Paths of the Dead

The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it. The way is shut.

Haunted passage under the White Mountains. The Paths of the Dead began in the valley of Harrodale in Rohan on the northern side of the mountains and ran underground to the Blackroot Vale in Gondor on the southern side. The Dead who dwelled there were cursed never to rest until they fulfilled an ancient path they had broken.

The entrance to the Paths of the Dead was in Dwineborg, the Haunted Mountain. A path lined with ancient stones led from the stronghold of Dunharrow through the dark wood called the Dimholt to the root of the Dwimorberg. There a single stone marked the opening to a glen and beyond in a sheer wall of rock was the Dark Door.

The King of the man of the Mountainhad sworn allegiance to Isildur on the Stone after Gondor was founded. But when Isildur summoned them to fight Sauron at the end of the Second Age, they refused for they had once worshipped Sauron. Then Isildur cursed them and said that they would never rest until they fulfilled their oath to fight Sauron. The Oathbreakers fled and hid themselves under the mountains and there they remained for over 3,000 years.

The Dark Door leading to the Paths of the Dead was found by Brego of Rohan and his son Baldor as they explored the valley of Harrowdale seeking a refuge for their people. It is said that an ancient man was sitting before the door, and when Brego and Baldor tried to pass him, the old man said: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes." Baldor asked, "And when will that time be?" but the old man died without answering.

Aragorn received a message from Elrond reminding him of a prophecy spoken by Malbeth the seer long ago during the reign of King Arvedui of Arthedain (1964-1975). Malbeth had foretold that a time of great darkness would come when Isildur's heir would summon the Dead to fulfill their oath. Aragorn looked into the palantir and learned that a fleet of Corsairs allied with Sauron were intending to attack Minas Tirith from the South. He decided to take the Paths of the Dead and summon the Oathbreakers to the port of Pelargir to stop the Corsairs.

Aragorn entered the Paths of the Dead at dawn on March 8, 3019. With him went the Grey Company comprised of Halbarad and 30 Rangers of the North, Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir, and Legolas and Gimli. Aragorn's will was so strong that all found the courage to follow him.

As the Grey Company walked through the dark passage, the host of the Dead gathered behind them. They came to the great chamber where they found Baldor's remains. Then Aragorn summoned the Dead to the Stone of Erech. The Grey Company emerged from the Paths of the Dead two hours before sunset. They rode through the Blackroot Vale with the Dead following behind and the people who lived in the valley fled in terror.

At midnight the Grey Company came to the Stone of Erech. Aragorn revealed himself as Isildur's heir and told the Oathbreakers that he would hold their oaths fulfilled if they would fight the servants of Sauron. The Dead followed Aragorn to Pelargir and on March 13 the Shadow Host swept over the Corsairs' ships. None could withstand their presence and the fleet was captured. Aragorn released the Dead to be at peace at last and they vanished like mist from the world of the living.

Aragorn sailed with the fleet north up the Anduin and reached Minas Tirith on March 15 while the Battle of the Pellenor Fields was in progress. At first they were mistaken for the Corsairs, but then Aragorn unfurled Arwen's banner and revealed the emblem of the White Tree of Gondor and the Seven Stars and Crown of Elendil. Aragorn met Eomer on the field of battle and they fought together until their enemies were defeated.