History of the Northern Dunedain

The Northern Line of Elendil:

Here is written a record of the Kings at Arnor and at Arthedain, and of the Chieftains of the Northern Dunedain.

High Kings of the Dunedain, Kings of Arnor at Annuminas:
The Kings of Arnor were also held to be High Kings of all the Dunedain, nominal overlords of Gondor as well as Arnor. This was most true at the time of Elendil and Isildur, but was still the rule throughout all the days of Arnor. When a new King came to the throne of Gondor, he was required to swear his allegiance to the High King at Annuminas and also the King of Gondor was required to swear his faith when a new High King came to the throne of Arnor. These were officially to be done with personal visits, though from Meneldil on, no King of Gondor actually went to Annuminas for these purposes, at best sending a delegation to represent them, with the claim that they remained at Osgiliath in order to attend to pressing matters. On some occasions, a High King would summon a full council, including those of Gondor, when he intended to lay himself down and allow his son to take the throne, that all might be present for that moment, usually just before a High Day, that the new King could lead in its celebration.
In TA 800, King Siriondil of Gondor sent a delegation to Annuminas, which included his sons Tarannon and Tarcyrian and his grandson Earnil. For they meant to set forth and subdue the kingdoms to their south, as well as those peoples between Gondor and Arnor who were still hostile to the Dunedain. They asked that forces from Arnor combine with theirs, and invited the young noblemen of the realm to join with them and win honour. Amandur, eldest son of King Earendur, desired to go, but the king would not permit it, sending instead his two younger sons, who were joined by not a few other young noblemen. King Earendur sent a great portion of his fighting men as well.
Annuminas itself was a city on a hill – the flat top of a low hill above the south shore of Lake Evendim, while the taller peaks of the Hills of Evendim walled in the west side of the lake. The city was laid out in a grid, with a procession westward through the center to the palace grounds, where stood the great palace of Vinyamar, with the Court of Isildur to its southeast, the Court of Anarion to its northwest, the Winter Garden to the southwest and the Summer Garden to the northeast. Above all stood the tower of Annuminas where Elendil placed a Palantir. It was a white city, with golden domes at prominent buildings and with only low walls for protection, for there had long been peace in Eriador.

I Elendil
Born SA 3119 (*), Established Kingdom SA 3320 (201), Reigned 121 years, Slain SA 3441 (322)
Son of Amandil and Heir of the House of Andunie, Elendil was also accounted a great sea captain in his own right. As a young man, he married the daughter of the Lord of Hyarastorni, with the blessing of his grandfather Numendil and of King Tar-Palantir, for she was of the Faithful. Her name was Nolewen and she gave him two sons, Isildur and Anarion. They also raised a ward, Gilaniel, granddaughter of Amandil’s sister. Elendil was known as ‘the Tall’ for he was said to be nearly half a ranga over two rangar (almost 7’-11” tall). After taking part in the effort to humble Sauron, Elendil helped to construct the Pillar of Ar-Pharazon and sailed with his father up the coasts of Middle Earth to Pelargir, Edhellond, Lond Daer and Lindon, heralding the news of Sauron’s defeat. Gil-galad was greatly pleased to hear this news, and yet feared that great evil might still come of bringing Sauron as hostage to Numenor. Nevertheless, Gil-galad was greatly impressed with Elendil and made a gift to him of the great sword Narsil, for he still feared the influence of Sauron upon Men, and prophesied that this blade might one day defeat him. After Sauron gained influence at Ar-Pharazon’s court, and after his father Amandil sailed away, Elendil gathered the remainder of the Faithful Numenoreans onto nine ships and waited, until they were carried by the waves of Numenor’s destruction to Middle Earth. There, Elendil arrived with four ships at Lindon in the north, and with the support of Gil-galad soon established the Kingdom of Arnor in Eriador and was proclaimed High King over his sons’ co-joint kingdom of Gondor in the south as well (for Gil-galad knew that Men must one day inherit Middle Earth from the Eldar, and rejoiced that it might be Men such as Elendil).
Of Elendil’s nine ships, three were captained by himself or his sons. The other six we captained by men of noble birth who were among the Faithful, each a Count in Andunie. There were lesser nobles among the ships from the other regions of Numenor; Forostar, Orrostar, Mittalmar, Hyarnustar and Hyarrostar, as well as from the noble families of Romenna.
Elendil built the city of Annuminas on Lake Nenuil, to be his capital, and he established his Exiles among the earlier Numenorean colonists and other peoples of Eriador, building also the Bridge of Stonebows, the bridge over Hoarwell, the Tower of Amon Sul and re-building the Bridge at Tharbad, while Gil-galad built for him the Three White Towers of Emyn Beraid. He sailed three times to the south, to view the lands of Gondor and to require the allegiance of Numenorean settlers in Umbar and further southern lands. In Arnor he appointed his other ship captains to serve as princes under him (one each for those peoples along the rivers; Lhun, Baranduin and Mitheithel) and confirmed similar appointments in Gondor, while each prince had several Counts each with Thanes under them to order their lands and forces, for each Thane was placed in command of knights and soldiers. Elendil established a Council of Arnor, similar to that in Numenor, with each Prince, as well as his Chamberlain, Chief Loremaster, Captain of Hosts and Captain of Ships, the Wardens of the Palantiri and the Mayor of Annuminas. Elendil also took the custom of the Numenorean Kings in leading his people in observance of the high days: the Erukyerme, the Erulaitale and the Eruhantale (these three on the highest peak of the Hills of Evendim, just west of Annuminas – and a great eagle would always meet them there) – as well as sanctioning the custom of the Yule celebration held in Eriador. Subsequent kings followed these traditions as well.
Elendil’s wife had grown sick as the time drew near for the flight from Numenor and she did not survive the passage. Upon arriving in Eriador, Elendil first threw himself entirely into the work of building his new kingdom, that he might not have to think about his loss, but in his later years he spent much time at the Tower of Elostirion, gazing west into the Palantir there, at what had once been.
After many years of peace, Sauron returned in force and Elendil gathered his forces to join with those of the Elves, in an attempt to ultimately defeat him. Following four years of preparation and seven years of battle and siege, Elendil fell together with Gil-galad, having mortally wounded Sauron, and his sword Narsil broke beneath him as he fell. His surviving son, Isildur, buried him on the mountain Halifirien in Gondor.

