Cabed-en-Aras ‘The Deer’s Leap’ (Sind.) – A sheer-sided ravine of great depth, through which ran the swift river Teiglin. It lay on the marches of the Forest of Brethil. Here Túrin Turambar slew the Dragon Glaurung, by ascending the sides of the gorge and so coming up underneath the Worm’s guard; here also Nienor Niniel slew herself, after which this grim place was renamed Cabed Naeramarth, the ‘Leap of Dreadful Doom’, by the Woodmen of Brethil.

Cabed Naeramarth – See preceding entry.

Cair Andros – The island of Cair Andros lay in the middle of the Anduin, some leagues north of Minas Tirith where the provinces of Anórien and North Ithilien faced each other across the Great River. When the lands on the eastern side fell under Sauron’s control, about 2900 Third Age, Túrin II, twenty-third Ruling Steward of Gondor, fortified the island to protect Anórien from raids and invasion. The name Cair Andros means ‘Ship of long-foam’, for the island was shaped like a great ship, with a high prow facing upstream, against which the waters of Anduin broke with force.

Calacirian – See CALACIRYA.

Calacirya ‘Light-cleft’ (Q., older form Kalakirya) – The Realm of the Valar, Guardians of the World, was hidden from the shorelands of Valinor by a great range of mountains called the Pelóri, through which there was only one pass: the great ravine of the Calacirya. The Light of the Two Trees flowed through this pass and into the coastal lands beyond, where dwelt the Eldar and all those who had passed ‘over Sea’. The region of Eldamar thus illumined was called Calaciryan (sometimes spelt Calacirian), from the older form Kalakiryande, ‘The-Region-of-Calacirya’.

Calaquendi ‘Light-elves’ (Q.) – The name given by the Eldar to all those of Elven race who dwelt, or had ever dwelt, in Aman the Blessed during the time of the Trees. These included all the VANYAR and the NOLDOR, and a part of the TELERI, but not the SINDAR, a subdivision of the Telerin clan who remained in Beleriand throughout the First Age. Those of the Calaquendi who returned to Middle-earth were sometimes also called ‘High-elves’ (Tareldar).

Calembel – The chief town of the province of Lamedon in Gondor. It was situated upon a low hill commanding the ford across the river Ciril.

Calenardhon ‘Green-region’ (Sind.) – A northern province of Gondor. It lay north of the White Mountains, between the rivers Anduin and Isen, and extended as far north as the Limlight and the Forest of Fangorn. In ancient times Calenardhon had been peopled by the Men of the upper vales of the Mountains. (It was this folk who constructed the refuge of Dunharrow and the labyrinth which lay under the Dwimorberg.)

In the days of its power, Gondor defended this province with two strong fortresses: the Hornburg at the entrance to the gorge of Aglarond, and Angrenost, at the feet of the Misty Mountains. But as the Third Age slowly passed, Calenardhon became depopulated by war and by plague. In the year 2510 it was suddenly overrun by the invading Balchoth, and many of its remaining inhabitants perished. The army of Gondor, marching north to defend the province, was assailed by hordes of Orcs and Balchoth, and only the last-minute appearance of the Riders of Éothéod saved it from defeat. In gratitude, Gondor ceded her depopulated province to the Riders, who called their new land the Riddermark. In Gondor it became known as ROHAN.

Calendar of Imladris – The system of reckoning used by the Elves of Rivendell; the only Elf-calendar known (or recorded) by the compilers of the Red Book. The Elves always preferred to reckon, wherever possible, in sixes and twelves, and their yén or ‘long year’ was equivalent to 144 solar years, or loa, each divided into six full ‘seasons’ and some extra days. These seasons were named tuilë, lairë, yávië, quellë, hrivë and coirë (spring, summer, autumn, fading, winter and stirring).

The loa began on the last day of coirë (this day had a special name, yestarë). To correct inherent inaccuracies in the system, the Eldar inserted three ‘middle-days’, or enderi between ‘autumn’ and ‘fading’. Every twelfth year these extra days were doubled to give an average loa of 365 days. This is obviously a somewhat inaccurate system, but to the Eldar it presumably sufficed.

Calenhad ‘Green-hump’ (Sind.) – One of the chain of seven BEACON-HILLS between Minas Tirith and the Firienwood, linking Gondor and Rohan. It lay west of Min-Rimmon and east of the Firienwood.

Calimehtar – A prince of Gondor, younger brother of King Rómendacil II. His grandson was Castamir the Usurper. Also, from 1856–1936 Third Age, the thirtieth King of Gondor. His father, King Narmacil II, was slain in battle by the Wainriders, and the son avenged this death by a great victory over these formidable peoples in 1899, upon the ancient battlefield of Dagorlad. This victory was achieved with the aid of rebels from Rhovanion, who had been enslaved in the invasion which took Narmacil’s life.

Calimmacil – A prince of Gondor, son of Arciryas and nephew of Narmacil II. It was through this blood-link with the royalty of Gondor that, in 1945 Third Age, Calimmacil’s grandson, the victorious general Eärnil II, claimed – and was subsequently awarded – the crown of Gondor.

Calma – The Quenya word for ‘lamp’; also the title of the Fëanorian Tengwa number 3, representing the sound ch (later k) in both Quenya and Sindarin.

Calmacil (Tar-Calmacil) – From 2737–2825 Second Age, the eighteenth King of Númenor. He was a great mariner and empire-builder, and conquered great lands along the shores of Middle-earth, thus alarming and arousing Sauron.

Calmacil was the first King of Númenor to encourage his Adûnaic name – Ar-Belzegar – to be spoken openly in preference to the Eldarin form.

Calmacil – From 1294–1304 Third Age, the nominal eighteenth King of Gondor, though his son Minalcar (later crowned in his own right as RÓMENDACIL II) ruled as regent in his father’s name.

Calmatéma – In the Fëanorian system of writing (the Tengwar), the title given to the ‘series’ of letters which utilised the sounds k, g, kh, gh (the velar stops and back spirants). These sounds were represented by letters 3, 7, 11, 15, 19 and 23 in Westron (Series III), and by 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 in Quenya (Series IV).

Calmindon – The name given to the great lighthouse raised on the small island of Tol Uinen, in the Bay of Rómenna in eastern Númenor, by Aldarion (later Tar-Aldarion) the Mariner.

Camellia Baggins – The (Sackville) wife of Longo Baggins, Hobbit of the Shire. Their only son Otho was the first Sackville-Baggins. Otho later wedded Lobelia Bracegirdle.

Camlost ‘Empty-Handed’ (Sind.) – The bitter name assumed by BEREN ERCHAMION when he returned to the halls of Thingol Greycloak without the Silmaril he had won. His right hand still clasped the Jewel, but the hand itself at that time lay within the belly of the Wolf Carcharoth.

