SECOND AGE

A majestic fortress of white marble once gleamed with moonlight in the Mountains of Shadow, standing proud as Gondor's eastern guardian. Built by Isildur himself, this Tower of the Moon protected the realm for over a thousand years before falling to the Nazgûl. What began as a beacon of hope transformed into a place of terror - Minas Morgul, where the Witch-king ruled and evil festered at Mordor's gates.

At the western shores of Middle-earth stands an ancient haven where the music of the sea meets elven craftsmanship - a mystical port where countless ships with silver sails departed for the Blessed Realm. Built by Círdan the Shipwright, this legendary harbor served as the last glimpse of Middle-earth for countless Elves, Ring-bearers, and heroes seeking passage to the Undying Lands across the Sundering Seas.

Behind towering mountains of shadow and ash lies a realm of darkness where evil dwells eternal. Protected by the impenetrable Black Gate and watched over by the ever-burning Eye of Sauron atop Barad-dûr, this land of shadow and flame serves as the Dark Lord's stronghold. From the desolate plateau of Gorgoroth to the poisonous fumes of Mount Doom, this forsaken realm holds the key to Middle-earth's destiny, where armies of Orcs gather and dark plots unfold beneath the watchful gaze of the Dark Tower.

Forged by the legendary Dwarf-smith Telchar of Nogrod, this mythical sword shattered beneath the Dark Lord's feet only to deliver his doom. From its shards came hope: though broken in the great battle of the Last Alliance, its remains became a cherished heirloom of the Heirs of Elendil, carefully preserved in the elven sanctuary of Rivendell until its destined reforging.

A shimmering elven Ring of Power worn by Galadriel, Nenya — the Ring of Water — was forged in the Second Age by Celebrimbor from a pale metal and set with a bright stone. Its gentle magic preserves and protects Lothlórien, keeping the woods timeless, hiding its people from Sauron, and helping Galadriel, the Lady of Light, maintain gardens, visions, and the Mirror. This piece looks at Nenya’s origin, making, powers, role in the struggle against the One Ring, and why it matters for elves, preservation, and hope in Middle-earth.

Rising from the depths of the Great Sea, a star-shaped island kingdom gifted to the noble Edain by the Valar themselves became the mightiest realm of Men in all of Arda. For 3,319 years, the Dúnedain of Westernesse built gleaming cities, mastered the arts of shipcraft and lore, and extended their influence across Middle-earth—until pride, fear of death, and the whispers of Sauron led to their catastrophic downfall. This paradise of the Faithful, home to great kings like Tar-Aldarion and Tar-Minastir, would sink beneath the waves in the greatest cataclysm since the drowning of Beleriand, forever changing the shape of the world.

Forged in the fires of Mount Doom, a simple golden band holds the fate of Middle-earth within its perfect circle. This master ring of power corrupts all who possess it, grants immortality and invisibility to its bearer, and serves as the ultimate weapon of the Dark Lord Sauron. From the creature Gollum's obsession to Bilbo's reluctance to part with his "precious," this magical artifact's sinister influence has shaped the destiny of elves, dwarves, men, and hobbits alike.

Rising from the ashen plains of Mordor, this volcanic mountain of destiny towers as both forge and destroyer of ultimate power. Within its molten heart, the Dark Lord Sauron crafted his master Ring, and in its searing flames, two small hobbits would ultimately determine the fate of Middle-earth. From its first violent eruption in the Second Age to its final cataclysmic destruction, this fearsome peak has burned its way into legend as the crucible of Middle-earth's greatest struggle between good and evil.

Ancient crystalline spheres of Elvish craft, brought from Númenor by Elendil himself, these powerful seeing-stones allowed kings and stewards to communicate across vast distances and peer into distant lands. While seven were gifted to the realm of Gondor and Arnor, their use proved both blessing and curse - particularly when the Dark Lord of Mordor bent one to his will, forever changing the fate of Middle-earth.

In the fires of Eregion, Celebrimbor and the Elven-smiths forged the greatest artifacts of the Second Age: nineteen rings of immense power. But Sauron's deception led to their downfall, as his creation of the One Ring in Mount Doom threatened to enslave all ring-bearers. From the Nine Kings of Men who fell to darkness, to the Seven Dwarf-lords who accumulated vast wealth, to the Three Elven-rings that remained untainted, these magical circles of power forever changed the fate of Middle-earth.

From trusted servant of the Valar to Middle-earth's most feared tyrant, this fallen Maia forged the One Ring, corrupted kingdoms, and nearly conquered all lands from his dark tower of Barad-dûr. Though defeated in the War of the Last Alliance and again in the Third Age, his malevolent influence persisted across millennia, making him the greatest threat to ever shadow the free peoples of Arda.

Forged in Eregion by Celebrimbor and corrupted by Sauron's influence, seven rings of power were gifted to the great Dwarf-lords of Middle-earth. While these magnificent artifacts enhanced their bearers' ability to create vast wealth and grand kingdoms, they also kindled an insatiable greed that would eventually contribute to their downfall. Though dragon-fire consumed some and the Dark Lord reclaimed others, these powerful rings' legacy endures in the grand halls and tragic histories of the dwarven realms.

Deep in the shadowy depths of Mirkwood dwelt a powerful Sindarin lord, father of Legolas, whose halls of stone rivaled the grandeur of the dwarven kingdoms. This ancient ruler of the Woodland Realm, crowned with leaves and berries, wielded both diplomatic cunning and military might while protecting his people from the growing darkness of Middle-earth's Third Age.

Forged by Celebrimbor in the Second Age, three mighty rings of power were bestowed upon the wisest of the Elves: the Ring of Air, wrought in sapphire; the Ring of Water, crafted in adamant; and the Ring of Fire, set with a ruby. Untouched by Sauron's corruption, these powerful artifacts preserved the beauty of the Elven realms, maintaining havens of ancient wisdom and enchantment in Middle-earth while the darkness grew.

Deep within Middle-earth's untold chronicles lie extraordinary tales of Númenórean kings, ancient wars, mysterious wizards, and noble quests. Through his father's carefully preserved manuscripts, Christopher Tolkien unveiled a treasure trove of legends that expand the rich tapestry of the Third Age and beyond. From the tragic tale of Túrin Turambar to the origins of Gandalf and the Istari, these posthumously published narratives offer readers unprecedented glimpses into the vast mythology that shaped The Lord of the Rings.

In the Second Age of Middle-earth, the elven-smiths of Eregion, led by Celebrimbor, forged the Rings of Power. Among these, three were created without the dark influence of Sauron: Narya, Nenya, and Vilya. Known as the Ring of Air, the Blue Ring, or the Ring of Sapphire, Vilya was considered the most powerful of the three Elven rings. Originally worn by the High King Gil-galad, it was later passed to Elrond of Rivendell. This mighty artifact, associated with the element of air, had the power to preserve and heal, making the hidden valley of Imladris a sanctuary of peace for centuries. Elrond used its magic to protect Rivendell from evil and to aid the Fellowship, even summoning a great flood to sweep away the Nazgûl. Vilya's power, like all the Rings of Power, was tied to the One Ring, and when the master ring was destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, its magic faded from the world. Elrond then carried the silent ring with him as he departed Middle-earth for the Undying Lands.