II Isildur
Born SA 3209 (*), Inherited Kingdom SA 3441 (232), Reigned 2 years, Slain TA 2 (234)
As a young man, he accompanied his father Elendil in the forces of Ar-Pharazon which humbled Sauron. He later captained his own ship, bringing Numenorean colonists to Pelargir, where he eventually married ??, the daughter of Pelargir’s governor (After this, Ar-Pharazon, hoping to hold the family of Andunie to himself, required Elendil to take one of his kin as wife for Anarion – the daughter of the Lord of Romenna, who was also Captain of Ships for all Numenor. In this he was foiled, for she proved to be in secret herself among the Faithful). Gilaniel was married to the son of Pelargir’s governor, and it was their son who was made the first Prince of Belfalas by Elendil, and their daughter became the mother of Ohtar, who would later serve as squire to Isildur. In time Isildur’s wife would give him four sons; Elendur, Aratan, Ciryon and Valandil – yet it was Valandil, the youngest, who would succeed him.
Upon hearing that Sauron urged Ar-Pharazon to destroy the White Tree, Isildur disguised himself and secretly entered the palace courts, stealing a fruit from the tree and fighting off the guards who discovered him. This tree was Nimloth the Fair, which Sauron then convinced Ar-Pharazon to cut down and allow him to burn the wood thereof. Isildur captained one of Elendil’s nine ships and arrived after the downfall of Numenor in Pelargir, with his brother Anarion and five of the nine ships. There they established the co-joint Kingdom of Gondor, building first the capital city of Osgiliath over the Anduin and the royal palaces of Minas Ithil (where Isildur planted the seedling from Numenor’s White Tree) and Minas Anor. Isildur also transported the Stone of Erech, from Numenor, into the southern foothills of the White Mountains and sought to bind all the peoples of the region to himself and his kingdom with oaths of loyalty. He and Anarion also built Aglarond and Angrenost, to secure their western borders.
After years of peace, Sauron proved to be alive, striking first at Minas Ithil in 3429. Isildur escaped with his family among the refugees, and after seeing to the defense of Osgiliath, he left his brother Anarion in charge of their combined forces and took ship north to take counsel with his father and to seek his aid. He and his father met with Gil-galad and Elrond to form the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Upon completing preparations and training at Rivendell, they marched to Mordor in 3434, Isildur bringing his three eldest sons; Elendur, Aratan and Ciryon, while his wife and young son Valandil remained at Rivendell. After the battles and sieges and the loss of his brother, Anarion, Isildur stood with his father Elendil at the fall of Sauron, and cut Sauron’s Ring of Power from his hand, taking it to himself.
Isildur stayed in Gondor for almost two years, ordering the kingdom, making preparations for Meneldil, son of Anarion, to rule the land while he assumed the Kingship of Arnor in Annuminas together with the High Kingship over all the Dunedain. He buried his father on Halifirien and planted a seedling from the tree of Minas Ithil (which Sauron had also destroyed) at Minas Anor, in honor of Anarion. At last he took his leave from Gondor and began his journey to Rivendell, where he intended to join his wife and youngest son before continuing on to Annuminas. However, he was ambushed by Orcs at the Gladden Fields and slain, together with his three eldest sons; Elendur, Aratan and Ciryon. He was the only King of Arnor who never sat upon its throne.

