Glittering Caves

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Glittering Caves
Cave
Ted Nasmith - The Glittering Caves.jpg
"The Glittering Caves" by Ted Nasmith
General Information
Other namesAglarond (Sindarin)
Glǽmscrafu (Rohirric)
LocationWhite Mountains, behind Helm's Deep
TypeCave
DescriptionBeautiful jewelled caverns
People and History
InhabitantsRohirrim
Later Durin's Folk
EventsBattle of the Hornburg
GalleryImages of the Glittering Caves

The Glittering Caves, in Sindarin called Aglarond, were the spectacular jewelled caverns that lay in the White Mountains behind Helm's Deep in Rohan.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The Glittering Caves were located behind Helm's Deep under the three peaks of the Thrihyrne in the northwestern arm of the White Mountains. The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.[1]

The entrance to the caves was behind the Deeping Wall in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught, making them an ideal refuge location.

Gimli called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World. Reportedly, Legolas was left speechless after visiting them, one of the few times that a dwarf has bested an elf with words.

History[edit | edit source]

Aglarond was explored during the Second Age by Númenóreans, although it is unclear exactly when and by whom.[2] Later, after the founding of Rohan it was used as a storage space and refuge for Rohirrim who used the Hornburg.

War of the Ring[edit | edit source]

During the Battle of the Hornburg on 3-4 March, T.A. 3019, many of the women, children, and elderly people of the Westfold took refuge in the Glittering Caves. Livestock and food were stored there as well.

Some Orcs crept through a culvert in the Deeping Wall and entered the gorge but were killed or driven back by the defenders. Then the Deeping Wall was breached by an explosive device and the Enemy forces entered the Deep. Many of the Rohirrim including Éomer were driven back to the Glittering Caves, and with them was Gimli.[3]

After the war Gimli brought Legolas to see the caves; the Elf was so impressed that he was silent and said that only Gimli could fittingly describe them.[4]

As a Dwarven colony[edit | edit source]

When Gimli Elf-friend was held up in the caves, he was amazed by their beauty. After the War of the Ring he brought from Erebor part of Durin's Folk and founded a colony in the caves, becoming the first Lord of the Glittering Caves. The Dwarves of the Glittering Caves carefully tended the stone walls and opened new ways and chambers and hung lamps that filled the caverns with light.[5] The Glittering Caves became one of the most important realms of the Dwarves at the beginning of the Fourth Age.[6]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Aglarond is Sindarin and contains the elements aglar+rond, therefore "Caves of Glory". However since the word aglar is related to light, the Westron "Glittering Caves" can be the exact translation.

In Rohirric it is called Glǽmscrafu (the sc is pronounced as [sh]), meaning "caves of radiance".[7]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

The Glittering Caves are one of very few locations in Tolkien's work that are associated with a real place. They were inspired by the Cheddar Gorge in Somerset.[8]

References