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Things of the Lord of the Rings
Enchanted objects of power and some with will.
The Ages of Middle Earth | ||
| Anduril |
The sword of Aragorn. Narsil reforged. Narsil was the sword of Elendil,
sire of the Numenorians in Middle Earth. Narsil was broken in the battle
with Sauron, in which Elendil and Gil-Galad were killed. But Sauron also
fell, and Isildur, Elendil's son, used the broken Narsil to cut the finger and
the One Ring from the hand of Sauron. The broken sword was passed from father
to son by the heirs of Elendil and finally to Aragorn.
At Rivendale, Elrond
ordered it reforged.
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| Lembas | The way-bread given to the Fellowship by the elves of Lothlórien. Wrapped in the leaves of that place, it keeps forever and is a source of perfect nourishment and energy. Originally a gift of the Maiar Melian to the elves after she married the elf Elwë. | |
| Glamdring |
The�sword of Gandalf found by Bilbo and the Dwarfs as they journeyed
east to cross the Misty Mountains. It was part of the Troll Treasure, and
was originally wrought by Elven-smiths.
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| Isildur's Bane |
The One Ring, so named, because it was the cause of Isildur's death as he
swam across the River Anduin.
He cut if from Sauron's hand, and against the council of Elrond
and Cerdín, he claimed it for his own.
It is precious to me, though I buy it with great pain. | |
| Mirror of Glaldriel | One of the great works of the Elves in the Third Age. Very likely created with the power of the ring Nenya. Galadriel can use it like one of the Palantír, but the visions it provides to others are personal, and of the future. | |
| Mithril | A light, malleable, but extremely hard metal discovered in the mines of Moria (Khazad-dûm) by the Dwarves. Extremely rare and valuable by the time of the War of the Ring. Frodo's coat, which saves his life from an Orc spear, is worth more than the entire Shire. | |
| The One Ring |
The cause of the War of the Ring, which ends the Third Age of Middle Earth.
At the end of the Second Age, Isildur cuts the ring from Sauron's hand after he is
defeated at Gladden Fields, but Isildur is later killed and the ring lost in the River
Anduin, and even though Sauron's body is destroyed,
he is restored after 1300 years, and begins to seek that which he has lost.
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. | |
| Palantír | Seeing Stones.
The "crystal balls" of Middle Earth that allow users to "see" events
at great distances, and to mentally communicate with others holding them.
Originally seven in number, they were made by the elf Fëanor during
the first age and brought to Middle Earth by Elendil after the fall of Númenor.
He used them to unite the Northern Kingdom (Arnor), which he ruled, with the
Southern Kingdom (Gondor), which was ruled by his sons Isildur and Anárion.
The "Great Stone" was beneath the Dome of Stars at Osgiliath, the capital of the
southern kingdom, between Minis Arnor and Minais Ithil. The other four were in
Isengard, Annuminas, Amon Sûl, and Elostirion.
The Palantír in Elostirion was used by Elendil to look eastward to Valinor, and
possibly communicate with the high elves.
At the time of the War of the Ring, the stones of Annuminas and Amon Sûl have been lost beneath the sea, and the great stone of Osgiliath has been lost in the Anduin. Sauron possesses the stone of Minais Ithil and the stone of Isengard is taken from Saruman through the unwitting treachery of Gríma, and given to Aragorn. Denethor holds the Palantír of Minis Arnor, and it is destroyed as he holds it in his hands as he burns to death. Thereafter, anyone who attempts to use it can only see the flames and the withering hands of Denethor. The Palantír of Elostirion returns to the east with Galadriel and Elrond after the War of the Ring. | |
| Phial of Glaldriel | One of the great works of the Elves in the Third Age. Very likely created with the power of the ring Nenya. In it, Galadriel captured the light of Eärendil's Star, the Simarilli. So, although in lesser fashion, she accomplished the feat of Fëanor in capturing the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin. The phial proved to be one of the most potent weapons of Frodo and Samwise as they journey to Orudruin. Few of Sauron's servants and withstood its illumination. | |
| The Rings of Power |
The greatest works of the Elves during the Second Age. They were the creation of the
Elf Lord Celebrimbor, and the Elven Smiths of the city of Ost-in-Edhil in Eregion (Hollin),
which lay between the Misty Mountains and the Hoarwell and Loudwater Rivers.
Sauron had escaped destruction of Thangorodrim by the Host of Valinor at the end of
the First Age. Slowly, he had returned to evil, and had begun construction of
Barad-Dûr (II 1000). Rather than openly confront the power of the Elves,
Sauron attempted to seduce them to his service, and took the name Annatar, Lord of Gifts.
Gil-galed, in Lindon, refused him, but the Elven Smiths of Ost-in-Edhil welcomed him, and
he aided them with his great knowledge; but he also learned from them the secrets of their rings.
