Exploring Tolkien's Fourth Age - Page 5
© Michael Martinez
Dunland became a part of Rohan during Eomer's reign, perhaps as a consequence of the Dunlendings' role in the War of the Ring. It may seem strange that the Rohirrim would try to coexist with the Dunlendings, but it does seem apparent that they realized they had to learn to get along. Erkenbrand showed great mercy to the Dunlendings after the Battle of the Hornburg, and that may have begun a healing process between the two peoples, who had been enemies for more than 500 years.
The populations of Rohan and Dunland probably expanded as well, and they may indeed have contributed many of the colonists who settled in Eriador. We know that the Shire expanded, because they colonized the Tower Hills and all of Westmarch, and it's probable that the Breeland experienced a new period of growth as increased economic activity would have provided such impetus. Annuminas would have been depenendent on trade with the Shire, but if Fornost was recolonized Bree would again have been an important center of trade, news, and travel in Eriador.
The world of The New Shadow must have been more crowded than the world of The Lord of the Rings. There were probably fewer Elves near the end of Eldarion's reign, but probably there were more Dwarves. And Men increased and spread far and wide, while Hobbits, too, flourished. The plots of Herumor could have been confined in the southern lands, but it seems likely to me that Herumor would have extended his influence as far and wide was possible. Even the Hobbits of the Westmarch may have felt some trace of his influence, if only in fearful whispers the origin of which they could not know for certain. Though it would have no great enemies like Sauron to trouble it, the Fourth Age could nonetheless have become a dangerous time for the Free Peoples again.
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