Part 27 (1/2)

3320.

Foundations of the Realms in Exile: Arnor and Gondor. The Stones are divided (p. 780). Sauron returns to Mordor.

3429.

Sauron attacks Gondor, takes Minas Ithil and burns the White Tree. Isildur escapes down Anduin and goes to Elendil in the North. Anarion defends Minas Anor and Osgiliath.

3430.

The Last Alliance of Elves and Men is formed.

3431.

Gil-galad and Elendil march east to Imladris.

3434.

The host of the Alliance crosses the Misty Mountains. Battle of Dagorlad and defeat of Sauron. Siege of Barad-dur begins.

3440.

Anarion slain.

3441.

Sauron overthrown by Elendil and Gil-galad, who perish. Isildur takes the One Ring. Sauron pa.s.ses away and the Ringwraiths go into the shadows. The Second Age ends.

The Third Age These were the fading years of the Eldar. For long they were at peace, wielding the Three Rings while Sauron slept and the One Ring was lost; but they attempted nothing new, living in memory of the past. The Dwarves hid themselves in deep places, guarding their h.o.a.rds; but when evil began to stir again and dragons reappeared, one by one their ancient treasures were plundered, and they became a wandering people. Moria for long remained secure, but its numbers dwindled until many of its vast mansions became dark and empty. The wisdom and the life-span of the Numenoreans also waned as they became mingled with lesser Men.

When maybe a thousand years had pa.s.sed, and the first shadow had fallen on Greenwood the Great, the Istari Istari or Wizards appeared in Middle-earth. It was afterwards said that they came out of the Far West and were messengers sent to contest the power of Sauron, and to unite all those who had the will to resist him; but they were forbidden to match his power with power, or to seek to dominate Elves or Men by force and fear. or Wizards appeared in Middle-earth. It was afterwards said that they came out of the Far West and were messengers sent to contest the power of Sauron, and to unite all those who had the will to resist him; but they were forbidden to match his power with power, or to seek to dominate Elves or Men by force and fear.

They came therefore in the shape of Men, though they were never young and aged only slowly, and they had many powers of mind and hand. They revealed their true names to few, 1 1 but used such names as were given to them. The two highest of this order (of whom it is said there were five) were called by the Eldar Curunir, 'the Man of Skill', and Mithrandir, 'the Grey Pilgrim', but by Men in the North Saruman and Gandalf. Curunir journeyed often into the East, but dwelt at last in Isengard. Mithrandir was closest in friends.h.i.+p with the Eldar, and wandered mostly in the West, and never made for himself any lasting abode. but used such names as were given to them. The two highest of this order (of whom it is said there were five) were called by the Eldar Curunir, 'the Man of Skill', and Mithrandir, 'the Grey Pilgrim', but by Men in the North Saruman and Gandalf. Curunir journeyed often into the East, but dwelt at last in Isengard. Mithrandir was closest in friends.h.i.+p with the Eldar, and wandered mostly in the West, and never made for himself any lasting abode.

Throughout the Third Age the guardians.h.i.+p of the Three Rings was known only to those who possessed them. But at the end it became known that they had been held at first by the three greatest of the Eldar: Gil-galad, Galadriel and Cirdan. Gil-galad before he died gave his ring to Elrond; Cirdan later surrendered his to Mithrandir. For Cirdan saw further and deeper than any other in Middle-earth, and he welcomed Mithrandir at the Grey Havens, knowing whence he came and whither he would return.

'Take this ring, Master,' he said, 'for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey sh.o.r.es until the last s.h.i.+p sails. I will await you.'

Year .

2.

Isildur plants a seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor. He delivers the South-kingdom to Meneldil. Disaster of the Gladden Fields; Isildur and his three elder sons are slain.

3.

Ohtar brings the shards of Narsil to Imladris.

10.

Valandil becomes King of Arnor.

109.

Elrond weds Celebrian, daughter of Celeborn.

130.

Birth of Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond.

241.

Birth of Arwen Undomiel.

420.

King Ostoher rebuilds Minas Anor.

490.

First invasion of Easterlings.

500.

Romendacil I defeats the Easterlings.

541.

Romendacil slain in battle.

830.

Falastur begins the line of the s.h.i.+p-kings of Gondor.

861.

Death of Earendur, and division of Arnor.

933.

King Earnil I takes Umbar, which becomes a fortress of Gondor.

936.

Earnil lost at sea.

1015.

King Ciryandil slain in the siege of Umbar.