Henneth Annûn

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Henneth Annûn
Cave
Ted Nasmith - Henneth Annûn.jpg
"Henneth Annûn" by Ted Nasmith
General Information
Other namesWindow on the West, Window of the Sunset
LocationNorth Ithilien
TypeCave
DescriptionA cave and hidden refuge behind a waterfall
People and History
InhabitantsRangers of Ithilien
EventsFaramir meets Frodo, Sam, and Gollum
GalleryImages of Henneth Annûn

Henneth Annûn was a hidden Gondorian outpost north-east of Cair Andros in North Ithilien.[1] During the War of the Ring, Faramir son of Steward Denethor II had his base of operations there, and Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee were taken there by his company.

This secret dwelling consisted of a cave behind a west-facing waterfall, the Window-curtain, overlooking an oval pool. The cave had been excavated by the stream feeding the waterfall, which originally fell from the hole in the cliff constituting the window in the name, but that stream had since been diverted and the tunnel sealed, save for a concealed entrance.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

In the days of Steward Túrin II most of the remaining people of Ithilien departed due to the influx of Mordor-orcs. In response, he had many secret outposts and refuges established for his soldiers and in T.A. 2901[3] Henneth Annûn was constructed. It remained the longest guarded and manned.[4]

On 1 March 3019 Faramir left Minas Tirith to go to Henneth Annûn to prepare a raid against enemy soldiers marching north through Ithilien. When the raid occurred on 7 March Faramir also met Frodo and Sam, and afterwards brought them to the hidden cave.[5]

Ted Nasmith - The Window on the West

Frodo and Sam were led blindfolded into the cave and had their eyes uncovered just as sunset shone through the curtain of water. Faramir fed and spoke with the two travellers, gradually gaining their trust until Sam accidentally revealed Frodo's possession of the One Ring. However, Faramir resisted any temptation to seize it for himself. Later in the night, Gollum came to the Forbidden Pool beneath the cave. In order to save his life, Frodo had to draw in the creature until Faramir's men could capture him. Frodo convinced Faramir to spare Gollum even though Faramir had his doubts.

On the morning of 8 March, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum were allowed to depart from Henneth Annûn to continue their journey into Mordor. The next day, Faramir and his men vacated the refuge;[5] three followed their captain to Minas Tirith while the remainder of the company rode to Osgiliath.[6] The refuge remained abandoned during the rest of the War of the Ring.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Henneth Annûn is also known as "Window of the Sunset" and "Window on the West", which are its translations in Sindarin.

References

Route of the Fellowship of the Ring
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Rohan · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Dunharrow · Paths of the Dead · Gondor · Hill of Erech · Lamedon · Linhir · Lebennin · Pelargir · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Boromir
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen
Frodo and Sam
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Dead Marshes · Black Gate · Ithilien · Henneth Annûn · Cross-roads · Morgul Vale · Stairs of Cirith Ungol · Cirith Ungol · Shelob's Lair · Tower of Cirith Ungol · Mordor · Morgai · Plateau of Gorgoroth · Mount Doom · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Gandalf
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Celebdil† · Lothlórien · Fangorn Forest · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Merry
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Hornburg · Dunharrow · Drúadan Forest · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Pippin
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Amon Hen · Parth Galen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Gondor · Cair Andros · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard