Dawnless Day

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).

The Dawnless Day is a day referenced in the Middle-earth fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien.

[edit] Description

The Dawnless Day was March 10, 3019, during the War of the Ring. A Darkness began flowing out of Mordor on the night of March 9-10. There was no dawn on the morning of March 10. A great cloud covered the sky over Gondor and Rohan and the day remained dark and gloomy. The Darkness emanated from the smoke and fumes of Mount Doom, and it was sent by Sauron to cause fear and uncertainty among his adversaries.

On the Dawnless Day, King Théoden led the Muster of Rohan in Dunharrow and Gandalf rescued Faramir and his men from Winged Nazgûl outside Minas Tirith. The Darkness hung heavily over Ithilien as Frodo Baggins came to the Crossroads, but at sunset he saw a beam of sunlight from the West touch the fallen head of a great statue of a King. That night Frodo saw the Lord of the Nazgûl lead the Morgul-host from Minas Morgul.

The Darkness lasted for several days as the forces of Mordor laid siege to Minas Tirith. Dawn finally came on March 15 as the Rohirrim charged onto the Pelennor Fields and Aragorn sailed up the Anduin toward the City. In Mordor, Frodo and Sam caught a glimpse of the dawn over the Mountains of Shadow.

[edit] Sources

  • The Two Towers: "Journey to the Cross-roads," p. 308-11
  • The Return of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 45; "The Muster of Rohan," p. 74; "The Siege of Gondor," p. 79-81, 89, 91; "The Ride of the Rohirrim," p. 110-13; "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields," p. 114; "The
  • Tower of Cirith Ungol," p. 174-76; "The Land of Shadow," p. 196
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../d/a/w/Dawnless_Day_7bfb.html"