[Osse]

Very dilligent points Mith. The havens of both Umbar and Pelargir were well established at the time of the Landing. There is nothing to say that their populations were not sufficient to supplement the building of the other two realms. However, these settlements were not neglected, especially Umbar, which continued as it had always done. Also, the blood mixing was quite heavy in these regions. What I am getting at is that these regions were towns to themselves, and went on as they had done after Elendil founded Arnor and Gondor. There cannot possibly have been enough people (at least of high-Numenorean descent) to populate two other realms as well as the original ones. No doubt tools and masons were used to build the bones of the realms... ie Minas Ithil and Isengard which were said to have been built in the first year of the occupation. Everything, seems to move a bit fast...

My other point is this; how does Elendil manage to gather such an immense host (many tens of thousands of men) in only ten years. It is truly astounding. I am very interesting in hearing what other Barrow Downers have to say on this issue...