Ithilien, or "Moon-land," is the easternmost province of Gondor, the only part of Gondor across the Great River Anduin lying between the river and the Mountains of Shadow (Ephel Dúath), subdivided by the stream of Morgulduin into North and South Ithilien.
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Emyn Arnen, a series of hills at the centre of Ithilien, south of Osgiliath, stands opposite Minas Tirith across Anduin; around it the river makes a bend.
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In 2954 Mount Doom burst into flame and those few farmers who remained fled Westward over Anduin, leaving only the Rangers behind to harry the servants of Sauron.
The Rangers were first formed at the end of the twenty-ninth century of the Third Age by a decree of the Ruling Steward of Gondor, for Ithilien was frequently subjected to enemies from Mordor and Minas Morgul.
Thus, they head south into Gondor's province of Ithilien, where they are accosted by a group of Gondorian rangers led by Faramir, the brother of Boromir.