Ondoher

Ondoher is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's universe of Middle-earth. He was born in 1787 T.A and succeeded his father Calimehtar in the year 1936 of the Third Age as the thirty-first King of Gondor. His daughter Fíriel married Prince Arvedui of Arthedain.

In 1944 Third Age the Wainriders invaded Gondor from the east while their allies, the Haradrim invaded Gondor from the south. Ondoher and his eldest son Artamir led the main army close to the Black Gate where they clashed with the Wainriders. The left wing of Ondoher's army was commanded by Adrahil, the Prince of Dol Amroth. The right wing was commanded by Minothar, the captain of Gondor's armies. The centre was commanded by Ondoher himself.

In the ensuing battle Ondoher was slain together with his eldest son and heir "Artamir", and Gondor defeated.The rearguard of the army defended Ithilien while Adrahil got help from General Eärnil who had defeated the Haradrim.

Although Eärnil finally defeated the Wainriders it was learned that Ondoher's second son "Faramir" (not to be confused with Faramir, brother of Boromir) was slain with his father while law required that at least one heir was left behind.

No-one with a solid claim to the throne could be found, and Arvedui of Arthedain claimed the throne. Although Arvedui had a strong claim by his way of his wife Fíriel, who by ancient Númenórean law now should have become Ruling Queen, the throne was granted by the Steward Pelendur to the general Eärnil, a direct male-line descendant of King Telumehtar, who would reign as King Eärnil II.

The Line of Ondoher

Elros : Elendil
--------------------------
| Isildur Anárion : : "Aragorn" Tarondor
Telumehtar
------------------------------
: Narmacil II :
: Calimehtar :
: Ondoher :
: ------------------------------- :
| | : Fíriel = Arvedui Artamir Faramir :
: Aranarth Eärnil II

Eärnur ----------------------- : : : : : : Arador Ivorwen = Dírhael

Arathorn II = Gilraen
Aragorn = Arwen

----sequence
prev=Calimehtar
next=Eärnil II
list=Kings of Gondor----Ondoher was called Ondohir in the First Edition of "The Return of the King".