Sceptre of Annúminas
The Sceptre of Annúminas was a silver rod, originally the symbol of office of the Lords of Andúnië in Númenor. It survived the Downfall, and was held by the Kings of Arnor while that realm lasted. After the division of the North-kingdom, it was handed down through the generations of the Kings of Arthedain until the death of the last king, Arvedui, in T.A. 1975. After that the sceptre was kept in Rivendell.[1]
In 2951, when Aragorn was twenty years old, Elrond gave him the other heirlooms of the House of Elendil, but he withheld the Sceptre saying that Aragorn had yet to earn it.[2] After the War of the Ring, when Elrond arrived in Minas Tirith with his daughter Arwen, he handed the sceptre to Aragorn, who had been crowned as King Elessar.[3] By this time the sceptre was likely the most ancient work of Men’s hands preserved in Middle-earth, being more than five thousand years old.[1]
During the reign of Elessar, some lands of Eriador (former Arnor) such as the Shire, were said to be under the protection of the Northern Sceptre.[4]
In Fo.A. 120, on his deathbed, Elessar gave the sceptre of Arnor and the Crown of Gondor into the hands of his son, Eldarion.[2]
Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]
2021: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Elrond brings the Sceptre of Annúminas with him on the journey to Arwen's wedding in Minas Tirith.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur" "The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain", p. 1043
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King", p. 972
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
