Amon Lhaw

Amon Lhaw, the Hill of Hearing, is one of the three peaks that rise at the far southern end of the long oval lake Nen Hithoel, a landmark of the great river Anduin's passage through the wilds. It stands upon the left as the travellers look south, while upon the right rises Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight, and between them, sundered from both and set forward in the waters, stands the island-peak of Tol Brandir. The three form a natural gateway, and the river flings pale shimmering arms about the midmost peak as it flows toward the distant thunder of the falls of Rauros. It was Aragorn who named the hills for the Company, pointing south and declaring that in the days of the great kings there were high seats upon them, and watch was kept there. He added that no foot of man or beast has ever been set upon Tol Brandir, and that he could hear the endless voice of Rauros calling. The Company rested for a while, drifting south on the current that flowed through the middle of the lake, eating some food before taking to their paddles and hastening on their way. The sides of the westward hills fell into shadow, the Sun grew round and red, and here and there a misty star peered out as the three peaks loomed before them, darkling in the twilight, with Rauros roaring with a great voice. Night was already laid on the flowing waters when the travellers came at last under the shadow of the hills, and the tenth day of their journey was over. Wilderland was behind them, and they could go no further without choice between the east-way and the west; the last stage of the Quest was before them. Amon Lhaw thus marks the threshold of decision, the point where the Fellowship's path ceases to be a single road and becomes a choice between fates, and where the ancient watchfulness of Gondor's high seats stands as a silent witness to the approach of the final stage of the Quest.