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Things of Middle-earth

Merry's Silver Horn

Type: Artifacts

Other Names:
the horn of the Mark
the horn of Rohan

Description:

An ancient silver horn, heirloom of the House of Eorl, gifted to Merry by Éowyn:
Then Éowyn gave to Merry an ancient horn, small but cunningly wrought all of fair silver with a baldric of green; and wrights had engraven upon it swift horsemen riding in a line that wound about it from the tip to the mouth; and there were set runes of great virtue.

'This is an heirloom of our house,' said Éowyn. 'It was made by the Dwarves, and came from the hoard of Scatha the Worm. Eorl the Young brought it from the North. He that blows it at need shall set fear in the hearts of his enemies and joy in the hearts of his friends, and they shall hear him and come to him.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 5, Many Partings

'[We] have got to do something at once.'

'Do what?' said Pippin.

'Raise the Shire!' said Merry....

'I am going to blow the horn of Rohan, and give them all some music they have never heard before.'....

Sam turned aside and galloped off down the lane that led south to Cotton's. He had not gone far when he heard a sudden clear horn-call go up ringing into the sky. Far over hill and field it echoed; and so compelling was that call that Sam himself almost turned and dashed back. His pony reared and neighed....

Then he heard Merry change the note, and up went the Horn-cry of Buckland, shaking the air.

Awake! Awake! Fear, Fire, Foes! Awake!
Fire, Foes! Awake!

Behind him Sam heard a hubbub of voices and a great din and slamming of doors. In front of him lights sprang out in the gloaming; dogs barked; feet came running.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 8, The Scouring of the Shire

Ted gaped, for at that moment he first caught sight of the escort that at a sign from Merry now marched over the bridge. Dashing back into the mill he ran out with a horn and blew it loudly.

'Save your breath!' laughed Merry. 'I've a better.' Then lifting up his silver horn he winded it, and its clear call rang over the Hill; and out of the holes and sheds and shabby houses of Hobbiton the hobbits answered, and came pouring out, and with cheers and loud cries they followed the company up the road to Bag End.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 8, The Scouring of the Shire

In the Buckland the Horn of the Mark was blown at sundown every November 2 and bonfires and feastings followed.

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix D, The Calendars

Contributors:
Still Anonymous, 9Mar04
Elena Tiriel 31Jul04, 9Oct05, 29Oct05, 5Sep10

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