The Morgulduin was a river of Gondor that began in Morgul Vale in the Ephel Dúath. It ran westward past Minas Morgul until it reached the Cross-roads in Ithilien, where its course turned southwest until it entered the Anduin just south of Osgiliath. Just to the north of the stream was the road from Osgiliath to Minas Morgul.[1]
History
It is probable that the original name of the river was Ithilduin[2] and that it was renamed Morgulduin at the same time as Minas Ithil was renamed Minas Morgul after its capture by the Nazgûl in T.A. 2002.[3][4]
On March 9, T.A. 3019[5] as Frodo, Sam, and Gollum were approaching the Cross-roads they heard the voice of the river, which sounded cold and cruel.[6] At the time of the War of the Ring the water from the river was not suitable for drinking.[7] Near the bridge over the river some way into the Morgul Vale cold vapours issued from the river who sickened Frodo[8] on March 10.[9]
Etymology
It has been suggested that Morgulduin is a Sindarin name meaning "black magic river" and consisting of mor(n) ("dark", "black"), gul ("magic", "necromancy") and duin ("river").[10]
Ithilduin is a Sindarin name. Its meaning is not glossed, but Roman Rausch suggests that it means "moon-river" and consists of ithil ("moon") and duin ("river").[11]
Portrayal in adaptations
2015: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Morgulduin originates above the Minas Morgul in the former cisterns of the city, now corrupted into "Eithel Gwaur", the Filth-well. Its River-maiden "Rauniel" was killed and devoured by a creature that now lives in and pollutes her domain. The corruption of the river is unmistakable along its course, even after it flows out of the Morgul Vale into Ithilien, with only the mighty current of the Anduin itself able to safely dillute the poisoned waters.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Ring, "Part Two: The Ring Goes East", "VII. Journey to the Cross-roads", "Duin Morghul - formerly Ithilduin", p. 181
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2002, p. 1087
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond", pp. 244-5
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, March 9, p. 1093
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Journey to the Cross-Roads", p. 697
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Journey to the Cross-Roads", p. 694
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol", p. 704
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, March 10, p. 1093
- ↑ Association Tolkiendil, "Compound Sindarin Names in Middle-earth", Tolkiendil.com, accessed 3 January 2012
- ↑ Roman Rausch, "2.46 Ithilduin, Duin Morghul", Sindanoorie.net, accessed 26 January 2022