Two Watchers



The Two Watchers were two statues located on the southeastern side of the Tower of Cirith Ungol. They served as guardians of the tower, creating an invisible barrier between them through the force of their will alone, which prevented any enemy from passing the gate. The statues seemed to be somewhat sentient, being aware and able to sense enemies visible or invisible. The statues, seated un-moveable on thrones, one on either side of the archway, had three joined bodies, one that faced inward, one that faced outward, and one that faced the other. The heads were like vultures, with black glittering eyes, and they had clawlike hands lain on their great knees. They seemed to be carved out of huge blocks of stone. Some evil spirit of vigilance lived in them.

During the quest to destroy the One Ring, the Hobbit Samwise Gamgee, came to the tower to save his friend and master Frodo Baggins. Sam used the Phial of Galadriel to pass the Watchers, but once he had done so the Watchers let out a terrible cry and an alarm bell was rung in the tower alerting the Orcs within that an intruder had entered. Sam succeeded in saving Frodo, and again used the Phial to escape from the tower. The Watchers again let out their terrible cry as the two Hobbits passed them with the archway collapsing behind them.

It is unknown by whom these statues were built, though it is likely they were made by Sauron, though it also possible that he might have only supplied the evil spirit within them, and that the Men of Gondor, who built the tower itself, may have built the statues.

In the films and Video Games
The Watchers appear in Peter Jackson’s film version of Return of the King, and in the Return of the King video game, though in them they are nothing more then statues, and do not block the entrance or escape of enemies.

Categories:Characters