Timeline Event
Fellowship passes the Argonath and camps at Parth Galen
Event Type: General
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: February 25, 3019
Description:
An event in the preludes to the Breaking of the Fellowship and the Orc-raid at Parth Galen; see those entries for an overview:
The Company pass the Argonath and camp at Parth Galen.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age
Before the travellers lay a wide ravine, with great rocky sides.... The channel grew narrower and the River swifter. Now they were speeding along with little hope of stopping or turning, whatever they might meet ahead. Over them was a lane of pale-blue sky,... and before them black, shutting out the sun, the hills of Emyn Muil....
Frodo peering forward saw in the distance two great rocks approaching: like great pinnacles or pillars of stone they seemed. Tall and sheer and ominous they stood upon either side of the stream. A narrow gap appeared between them, and the River swept the boats towards it.
'Behold the Argonath, the Pillars of the Kings!' cried Aragorn. 'We shall pass them soon.... Hold the middle of the stream!'
As Frodo was borne towards them the great pillars rose like towers to meet him. Giants they seemed to him, vast grey figures silent but threatening. Then he saw that they were indeed shaped and fashioned.... Upon great pedestals... stood two great kings of stone: still with blurred eyes and crannied brows they frowned upon the North. The left hand of each was raised palm outwards in gesture of warning.... Great power and majesty they still wore, the silent wardens of a long-vanished kingdom....
'Fear not!' said a strange voice behind him. Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skilful strokes;... a king returning from exile to his own land....
'Long have I desired to look upon the likenesses of Isildur and Anárion, my sires of old. Under their shadow Elessar, the Elfstone son of Arathorn of the House of Valandil Isildur's son heir of Elendil, has nought to dread!'....
The chasm was long and dark... It bent somewhat towards the west so that at first all was dark ahead; but soon Frodo saw a tall gap of light before him, ever growing. Swiftly it drew near, and suddenly the boats shot through, out into a wide clear light.
The sun, already long fallen from the noon, was shining in a windy sky. The pent waters spread out into a long oval lake, pale Nen Hithoel, fenced by steep grey hills whose sides were clad with trees... At the far southern end rose three peaks. The midmost stood somewhat forward from the others and sundered from them, an island in the waters.... Distant but deep there came... a roaring sound like the roll of thunder heard far away.
'Behold Tol Brandir!' said Aragorn, pointing south to the tall peak. 'Upon the left stands Amon Lhaw, and upon the right is Amon Hen the Hills of Hearing and of Sight. In the days of the great kings there were high seats upon them, and watch was kept there. But it is said that no foot of man or beast has ever been set upon Tol Brandir. Ere the shade of night falls we shall come to them. I hear the endless voice of Rauros calling.'
The Company rested now for a while... then they took to their paddles and hastened on their way.... Already night was laid on the flowing waters when the travellers came at last under the shadow of the hills.
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 9, The Great River
Aragorn led them to the right arm of the River. Here upon its western side under the shadow of Tol Brandir a green lawn ran down to the water from the feet of Amon Hen. Behind it rose the first gentle slopes of the hill clad with trees, and trees marched away westward along the curving shores of the lake. A little spring fell tumbling down and fed the grass.
'Here we will rest tonight,' said Aragorn. 'This is the lawn of Parth Galen: a fair place in the summer days of old. Let us hope that no evil has yet come here.'
They drew up their boats on the green banks, and beside them they made their camp.
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 10, The Breaking of the Fellowship
The tenth day of their journey was over. Wilderland was behind them. They could go no further without choice between the east-way and the west. The last stage of the Quest was before them.
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 9, The Great River
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 26Dec04