Withywindle

Description

The Withywindle is a river that runs through the Old Forest, from about Tom Bombadil's House until the Brandywine River. The ancient spirit named Goldberry, river-maiden and the wife of Tom Bombadil, is called the Daughter of Withywindle. Another entity, the Old Man Willow grew on the banks of the river, and through his malicious power the valley of the Withywindle was the most dangerous part of the Old Forest. Through his power over the trees, the Great Willow would draw unwary travellers to his domain on the banks of the Withywindle.

Details

• A minor tributary of the River Baranduin or Brandywine. It rose above the house of Tom Bombadil and flowed approximately south-west to cut a valley through the trees of the Old Forest, before it met the Brandywine at Haysend near the southern edge of the forest.
• Meaning: "Willow-winding"
  The name includes the old word withy, meaning 'willow'. The -windle element derives from wendel, which does not actually occur historically, but is used by Tolkien in various Old English river-names. The name of the river was apparently suggested by withywind, an old name for the tangling, climbing plant more commonly known as bindweed.

Quest Involvement

• [18] Marigold

Lore

From its source in the mysterious Barrow-downs and all along its course through the Old Forest, the River Withywindle is a place of strange happenings and of dark and ancient legends. When adventuring in unknown areas within the Old Forest, travellers would be wise to avoid these winding, slow-moving waters, though doing so may prove difficult - The Withywindle has a way of drawing the unwary toward its deceptively tranquil surface and into its dark depths. It is also said that strange creatures of the forest - and even the very willow trees themselves along the Withywindle’s banks - are agents of its ancient evil. — Turbine

Maps

Gallery

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  The Withywindle pours down from the mountainous ridge west of the Barrow-downs.

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  This eerie river then flows westwards through the Old Forest, crossed only once by a bridge leading down from Tom Bombadil's House.

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  On its way, the Withywindle passes Old Man Willow, infamous for enchanting unwary explorers with a dangerous drowsiness.

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  Old Man Willow is but the one among many willows that line the river's banks, though the other trees are of the more normal variety.

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  The mysterious rivers swirls into a pool known as the Broken Heart, fallen willow leaves collecting in sheets on its surface.

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  There is danger near the river, and and one can easily get lost in the forest surrounding the water.

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  Once, a cozy cottage would welcome visitors to the area and offer safe harbor from the dangerous of the woods.

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  Now, aught but a burned-out ruin remains there, its owner long since gone.

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  Further out, the river widens up as mist coils about its surface. This is the Withywindle Crossing.

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  This area is notable for its many enraged bears, clawing each other to shreds in their madness.

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  Past the crossing, the mist gets particularly thick even as the edge of the forest approaches.

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  Finally, light shines down through the boughs of the tree as the Withywindle picks up speed.

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  The mist gives way, and the light is allowed in as the Old Forest recedes behind the river.

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  The strange river at last empties into the Brandywine river as it heads for the ocean to the south.