Course of the Men Dirnen
Men Dirnen (S. "Guarded Trail") had been an important, though rugged caravan route in the late Second Age as the trail connected the lands of the Pelargirean League with Porosardh, the Realm of Ardh and the Cirith Núrn. In the Third Age it served as a military patrol road for Gondor through the foothills of the Ephel Dûath from Harondor to the Kres Lugal and the Nargil Pass. At it's eastern end, only the branch leading down the Ode Tesar (H. "River of Rough Steppes") to the ford at Oud Ilaz was kept up by the Gondorians. Somewhere along the upper Carnen, near where the Men Dirncn forded it, a pair of rocky shelves overlooked the narrowing river. Here at odd intervals during the century-long reigns of Berkhalimur of Porosardh and Adûnabêth of Ard, the two sorcerer-monarchs would hold a "Court of Wills" on opposing banks of the river that marked their boundary. They would spend days wrestling in word and thought from stone seats high on the ledges of native rock. It was said that their courtiers would go mad if caught up in the contest of their immortal minds. At times Berkhalimur would manage to bind the Ringwraith with his memories, thoughts of the beauty of old Númenór and other places in the green, living world. When he did this, Sauron would feel his grip over Adûnabêth weaken; he would be angered fur the long hours it would take her to break free of the sorcerer's spell. And yet, it was never said that Adûnabêth would refuse further meetings with Berkhalimur. Tales told of his lesser servants weeping as they Sat around his throne high on the lonely rock, and not knowing why.
References[]
- MERP Fan Modules: MORDOR GAZETTEER
- MERP: Southern Gondor - The Land