Serni

The Serni is a river of southern Gondor; it rises beneath the eastern White Mountains, and flows southwestward through Lebennin until it meets the River Gilrain at Linhir. Then it opens into a delta, joining the larger Ethir Anduin. That mouth was blocked with shingles, and ships that entered the Ethir Anduin preferred to enter it east of Tolfalas.

The river Serni is found in Lower Lebennin in the region of Central Gondor. It was strewn with rocks, lending it its name which derives from stony. There are two fords, with the western one being south of the town of Malbarth and the eastern one south of Ost Anglebed. The Serni is the domain of the stern River-maid Grey-eye, one of the Five Sisters, though she and her sisters were widely considered a myth by the time of the War of the Ring.

Maps

Gallery

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  Like the other Five Sisters, the Serni pours from the White Mountains in a waterfall.

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  The Serni briefly passes through Lebennin Valley in view of Pelargir, but veers off to the west before it can reach the city.

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  After another fall, the river passes an area where the river's stern river-maid Grey-Eye, one of the Five Sisters, can sometimes be seen.

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  After a short stretch to the south, the river bends and heads west for its remainder.

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  Serni means stony, and the river does indeed have many rocks and boulders that its currents have carried part of the way toward the sea.

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  The Gondorians have reinforced two ford crossings on the Serni with arches and lanterns.

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  After two more falls, the river starts its final stretch towards the city of Linhir.

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  The Serni passes the village of Sarnhad, built conveniently close to the water.

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  Just before reaching the city, the river merges with its sister, Gilrain.

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  Passing through culverts and canals, the joined rivers finally enter the ocean in the Bay of Belfalas.