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Crebain were a race of black crows[1] that were often used as spies by the Hill Tribesmen and the servants of the Dark Lord Sauron.
History[]
During the Third Age, black crows known as Crebain could be found in Dunland and the ancient forest east of Isengard, though they also ranged as deep as Mirkwood.[2] Birds of carrion that fed on the carcasses of fallen beasts and Men alike, they were nonetheless intelligent creatures. After many generations of sharing their land with the Wildmen, the Crebain developed "a loose kinship" with the Dunlendings and answered their call. The Hill Tribesmen used such crows as scouts in their incursions into Rohan, home of the Horse-lords.[1] These birds of ill omen were also aligned with the forces of the Dark Lord.[2][3]
In the days leading to the War of the Rohirrim, a flock of Crebain from Dunland surveyed the skies of northern Rohan on behalf of the Hill Tribes. While investigating recent sightings of dead horses there, Lady Héra, Lord Fréaláf, and the rest of their party stumbled upon these creatures feeding on the corpse of a Southron mercenary. The Crebain watched as the company was attacked by a rabid Mûmak soon afterwards.[4]
During the Quest of Erebor, Crebain were used by Azog the Defiler and his master, the mysterious Necromancer, to track down the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. As Bilbo and the Dwarves were preparing to leave Beorn's homestead, the Wizard Gandalf and Beorn heard the crows' croaking and remarked that they were "being watched".[2]
Years later during the War of the Ring, Crebain from Dunland were used as spies by the Wizard Saruman, agent of the Dark Lord Sauron. When Gandalf, still oblivious to Saruman's treachery, came for counsel, Crebain were circling the skies around the Tower of Orthanc. Through the crows, the fallen White Wizard later kept watch on the Gap of Rohan, expecting the Fellowship of the Ring to head for the Pass of Caradhras after their departure from Rivendell. A flock of Crebain caught sight of the company at Hollin and reported their finding back to Saruman at Isengard.[3] Following the victory at Helm's Deep, Théoden King demanded justice for Isengard's atrocities in Rohan, vowing that they would only have peace once the traitor Saruman hanged "for the sport of [his] own crows".[5]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim: Official Visual Companion
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King