Places in Middle-earth
Westemnet
Type: Forests, Fields, Plains
Region: Rohan
Meaning: western plain
Location: The plains of Rohan west of the river Entwash; borders the Fangorn forest on the north.
Description:
[Note: the location of the Westemnet was derived from the following source, then confirmed by the quote below (though not by name):
The Atlas of Middle-earth, Revised Edition, by Karen Wynn Fonstad, Section 4, Regional Maps: The White Mountains]
... a little while [after leaving Fangorn] he turned suddenly, and choosing a place where the banks were lower, he waded the [Entwash], and then led them away due south into a flat land, treeless and wide. The wind went like grey waves through the endless miles of grass. There was no sign of road or track....
'He is steering a straight course now for the halls of Théoden under the slopes of the White Mountains,' said Gandalf. 'It will be quicker so. The ground is firmer in the Eastemnet, where the chief northward track lies, across the river, but Shadowfax knows the way through every fen and hollow.'
For many hours they rode on through the meads and riverlands. Often the grass was so high that it reached above the knees of the riders, and their steeds seemed to be swimming in a grey-green sea. They came upon many hidden pools, and broad acres of sedge waving above wet and treacherous bogs; but Shadowfax found the way ... Looking out over the great plain, far away the riders saw [the sun] ... sinking into the grass. Low upon the edge of sight shoulders of the mountains glinted red upon either side. ...
'There lies the Gap of Rohan,' said Gandalf. 'It is now almost due west of us. That way lies Isengard.'
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 5, The White Rider
'Come now!' said Éomer. 'The Heir of Elendil would be a strength indeed to the Sons of Eorl in this evil tide. There is battle even now upon the Westemnet, and I fear that it may go ill for us.
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 2, The Riders of Rohan
Etymology
Wold ... part of the Eastemnet (Anglo-Saxon emnet 'plain').
Unfinished Tales, Index
Contributors: Elena Tiriel 22Dec04, 19Jan05
