Chieftains of the Dúnedain

The Chieftains of the Dúnedain preserved the line of the Kings in the North; Aranarth son of Arvedui was the first. "Arahael his son was fostered in Rivendell, and so were all the sons of the chieftains after him; and there also were kept the heirlooms of their house: the ring of Barahir, the shards of Narsil, the star of Elendil, and the sceptre of Annuminas" (p. 323, The Return of the King). The sceptre, though not used in Númenor, was the most ancient work of Men being nearly 5000 years old when passed to Elessar.

"When the kingdom ended the Dúnedain passed into the shadows and became a secret and wandering people, and their deeds and labours were seldom sung or recorded" (p. 323, The Return of the King). This does not mean the Dúnedain were not active. Often holding evil at bay in the region of Eriador. Even still they mostly lived out their long lives. It is said that Aragorn I was killed by wolves as they were ever a peril in Eriador.

In the days of the chieftain Arahad I Orcs, who were growing in numbers in the Misty Mountains, revealed themselves (in the same year Gondor was attacked in the south and Rohan came to its aid). "In 2509 Celebrian wife of Elrond was journeying to Lorien when she was waylaid in the Redhorn Pass, and her escort being scattered by the sudden assault of Orcs, she was seized and carried off" (p. 323, The Return of the King). Her sons Elladan and Elrohir rescued her but not before she suffered a poison wound. Elrond was able to heal her but she lost all joy in Middle-earth and in the following year went to the Havens and passed over the Sea.

The Orcs again began roaming and ravaging during the days of Arassuil chieftain of the Dúnedain. They were met by the sons of Elrond along with the Dúnedain. "It was at this time that a large band came so far west as to enter the Shire, and were driven off by Bandobras Took" (p. 324, The Return of the King). As we can see the Middle-earth seems to be filling with more and more evil as the Shadow in Dol Guldur grow.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, circa 2300-2510

Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 323-324