Aragorn passed through the Dark Door and into the caves under the Haunted Mountain before dawn on 8^th March, and came out into a ravine, where the river Morthond ran beside the path, two hours before sunset (some ten hours). The distance was not great – probably not more than about 25 miles – but the Riders must have gone very slowly in the dark and with many delays and interruptions. When they emerged from the caves they were in the uplands of a great vale and still had a long way to go to Erech, but they could now travel faster and reached the Stone – perhaps another 40 miles – just before midnight. (The Passing of the Grey Company; Bk 3).

From Erech to Pelargir was 93 leagues (279 miles). The road passed Tarlang’s Neck into Lamedon. This may have been a ridge; there was certainly a ridge of hills stretching south-west from the main range at this point, according to the Map of Gondor in The Return of the King, but to my mind it seems more likely that the Neck was a long narrow gully among the hills through which the road ran. (The Passing of the Grey Company; Bk 3).

From there they went on to Calembel, a township on the Ciril, and thence to Ethring where they crossed the Ringlo and on the third day to Linhir, which was above the mouth of the Gilrain. It must have been some way up the river, as Legolas never in fact actually saw the sea, though he heard the gulls crying. (The Last Debate; Bk 3).

There was a battle there between the men of Lamedon and those of Umbar and Harad before the Riders arrived, but both contestants fled on seeing the Grey Company. After crossing the fords, Aragorn’s followers chased their enemies for a night and a day before reaching Pelargir where there was another great battle.