In the North after the war and the slaughter of the Gladden Fields the Men of Westernesse were diminished, and their city of Annúminas beside Lake Evendim fell into ruin; and the heirs of Valandil removed and dwelt at Fornost on the high North Downs, and that now too is desolate.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 2
Located around 100 miles north of the Shire, Lake Evendim is the source of the Brandywine river. Although lesser men settled around the lake in earlier times, it became an important location in the late Second Age, as the Northern Dúnedain made their capital of Annúminas here. As they abandoned the city in favour of Fornost Erain at the beginning of the Third Age, the lands surrounding the lake slowly returned to wilderness.
Braxton Farm is a farmstead west of the Far Downs and just east of Greenholm.
Built among the ruins of an old Gondorian Manor and in the shadow of a crumbling aqueduct, there has been a village at the site for centuries. In more recent times, it has suffered from orc raids out of Ithilien, as evidenced by the ravaged barn buildings on its eastern edge.
Derynost is a fort protecting the Rammas Echor from the gap between Lisclorn and Pelandros. The original fort was destroyed during the Kinstrife, but was rebuilt and has been occupied ever since. There has been a village surrounding the fort in various iterations for an unrecorded amount of time, as evidenced by the Solma.
Girdley Island lies on the river Brandywine north of the Brandywine Bridge.
So Sam planted saplings in all the places where specially beautiful or beloved trees had been destroyed, and he put a grain of the precious dust in the soil at the root of each. He went up and down the Shire in this labour; but if he paid special attention to Hobbiton and Bywater no one blamed him. And at the end he found that he still had a little of the dust left; so he went to the Three-Farthing Stone, which is as near the centre of the Shire as no matter, and cast it in the air with his blessing.
- The Return of the King (Book 6), Chapter 9
The Three-Farthing Stone sits close to the centre of the Shire and marks the meeting point of the Eastfarthing, Southfarthing, and Westfarthing.
Carstow Farm is a farmstead west of the Far Downs and just east of Greenholm.
And then on again through the Folde; and through the Fenmarch, where to their right great oakwoods climbed on the skirts of the hills under the shades of dark Halifirien by the borders of Gondor; but away to their left the mists lay on the marshes fed by the mouths of Entwash.
- The Return of the King (Book 5), Chapter 3
The Mouths of Entwash is a mighty delta formed where the River Entwash meets the River Anduin. The marsh shields the kingdoms of Gondor and Rohan from the wild lands to the north.
The westernmost village of the Westemnet, Turfaham lies just west of a large bog that is used by the village's inhabitants to harvest peat.
Tagol Tirith was was an Arnorian stronghold in Ruhdaur. Located on the great East Road and just south of the Trollshaws, its garrison was tasked with keeping the road safe. It was abandoned by the time of the war with Angmar.
Treebeard repeated the words thoughtfully. ‘Hill. Yes, that was it. But it is a hasty word for a thing that has stood here ever since this part of the world was shaped. Never mind. Let us leave it, and go.’
- The Two Towers (Book 3), Chapter 4
Treebeard's Hill sits on the eastern edge of the Fangorn Forest and overlooks the treetops of the forest below.
Cawtunn was an Arnorian stronghold in Rhudaur. Located in the centre of the Angle, it was abandoned by the time of the war with Angmar.
‘Here is Nimrodel!’ said Legolas. ‘Of this stream the Silvan Elves made many songs long ago, and still we sing them in the North, remembering the rainbow on its falls, and the golden flowers that floated in its foam. All is dark now and the Bridge of Nimrodel is broken down. I will bathe my feet, for it is said that the water is healing to the weary.’
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 6
A tributary of the Celebrant in north-western Lothlórien, the Nimrodel is named after the Elven maid of the same name, who dwelt near the river for many millennia.
