Dúnedain

The Dúnedain (S: "West-men"), singular Dúnadan, were the Men of Númenor and their descendants who peopled the Westlands of Middle-earth in the Second and Third Ages.

Although they were from the beginning far fewer in number than the lesser men, the Dúnedain were lords of long life, great power, and wisdom; far superior to the Men of Middle-earth among whom they dwelt and whom they ruled.

Characteristics

Appearance

They were tall, pale-skinned, with dark hair, shining grey eyes, and proud faces. Although the stature of those with Númenórean descent decreased from what it once was (more than 2 ranga), the Dúnedain were still about 2 ranga or 6'4" on average.

Waning of the Dúnedain

The Third Age marked the beginning of the waning of the Dúnedain, in which their gifts of wisdom, nobility, and long life were slowly withdrawn due to the Downfall of Númenor and their mingling with lesser men.

In the beginning of their history, the Dúnedain were blessed with a lifespan thrice the life of lesser men, yet this ever-diminished over the course of the Third Age.

In Arnor, the strife and dissensions between the kingdoms of Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur hastened the waning of the Dúnedain. "More swift was the waning in the North-kingdom, for Eriador became colder and there, the Dúnedain became ever less". The Dúnedain of Arnor, unlike their kin to the South, were of unmingled Númenórean blood. Although, their lifespans ever continued to shorten, the Dúnedain of Arnor, especially their Chieftains, maintained significant longevity living to twice the age of lesser men. The Heirs of Isildur even lived up to 160 years or more.

After Gondor's numbers were replenished by lesser Northmen after the Kin-Strife, the mingling did not at first hasten the waning of the Dúnedain, as had been feared, but it still proceeded little by little as it had before. However, after the fall of the Kings, the waning was much swifter in Gondor than in Arnor. In fact, Hador the seventh Ruling Steward of Gondor was the last Gondorian to live 150 years and after his time the life-span of those with Númenórean blood waned more rapidly. By the time of the War of the Ring, few among the Gondorians passed 100 years with vigour, except in the more pure and noble houses.

Upon the reunification of the Kingdoms of the Dúnedain, the might and dignity of the Dúnedain was lifted up and their glory was renewed. Greatest among them was their High King Aragorn II Elessar who lived up to 210 years (the longest since King Arvegil), and he received in some measure their former gifts. He wedded Arwen Undomiel, daughter of Elrond, brother of Elros first King of Númenór, and so restored the majesty and high lineage of the royal House of Telcontar, but their life-span was not restored and continued to wane until it became as that of other men.