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Isildur

Meaning: devoted to the moon

Location(s):
Númenor
Gondor
Arnor

Race/Species: Man

Type/Kind: 2nd age Numenoreans

Title(s):
1st (joint) King of Gondor
Lord of Minas Ithil
2nd King of Arnor and Gondor

Dates: II 3209 - III 2

Parents:
father: Elendil, 1st King of Arnor and Gondor

Siblings: Anárion, 1st (joint) King of Gondor

Children:
Elendur
Aratan
Ciryon
Valandil, 3rd King of Arnor

Description:
"... And Isildur said no word, but went out by night and did a deed for which he was afterwards renowned. For he passed alone in disguise to Armenelos and to the courts of the King, which were now forbidden to the Faithful; and he came to the place of the Tree, which was forbidden to all by the orders of Sauron, and the Tree was watched day and night by guards in his service. At that time Nimloth was dark and bore no bloom, for it was late in the autumn, and its winter was nigh; and Isildur passed through the guards and took from the Tree a fruit that hung upon it, and turned to go. But the guard was aroused, and he was assailed, and fought his way out, receiving many wounds; and he escaped, and because he was disguised it was not discovered who had laid hands on the Tree. But Isildur came at last hardly back to Romenna and delivered the fruit to the hands of Amandil, ere his strength failed him. The the fruit was planted in secret, and it was blessed by Amandil; and a shoot arose from it and sprouted in the spring. But when its first leaf opened then Isildur, who had lain long and come near to death, arose and was troubled no more by his wounds."
The Silmarillion, Akallabêth

"Isildur took it, as should not have been. It should have been cast into Orodruin's fire nigh at hand where it was made. But few marked what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in that last mortal contest; and by Gil-galad only Círdan stood, and I. But Isildur would not listen to our counsel.
"This I will have as weregild for my father, and my brother," he said; and whether we would or no, he took it to treasure it."
Book 2, Ch 2, The Council of Elrond, FoTR, LOTR

"Isildur himself escaped by means of the Ring, for when he wore it he was invisible to all eyes; but the Orcs hunted him by scent and slot, until he came to the River and plunged in. There the Ring betrayed him and avenged its maker, for it slipped from his finger as he swam, and it was lost in the water. Then the Orcs saw him as he laboured in the stream, and they shot him with many arrows, and that was his end."
The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

[Gandalf said,] '... there lies in Minas Tirith still ... a scroll that Isildur made himself. ... Isildur described the Ring, such as he found it.'

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 2, The Council of Elrond

"III 2: Isildur plants a seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor. He delivers the South-kingdom to Meneldil. Disaster of the Gladden Fields; Isildur and his three elder sons are slain."

The Return of the King, Appendices, The Tale of Years

Contributors:
Loquacious 01.03.03.; Lyllyn 1.17.03; Added Scroll: Elena Tiriel 6.19.04; Marta - 16-Apr-2005

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