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Things of Middle-earth

Narsil

Type: Weapons

Meaning: Of the Sun and the Moon

Other Names: The sword was called Andúril after its reforging during the Ring War.

Description:"…and the sword of Elendil filled Orcs and Men with fear, for it shone with the light of the sun and of the moon, and it was named Narsil."
The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

The sword's origin is known, for Aragorn tells Háma, "Telchar first wrought it in the deeps of time."
TTT, Book 1, Ch 6, The King of the Golden Hall

Telchar was a dwarf of Nogrod who is known to have lived in the Time of the Trees, possibly into the First Age. The Grey Annals (War of the Jewels) gives it as the Valian Year 1330 when Thingol comissioned the dwarves to provide arms "…for they were greatly skilled in such work, though none among them surpassed the craftsmen of Nogrod, of whom Telchar the smith was greatest in renown." Telchar is also known as the crafter of the Dragon Helm of Dor-lómin, and the knife Angrist.

Narsil was last wielded by Elendil. The shards passed to Isildur, and after the disaster of the Gladden Fields, they were taken back to Rivendell by Ohtar, esquire of Isildur.
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch I, The Disaster of the Gladden Fields

At his council, Elrond says of the sword, "But Narsil was broken and its light extinguished, and it has not yet been forged again."
FotR, Book II, Ch 2, The Council of Elrond

It is unknown how the blade passed from Thingol's armoury to the Men of Númenor.

Contributors: Lyllyn 11.21.03

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