Orcrist
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Orcrist is a noted sword mentioned in the fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. It was the weapon of the Dwarf Lord Thorin Oakenshield from Tolkien's novel, The Hobbit.
In Sindarin Orcrist is said to mean "Goblin Cleaver", (Goblin being a synonym for Orc used mainly in The Hobbit). Many of the famed weapons in Tolkien's stories had names, such as Glamdring, Narsil and Sting (see chart below). It was crafted by the Elves, who not only made it a valuable weapon, also a feared one, particularly among traditional enemies of the Elves: Orcs and other evil creatures of Middle-earth. Like Glamdring and Sting, the blade could detect the presence of Orcs and warn its bearer by glowing various colors. Glamdring and Orcrist glow various colors. Sting is the only sword recorded as glowing with only a blue hue. The Fellowship of the Ring records that "Glamdring glittered white in answer" to the Balrog's initial attack. Most other times Glamdring is recorded as "glowing with a pale light" and only once recorded as glowing blue,which was right after Gandalf used it to kill the goblin-king of the Misty Mountains. Since Glamdring and Orcrist were mates, it is very likely that they glowed in a similar manner. Goblins called it "Biter".
As the "mate" to King Turgon's sword Glamdring, Orcrist was borne by an Elf of Gondolin, most likely Ecthelion.
In The Hobbit, Orcrist, along with Glamdring and Sting, are found in the Troll's cave and are later identified by Elrond.
Thorin was subsequently mortally wounded at the Battle of Five Armies. After his death Orcrist is placed upon Thorin's tomb and that it "gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached" (The Hobbit Chapter 18, "The Return Journey").
| Weapons of Middle-earth | |
| Aeglos | Andúril | Anglachel | Anguirel | Angrist | Aranrúth | Belthronding | Black Arrow | Dagmor | Dailir | Dramborleg | Durin's Axe | Glamdring | Grond | Gúthwinë | Gurthang | Herugrim | Morgul-blade | Narsil | Orcrist | Red Arrow | Ringil | Sting | |
