Khamûl

Khamûl, one of the nine Ringwraiths.
Khamûl
Biographical information
Other names	Shadow of the East, The Black Easterling, Khamûl the Easterling
Titles	Lord of the Nazgûl, Lord of Rhûn
Birth	Second Age
Death	March 25, 3019
Realms	Rhûn, Dol Guldur (under overlordship of Sauron)
Weapon	Sword, Morgul-blade, Fell beast
Physical description
Race	Men-Undead
Gender	Male
Hair	White
Culture	Nazgûl (Ringwraiths), formerly Easterlings
Media portrayal
Actor	Andy Serkis (voice)

"I come from yonder. Have you seen Baggins?"

—The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Short Cut to Mushrooms"

Khamûl was one of the nine Ringwraiths, second only to the Witch-king himself, in Middle-earth after Arnor was defeated. During the Third Age, he held Dol Guldur as Sauron's lieutenant. After Witch-king was slain, he became the Lord of Nazgûl for a short period.

Biography

Second Age

Khamul on horseback

Khamûl was once a mortal man who ruled the lands of the East known as Rhûn. He received one of the nine Rings of Power from the Dark Lord Sauron and in time he was corrupted and became one of his servants. His fall into Sauron's hands could explain why Rhûn was allied to Mordor.

He first appeared as one of the Nazgûl in SA 2251.

Third Age

In TA 2951, Sauron sent three Nazgûl to abide in Dol Guldur, and Khamûl commanded the fortress thereafter.

War of the Ring

File:Khamultheeasterling.jpg

Khamûl in the 2001 film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Khamûl was the Wraith who pursued the Hobbits to Bucklebury ferry in the Shire, and who asked Farmer Maggot for "Baggins" just before Frodo Baggins left Hobbiton.

Khamûl also appeared in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields with the other Nazgûl, mounted on his Fell beast and killing Gondor's soldiers at the beginning of the battle. After the Witch King´s demise, he and the other seven lesser Nazgûl retreated to Mordor.

Afterwards, Khamûl became the leader of the Nazgûl. He led the Nazgûl on the Battle of the Morannon riding his fell beast before being attacked by the eagles. The Nazgûl retreated when they sensed that Frodo claimed the Ring for himself. He fell after the Ring was destroyed.

Names

Khamûl was called the Shadow of the East, the Second Chief, and the Black Easterling. He was the only Ringwraith whose name was given by J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as one of the six Ringwraiths not of Númenorean descent.

Portrayal in adaptations

Peter Jackson's film trilogy

The model for Khamûl's true appearance

"Shire... Baggins..."

—The Fellowship of the Ring

In Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Khamûl was shown briefly and speaks, to Farmer Maggot, who directs him onwards to Hobbiton. Later, the Hobbits evade Farmer Maggot, but Frodo senses a presence and tells his friends to get off the road. Hiding behind a tree, the Hobbits hushed as the former Easterling approached, catching their scent. As the four stayed quiet, Merry throws a sack of vegetables behind the Rider's horse, alarming Khamûl and causing him to leave the Hobbits undetected.

In The Return of the King, after the ring was destroyed, Khamûl died along with the seven other Ringwraiths during the eruption of Mount Doom, the Witch-king having perished during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

The Hobbit films feature the nine Ringwraiths as having been buried in the High Fells of Rhudaur, but emerging at the summons of the Necromancer, who is revealed to be Sauron. The third film finds them engaging the White Council in battle, with Khamûl wearing spectral Easterling armor.

Video games

• Though not named in the game, Khamûl was featured in The Lord of the Rings Online as the Lieutenant of Dol Guldur. He commands the forces of Sauron in Mirkwood and was the final boss of the 12-person raid on Barad Guldur, along with his Fell-beast.

Rumors

• According to another version of the stories Khamûl was stationed at Dol Guldur on March 6th, when Aragorn revealed himself to Sauron and began marching on the wood elf kingdoms on March 10th. On March 11th, his forces began assailing the nearby Lórien. After this failed, much of his force passed around the border of the woods and entered the Wold of Rohan. On March 12th, they were met with Ents sent east from Fangorn and Isengard, and were routed. Lórien was then attacked twice more on March 15th and March 22nd, but was never entered. The forces of Dol Guldur also went north into Mirkwood, battling the forces of King Thranduil under Mirkwood's trees, the climax of these battles being on March 15, 3019 which after a "long battle... and great ruin and fire" was won by Thranduil's forces.

External link

• Khamûl at Tolkien Gateway