the Argonath

Men
Round the year 1300 of the third era of middle-earth, the kingdom of Men had expanded thus far that the northern border lay close to the great realms of the elves. This kingdom was at the time ruled by the sons of Elendil; Isildur and Anárion. Anárion was at that time the one who actually ruled the kingdom and, among many things, founded the city of Minas Tirith. He was also the one who managed to keep the forces of Sauron at bay for a long time until he was killed during the siege of Barad-Dûr. The younger brother Isildur's story is much more famous. For one, after the death of his brother and great friend he was the one who cut off the Ring from the hand of Lord Sauron himself and put an end to the shadow.
Many years later when Lord Sauron returned once again in search of the Ring men ruled most of Middle-Earth. With every other race dwindling the task fell upon Aragorn, son of Arathorn to unite Middle-Earth and make the Dark Lord vanish once and for all. Men, orcs, goblins and men of Rhûn were slain by the thousands in the onslaught at Minas Tirith. Yet Gondor and Rohan prevailed and an allegiance was formed as Eówyn married Faramir. Maiden of Rohan and Captain of Gondor. Men of Middle-Earth.

Elves
In the years before this great dark war, the Elves and their High King Gil-galad lived in peace in their realm at Lindon, to the far east. Yet when the One Ring was forged and the Nine fell to the treachery of Sauron, this realm was the first to be attacked by the mighty army of the Dark Lord. They were overwhelmed and fled to the west, all the time being followed by the Orc army that came from mount Doom. When the Elves reached the Dúnedain Kingdoms(Gondor and Arnor) they met a vast army of men coming to their aid. Under the command of the great kings Anárion and his brother Isildur the Orcs were crushed and sent back to Mordor. The remaining Elves, still under the command of Gil-galad, sought and gained refuge in Lórien and Rivendel. When, years later, finally Lord Sauron unleashed his entire army against middle-earth it was Anárion who sought the help of the elves. Lórien(Galadriel), Rivendell(Elrond) and former Lindon(Gil-galad) marched at once to the final great battle of their time. In this Battle many died, among them was the last High King of the Elves Gil-galad.

Dwarves
The lives and wars of men and elves have never been of great significance to the the Khazâd. Although there were many disputes and even some wars between elves and drwaves due to their beliefs of Creation, through the centuries their main bussiness was with orcs. Azog the Orc being the main cause when he brutally murdered king Thrór. He branded his name on the head and gloated over his action. The dwarves responded by gathering forces for three years and when their army had grown strong enough in 2793 of the third Age, they sacked and destroyed nearly all of the orc-holds in the misty mountains. During this brutal war with no mercy from either side, many dwarves died. But their losses were nothing compared to the numbers of slain orcs. In the final battle, the Battle of Nanduhirion, Azog was slain. Memorable and Honoured dwarves fought in this battle of battles. Like Thorin, Thrain II, Fundin and Nain. The war had been costly for the dwarves for over half of them had died. For the race it meant a strong downfall because, unlike men, dwarf population grew slow. 150 years later at the battle of Five Armies many more dwarves died but with the help of men and elves they were able to drive ou the Orcs once more and never to return again.

Hobbits
Hobbits, a race quite different from any other in many aspects. For one, hobiits dislike war and rather choose t avoid it. It is said that hobbits know the same origin as men, though know one knows for sure. It is certain however that in the beginning there were three Hobbit-kinds. The most numerous Harfoots, lives peaceful lives on the eastern slopes of the misty mountains. The second most numerous Stoors who liked water and swimming and therfore resided in the marshy Gladden fields where the Gladden riiver met the Anduin river. The last kind were the Fallohides. Adventurers, some bit taller and as fair bit fairer than the other Hobbit-kinds. They lived in the woods under the Misty Mountains.
In the Third Age, year 1050, nearly all hobbits undertook the task to abonden their homes and cross the Misty Mountains. Probably because Lord Sauron was getting mightier at the time. They moves to the now well known areas, Bree and Dunland and beacause the three kinds all settled amongst eachother, the divisions began to fade away. Nearly 600 years later in the year 1601 two Fallohides began the task to corss the river Brandywine and founded the Shire. Many Hobbits followed and so it became a wealthy (in hobbit standards) land. After the Battle of Fornost in which the Hobbits did not participate they elected a Thain of their own. This became the Oldbucks and Brandybucks (Bucks). After a while though they settled their own "land" and so Buckland was founded. It now fell to the Tooks to govern the Shire. And indeed in later years after the War agains Sauron, it was Peregrin Took(Pippin) who became the Thain of the shire.





the Argonath
Anárion and Isildur standing on either side of the river Anduin where it enters Nen Hithoel. The Argonath was in fact built to be the Northern border of the kingdom of men. The great kings of men stood there to welcome peace and to defy enemies. By the time the Fellowship of the Ring reached the Argonath, the Kingdom of Men had greatly diminished in size though and the border lay far to the south.
In the many centuries since the construction of the Argonath by king Rómendacil II it gained a history of it's own. Several events occured which gave the Argonath a new symbolic meaning. For one it is said that the brightest of stars shone above the Argonath when it was finsihed, transferring a part of Isildur and Anárion onto it. The two great kings represented forever. The second event that occurred was a gathering of Elves. Elves of Mirkwood(among them was Legolas), Lórien(Haldir), Rivendell and Lindon came to seek out these statues for they believed that the star that shone so bright was actually the Valar, their land of homecoming. The star of Courage and Peace had shone above these kings of old. The third event involved Gimli son of Glóin. The dwarf of Moria had already seen plenty of Middle-Earth. He had shared his warm company in the taverns of the hobbits, he had been to Rivendell several times(before attending the Coucil of Lord Elrond) and he had fought alongsides men. But when a great friend of his was ambushed and killed by Orcs he did not think twice to cross half of Middle-Earth again to avenge him. When he finally caught up with the band of Orcs, at the footholds of the Argonath, he was outnumbered 14 to 1. It is said no dwarf ever fought so bravely and that he was blessed by the kings of old, for he slayed them all.
The final event of course being 3 at the same time, and both the most famous of all. The breaking of the Fellowship of the Ring.Frodo who didn't want to riks his friends dying for his task, Sam who didn't want Frodo to have to do carry his burden alone and who had made a promis to Gandalf. Gandalf who had foreseen it all. The repeation of history as Aragorn avenged Boromir, as did Isildur for Anárion against Sauron. And finally Aragorn's decision to go to the aid of Merry and Pippin. Not to leave them to torture and death in the hands of Saruman.

After all those years the memory of the Northern border of the Kingdom of Men has faded and having made it's own history the Argonath stands now symbol for Wisdom(the blessing of the Valar), Courage and Bravery(Gimli's vengeance) and Loyalty, for that was what drew the Fellowship of the Ring apart but kept them together the same time.
A kinship of Hobbits, Dwarves, Men and Elves now stand as the Aegis, the shield, of the Argonath and all it stands for. The Aegides.

It took me some time, but it's finished now. Please tell me what you think about it. Maybe some points of criticism, every help is welcome of course