Arathorn II

The fifteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain, Arathorn II succeeded his father Arador and was the father of Aragorn II, [1] King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom. He was born in the Third Age in 2873 and was killed in 2930. He was a stern individual with masterful skills of a blade.

In Sindarin, Arathorn either meant “Eagle king” or “Steadfast king”.

While his father Arador roamed in the wild, Arathorn was raised by Elrond in Rivendell in a similar way his forefathers were raised. Quite early on, Arathorn asked for Gilraen’s hand however her father Dirheael refused to allow it. He thought Gilraen was too young to be married and also because he could foresee that Arathorn was a short-lived Chieftain. Nevertheless, Gilraen's mother Ivorwen convinced her husband for the match by telling him that if they get married maybe there will be some hope left for the Dunedain. Upon her convincing, Arathorn II and Gilraen were married in 2929. In TA 2930, Arathorn became Chieftain of the Dúnedain when his father was captured and killed by the Hill-trolls [2] in the Ettenmoors north of Rivendell. Around the same time, Gilraen learned she was with child.

On March 1st 2931, Arathorn and Gilraen became parents with the birth of Aragorn II. He would be their only child, for Dirhael’s prediction about Arathorn’s short life turned into a reality in 2933. When Arathorn rode off with the Rangers and the twin sons of Elrond to battle the Orcs, he was pierced in the eye by an orc-arrow and was killed. He was succeeded by his two-year-old infant, Aragorn who went on to become the Chieftain of Dúnedain. He and Gilraen went to live in Rivendell where the boy was fostered by Elrond.

1. ^The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen.
2. ^The Killer Trolls | Tolkien's Ring.