Morthond

Morthond, the Blackroot, is a river in the southern reaches of Gondor, a cold and swift stream that rises in the White Mountains and carves its way through a long, dark valley before reaching the sea. Its name, meaning "Blackroot" in the Common Speech, reflects the somber character of its source and the ancient, brooding lands it drains. The river is more than a geographical feature; it is a landmark of dread and a boundary between the living world and the realm of the Dead.

Geography and Course

The Morthond rises in the southern faces of the White Mountains, in the high, cold uplands near the source of the long chill river that flows at last to the sea that washes the walls of Dol Amroth. From these heights, it descends through a steep-sided valley, the Morthond Vale, which makes a great bay that beats up against the sheer southern faces of the mountains. The river's course is swift and its waters are dark, giving it its ominous name. The valley itself is rich and was, at the time of the War of the Ring, home to many folk, as lights twinkled in the homes of Men far below the mountain shadows.

The People of the Vale

The uplands of Morthond were the home of a hardy and valiant people. During the War of the Ring, the Lord of the Blackroot Vale, Duinhir, led five hundred bowmen to the defense of Minas Tirith. These men were renowned for their skill with the bow, and they fought with great courage in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Duilin and Derufin, the sons of Duinhir, were among the fallen, trampled to death when they assailed the great mûmakil, leading their bowmen close to shoot at the eyes of the monsters. The men of Morthond were also among those who, after the victory, marched with Aragorn to the Black Gate, a testament to their loyalty and strength.

The Paths of the Dead and the River's Significance

The Morthond is inextricably linked to the Paths of the Dead. The Grey Company, led by Aragorn, descended from the uplands of the Morthond after passing through the haunted way beneath the Dwimorberg. They came out of the ravine as if from a crack in a wall, and there lay the uplands of a great vale before them, with the stream beside them going down with a cold voice over many falls. This was the Morthond, the long chill river. The river's name, Blackroot, and its association with the Paths of the Dead, made it a place of terror for the living. When the Grey Company rode through the land, lights went out in house and hamlet, doors were shut, and folk cried in terror, believing the King of the Dead had come upon them. The river thus serves as a powerful symbol of the boundary between the world of the living and the spectral realm of the oathbreakers.

Narrative Role and Legacy

In the narrative of The Lord of the Rings, the Morthond functions as a crucial geographical marker and a source of thematic weight. It is the gateway through which Aragorn brings the Army of the Dead to fulfill their oath, a journey that turns the tide of the war. The river's dark name and the fear it inspires underscore the peril and the supernatural nature of Aragorn's errand. The valor of the men of the Blackroot Vale, who fought and died in the great battles, provides a counterpoint to the river's grim reputation, showing that even from a land of shadow, great courage can arise. The river's waters, which flow past the homes of these men, ultimately carry the memory of their deeds and the legacy of the King's return.