Arvedui

From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.

Arvedui (TA 1864 - TA 1975) was the son of King Araphant of Arthedain and the last king of the Dúnedain in the north of Middle-earth.

He came to the throne in TA 1964 at the death of his father.

His name meant Last king, and he was named so because of a prophesy by Malbeth the Seer:

"Arvedui you shall call him, for he will be the last in Arthedain. Though a choice will come to the Dúnedain, and if they take the one that seems less hopeful, then your son will change his name and become king of a great realm. If not, then much sorrow and many lives of men shall pass, until the Dúnedain arise and are united again."

— Appendix A: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion"

Arvedui married Fíriel, daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor, who was killed in TA 1944. At Ondoher's death, Arvedui sent messages to Gondor claiming the throne as a direct descendant of Isildur, but he was refused: the Men of Gondor appointed general Eärnil as King instead.

Arvedui became King of Arthedain soon after, and in TA 1974 Angmar attacked again, driving the Dúnedain away. Gondor sent help in the form of a great fleet, but it came too late: Arthedain was destroyed, and Arvedui fled to the Ice-bay of Forochel.

Círdan of Lindon sent a ship north to rescue him, and against the advice of the Snow-men of Forochel boarded it, and was drowned.

An army from Gondor under Eärnur managed to destroy Angmar with help of Círdan, but Arthedain and all of Arnor were no more, and the kingship had ended.

Arvedui died in TA 1975 after ruling for eleven years and his son Aranarth became the first of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain.

The prophecy became truth, for Arvedui was indeed the last King of Arnor, and likewise the line of the Kings of Gondor also ended with Earnil's son Eärnur. The realms were not reunited until over a thousand years later, when Aragorn became King Elessar.