III Valandil
Born SA 3430, Crowned TA 10 (21), Reigned 239 years, Died TA 249 (260)
Born in Rivendell after Isildur arrived to begin building the Last Alliance. Only a small child when Elendil and Isildur marched to Mordor in 3434 and still young when Ohtar delivered Narsil’s shards to him in TA 3, he was crowned King of Arnor and High King of the Dunedain in TA 10. Ohtar had remained near Rivendell and was made the Count (or “Grand-Thane”) of Hoardale when he married the daughter of the Prince of Mitheithel, the grandson of the sea captain who was the first prince of that land. Valandil’s mother had over-seen his choice for a bride, gathering a court of noble ladies to herself from all about Arnor – as well as a few from Gondor – and in TA 83, Valandil married Galeneth (b. 41), a daughter of Ohtar who was from among his mother’s court. Her hope had been to finally see a grandchild ere her passing, and this she did with the birth of Eldacar. All told, Galeneth bore Valandil two sons and two daughters. In 109 TA, Valandil’s mother accompanied him to the wedding of Elrond and Celebrian, where Valandil first met Meneldil face-to-face. His mother stayed then at Rivendell and passed away the following spring, long-lived, even for a Numenorean lady of her time. Valandil’s wife established her own court of ladies in her turn, but their eldest son chose his bride from outside her court.
Valandil’s reign was long and peaceful, and marked the final union of the Exiles and earlier Numenorean colonists into a single people in Arnor. For upon the marriage of his son Eldacar, Valandil made Royal Thanes of three great leaders among the old colonists, one each from the upper Lhun, the lower Baranduin and the lakes above Evendim, the last of whom was father of Eldacar’s bride. Valandil placed these special thanes on the Council of Arnor. Also in his time the Prince of Baranduin made his dwelling at Tyrn Gorthad and the Prince of Lhun brought the greater part of his people eastward and moved his seat to Fornost, which his ancestor had made (~ SA 3400) with the help of dwarvish miners of Ered Luin. Valandil created a structure of government for Arnor, ordering the lands of the realm, recording property, establishing standards for military service and building outposts as way-stations along the kingdom’s major roads. Late in his reign (TA 240) he made a visit to Gondor, bringing with him his son Eldacar and grandson Arantar. He had wished to bring a fruit of the White Tree back to Arnor, but none was found that he could take. Upon his passing, Valandil was buried at Tyrn Gorthad.

IV Eldacar
Born TA 87, Crowned TA 249 (162), Reigned 90 years, Died TA 339 (252)
Married Teleriel (b. 134), the daughter of Telumar (b. 39), Telumar was the most powerful among the descendants of the earlier Numenorean colonists who had long dwelt among the northern chain of lakes in the Hills of Evendim at the head of Lake Nenuil. This man’s people had been reclusive and only nominal members of the realm, although they had sent many men to join with Elendil in the Last Alliance. Indeed, his forebears had even at first resisted the notion of a kingdom and had later doubted the wisdom of placing Valandil on the throne at such a young age. Eldacar met Teleriel while both were swimming in Lake Nenuil. Teleriel was to bear him three sons and two daughters. Eldacar was widely known for his prowess and for feats of strength and stamina.
While he was king, Eldacar instituted a rigorous program of training the king’s sons, as well as other young men of leading families of the realm, in lore, courtesy, longsuffering, warfare and in all the knowledge and skills of the Dunedain. Thus the young men of noble families would gather to the King’s court to gain this training and to win the friendship of their future King.

V Arantar
Born 185, Crowned 339 (154), Reigned 96 years, Died 435 (250)
Married Alatana, the daughter of the Warden of Elostirion of Emyn Beraid, from his mother’s court. She would bear him three sons and one daughter. Arantar valued knowledge of lore and sought to gather knowledge and promote instruction. He compiled the writings of his fore-father Elendil and sought always to add to the library of Annuminas.

VI Tarcil
Born 280, Crowned 435 (155), Reigned 80 years, Died 515 (235)
Married Brecarwen, the daughter of the Prince of Baranduin from his mother’s court. She would bear him three sons and three daughters. Tarcil sought to increase trade with Gondor and with his neighboring realms. He made peace with the tribesmen of Minhiriath and the Lossoth and some among the Dunlendings, as well as the friendly tribes of hill men along the Misty Mountains and the Dwarf realms in Moria and the Ered Luin. He also added the Leader of the Bree-folk and the Mayor of Tharbad to the Council of Arnor.
In TA 500, Tarcil traveled to Gondor, bringing his son Tarondor and grandson Valandur. A bruised sapling of the White Tree was all that could be found for them, so they took it north and planted it in the Court of Isildur at Annuminas. After Tarcil’s death in 515, the young tree withered and died in the harsh winter which followed.

VII Tarondor
Born 372, Crowned 515 (153), Reigned 87 years, Died 602 (230)
Married the daughter of the Prince of Mitheithel, who was among the ladies of his mother’s court. He fostered the arts of poetry, music, sculpture, metal craft and the weaving of tapestries.

VIII Valandur
Born 462, Crowned 602 (140), Reigned 50 years, Slain 652 (190)
Married the daughter of a country thane from Minhiriath, whom he met while riding alone, and he kept his identity a secret from her at first. His wife was to bear him one son and four daughters – three of whom married future Princes of Arnor’s three principalities. As king, Valandur toured his kingdom with an escort of 200 men-at-arms. While visiting his cousin the Prince of Mithiethel, he joined in to support him on the field of battle to aid a friendly tribe of hill people against an invading tribe. The ‘friendly’ tribe proved unfaithful, joining with the invaders and turning on the Arnorian forces, destroying them. Never again, after this and Gladden, would a King of Arnor go forth with an escort of 200 men, for it was deemed unlucky.

