Things of Middle-earth
Stone of Erech
Type: Artifacts
Other Names: Black Stone
Description:
A large boulder, possibly of meteoric origin, brought from Númenor and set on the Hill of Erech by Isildur to commemorate a treaty between the Númenóreans and the Men of the White Mountains, who failed to fulfill its terms.
This was a black stone, according to legend brought from Númenor, set up to mark the meeting place of Isildur and Anárion with the last king of the dark men of the Mountains, who swore allegiance to the sons of Elendil, vowing to aid them and their kin for ever, 'even though Death should take us.'
The War of the Ring, HoME Vol 8, Part 3, Ch 12, The Last Debate
'For at Erech there stands yet a black stone that was brought, it was said, from Númenor by Isildur; and it was set upon a hill, and upon it the King of the Mountains swore allegiance to him in the beginning of the realm of Gondor.'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 2, The Passing of the Grey Company
[The] stone of Erech stood ever alone, and on that hill no bird would alight nor beast feed....
The War of the Ring, HoME Vol 8, Part 3, Ch 12, The Last Debate
Long had the terror of the Dead lain upon that hill and upon the empty fields about it. For upon the top stood a black stone, round as a great globe, the height of a man, though its half was buried in the ground. Unearthly it looked, as though it had fallen from the sky, as some believed; but those who remembered still the lore of Westernesse told that it had been brought out of the ruin of Númenor and there set by Isildur at his landing. None of the people of the valley dared to approach it, nor would they dwell near; for they said that it was a trysting-place of the Shadow-men, and there they would gather in times of fear, thronging round the Stone and whispering.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 2, The Passing of the Grey Company
'But Aragorn halted and cried with a great voice: "Now come! By the Black Stone I call you!" And suddenly the Shadow Host that had hung back at the last came up like a grey tide, sweeping all away before it.'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 9, The Last Debate
Contributors:
Still Anonymous, 03/04/04
Elena Tiriel 13Mar07
