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The Ringwraith of Khand, also known as the Tainted was one of the nine Nazgûl who were Kings of Men, corrupted by the Rings of Sauron.

History[]

Early Life[]

He once abode in the lands of Khand where he ruled as a King. Sauron came to him in the Second Age, offering him a Ring of power. He was corrupted by the ring and eventually turned into a Nazgûl, serving the dark lord as one of the nine.

Third Age[]

Following Sauron's defeat during the War of the Last Alliance, the ringwraith served the Witch-king during the War of Angmar.[1] Soon afterwards, the Nazgûl were all defeated and buried at the High Fells of Rhudaur by the Elves, thought to be gone forever.[2]

The ringwraith, along with his eight companions were all resurrected by a returned Sauron and summoned to Dol Guldur where the Dark Lord was gaining power. In TA 2941, the White Council attacked Dol Guldur and fought the Nazgûl. Galadriel banished Sauron from the fortress and the dark lord took the ringwraiths back to Mordor.[3]

During the early War of the Ring, the ringwraith was sent out on horseback with the other Nazgûl to retrieve the One Ring, having the two words "Shire" and "Baggins" as their only lead. This led them to the Shire where they began looking for "Baggins". After pursuing Frodo Baggins and his Hobbit friends in the Old Forest, the riders entered Bree to kill them and retrieve that which he carried. They were unsuccessful and continued to look around the outskirts of the town during the night. [4]

A group of Nazgûl attacked the Hobbits on Weathertop and were fought by Aragorn, (it is unknown whether the Ringwraith of Khand was among them). The full group of nine riders pursued Frodo, now bore by Arwen Evenstar on horseback, all the way to the outskirts of Imladris. There they were crushed by the water, magically summoned by Arwen. They lost their cloaks and horses in the water and returned in defeat to their master in Mordor who decided to utilise them more in his war against the Gondorians.[4]

The ringwraith fought in the Siege of Gondor, now flying a fell-beast and later in the Battle of the Black Gate where he was killed as a result of his master's death.[5]

Appearances[]

Sources[]

Reference list

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