Captain of Despair – An epithet used in Gondor for the Chief Nazgûl, the Lord of Minas Morgul.

Captain of the Haven (of Umbar) – The title of the Governor of the Havens of Umbar during the time of the Corsairs. He was responsible for the efficiency of the harbour and the ships berthed there.

Captain of the White Tower – The (traditional) title of Gondor’s war-leader; in the days after the passing of the Kings, the title was normally held by the Heir to the Stewardship. Boromir, son of Denethor II, bore this rank.

Carach Angren ‘Iron-jaws’ (Sind.) – The Isenmouthe; the gate and wall which guarded the road from the plateau of Gorgoroth in Mordor to the valley of Udûn, which lay behind the Black Gate. Together with the fortress of Durthang which overlooked it, the Isenmouthe was built by Gondor early in the Third Age, to guard Mordor and prevent the re-entry of evil creatures. After Sauron’s return, these fortifications were used by him to prevent escape from the Black Land.

Caradhras ‘Red-peak’ (Sind.) – The Elvish name for the northernmost of the three great peaks that rose above the ancient Dwarf-realm of Moria. (The other two were Celebdil the White and Fanuidhol the Grey.) Because of its cruel reputation, and the bloodlike tinge which habitually lit its northern face, this mountain was known in the Westron speech as the Redhorn. The Dwarves called it Barazinbar. Dimrill Dale on the far side, was known as the ‘Redhorn Gate’.

Caragdur ‘Dark-fang’ (Sind.) – The name given by the Elves of Gondolin to the steep northern face of the hill Amon Gwareth, on which their city was built.

Caranthir the Dark – The fourth of the Sons of Fëanor, by repute the most quick-tempered and fell. He returned with his father and his other brothers to Middle-earth in the year before the Rising of the Moon, and took part in the Battle-under-Stars in Mithrim and Ard-galen, afterwards taking Thargelion, the most easterly portion of Beleriand, as his realm. He was thus the first of the High-elven lords to encounter the Dwarves, who dwelt at that time beyond the Ered Luin in their cities of Nogrod and Belegost. As a result, all trade between Dwarves and Elves passed first through Caranthir’s lands, affording him and his people considerable profit. But the main focus of his interest lay of course in the North, and to guard against the evil of Morgoth, Caranthir fortified the mountains about Lake Helevorn (for this eastern sector of the front was the most difficult to defend).

All the Sons of Fëanor were prickly, and though valiant, not the easiest of allies; Caranthir exemplified this touchiness. The annals of the times are replete with stories of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, many of which can be laid to the door of the brothers – or to their Oath – and most of all perhaps to Caranthir. For example, he at first underrated the valour of the Edain, so indirectly contributing to the grievous losses sustained by the Haladin when first they came to Beleriand; and he disliked the sons of Finarfin, and thereby did much to sow dissension between the Noldor and King Thingol, who was of course related to Finarfin’s kindred.

Caranthir held his lands – named now Dor Caranthir (‘Caranthir’s Land’) – for many hundreds of years, and did his part in the War; but in the Battle of Sudden Flame, whereby Morgoth overthrew the Siege of Angband, the front held by the Eldar and the Edain was broken, and Thargelion was invaded. Caranthir, with the remnant of his people, fled south, to the land of his brethren Amrod and Amras, and there he dwelt until the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. In that grievous battle Caranthir played a valiant part; but it is also told that it was the allies he brought to the fight, Men of Eastern race, who were in great measure responsible for the defeat sustained by the Eldar on that day: for Caranthir’s ‘allies’ were secretly in Morgoth’s pay (see ULDOR THE ACCURSED) and it was their sudden betrayal at the height of the battle which brought ruin upon the rearguard, and so upon the whole Eldarin army.

Afterwards Caranthir, together with his brothers Curufin and Celegorm, lived a hunted life in Beleriand, with no realms to rule, making no war upon Morgoth but seeking still for some way to fulfil the Oath sworn long before. And in their wandering days they fell into evil thoughts, and committed evil actions. It came to their ears after a while that a Silmaril had been recovered from Morgoth and lay hid in Menegroth; and they resolved to recover the Jewel, by any means possible – as indeed they were bound to do, by their Oath. Thingol Greycloak of Doriath, to whom the Jewel had been given (by Beren and Lúthien), was already dead, slain in his own hall; but Thingol’s heir Dior Eluchíl ruled in Menegroth, and was the new Keeper of the Silmaril. The three brothers, Celegorm, Curufin and Caranthir now attacked Dior, by stealth and in the dead of winter. But they were unsuccessful in their objective (for the Silmaril was carried to safety by Dior’s daughter Elwing the White); and, though they succeeded in killing the Heir of Thingol – and in destroying Doriath – all three were themselves slain.

Caras Galadhon ‘The City of the Trees’ (Sind.) – Chief dwelling-place of the Elves of Lothlórien, where ‘there rose to a great height a green wall encircling a green hill thronged with mallorn-trees … Their height could not be guessed, but they stood up in the twilight like living towers. In their many-tiered branches and amid their ever-moving leaves countless lights were gleaming, green and gold and silver.’1 The mightiest of the mellyrn bore several great platforms, or flets, the highest of which held ‘a house, so large that almost it would have served for a hall of Men upon the earth.’2 There, during the Second and Third Ages, dwelt the Lady Galadriel and her husband Celeborn the Wise.

Carc – An ancient raven of the Lonely Mountain, father of Roäc, Thorin Oakenshield’s messenger before and during the Battle of Five Armies (2941 Third Age).

Carcharoth ‘The Red Maw’ (Sind.) – Also called Anfauglir, ‘Jaws of Thirst’. The Wolf of Angband, Guardian of the Gates of Morgoth’s Realm in the North; the Slayer of Beren and of Huan the Hound of Valinor; and, for a time, the Keeper of a Silmaril.

This great beast was in origin a cub of the brood of the werewolf Draugluin; but Morgoth, fearing the power of HUAN – of whom it was said that he should not die until he had encountered the greatest wolf of the world – took the cub, and nourished it in evil ways, until it outgrew all others of the wolf-race. Then Carcharoth was sent to guard the gates of Angband. On a time Beren and Lúthien came by evil roads to that place, and there Carcharoth challenged them, but was overcome by the power of Lúthien; then for a while he slept. But they, having secured a Silmaril from Morgoth’s Iron Crown, were hindered in their escape by the Wolf; who was now awake and undaunted by spells. Beren attempted to ward him off with the power of the Jewel, but the Wolf was not easily affected by such prohibitions, and bit off Beren’s hand which held the Silmaril, swallowing it. Then the pain of the Jewel – which endured no evil, and burned wicked flesh – drove him mad, so that he fled in anguish and rage, and gave no thought afterwards to his duties, or indeed to anything but the terrible pain in his belly. After a time of thus raging hither and thither throughout northern Beleriand, Carcharoth came to the fences of Doriath, and broke through the ring of enchantment set upon that land. In the northern part of the Forest of Neldoreth he was caught by hunters from Menegroth – who included Beren and Huan – and there, in the ensuing battle, Carcharoth slew Beren and the Hound of Valinor, but was himself slain by Huan before he died. His great corpse was then disembowelled, and the Silmaril recovered.