IX Elendur
Born 552, Crowned 652 (100), Reigned 125 years, Died 777 (225)
Married the daughter of the Prince of Belfalas of Gondor, who bore him one son. After the death of his father, Elendur went in great force and took vengeance on the hill people who had betrayed them. For the remainder of his reign, he always sought to strengthen Arnor’s borders and to thwart those who seemed to be foes or untrustworthy, but he found that his borders were too long and his forces insufficient. He was particularly wary of the hill men in the region where his father had been slain. He knew he was fortunate to have no major threats but could do little to truly ward off future trouble.
In TA 750, Elendur made a state visit to Gondor to see King Siriondil, bringing his son Earendur and his grandson Amandur. Once more, no fruit of the White Tree could be found to bring back to Arnor.

X Earendur
Born 640, Crowned 777 (137), Reigned 84 years, Died 861 (221)
From the loss of his grandfather, he had resolved to not place himself or his heir at great risk. He married the daughter of a royal official in Annuminas, who bore him three sons, as well as a daughter with a great gift of foresight. When the princes of Gondor came from King Siriondil to the court of Annuminas (~ 800), to seek for aid in suppressing the Dunlendings and carrying out other great conquests, Earendur would not permit his eldest son Amandur to go, but sent his two younger sons, the elder of whom was made a captain of Gondor’s ships, the other a captain of Gondor’s hosts. At that visit, the Prince Tarcyrion sought Earendur’s daughter Palantiel (b. 769) for his son Earnil. Earendur was pleased by this, but Palantiel would not permit it – saying that indeed Earnil would be King of Gondor one day (which surprised Prince Tarannon, who was also present) but that she did not want to live as Erendis, and that Earnil would love the sea more than his home – and yet that the sea would take him. She also advised her father that it would be best to send Amandur himself to Gondor – even if him alone and not his brothers, but her father did not heed her.
Some years later, Earendur’s two younger sons returned victorious – particularly the elder of the two. As the time of his passing drew near, Earendur contemplated passing over Amandur and naming his second son as King after him, for he already had great support among the people, especially among the warriors. Earendur relented of this in the end, and ultimately named Amandur his successor, but factions had already been at work and his younger sons each split off a part of the kingdom for himself – the second son aligned with the Prince of Baranduin (who had accompanied him to Gondor while a young man) and the Captain of Ships, who kept Arnor’s fleet harbored at Tharbad – and established the Kingdom of Cardolan, while the third son aligned with the Prince of Mitheithel, whose daughter he married – and established the Kingdom of Rhudaur.

Chieftains of the Northern Dunedain:
After the fall of Fornost and the destruction of a large part of the people of Arthedain, those who remained became a reclusive folk. They first settled in lands close to their former homes, or their abandoned ancestral lands, or in an area unspoiled by war, but never in large groups or making use of enough land to draw attention to themselves. Eventually, many of the people drifted eastward, for Angmar and Rhudaur were both no more and those lands were desolate – and there, they felt they could rely on some protection or aid from Elrond and his people. Thus, most of the people lived in very small settlements, discretely situated and unknown to any but to one another. It fell out of memory among other Men that these had been the Kings of Men, and they were despised and derided.
The royal line forsook the title of ‘king’ and called themselves only the ‘chieftain’ of their people, though their people still revered them as kings. Each heir was taken as a small child to be fostered in Rivendell. When he became a man, he rode about among his people with his father and only about 20 or 30 retainers, for the chieftains themselves had no permanent home. They traveled about mostly at night, when the moon was new, and stayed one month at every place they visited. Whenever each heir took a wife, she was kept among her father’s people, unless she dwelt in Rivendell with their son or with her aged husband. For when the heir became chieftain, he continued to journey about, until old age took him, and his time drew near and he returned to Rivendell to live out his days. In some cases, an heir who already had a son, or a young chieftain newly come into his own and who had an heir, would wander in the wild beyond the former lands of Arnor – even journeying unknown in lands far away.
The young men of the Dunedain who wished to serve their chieftain were sent out in bands of 3 or 4 or 5 – or even alone – to watch over all the former lands of Arnor and to guard the folk who lived therein, although those people were suspicious of them and despised them, calling them ‘Rangers’.

XXVI Aranarth
Born 1942 (revsd*), Chieftain in 1976 (34), Led people 130 years, Died 2106 (164)
After joining in with the forces of Gondor and Lindon which crushed Angmar’s hosts, Aranarth waited until final word could be heard of his father. When word finally came by the arrival of a man of the Lossoth, it was also clear that there could be no more Arthedain, for the people were too few. Therefore, Aranarth forsook the title of ‘king’ and chose instead to be called ‘chieftain’ for he said that he no longer had the force to rule the land, but that he only ruled over his people – and that he was chieftain of his people, not king of a kingdom.
Aranarth saw to the re-ordering of his people, placing them in small bands and seeing that they all learned woodcraft – and to survive on little. He taught them to live in secret and determined that they would still provide to others whatever protection they could against the evil creatures of the dark forces. Arthedain had always maintained close friendship with the Elves, especially those of Lindon and of Imladris, but under the leadership of Aranarth, they drew even closer to them, for indeed, they needed their help so much more.
When Aranarth died, he had no grand funeral, but his body was placed in an unmarked tomb just outside of Rivendell, where he had spent his final years.

