Mound of Elendil

The grave-mound of Elendil, father of Isildur and Anárion, and first ruler of Arnor and Gondor. It stood on the hill later called the Halifirien, in the midst of the Firien Wood, which at the time of his burial stood near the mid-point of the South-kingdom of Gondor. Elendil's Mound remained a secret place, made in a hallow on the hillside, and it brought such a sense of awe over the surrounding woods so that even those that did not know of it felt a need to speak in a whisper when they were nearby.

The secret of the Mound of Elendil was maintained for more than two and a half millennia. After Eorl and his Men of the Éothéod rode to Gondor's aid in battle, Steward Cirion chose the hallow of the Mound as the place to swear a solemn Oath of friendship between the two peoples. As part of the Oath, Cirion gifted the northern land of Calenardhon to Eorl (thus laying the foundations of Rohan) and leaving the Mound of Elendil on the borders of his diminished realm. After this time the mortal remains of Elendil were removed from the Mound and taken to the Hallows of Minas Tirith, the place that held the tombs of his descendants.