GONDOR
FOUNTAIN GUARD

 

 

......The armor of the Fountain Guards reflected their ceremonial status and their ancient lineage stretching back to the kings of Numenor themselves.

Over a long black robe was worn a full-length mail hauberk, which in turn was covered with a white linen sleeveless robe that had been embroidered in different colored threads with beautiful Numenorean patterning.

Unique among the Gondorian soldiery, the guards' cuirass was embellished with the seven stars and crown in brass over the tree device; this was because their loyalty was first to Elendil's lost house before the ruling sword. A steel collar, worn under the cuirass, protected the throat.

A rich black woolen cloak, embroidered in gold with the same pattern as the robe, was tied around the shoulders, and over this was worn large, five-lamed pauldrons that swept around the shoulders like silver embissed with a stylized curving branch, clearly a continuation of the Tree device on the cuirass; a stop-rib sideswipe.

Last, but most important, was the great Numenorean sea-helm; it shone with such brilliance that it was rumored to be made entirely of mithril, although none now survive to verify this amazing claim.

From diagrams discovered in the city's archives, it can be seen that these helmets were similar in shape to the barbuts worn by the regular soldiers, but were adorned with brass patterning around the cheek and nose-guard areas.

The most striking feature, however, was the crest, which extended out from the sides of the helm in two foot-long plumes of purest white gull feathers, giving the impression of a winged crown.

To any visitor to the Citadel they would have appeared as a vision, a tantalizing glimpse of the glory of Numenor, of a distance past now lost beneath the waves.

From Page 161, LORD OF THE RINGS: WEAPONS AND WARFARE

 

 

The Fountain Guard carries ten-foot-long ash spears as their primary weapon; presumable the intention was to use this to keep any who might try from reaching the White Tree. The spear featured a unique crescent-shaped guard bearing the Minas Tirith device at its center, which extended into a one-foot-long ridged blade.

On their belt they carried a sword that differed in only one way from the standard Gondorian sword; on its pommel was engraved the Tree of Gondor device instead of Minas Tirith icon.

The Fountain Guards carried no shield, perhaps as an indication that if they failed in their duty their life was forfeit....

From Page 160, LORD OF THE RINGS: WEAPONS AND WARFARE

 

 

 

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