Khamûl

From Tolkien Gateway
Khamûl
Man (early)
Ringwraith (later)
John Howe - Khamûl the Easterling.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesShadow of the East, the Black Easterling
PositionSecond-in-command to Witch-king
LocationEast of Middle-earth
Mordor
Dol Guldur
AffiliationSauron and Witch-king
BirthSecond Age
East of Middle-earth
Death25 March T.A. 3019 (aged 4200+)
Battle of the Morannon
Notable forCommanding Dol Guldur
Pursuing Frodo Baggins
Physical Description
RaceMan (early)
Ringwraith (later)
GenderMale
SteedBlack horse
GalleryImages of Khamûl

Khamûl[note 1] was one of the nine Ringwraiths, second only to the Witch-king himself. He was called Sauron's lieutenant, "Shadow of the East", [1] and "the Second Chief" or "the Black Easterling"[2].

History

He was a king of Easterlings during the Second Age, and he was one of the nine Men to whom Sauron gave one of the Rings of Power. Like the others, he became a powerful sorcerer and ruler until eventually faded into a Wraith and his will was surrendered to Sauron.[3] By S.A. 2251 he was already one of Sauron's servants.[4]

It was said that, after the Witch-king, Khamûl was most ready to perceive the presence of the One Ring, but his power was most confused and diminished by daylight.

In T.A. 2951 Sauron returned to Mordor and declared openly to his enemies. Khamûl and two other Ringwraiths were sent to the fortress of Dol Guldur and Khamûl took command.[5]

Gaffer Gamgee and the Black Rider by Stephen Hickman

During the War of the Ring he was one of the Ringwraiths who entered the Shire, and asked Hamfast Gamgee for "Baggins". However it was the day after Frodo Baggins had left Hobbiton, and he then pursued the Hobbits to Bucklebury Ferry in the Shire some days later.[2]

Following the destruction of the One Ring, Khamûl perished with the rest of the Ringwraiths.[6]

See also

Notes

  1. He was the only Ringwraith whose name is revealed in the Legendarium.

References