The Enigmatic Origins of the Misty Mountains in LOTR
Discover the intriguing connection between Morgoth, a key figure in LOTR lore, and the Misty Mountains Unveil the truth behind whether Morgoth is responsible for creating this iconic mountain range
Highlights
The Misty Mountains have a rich history in Middle-Earth, separating Eriador and the Anduin River and posing dangers for travelers like Bilbo and Frodo.
Morgoth, a defiant demigod and adversary of the Valar, wreaked havoc in Middle-Earth, enslaving Elves and potentially giving rise to the initial Orcs.
Orome the Huntsman faced challenges in Middle-Earth, prompting Morgoth to raise the Misty Mountains as a barrier to impede him, ultimately dissuading Elves from journeying to Valinor.
The Lord of the Rings lore is filled with a wealth of history that couldn't be fully covered in Peter Jackson's trilogy without diverting from the main narrative. This is why Tom Bombadil was omitted from the first film. Even reading the trilogy of books doesn't provide a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of Middle-Earth. J.R.R. Tolkien meticulously planned the origin and fate of numerous characters, creatures, and locations in Middle-Earth. However, casual viewers and readers will not possess all this knowledge unless they explore the extended works, some of which Tolkien was unable to complete before his passing.
One intriguing aspect of Middle-Earth with a rich history is the Misty Mountains, a range of mountains that cinematic fans will recall as the formidable obstacle Frodo and the fellowship encountered during their journey to Mordor. When J.R.R. Tolkien crafted these Towers of Mist, he possessed extensive knowledge about their creation, inhabitants, subterranean life, and even their purpose. Here is what fans should be aware of, without needing to acquire their own copies of The Silmarillion or The Fall of Gondolin.
Where are the Misty Mountains Located?
The Misty Mountains are known to many Lord of the Rings fans as the mountain range that the fellowship attempted to cross while taking the One Ring to Mount Doom. However, there is a rich history associated with this mountain range that fans only fully grasp if they read The Silmarillion and other works by Tolkien. Eriador, the lands on the west side of Middle Earth, including the Shire and Rivendell, are separated from the Anduin River on the east by the Misty Mountains.
In Tolkien's works, the Baggins family journeyed across the Misty Mountains on two separate occasions. The first protagonist to travel through the range in chronological order was Bilbo Baggins. Alongside his Dwarf companions, he ventured through High Pass, one of the two passes through the mountains, during their quest to Erebor. Many years later, Frodo and the fellowship of the ring traversed Redhorn Pass in their quest towards Mordor. However, Saruman's interference forced them to retreat and seek shelter in the perilous mines of Moria, which proved to be equally treacherous as the mountains above.
Who is Morgoth?
The treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather of the Misty Mountains pose constant dangers, with malevolent creatures lurking both within and outside its borders. This unforgiving setting serves as a fitting emblem of the powerful entity responsible for the formation of this mountain range.
Morgoth, formerly known as Melkor, was a defiant demigod called the Ainur. Motivated by a desire to possess the ability to create life similar to the supreme being Eru Iluvatar, Morgoth's aspirations fell short, compelling him to settle for dominance instead. Upon being sent by Eru to Arda, the realm to be developed alongside the Valar, Morgoth proclaimed himself as the ruler of Arda and undid the efforts of his colleagues. This triggered the commencement of the initial conflict against Morgoth, now referred to as the First War.
Despite hindering much of the Valar's creation, Tulkas, a Valar, eventually arrived in Arda to bring an end to Morgoth's torment and drive him away. With Morgoth gone, the Valar were able to complete their work and shape Arda into the world that fans of The Lord of the Rings know and love. Sadly, this was not the last encounter the Valar had with Morgoth.
During his time in Middle-Earth, Morgoth raised armies, abducted and enslaved Elves, and wreaked havoc across the continent. It is believed that through the torture and breeding of captured Elves, Morgoth was responsible for the creation of the first Orcs. Additionally, he corrupted lesser spirits known as Maiar, transforming them into fearsome beings. While some became Balrogs, one Maiar in particular, named Mairon, gained notoriety. Among the people of Middle-Earth, Mairon was known as Sauron and he served as Morgoth's most trusted lieutenant and apprentice.
Did Morgoth Create the Misty Mountains?
Morgoth eventually forced the Valar to leave Middle-Earth and establish Valinor, a realm designed to protect the world and nurture its prosperity. However, some Valar refused to abandon Middle-Earth and chose to stay behind, guarding its safety. During the Years of the Trees, a period named after the two trees of Valinor created by Yavanna, Orome the Huntsman traveled across Middle-Earth, hunting down any creatures that fought for Morgoth. Eventually, Morgoth created the Misty Mountains as an obstacle to hinder Orome. Orome was the last Valar to join his fellow brethren in Valinor.
The creation of the great mountain range prevented the Elves from embarking on the Great Journey to Valinor, a migration that became renowned. This journey took the Elves from their birthplace, Cuiviénen, across Middle-Earth towards Valinor. The perils encountered in the mountain passes were too treacherous, leading many Elves to remain in Middle-Earth. These Elves were known as the Nandor and they joined the battle against Morgoth.
