Part I - The Old Greenway Fort
The next place of importance in my journey through Eriador is Fornost Erain, the seat of the Arthedain Kings of old. However, much can be observed just from the ruins that flank the North-South Road leading towards it. Some miles north of Bree, is a place known as the Old Greenway Fort, likely due to its proximity the Greenway Road, a curious Bree-lander name for what is better known as the North-South Road. The ruins are in the late Arnorian style of stonework, and was perhaps finished just before the fracturing of the Kingdom of Arnor. If the fortification had a name during this time, it has sadly been lost, instead standing tall as a series of stone walls huddled against the hillside.
Its position suggests it once served to watch over the busy road leading to Fornost Erain. Bandits have been known to prowl these lands today, and the Arnorians likely had similar problems back then. Having such fortifications would have allowed for a swift guard response to prevent bandits raiding trade caravans to and from Fornost Erain. The positioning of this fortification is excellent, since the hillside itself visually makes the fort appear larger than it actually was. Though no surviving evidence exists, I theorise the Arnorians perhaps built a wooden watchtower on top of the hill, to have the dual purpose of covering the fort’s blind-side, and to perhaps maintain contact with other nearby settlements with beacons or message-carrying ravens.
Part II - The Cirith Núr Crossing
Further on up the North-South Road is the Bree-lander frontier settlement of Trestlebridge, named so for the giant bridge that spans the Cirith Núr Chasm. Though the settlement is of Bree-lander construction, the Trestlespan Bridge has Arnorian foundations, and rather than continuing the road around the chasm decided to build a more direct path North. However, after the fall of the Northern Kingdoms, the bridge was yet another victim of disrepair, something which was not aided by the Orcs and other hostile forces which dwell in the North-Downs, very real threats that the people of Trestlebridge still struggle against to this day. It makes sense for the Bree-landers to choose to repair the Arnorian bridge, albeit with wood and slate. Dúnedain Lore-Masters of the past have made note of the title of Lord of the Cirith Núr Crossing having existed. The title was last held by an Arthedain noble named Gorvon, the Third of his name, of the House of Athrad, who had governed the region since the bridge was constructed. Their castle was built where Trestlebridge stands today, though Dúnedain scholars have suggested there were garrisons either side of the Cirith Núr chasm. This, to my understanding, would have been important in ensuring the defence of one of the most crucial parts of the North-South Road. Why the Bree-landers chose not to use the castle is unclear. Perhaps nothing remained of it after the Northern Kingdoms ceased to be, and it made more sense to wipe the slate clean and start again.
Part III - Esteldin, the Fortress of the Northern Dúnedain
My travels have taken my off the North-South Road towards the East North-Downs, where I may learn more Fornost Erain before visiting it. Hidden amongst the towering mountains and shielding forests of the Kingsfell, remains the remarkably preserved Arthedain town of Dolindîr, now referred to by its Dúnedain inhabitants as Esteldin, “Silent Hope”.
What makes Esteldin important is that, unlike other Arnorian and Arthedain settlements, the Dúnedain remained here long after the collapse of the Northern Kingdoms. Thus, a trove of documentation and history of Dolindîr survives within Esteldin’s library, specifically in a book titled ‘Of Arthedain and its Settlements’ written by an anonymous Dúnedain author. The town of Dolindîr finished construction in the Year 962 of the Third Age, commissioned by Beleg, the second King of Arthedain, as detailed on the town’s Founding Stone. These Founding Stones were the Arthedain way of commemorating the first stone placed down when a settlement was founded. Four other settlements within the North-Downs are also documented to have Founding Stones; Henneth Rhún; Duintham; Carnoglin and Ost Ardúlin.
Returning to Dolindîr, as the date suggests, it was built early in to Arthedain’s existence. It is likely King Beleg wished to expand his Kingdom’s control over the North Downs. This foresight would prove useful long after Beleg’s death, when the Lord of the Nazgûl travelled north and established the Kingdom of Angmar. Dolindîr, which saw extensive renovation, now served as a hidden fortress, watching over Angmar’s activity along their shared border. The outer walls and most of the surviving fortifications around the main keep were commissioned by the Arthedain King Malvegil in order to defend themselves from any attack should the settlement ever be discovered by Angmarim raiders.
The fact this settlement is inhabited today, albeit under a different name, is proof that the forces of Angmar never found Dolindîr, and thus it would serve as an enclave for the Dúnedain for years to come. Arassuil, son of Arahad, of the House of Caranor, the Lord of Dolindîr during the final destruction of Arthedain in the Year 1974, would forfeit the title to Aranarth, the First Chieftain of the Dúnedain and son of Arthedain’s last King Arvedui. Henceforth Dolindîr, now Esteldin, would serve essentially as the Chieftain’s seat of power. The House of Caranor would continue to serve the Chieftains of the Dunedain as Stewards of Esteldin. Halbarad Caranor, Kinsman to King Elessar, was the last of the line to hold the title. When he died during the fighting on the Pelennor Fields, he left no heir, and thus the title was granted to Hunhir of the House of Hithfaer after the War of the Ring.
Part IV - Merenost, the shadow of Ost Ardúlin
The documentation of the Arthedain settlements gave me access to names and even a map of other potential locations to visit. Whilst travelling with a party to clear a cave of trolls, we passed Ost Ardúlin, or Merenost as it is known today, nestled within the forest of Taur Gonwaith overlooking Lake Nen Harn. Its Founding Stone, elevated upon what once might have been a tower or domed hall, is inscribed the fading but still legible phrase “We might retreat from our cares, and take solace in such beauty” in Sindarin text on the ancient stone. What beauty were the Dúnedain that built this place referring to, one wonders? Perhaps it was the tranquillity I felt whilst sitting in that domed hall, with the gentle splash of the lake’s ripples and the breeze flowing through the stalwart trees? Was this a place of contemplation, and did Dúnedain scholars come here to meditate on their knowledge or even write song and verse of Númenorian heroes of old? Who can say, for very little survives on the history of this place, and even the library of Esteldin contains very little on its story. Furthermore, the tribes of Orcs who had a camp here until recently have certainly not aided in the preservation of the town’s history.
What does survive within the Library of Esteldin is that it was a village, constructed around the Year 1250 of the Third Age, that thrived on trade, specifically by water. It had a harbour that had access to trade routes anywhere along northern Bree-land, the Lone-Lands and the Nen Harn Temple on the largest island in the lake. Fishing was likely another key trade for the people who lived here. I suppose a comparison would be Pelargir, although I highly doubt the Arthedain fleet was kept here given the settlement’s size.
The town was overseen by the watchtower of Dol Nendír, which seems to have been the town’s only major defensive landmark despite its own walls. When the tower was captured by the forces of the Witch-King, Ost Ardúlin fell shortly thereafter. It now sits as a ghostly husk staring forever out over the lake. Curiously, Hill-men standing stones can be seen close to the ruins of Ost Ardúlin. Though they appear to be very old, I think these were placed down after Ost Ardúlin was sacked, perhaps as a sign of victory for the Hill-men who fought for Angmar, or maybe even in mockery of the town’s people.
The book ‘Of Arthedain and its Settlements’ has unlocked a wealth of knowledge in my work, of which I have only scratched the surface on in my findings. I have requested the Dúnedain of Esteldin to provide me a copy of the text so that the Houses of Lore can add it to the archive upon my return. Although I will not be able to visit them all, at least we have first-hand information on all the major settlements of Arthedain during its existence. Whether similar texts exist for Rhudaur and Cardolan, I am not sure, and more searching will need to be done, if they indeed do.
