Is Isildur Dead? The Mystery of the Lost King of Gondor

Isildur was the eldest son of Elendil, the founder of the realms of Arnor and Gondor in Middle-earth. He was also the one who cut the One Ring from the hand of Sauron, the Dark Lord, during the War of the Last Alliance. However, he failed to destroy the Ring, and instead kept it for

Isildur was the eldest son of Elendil, the founder of the realms of Arnor and Gondor in Middle-earth. He was also the one who cut the One Ring from the hand of Sauron, the Dark Lord, during the War of the Last Alliance. However, he failed to destroy the Ring, and instead kept it for himself. This decision would prove to be his downfall, as he was ambushed and killed by Orcs near the Gladden Fields, and the Ring was lost in the river Anduin. But is Isildur really dead, or is there a possibility that he survived the attack and lived on in secret? This article will explore the evidence for and against Isildur’s death, and the implications of his fate for the history of Middle-earth.

The Evidence for Isildur’s Death

There are several reasons to believe that Isildur is indeed dead, and that his death is a historical fact. Here are some of the arguments for this conclusion:

  • The main source of information about Isildur’s death is the account of Elendur, his eldest son, who was with him at the time of the ambush. Elendur urged his father to flee with the Ring, while he and his brothers stayed behind to fight the Orcs. Elendur’s account was recorded by Isildur’s esquire, Ohtar, who escaped with the shards of Narsil, the sword of Elendil that was broken in the battle against Sauron. Ohtar brought the shards to Rivendell, where he told Elrond, the Half-elven lord, what had happened. Elrond later wrote down Ohtar’s words in the Book of the Kings, which was preserved in Rivendell
  • The account of Elendur is corroborated by other sources, such as the Tale of Years, which records the dates and events of the history of Middle-earth.
  • The account of Elendur is also consistent with the nature of the One Ring, which was created by Sauron to dominate the wills of others. The Ring had a corrupting influence on anyone who possessed it, and it also had a will of its own, seeking to return to its master.
  • The account of Elendur is also supported by the testimony of Saruman, the White Wizard, who was an expert on the lore of the Rings of Power. Saruman claimed that he had searched the Gladden Fields and found the remains of Isildur and the Ring. He said that he had read the scroll that Isildur had written on the eve of his death, describing the Ring and its inscription. Saruman also said that he had found a small gold case that had contained the Ring, but that the Ring itself was gone, taken by the creature Gollum

The Evidence for Isildur’s Survival

On the other hand, there are also some reasons to doubt that Isildur is really dead, and that his death is a legend or a lie. Here are some of the arguments for this possibility:

  • The main source of information about Isildur’s death, the account of Elendur, is not a direct eyewitness testimony, but a second-hand report. Elendur did not see his father die, but only assumed that he was dead. He based his assumption on the fact that Isildur was outnumbered and wounded, and that he did not return after the battle. However, it is possible that Isildur survived the ambush and escaped, either by hiding, swimming, or being rescued by someone.
  • The account of Elendur is contradicted by other sources, such as the Scroll of Isildur, which was allegedly written by Isildur himself after his death. The scroll describes the Ring and its inscription, and also reveals that Isildur had learned the true nature of the Ring from the Elf-lord Gil-galad, who had perished in the War of the Last Alliance. The scroll also suggests that Isildur had intended to destroy the Ring, but that he was prevented by a sudden attack of Orcs. The scroll was found by Gandalf, the Grey Wizard, in the archives of Minas Tirith, the capital of Gondor.
  • The account of Elendur is also inconsistent with the nature of the One Ring, which was designed to protect its bearer from harm. The Ring had the power to make its wearer invisible, to heal wounds, and to enhance strength and endurance. The Ring also had the ability to change its size and weight, to fit the finger of its wearer. The Ring could not be easily removed by anyone else, unless the wearer consented or was unconscious. Therefore, it is unlikely that the Ring would have betrayed Isildur by slipping from his finger, or that it would have allowed him to be killed by Orcs.
  • The account of Elendur is also disputed by the testimony of Saruman, who was revealed to be a traitor and a liar. Saruman had fallen under the influence of Sauron, and had sought to acquire the One Ring for himself. He had lied to Gandalf and the other members of the White Council, the guardians of Middle-earth, about his research on the Ring. He had also tried to deceive the hobbit Frodo Baggins, who had inherited the Ring from his uncle Bilbo. Saruman had claimed that he had found the remains of Isildur and the Ring, but that was a fabrication to cover up his own failure to find the Ring. He had also forged a copy of the Scroll of Isildur, to support his false story.

The Verdict

So, is Isildur dead, or is he alive? The answer is not clear, and it may depend on how one interprets the sources and the evidence. The account of Elendur is the most widely accepted version of Isildur’s fate, but it is not without flaws and contradictions. The Scroll of Isildur is the most intriguing alternative, but it is also shrouded in mystery and controversy. The testimony of Saruman is the most dubious, but it is also the most revealing of the motives and machinations of those who sought the Ring. Whatever the case, Isildur is a pivotal figure in the history of Middle-earth, and his legacy lives on in the bloodline of the kings of Gondor and the heroes of the War of the Ring. Whether he is dead or alive, he will not be forgotten.

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