After a few years Gilraen took leave of Elrond and returned to her own people in Eriador, and lived alone; and she seldom saw her son again, for he spent many years in far countries. But on a time, when Aragorn had returned to the North, he came to her, and she said to him before he went: “This is our last parting, Estel, my son. I am aged by care, even as one of lesser Men; and now that it draws near I cannot face the darkness of our time that gathers upon Middle-earth. I shall leave it soon.” [...] Gilraen died before the next spring.
- Appendix A, The Númenórean Kings
Located north of Gwâr-Estel, the chief dwelling of the Northern Dúnedain, this is where Aragorn's mother would spend her final days.
There was at that time a man named Freca, who claimed descent from King Fréawine, though he had, men said, much Dunlendish blood, and was dark-haired. He grew rich and powerful, having wide lands on either side of the Adorn. Near its source he made himself a stronghold and paid little heed to the king.
- Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers
The chief stronghold of the West Marches, the fort of Frecasburg was erected by the treacherous lord Freca nearly three centuries ago. Located at the south-eastern end of the region, it is the last line of defense for its people.
On down the grey road they went beside the Snowbourn rushing on its stones; through the hamlets of Underharrow and Upbourn, where many sad faces of women looked out from dark doors; and so without horn or harp or music of men’s voices the great ride into the East began with which the songs of Rohan were busy for many long lives of men thereafter.
- The Return of the King (Book 5), Chapter 3
Sitting on the feet of the cliff of Dunharrow, the hamlet of Underharrow is located south of Edoras.
Such was the dark Dunharrow, the work of long-forgotten men. Their name was lost and no song or legend remembered it. For what purpose they had made this place, as a town or secret temple or a tomb of kings, none in Rohan could say. Here they laboured in the Dark Years, before ever a ship came to the western shores, or Gondor of the Dúnedain was built; and now they had vanished, and only the old Púkel-men were left, still sitting at the turnings of the road.
- The Return of the King (Book 5), Chapter 3
The ancient refuge of Dunharrow is an upland at the feet of the White Mountains. It can only been accessed through the Stair of the Hold which climbs along one of the vast cliffs of the mountain range. Located south of the Rohirrim capital of Edoras, it serves as an important defensive position in times of war.
Dunharrow's origins are unknown, but it predates the founding of the Realms in Exile, having been erected sometime in the Second Age. It was most likely constructed by those whose remains dwell in the Paths of the Dead which lie just beyond the Dark Door, the entry into their realm.
‘It is for the Dimrill Dale that we are making,’ said Gandalf. ‘If we climb the pass that is called the Redhorn Gate, under the far side of Caradhras, we shall come down by the Dimrill Stair into the deep vale of the Dwarves. There lies the Mirrormere, and there the River Silverlode rises in its icy springs.’
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter
The Dimrill Dale is a valley at the feet of the mountains Caradhras, Celebdil, and Fanuidhol. In the Years of the Trees, Durin I founded the Dwarven realm of Moria here. The Great Gates, the realm's original entrance, lie here. In the valley's centre sits the Mirrormere, a small lake.
September came in with golden days and silver nights, and they rode at ease until they reached the Swanfleet river, and found the old ford, east of the falls where it went down suddenly into the lowlands. Far to the west in a haze lay the meres and eyots through which it wound its way to the Greyflood: there countless swans housed in a land of reeds.
- The Return of the King (Book 6), Chapter 6
The Swanfleet is a vast marshland surrounding the joining of the rivers Glanduin and Mitheithel. It was once home to the Stoors, a Hobbit people, but they moved to the Shire after their numbers were greatly reduced by the Great Plague.
‘Which question shall I answer first?’ said Pippin. ‘My father farms the lands round Whitwell near Tuckborough in the Shire. I am nearly twenty-nine, so I pass you there; though I am but four feet, and not likely to grow any more, save sideways.’
- The Return of the King (Book 5), Chapter 1
Whitwell is a small settlement south of Tuckborough in the Southfarthing.
Now at a point nearly midway in its course the stream of Adurant divided and then joined again; and the island that its waters enclosed was named Tol Galen, the Green Isle. There Beren and Lúthien dwelt after their return.