XXVII Arahael
Born 2012, Chieftain in 2106 (94), Led people 71 years, Died 2177 (165)
Arahael was the first to be fostered in the time of his youth at Rivendell, where the heirlooms of their house were kept.

XXVIII Aranuir
Born 2084, Chieftain in 2177 (93), Led people 70 years, Died 2247 (163)
Aranuir lived his entire life during the ‘Watchful Peace’. He was indeed ever vigilant and gathered what information he could from throughout Eriador and even across the Misty Mountains.

XXIX Aravir
Born 2156, Chieftain in 2247 (91), Led people 72 years, Died 2319 (163)
Like his father Aranuir, Aravir kept ever watchful, but the peace held throughout his lifetime.

XXX Aragorn I
Born 2227, Chieftain in 2319 (92), Led people 8 years, Slain 2327 (100)
Slain in the wild by wolves when traveling alone just before the Yule. As his people were living in such a time of peace until then, and the memory of Arthedain’s fall having become dim, the watch had become less vigilant in his time, which led to his demise. His loss greatly disheartened the Dunedain, for his presence had filled them with great hope. He was taller than the other Chieftains before him, capable and confident in all that he did, well-skilled at living in the wild and with an air of greatness about him, he had been the pride of his people until he perished.

XXXI Araglas
Born 2296, Chieftain in 2327 (31), Led people 128 years, Died 2455 (159)
In his day, more of the Dunedain left their former scattered dwellings and settled in the lands closer about Rivendell. Araglas renewed the watchfulness which had been neglected in his father’s day.

XXXII Arahad I
Born 2365, Chieftain in 2455 (90), Led people 71 years, Died 2523 (158)
Only five years into his reign did the ‘Watchful Peace’ come to an end. It was in the time of Arahad I that Celebrian was waylaid by Orcs (2509), wounded and then departed over the Sea (2510). Also in his time, the Eorlingas came from the north to the aid of Gondor and established their kingdom of Rohan (also 2510).

XXXIII Aragost
Born 2431, Chieftain in 2523 (92), Led people 65 years, Died 2588 (157)
As a young man in service to his father the Chieftain, Aragost traveled far and wide in search of whatever tidings he might find of the forces at Dol Guldur and Minas Morgul. It was in his rule as Chieftain that Baldor, son of Brego of Rohan, vanished into the Paths of the Dead.

XXXIV Aravorn
Born 2497, Chieftain in 2588 (91), Led people 66 years, Died 2654 (157)
Soon after the passing of his father, distant word came that the Dwarves of the Grey Mountains had been harassed by dragons, and their king was slain. Aravorn would have gone himself, but being now Chieftain, sent instead his elder sons, with a few companions.

XXXV Arahad II
Born 2563, Chieftain in 2654 (91), Led people 65 years, Died 2719 (156)
“The Dragonslayer” – journeyed in his youth (2590) to the far north of Wilderland with a small band of companions and slew the dragon which had slain Dain I and Thror (in 2589). He received a severe wound and lost his memory for a time, continuing to travel about. At last he came to himself and made his way home after 36 years away (and in fact, Hurin II, the Steward of Gondor, had guessed of whose line he might be and sent him as far as Tharbad before his memory was restored to him). His reign as chieftain was more peaceful and his former deeds were not sung abroad, owing to the secrecy of his people. For himself he made little of his title and always claimed that from what he could recall, he had only survived with much help, but he spoke little more of it.

XXXVI Arassuil
Born 2628, Chieftain in 2719 (91), Led people 65 years, Died 2784 (156)
Journeyed in secret to Gondor in his youth, that he might behold the rebuilding of the White Tower by Ecthelion (completed 2698), for which he served as a stone mason. In his time as chieftain, Orcs again began to ravage the land of Eriador, and he led his people against them alongside the forces of Rivendell. In his day was the Long Winter (2758-59), although those in Eriador were less troubled at that time than those of Rohan and Gondor.

XXXVII Arathorn I
Born 2693, Chieftain in 2784 (91), Led people 64 years, Died 2848 (155)
In his youth he also journeyed secretly to Gondor and beheld the blossoming of the White Tree which followed the birth of he who would be Belecthor II, Steward of Gondor (in 2752).
The Dunedain continued their resistance to the Orc incursions into Eriador. Early in his time had been the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, and it was thought that the Orcs fled west into Eriador to escape the wrath of the Dwarves.

