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Timeline Event

Gandalf tames Shadowfax

Event Type: General

Age: 3rd Age - Ring War

Dates: September 21, 3018 ~ September 23, 3018

Description:

An event in the aftermath of Gandalf's Imprisonment by Saruman; see that entry for an overview:
[Said Éomer,] 'Speak not the name of Gandalf loudly in Théoden's ears! He is wroth. For Gandalf took the horse that is called Shadowfax, the most precious of all the king's steeds, chief of the Mearas, which only the Lord of the Mark may ride. For the sire of their race was the great horse of Eorl that knew the speech of Men. Seven nights ago Shadowfax returned; but the king's anger is not less, for now the horse is wild and will let no man handle him.'

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 2, The Riders of Rohan

[Said Wormtongue,] 'What aid have you ever brought, Stormcrow? ... It was aid from us that you sought last time that you were here. Then my lord bade you choose any horse that you would and be gone; and to the wonder of all you took Shadowfax in your insolence. My lord was sorely grieved; yet to some it seemed that to speed you from the land the price was not too great.'

The Two Towers, LoTR Book 3, Ch 6, The King of the Golden Hall

'In Rohan I found evil already at work ... and the king of the land would not listen to my warnings. He bade me take a horse and be gone; and I chose one much to my liking, but little to his. I took the best horse in his land, and I have never seen the like of him.' ...

'[He] might have been foaled in the morning of the world. The horses of the Nine cannot vie with him; tireless, swift as the flowing wind. Shadowfax they called him. By day his coat glistens like silver; and by night it is like a shade, and he passes unseen. Light is his footfall! Never before had any man mounted him, but I took him and I tamed him, and so speedily he bore me that I reached the Shire when Frodo was on the Barrow-downs, though I set out from Rohan only when he set out from Hobbiton.

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 2, The Council of Elrond

September [3018]
20
Gandalf gains entrance to Edoras. Théoden commands him to go: 'Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!'

21
Gandalf meets Shadowfax, but the horse will not allow him to come near. He follows Shadowfax far over the fields.

22
... Gandalf overtakes Shadowfax.

23
... Gandalf having tamed Shadowfax rides from Rohan.

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 14Feb05

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