Places in Middle-earth
Eilenach
Type: Mountains, Hills, Promontories
Region: Gondor
Location: The highest foothill in the Drúadan Forest, holding the second of the seven beacons of Gondor.
Description:
'The beacons of Gondor are alight, calling for aid.... See, there is the fire on Amon Dîn, and flame on Eilenach; and there they go speeding west: Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad, and the Halifirien on the borders of Rohan.'
Map of Anórien, showing Eilenach, the highest hill in the Drúadan Forest.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith
The host was bivouacked in the pine-woods that clustered about Eilenach Beacon, a tall hill standing up from the long ridges of the Drúadan Forest that lay beside the great road in East Anórien.
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 5, The Ride of the Rohirrim
The Halifirien was the highest of the beacons, and like Eilenach, the next in height, appeared to stand up alone out of a great wood....
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Cirion and Eorl
Eilenach was the highest point of the Drúadan Forest. It could be seen far to the West, and its function in the days of the beacons was to transmit the warning of Amon Dîn; but it was not suitable for a large beacon-fire, there being little space on its sharp summit. Hence the name Nardol "Fire-hilltop" of the next beacon westward....
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Notes, Note 51
In Anórien many people still dwelt and had the task of guarding the northern approaches, either out of Calenardhon or across the Anduin at Cair Andros. For communication with them the three oldest beacons (Amon Dîn, Eilenach, and Min-Rimmon) were built and maintained....
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Cirion and Eorl
Etymology
According to a note on the beacons, Eilenach was "probably an alien name: not Sindarin, Númenórean, or Common Speech...."
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Notes, Note 51
[The] names of nearly all places and persons in the realm of Gondor were of Elvish form and meaning. A few were of forgotten origin, and descended doubtless from days before the ships of the Númenóreans sailed the Sea; among these were Umbar, Arnach and Erech; and the mountain-names Eilenach and Rimmon.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age: Of Men
Contributors:
Lyllyn 14Feb04
Elena Tiriel 10Aug10
