In J.R.R Tolkien’s fictional Lord Of The Rings legendarium, he attributed Shadowfax as the “lord of all horses”. The Mearas were a race of horses that were supposedly the greatest of all horses that existed on Middle-earth; Shadowfax shared a common ancestry with this race. Shadowfax was a unique horse, native to Middle-Earth, he could understand the human language and he was the fastest runner ever known. It is believed that he could run faster than the wind. In the beginning, Shadowfax came from the House of Eorl, it was said that Shadowfax was very wild and he was such a horse that nobody could tame. A lot of attempts and efforts were made to tame Shadowfax but were futile. Hence, Théoden gave away Shadowfax to Gandalf who was a well-known wizard. [1] Tolkien in his book describes Shadowfax as a horse who has a silver-grey coat which can only be seen during the day and it was very hard to see at night.
Origin
Gandalf had once come to visit the land of Rohan and the king at the time, Théoden, was reluctant to give Gandalf the horse he wanted. But he soon complied. When Shadowfax had his first encounter with Gandalf wouldn’t even let Gandalf come near its vicinity. But Gandalf did not lose his spirit and he tried to follow Shadowfax wherever he went for almost two days. After that, he was able to tame Shadowfax. He was such a trustworthy horse that during the war of the Ring, Shadowfax carried Gandalf throughout the war without any harness. He also accompanied Gandalf on his journey to the Shire.
Later, Shadowfax came back to Edoras. Shadowfax also accompanied Gandalf to his journey to the Fangorn Forest. Gandalf then introduced Shadowfax to the three hunters. Shadowfax was claimed to be the chieftain of Arod and Hasufel. Furthermore, he carried both Gimli and Gandalf to their journey to Edoras. Shadowfax’s skill and strength were noteworthy. He was such an agile horse that he ran from Edoras to Minas Tirith without halting or stopping anywhere between the journey. And his speed left enemies far behind him. He set sail in the White Ship after having stayed with Gandalf at the Grey Havens.
Shadowfax was also known for his courage in Middle-earth; instead of running away when the Siege of Gondor happened, he stood tall and fought with the Lord of the Nazgûl [2]. He shared a line of ancestry with the finest Mearas, who were well known to be bred exclusively for the Kings of Rohan. He has a silver-grey coat and was so intelligent that he could understand what the humans were talking about. His strength and courage are notable features that made him a popular horse in Middle-Earth. Being an untameable horse, the Rohirrim was not able to ride him. Many efforts were made but all failed. Gandalf had escaped from Orthanc and he went to Rohan. When he reached Rohan, King Théoden was not pleased with Gandalf’s arrival; he wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. So he offered him a choice to choose any of Rohan’s horses. To the King of Rohan, Théoden’s utter dismay, Gandalf chose Shadowfax. After a lot of effort from Gandalf’s side, he was able to earn the trust of Shadowfax, and ultimately he was successful in taming the wild Shadowfax.
Then, he embarked on a journey with Shadowfax first towards the Shire and then towards Rivendell. After the duo reached Rivendell, Gandalf asked Shadowfax to go back to Rohan and Shadowfax went back on his own. Gandalf and Shadowfax were not reunited until Gandalf had returned to Rohan after he became a part of the Fellowship of the Ring. Gandalf then called out to Shadowfax and he arrived as fast as he possibly could and together they were prepared for the War of The Ring. Théoden himself admitted that there does not exist any finer horse in Middle-Earth than Shadowfax. Gandalf had even deemed Shadowfax as the “chief” of the race of the finest horses, Mearas. Gandalf first rode Shadowfax when he escaped from Orthanc where he was kept as a prisoner. After this, they went to the Council of Elrond. Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas required horses quite badly so that they could travel quickly through the place of Rohan.
It was then that Gandalf introduced Shadowfax to these three hunters and Legolas when he saw that Legolas could recognize that Shadowfax came from the race of Mearas horses. [3] When King Théoden officially gifted and bestowed Gandalf with Shadowfax, he became the permanent horse of Gandalf. This led to the emergence of the well-known title, “The White Rider”. Gandalf understood Shadowfax’s capabilities and used them to his advantage as he did in the Battle for Helm’s Deep where the speed of Shadowfax provided Gandalf with an upper-hand in the battle.
