The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Destroyed at the end of the First Age
Location
On the upper course of the river Aros at the eastern end of Nan Dungortheb, on the border between Dor Dínen and Himlad
Race
Culture
Source
Aros flowed down to the crossing from two separate sources in Ered Gorgoroth to the north
Outflow
Aros ran on along the borders of Doriath to meet Sirion far to the southwest
Pronunciation
Aros is pronounced 'a'ros'
Meaning
Aros means 'bloody', referring to the river's reddish colour
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 28 August 2020
  • This entry is complete

Fords of Aros

The crossings on the upper River Aros

Map of the Fords of Aros

The River Aros had its sources in the hills of Dorthonion. Where it was met by an inflowing stream out of the same hills, an ancient east-west road crossed the river at a ford. This was the place known as the Fords of Aros, or the Arossiach in Elvish. The ford marked the boundary between two regions. To the east was Himlad, and the other lands held by the sons of Fëanor. To the west was the Silent Land of Dor Dínen, and beyond it the perilous valley of Nan Dungortheb.

The Fords of Aros seem to date back to the days before the beginning of the First Age, when the roads north of Doriath were safe to travel. After the coming of Ungoliant, and the raising of the Girdle of Melian, the lands west of the Arossiach became a haunted and dangerous place, and in later years the Fords were only used by the bravest or most desperate travellers.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 28 August 2020
  • This entry is complete

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