Carchost – Narchost (‘Fire-fort’) and Carchost (‘Fang-fort’) were the names originally given to the two Towers of the Teeth which flanked the Black Gate into Mordor. Both were originally built by Gondor to prevent entry to the Black Land, early in the Third Age after Sauron’s first overthrow.

Cardolan ‘Land-of-Red-Hills’ (Sind.) – In 861 Third Age, at the death of King Eärendur, the realm of Arnor was divided into three, due to quarrels among his sons. The separate states which emerged were Arthedain, Rhudaur and Cardolan (see REALMS IN EXILE). The latter kingdom included all the lands of Eriador between the rivers Baranduin and Mitheithel-Gwathló as far north as the Great East Road. The hill-tower of Amon Sûl (Weathertop) thus lay on the border between Cardolan and the easternmost of the three successor kingdoms, Rhudaur. Possession of this strategic point later became a source of conflict between the two states.

The story of Cardolan is sad, as are the histories of all three North-kingdoms. Often at war with Rhudaur, which early fell into evil ways under the influence of the Witch-realm of Angmar, Cardolan nonetheless managed to survive until the great invasion of 1409, when forces from Angmar and Rhudaur crossed the border and surrounded Amon Sûl. The tower was burned, Cardolan’s ally Arthedain was forced to retreat, and the surviving Dúnedain of Cardolan were driven to take refuge in Tyrn Gorthad (the Barrowdowns) and in the Old Forest. The last prince of the kingdom was slain in this war.

The Great Plague which came from the East in the year 1636 decimated the remaining population of Cardolan, and the kingdom was never re-established.

Carl Cotton – The youngest son of Tolman Cotton (Farmer Cotton), Hobbit of the Shire. He was known within the immediate family circle as ‘Nibs’.

Cam Dûm – The chief city of the Witch-realm of ANGMAR. It was situated near the northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains, to the immediate south of the great Northern Waste. From this fortress the Witch-king carried out his long – and ultimately successful – assault upon the surviving Dúnedain kingdoms of the North.

Carnimirië ‘Red-jewels’ (Q.) – A rowan-tree of the Forest of Fangorn, much beloved by the Ent Quickbeam (Bregalad). Many rowans were destroyed by Orcs of Saruman, arousing the anger of this (relatively) impulsive Ent.

Carnen – The Red River, which flowed from a source in the western range of the Iron Hills to join the Celduin (River Running) north of Dorwinion. The enlarged river emptied into the great inland Sea of Rhûn.

Carnil ‘Red-star’ (Q., from carnë-êl) – The star Betelgeuse, created for the lighting of Middle-earth by Varda.

Carrock – A huge boulder, carved with stairs and a high seat, which lay in the river Anduin some miles north of the Ford which bore its name (linguistically related to the Sindarin word Carach, ‘fang’).

Castamir the Usurper – From 1437–47 Third Age, the twenty-second King of Gondor. His accession to the throne was brought about by the great civil war, the Kin-strife.

King Eldacar was the son of Valacar, who had wedded Vidumavi, a fair lady of Rhovanion, but of a lesser race than the Dúnedain accounted themselves. To these disaffected princes and nobles, it was unthinkable that one of mixed blood (and of shorter lifespan) should inherit the crown. Therefore, when Eldacar succeeded his father in 1432, there was rebellion in Gondor.

Led by Castamir, the Captain of the Fleets, the rebels besieged Eldacar in Osgiliath, finally driving the young King from the burning city in 1437. Castamir then ordered the execution of Eldacar’s son, Ornendil, and put the city to the sack. Though a cruel and haughty man, he commanded the allegiance of the fleets, and of the southern fiefs: thus he proclaimed himself King. But the Usurper’s initial support quickly faded when it was seen that he neglected the land. A seaman, his main concern was for the Fleet, and he soon made preparations to remove the royal seat to Pelargir, the ancient haven near the Mouths of Anduin. In 1447 Third Age – when Castamir had ruled for a mere ten years – Eldacar, who had been gathering support in the land of his mother’s kin, Rhovanion, marched south with a host at his back, gaining forces as he moved ever southwards. His armies finally met those of Castamir at the Crossings of the river Erui, in Lebennin. There, the rightful King personally slew Castamir, but the Usurper’s sons escaped and took refuge at Pelargir. They later sailed away to Umbar and founded there a refuge for the foes of Gondor. See CORSAIRS OF UMBAR.

Causeway Forts – Twin bastions guarding the road from Osgiliath to Minas Tirith, at the point where it passed through the Rammas Echor into the fields of the Pelennor.

Caverns of Helm’s Deep – See AGLAROND.

Caverns of Narog – See NARGOTHROND.

Caves of the Forgotten – According to a legend of the Dúnedain, the Caves of the Forgotten are grots in the eastern sides of the Pelóri, wherein lie buried the hosts of Ar-Pharazôn – and the last King of Númenor himself – who assailed Aman the Blessed and so brought destruction upon the Ancient World.

Celduin – The River Running, which flowed out of the lake of Esgaroth to join the Carnen (Red River) north of Dorwinion. The enlarged river emptied into the inland Sea of Rhûn.

Celebdil ‘Silver-tine’ (Sind.) – One of the three great peaks of the Misty Mountains, below which lay the ancient Dwarf-realm of Moria; the other two were Caradhras (the Redhorn) and Fanuidhol (Cloudyhead). The Dwarves knew the mountain as Zirak-zigil. High in its peak – and remembered only in Dwarvish tradition – was the legendary Endless Stair, which climbed in unbroken spiral from the lowest Deep of Old Moria. This titanic work was constructed in the days of Moria’s glory by stonewrights of Durin the Deathless. At the head of the Stair, carved into the living rock, was set a chamber and high ledge known as Durin’s Tower.

Celeborn ‘Tall-Silver-[tree]’ (Sind.) – A Grey-elven lord and a kinsman of King Thingol Greycloak. He later wedded the Lady Galadriel, afterwards becoming Lord of Lothlórien, where he dwelt until the beginning of the Fourth Age. He was the mightiest of the Grey-elven princes to remain in Middle-earth after the fall of Beleriand.

