: In POME in the section on the descendants of Elendil the home of Aragorn's mother (Gilrain) is described in passing as "A hidden fastness in Eriador." Now much depends on ones interpretation of the word "fastness," but to me this word suggests a fortified dwelling of some kind. At the very least it would be a fortified farmhouse where an extended family lived - a little like those still found in the Scottish/English borders where the walls are thick and strong and there is no opening in them at ground level. Alternatively it could describe something more grandiose and refer to either a type of "Manor house" or a fortified hamlet or village. In any case this reference points out that the description of the Dunedain as wandering folk is not wholly accurate but is really only applicable to those male Dunedain who were members of the Rangers.

: In the same section of POME, the time when Bullroarer Took killed Golfimbul, is described (in connection with the Dunedain) as being a period of war in Eriador against the orcs of the Misty Mountains. The use of the word "War", rather than say fighting or strife, is somewhat suggestive that the population of the Dunedain may have been rather higher than is generally accepted. I think that population numbers in the thousands would be neccessary to persecute a conflict which could be described as a war.

A war does not automatically require large armies or a population in the thousands to support the war. Tribal wars,during this century and the last, normally consisted of numerous small battles and skirmishes. A large battle could consist of as little as a hundred on each side. A series of skirmishes, small battles and one climactic large battle would be consisdered, and recorded as a war. This is no doubt the war between the Dunedain and the orcs.~Aelmer