Amon Anwar


 * See also Warning beacons of Gondor

Amon Anwar (Sindarin Hill of Awe), originally Eilenaer, later Halifirien (Rohirric The Holy Mountain), is the location of several great events in the history of Gondor, and was originally considered the centre of the Realm. Amon Anwar stood up out of a great wood around its feet. The hill was long and sloping and the wood went almost to the summit.

While it was considered the centre of Gondor, it would be better described as the spiritual centre of Gondor, as it was the high place nearest to the centre of a line from the inflow of of the Limelight down to the southern cape of Tol Falas and the distance to it was equal from the Fords of Isen and Minas Tirith

The Tomb of Elendil
After the War of the Last Alliance, Isildur defined the bounds of Gondor and, upon discovering that this was the centre of Gondor, he entombed his father Elendil the Faithful here and it was at this time that the hill's name became Amon Anwar, as Isildur had called the protection of the Valar upon that hilltop, and they had granted it. Isildur swore all those present to secrecy and forbid anyone save a Heir of Elendil from disturbing it. The tomb then stayed untouched by any save the Kings of Gondor and later, their Stewards.

The Oath of Eorl
In the time of the twelth Ruling Steward, Cirion, Gondor was faced with a massive invasion of a land they could not protect, Calenardhon which had been depopulated in the great plauge of 1636, though it had not been greatly populated to begin with. Cirion called upon the aid of the Éothéod and in return for their aid, he surrendered Calenardhon to them, Until the Great King should return. Although by this time the lives of eleven Stewards had passed before him, no one in Gondor ever expected that the King would return.

Cirion took Eorl, Lord of the Éothéod to the hallowed site of Amon Anwar and there before the Tomb of Elendil they swore what would be in later days known as the Oath of Eorl, giving Calenardhon to the Éothéod, and promising eternal friendship between the two Kingdoms. As Amon Anwar was no longer the centre of Gondor, rather its border, Cirion removed the Casket that Isildur had set upon the hill two thousand years earlier to Rath Dínen, the Silent Street, where all other Kings of Gondor were entombed.

The Warning Beacon
Also, chain of Warning Beacons was established along the line of the Ered Nimrais to warn South Gondor of danger in Calenardhon, and vice-versa. Later this was used to warn Anorien of Danger to Gondor and Rohan also. The westernmost and last built becaon was situated upon Amon Anwar, and was only created after the Tomb of Elendil was removed to Rath Dinen, as no Lord of Gondor, King or steward had permitted the construction of a beacon whilst Elendil still remained there.

Even after Elendil was removed to Minas Tirith, the Awe still remained upon the hill, and its surrounding forest. The Beacon Wardens would live close to the Summit only for short watches in specially constructed cabins. Except when there was a noise of animals in the forest, or of folk along the road, they would find themselves speaking to their compainions in whispers, as if they expected a great voice from long ago to speak. The Wardens were the only people to live in those woods, and were glad when their tour of duty was over. The mound of Elendil's Tomb remained upon the top of the hill from the time that Isildur hallowed it until the Changing of the world, always in a well-kept, green field.

Bibilography

 * Unfinished Tales by JRR Tolkien (All quotes in italics are from this book)