Places in Middle-earth
Nargothrond
Type: Cities, Towns, Settlements
Region: Beleriand & North
Other Names Caverns of Narog
Location: In West Beleriand, at the confluence of the Ringwil and Narog rivers. It is just south of the Ringwil and west of the Narog.
Description: '... and Thingol spoke to him of the deep gorge of the River Narog, and the caves under the High Faroth in its steep western shore, and when he departed he gave him guides to lead him to that place of which few yet knew. Thus Finrod came to the Caverns of Narog, and began to establish there deep halls and armouries after the fashion of the mansions of Menegroth; and that stronghold was called Nargothrond.'
The Silmarillion, Ch 13, Of the Return of the Noldor
'But the realm of Nargothrond extended also west of Narog to the River Nenning, that reached the sea at Eglarest...'
'Narog came through these hills in a deep gorge, and flowed over rapids but had no fall, and on its western bank the land rose into the great wooded highlands of Taur-en-Faroth. On the west side of this gorge, where the short and foaming stream Ringwil tumbled headlong into Narog from the High Faroth, Finrod established Nargothrond.'
The Silmarillion, Ch 14, Of Beleriand and Its Realms
Etymology
os(t) 'fortress' in Angrenost, Belegost, Formenos, Fornost, Mandos, Nargothrond (from Narog-ost-rond), Os(t)giliath, Ost-in-Edhil. ...
rond meant a vaulted or arched roof, or a large hall or chamber so roofed; so Nargothrond (see ost), Hadhodrond, Aglarond. It could be applied to the heavens, hence the name Elrond 'star-dome'.
The Silmarillion, Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names
Contributors: Lyllyn 9.1.03
added Etymology: Elena Tiriel 5Jan05