Sixteen of these were made, with differing powers, but alone and without Sauron's knowledge,
Celebrimbor made three Great Rings (ca. II 1500).
Narya, Ring of Ruby, Ring of Fire Vilya, Ring of Sapphire, Ring of Air In ca. II 1600 Sauron forged the One Ring in Orudruin (Mt. Doom, Mordor) to control the other rings of power. In so doing Sauron gave much of his own power to the one ring, so that it could control the others. But, as soon as he put the one ring on his hand, the Elves perceived his great evil, and took them off! Sauron then made war upon the Elves of Eregion, killed Celebrimbor (II 1697), and took the sixteen lesser rings. However, he could not find the three rings he had never seen. They were worn in secret by the Elven Lords Gil-galed, Galadriel and Círdan; who used them to protect Lindon and The Gray Havens. Having failed to ensnare the Elves, Sauron then approached the other Children of Eru. To the Dwarves he gave seven Rings, but this proved folly, because Aüle had made them resistant to magic, and proof against evil. The remaining nine Rings Sauron gave to Men, and here he was most successful. Men feared death and coveted the long life the rings gave, and they were unwise and were dominated by their rings. Soon (II 2251), they became ringwraiths, creatures of might and terror but completely under the control of The One Ring. But even with such servants, Sauron was overthrown by the Númenórians and shared their destruction (II 3319). His fair form was destroyed, and thereafter he became like the ringwraiths, terrible to behold. But the power of the ring was so great that Sauron quickly reformed in Mordor. (The rings did not leave their bearers in death and transfiguration - the same happened with Gandalf when he fell in Mordor.) In II 3429 Sauron attacked Arnor and Gondor, but he was overthrown by the combined might of Gil-galad and Elendil, and the one ring was taken from him. At the time of the War of the Ring, Sauron had retrieved 3 of the Dwarven rings, but the 4 others had been destroyed by Dragons. Nine rings remained on the hands of the Ringwraiths, who resided first at Minas Morgul, and then at Barad-Dûr. Elrond was given Vilya by Gil-galad before his death (II 3441). With it, Elrond hides Imladris, which he had founded in II 1697. Galadriel held Nenya, and with it she protected Lothlórien, which she ruled with her husband Celeborn beginning III 1981. Círdan gave Narya to Gandalf when he first comes to Middle Earth from Valinor in ca. III 1000. From Dol Guldur in southern Mirkwood, Sauron began the search for his lost ring ca. III 1100. When The One Ring was finally destroyed in Orudruin (II 3018), Sauron's power and the Power of the Rings failed. Hildigrim's account of the forging of the Rings of Power | |
| Simarils |
The greatest work of the Elves, and the source of their greatest sorrow. The Simarils were
made by Fëanor during the age of the Two Trees, 9000 years before the
beginning of the first age. In three gems, Fëanor captured the light
of the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin. In spite, Melkor killed
the Two Trees, stole the Simarils, and fled to Middle Earth. Thereupon Fëanor
and his kin swore to regain the Simarils, even against the will of the Valar.
To end the darkness of Eä, Manwë then created the sun and the moon, and the First
Age began.
Then, as is told in the Simarillion, the Noldor Elves left Valar in search of Fëanor's 3 gems. And, the oaths of the Noldor lead to treachery, death and the triumph of Melkor. At the end of the First Age, one Simaril fell into a volcano with Maedhros, another was cast into the sea by Maglor, and the third was set on Eärendil's brow, where it remains today as the evening star. With the last Simaril, Eärendil reached Valinor and beseached the Valar to free the Elves and Men from Melkor. The destruction wrought by the Valar in throwing down Melkor transformed Middle Earth, and ended the First Age. | |
| Sting | Bilbo's Elvish sword, part of the treasure from the Troll's den, where Glamdring and Orcrist were found. Bilbo gives it and the mithral coat (part of the Dragon Treasure from Under the Mountain) to Frodo when the Fellowship departs Rivendale. Later, Frodo gives the sword to Sam, but Sam returns it to Frodo after the destruction of the Ring. Sting glows whenever orcs are near - as do Glamdring and Orcrist. | |
| Great Swords | Several Great Swords are mentioned in the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. These are the work of the Númenórians and the Elves, and are generally lesser accomplishments than the Rings or other magical items. The greatest of these is Anduril (Narsil), but Glamdring, Orcrist and Sting also are important weapons. The chief traits of these swords appear to be counter-spells. For example, the sword of the Barrow-downs overcomes the spells with which the Witch-King remains deathless; and Sting cuts through the web of Shelob, which normal blades cannot do. | |
| The Ages of Middle Earth | ||
The Time Before DaysDuration: 12786 yrEnds with the coming of the Elves Sequence |
The marking of time began when the Ainur began to form the World.
Aulë and Varda (Elbereth) made Two Lamps, Illuin in
the North and Ormal in the South.