XXXVIII Argonui
Born 2757, Chieftain in 2848 (91), Led people 64 years, Died 2912 (155)
Argonui married Magwiel, a tall dark woman of nearly pure Beoran descent, who seemed more a serving girl to his companions, but who was descended from a family of thanes and knights of the old kingdoms, and whose father had been a companion of Arassuil. She bore Argonui six sons and six daughters, all tall and strong and sharp of mind, and all the Dunedain rejoiced at the renewal within the royal family line. Argonui lived out his years until the end of the Fell Winter, when he died in peace, just before the melting snows ruined at last the city of Tharbad and it was deserted.

XXXIX Arador
Born 2820, Chieftain in 2912 (92), Led people 18 years, Slain 2930 (110)
In his youth Arador had visited Gondor in secret and had met and spoken with Belecthor II on the eve of his passing (in 2872).
Arador sought to stem the increase of Orcs and Trolls in Eriador along the Misty Mountains. Finally, he was taken by Trolls in the Coldfells, together with all his brothers, his nephews and his second son, for they came upon their camp at night and slew most of them even as they slept and briefly kept the rest as captives. All were slain but one nephew, who escaped and made his way to some of their folk, mortally wounded, living only long enough to tell the tale of what had befallen.

XXXX Arathorn II
Born 2873, Chieftain in 2930 (57), Led people 3 years, Slain 2933 (60)
He married Gilraen, the daughter of Dirhael and Ivorwen. Soon after the birth of their only son, Arathorn was slain by an Orc arrow while riding against the Orcs with Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond.

XXXXI Aragorn II
Born 2931, Chieftain in 2933 (2), Led people 208 years, King of Gondor and Arnor 3019 (88), Reigned 122 years, Died 120 - Fourth Age (210)
This Aragorn is he who grew in skill and power until he played his role in the downfall of Sauron at the end of the Third Age, becoming King Elessar of Gondor and marrying Arwen, daughter of Elrond Half-Elven. Their son Eldarion ruled after him, and their four daughters were wedded to sons of; King Eomer, Faramir the Steward, a later Prince of Dol Amroth and the Warden of Arnor.

Kings of Rhudaur at Brochenridge:

The first King of Rhudaur was Earendur’s third son, Daurnemir, who was 13 years younger than Amlaith. He was not as impressive as his older brothers, for he was withdrawn and sullen and not so mighty of frame as Caryontar nor as tall as Amlaith. But he was allowed to go off to war with Gondor, and won a measure of renown himself. While his two elder brothers were weighed for the succession, an emissary of Gondor suggested to him that he might make a place for himself by marrying the Lady Dorien (b. 771), daughter of Mitheithel’s prince, whom his brother had forsaken. She was then older than most brides, but Daurnemir saw the advantage in this and approached her father, who consented, delighted that his daughter was at last to be married - and to a son of King Earendur, though she despised Daurnemir and still yearned for his brother, Caryontar, and yet she also despised and scorned Caryontar even more. Thus, when Cardolan broke off from Arnor, Daurnemir and the Prince of Mitheithel created the realm of Rhudaur.
The Prince of Mithiethel had long been established at a fortress-estate a few leagues east and north of the great bridge over Hoarwell. Daurnemir chose a site further still to the north and east, at a break in a great ridge, where he built a great fortress and a palace for himself and his heirs.
Rhudaur was ever the weakest of the three kingdoms, but they fought fiercely to attempt to win control of Amon Sul. Always seeking to maintain ties to Gondor and to the southern realms, the one son of Daurnemir was married to a princess from Umbar, but at just that time, Gondor and Umbar became enemies once more, and Rhudaur’s new connection to Umbar placed it out of favor with Gondor. Although geographically close to Rivendell, Rhudaur was not close to them politically because of her initial ties with the southern kingdoms and the continued influence this had even in later times. As time wore on, the Dunedain of Rhudaur even began to dabble in the black arts.
Before long, treachery became the way of the land, and kings came to the throne by assassinating other kings. The last king from Isildur’s line had his daughter taken from him by force, by a hill chieftain, who later slew that king and named himself the King of Rhudaur. Soon after this, all fell into ruin and what Dunedain remained were slain or fled west to Arthedain, while the remnants of Rhudaur came directly under the influence of Angmar.

XI (R) Daurnemir
Born 739, Crowned 861 (122), Reigned 93 years, Died 954 (215)
Named Turendur at birth, he was the third son of King Earendur of Arnor, and went also to Gondor’s campaigns in the south with his brother Caryontar, while their eldest brother Amandur (later Amlaith) stayed in Arnor at their father’s command. Turendur acquired a taste for the things of the south and delighted in the campaigns of those days. He was as tall as Caryontar, but slighter of frame and of quieter temperament, and more clever and subtle of mind. Although he was a great champion and fighter among other men, he could not rival his brothers in this regard - yet he had more knowledge of lore than Caryontar and was a better tactician. He was given the name ‘Daurnemir’ by his companions in the south, but used the name ‘Turendur’ upon his return to Arnor, until his brother Amandur would succeed to the throne.
Turendur had returned to the north at the same time as Caryontar, leading a southern army overland to Tharbad where they met Caryontar’s ships, in a final blow to those Dunlendings who resisted them. Like Caryontar, he did not stay at Annuminas, but neither did he dwell in any place, but wandered over the bounds of the kingdom. As his father the King began to fade and some whispered that Caryontar might follow him rather than Amandur, Turendur was at first delighted, but began to make his own plans when Amandur regained control and it appeared that Caryontar might carry off the southern provinces of Arnor. For it was suggested to him that he wed Dorien, whom Caryontar had forsaken, the daughter of Mitheithel’s Prince. This he did, and thus he wrested Rhudaur from the eastern portion of Arnor and had himself crowned as King Daurnemir.

