The Lord of the Rings saga is full of objects, relics, and other magical artifacts with a rich history, but sometimes unclear origins. The best known are the Palantiri, the seeing stones, the Phial of Galadriel, the Rings of Power (including the One Ring), as well as the swords Narsil (which takes the name Anduril after being reforged for Aragorn), and Sting, Bilbo's short sword, which emits a blue light when near orcs. Today, we're looking at other objects, some of which are famous, but whose origins are less well-known to those who haven't read J.R.R. Tolkien's books.
#5 Orcrist
Those who have followed The Hobbit trilogy know that Orcrist is the sword of Thorin II Oakenshield, the Dwarf lord who wants to retake Erebor, the lonely mountain, from the dragon Smaug. He finds it in the Trolls' hideout after their capture in the Troll Thicket. Gandalf manages to destroy them by exposing them to the sun (in the film, it is Bilbo who manages to buy time until sunrise).
But the one that is also called the "Goblin Cleaver" has an origin that dates back to the First Age. The lore provides us with interesting details about this sword known as the sister of Glamdring. It is said to have been forged by a Noldor Elf named Maeglin, to be carried by Echtelionde of Gondolin, until the fall of the kingdom and the disappearance of this Elf lord. The sword is then said to have survived the conflicts that ravaged Middle-earth for over 6,000 years, and was likely stolen several times by goblins, until its discovery by Gandalf, Bilbo, and Thorin's dwarven company.
#4 Frodo's Mithril Mail
Before leaving for his journey to Mordor, Frodo receives from his old uncle Bilbo a light, yet ultra-strong Mithril mail suit capable of preventing the sharpest blades from piercing it. Bilbo did not receive this mail from the dwarves of Kazad-Dûm, where mithril was discovered and exploited in crafts or for commercial purposes. Bilbo found it in Erebor. Once Smaug was defeated, Bilbo and the dwarves discovered all the treasure amassed by the dragon after his capture of the kingdom around 2,700 in the Third Age. The Mithril vest was probably given by the kings of the Mines of Moria to those of Erebor long before the catastrophe.
#3 The Book of Mazarbul
What is this book in the name of the god of the underworld that is not mentioned in Peter Jackson's film trilogy? It is the historical collection containing the exploits of the Dwarves in Khazad-dûm, as well as their battles against the invaders. If it is not mentioned, it is indeed this dusty tome that the Fellowship of the Ring stumbles upon upon their arrival in the Mines, more precisely in the chamber of Mazarbul. Gandalf discovers Balin's tale, which tells how they gradually became trapped, and narrates their final days until their fall.
#2 The Elven Rope
During their stay in Lothlorien, the Fellowship of the Ring receives several gifts from Galadriel. Sam receives the Elven Rope, a magical object reputed to be unbreakable, ultra-light, self-detaching, and extremely long. We see this when the Hobbit uses it at Emyn Muil to descend a cliff, and manages to retrieve it even though it seems firmly knotted.
Another magical relic of which only the Elves have the secret. Although it is handcrafted by the Elves using ancient techniques and steeped in magic, its exact origin and the material used were never specified by J.R.R. Tolkien in the novel, nor in its appendices.
#1 The Seed of the White Tree
After Sauron's defeat, Aragorn receives a vision. He then climbs Mount Mindoluin, located behind the city of Minas Tirith, on which he finds a shoot of a White Tree, descending from the line of the two sacred trees of Valinor.
Telperion (the original silver tree) then Laurelin, the two Trees of the Valar are the first of a long generation successively planted by Yavanna (Galathilion), the Elves (Celeborn), then the tree Nimloth, offered by the Elves to the men of Numenor, and finally the White Tree of Arnor and Gondor planted by Isildur. By recovering the seed, Aragorn perpetuates the tradition of the Valar.
Want to continue reading? Discover the six oldest objects in all of Middle-earth right here.
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