Shadowfax also played an important role when he transported Peregin Took as well as Gandalf to the place of Minas Tirith. This was when Sauron thought that Peregin had the One Ring with him and he was safe-keeping it after he saw him on Saruman’s crystal ball. He also played an important role when the Siege of Gondor took place and Gandalf had extended his support to Gondor’s army and he also provided with medical care to the City religiously. It was Shadowfax’s remarkable speed that ultimately saved Faramir’s life [4] because his father was going to burn him alive on a pyre. He was the only horse; rather, the only free horse that stood and faced the Lord of the Nazgûl. He was also a part of the Final Battle that took place before the Black Gate. Tolkien later mentioned that Shadowfax carried on and went along with Gandalf to a journey towards the North and it is also said that he went along with Gandalf and crossed the Sea on their journey headed towards the West.
Later, Shadowfax came back to Edoras. Shadowfax also accompanied Gandalf to his journey to the Fangorn Forest. Gandalf then introduced Shadowfax to the three hunters. Shadowfax was claimed to be the chieftain of Arod and Hasufel. Furthermore, he carried both Gimli and Gandalf to their journey to Edoras. Shadowfax’s skill and strength were noteworthy. He was such an agile horse that he ran from Edoras to Minas Tirith without halting or stopping anywhere between the journey. And his speed left enemies far behind him. He set sail in the White Ship after having stayed with Gandalf at the Grey Havens.
Shadowfax was also known for his courage in Middle-earth; instead of running away when the Siege of Gondor happened, he stood tall and fought with the Lord of the Nazgûl [2]. He shared a line of ancestry with the finest Mearas, who were well known to be bred exclusively for the Kings of Rohan. He has a silver-grey coat and was so intelligent that he could understand what the humans were talking about. His strength and courage are notable features that made him a popular horse in Middle-Earth. Being an untameable horse, the Rohirrim was not able to ride him. Many efforts were made but all failed. Gandalf had escaped from Orthanc and he went to Rohan. When he reached Rohan, King Théoden was not pleased with Gandalf’s arrival; he wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. So he offered him a choice to choose any of Rohan’s horses. To the King of Rohan, Théoden’s utter dismay, Gandalf chose Shadowfax. After a lot of effort from Gandalf’s side, he was able to earn the trust of Shadowfax, and ultimately he was successful in taming the wild Shadowfax.
Then, he embarked on a journey with Shadowfax first towards the Shire and then towards Rivendell. After the duo reached Rivendell, Gandalf asked Shadowfax to go back to Rohan and Shadowfax went back on his own. Gandalf and Shadowfax were not reunited until Gandalf had returned to Rohan after he became a part of the Fellowship of the Ring. Gandalf then called out to Shadowfax and he arrived as fast as he possibly could and together they were prepared for the War of The Ring. Théoden himself admitted that there does not exist any finer horse in Middle-Earth than Shadowfax. Gandalf had even deemed Shadowfax as the “chief” of the race of the finest horses, Mearas. Gandalf first rode Shadowfax when he escaped from Orthanc where he was kept as a prisoner. After this, they went to the Council of Elrond. Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas required horses quite badly so that they could travel quickly through the place of Rohan.
It was then that Gandalf introduced Shadowfax to these three hunters and Legolas when he saw that Legolas could recognize that Shadowfax came from the race of Mearas horses. [3] When King Théoden officially gifted and bestowed Gandalf with Shadowfax, he became the permanent horse of Gandalf. This led to the emergence of the well-known title, “The White Rider”. Gandalf understood Shadowfax’s capabilities and used them to his advantage as he did in the Battle for Helm’s Deep where the speed of Shadowfax provided Gandalf with an upper-hand in the battle.
Shadowfax also played an important role when he transported Peregin Took as well as Gandalf to the place of Minas Tirith. This was when Sauron thought that Peregin had the One Ring with him and he was safe-keeping it after he saw him on Saruman’s crystal ball. He also played an important role when the Siege of Gondor took place and Gandalf had extended his support to Gondor’s army and he also provided with medical care to the City religiously. It was Shadowfax’s remarkable speed that ultimately saved Faramir’s life [4] because his father was going to burn him alive on a pyre. He was the only horse; rather, the only free horse that stood and faced the Lord of the Nazgûl. He was also a part of the Final Battle that took place before the Black Gate. Tolkien later mentioned that Shadowfax carried on and went along with Gandalf to a journey towards the North and it is also said that he went along with Gandalf and crossed the Sea on their journey headed towards the West.