XII Ruhendir
Born 863, Crowned 954 (91), Reigned 122 years, Died 1074 (211)
He was the son and only child of Daurnemir and the Princess of Mithiethel. He married younger than most nobles of the Dunedain, for his mother remembered the bitterness of her own spurning and she also despised the ways of Tarennor, son of Caryontar. He married a princess from Umbar, as had his uncle, and she bore him one son and one daughter. She brought with her diviners from her own lands, and some men of Rhudaur began to study the black arts. His reign was long, for his father had been older than most men upon his marriage. It was in his time that Rhudaur went openly to war with Cardolan to contest for Amon Sul and the sole use of the Palantir therein (957).
His son Hyarandil followed after him. His daughter Mahrwen (b. 921) espied in her youth Menelmir, her second cousin and heir of Cardolan. She would have none but him, and when she could not have him, she remained unmarried for all of her days, though she retained her beauty, and she turned to the black arts of her mother’s people, working intrigues in the Court of Rhudaur, taking the name Morgwen. And thus for the first time a descendant of Elendil turned to the worship of his ancient enemy Sauron. It was rumored that her life was un-naturally lengthened and even that she outlived the Kingdom of Rhudaur.

XIII Hyarandil
Born 911, Crowned 1074 (163), Reigned 28 years, Died 1102 (191)
Hyarandil came to the throne late in life, and had already made a lifestyle of ease and merriment. In his youth (TA 973) he carried off the daughter of Tharbad’s Thane and took her to wife, for Tharbad had from the first been affixed to the Prince of Mitheithel, but joined itself with Cardolan upon the division of Arnor. Nonetheless, he loved this girl and she returned his love and took her place at his side, bearing him three sons; Tarnendil, Histendil and Elencar. Hyarandil never took well to the throne, and neglected the proper ordering of the realm.

XIV Tarnendil
Born 977, Crowned 1102 (125), Reigned 25 years, Slain 1127 (150)
Tarnendil was of more sober mind and steady judgment than his father. He sought to ease tensions with Cardolan and to discourage the practice of magic. This brought on him the ire of his Aunt Morgwen, whom he had locked in a remote mountain tower, but from there she continued to work her intrigues. He was slain in his sleep by his own brother Histendil, who then usurped the throne.

XV Histendil
Born 999, Usurped Crown 1127 (128), Reigned 42 years, Slain 1169 (169)
Histendil was the second son of Hyarandil. In 1127 he rose up and slew his elder brother and took the throne for himself. He killed his younger brother Elencar and the two sons of Tarnendil as well, seeking to end their lines. In his day, Fallohides and Stoors first came over the Misty Mountains and into his lands. These were tolerated and allowed to farm the land, at which they proved adept. Otherwise they were occasionally used for the sport and amusement of the Men of Rhudaur. Histendil renewed the strife for control of Amon Sul.

XVI Isilcar
Born 1086, Usurped Crown 1169 (83), Reigned 33 years, Slain 1202 (116)
Nephew to Histendil by the third son of Hyarandil (Elencar), he escaped from Histendil when he came to power and was kept in hiding by a thane who hated the treachery now in Rhudaur’s court. Later, he came secretly among the servants of the palace and poisoned King Histendil and his close followers. He then took power, for his own men were secretly close at hand and he had turned the servants and the guard of the palace to himself, for they all rued the kingship of Histendil. Isilcar sought to return peace to Rhudaur, but there was only trouble throughout the land.

XVII Tarondacil
Born 1076, Usurped Crown 1202 (126), Reigned 52 years, Slain 1254 (178)
Tarondacil ‘the Treacherous’, the son of Histendil, he gathered men from the hill tribes of the Misty Mountains to support him and he made war on Isilcar. Finally he slew him and took the crown for himself, as though it had rightfully been his father’s. He kept the hill chieftains close to himself and took them into the service of Rhudaur, to strengthen his hand in the wars with Cardolan. He thus wrested control of Amon Sul from them once more, but within 3 years, Celebrindor of Arthedain had gathered his own forces and dislodged them. Neither Rhudaur nor Cardolan could contest with Arthedain alone, and indeed, in their years of warfare they had been mostly well-matched, sometimes Rhudaur winning the field, and other times Cardolan – and thus they had shared the Palantir. Therefore, Tarondacil called a council with Cardolan under the pretext of joining together in opposition to Arthedain, and Menelcar came with many men, for he did not trust Tarondacil. There, Tarondacil put on a great display, with pomp and ceremony. A servant was provided for each guest from Menelcar’s delegation, but on a signal, each drew a weapon and struck his guest, for the servants were in fact warriors of Rhudaur. None of Menelcar’s delegation survived, all were struck down.
Later, Tarondacil betrayed even his hill folk friends, such that his name came to be despised by all. The hill men could not overcome his fortress, but when his cousin came to claim the throne, he was vanquished.

