freca's son and his next of | | kin to be enemies of the king. | | | | | | Calenardhon and Anorien - the Druedain | | | | North of the Ered Nimrais lived since the dawn of time an | | ancient people. Unlike the Dunlendings, they built large | | settlements, but like so many other peoples of Middle | | Earth they were too peaceful of mind to engage in war and | -- More -- 540/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | conquest. Their language was alien to the Common Tongue | | and other languages spoken in Middle Earth, probably | | because they were not influenced by elves. In many vales | | north of the Ered Nimrais there can still be seen remnants | | of their settlements, the best known being Dunharrow, | | where the Pukelmen give testimony of the ancient lords of | | that valley. | | | | With the coming of the exiles, the Druedain were driven | | from the plains of Calenardhon, and took refuge in the | | mountains and forests. After losing most of their land | | they became a people perpetually in flight and hiding, | | developing woodman skills, but still ever diminishing | | in number and retreating deeper and deeper into the | | forests and mountains. | | | | Their lot became even worse with the arrival of the | | Rohirrim in Calenardhon, who took to hunting the 'Wild | | Men of the Woods', as they called the Druedain, for | | sport. | -- More -- 560/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | | | Today, only a small remnant of the Druedain still exists, | | living deep in Druedain Forest, which alone of all the | | lands that today are called Anorien and Rohan, which once | | were their own, remains to them. But even here, the | | Druedain are still persecuted, now by so-called rangers, a | | group of assassins and spies that the exiles are training. | | | | | | The Southlands - Umbar and Harad | | | | Like Pelargir, Umbar was founded by Numenoreans. But | | unlike the harbour on the Anduin, Umbar always remained | | faithful to the rightful ruler of Numenor, and never | | accepted the rule of the exiles, spawn of traitors. | | | | Whenever the power of the south kingdom was secured, it | | strove to conquer and destroy Umbar, the city which alone | | in all of Arda still represents the loyal and faithful | | Numenoreans, and the existence of which is a constant | -- More -- 580/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | reminder to the exiles of the foul act of high treason by | | which Amandil sent his people to the death. | | | | After the Downfall of Numenor, Umbar has acknowledged the | | Lordship of the Lord of Barad-Dur, counsellor and heir of | | the last king of Numenor. Many faithful servants of | | Barad-Dur have come out of the midst of the people of | | Umbar, and Umbar has always been a safe haven for all | | people persecuted in the Realms of Occupation. | | | | Though Umbar has known some defeats in the centuries in | | which it often stood alone against the might of the Realms | | of Occupation, it has never completely fallen, even though | | twice the south kingdom succeeded in occupying it | | temporarily. | | | | | | | | Chapter V: Afterword | | | -- More -- 600/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | I have shown what can be learned about the actual | | historical facts even from the distorted accounts that | | are kept by the exiles. | | | | I would like to beg the indulgence of the reader for some | | concluding thoughts. | | | | Many today in Middle Earth still give honour to elves, | | mayhap even pray to those living in Aman as if to Gods, | | and submit voluntarily to the rule of exiles. But to | | those who live in Middle Earth and who know the history | | of their people and their land, this can be only folly or | | worse. | | | | Ever since men entered Arda, the elves have been trying to | | enslave them. The property, freedom, and life of men has | | been endangered every time men have encountered elves. | | Elves denied men the right to settle in peace in | | Beleriand, elves drove men from their land in Eriador, and | | elves still today hope that one day those of Aman will | -- More -- 620/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | kill all men and give all of Middle Earth to them. | | | | But worse than the elves are those of Aman who claim the | | rulership of all of Arda. In their wrath, they have twice | | in the history of Arda destroyed vast lands with all the | | people living there, slaying children, men, and women | | alike, making no difference between a warrior that was | | prepared to meet with them in open war and the babe that | | was still suckling its mother's breast. In war, many | | atrocities are committed, but neither elf nor dwarf nor | | man has ever been as base or as cruel as the devils of | | Aman. | | | | And finally, the exiles, who for themselves claim the name | | Dunedain. Twice the forefathers of those who returned to | | Middle Earth as exiles have forfeit their rights to live | | in Middle Earth: First, when they departed into Beleriand, | | and again, when they chose to depart for Numenor. | | | | All claims of the exiles for rulership are thus shown to | -- More -- 640/660 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- | be without foundation and vain. | | | | Moreover, let us not forget that those who came to Middle | | Earth as exiles after the Downfall of Numenor were vile | | traitors, enemies of their own people and of their king. | | The traitors had no rights or authority in Numenor, and no | | rights or authority can they have in Middle Earth. | | | | The rightful Lord of Middle Earth is He whom the peoples | | of Middle Earth chose to be their Lord and protector, He | | who dwelleth in the Tower of Barad-Dur in the land of | | Mordor, whence He will come one day to drive exiles and | | elves back across the Belegaer to Aman. | | | / / /___ ____ ________ ____________________ _______________ _______/ |/\ - |/ - |/ - \ \\_| | \/________________________________________________________________/ > read whitetree You read the book titled Whitetree. Telperion and Laurelin ---------------------- Before the Elves, the Firstborn of Iluvatar, came to Middle Earth, and long before the Coming of the Sun and the Moon, the Valar built their city Valmar in the land Valinor, that lies beyond the Mountains of Defence in Aman. Before the western gate of Valmar, there lies a green mound named Corollaire. There Yavanna Kementari sang before the Valar sitting on their thrones in the Ring of Doom, the Mahanaxar, and under her song grew two trees upon the Corollaire that Nienna had watered with her tears. The tree that came first to full stature and bloom had leaves of dark green that benaeth were like shining silver, and from each of his countless flowers a dew of silver light was ever falling. He was called Telperion in Valinor, and Silpion, and Ninquelote, and many other names. The younger of the Two Trees bore leaves of a young green like the new-opened beech; their edges were of glittering gold. Flowers -- More -- 20/128 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- swung upon her branches in clusters of yellow flame, and from the blossom of that tree there came forth warmth and a great light. This was Laurelin, also called Malinalda, and Culurien, and many names in song beside. In seven hours the glory of each tree waxed to full and waned again to naught; and each awoke once more to life an hour before the other ceased to shine. Thus in Valinor twice every day there came an hour of softer light when both trees were faint and their gold and silver beams were mingled. The first hour that Telperion shone, the white glimmer of a silver dawn, the Valar reckoned not into the tale of hours, but named it the Opening Hour, and counted from it the ages of their reign in Valinor. Galathilion and Celeborn ------------------------ When the Eldar came to Aman, even among those that first lived among the radiant flowers of the Tree-lit gardens in Valinor, there were those that still longed at times to see the stars. These built Tirion, the city of the Elves, upon the crown of the -- More -- 40/128 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- green hill Tuna in the Calacirya, the Pass of Light, that cuts through the Mountains of Defence. And since of all things made in Valinor the Eldar loved most the White Tree, Yavanna made for them a tree like to a lesser image of Telperion, save that it did not give light of its own being; Galathilion it was named. The tree was planted in Tirion upon Tuna, and there it flourished and its seedlings were many in Eldamar. One of these seedlings was afterwards planted in Tol Eressea, and it prospered there and was named Celeborn, the Tree of Silver. Feanor, the greatest of the Eldar in arts and lore, but also the proudest and most selfwilled, wrought the Three Jewels, the Silmarilli, and filled them with the radiance of the Two Trees. The jewels were coveted by Morgoth, the Enemy, who stole them and, after destroying the Trees, took them to Middle Earth. In the War of the Valar against Morgoth, the Silmarilli disappeared from the face of the Earth. Of this more is told in the Silmarillion. Nimloth the Fair ---------------- In the Great Battle when at last Morgoth was overthrown, the -- More -- 60/128 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- Edain