
The son of Angrod Iron-handed, Orodreth (S."Mountaineer") stood with Finarfin against Feanor
when the Silmarils' creator sought to lead the Noldor out
of Aman in pursuit of Morgoth. Orodreth's words were
calm and full of wisdom, but availed not in halting the
Elves' departure. Finarfin chose to forsake the exodus
after the Prophecy of North. All his offspring, including
Orodreth, chose to follow Feanor to Middle-earth for
their love of the sons of Fingolfin.
Orodreth dwelt with Finrod in Beleriand
until Nargothrond was complete. Then Finrod Felagund removed
to that cavern hold, leaving Orodreth the wardenship of
Minas Tirith on Tol Sirion, For nearly four hundred years
he held the pass against Morgoth's Orcish raiders.
Two years after the Dagor Bragollach, Sauron,
Morgoth's most powerful minion, later the Lord of the Rings, was sent against Tol Sirion with a great force of
Werewolves and Orcs. His shadow of sorcery fell over the
isle, and all those defending the ramparts were struck with
fear. Orodreth and his warriors were driven out, and the
stronghold became a watchtower for the Black Enemy. Its
name was Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
Orodreth fled to Nargothrond and dwelt there with his
kinsman. When Beren Ercharmion, son of Barahir of Ladros, bade Finrod accompany
him on the quest for a Silmaril from Morgoth's
crown, Orodreth urged the King to refuse. Yet Finrod
held himself bound by the oath he had sworn to Barahir of Ladros
after his rescue in battle to aid the Adan's son. He asked
Orodreth to serve as steward in his absence. This suited
Celegorm the Fair and Curufin who sought to seize the crown of
Nargothrond. Their plotting was revealed by Lúthien Tinúviel,
who liberated Tol Sirion from Sauron with the help of
Huan the Hound. With the arrival of the freed captives
came word of Finrod's death. Orodreth was taken by the
Elves of Nargothrond as their King, and he banished
Celegorm the Fair and Curufin from his realm,
Orodreth pursued a policy of secrecy and guarded
strength, of stealth and ambush, of wizardry and the
hidden arrow. He did not send a host to join the Union
of Maedhros, since he refused to aid any son of Fëanor
(holding Maedhros' brothers responsible for Finrod's
death). Against his wishes, his warlord Gwindor son of Guilin led a
small company of Elves in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
Turin Turambar came to Nargothrond aftet the Fifth
Battle of the First Age and urged the King to boldness and
open attacks against Morgoth's Orcs. Orodreth built a
bridge across the River Narog, permitting his warriors to
sally forth from the Doors of Felagund with ease. The
Black Enemy's raiders were routed from the lands east to
Sirion and west to the Nenning.
In response, Morgoth dispatched a great host along
with the dragon Glaurung against Nargothrond. Orodreth
and Turin led their warriors forth to meet the enemy in
open battle. The Orcish forces proved more numerous
than report had told, and the dragon's flames scorched all
who faced him, save the warlord who was protected by his
Dwarvish mask. The Elves were crushed and their King
slain.
His
wife, the reclusive Meril, bore him one daughter,
Finduilas the Fair and two sons,Haldir Orodlin and Gil-Galad. Unlike her mother, Finduilas chose to enjoy
fully her status as a princess of Nargothrond. His eldest son Haldir was murdered by Orcs as a young adult during Nargothrond's Fall.
Appearance:[]
Orodreth stood 7'3", possessed a calm and determined demeanor, and boasted the golden hair of his mother.
Names:[]
- Aracchír
- Artanáro
- Artaresto
- Artaher
- Arothir
- Galweg
- Rodreth