Why Did Isildur Cross the River? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Inziladun · 01-26-2010, 03:12 PM

Hint: the answer is not 'to get to the other side'.

This has to do with the movements of Isildur leading up to his loss of the Ring, as described in the Unfinished Tales chapter, Disaster of the Gladden Fields.
After the fall of Sauron at the end of the Second Age, Isildur was returning to Arnor by way of Rivendell. It had been decided to travel north into Wilderland and make for the 'High Pass' through the Misty Mountains, i.e., the same pass used by Thorin and Co. in The Hobbit. That way was chosen over the Gap of Rohan apparently due to the latter being a longer route, which it would have been.
In the event, we know that Isildur and his guard were ambushed in the Gladden Fields by Orcs, and he put on the Ring to escape them. He tried to swim west across the Anduin but was forced by the current back into the weeds along the East-bank. The Ring left him, and he was shot and killed by Orc-arrows.
Here's the question: Was it really necessary for him and his men to have been journeying on the east side of the River? It is plain from the narrative that they did so. They set out from Osgiliath, and plainly could have chosen to travel on the western side if they'd wanted. Why didn't they? It would have meant passing very near or through Lórien, but surely that would have been allowed of the Dúnedain, kin of Elrond and recent allies of the Elves in battle. For that matter, if they'd gone through Lórien, they could likely have crossed the Mountains through Khazad-dûm, I think.
Insights?

01-26-2010, 03:12 PM	#1
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	Why Did Isildur Cross the River? Hint: the answer is not 'to get to the other side'. This has to do with the movements of Isildur leading up to his loss of the Ring, as described in the Unfinished Tales chapter, Disaster of the Gladden Fields. After the fall of Sauron at the end of the Second Age, Isildur was returning to Arnor by way of Rivendell. It had been decided to travel north into Wilderland and make for the 'High Pass' through the Misty Mountains, i.e., the same pass used by Thorin and Co. in The Hobbit. That way was chosen over the Gap of Rohan apparently due to the latter being a longer route, which it would have been. In the event, we know that Isildur and his guard were ambushed in the Gladden Fields by Orcs, and he put on the Ring to escape them. He tried to swim west across the Anduin but was forced by the current back into the weeds along the East-bank. The Ring left him, and he was shot and killed by Orc-arrows. Here's the question: Was it really necessary for him and his men to have been journeying on the east side of the River? It is plain from the narrative that they did so. They set out from Osgiliath, and plainly could have chosen to travel on the western side if they'd wanted. Why didn't they? It would have meant passing very near or through Lórien, but surely that would have been allowed of the Dúnedain, kin of Elrond and recent allies of the Elves in battle. For that matter, if they'd gone through Lórien, they could likely have crossed the Mountains through Khazad-dûm, I think. Insights? __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.