The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Probably placed after the capture of the Tower of Cirith Ungol in III 20021
Location
At the gates of the Tower of Cirith Ungol
Settlements
Passes
Guarded the pass of Cirith Ungol
Other names
Silent Watchers; sometimes abbreviated to simply 'Watchers'

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About this entry:

  • Updated 31 July 2017
  • This entry is complete

Two Watchers

Sentinels of the Tower of Cirith Ungol

Two carved figures that guarded the gateway of the Tower of Cirith Ungol with a strange and malevolent will. Each was formed of three bodies - one guarding the way into the tower, one the way out, and the third staring across the gateway itself. Their faces were the faces of vultures, with eyes of black stone. They had the power to block entry to the tower, or escape from it, through the force of their will alone, and were able to send up a shrill alarm call if their guard was breached.


Notes

1

Though the Tower of Cirith Ungol was constructed by Men of Gondor to guard the pass of Cirith Ungol after the War of the Last Alliance, the hideous and malevolent Watchers were surely not the work of the Gondorians. The Tower was captured by the Nazgûl in III 2002 as they came over Ephel Dúath to take Minas Ithil, and the Two Watchers might have been placed as early as this. Perhaps more likely, given their nature, they were put in place after the return of the Dark Lord Sauron to Mordor in III 2942.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 31 July 2017
  • This entry is complete

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