The Reign of Argeleb II

In the waning years of the Third Age, when the shadows of Angmar began to lengthen across the northern frontier, the throne of Arthedain was occupied by Argeleb II, the son of Araphor. He was of the noble line of Isildur, the seventeenth King of Arthedain, and he bore the weight of a realm that stood as the final bulwark against the malice of the Witch-king. His lineage was one of sorrow and vigilance, for the Dúnedain of the North were a fading people, their numbers dwindling even as the malice of their ancient foes waxed in the dark places of the earth.

It was during the long and troubled reign of Argeleb II that the plight of the Hobbits first drew the attention of the throne of Fornost. In the year 1601 of the Third Age, two brothers, Marcho and Blanco, led a great migration of their kin from Bree across the Baranduin river. Recognizing their peaceful nature and their desire for a quiet life, Argeleb II granted them lands in the fertile country between the river and the Far Downs. He bestowed upon them the royal leave to settle these lands, which they named the Shire, requiring only that they acknowledge the King’s lordship and maintain the Great Bridge of Stonebows and all other bridges and roads in good repair. In this act, Argeleb II showed the wisdom of the ancient kings, for in his mercy and foresight, he provided a sanctuary for the small folk who would, in a later age, play a part in the salvation of all Middle-earth.

Yet, the peace of his realm was not to last, for the Great Plague, a pestilence of fell origin, swept out of the East and the South in the year 1636. It ravaged the lands of the Dúnedain, striking terror into the hearts of the high and the low alike. The population of Arthedain was decimated, and the strength of the kingdom withered as the shadow of death claimed many of the King’s kin and counselors. Argeleb II watched as his people perished, and the guard upon the borders of Angmar grew thin. Though he survived the initial onset of the contagion, the kingdom was irrevocably altered, its power broken and its ability to withstand the machinations of the Nazgûl severely diminished.

Argeleb II passed from this world in the year 1670 of the Third Age, having reigned for some seventy-two years. He was succeeded by his son, Arvegil. Though his name is not heralded in the songs of victory as are the names of the great warriors of old, Argeleb II remains a figure of significant import in the chronicles of the North-kingdom. He was the steward of a dying age, a king who sought to preserve the remnants of his people amidst the encroaching darkness. His legacy lies not in the conquest of vast territories, but in his recognition of the worth of the small and his endurance during a time when the world seemed destined to fall into the grip of the Enemy.