Amon Anwar

Amon Anwar (S. “Hill of Awe”), originally known as Eilenaer, is a hallowed mountain and pilgrimage site in western Anórien. Amon Anwar and its surrounding Firien Wood is a Royal Forest (or kingswood), belonging to the Gondorian Crown.

Mountain of Eilenaer was originally a site of a native Gwathuirim hillfort guarding the western border of Rimmon from the Kingdom of the Mountains. It was abandoned in the last century of the Second Age. At the end of the War of the Last Alliance, High King Isildur journeyed with his nephew Meneldil and a party of trusted friends about the borders of all the lands claimed by Gondor. Mountain of Eilenaer was near the center of these lands, so it was chosen by Isildur to be a place of religious circumstance. In an oval lawn upon the summit of the mountain, on the eastern side, he raised a mound and laid a silver casked containing the bones of Elendil within it. A black stone was raised with the letters lambe, ando, lambe (L·ND·L) engraved upon it.

The location of the tomb was a secret kept for many centuries among the Kings of Gondor and his court. At Isildur’s command, the hill was hallowed and it was decreed that none would distrub it other than a heir of Elendil and those given special permission to do so. The King would visit the hallow from time to time, especially when he felt the need of wisdom in days of danger or distress. It was also the place where he would bring his heir full-grown to manhood, and tell him of the making of the hallow and other matters he should know.

Amon Anwar as a site of pilgrimage

Tomb of Elendil is one of the Seven Shrines of Westernesse. Isildur called the protection of Valar upon the hilltop, and they granted it. It is called the Shrine of Awe, dedicated to Elendil and his role as the patriarch of the Dúnedain. Very few people have made all the seven pilgrimages, as Amon Anwar is restricted to the Royal House, and access to the shrine is only possible with a Royal edict.