The Númenóreans

Though defeated Morgoth's will was ever present in Middle-earth compelling his servants to thwart the plans of the Valar whenever possible. So the Valar issued a summons to the Elves and Faithful Men to leave Middle-earth. The Men who stayed were left in darkness and troubled by Morgoth's servants even though the master was no longer present.

The Elves who left with the Valar settled on the Isle of Eressëa, nearest to Valinor. "To the Fathers of Men of the three faithful houses rich reward was also given" (p. 260, The Silmarillion). They were taught great skill by Eonwë and granted longer life than any other Men. That's important to note, as we trace the line of Kings they have some crazy Genesis style ages going on. Also a land was made for the Edain, raised by Ossë, hallowed by Aulë, and enriched by Yavanna--Andor.

Led by the Star of Eärendil these Men set sail for their new home. They would ever after be known as the Dunedain, The Númenóreans, Kings among Men (the line that Aragorn would come from). Though granted long life they did not escape death as Illúvatar decreed. They were also taller than any Men in Middle-earth and yet their children were fewer.

In the midst of of the land was a mountain, Meneltarma, the Pillar of Heaven, "...and upon it was a high place that was hallowed to Eru Illúvatar" (p. 261, The Silmarillion). More on this in the next post. Elros, son of Eärendil, who was given the choice to be judged by the fate of Men or Elves, was appointed by the Valar as the first King of the Dunedain. He lived to be 500 years old and ruled for 410 years. The Numenoreans grew in all ways under the protection of the Valar and being friends of the Eldar.

The Dunedain wrote and kept history, had loremasters who spoke in the Elven tongue and even learned the High Eldarin tongue of the Blessed Realm. Much of the history of Middle-earth in the Second Age is thus focused on the Numenoreans. All their Kings took also an Eldarin name. The Numenoreans also became great craftsmen with the chief skill in the building of ships. While seafaring was the chief aim of all the men they were forbidden to sail so far west that the shores of Andor could no longer be seen for Valinor was still visible in Arda at this time.

They were long content with this decree though they understood it not. For Manwë wished not that they would be tempted to enter the Blessed Realm and seek immortality which was not the fate of Man. The far sighted among the Men could see Eressëa where the Elves who left Middle-earth dwelled. And these Elves would visit and bring gifts to the Dunedain, including many birds and trees. "And a seedling they brought of Celeborn, the White Tree, that grew in the midst of Eressea; and that was in its turn a seedling of Galathilion the Tree of Tuna, the image of Telperion that Yavanna gave to the Eldar in the Blessed Realm" (p. 263, The Silmarillion).

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 1

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 260-263