- The Silmarillion, Chapter 14
Set between the waters of the river Adurant, the island of Tol Galen is where Beren and Lúthien dwelled for the remainder of their lives after their return to Middle-earth in F.A. 469. In this time, the island's surroundings became known as Dor Firn-i-Guinar and their beauty was compared to that of Valinor itself.
So, though there was still some store of weapons in the Shire, these were used mostly as trophies, hanging above hearths or on walls, or gathered into the museum at Michel Delving. The Mathom-house it was called; for anything that Hobbits had no immediate use for, but were unwilling to throw away, they called a mathom. Their dwellings were apt to become rather crowded with mathoms, and many of the presents that passed from hand to hand were of that sort.
- The Fellowship of the RIng (Book 1), Prologue
The Mathom-house is a kind of museum in Michel Delving. It stores and displays mathoms, objects that were of value but of no particular use to the Hobbits. One of the mathoms held there included Bilbo Baggins' Mithril-coat until he took it with him to Rivendell in T.A. 3001.
Khalath-Giri was a dwarven settlement in the southern Ered Luin and has been abandoned for many centuries.
The chief citadel of Maedhros was upon the Hill of Himring, the Ever-cold; and that was wide-shouldered, bare of trees, and flat upon its summit, surrounded by many lesser hills.
- The Silmarillion, Chapter 14
In ancient days, Himring was a tall hill upon which Maedhros built his chief fortress, from which he guarded the northeastern border region that became known as the March of Maedhros. After the War of Wrath, when the western lands were flooded, the plains about the hill of Himring were drowned and the top of the hill was all that remained. Left standing as an island, Himring lay off the northwest coast of Forlindon. Nothing remains of the fortress.
Haeron Tirith was an Arnorian stronghold in Arthedain. Its northern position rendered it useless following the fall of Fornost in T.A. 1974, leading to its abandonment.
‘But the Ring was lost. It fell into the Great River, Anduin, and vanished. For Isildur was marching north along the east banks of the River, and near the Gladden Fields he was waylaid by the Orcs of the Mountains, and almost all his folk were slain. He leaped into the waters, but the Ring slipped from his finger as he swam, and then the Orcs saw him and killed him with arrows.’ Gandalf paused. ‘And there in the dark pools amid the Gladden Fields,’ he said, ‘the Ring passed out of knowledge and legend; and evenso much of its history is known now only to a few, and the Council of the Wise could discover no more.'
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1), Chapter
The Gladden Fields are a marshland along the Gladden River, a tributary of the Anduin. At the beginning of the Third Age, Isildur and his three oldest sons were ambushed by Orcs and slain here, resulting in the loss of the One Ring in the marshes' waters.
By the middle of the Third Age, parts of the area were settled by the Stoor hobbits. The Stoor Déagol rediscovered the ring while fishing, only to be killed by his friend Sméagol, who later became known as Gollum. The Stoors have all but deserted the area as servants of Sauron in search of the One Ring now linger here.
It is a strange road, and folk are glad to reach their journey’s end, whether the time is long or short. But I know how long it would take me on my own feet, with fair weather and no ill fortune: twelve days from here to the Ford of Bruinen, where the Road crosses the Loudwater that runs out of Rivendell.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1), Chapter 11
The Ford of Bruinen is the crossing of the river Bruinen leading toward the path to Rivendell. Elrond, the lord of Rivendell, holds power over its waters.
‘Now, friends,’ said Haldir, ‘you have entered the Naith of Lórien, or the Gore, as you would say, for it is the land that lies like a spearhead between the arms of Silverlode and Anduin the Great. We allow no strangers to spy out the secrets of the Naith. Few indeed are permitted even to set foot there.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 6
The Naith is the land between the rivers Celebrant and Anduin, where the heartland of Lórien lies.
Going westward a mile or so they came to a dale. It opened southward, leaning back into the slope of round Dol Baran, the last hill of the northern ranges, greenfooted, crowned with heather.
