#halbarad

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

I'm still thinking about banner bearers as I continue working on my Obscure Blorbo Guthláf story, and I do find it impressive how much context about the banner bearer role Tolkien shoved into LOTR in barely half a dozen sentences' worth of small references.

For starters, there are (by my count) 3 acknowledged banner bearers in Lord of the Rings: Halbarad of the rangers of the North, Guthláf of Rohan (♥️), and an unnamed Haradrim standard bearer. I reject the distinction Tolkien made between so-called high, middle and low Men, but it is notable nonetheless that he created a banner bearer character from each of these 3 groups. That shows how universally important the function was, at least to communities of Men, just as it was extremely common in the real world for many hundreds of years of human history. All kinds of Middle Earth's Men have them, no matter how different the Men are from one another.

In addition, all 3 of the banner bearer characters die at the Pelennor Fields, which effectively illustrates how incredibly dangerous a job it was, both in Middle Earth and real life. Given how intentional Tolkien is about everything, I think it's fair to assume that he purposefully killed all of them in recognition of the realities of ancient warfare. (The only banner bearer I can think of in any Tolkien book that survives their war is Eönwë in the Silmarillion, but he's an immortal Maia so...TOTALLY different circumstances.)

And finally, Tolkien shows us how significant the loss of a banner bearer was to both sides in a battle. When Théoden kills the unnamed Haradrim standard bearer (just before the Witch King rolls up), that's the moment when the forces of Harad founder and start to flee because they've lost their rallying point and their source of morale. They can't function without their banner bearer. On the opposite side, Théoden cites his felling of the black serpent flag to Merry as one of the singular achievements that will allow him to sit proudly alongside his ancestors in the afterlife, so he clearly also understands taking out a banner bearer to be a massive battle achievement.

We don't witness Halbarad or Guthláf’s final moments, but their deaths are just as significant. Out of the untold numbers of dead at the Pelennor Fields, they are both in the small handful of names to be recorded in the story because they were important and their deaths meant something to the broader battle. And we see in the immediate aftermath of Guthláf’s death what a huge deal it is to the Rohirrim—they stop to address his death and retrieve his banner so that it can be borne by another before they even take the time to tend to their mortally wounded king. Those are the actions of people who understand how strategically important a banner bearer is above almost all other battlefield functions.

I'm not trying to say Guthláf is more important than Théoden* but I am saying that Tolkien really demonstrated, through a handful of very economical little actions and asides and unremarked-upon events, how critical people like Guthláf were, as well as how ridiculously brave and selfless. And more than anything else, I guess I’m saying that now, as I approach 27,000 words about Guthláf in my Google docs, he’s…on my mind a lot.

*At this point, I would absolutely say this for myself. In my heart, there's no contest and it's Guthláf forever. But I know that’s because he’s my special li’l guy and I don’t expect that of anyone else!

#lotr #lord of the rings #tolkien #banner bearers #halbarad #guthlaf #guthláf #poor unnamed haradrim #banner bearers of middle earth #niche interests

[merilles]

@tolkienocweek day 1: family members

something rather unexplored in lord of the rings is aragorn's human side of the family, those left behind in esteldín. gilraen's younger sister elanna marries halbarad, and together they have three children: amdír, fíriel, and halros. all three would become rangers of the north like their father, serving to protect the free peoples. however, elanna would perish of a dark illness, amdír slain by the nazgûl, and halbarad fallen at aragorn's side in the battle of the pelennor fields.

#tolkienocweek #tolkien #lord of the rings #lotr #lord of the rings online #lotro #dunedain #rangers #original characters #ocs #original female characters #ofcs #tolkien oc #lotr oc #oc: firiel #oc: elanna #amdir #halbarad #art #fanart #lotr fanart #oc art #my art #merilles

[tolkienosaurus]

#tolkien #lord of the rings #lotr #treebeard #celeborn #galadriel #elrond #halbarad #eomer #imrahil #theoden #aragorn

[thelordofgifs]

Obscure Tolkien Blorbo: Round 1

Finduilas Faelivrin vs Halbarad

Finduilas Faelivrin:

The daughter of Orodreth and princess of Nargothrond. She was betrothed to Gwindor, but fell in love with Túrin when he came to Nargothrond. She died after being captured by orcs in that kingdom’s fall.

princess of a hidden kingdom having to witness the general absurdity of first age beleriand and the specific absurdity that is beren & luthien's story, turin's story, and celegorm & curufin fucking with the local politics. has one of the more brutal & memorable deaths in the silm, which is kinda a high bar. sometimes she's also gil-galad, and everyone looks at fin-galad and goes 'that's free Gender', and that's neat :)

Halbarad:

Ranger of the north & commander of the Grey Company.