At the beginning of the Second Age Celeborn dwelled in Lindon (last remnant of Beleriand), later travelling to Eregion with Galadriel, most noble of the High-elven Exiles. When Eregion fell, Galadriel and Celeborn – and his kinsman Thranduil – journeyed east over the Misty Mountains to establish realms among the Silvan Elves of the forests far away. Thranduil took the northern part of Greenwood the Great for his kingdom; Celeborn and Galadriel passed further south to the ancient Elf-realm of Lórien.3 There they dwelt through the Ages that followed: their power and wisdom – and the grey-feathered arrows of the Wood-elves – keeping all foes at bay. When Galadriel finally returned over Sea at the end of the Third Age, Celeborn abandoned Lothlórien and dwelt for a while in Rivendell, together with the sons of Elrond. No record remains of the date when he finally grew weary of Mortal Lands and sailed west from the Grey Havens.

Note: this name is also applied to the White Tree of Eressëa (a seedling of the Tree of Tirion, Galathilion) in records of the First Age.

Celebrant ‘Silver-course’ (Sind.) – The Silverlode River. Rising from icy sources in the Dimrill Dale, it flowed through Lothlórien to join the Anduin at Egladil, southernmost point of the Naith of Lórien. The Nimrodel stream was one of its tributaries. Its source in the Dimrill Dale was known to Dwarves as Kibil-nâla.

Celebrían (Sind., from the older form Celebriande; meaning not known) – The daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel, wife of Elrond and mother of Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen Evenstar. In the year 2509 Third Age, while travelling from Rivendell to Lórien, she was waylaid by Orcs of the Mountains, who captured and tormented her until a swift rescue was accomplished by her sons. Though her poisoned wound was healed by Elrond, she lost all desire to stay in Middle-earth and passed over Sea the following year.

Celebrimbor ‘Silver-fist’ (Sind., from Q. Telperinquar) – At the end of the First Age, a number of the High-elves (Noldor) who had survived the War of the Great Jewels were forbidden by the Valar to return to their ancient home in Valinor. Chief among these Exiles were the princes and queens of the Royal Houses of Fëanor, Finarfin and Fingolfin. Celebrimbor was the last lord of the House of Fëanor and the greatest of all Eldarin craftsmen to survive the War. He was the son of Curufin the Crafty, and therefore a grandson of Fëanor, and he dwelt with his father’s people in Himlad after the return to Middle-earth – until the Battle of Sudden Flame, which broke the northern Elf-kingdoms and overthrew the Siege of Angband. Then Curufin, Celegorm and Caranthir and their sons and people were driven south and west in disarray. The people of Caranthir joined with kin of the brethren Amrod and Amrast in the south; while Celegorm, Curufin and their sons and people passed south-west, to the Kingdom of Nargothrond, then ruled by Finrod Felagund of the House of Finarfin.

They came as vassals, but they were driven by need; and between the Houses of Fëanor and Finarfin there was no little ill-feeling. Therefore the dispossessed brothers, together with their following, instead of being grateful for the sanctuary afforded them, planned to seize this strong, Dwarf-delved domain under the hills from its rightful lord; but they bided their time. Then Beren son of Barahir came to Nargothrond, at the outset of his quest (for a Silmaril), invoking the pledge of friendship made years before to his father by Finrod King of Nargothrond. Finrod agreed to honour his words with deeds, and prepared to join with Beren on the quest; and at this time the Sons of Fëanor, Celegorm and Curufin, made their move. They played skilfully upon the fears of the Elves of Nargothrond, so that Finrod was forced to abdicate his kingship – in favour of themselves – before setting out. But after a while, tidings came back to Nargothrond of Finrod’s heroism and death, and then the Elves of Nargothrond turned upon the brothers, for they regretted of all that had been done, and perceived for the first time that the ambition and unscrupulousness of the Sons of Fëanor lay behind Finrod’s fall. In that hour Celebrimbor the son of Curufin grew ashamed of his father’s deeds, and repudiated them and him, and remained in Nargothrond when Curufin and Celegorm – now entirely without a following – were cast out.

It is not known how Celebrimbor came to survive the wreck of Nargothrond or the battle on Tumhalad. In all probability he, and the remnant of the Noldor which he now led – the last of the house of Curufin – afterwards went to dwell in the coastlands, or where they might; and took no further part in the War. It is also not known for certain whether the ban laid by the Valar on the return of the most prominent of the Exiles applied to Celebrimbor; at all events, in 750 Second Age he led his folk across the Blue Mountains to the lands west of Moria, where it had been reported that mithril, a metal most beloved by the Elves, had been discovered under the mountains. There they established a realm called Eregion (Hollin), built their city of Ost-in-Edhil, and engaged in trade with the Dwarves of Moria. The friendship that grew up there was the closest that had ever been known between the two races; Celebrimbor himself etched the designs in the Hollin-door of Moria as a token of their mutual esteem.

Nonetheless the Smiths of the Noldor were ever-thirsty for knowledge and craft-secrets; and, exploiting this desire, Sauron the Great (even then arising again in Middle-earth) seduced them by revealing to them the techniques of Ring-making. Under his tutelage they grew in this craft, making first the lesser Rings, then the Nine and the Seven. The Three Elf-rings were created by Celebrimbor alone – and the One Ring was forged in secret by Sauron himself, ‘to bring them all and in the darkness bind them’. But the instant Sauron put on the Ring, far away in the heart of the volcano Orodruin, Celebrimbor became aware of the spell and hid the Three. Sauron’s forces afterwards invaded Eriador and in 1697 Second Age they razed Eregion – though they were unable to enter Moria. Celebrimbor was slain and the Noldor were driven out.

Celebrindal ‘Silver-foot’ (Sind.) – See IDRIL CELEBRINDAL.

Celebrindor ‘Land-of-Silver’ (Sind.) – From 1191–1272 Third Age, the fifth King of Arthedain.

Celebros ‘Silver-foam’ (Sind.) – A stream of the Forest of Brethil, whose source may have lain on Amon Obel. It flowed westwards, down through the steep woodlands, until finally it fell into the swift Teiglin in a fall called Dimrost, the ‘Rainy-stair’.

Celegorm the Fair – The third Son of Fëanor, born in Eldamar during the Years of the Trees. During that time he came to be accounted among the following of Oromë the Vala; and Celegorm learned much of the lore of living creatures. He was the most woodcrafty of all the High-elves, being called also The Huntsman of the Noldor. Together with his six brothers, he took the Oath of Fëanor and came back to Middle-earth in a great fleet of ships to make war upon Morgoth, who had stolen the Silmarils. In the first battle fought by the Noldor against Angband, Celegorm played a singular part; for it was he who, passing first of all across the Mountains of Shadow, was in a position to bear down victoriously on the flank of an orc-host: that same host which had previously laid siege to the Havens of the Falas (see BATTLES OF BELERIAND) and which, hitherto undefeated, was moving north to the aid of their comrades fleeing from the Noldor. After this battle Celegorm, together with Curufin, his closest friend and ally among the brethren, took up his abode in Himlad, the region between the Aros and the Celon; there they dwelt for four centuries, until the Battle of Sudden Flame overthrew their realm.

