Hill of Erech

From Tolkien Gateway
Hill of Erech
Hill
Rob Alexander - Vale of Erech.jpg
"Vale of Erech" by Rob Alexander
General Information
Other namesErech
LocationNorthern Lamedon, south of the White Mountains and Edoras
TypeHill
DescriptionHill capped by a great black stone
InhabitantsOriginally Men, later abandoned

The Hill of Erech was a hill in Gondor situated at the mouth of the Blackroot Vale, far to the west of Minas Tirith.[1] It lay near to the southern entrance to the Paths of the Dead. Upon the summit stood a smooth black globe, the Stone of Erech.

History[edit | edit source]

The Hill of Erech was a hill lying on the southern fringes of the White Mountains, near the source of the River Morthond.

In the Second Age, Isildur placed a great Black Stone, upon the summit of the Hill of Erech.

It was there that the King of the Mountains swore allegiance to Isildur's cause at the time of the Last Alliance. However, when he failed to fulfil his oath, he and his people were cursed to wander and haunt the hills as the Dead until they made good on their oath.

Oathbreakers, Why Have Ye Come? by Abe Papakhian.

Thus, the Hill of Erech gained a sinister reputation, becoming a mysterious and eerie place, shunned by the people of the Blackroot Vale, who claimed that it was haunted by the whispering Dead.[2]

After waiting through the long years of the Third Age, at midnight on 8 March T.A. 3019,[3] the heir of Isildur, Aragorn, came to the Hill of Erech to hold the Dead to their oath again, promising that upon its fulfillment they would have peace.[2] The next day they left the Hill of Erech for Calembel.[3] Indeed, on 13 March,[3] they held true to their oath and formed the Host of the Dead, aiding Aragorn in the defeat of the Corsairs of Umbar at Pelargir. After the battle at Pelargir, Aragorn released them from their oath and they were allowed to rest.[4] The fate of the Hill of Erech during the Fourth Age is not known.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Erech, like so many names in Gondor, was of unknown Mannish pre-Númenórean origin.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2010: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The summit of the Hill of Erech in The Lord of the Rings Online

See also[edit | edit source]

References

Route of the Fellowship of the Ring
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Rohan · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Dunharrow · Paths of the Dead · Gondor · Hill of Erech · Lamedon · Linhir · Lebennin · Pelargir · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Boromir
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen
Frodo and Sam
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Dead Marshes · Black Gate · Ithilien · Henneth Annûn · Cross-roads · Morgul Vale · Stairs of Cirith Ungol · Cirith Ungol · Shelob's Lair · Tower of Cirith Ungol · Mordor · Morgai · Plateau of Gorgoroth · Mount Doom · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Gandalf
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Celebdil† · Lothlórien · Fangorn Forest · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Merry
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Hornburg · Dunharrow · Drúadan Forest · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Pippin
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Amon Hen · Parth Galen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Gondor · Cair Andros · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard