Andúril hardly seems like a sword that needs improving. It is Narsil remade: the ancient blade of Elendil, broken beneath him in the overthrow of Sauron and preserved through the long centuries by his heirs. Before the Fellowship leaves Rivendell, the sword is forged anew. Its blade bears the Seven Stars between the crescent Moon … Read more
The First Age produced some of the most famous weapons in Middle-earth. Glamdring and Orcrist came from Gondolin. Anglachel became the black sword Gurthang. The Silmarils themselves inspired wars, oaths, betrayals, and some of the greatest tragedies of the Elder Days. Yet one remarkable work associated with Gondolin was remembered for almost the opposite reason. … Read more
Thrór’s Moon-Letters Were More Than a Secret Message — They Required Both Craft and Calendar Knowledge When Elrond holds Thrór’s map up to the moonlight in Rivendell, something appears that Thorin and his companions have been carrying without knowing it was there. The map already shows the Lonely Mountain and marks a hidden entrance. But … Read more
Pippin’s greatest battlefield feat is also the moment he becomes convinced that his own story is over. At the Black Gate of Mordor, Peregrin Took—hobbit of the Shire, Guard of the Citadel, and one of the smallest soldiers in the Host of the West—kills the great troll-chief attacking Beregond. It is an extraordinary achievement. But … Read more
Michel Delving had several things that look suspiciously like the beginnings of a capital. It was the chief township of the Shire. It had the Mathom-house, the office of the Mayor, and public facilities important enough to serve hobbits beyond the immediate neighborhood. The Mayor attached to the town was eventually regarded as the Mayor … Read more
The Council of Elrond reaches its terrible conclusion on October 25, 3018: the One Ring cannot safely be used, hidden, or sent away. It must be taken into Mordor and destroyed in the fire where it was made. Frodo accepts the burden. Yet the Fellowship does not immediately ride south. Instead, weeks pass in Rivendell. … Read more
The Sceptre of Númenor was supposed to pass according to law. Yet one of the most revealing details in the island kingdom’s history is that the question of who could marry whom became inseparable from the question of who could rule. That tension appears most clearly around Númenor’s first Ruling Queen, Tar-Ancalimë. Her father changed … Read more
At Amon Hen, Frodo Baggins faces one of the loneliest choices in The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship has crossed mountains, darkness, grief, and hundreds of miles together. Aragorn is prepared to accompany him toward Mordor. Merry and Pippin have no intention of abandoning him. Gimli and Legolas are loyal to the Company. Sam … Read more
How Beorn’s Provisions Made the Company’s Route Through Mirkwood Possible When Thorin Oakenshield’s company reached Beorn’s house, the Lonely Mountain was still far away. Yet one of the most dangerous decisions of the entire journey was already approaching: how could fourteen travelers cross Mirkwood without horses, without reliable food, and without leaving the one path … Read more
When Bard’s black arrow struck Smaug, the most obvious obstacle to the restoration of Dale vanished in a single night. The dragon that had destroyed the old town, occupied Erebor, and terrorized the surrounding country was dead. But killing Smaug did not automatically bring Dale back. The old settlement beneath the Lonely Mountain had already … Read more