Harlond

Harlond is the harbour and landing-place of Minas Tirith, situated on the western bank of the Great River Anduin at the southernmost curve of the Pelennor Fields. It lies at the foot of the Emyn Arnen hills, where the river bends sharply westward after its long southward course. The quays and landings of the Harlond serve as the terminus for ships and craft that come upstream from the southern fiefs of Gondor—from Lebennin, Belfalas, and the Ethir—bringing trade, reinforcements, and supplies to the White City. During the War of the Ring, the Harlond is the site of a decisive naval arrival that turns the tide of battle.

Strategic Role and the Arrival of the Black Fleet

In the desperate hours of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the defenders of Minas Tirith and the Rohirrim see a fleet of black-sailed ships coming up the Anduin from the south. The ships are dromunds and great vessels with many oars, their black sails bellying in the wind. The watchmen on the walls cry out in dismay, believing that the Corsairs of Umbar have conquered Belfalas and the Ethir, and that this is the last stroke of doom. The Rohirrim, already hard-pressed, see their hope die as the black sails draw nearer. Éomer, the new King of the Mark, rides to a green hillock near the Harlond and sets his banner, preparing to make a last stand.

The Turning of the Tide

But as the foremost ship turns towards the Harlond, a great standard is unfurled upon it: a White Tree flowering upon a sable field, surrounded by seven stars and crowned with a high crown—the emblems of Elendil that no lord had borne for years beyond count. The stars are wrought of gems by Arwen Evenstar, and the crown is of mithril and gold. This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Elessar, Isildur's heir, coming out of the Paths of the Dead, borne upon a wind from the Sea to the kingdom of Gondor. The mirth of the Rohirrim becomes a torrent of laughter and a flashing of swords; the joy and wonder of the City is a music of trumpets and a ringing of bells. The hosts of Mordor are seized with bewilderment, seeing their own ships filled with their foes, and a black dread falls on them.

The Landing and the Rout

Men leap from the ships to the quays of the Harlond and sweep north like a storm. Legolas and Gimli are among them, wielding axe and bow; Halbarad bears the standard; Elladan and Elrohir ride with stars on their brows; the dour-handed Dúnedain, Rangers of the North, lead a great valour of the folk of Lebennin, Lamedon, and the southern fiefs. Before all goes Aragorn with Andúril, the Flame of the West, Narsil re-forged, and upon his brow is the Star of Elendil. The knights of Dol Amroth drive the enemy before them eastward; Éomer strides southward, and the enemy is caught between the hammer and the anvil. The battle is turned, and the field of Gondor is won.

Significance

The Harlond is thus not merely a harbour but the stage for one of the most dramatic reversals in the War of the Ring. It is the point where Aragorn's long journey from the Paths of the Dead culminates in a visible, triumphant arrival that breaks the morale of Sauron's forces and rallies the free peoples. The landing at the Harlond transforms the black fleet of the enemy into a vessel of deliverance, fulfilling the prophecy of the return of the King and sealing the victory on the Pelennor Fields.