Dorthonion

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Dorthonion was a forested highland region in the north of Beleriand. The hilly northeastern section was called Ladros. Dorthonion was walled-in by the Echoriath ("Encircling Mountains") in the west and the Ered Gorgoroth ("Mountains of Terror") in the south.[1]

From the plains of Ard-galen to the north, Dorthonion rose gradually until it became a bleak land of tarns and bare tors near the precipices of the Ered Gorgoroth. In the north and the west the land was covered with great forests of pines.[2]

History

During the tumult when the Valar broke the gates of Utumno after the awakening of the elves, the highlands of Dorthonion were first raised.[3].

In year 6 of the First Age[4] King Thingol gave permission to the Noldor to settle the northern lands of Beleriand.[5] North Dorthonion was ruled by the Elf-lords Angrod and Aegnor and Ladros was ruled by Finrod.[2]

After Finrod and his people removed to Nargothrond in the south, High King Fingolfin granted the land of Ladros to the House of Bëor as a fiefdom.[6]

In F.A. 455 Dorthonion was overrun by the armies of Morgoth in the Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of Sudden Flame") and thereafter was called Taur-nu-Fuin ("Forest under Nightshade").[7]

Many, many years later, on 29 February, T.A. 3019,[8] Treebeard chanted to Merry and Pippin as he carried them through Fangorn Forest and he mentioned "To the pine-trees upon the highland of Dorthonion I climbed in the Winter."[9]

Etymology

Dorthonion means "Land of the Pine Trees" in Sindarin (from dôr = "land, dwelling-place" and thôn = "pine tree").[10]

References