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[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Shadowfax.jpg|thumb|275px|''Gandalf and Shadowfax'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
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'''Shadowfax''' was a mighty horse of [[Rohan]], the chief of the [[Mearas]], tamed by [[Gandalf]] and reluctantly granted as a gift to him by King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]]. Shadowfax is thought to have passed [[West]] over the [[Belegaer|Sea]] with his master.
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Shadowfax.jpg|thumb|275px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Gandalf and Shadowfax'']]
'''Shadowfax''' was a mighty [[Horses|horse]] of [[Rohan]], the chief of the [[Mearas]], noted for its speed, "like an arrow".<ref name=siege>{{RK|Siege}}</ref>


Shadowfax had extraordinary speed and stamina. He was able to run from [[Edoras]] to [[Minas Tirith]] almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivalled the flying speed of the [[fell beasts]] of the [[Nazgûl]].
==History==
{{quote|[Gandalf on Shadowfax] moved with the speed of an arrow and grew as it came, converging swiftly with the flight of the four men towards the Gate [of Gondor].|[[The Siege of Gondor]]
In [[September]] {{TA|3018}} Gandalf was in [[Rohan]] and [[Théoden]] reluctantly gave him any horse of his choosing. At first the horse did not allow him to come near and Gandalf had to follow him far over the fields for two days before he tamed it.<ref>{{App|B3}}</ref> It carried him throughout the [[War of the Ring]] without bridle or saddle. With it Gandalf rode to [[the Shire]] and then followed [[Frodo Baggins]]'s trail to [[Bree]], [[Weather Hills]] and [[Rivendell]]. In [[February]] of [[Third Age 3019|the next year]] Shadowfax returned to [[Edoras]].<ref>{{TT|Riders}}</ref>


Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage.  He was the only free horse in the world capable of standing before the [[Lord of the Nazgûl]] instead of fleeing.
Shadowfax came alone to Gandalf in the outskirts of the [[Fangorn Forest]] and he introduced the horse to the [[Three Hunters]]. [[Hasufel]] and [[Arod]] recognised it as their chieftain. Shadowfax carried Gandalf and [[Gimli]] to [[Edoras]].<ref>{{TT|White}}</ref> The horse was able to run from Edoras to [[Minas Tirith]] almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivaled the flying speed of the [[fell beasts]] of the [[Nazgûl]].<ref>{{RK|V1}}</ref> Shadowfax was at the [[Grey Havens]] with [[Gandalf]] when he sailed on the [[White Ship]].<ref>{{RK|Havens}}</ref> Shadowfax, as one of the line of [[Nahar]], presumably was with him when sailing for the West.<ref>{{L|268}}</ref>
{{quote|. . .all fled before his face.  All save one.  There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen.|[[The Siege of Gondor]]}}


The phrasing "free horses" excludes horses enslaved by [[Sauron]], like the horses ridden by the Nazgûl in the guise of [[Black Riders]].
Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage.  He was the only free horse in the world capable of standing before the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] during the [[Siege of Gondor]] instead of fleeing.<ref name=siege/><ref group=note>This reference excludes horses used by the forces of Sauron such as the horses ridden by the Nine Riders.</ref>


==Etymology==
It is an anglicized form of [[Old English]] ''Sceadu-faex'' 'having shadow-grey mane (and coat)'. It does not actually occur in Old English. Fax is an obsolete English word.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 762-3</ref>
==See also==
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Shadowfax|Images of Shadowfax]]
* [[:Category:Images of Shadowfax|Images of Shadowfax]]
 
{{references|notes}}
[[Category:Horses]]
[[Category:Horses]]
[[de:Schattenfell]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:animaux:chevaux:gripoil]]
[[fi:Hallavaharja]]

Revision as of 19:25, 3 February 2018

"...there is much else that may be told." — Glóin
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Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Shadowfax

Shadowfax was a mighty horse of Rohan, the chief of the Mearas, noted for its speed, "like an arrow".[1]

History

In September T.A. 3018 Gandalf was in Rohan and Théoden reluctantly gave him any horse of his choosing. At first the horse did not allow him to come near and Gandalf had to follow him far over the fields for two days before he tamed it.[2] It carried him throughout the War of the Ring without bridle or saddle. With it Gandalf rode to the Shire and then followed Frodo Baggins's trail to Bree, Weather Hills and Rivendell. In February of the next year Shadowfax returned to Edoras.[3]

Shadowfax came alone to Gandalf in the outskirts of the Fangorn Forest and he introduced the horse to the Three Hunters. Hasufel and Arod recognised it as their chieftain. Shadowfax carried Gandalf and Gimli to Edoras.[4] The horse was able to run from Edoras to Minas Tirith almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivaled the flying speed of the fell beasts of the Nazgûl.[5] Shadowfax was at the Grey Havens with Gandalf when he sailed on the White Ship.[6] Shadowfax, as one of the line of Nahar, presumably was with him when sailing for the West.[7]

Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage. He was the only free horse in the world capable of standing before the Lord of the Nazgûl during the Siege of Gondor instead of fleeing.[1][note 1]

Etymology

It is an anglicized form of Old English Sceadu-faex 'having shadow-grey mane (and coat)'. It does not actually occur in Old English. Fax is an obsolete English word.[8]

See also

Notes

  1. This reference excludes horses used by the forces of Sauron such as the horses ridden by the Nine Riders.

References