| “ | They were once men. Great kings of men. Then Sauron the deceiver gave to them nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring, drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting you. | „ |
| ~ Aragon telling Frodo about the Nazgûl. |
The Nazgûl, also known as Ringwraiths, The Nine, and even Black Riders, are servants of Sauron in J. R. R. Tolkien's classic Middle-earth writings, and are major antagonists in the epic novel, The Lord of the Rings, as well as in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, alongside their leader, the Witch-King of Angmar.
Description
They originally were leaders of Men who were given the Nine Rings of Power by Sauron, which enslaved them. Over time they changed into ghostly beings, their bodies invisible to the normal eye; they often wear visible dark cloaks and other garments, enabling other beings to see them. They are usually mounted, either on horseback or riding great winged beasts (though unnamed, they are often called "fell beasts", after a descriptive term used by Tolkien). They serve Sauron in various fuctions, as scouts and spies as well as leaders of his armies.
Only two Nazgûl are known as individuals:
- The Witch-King of Angmar, the first leader of the Nazgûl. His name is not known, and he is instead referred to by various epithets.
- Khamûl, the Witch-king's second in command. He was a former Easterling lord, and is the only named Nazgûl. He became the second leader of the Nine after the death of the Witch-King at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
History
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
In Part I, The Fellowship of the Ring, the Nazgûl are sent to the Shire on horseback to retrieve the One Ring, and subsequently chase the Ring-bearer Frodo Baggins and his companions on their way to Rivendell.
Later, in Part II, The Two Towers, they appear at various times riding the winged fell beasts. One noticeable time was when a Nazgul flew over the Dead Marshes, and Frodo, Sam, and Gollum try to hide from him. Eventually, it leaves and rides back to Mordor.
In Part III, The Return of the King, the Witch-king of Angmar leads Sauron's armies in the Siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, but he is killed by Lady Éowyn of Rohan and the hobbit Merry Brandybuck. The other Nazgûl reappear at the Battle of the Black Gate, from where they speed to Mount Doom after Sauron becomes aware of the Ring's location. They burn in the flames of the erupting volcano after the One Ring is destroyed.
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