- The Two Towers (Book 3), Chapter 11
The southernmost hill of the Misty Mountains, Dol Baran is located just west of the road connecting Isengard and the Fords of Isen.
Cartrefi is a ringfort homestead in southern Dunland at the feet of the Misty Mountains.
No one had a more attentive audience than old Ham Gamgee, commonly known as the Gaffer. He held forth at The Ivy Bush, a small inn on the Bywater road; and he spoke with some authority, for he had tended the garden at Bag End for forty years, and had helped old Holman in the same job before that. Now that he was himself growing old and stiff in the joints, the job was mainly carried on by his youngest son, Sam Gamgee.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1), Chapter 1
The Ivy Bush is an inn located on the Bywater Road connecting Hobbiton and Bywater. It is frequented by the inhabitants of both villages.
As after indeed befell, and still the Tol Morwen stands alone in the water beyond the new coasts that were made in the days of the wrath of the Valar.
- The War of the Jewels (Part 3), Chapter 1
One of the last remains of Beleriand, Tol Morwen is the site of the Stone of the Hapless.
Dernost was an Arnorian town in Rhudaur. Largely abandoned by the time of the war with Angmar, the remaining population was wiped out by the Great Plague in T.A. 1636. Located close to the great East Road and on the river Hoarwell, it was an important trade hub before its abandonment.
The fellings had at first been along both banks of the Gwathló, and timber had been floated down to the haven (Lond Daer); but now the Númenóreans drove great tracks and roads into the forests northwards and southwards from the Gwathló, and the native folk that survived fled from Minhiriath into the dark woods of the great Cape of Eryn Vorn, south of the mouth of the Baranduin, which they dared not cross, even if they could, forfear of the Elvenfolk.
- The Unfinished Tales, Appendix D
A cape in the south west of Eriador, Eryn Vorn is littered with dark pines. They are the last remnants of the vast forests that once covered north-western Middle-earth.
The Númenóreans cut down a large part of the forests to build their fleets in the Second Age, before the forces of Sauron burned down much of the remaining woodland during the War of the Elves and Sauron. Only a few secretive woodsmen dwell in the woods by the end of the Third Age.
Bizar-Filatin is the largest dwarven settlement in the southern Blue Mountains.
Now they had gone on far into the Lone-lands, where there were no people left, no inns, and the roads grew steadily worse.
- The Hobbit, Chapter 2
The Lone-lands are the wilderlands east of Bree-land. Littered with the remains of long-abandoned Arnorian settlements, they were completely deserted by the end of the Third Age.
From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak it climbed, ascending in unbroken spiral in many thousand steps, until it issued at last in Durin’s Tower carved in the living rock of Zirakzigil, the pinnacle of the Silvertine. There upon Celebdil was a lonely window in the snow, and before it lay a narrow space, a dizzy eyrie above the mists of the world. The sun shone fiercely there, but all below was wrapped in cloud.
- The Two Towers (Book 3), Chapter 5
Celebdil (or Silvertine) is one of the three Misty Mountains under which the Dwarven realm of Moria lies. On its peak sits Durin's Tower, the high end of the Endless Stair. Erected in ancient times, the tower has been lost for millennia and is now considered only a legend among the Dwarves.
From Dunland, where he was then dwelling, he went north with Nár, and they crossed the Redhorn Pass and came down into Azanulbizar. When Thrór came to Moria the Gate was open. Nár begged him to beware, but he took no heed of him, and walked proudly in as an heir that returns. But he did not come back.
- Appendix B, The Third Age
For a time, Thrór's hall was the refuge of the survivors of the Sack of Erebor. It was abandoned in favor of the Blue Mountains when the remainders of Durin's folk established Thorin's hall in T.A. 2802.
The Old Ford is the crossing of the river Anduin along the Old Forest Road. The river was once crossed by a stone bridge but there remains no trace of it by the end of the Third Age. However, a Beorning village has grown around the ford in recent centuries.