He's just a neat ranger.

og ranger blorbo!! he has like three lines and one of them is about how he's gonna die if he follows aragorn on the paths of the dead and then he does anyway

He is a ranger and I love him. Enough said. ok maybe I've said "enough", but I'll keep talking anyway! he's Aragorns' bestie and they have a big ol hug as soon as they meet up in the books bc they're just so happy to see each other!!! look, look, I'm just SUCH a big supporter of men being openly platonically affectionate with one another. let Aragorn hug his ranger friend. Aragorn needs a hug. he's also the only named member of the Grey Company in the books and he gives a much needed look into how the other rangers besides Aragorn act, how he doesn't begrudge his role as a thankless protector of the Shire ("A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk. Little do they know of our long labor for the safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not.") and how even though he's implied to have foresight and knows he's going to die on the Pelenor he still follows Aragorn. (at the Paths of the Dead: "This is an evil door, and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless...") he's just. so good. I love the rangers so much :') we see so little of him but he was So important

Round 1 masterpost

#obscure tolkien blorbo #VOTE FINDUILAS FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY. I'M SO SERIOUS ABOUT THIS. #queue #finduilas #halbarad

[oxbridge-scribbles]

6 March: Aragorn overtaken by the Dúnedain in the early hours.

'Halbarad Dúnadan, Ranger of the North I am,' cried the man. 'We seek one Aragorn son of Arathorn, and we heard that he was in Rohan.'

'And you have found him also!' cried Aragorn. Giving his reins to Merry, he ran forward and embraced the newcomer. 'Halbarad!' he said. 'Of all joys this is the least expected!' - "The Passing of the Grey Company," The Return of the King

#lotr #tolkien #halbarad #aragorn #picture-scribbles #to clean one day maybe

[poetry-draws]

Go go Regular Rangers! Mighty, Moving, Regular Rangers!

@isi7140's machination :P

#lotro #grey company #golodir #corunir #halbarad #radanir #idhrien #lothrandir #dfjgdsfjkhgsdjfhglkdsjhgksdgf #this was designed to look as.... not plastic as possible lol #assume the tailor's guild had a field day

[kevin-sedai]

"For now men leaped from the ships to the quays of the Harlond and swept north like a storm. There came Legolas, and Gimli wielding his age, and Halbarad with the standard, and Elladan and Elrohir with stars on their brow, and the dour-handed Dúnedain, Rangers of the North, leading a great valour of the folk of Lebennin and Lamedon and the fiefs of the South. But before all went Aragorn, with the Flame kf the West, Andúril like a new fire kindled, Narsil re-forged as deadly as of old; and upon his brow was the Star of Elendil."

-Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien

#lotr #aragorn #legolas #gimli #elladan #elrohir #halbarad

[safifonhasstrel]

:)

#the rings of power #trop #lotr rop #haladriel #galadriel #halbarad #sauron #ring of power edit #haladriel edit #mine #my gif

[bestwitchsam]

#galadriel x halbrand #halbrand x galadriel #galadriel headers #galadriel icons #galadriel #halbrand #halbarad #lor #lord of the rings #ringsofpower #the rings of power season finale #rings of power season finale #rings of power #the rings of power #galadriel x sauron #sauron x galadriel #sauron #sauron headers #sauron icons #charlie vickers #morfydd clark

[hallothere]

is 31 for Lothrandir too obvious of a choice? 👀

"You came back for me. You actually came back for me."

"Steady." Halbarad's voice was low and calm. He kept Lothrandir upright, without too much of the appearance he was doing so. They were both caked with mud, the detritus of Orthanc, and wounds they fought to keep hidden. Of the two, Halbarad was far better equipped to walk.

"You did not have to come." Lothrandir said, more shakily. "You are to Rohan, and to allies, you would not have needed--"

"Radanir." Halbarad called sharply, interrupting him. "Go ahead of us and tell Dagoras to make ready that camp. We may not rest the full night but we will have need of it." Not letting Lothrandir get a word in, he continued. "Golodir, inform Daervunn of the situation. Aragorn too, if he's not in conference. Corunir, I need you to make sure Mercy is left alone as she leaves."

Golodir muttered something under his breath but all three went to their tasks. Halbarad continued to push at their slower pace until they were out in the sunlight. He pushed more still until they were on a dry patch of ground. It came as no surprise to him when Lothrandir tried to collapse.

"Easy." Halbarad's grip was strong and firm. "You are free. You need not fear anything or anyone here. You are safe."

"He... told me I was the last..."

"We are... not all survived Tur Morva's cells, but we are still thirty strong."

A sob.

"Aragorn is here, and he is hale and unhurt. He will wish to see you. The others will wish to see you."

