Rivendell also known as Imladris, is an Elven outpost in Middle Earth. Rivendell is located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the river Bruinen, but well hidden in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. Rivendell was founded in 1697 SA when a force sent by Gil-Galad from Lindon and led by Elrond resued the refugees of Eregion from Sauron's Army. Sauron's forces had over-taken the refuge for three years until a relief army attacked the force in conjunction with the defenders and annihilated it. After some years they were driven off when reinforcements were sent from Lothlorien.

Elrond lived in Rivendell with his family--his wife Celebrian, their sons Elladan and Elrohir, and their daughter Arwen. Celebrain was traumatized after she was captured and tormented by Orcs and eventually left Middle-Earth for the realm of Valinor. At the beginning of the Fourth Age, Elrond left Rivendell, and for a while it was lived in by Elladan and Elrohir, joined later by Celeborn. It is not known when Rivendell was finally abandoned.

Things You Should Know!

+ Rivendell is also called Imladris in Sindarin and Karningul in Westron.

+ Rivendell is formed by two elements: "Riven" and "dell" meaning cloven, split, and valley, making the whole word purport "deeply cloven valley."

+ Also referred to as The Last Homely House of the West of the mountains

Minas Tirith originally named Minas Anor, is a heavily fortified city, which was the capital of Gondor in the second half of the Third Age.

Originally known as Minas Anor, the "Tower of the Sun", Minas Tirith was built in 3320 SA by Anarion, brother of Isildur and second son of Elendil, High King of Arnor. Ostoher rebuilt the city in TA 420 as a summer residence, and it became the capital of Gondor in 1640 TA when King Tarondor moved the Kings House from Osgiliath following the Great Plague, which devastated the population of that city.

In the year 2002, the sister city, Minas Ithil, "Tower of the Moon", on the borders of Mordor, was captured by the Nazgul and named Minas Morgul, "Tower of Sorcery". Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, meaning "Tower of Guard", to show that Minas Tirith assumed the role of guarding Gondor against the dark forces. For the next 1000 years, the two cities were in a stalemate. Finally, once Sauron returned and his strength grew, Gondor was unable to hold Osgiliath against the forces of Mordor. The troups of Sauron approached the city. The first circle of the city was heavily damaged, but the enemy was unable to brake through the walls. However, the gate of the city was breached by a combination of the battering of Grond and the Witch-Kings sorcery. After much anticipation, the Rohirrim forced the armies of Mordor to face the newcomers, drawing attention away from the weak city. Never threatened again, the battle was won by Gondor and Rohan.

On May 1, 3019 King Elessars coronation took place on the plain outside Minas Tirith, he then entered the city as King. It is said that the city stood firm well into the Fourth Age. Gimili and some of Durins folk used mithril, a nigh-indestructible metal, to replace the gates that had been broken in war. It remained as the Chief city of Gondor. Minas Ithil, however was destroyed by the King, soon after the war. It is said that the city was renamed Minas Anor again after Sauron's defeat, but it is not certain.

The Shire was home to Hobbits, or smaller statured creatures, in the year 1601 of the Third Age. Originally from the vale of the Anduin, the Hobbits migrated over the Misty Mountains and into the shire, escaping the troubles of Mirkwood. Being offered the land by King Argelb II at Norbury, they were granted ownership while under three conditions: that they acknowledge his Lordship, that they should maintain the roads within the Shire, and finally that they should aid his messengers. They therefore considered themselves subjects to the king and sent some men to aid in wars. After the war of Arnor, and the Tooks took over control, the population of the Hobbit was not note worthy for conquest. The Shire was, however, guarded and protected by the Dunedain Rangers, who watched the borders and kept out intruders.

The Shire was separated into four regions: the Northfarthing, Westfarthing, Southfarthing, and Eastfarthing.

The Northfarthing is the least populated part of the Shire. Heavy snow is common there, but nothing else is really important there, besides being the site of the historic Battle of Greenfields.

The Westfarthing is the most populated part of the Shire and home to the important towns, Michel Delving, Bywater, and Hobbiton. Michel Delving was named after the only elected official of the shire Michel Delving. It is also the chief town of the Shire. Bywater is a short walk from Hobbiton and best known for the popular inn, “The Green Dragon.” Finally, Hobbiton is probably the best-known place to Lord of the Rings fans because it is the starting place of the Hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and Samwise Gamgee.

The Southfarthing is the site of Longbottom, where the best pipe-weed was grown, due to the warm climate. Other than that, there is not much else note worthy about the Southfarthing.

The Eastfarthing, which borders on Buckland, is the home of the Brandybucks, the farmers of the Eastfarthing. Stock was the location of “The Golden Perch,” an inn with a reputation for excellent beer. Buckland is the home of the Buckland Gate, which is the eastern gate of the shire.