alone of the kindreds of Men fought for the Valar, whereas many others fought for Morgoth. To the Fathers of Men of the three faithful houses rich reward was given. They were give wisdom and power and life more enduring than any other of mortal race have possessed. A land was made for the Edain to live in, neither part of Middle Earth nor of Valinor, for it was sundered from either by a wide sea. The Valar named that land Andor, Land of Gift, but the Edain called it Elenna, which is Starwards; but also Anadune, which is Westerness, Numenore in the High Eldarin tongue. The history of Numenor is told in the book Akallabeth. The Firstborn travelled often from the haven Avallone upon Eressea to Numenor, and they brought to Numenor many gifts: birds of song, and flagrant flowers, and herbs of great virtue. And a seedling they brought of Celeborn, the White Tree that grew in the midst of Eressea. And the tree grew and blossomed in the courts of the King in Armenelos; Nimloth the Fair it was named. When towards the end of the Second Age, Ar-Pharazon, last King of Numenor, in his delusion brought Sauron to Numenor as hostage, Sauron cunningly gained the King's confudence by flattery and lies. -- More -- 80/128 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- And Sauron urged the King to cut down the White Tree, Nimloth the Fair, that grew in his courts, for it was a memory of the Eldar and of the light of Valinor. When Isildur, son of Elendil, heard of this, he said no word, but went out by night and passed alone in disguise to Armenelos and to the courts of the King, which were then forbidden to the Faithful. He came to the place of the Tree, which was forbidden to all by orders of Sauron, and the Tree was watched by day and night by guards in his service. At that time, Nimloth was dark and bore no bloom, for it was late in the autumn, and its winter was nigh; and Isildur passed through the guards and took from the Tree a fruit that hung upon it, and turned to go. But the guard was aroused, and he was assailed, and fought his way out, receiving many wounds, and he escaped, and because he was disguised it was not discovered who had laid hands on the Tree. But Isildur came at last hardly back to Romenna, the home of his family, and delivered the fruit to Amandil, father of Elendil, ere his strength failed him. Then the fruit was planted in secret, and it was blessed by Amandil; and a shoot arose from it and sprouted in the spring. But when its first leave opened then Isildur, who had lain long and come near to -- More -- 100/128 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- death, arose and was troubled no more by his wounds. None too soon was this done; for after the assault the King yielded to Sauron and felled the White Tree. The White Tree of Gondor ------------------------ When Isildur came to Middle Earth after the downfall of Numenor, he brought with him the scion of Nimloth the Fair. He planted this sapling in front of his house in Minas Ithil in the year 3320 of the Second Age. When Sauron sacked the city 129 years later, the White Tree was burned; but again Isildur could save a seedling. After Sauron had been defeated, he planted it in the citadel of Minas Anor in the second year of the Third Age, im memory of his brother Anarion, who fell in the War of the Last Alliance against Sauron. In the Court of the Fountain in Minas Anor the White Tree grew until it withered when the Great Plague devastated Gondor in the year 1636 of the Third Age. Four years later, King Tarondor planted a seedling of the White Tree in the same place. This White Tree for many years grew and was symbol of Gondor, reminding the -- More -- 120/128 -- (<cr> t b r n a <num>> q x !<cmd> h ?) -- Dunedain of their old home Westernesse, and of the light of Aman. Even when the line of the Kings of Gondor ended with Earnur, when he went to Minas Morgul to fight the Lord of Morgul in 2050 TA and was never heard of again, the White Tree took no damage. But when Belecthor II, the twenty first Ruling Steward of Gondor, died in 2872 TA, the White Tree also died in Minas Tirith; but it was left standing 'until the King returns', for no seedling could be found. > exa geography This shelf contains lots of loose papers, probably maps, but also books about places of note in the world. > exa miscellaneous In this shelf there's not much system. You see books and scrolls, loose sheets of paper and great tomes of old. > d This exit is closed for all mortals but Morgul mages! /d/Gondor/common/guild2/society_library In the Library of the Society of Morgul mages in Minas Morgul. There are two obvious exits: up and east.