‘Hoo, eh? Entmoot?’ said Treebeard, turning round. ‘It is not a place, it is a gathering of Ents–which does not often happen nowadays. But I have managed to make a fair number promise to come. We shall meet in the place where we have always met: Derndingle Men call it. It is away south from here. We must be there before noon.’
- The Two Towers (Book 3), Chapter 4
Derndingle is the ancient meeting place of the Ents in the south of Fangorn Forest. The Ents have gathered here for the Entmoots from time immemorial. It is a round depression completely devoid of trees except for three silver birches in its centre.
Located on the southern edge of Bree-land, this quarry is the main source of stone for the Breelanders. As there has been little need for building stone over the past few centuries, only a small portion of it is in use anymore.
‘We have reached the borders of the country that Men call Hollin; many Elves lived here in happier days, when Eregion was its name. Five-and-forty leagues as the crow flies we have come, though many long miles further our feet have walked. The land and the weather will be milder now, but perhaps all the more dangerous.’
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 3
A low ridge on the eastern side of the Misty Mountains, Hollin ridge once marked the border of the elven realm of Eregion.
To the north of the great height of Mount Dolmed was Gabilgathol, which the Elves interpreted in their tongue Belegost, that is Mickleburg; and southward was delved Tumunzahar, by the Elves named Nogrod, the Hollowbold.
- The Silmarillion, Chapter 10
Once looming over the only known path from Beleriand to Eriador, Mount Dolmed is a mountain on the western edge of the Ered Luin. Some of the first dwarves founded the cities of Belegost and Nogrod east of the mountain in the Years of the Trees. Like much of the Ered Luin, it was heavily damaged in the drowning of Beleriand.
Iaur Amdir was an Arnorian town in Rhudaur. Largely abandoned by the time of the war with Angmar, the remaining population was wiped out by the Great Plague in T.A. 1636.
Located at the tip of the Angle where the rivers Hoarwell and Loudwater meet, its ruins have since become home to a watchtower of the Northern Dúnedain dwelling in the region.
The village of Standelf lies in the south of Buckland, along the eastern banks of the Brandywine.
A mist arose from the river and hid them from their enemies, and they escaped over the Brithiach into Dimbar, and wandered among the hills beneath the sheer walls of the Crissaegrim, until they were bewildered in the deceits of that land and knew not the way to go on or to return. There Thorondor espied them, and he sent two of his eagles to their aid; and the eagles bore them up and brought them beyond the Encircling Mountains to the secret vale of Tumladen and the hidden city of Gondolin, which no Man yet had seen.
- The Silmarillion, Chapter 18
The Crissaegrim were a great mountain range of Beleriand. Hidden in its valleys was the great city of Gondolin. Following the drowning of Beleriand, most of the Crissaegrim were submerged by the sea. Only their peaks remain.
[To the West,] the land rose in wooded ridges, green, yellow, russet under the sun, beyond which lay hidden the valley of the Brandywine. To the South, over the line of the Withywindle, there was a distant glint like pale glass where the Brandywine River made a great loop in the lowlands and flowed away out of the knowledge of the hobbits.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1), Chapter 8
The Brandywine (or Baranduin) is a river in Eriador which marked the eastern end of the Shire until the establishment of Buckland. It only has three known crossings at the end of Third Age: The Brandywine Bridge, the Bucklebury Ferry, and Sarn Ford on the far southern border of the Shire.
Northern Dúnedain used to dwell along the river in centuries past as it marked the border between the Arnorian kingdoms of Arthedain and Cardolan. The fall of their kingdoms in the wars with Angmar led them to desert these settlements.
Now the people of Caranthir dwelt furthest east beyond the upper waters of Gelion, about Lake Helevorn under Mount Rerir and to the southward; and they climbed the heights of Ered Luin and looked eastward in wonder, for wild and wide it seemed to them were the lands of Middle-earth.