XVIII Tarenion
Born 1122, Crowned 1254 (132), Reigned 0 years, Slain 1254 (132)
Tarumar (b. 1051) was the second son of Tarnendil, who was slain along with his brother by Histendil. However, Tarumar’s young son Tarenion, who was only 5 at the time, was hidden by a family servant and eventually taken to live in exile, first among sympathizers in the wild, then at Gondor, then Fornost, then finally at Tyrn Gorthad. At Fornost, King Celepharn had beseeched Tarenion to join in with him and retake Rhudaur under the banner of Arthedain, that they might be united once more. But Tarenion soon tired of this and dwelt at Tyrn Gorthad, where each king in succession fostered his hopes of a triumphant return to Rhudaur, for each saw this as a means to weaken their enemy.
Finally, in 1254, Tarenion moved against Tarondacil. His forces prevailed, but he himself was slain by Tarondacil, whom he had mortally wounded. Therefore, Tarenion’s elder son Emergil succeeded as King of Rhudaur. Tarenion was never recognized as King in his day, but his sons accounted him the Eighth King of Rhudaur.

XIX Emergil
Born 1183, Crowned 1254 (71), Reigned 52 years, Slain 1306 (123)
Emergil was at his father’s side in the attack on Tarondacil, and took the throne of Rhudaur upon his father’s victory and passing. He was later defeated and slain in an uprising of Hillmen.
After the death of Emergil followed a one year interregnum, in the accounting of the Dunedain.


XX Tarnendur
Born 1190, Crowned 1307 (117), Reigned 94 years, Slain 1348 (158)
While his elder brother became his father’s right-hand man in his attempt to gain the throne of Rhudaur, Tarnendur stayed in Gondor and took on the life of a scholar and gentleman of leisure. He took to wife a lady of Umbar who bore him a daughter, but who died in childbirth some years later, delivering a stillborn son.
On the death of his brother Emergil, Tarnendur was swayed to go north and reclaim the throne of Rhudaur. He obtained help from the other Dunedain kingdoms, particularly Arthedain. After having reigned for a few years, he took a second wife from among the Dunedain of Rhudaur, hoping to obtain a male heir to inherit his kingdom. His wife bore him two sons and then another daughter.
Tarnendur had a tumultuous reign because of the state of the kingdom and its people. The hill men had infiltrated and lived among them, and they were always discontented. He had little force to carry out his plans, and his people sank deeper into debauchery, divination or despair. He yearned for the days of greatness, and goodness, of friendship with the Eldar and the pursuit of knowledge and peace, but his kingdom held none of these. Also in his reign, Orcs began to make raids into Eriador, but curiously always bypassing Rhudaur. For this at least Tarnendur was thankful.
Finally, a great leader arose among the hill chieftains. He was given position in the kingdom, in hopes that it would quell his people’s unrest. Instead, he seized and took to wife for himself Tarniel, the youngest daughter of Tarnendur, who was then only a girl of 15 (by which time most maidens of the hill folk had married). He then systematically saw to it that the sons of Tarnendur, and any other of his family who might lay claim to the throne, were eliminated, but always by subtle means – one being struck down while at war, another accidentally slain when his horse fell into a gorge and yet another would fall sick and not recover. Finally, he rose against King Tarnendur and struck him down – and he claimed the throne for himself by right of his marriage to his daughter.

After Tarnendur was slain, Rhudaur sank into greater turmoil and trouble. However, upon his death, young Beleg of Arthedain, who was son of the Heir to King Malvegil and who would be crowned as ‘Arveleg’, gathered the sons of the Princes of Fornost and of Tyrn Gorthad and the three of them rode into Rhudaur, late in the year 1348, to discover what they might. They stole into the royal fortress and rescued young Tarniel, wife of the hill king, and her companion the young princess of the House of Mitheithel, also last of her line. While escaping, Tarniel halted at the Great Bridge over Hoarwell and cast herself in, for she had despaired because of the child she carried within her. But the other four safely returned to Amon Sul just after the Yule in early 1349 – and Beleg learned that his grandfather had died, that his father was now King Argeleb, and that he himself was Heir to Arthedain. In later years, he married the young princess of Hoarwell whom he had rescued.
In Rhudaur, all was anarchy. The Halflings scattered either west into Cardolan or east back across the Misty Mountains. Finally it was learned openly that the hill leaders had been receiving secret support from Angmar to the north, for in 1409 a great force came from Angmar, joined with the hill men, and went off to war against Arthedain. All the Dunedain who remained in Rhudaur then fled or perished, for none were spared if they were found, though some few escaped into Arthedain.

Valandil, that’s very impressive! (I like it!)