The Complete Tolkien Companion by J. E. A. Tyler Read Free Book Online Page A

afterwards accidentally slain, with his own sword Anglachel, by his great friend Túrin Turambar; after which the sword passed to the ownership of Túrin, who wielded it with renewed ferocity against the foes of the Eldar and Edain. In the Elven-city of Nargothrond it was re-forged for him, and named Gurthang, ‘Iron-of-death’, possibly in an attempt to evade the foretold disaster.
    But there was no escaping the curse on the weapon. Under its new name the Black Sword took many lives that had been Morgoth’s to command; but it also slew innocents: and in due course, when Túrin at last renounced his own life, it slew him at his own bidding. In this final act of bloodletting the Black Sword fractured into two shards, which were afterwards buried with Túrin.
    Angle – The Angle, as it was known to folk of Eriador, comprised all the land between the two tributaries of the Greyflood: Mitheithel and Bruinen. Early in the Third Age, when the Angle was part of the North-kingdom of Rhudaur, one of the three clans of Hobbits – the Stoors – dwelt there for a while. But when the climate grew colder as the land became infiltrated by evil from the neighbouring Witchrealm of Angmar, the Stoors deserted Eriador and many went back to Wilderland, not to return until the founding of the Shire.
    There was also the Angle of the Naith of Lothlórien, known as Egladil. It was a cool green lawn which lay between the waters of Anduin and Silverlode.
    Angmar ‘Iron-home’ (Sind.) – The principal force behind the fall of Arnor and Arthedain was the evil and implacably hostile realm of Angmar, which rose early in the second millennium of the Third Age. Angmar, whose lands lay beyond the Ettenmoors on both sides of the Misty Mountains, was ruled from its beginnings by a dreadful Sorcerer known simply as the WITCH-KING , later revealed as Lord of the Ringwraiths and Sauron’s most terrible Lieutenant. His task, to purge the North of his Master’s enemies, was greatly eased by the division of Arnor into three separate successor-states, which had taken place some four centuries earlier at the death of Eärendur in 861. The Dúnedain were therefore already in self-inflicted disunity; but the Witch-king, now established in his great fort of Cam Dûm, was to be satisfied with no less than the utter destruction of his enemies. In wars that lasted no less than seven hundred years he ruined: first Rhudaur, by subversion; then Cardolan, by invasion; and finally Arthedain itself, last memory of royal Arnor, by massive assault.
    By early 1974, King Arvedui, ‘Last-king’ of Arthedain, was in desperate straits. Though already reinforced by an Elf-host from Lindon, in his great need he had also sent to Gondor for aid. That spring – too late for Arvedui or Arthedain – a mighty host arrived from Gondor, led by Eärnur, son of King Eärnil. In alliance with Elves of Lindon and Rivendell, Eärnur utterly defeated the forces of Angmar, who were already feasting and revelling in Fornost, believing their victory complete. The Witch-king escaped, having accomplished his main purpose: the destruction of the North-kingdom. But he afterwards counted Eärnur of Gondor chief among his enemies.
    Angren – The Sindarin name for the river Isen.
    Angrenost ‘Iron-citadel’ (Sind.) – An earlier name, given in Gondor, for the Ring of ISENGARD .
    Angrim ‘Iron-net’ (Sind.) – Father of GORLIM THE UNHAPPY , of the First House of the Edain.
    Angrist ‘Iron-cleaver’ (Sind.) – A dagger of Dwarf-make, forged by the great smith Telchar (who also wrought the sword NARSIL ) during the First Age in the city of Nogrod. It later came into the possession of one of the Sons of Fëanor, Curufin the Crafty. When, in the course of the treacheries of those days, Curufin made war upon his ally Beren of the Edain, he was defeated and the knife Angrist was taken from him;