Anoron was born around the year 430 First Age, in Nargothrond, the stronghold of Finrod Felagund. After its destruction, being still very young, Anoron dwelt in Doriath with Galadriel his father’s sister. One of the survivors after the destruction of Beleriand he then dwelt in Lindon for many long years, before his adventure-loving nature drove him forth from the safe shelter of Gray Havens. He would then wander, seeking those that might need his aid. Yet he would not willingly stay in one place long; for the constant desire for lore and skill was great in him.

Often he would live alone in the wild, mastering those secrets nature would will to reveal from him; and many a beast he had befriended, for he would not hurt them unless they served ill purpose. Some say he mastered their tongues and understood them; and they spoke to him. He had great skill in healing; for he knew every herb that grew in the woods and would help mend every wound.

At the return of Sauron and the beginning of the building of his stronghold by Ered Lithui, Anoron’s path led him there; for the good will of the servant of Morgoth was greatly in question, and he trusted him not. Often he would return there, to seek in secrecy any signs of evil deeds. Yet Sauron revealed not his true purpose, and he would teach them and befriend them, and many of them were deceived. Thus Anoron continued his inquiries, until at last, when Sauron, having forged the One Ring, was prepared and hid his purpose no more. His servants then captured Anoron and imprisoned him, and in the darkness of the raising tower he could see no more.

He was held captive for long, in terrible cold and hunger. A spell was cast upon him by Sauron himself, that his mind would find no rest unless he looks upon the Sun again. At nights he cried in anguish and torment, and the sound echoed in the mountains of Ered Lithui; for the servants of Sauron would torture his body with fiery whips, leaving wounds that would mend hard, and those that did left terrible scars. Some of those healed in time, and some did not.

For six hundred years he dwelt in bonds upon the foundations of the Dark Tower; and at last he was cast by Sauron himself from the heights of Barad Dûr, sent to his death. But Sauron, seeing that the Elf endured the fall laughed long; and would undo not the spell he had cast upon him. Instead, he sent forth a fire that burnt his eyes; thus he would nevermore look upon the Sun to be released from the spell. Then Sauron left him in torment and pain from many wounds, in eternal darkness, to his death.

But Anoron, he that was born in the light of the Sun would endure the torment he was left to, and seeking his way with the help of birds and beasts that served no evil purpose he came at last to Lindon on the shores of the Great Sea. There he was tended to, and many of his wounds mended that once would stop not bleeding. Yet shadow was set firmly into his mind, and as the cruel prophecy had told, he looked not upon the Sun again. Thus he abandoned the name Anoron, and named himself Agarnen, the Blood River.

For he had left Lindon, driven by the indefinite need of the heart, and his pain that would leave him not. A white blindfold he wore from then on; for though he sought not the company of others, he would save them the terrible sight of his festering wounds. A wanderer he became; and he would cross the lands of Middle Earth many a time without aim nor purpose. At last he came upon the lands where the Silvan Elves dwelt, but he would enter not their Realm. At times he would sit by the banks of the River Anduin, and shed his blood tears that mixed with the clear waters, painting it crimson red.

At last Galadriel, his father’s sister came to dwell and rule the land of Lothlórien; and she offered him aid, yet he rejected it. For he had learnt to live on his own; and weapons he wielded no worse than those who can see. A spear he carried that would be his staff in times of peace; and a sword. But mostly he would avoid and open battle; and he was waylaid not easily. For with the loss of his sight his other senses sharpened, and would aid him and lead him not into trouble. Thus he wanders by the borders of the Golden Wood, seeking the Sun he had lost.