Celegorm is also renowned as being the master of the Hound of Valinor. This was Huan, who aided the quest of Beren and Lúthien, and who afterwards slew the great Wolf Carcharost. Huan forsook Celegorm in order to aid Beren and Lúthien, twice frustrating evilly motivated attempts by the brethren Celegorm and Curufin to abduct and imprison Lúthien. And although he returned briefly to Celegorm’s service, he later rejoined Beren and Lúthien and fell at last in battle at Beren’s side.

However, since the Dagor Bragollach and the destruction of the realm that he and his brother had ruled, Celegorm had now fallen into evil patterns of thought. In him, and in the brethren Caranthir and Curufin, the Oath they had taken indeed had wrought most grievous effects. And as they could work no destruction upon Morgoth – or indeed do anything at all to fulfil their Oath – they turned their counsels and their arms against their own kin. In the growing darkness of their hearts they had lost the ability to distinguish friend from foe.

Soon they came, by guile, to dominate the counsels of Nargothrond, where Finrod Felagund had given them shelter; and they successfully forced him to abdicate in favour of themselves. It was at that time that Lúthien, fleeing from Doriath, came among the Elves of Nargothrond; but Celegorm and Curufin imprisoned her – though not harshly, for Celegorm desired her. But now Huan the Hound of Valinor helped her escape from Nargothrond; and when, at a later time, she was again threatened with capture by Celegorm, Huan, who had meanwhile returned to the service of his master, now abrogated him for ever.

Soon afterwards Celegorm and Curufin, and Caranthir their brother, fell into the greatest evil of all. For, learning of the Silmaril which was lodged in Menegroth, they determined, according to their vow, to seize it for themselves. For the second time there was battle and murder in the halls of Menegroth in Doriath. In that fight Celegorm was slain by Dior Eluchíl, Thingol’s heir.

Celepharn – From 1110–91 Third Age, fourth King of Arthedain, father of Celebrindor.

Celon ‘Falling-water’ (Sind.) – A tributary of the river Aros; the eastern border of Himlad. Its source was in the Hills of Himring.

Celos – A river of Lebennin, draining the southern slopes of the White Mountains into the Great River. It was not a major stream, being a tributary of the larger Sirith, which it joined some twenty-five leagues north of Pelargir. Also spelt Kelos.

Cemendur – From 158–238 Third Age, the fourth King of Gondor.

Ceorl – ‘Churl’ or ‘fellow’ in the tongue of Rohan.

Cerin Amroth – The name given in Lothlórien to the dwelling-mound of the Elven-prince Amroth. ‘Upon it, as a double crown, grew two circles of trees: the outer had bark of snowy white, and were leafless but beautiful in their shapely nakedness; the inner were mallorn-trees of great height, still arrayed in pale gold. High amid the branches of a towering tree that stood in the centre of all there gleamed a white flet.’4

The mound, which was not natural but had been piled by the labour of many Elves, was regarded by many of the Elves as the ancient heart of the forest. Cerin Amroth was also the place where Aragorn II and Arwen daughter of Elrond plighted their troth; and it was where Arwen lay down to die after the death of her husband and lord, many years later.

Cermië (Q.) – The seventh month in Kings’ and Stewards’ Reckoning and the fourth in the New Reckoning, being roughly equivalent to our July in all three systems. The Dúnedain called this month by its Sindarin name Cerveth. The Hobbits of the Shire knew it as Afterlithe, while in Bree it was called The Summerdays.

Certar – The Quenya word for ‘runes’, referring in particular to the ALPHABET OF DAERON. They were known to the Sindar as certhas (or Cirth) the name for the system as a whole.

Certhas – See CERTAR above.

Cerveth – See CERMIË.

Chalcedony – A mineral composed of pacted silica, usually banded, translucent, of a waxy lustre and extremely beautiful.

Chamber of Mazarbul – The Chamber of Records of Old Moria, situated on the seventh Level near the twenty-first Hall of the North End. In it were originally kept many chests containing inscribed stone tablets and ancient books of the Dwarves. But following the flight from Moria by the Dwarves – after the coming of the Balrog in 1980 Third Age – the Chamber was plundered by Orcs. None of the original records survived at the time of the War of the Ring.

The Chamber of Mazarbul was later used by Balin son of Fundin as a throne-room after his expedition entered Moria (2989 Third Age). Following his death, the remnant of his colony fought to the last in this chamber, falling finally in defence of Balin’s tomb.

Chambers of Fire – A translation of the Sindarin words Sammath Naur; a massive tunnel and shaft delved into the cone of the volcano Orodruin to gain access to the vast furnaces of the Mountain: the Cracks of Doom. Here Sauron forged the One Ring.

Chetwood – A sizeable stretch of wooded area commencing on the north-eastern borders of the Bree-land and running for two days’ march into the wild country beyond.

Chieftains of the Dúnedain – For the three thousand years following the establishment of the Númenorean realms-in-exile, Gondor and Arnor, both kingdoms were under almost constant assault by foes of the Men of Westernesse. In Gondor, though the Line of Elendil ultimately failed, the Realm survived and the Dúnedain of the South were then ruled by the House of the Stewards. But in Arnor, even though both the kingship and the state were destroyed, the Line of Isildur Elendil’s son endured against all odds.

In 1974 Third Age, with the passing of Arvedui ‘Last-king’ – and the realm of Arthedain, last remnant of ancient Arnor – the surviving Dúnedain of that land forsook open royalty and passed into the shadows as Rangers of the wild. The Heir of Isildur was then known as Chieftain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, as an affirmation that, one day, the North-kingdom would be re-established. The first to take the title was Aranarth, son of Arvedui. There were fifteen Chieftains before Aragorn II and the renewal of Arnor’s royalty. Their names were: Aranarth, Arahael, Aranuir, Aravir, Aragorn I, Araglas, Arahad I, Aragost, Aravorn, Arahad II, Arassuil, Arathorn I, Argonui, Arador and Arathorn II. Though their self-imposed tasks of watchfulness and guardianship went largely unthanked (and unnoticed), the Chieftains never lost pride in their lineage – or hope in the eventual restoration of the fortunes of their House. Each Chieftain was brought to manhood in Elrond’s house, where also were kept the Heirlooms of the Line of Isildur: the Sceptre of Annúminas, the Ring of Barahir, the shards of the sword Narsil and the silver circlet, the Elendilmir, worn by the Kings of Arnor.

