Spotlight On Middle-Earth : Eregion

During the Second Age of The Sun, Eregion wa the realm of the Elven-smiths who forged, among many things, the fabled Rings of Power. Eregion is renown  for the holly trees that grow there, and it is called Hollin in the Common Speech.

The main city of Eregion in the S. A. was Ost-in-Edhil. The city's exact location is not known to us, but it was probably along the Sirannon, or Gate-stream of Khazad-dum, most likely near the place we call today Mirobel. A paved road ran from Ost-in-Edhil along the Sirannon to the West-gate of Khazad-dum. Two holly trees stood at the gate, marking the end of the Elven lands and the entrance to the Dwarves' realm, and those two trees are still there today. 

Eregion was founded in the year 750 of the Second Age by a group of Noldor Elves who had survived the War of Wrath against Morgoth at the end of the First Age, and came to settle here. Beleriand had been destroyed, so they migrated eastward and settled at the foot of the Misty Mountains.It is said that Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn accompanied the Elves and lived in Eregion for a time.

The Elves built Ost-in-Edhil, and there they established the House of the Mirdain, or jewel-smiths. A great school and library were built .The Elven-smiths of Eregion made many beautiful  and precious things, some of which still survive today. The greatest of the Elven-smiths was an elf called Celebrimbor.

The Elven-smiths traded with the Dwarves of Khazad-dum, back them there was peace and harmony between the two races. The Dwarves were skilled craftsmen and they mined under the mountains for jewels and metals and especially for Mithril which the great Elven-smiths needed for their craft. Mithril was found nowhere else in Middle-earth, and it was the main reason the Elven-smiths had chosen to settle there.

In 1200 S.A., a stranger came to Eregion calling himself Annatar, Lord of Gifts. He claimed to be an emissary of the Valar, and he promised to teach the Elves many great and wonderful things. The Elven-smiths greatly desired to improve their skills for it was their dream to recreate the beauty  that can be found in the Undying Lands.The stranger Annatar played on these desires, and the Elven-smiths were deceived and welcomed him into Eregion.

Under Annator's instruction, the Elves began to make magic rings.Soon they became very skilled. Then around 1500 S.A., they began the forging of what they called the Rings of Power. The Elven-smiths made nineteen Rings of Power, and then in 1590, Celebrimbor himself made the three Rings he called , Narya, Nenya, and Vilya- by now he was so skilled he was able to craft these three rings alone and without help from Annator. 

In 1600 S.A. Annator leaves Eregion and travels East. Soon after that the Elves became aware of him again and realized his true identity. Knowing they had been deceived, the Elves took off their Rings - they understood that Sauron could hold power over them all if the Rings were in use.

Sauron was very displeased with the Elves of Eregion, and in 1693 he declared war against them and demanded all the Rings of Power from them. The fate of the magic Rings of Power has long been lost in the waves of time, however, according to legends it is believed that Lady Galadriel wears one of them. 

Sauron invaded Eriador and attacked Eregion. Celeborn led a battalion against the vanguard of Sauron's army, then he joined forces with a host of reinforcements from Lindon led by Elrond, but the Elves were greatly outnumbered and were driven back. Sauron began the siege of Eregion. 

In 1697 S.A. Sauron was eventually defeated and driven back to the East by the Elves of Lindon and the Men of Numenor, but Eregion had been completely destroyed, and it was abandoned by the end of the Second Age. Many of the survivors fled to Edhellond or the Grey Havens to set sail to the Undying Lands. Still others, including Galadriel and Celeborn did seek refuge in Lothlorien.

Today Eregion is an empty and mostly uninhabited region, and nothing remained of the realm of the Elves but a few overgrown roads and ruins, but its beauty and ancient splendor can still be seen in places. It is said that to this day, some of Rings of Power that were forged there are still missing, their fate unknown.

article by Amorey - Laurelin Archives Webteam