Tol-in-Gaurhoth
| Tol-in-Gaurhoth | |
|---|---|
| Island fortress | |
 | |
| "On the bridge of woe, in mantle wrapped at dead of night, she sat and sang" by Alan Lee | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Isle of Werewolves Wizard's Isle Formerly known as "Tol Sirion" |
| Location | Upper Sirion |
| Type | Island fortress |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Sauron, Draugluin, Werewolves, Thuringwethil |
| Created | F.A. 457 |
| Gallery | Images of Tol-in-Gaurhoth |
Tol-in-Gaurhoth or Isle of Werewolves, also called Wizard's Isle[1] was a fortress held by Sauron in the First Age, once called Tol Sirion.
History
Tol-in-Gaurhoth began as Minas Tirith, constructed by Finrod Felagund, and was held by Orodreth for his uncle to guard the vale of Sirion. However, Orodreth was powerless to stop Sauron from taking the isle, and fled south. Sauron began breeding large wolves in the isle, and, by sending evil spirits into the fell beasts, turned them into werewolves.
Ten years later during the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren Erchamion, seeking the Silmaril, enlisted Finrod's aid, but the two of them and their group were captured while passing the isle. Sauron defeated Finrod in a contest of spells and songs, and their companions were slain one-by-one by werewolves. Finrod saved Beren's life by killing the werewolf that came for him, but in doing so, he died himself.
Lúthien and Huan, Hound of Valinor, came to Beren's rescue, and Huan killed the wolves sent against him. After Draugluin was killed, Sauron went out in wolf-form but was defeated. Lúthien gained control over the isle from Sauron, who fled, and, after releasing those who had been captive there under Sauron, she reduced Minas Tirith to ruins. Finrod was buried there by Beren and Lúthien.[2] The isle remained clean afterwards, but after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad it was retaken by Morgoth and its towers rebuilt.[3]
Etymology
Tol-in-Gaurhoth is Sindarin for "Isle of Werewolves", from tol ("isle") + plural i (definite article) + gaur ("werewolf") + hoth ("host").[4]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "III. The Lay of Leithian"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §Year 472
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries gaur, hoth
