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1382 the return of the king
the longest guarded and manned. He also fortified again the isle
of Cair Andros 1 to defend Anórien. But his chief peril lay in the
south, where the Haradrim had occupied South Gondor, and
there was much fighting along the Poros. When Ithilien was
invaded in great strength, King Folcwine of Rohan fulfilled the
Oath of Eorl and repaid his debt for the aid brought by Beregond,
sending many men to Gondor. With their aid Túrin won a
victory at the crossing of the Poros; but the sons of Folcwine
both fell in the battle. The Riders buried them after the fashion
of their people, and they were laid in one mound, for they were
twin brothers. Long it stood, Haudh in Gwanûr, high upon the
shore of the river, and the enemies of Gondor feared to pass it.
Turgon followed Túrin, but of his time it is chiefly
remembered that two years ere his death, Sauron arose again,
and declared himself openly; and he re-entered Mordor long
prepared for him. Then the Barad-dûr was raised once more,
and Mount Doom burst into flame, and the last of the folk of
Ithilien fled far away. When Turgon died Saruman took Isengard
for his own, and fortified it.
‘Ecthelion II, son of Turgon, was a man of wisdom. With what
power was left to him he began to strengthen his realm against
the assault of Mordor. He encouraged all men of worth from
near or far to enter his service, and to those who proved trustworthy
he gave rank and reward. In much that he did he had
the aid and advice of a great captain whom he loved above all.
Thorongil men called him in Gondor, the Eagle of the Star, for
he was swift and keen-eyed, and wore a silver star upon his
cloak; but no one knew his true name nor in what land he was
born. He came to Ecthelion from Rohan, where he had served
the King Thengel, but he was not one of the Rohirrim. He was
a great leader of men, by land or by sea, but he departed into
the shadows whence he came, before the days of Ecthelion were
ended.
‘Thorongil often counselled Ecthelion that the strength of the
1 This name means ‘Ship of Long-foam’; for the isle was shaped like
a great ship, with a high prow pointing north, against which the white
foam of Anduin broke on sharp rocks.