Each "day" of the Age of the Lamps lasted 12 hours, and each "year" 1000 days, so the 3550 years of this Age are equivalent to 4446 years of the sun. The Elves came to Middle Earth after two Ages of The Years of the Trees, or 8340 years of the sun. |
The First War of the Valar began before Arda was fully formed.
Melkor strove against the works of the Valar, and Tulkus was sent by Eru sent to
defeat Melkor.
The Second War of the Valar, occurred when Melkor destroyed the Two Lamps and then hid from Tulkus in Utumno, deep beneath Middle Earth. The Valar departed Middle Earth and thereafter dwelt in Aman, in the light of The Two Trees. |
Years of The Two TreesDuration: 33,363 yrEnds with the creation of the Moon and Sun, and the coming of Man Sequence |
Yavanna and Nienna created the two trees, Telperion and Laurelin,
which gave light to Valinor but not to Middle Earth.
Each "day" of the Age of Two Trees had 84 hours, and each "year" 1000 days (8 1/3 yr), so the 4995 years are equivalent to 41703 years of the sun. When Melkor destroyed the trees, Yavanna and Nienna transformed the trees' last fruit and flower into the Sun and Moon. Thus began the ages of the Sun. |
The Elves came to Middle Earth during the Years of the Trees, when
the only light was from the stars. There, the Vala Oromë came to
them, but Melkor ensnared many of them and made of them the Orcs.
The Third War of the Valar was fought to free the Elves from Melkor. The Valar broke Utumno and bound Melkor. Then the Valar summoned the Elves to Valinor, and many came including the Noldor and their King Finwë. |
The First AgeDuration: 590 yrEnds when Melkor was cast through The Doors of Night Chronology |
After three ages, Melkor was released from bondage.
In that time, the Elves learned much from the
Valar, and among the Noldor Féanor was born, who created
the 3 Simarils that held the light of The Two Trees.
Then, Melkor destroyed The Two Trees, and took the
Simarils and fled to Thangorodrim in Middle Earth.
Against the will of the Valar, the Noldor persued Melkor to Middle Earth. There they remained until the Simarils were at last lost and Melkor was thrown down. At the end of the First Age, many Elves left Middle Earth for Eressëa in the far West. |
Because of the rebellion of Féanor and his kin, the Valar did not come
to the aid of the Elves and Men, and hid Valinor from them. But Eärendil the half-elven,
plead that the Valar would save Middle Earth.
When Men appreared in the east they were of many kinds, greatest among them were the Atanatári. Bëor was their leader, and they fled from Melkor. Fourth War of the Valar, War of Wrath. The Valar broke Thangorodrim and banished Melkor, forever, beyond the edge of night. |
The Second AgeDuration: 3441 yrEnds when the One Ring is taken from Sauron Chronology |
The age of the Númenórians.
After the downfall of Melkor, the Valar gave to the Men who had fought him
the island of Andor, and Eönwë went among them and gave them great
wisdom so that they became the kings of men.
But their fear of death and the deceit of Sauron overcame them, and in their pride they attacked the Valar, and Númenór was cast beneath the sea. Only one house, Elendil and his sons Isildur and Anaríon survived the destruction to flee to Middle Earth, where they founded Arnor and Gondor. The Elves and Men of Middle Earth formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and Sauron's One Ring was taken from him. |
Sauron was the greatest servent of Melkor. After his master's defeat, he
repented, but then he returned to evil.
II 1600 Sauron made the One Ring and and with it ensnares the Ringwraiths. II 1700 The Númenórians defeated Sauron in Eriador. II 3262 Sauron was again defeated and taken hostage to Númenór II 3319 Sauron's form was destroyed when Andor fell into the sea. II 3429 Sauron, made whole by the One Ring, attacked Gondor. |
The Third AgeDuration: 3021 yrEnds when Frodo et al. depart the Gray Havens Chronology |
The rise and fall of the Kingdoms of Men in Middle Earth.
The coming of the wizards to save Men and Elves from Evil. The coming of the Hobbits. The return of The King, Elessar, of the House of Elendil. The final destruction of Sauron and the ringwraiths The final departure of the Elves |
The close of the Third Age weakened both good and evil.
Sauron has lost the Ring, and the Kings of Men and Elves have
been killed. Arnor grew more slowly than Gondor, but great cities
are built in both. Soon the kingdoms were beset by
dissention from within and enemies from without. III 1437 Osgiliath destroyed III 1974 Arnor falls to Angmar III 2002 Minas Ithil falls to the Ringwraiths III 2570 Dragons appear in the north III 2793 The Orc wars III 2941 War of the five armies III 3019 The War of the Ring |
The Fourth Age | The age of man. The final departure of the Elves. | When the last high Elves departed Middle Earth, the Kingdom of Gondor became the last defense against evil. The Hobbits lived in peace and prosperity in The Shire. | ANIMALS / CHARACTERS / PLACES / RACES / THINGS |