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Pronunciation
ara'gost
Meaning
Possibly 'royal dread'2
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  • Updated 8 April 2012
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Aragost

The eighth Chieftain of the Dúnedain

Chieftains of the Dúnedain

The son of Arahad I, Aragost was the eighth of Isildur's line to hold the title Chieftain of the Dúnedain and lead the remnant of the Northern Dúnedain. He lived in historic times, though few of the events of those times would have affected him directly. While he was still a young Man, the Watchful Peace came to an end with Sauron's return from the East, which in turn saw the foundation of the White Council. A new wave of attacks against Gondor began, and the Men of the Éothéod rode south to the aid of the Gondorians, giving rise to the new nation of Rohan.

Meanwhile Sméagol found the Ring in Anduin (the very Ring that was lost there by Aragost's distant ancestor Isildur) and found his way into the Misty Mountains, which were at that time beginning to be occupied by Orcs. Some of these Orcs captured Celebrían the wife of Elrond, and though she was rescued by her sons,3 her suffering eventually drove her to leave Middle-earth.

Aragost's rule lasted sixty-five years; he was succeeded by his son, Aravorn.


Notes

1

The date of Aragost's birth appears only in The History of Middle-earth volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth. It cannot therefore be considered completely reliable.

2

Many of the names of the later line of Isildur are difficult to interpret, but usually this is because they contain unfamiliar elements other than the common Ar(a)-, indicating their claim to royalty. In Aragost's case, we do have an attested Sindarin element gost, which means 'dread' or 'terror', but that seems strange attached to the name of one of the noble Northern Dúnedain. If this is actually the intended meaning, perhaps it simply implies that Aragost caused terrible fear in his enemies.

3

Given the close ties between the Dúnedain and Rivendell, it is not inconceivable that Aragost played some part in the rescue of Celebrían, but no records exist of the involvement of the Dúnedain.

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About this entry:

  • Updated 8 April 2012
  • This entry is complete

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