Summary
TheLord of the Ringslore is rich with so much history that Peter Jackson’s trilogy couldn’t cover everything without detracting from the main story. That’s why he cut Tom Bombadil from the first film. However, even reading the trilogy of books doesn’t tell the reader everything there is to know about different aspects of Middle-Earth. J.R.R. Tolkien planned out the creation and end of the many characters, creatures, and locations he created in Middle-Earth. However, casual viewers and readers won’t know everything unless they delve into extended works, some of which Tolkien didn’t get a chance to finish before his passing.
One such aspect of Middle-Earth that has an extensive history is the range of mountains known as the Misty Mountains. Cinematic fans remember this as the mountains Frodo and the fellowship attempt to cross during their journey to Mordor. When J.R.R. Tolkien created these Towers of Mist, he knew everything about them. How they were created, what lived there, what lived under them, and even their purpose. Here’s what fans should know without purchasing their owncopy ofThe SilmarillionorThe Fall of Gondolin.
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Where are the Misty Mountains Located?
ManyLord of the Ringsfans remember the Misty Mountains as the mountain range the fellowship attempted to cross when bringing the One Ring to Mount Doom. There’s a rich history to this mountain range that fans only realize if they readThe Silmarillionand other texts by Tolkien. The Misty Mountains separate Eriador, the lands on the west side ofMiddle Earth, such as the Shire and Rivendell, and the Anduin River to the east.
The Baggins family traversed the Misty Mountains twice in Tolkien’s work. The first chronological main protagonist who traveled through the range was Bilbo Baggins. He and his Dwarf companions traveled through High Pass, one of the two passes through the mountains, during their journey to Erebor. Frodo and the fellowship of the ring braved Redhorn Pass decades later during their journey to Mordor. Saruman and his machinations quickly forced them to turn back and enter the mines of Moria, which was just as dangerous as the mountains above.
Even withoutSaruman’s intervention, the Misty Mountains are a treacherous landscape filled with unforgiving weather and ill-intentioned creatures inside and out. It’s a fitting representation of the entity that created the chain of mountains.
Who is Morgoth?
Morgoth, orMelkor as he was known beforehis blood feud with the Elves, was a demigod known as the Ainur with a rebellious nature. He wanted the power to create life much like the creator Eru Iluvatar. Unfortunately, when Morgoth learned he was unable to do so, he settled for domination. Once Eru sent Morgoth to Arda to cultivate the lands with the Valar, he declared himself the master of Arda and undid his colleagues' work. This sparked the First War with Morgoth.
Though he hindered much of the Valar’s creation, a Valar named Tulkas eventually came to Arda to put an end to Morgoth’s torment and drove him away. The Valar were then able to finish their work and finish shaping Arda, establishing the worldThe Lord of the Ringsfans know and love. Unfortunately, this was not the last the Valar heard from Morgoth.
During his time in Middle-Earth, Morgoth raised armies, kidnapped and enslaved Elves, and wreaked terrible havoc across the continent. In fact, it’s believed that through torturing and breeding captured Elves, Morgoth created the first Orcs. He also turned lesser spirits known as Maiar into fearsome beings. Some became Balrogs, but one became infamous in his own right. This one Maiar named Mairon became known asSauron to the people of Middle-Earth, and he was Morgoth’s most trusted lieutenant and apprentice.
Did Morgoth Create the Misty Mountains?
Morgoth eventually pushed the Valar from Middle-Earth, forcing them to create the realm of Valinor where they could prevent the world’s collapse and further cultivate its success. However, some Valar refused to forsake Middle-Earth and remained to keep it safe. During the time known as the Years of the Trees, named after thetwo trees of Valinor created by Yavanna, Orome the Huntsman rode across Middle-Earth, hunting everything and anything that fought under Morgoth’s banner. Eventually, Morgoth raised the Misty Mountains from the earth as a hindrance to Orome. Orome was the last Valar to join his brethren in Valinor.
The great mountain range would eventually deter Elves from venturing to Valinor, a trek that became known as the Great Journey. This march took the Elves from the place of their awakening, Cuiviénen, across Middle-Earth to Valinor. The hazards that existed through the mountain’s passes were too great, so many of the Elves remained in Middle-Earth. TheseElves were known as the Nandor, and they joined the fight against Morgoth.
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