Children of Eru – A translation of the Eldarin words Erusen and Eruhíni: Elves and Men. Also called the Children of Ilúvatar or Híni Ilúvataro (Q.).

Children of the Sun – Men.

Chithing – The fourth month of the Bree-reckoning, corresponding to astron in Shire-usage.

Chubb – A prosperous family of Hobbits in the Shire.

Chubb-Baggins – A family of Shire Hobbits. The first Chubb-Baggins was Falco, son of Bingo (Baggins) and Chica (Chubb).

Círdan the Shipwright – One of the mighty among the Grey-elves of the First, Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth; successively Lord of the Falathrim of Eglarest and Brithombar; Lord of the Isle of Balar; Lord of Lindon and Guardian of the Grey Havens.

In his origins he was a noble Telerin Elf, a kinsman of Elwë Thingol of the kindred of the Sindar, whose people lingered in Beleriand when the remaining Eldar crossed for the first time into the West; they did so because of the pleas of the Maiarin Sea-lord Ossë. There, while at the same time Elwë Thingol was founding his realm of Doriath deep in the heart of the forests, they dwelt on the coasts; for they were enamoured of the Sea, and Ossë desired that they should live on the borders of his domain. They were afterwards called the Falathrim, the ‘Coast-elves’. The chief of these was Círdan. His chief city was Eglarest, though at that time his people also founded the Haven of Brithombar. (These were the two most ancient harbours of the Elves in Middle-earth.)

Throughout the War of the Jewels Círdan remained for the most part in the Falas, guarding the coasts (with aid from Finrod of Nargothrond; see BARAD NIMRAIS) against any assault from Angband that might arrive by sea; though on one occasion at least he took the field of battle with a host, and that was seven years after the Battle of Sudden Flame, when he led a seaborne force to the aid of Fingon the High King, beleaguered in Hithlum and in desperate straits, playing a decisive part in that slender victory. But twenty-eight years afterwards there came the Day of Lamentation, the Battle of Numberless Tears, in which the hosts and the kingdoms of the Noldor were thrown down for ever; and in the aftermath of that terrible defeat the armies of Morgoth laid siege to the Havens of Eglarest and Brithombar, and took them, and destroyed them. Círdan and the remnant of his people then went aboard the last ships and fled to the offshore Isle of Balar, where they lay hid for the rest of the war.

During the Second and Third Ages Círdan the Shipwright – who dwelt after the ruin of Beleriand in Lindon, at the Grey Havens founded in Year One, Second Age – was accounted the wisest of the Eldar; to him Celebrimbor gave one of the Three Rings, Narya the Great, Ring of Fire. At the end of the Second Age Círdan marched with Gil-galad in the Army of the Last Alliance and, together with Elrond, Herald of Gil-galad, he stood at the side of the last King of Lindon during the final combat with Sauron on the slopes of Orodruin, watching in sorrow as Gil-galad fell.

In about the thousandth year of the Third Age the Wizard Gandalf the Grey arrived at the Grey Havens; Círdan then surrendered the Ring Narya to him; for he knew whither Mithrandir came and when he would depart. In the years that followed, Círdan aided the Dúnedain of the North-kingdoms as often as he might; he led the forces of Lindon which crossed the Lhûn in 1974 Third Age and overthrew the Witch-king of Angmar at the Battle of Fornost, a military feat recalling the battle in Hithlum long before.

But Círdan was still the Keeper of the Havens, the Elves’ Shipwright, and his heart dwelt by the Sea. It is told that he remained at the Havens until the end, sailing West himself on the last ship to leave Middle-earth.

Ciril – A river of Lamedon in southern Gondor. It rose in a high vale of the White Mountains, flowed south past the hill-town of Calembel, and joined the Ringló some fifteen leagues below the Ethring Ford. Also spelt Kiril.

Cirion – From 2489–2567 Third Age, the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor. It was during his long Stewardship that Gondor was threatened by the Easterlings known as the Balchoth, who dwelt at that time south and east of Mirkwood. Fearing invasion, Cirion sent north for aid from the Horsemen of Éothéod, northern folk friendly to Gondor. Before his messages could arrive, however, the Balchoth swarmed across the Great River and began to pillage the northern province of Calenardhon. Cirion dispatched the Northern Army of Gondor to hold the invaders, but disaster struck and the Dúnedain were soon in desperate straits. It is told elsewhere (see BATTLE OF THE FIELD OF CELEBRANT) how the Men of Éothéod arrived in the nick of time. In his wisdom, Cirion chose to repay the Riders of Éothéod by granting them the province they had saved (in exchange for an Oath of Alliance).

Cirith Dúath ‘Shadow-cleft’ (Sind.) – The name originally given in Gondor to the pass later called Cirith Ungol.

Cirith Forn en Andrath – The High Pass in the Misty Mountains where Thorin Oakenshield’s company was ambushed by Orcs in 2941 Third Age. In later years this pass was kept open only by the valour of the Beornings. Andrath means ‘long-climb’.

Cirith Gorgor ‘Haunted Pass’ (Sind.) – A defile or gorge at the juncture of the Mountains of Shadow and the Ered Lithui which served the Dark Lord as the main entrance to Mordor. Across the mouth of this defile lay the Morannon, the Black Gate, blocking all entrance to the pass and to the deep vale of Udûn which lay beyond.

Cirith Ninniach ‘Rainbow Pass’ (Sind.) – The steep gorge in the Shadowy Mountains (Ered Wethrin) through which ran the (unnamed) stream which fed the Firth of Drengist.

Cirith Thoronath ‘Eagle Pass’ (Sind.) – The highest pass in the Encircling Mountains; it lay to the north of Tumladen and Gondolin. This was the route taken by those few of the Noldor and the Edain who escaped the sack of Gondolin.

Cirith Ungol ‘Spider Glen’ (Sind.) – This high route across the Mountains of Shadow from Minas Ithil (Minas Morgul) to Gorgoroth consisted, in fact, of two passes: one clearly marked and one secret. The main route, the Morgul Pass, ran past the gates of the evil city; the secret, more tortuous path climbed up endless broken steps, past yawning chasms, until it reached a cleft between two jagged peaks at the very summit of the Ephel Dúath. There the Spider had her lair.

Cirth ‘Runes’ (Sind.) – See ALPHABET OF DAERON; CERTAR.

Ciryaher – From 1015–1149 Third Age, the fifteenth King of Gondor. He was remembered as the most powerful of all the rulers of that realm. In the year 1050, after conquering the Harad, he changed his name to Hyarmendacil (‘South-Victor’).

