East

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For those living in the Westlands, the East refers to Rhûn (which name indeed means "east" in Sindarin) and all unknown lands beyond.

The eastern parts of Middle-earth had two great mountain ranges, the Red and Yellow Mountains. Beyond them, Middle-earth ended on the shores of the East Sea.

Other than that not much else is known about the lands or peoples outside the Westlands. Cuiviénen, the lake where the Elves awoke; and Hildórien, the origin of Men, were somewhere in the east of Middle-earth. Some of the Fathers of the Dwarves also awoke in the Red Mountains. But the stories follow only the Eldar and the Edain who migrated West.

The Men living in the East were known as Easterlings, being various tribes of Men of Darkness, such as the Wainriders, the Balchoth and the Variags. And the Dwarven clans of Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots, occupied the Red Mountains.

In the Second or Third Ages the Blue Wizards went into the East, never to return. Saruman also visited the East before returning and occupying Isengard. During the Watchful Peace, Sauron went to hiding in the East for 400 years and gathered the Easterlings to his service.

See also