Kings of Arthedain

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Kings of Arthedain

by Varda-(Valar)
April 2006

    After High King Eärendur, the North-kingdom of Arnor was divided into three parts for his three dissenting sons, and they no longer took names in the High-elven form.  (RotK App A ii footnote)
    The parts were Arthedain, Rhudaur, and Cardolan. Arthedain was in the the North-west, Rhudaur in the North-east, and Cardolan in the in the South.
    Arthedain was in the North-west, including the land between Brandywine and Lune, and the land north of the Great Road as far as the Weather Hills. (RotK App A iii)
    In Arthedain, the line of Elendil was maintained and endured, but perished from the other two parts. Dissension over the borders caused friction, especially concerning Amon Súl (Weathertop), whose Tower possessed the chief Palantir of the North, as the other two were already in Arthedain's possession.
    During the reign of Malvegil of Arthedain, the Witch-king rose up in Angmar to the north of the Ettenmoors on both sides of the mountains, hoping to take advantage of the disunion of Arnor, as Gondor was strong.
    By the time of Malvegil's son, Argeleb, no other heirs of Isildur remained in the other kingdoms, so the kings of Arthedain claimed lordship of Arnor, using the Ar- prefix again as token of this. (RotK App A ii footnote). They could rightfully claim Gondor as well, although they did not at that time. The Witch-king unintentionally settled the question of the line of kingship. Arvedui later brought his rightful claim to the High Kingship when Gondor was in need of a king, but was rejected. Had the Dúnedain made the choice to take Arvedui's claim to kingship, they would have had greater peace, a greater realm, and the line of kings would not have had to be fostered by Elrond. But they would also have lacked the close ties to the Elves that the line of chieftains brought, or the elf blood and longer life that Arwen eventually brought to the line.

    Amlaith of Fornost - eldest son of High King Eärendur
    Beleg
    Mallor
    Celepharn
    Celebrindor
    Malvegil
    Argeleb I - claim contested by Rhudaur, which had been taken over by Hillmen in league with the Witch-king. Argeleb fortified the Weather Hills. He died in battle with Rhudaur and Angmar. Died TA 1356
    Arveleg I - son of Argeleb I. With aid from Cardolan and Lindon, he drove the enemy back from the Hills. Arthedain and Cardolan held the area for many years. Rivendell was besieged. Angmar came with great force around Weathertop, defeated the Dúnedain, killed Arveleg, and razed the Tower of Amon Sûl. But the Dúnedain took the Palantir to Fornost. Rhudaur was occupied by evil men and the few Dúnedain killed. Cardolan was ravaged.
    Araphor - son of Arveleg I. Not full-grown but valiant. With aid from Círdan, he drove away the enemy from Fornost and the North Downs. A remnant of Cardolan's faithful held out in the Tyrn Gorthad (Barrowdowns) and in the Forest behind. Angmar was subdued for a time by elves from Lindon and Rivendell, for Elrond brought help from Lórien from over the mountains. (The Angle Stoors fled the wars and worsening climate, south and west, some beside the Gladden where they became fisher-folk.) RotK A iii
    Argeleb II
    Arvegil
    Arveleg II - 12th king
    Araval - 13th king
    Araphant - 14th king. Made an alliance with King Ondoher of Gondor.
    Arvedui Last-king  15th king. Died TA 2933. End of the North Kingdom. Beginning of the Chieftains. Arvedui married Firiel, who brought the line of Anarion back to the line of Isildur, through their son, Arahael, first of the sons of the chieftains fostered in Rivendell (RotK A iii). Malbeth the Seer prophesied to King Araphant:

    "Arvedui you shall call him, for he will be the last in Arthedain. Though a choice shall come to the Dúnedain, and if they take the one that seems less hopeful, then your son will change his name and become king of a great realm. If not, then much sorrow and many lives of men shall pass, until the Dúnedain arise and are reunited again."
    --RotK Appendix A (iv) Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion
   
    See Chieftains

Reference:
    Return of the King: Appendix A
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