"Calenglad?"

"Alive and well."

"...Techeron?"

"Better, even. Almost unhurt."

"Braigiar?"

"...."

Lothrandir became heavier a moment, then tried to right himself. Halbarad held him steady.

"There will be time later. I am... I am well enough to go on."

"The wounded from Helm's Deep are bound for Edoras." Halbarad said gently.

"But not I." More firmly, Lothrandir planted his feet. He took more of his own weight and strove to walk on his own power. "I will ride with you wherever our road leads. I will do this."

"Are you sure?"

Lothrandir looked at him then, really looked. "Do you question my commitment or my loyalty?"

Halbarad frowned. "I have led... led many man to a death that might not have been. Do you wish me to lead you to yours?"

"I wish... only for home, and to protect it as I may. To have it stand... if I return or not."

Halbarad closed his eyes. He sighed heavily and took Lothrandir's weight once more.

"You will ride with Dagoras and refuse no healer's aid. Do you swear to do so?"

"I swear."

"Then come. Let us turn our backs to this place."

#lotro #ask games #lothrandir #halbarad #*screams* #it was very fun thank you thank you #fic tag

[camille-lachenille]

#polls #lotr poll #friendship #aragorn #gimli #eomer #eowyn #faramir #merry #pippin #gandalf #beregond #halbarad #bilbo baggins #treebeard #elrond #the lord of the rings

[fistfuloflightning]

This is an evil door and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless.

#lotr #halbarad #dunedain #my art #just rewatched born of hope and the glimpses of bby halbarad made me reread the passing of the grey company bc I like suffering apparently #this is my emotional support art 😢 #tolkien art

[aurore-parle-de-ses-idees]

Panic, .....Halbarad?

greetings from tur morva! at the very beginning of when Things Start Happening :)

The wind off the lake in the shadow of Methedras is cold, remembering the ice in the heights and the snow on the peaks, but the fires are warm and enough of the people of Tûr Morva are welcoming that they can forget the wind, for a time.

Halbarad waves a greeting to Radanir, who has been in a foul mood for nearing three days now, and continues into the caves where Calenglad had said he would wait. Just inside the heavy door he finds a pile of crates, a familiar cloak draped over one of the stacks.

“Oh! Hello, Ranger,” calls one of the Hebog-lûth girls with a bright smile. “Your friend told me you would be coming; he said he would help Maelona carry some of these crates down into the drier tunnels and join you as soon as he could.”

Halbarad thanks her and steps back outside, the cool air sharp enough to bite but still preferable to the stuffiness of the caves near the entrance. A small bird lands on a low stone wall nearby and looks at Halbarad inquisitively, as if he has some news for it. The Sun comes around the shoulder of the mountain and he lets his hood down, content to soak in whatever warmth she will provide this time of year. Someone calls out once elsewhere in the village. It’s peaceful.

Esterín and Lothrandir pass him, deep in quiet conversation, and enter the caves. Golodir enters the caves as well, bearing a tray of sweet-smelling tarts that steam in the mountain air, stopping just long enough to make a face at Halbarad when he swipes one.

“If you see Calenglad,” Halbarad adds as an afterthought, “tell him I’m only waiting on him.” Golodir eyes him carefully.

“Anything urgent?”

“Next steps,” Halbarad answers. “I am growing anxious to move on.” Golodir nods, some faint wistfulness briefly touching his face, and goes.

Some time later, neither Calenglad nor Golodir have returned from the caves and Halbarad begins to frown. How deep in the caves can they be? Surely it should not have taken this long to move the crates, even if they made several trips.

“Halbarad?” Corunir’s voice stops him. Worried, though he tries to contain it. “Have you seen Golodir? He should have been back by now. Idele is getting impatient; she set aside a tray of berry tarts for him, but they’re getting cold just sitting out.”

“He went down into the caves perhaps an hour ago,” Halbarad says, worry growing in the back of his mind. “I haven’t seen him since.” Neither Esterín nor Lothrandir have come back, either. “Corunir,” he says, very quietly. “Is anyone else unaccounted for?” Corunir’s gaze snaps to him, sharpening at his tone.

“No one has been noticed missing yet,” he says after a moment’s thought. “But I haven’t seen Idhrien or Braigiar in some time, and there are fewer of us about than there should be for the hour.” Halbarad takes the handle of the thick, heavy door that keeps the howling of the wind on one side and the caves on the other. His other hand finds the hilt of his sword. Corunir takes up a position just behind him. “I have not seen the Brenin either,” he says. Halbarad nods grimly.

“Stay close.”

