Cross-roads

From Tolkien Gateway
At the Cross-roads by Ted Nasmith

The Cross-roads of the Fallen King was the point in the land of Ithilien where the north-south Harad Road was crossed by the east-west road from Osgiliath to Minas Ithil (later Minas Morgul).[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Originally maintained by the Men of Gondor, who grew tall trees and built a statue of a king, the Cross-roads had effectively fallen under the control of Sauron at the time of the War of the Ring. Orcs had befouled the statue; its head had been knocked off and replaced by a stone effigy.

On their way to Mordor, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum came to the Cross-roads around 10 March. They were in a belt of trees of vast size. Next to the road leading to Osgiliath they found the defiled statue, but seeing its fallen head gave Frodo hope, for nature crowned it with flowers.[2]

Sometime later, in the evening of 18 March, a vanguard of Army of the West passed by the Cross-roads. Aragorn ordered a fanfare of trumpeteers and ceremoniously reclaimed the lands in the name of the Lords of Gondor. Soldiers broke the defiling stone-head and restored the statue also washing the scrawls away.

The next day they were joined by the main Host. Before leaving, they stationed a strong force of archers there, to guard against any attack from the East or South, and resumed their course towards Mordor.[3]

Inconsistencies[edit | edit source]

The statue of the Fallen King is said to have a carven beard in the text.[4] However, in a note published in The Nature of Middle-earth, Tolkien stated that the kingly line of Númenor (and subsequently Gondor and Arnor) would be unable to grow beards due to their Elvish ancestry.[5]

See also[edit | edit source]

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