- The Silmarillion, Chapter 13
Once home to a fortress of one of the Sons of Fëanor, Mount Rerir was a great mountain in the First Age. Likely abandoned after the Battle of Sudden Flame, the War of Wrath left the once mighty mountain greatly diminished.
‘It is for the Dimrill Dale that we are making,’ said Gandalf. ‘If we climb the pass that is called the Redhorn Gate, under the far side of Caradhras, we shall come down by the Dimrill Stair into the deep vale of the Dwarves. There lies the Mirrormere, and there the River Silverlode rises in its icy springs.’
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 3
The Redhorn Pass (or Redhorn Gate) is the only pass over the Misty Mountains south of the High Pass and north of the Gap of Rohan. A narrow and dangerous high path, it leads along the southern slopes of Caradhras toward the Dimrill Dale and then onward to the Vale of Anduin.
The ground now became damp, and in places boggy and here and there they came upon pools, and wide stretches of reeds and rushes filled with the warbling of little hidden birds. They had to pick their way carefully to keep both dry-footed and on their proper course. At first they made fair progress, but as they went on, their passage became slower and more dangerous. The marshes were bewildering and treacherous, and there was no permanent trail even for Rangers to find through their shifting quagmires. The flies began to torment them, and the air was full of clouds of tiny midges that crept up their sleeves and breeches and into their hair.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1), Chapter 11
Located between the Chetwood and the Weather-hills, the Midgewater Marshes are a fly-infested fen.
Between Ramdal and Gelion there stood a single hill of great extent and gentle slopes, but seeming mightier than it was, for it stood alone; and that hill was named Amon Ereb.
- The Silmarillion, Chapter 14
The hill of Amon Ereb was once a dominant feature in the southern plains of eastern Beleriand. Its position at the southern end of the hills of Andram where the eastern passage into the southern parts of eastern Beleriand lay, made it an important strategic position in the First Age. It now sits on the western shores of Forlindon.
‘Caradhras was called the Cruel, and had an ill name,’ said Gimli, ‘long years ago, when rumour of Sauron had not been heard in these lands.’
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 3
The highest peak of the Misty Mountains, Caradhras (or Redhorn) is one of the three mountain peaks under which the Dwarven realm of Moria lies. The Redhorn Pass, a dangerous high pass over the mountains, leads along its slopes.
Balan Ostronn was an Arnorian stronghold in Rhudaur. Located on the eastern edge of the Angle, it was abandoned by the time of the war with Angmar.
‘Only once before have I seen them from afar in waking life, but I know them and their names, for under them lies Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue. Yonder stands Barazinbar, the Redhorn, cruel Caradhras; and beyond him are Silvertine and Cloudyhead: Celebdil the White, and Fanuidhol the Grey, that we call Zirakzigil and Bundushathûr.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 3
Fanuidhol (or Cloudyhead) is one of the three peaks of the Misty Mountains under which the Dwarven realm of Moria lies.
On down the grey road they went beside the Snowbourn rushing on its stones; through the hamlets of Underharrow and Upbourn, where many sad faces of women looked out from dark doors; and so without horn or harp or music of men’s voices the great ride into the East began with which the songs of Rohan were busy for many long lives of men thereafter.
- The Return of the King (Book 5), Chapter 3
The hamlet of Upbourn lies south of Edoras on the banks of the Snowbourn.
Imlanen is a Nandorin village in the forests of Harlindon. Hidden in the wooded foothills of the Blue Mountains, it is nearly impossible to find. The villagers use a small island in the nearby lake for high festivals.
Night was waning on the twenty-second day of September when drawing together again they came to Sarn Ford and the southernmost borders of the Shire. [The Nazgûl] found them guarded for the Rangers barred their way. But this was a task beyond the power of the Dúnedain; and maybe it would still have proved a even if their captain, Aragorn, had been with them. But he was away to the north, upon the East Road near Bree; and the hearts even of the Dúnedain misgave them.