He had hoped it would not come to this. He had taken Lothrandir’s counsel with all the weight it merited, and with his own judgement he had thought the Falcon Clan sincere, even those who had nearly as little love for the Dúnedain as for the White Hand. He had dared, for just a moment, to believe they could find allies here as they had in Lhanuch, and now he can only beg whatever Powers may be listening that it was not the wrong choice.

Calenglad’s cloak is still draped over the crates. No more of them have gone down into the caves.

The upper cells are empty. Halbarad sweeps deeper into the damp caves, Corunir silent at his back and eyes alight with sharp-edged worry.

They come upon a fallen tray, small tarts scattered about and crushed underfoot. There is blood there, too. Halbarad draws his sword. Corunir curses softly behind him. “Go,” Halbarad says under his breath. Corunir turns a sharp look on him, protest already in his eyes. “Now,” Halbarad hisses. “Find anyone still free and leave the village. Find the Rohirrim in the Gravenwood.” Corunir’s eyes flick to the scattered apple tarts. “Corunir, there is no time.” He tries to gentle his voice. “I will find him. You are swifter than me; take everyone you can.” Corunir closes his eyes and whispers a vicious oath.

Someone shouts, deep in the caves, and then Halbarad is running, not looking back to see if Corunir heeds his command. Fear rises in Halbarad’s throat and he crushes it ruthlessly. There will be time enough for that later, but first he must know what has happened.

He turns a corner, and there are five Falcons against three of the Company with naked blades, and he throws himself at their backs sword-first.

But Tirneth still falls heavily to the ground, and more of the warriors of Tûr Morva come down into the caves behind him, and though in their surprise they lose hold of the sons of Elrond, the sound of the fighting draws more attention from other tunnels, and soon they are surrounded. Halbarad fights desperately, panic buzzing from the back of his neck to his sword-hand, but the Falcons are many and this is their territory, and at last someone crashes into the back of his knees and sends him to the ground. A knife is put to his throat and the others are commanded to stand down, and to his great despair, blades clatter to the mossy stone and they are hauled away, one by one, into cold, wet cells to await Lheu Brenin’s pleasure.

#ask games #my stories #i *did* write this on the plane with like. my old notes from the other tur morva thing i wrote and nothing else lol so #if there are inconsistencies oh well #i also tried to work on the other ones and immediately got sidetracked by other project involving halbarad so! this is the presentable one #i think #halbarad #golodir #corunir #ty friend <3

[taleweaver-ramblings]

I was rereading the Battle of Pelennor Fields chapter in RotK today, and I didn't realize until just now that Halbarad (Ranger, apparently leader of the Dunedain — or at least their spokesperson) died in that battle. And now I'm feeling rather sad knowing it. He doesn't have an especially large role, but we know he was Aragorn's friend — or, at least, it seems to me that he and Aragorn were good friends from the way Aragorn greets him when he turns up with the Rangers and Elrond's sons in tow.

Halbarad receives word that Aragorn needs him and the rest of the Dunedain. He gathers his kin and they make the journey to Rohan, riding hard and fast, hoping that they will be able to answer the summons in time, hoping that they'll find Aragorn before it's too late for them to do any good, whatever situation he's in.

He finds Aragorn. He hears of Aragorn's plan to walk the Paths of the Dead, and he follows him. They reach the door to the path, and what does he say?

"This is an evil door . . . and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless."

Did he know he was riding to his doom? Had he some word from Elrond or Galadriel? Some instinct or foresight from his Numenorian heritage? Or was it a whisper, a suspicion that proved to be true? It doesn't really matter. He knew or suspected, but he rode on anyway because of his duty and his friendship with Aragorn. He carried Aragorn's standard into battle for him, knowing that made him more of a target. And in the battle of Pelennor Fields, he fell, far from home and never to return again.

#of late I am plagued with feels over comparatively minor LOTR characters #not sure what to do about it #there are worse problems to have tho #it may be the influence of frodo-with-glasses #but then again #who knows? #the lord of the rings #halbarad #taleweaver speaks

[caenith]

'I have thirty with me,' said Halbarad. 'That is all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste; but the brethren Elladan and Elrohir have ridden with us, desiring to go to the war. We rode as swiftly as we might when your summons came.'

THEM!!! <3

#tolkien #lotr #lotr newsletter #elladan and elrohir #halbarad #<3

[oxbridge-scribbles]

'Where is Aragorn?' he asked.

'In a high chamber of the Burg,' said Legolas. 'He has neither rested nor slept, I think. He went thither some hours ago, saying that he must take thought, and only his kinsman, Halbarad, went with him; but some dark doubt or care sits on him.' - "The Passing of the Grey Company," The Return of the King

#lotr #tolkien #aragorn #halbarad #picture-scribbles #another sos from the bottomless wip folder #sometimes I wonder what else Aragorn might have seen in the palantir