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The Southerner (or "squint-eyed Southerner") was a Dunlending (possibly Half-orc) informant used by Sauron the Dark Lord's agents, Saruman the White and the Nazgûl.

Biography[]

The true name of this Southerner is unknown, but it was said he was banished from Dunland for his Orcish ancestry[1] In league with fellow outlaw Bill Ferny, he became Saruman's most-trusted agent in Eriador and was put in charge of the negotiation and purchase of Pipe-weed and other supplies on for the coming war. The Southerner also had orders to penetrate the Shire further and learn of any notable departure. During the hunt for the Ring-bearer, he was cornered with Ferny in Tharbad by the Nazgûl, who found detailed maps of the region on him. Out of fear for his life, he betrayed Saruman's knowledge of the Shire, confirming the White Wizard's disloyalty to the Dark Lord, The Southerner was spared by the Witch-king of Angmar, who put the Shadow of Fear upon him and sent him to Bree to spy on his behalf; before he was set free, the Dunlending was warned by the Lord of the Nazgûl that he now answered to Mordor, not Isengard.

By the time Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, and Meriadoc Brandybuck arrived in Bree, the Dunlending met up with Ferny at the Prancing Pony and informed the Nazgûl of the four Hobbits' presence, causing the inn to be broken into that same night by either the Nazgûl or their agents; the interference of Aragorn ensured their failure to retrieve the One Ring. The Southerner was last seen at Ferny's house by the departing company as they were about to leave the town.[2]

In adaptations[]

Translations[]

Foreign Language Translated name
Danish Skævøjet sønderbo
Finnish Mustainmaalainen
German Schielender Südländer
Polish Zezowaty Południowiec
Romanian Sașiul de la Miazăzi

References[]

  1. Unfinished Tales, Introduction, Part Three, IV: "The Hunt for the Ring", Concerning Gandalf, Saruman, and the Shire
  2. The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book One, Chapter XI: "A Knife in the Dark"

External link[]

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