- The Unfinished Tales (Part 3), The Hunt for the Ring
Guarded by the Rangers of the North, Sarn Ford lies on the far southern border of the Shire. It is the stone ford of the River Baranduin.
There Mount Rerir, and about it many lesser heights, stood out from the main range of Ered Lindon westward; and in the angle between Rerir and Ered Lindon there was a lake, shadowed by mountains on all sides save the south. That was Lake Helevorn, deep and dark, and beside it Caranthir had his abode;
- The Silmarillion, Chapter 13
Lake Helevorn lies at the foot of Mount Rerir.
For their defence in the night the Company climbed to the top of the small hill under which they had been sheltering. It was crowned with a knot of old and twisted trees, about which lay a broken circle of boulder-stones. In the midst of this they lit a fire, for there was no hope that darkness and silence would keep their trail from discovery by the hunting packs.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 2), Chapter 4
Warg Hill is a small hill located in Eregion close to the West-gate of Moria.
We have now come to the River Hoarwell, that the Elves call Mitheithel. It flows down out of the Ettenmoors, the troll-fells north of Rivendell, and joins the Loudwater away in the South. Some call it the Greyflood after that. It is a great water before it finds the Sea. There is no way over it below its sources in the Ettenmoors, except by the Last Bridge on which the Road crosses.
- The Fellowship of the Ring (Book 1), Chapter 12
Located on the Hoarwell just west of the Trollshaws, the Last Bridge marked the middle point between Weathertop and Rivendell along the great East Road.
The origins of the ancient bridge are unknown. It might have been built as early as the First Age, although it likely saw modifications and repairs by the Northern Dúnedain as they maintained it throughout the Second and the Third Age.
The High Moors are a series of moorlands above the valley of Rivendell.
Aldarion had a great hunger for timber desiring to make Númenor into a great naval power; his felling of trees in Númenor had caused great dissensions. In voyages down the coasts he saw with wonder the great forests, and he chose the estuary of the Gwathló for the site of a new haven entirely under Númenórean control [...] There he began great works, that continued to be extended after his days.
- The Unfinished Tales, Appendix D
Located on estuary of the river Gwathló, Lond Daer was the first Númenórean colony on the shores of Middle-earth. Founded by S.A. 800, it served as an important port, especially for transporting lumber from Middle-earth to Númenor.
Largely ruined by the Downfall of Númenor and the subsequent reshaping of the shores of Middle-earth, Lond Daer was soon abandoned in favor of Tharbad in the early Third Age. By the end of the Third Age, the site of Lond Daer was mostly covered by estuarine salt marshes, with only a few islands and low hills indicating where this once-mighty city stood.
But beyond, in the great fief of Belfalas, dwelt Prince Imrahil in his castle of Dol Amroth by the sea.
- The Return of the King (Book 5), Chapter 1
This area in the southern coastal region of Gondor is well-known for its strategic position and deep-rooted history. Located on a narrow piece of land extending into the Bay of Belfalas, it is bordered by the sea on three sides, offering inherent protection and a thriving harbor. The Prince of Dol Amroth, from a noble lineage known for their bravery and allegiance to Gondor, governs the city.
Established by people from Númenor during the Second Age, the city showcases a mix of Númenórean and Elven ancestry, which is visible in its buildings and way of life. The city showcases beautiful stone structures, high waterfront barriers, and vibrant gardens that mirror its affluence from the sea trade and high level of culture. Gondor's maritime heritage is unparalleled, boasting a strong navy that defends the southern coasts and participates in widespread commerce.
The city is known for its prestigious Swan Knights, revered fighters respected for their courage and expertise. The Prince Imrahil leads these knights who are known for their steadfast loyalty and powerful presence in combat. The elite soldiers' reputation mirrors the city's commitment to martial excellence and safeguarding Gondor.
This city's important and lively role in Gondor's history is due to its beautiful surroundings, strong military presence, and exceptional leadership. The coastal allure, enhanced by its strategic significance, showcases the endurance and cultural diversity of Middle-earth.