Holy Mount

The Holy Mount was a mountain that rose out of a wide wood on the northern fringes of the White Mountains, about halfway along the range's length on the western borders of Anórien. Originally called Eilenaer, at the time of Gondor's founding this mountain lay near the central point of realm. On its slopes was a green hallow, and it was here that Isildur raised a mound for his father Elendil after he was slain by Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance.

The last resting place of Elendil was a secret kept by the Kings of Gondor, but nonetheless the mountain emanated a sense of mysterious holiness, and it became known to the Gondorians as Amon Anwar, the Hill of Awe. This same sense of awe was felt within the woods around the mountain, and the Gondorians called this the Whispering Wood, because they felt compelled to speak in a whisper while beneath its trees.

In the year III 2510, Eorl of the Éothéod came to Gondor's aid in its most desperate need, and as a reward Steward Cirion granted Eorl's people a new land. This was the green province of Calenardhon, lying directly to the west of the mountain. After this, the hallow of Elendil was no longer in the centre of Gondor, but on its very borders. Elendil's mortal remains were therefore removed to Minas Tirith, but the green mound that had held them still stood in its hallow on the mountain's slopes. The sense of awe and reverence still remained, and Eorl's people - now establishing themselves as the first generation of the Rohirrim - gave the mountain a name in their own language. So it became known as the Halfirien, a name interpreted as the 'Holy Mount'.