Ciryandil ‘Ship-lover’ (Q.) – From 936–1015 Third Age the fourteenth King of Gondor. Ciryandil was the third of the line of ‘Ship-kings’ of Gondor. Sea-minded like his father Eärnil I, he continued Eärnil’s policy of extensive fleet construction. He later fell in battle against the Haradrim, and his son took mighty revenge.

Ciryatan (Tar-Ciryatan) ‘Ship-builder’ (Q.) – From 1869–2029 Second Age the twelfth King of Númenor, and the first to commence active exploitation of the coastal lands of Middle-earth. There he built great havens and forts, levying tribute from the lesser Men who dwelt in that part of the world. These unwise policies were not rescinded in the reign of his son Tar-Atanamir.

Ciryon – The third of the four sons of ISILDUR. During the War of the Last Alliance, he and his brother Aratan were entrusted with guarding the western approach to Mordor (Cirith Dúath, later Cirith Ungol) in case Sauron should sortie from that place. Together with his father and two of his brothers, he was slain at the Gladden Fields (Year 2, Third Age).

Citadel of the Stars – Translation of the Sindarin word Osgiliath; the name of the great city (and original capital) of Gondor astride the river Anduin, and the oldest seat of the Kings of that realm. The city was burned during the Kin-strife (in 1437 Third Age) and, though resettlement was later attempted, Osgiliath never recovered its former eminence. It was finally deserted a thousand years later and afterwards became desolate.

City of the Corsairs – The city of Umbar.

City of the Trees – A translation of the Sindarin name CARAS GALADHON.

‘Closed Door’ – A translation of Fen Hollen (Sind.).

Cloudyhead – The name given in the Common Speech (Westron) to the mountain known as Fanuidhol (or Bundushathûr in the Dwarvish speech); one of the three Mountains of Moria. The other two were the Redhorn (Caradhras) and the Silvertine (Celebdil).

Coirë – The season of the year known, in the Elves’ calendar system, as ‘stirring’. It was judged the last of the six seasons observed by the Elves, falling between winter (hrivë) and spring (tuilë).

See also CALENDAR OF IMLADRIS.

Cold-drake – A species of Dragon found in the Grey Mountains and the wastes beyond, and not of the usual fire-breathing sort. In the year 2589 Third Age, Dáin I, of the Dwarves of the Ered Mithrin (Grey Mountains), was slain, together with his son Frór, by a beast of this kind; this caused his folk to abandon the mountains and return to Erebor.

Coldfells – The Ettenmoors north of Rivendell; a notorious haunt of Trolls.

Combe – A village in a deep valley of the Bree-land.

Common Speech – The Westron; the language spoken most widely among the peoples of the westlands of Middle-earth throughout the Third Age. (It is represented by English in the various translations from the Red Book that have been published.) The Common Speech was an ancient Mannish tongue, much modified by Elvish words and inflexions, and further altered in later years by assorted influences from other tongues of those Men whom the Dúnedain of Númenor found on their return to Middle-earth.

In the Third Age, the Westron became a lingua franca of the Westlands, being spoken (at least as a second tongue) by most folk who dwelt there, including the Elves. It is true that the Rohirrim always preferred their ancestral tongue, which was itself related to an early forebear of the Westron, Adûnaic (the speech of the Edain before the Second Age); and it is also true that the language spoken by Men of the upper Anduin and the towns of Dale and Esgaroth was derived from similar origins. But these peoples also knew the Common Speech, and used it fluently at need, and the Men of Bree and of Eriador – and the Halflings of the Shire – spoke the Westron as their native language; indeed, few of these peoples knew any other. But in Gondor many preferred an Elvish tongue, though not all of them used the Grey-elven (Sindarin) language as a daily speech. Only the Dúnedain themselves spoke Sindarin freely (for matters of learning their loremasters also used the High-elven Quenya). Yet all folk of Gondor could speak the Westron – unlike the men of Dunland and the Wild Men of Druadan Forest, who spoke only ancient tongues which owed little or nothing to the Common Speech. Another unrelated language was Khuzdul, the ancient Dwarf-tongue which no other race succeeded in learning. But unlike the more primitive Dunlendings and Wild Men, the Dwarves of Erebor and the Ered Luin also spoke the Westron freely and fluently (preserving Khuzdul primarily for their own secret purposes).

Company of the Ring – The FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING.

Coranar ‘Sun-round’ (Q.) – The solar year, as recorded by the Elves. This period was more usually called a loa. The long Elvish ‘year’, the yén (pl. yéni) was equivalent to 144 loa.

Cormallen ‘Ring-of-Gold’ (Sind.) – See FIELD OF CORMALLEN.

Cormarë ‘Ring-day’ (Q.) – Equivalent to September 22nd in the old style; declared a feast day in the New Reckoning of the Fourth Age. It was, of course, Frodo’s (and Bilbo’s) Birthday.

Corollairë ‘Evergreen-Mound [of the Two Trees]’ (Q.) – Also called Coron Oiolairë. See EZELLOHAR.

Corsairs of Umbar – Chief among the foes of Gondor during the later Third Age were the assorted brigands, pirates and seaborne raiders known to the Dúnedain as the Corsairs of Umbar. The fierce hostility of the Corsairs to the South-kingdom was deep-rooted, being partly inherited and partly based on the determination of successive Kings of Gondor – especially the four ‘Ship-kings’ – to brook no enemy or independent lordship within striking distance of their might.

Lying to the south, along the coasts of the Harad, the ancient fortress and harbour of Umbar was one of the earliest Númenorean settlements in Middle-earth – the Haven having been established sometime after the year 600 Second Age. The original inhabitants of this great cape and port were of that race later known as BLACK NÚMENOREANS, utterly opposed to the Faithful, and themselves followers of the latter Kings of Númenor.

When that land sank beneath the Sea at the end of the Second Age, these ‘King’s Men’, corrupted by Sauron during the Black Years, became hostile to Gondor – until 933 Third Age, when Eärnil I, the second ‘Ship-king’, captured the Havens of Umbar and drove out the renegades. (It may well have been the growing sea-power of Umbar which prompted Tarannon Falastur, first ‘Ship-king’, to strengthen Gondor’s fleets in the first place, some years before.) The Black Númenoreans attempted to retake Umbar for many years – in alliance with the Men of Harad, they besieged it – but they were decisively defeated and scattered by Ciryaher (Hyarmendacil I) in the year 1050 Third Age. Some four hundred years later, in 1447, Umbar fell from Gondor’s control when the sons of Castamir the Usurper sailed from Pelargir with the remaining rebel fleets of Gondor and seized the ancient haven as a refuge. The Corsairs, as they were afterwards known, raided Gondor’s coasts ceaselessly until 1810 when King Telumehtar (Umbardacil) retook the port and slew the last of Castamir’s Line.

