Glossary
In order of appearance in the story – well, more or less.
Bree - Bree is a fictional village in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, east of the Shire.
Staddle - Staddle was probably founded when Bree-land was settled. By the middle of the Third Age, it was settled by mixed groups of Hobbits and Men
Halfling – Hobbit
The Valar - The Valar were the fourteen Ainur (the Holy Ones) who entered Arda (the world) after its creation to give order to the world and combat the evils of Melkor (a dark Valar). They helped to begin the shaping of Arda through the music of Ilúvatar (supernatural creator and overseer of the universe).
Orcs - Orcs are often portrayed as large,misshapen humanoids who are brutal and warmongering.
Harad - the name for the immense lands south of Gondor and Mordor, a land of evil men.
The Arda – the world
Númenóreans - Númenóreans were the Men of Númenor, descendants of the Edain of the First Age, who were granted the island of Elenna as a dwelling place. They were graced with a very long life.
Eldar - the Eldar are a race of Elves who look into the future via psychic powers. They are one of the most ancient and advanced races in the universe's history.
Elfling – elf-child
Dúnedain - The Dúnedain (singular: Dúnadan) were the Men who descended from the Númenóreans.
Lothlórien - the fairest forest realm of the Elves remaining in Middle-earth during the Third Age.
Valinor - Originally part of the World, Valinor could be reached by ship fromMiddle-earth. Valinor was removed from the circles of the World, and could only be reached by the Elves, following the straight road that was kept open to them.
The call of the sea - A recurring theme throughout Tolkien's writing is a longing for the sea (the "sea-heart" ). This is felt in LOTR by Elves (Legolas) who feel the call to pass over the Sea to Valinor. It is clear that this is not (literally) death, but just a passage to a different place in Arda.
Grey Havens – a place where the elves sail from to Valinor. Aside from Elves, Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins also went to Valinor from the Grey Havens.
Arwen Undómiel – female Elf who married a mortal, Aragorn, choosing a mortal life.
Elessar Telcontar – Aragorn, son of Arathorn, who became the King of Gondor after the War of the Ring and the defeat of Sauron.
Middle-Earth – The mortal lands of the world – Arda
The Marish - fertile but marshy farmlands along the Brandywine River, that belongs to the Hobbits.
Haradrím – men of Harad
Sauron - Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.
Athelas - A powerfull healing herb. According to The Lord of the Rings, athelas was first brought to Middle-earth by Númenóreans, but by the end of the Third Age the knowledge of its healing properties had been forgotten by all except the Rangers of the North.
Legolas – Legolas is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. He is an Elf of the Woodland Realm and one of nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Gimli - Gimli is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, featured in The Lord of the Rings. A Dwarf warrior, he is the son of Glóin (a character from Tolkien's earlier novel, The Hobbit). Gimli is chosen to represent the race of Dwarves in the Fellowship of the Ring.
Lembas - Lembas, also called Waybread in the Common Speech, was a special food made by the elves. The cakes were very nutritious, stayed fresh for months when wrapped in leaves, and were used for sustenance on long journeys.
Ithilien - After the War of the Ring the Lordship of Ithilien was granted to Faramir, Prince of Ithilien and Steward to the King Elessar. Legolas settled an elven colony there, before sailing to Middle-Earth with Gimli.