Soon afterwards, the power of the Harad arose again and Umbar changed hands once more, as the Haradrim made the haven – and its naval strength – an adjunct of their own kingdoms. Raiding and piracy continued; and, in 2758 Third Age, the greatest force that had ever sailed from Umbar attacked the coasts of Gondor (in three fleets with black sails), striking as far north as the mouth of the Isen. Beregond son of Beren (nineteenth Steward) repulsed the Corsair invasions but there was great loss and destruction. After some years of quiescence, the Corsairs again sent a fleet against Gondor, in the War of the Ring; but, as is told elsewhere, the black sails ascended the Anduin no further than Pelargir before defeat overtook them. But Umbar remained inviolate and, while the Age lasted, the Corsairs’ ships were an ever-present threat to the fiefs of the South.

Cotman – The ancestor of the Cotton family of Hobbits of the Shire. Note: his original (as opposed to translated) name was Hlothram, ‘Cottager’.

Cotton – A family of Shire Hobbits.

Council of Elrond – A meeting held in Rivendell, the house of Elrond, in the year 3018 Third Age, to debate the lore of the Rings and to decide the ultimate fate of the One Ring borne by Frodo the Hobbit. All of the Free Peoples – Elves, Men, Dwarves and Hobbits – were represented. Much of great import was discussed, and the true extent of the danger in which all Peoples then lay was, for the first time, openly revealed.

After arduous debate, the decision was taken by those assembled to mount a quest into Mordor, with the object of destroying the Ruling Ring. It was the Hobbit Frodo Baggins who took this Quest upon himself.

Council of the North-kingdom – Founded early in the Fourth Age by King Elessar (Aragorn II), this was a group of advisers enrolled to give counsel concerning the reconstituted realm of Arnor. Included in this Body were the Mayor and Thain of the Shire and the Master of Buckland.

Court of the Fountain – A courtyard high in the citadel of Minas Tirith, where the White Tree grew.

Craban ‘Crow’ (Sind.) – See CREBAIN.

Cracks of Doom – The huge fissures in the floor of the Sammath Naur, the ‘Chambers of Fire’ tunnelled into the side of the cone of the mountain Orodruin. In these vast natural furnaces burned the only fire in Middle-earth hot enough to destroy the Ruling Ring.

Cram – A type of waybread, or biscuit, baked by Northern Men for journeys in the Wild. By all accounts it was somewhat uninspiring to eat, but it stowed away easily and was rich in food-content.

Crebain – A species of black bird, family corvidae, found in the hills and woods of Dunland and Fangorn.

Crickhollow – A house owned by the Brandybuck family and used by them to shelter guests who found the life of Brandy Hall somewhat crowded. It lay some distance north of Bucklebury, not far from the High Hay.

Crissaegrim ‘Cloven-peaks’ (Sind.) – The southern and southward facing faces of the Encircling Mountains: a sheer wall of great height, overlooking the vale of Dimbar in the north of Beleriand. Here the great Eagle, Thorondor, and all his kin, made their lofty eyries, beyond the reach of friend and foe alike.

Crossings of Erui – A ford across the river Erui in Lebennin, south of the White Mountains in the land of Gondor. In the year 1447 Third Age, the major battle of Gondor’s civil war, the Kin-strife, was fought on this site with much loss of life on both sides.

Crossings of Isen – The fords across the river Isen north of Helm’s Deep, where the road from Isengard to Anórien ran beside the river for some leagues before crossing the shallowest point and turning south-east.

Crossings of Poros – The Poros river marked the boundary between South Ithilien, in Gondor, and the debatable lands known as South Gondor, frequently invaded by Men of Harad. Where the Harad road crossed the river – before branching west to Pelargir and north to the hills of Emyn Arnen – there lay a series of shallow fords. This was the traditional invasion route from the southlands, and a traditional first point of defence. In 2885 Third Age, Gondor, aided by Rohan, won a great victory over an invading army of Haradrim at these Crossings.

Crossings of Teiglin – The most southerly ford across the swift river Teiglin, before this stream became too torrential, and its sides too precipitous, for crossing. These fords lay some three miles west of the most westerly eaves of Brethil, at a point where the old road from Tol Sirion and Mithrim to Nargothrond left the safety of the Forest and wandered out on to the plain of Talath Dirnen.

Cuiviénen ‘Water of Awakening’ (Q.) – The name given in the traditions of the Eldar to the ancient lake, somewhere in the unknown East of Middle-earth, beside whose waters the Quendi ‘awoke’, far back in the deeps of time. The Grey-elven form of this name was Nen Echui.

Culúrien ‘The-Red-and-Gold’ (Q.) – One of the many names given by the Valar and Eldar to LAURELIN THE GOLDEN, one of the two trees of Valinor.

Curse of Mandos – The dreadful pronouncement of doom made upon the Noldor by the Vala Mandos, in Araman, after the rebellion of Fëanor and the Kinslaying at Alqualondë. It was the inevitable corollary to the Oath of Fëanor, and proved a truer set of fore-tellings. Also called the Prophecy of the North.

Curufin the Crafty – The fifth son of Fëanor, and that one of the seven brethren most like to their father both in temperament and abilities. (His name is but an adaptation of Fëanor’s own birth-name Curufinwë.) He was born in Valinor, and like all the Sons of Fëanor took the dreadful Oath that carried Fëanor’s host and the hosts of his allies back to Middle-earth. There Curufin held lands in league with his brother Celegorm, with whom he had most in common; and throughout the War he fought and schemed at Celegorm’s side. Nevertheless it may be suggested here that, apart from Fëanor himself, of all the Noldor who came back to Middle-earth in those days, Curufin seems to have been the most ‘evil’ (if evil is a word that can safely be applied to any of the Eldar). Certainly his were the most evil deeds, though it was perhaps his inheritance of character combined with the driving force of the Oath they had all taken which was ultimately responsible. Next to Fëanor himself, Curufin was the greatest craftsman of the Noldor, and great service he could have rendered; but in latter days he chose instead to scheme and plot and wage war against those whose interests were in common with his own. He was slain in the attack on Doriath, together with Celegorm and Caranthir. Curufin was the father of Celebrimbor

Curufinwë ‘The Skilful’ (Q.) – The birth-name of the Noldorin prince FËANOR given by his father Finwë.

Curunír ‘Man of Skill’ (Sind. from Q. Curuno) – An honorary title applied by the Elves and Dúnedain to the wizard SARUMAN THE WHITE. The valley in which he later settled, at the feet of the Misty Mountains, was known to Men of Gondor as Nan Curunír, The Wizard’s Vale.

Cúthalion ‘Strongbow’ (Sind.) See BELEG CÚTHALION.