Nearly three years had past since the betrothal which was the customary length of engagements in Númenor. In the spring Aldarion journeyed to Erendis' parents place where she proceeded him. During that travel he stopped to look at the Sea. "The suddenly the sea-longing took him as though a great hand had been laid on his throat, and his heart hammered, and his breath stopped" (p. 185, Unfinished Tales). He finished his journey and appeared merry when meeting Erendis but he did not speak of their wedding. And often he would fall silent in the company of others yet he said nothing of the sea-longing to her.
The year past and Aldarion still did not speak of the wedding or the Sea. Finally, King Meneldur called his son and asked him why the wedding had not yet been planned. At long last Aldarion revealed his heart to sail again. At this his father was not pleased but was more taken by pity. "'And by the laws of Númenor and the right ways of the Eldar and Edain a man shall have not two wives. You cannot wed the Sea, for you are affianced to Erendis'" (p. 186, Unfinished Tales). As an aside, monogamy works for the Elves and Men of Middle-earth. Love it. Beyond that, very sage advice from father to son I think.
Alas, Aldarion only hardened his heart at his father's words thinking the King and Erendis were in conspiracy against him. Whenever he felt people imposing their will on him Aldarion was wont to do the very opposite. Aldarion pointed out that smithy's and miner's may carry on with their profession when betrothed and futhermore he had years to spare. His father reminded him that he was the heir of the King and that sailing was not his profession and that Erendis was from a different line than he and her years were shorter.
Aldarion, determined, went to Erendis to tell her of his journey. She was heartbroken that he had not come about their wedding. Seeing her anguish Aldarion offered to take her with him on the journey but she refused saying she would die on the Sea. "'The Sea hates me; and now it is revenged that I kept you from it and yet fled from you. Go, my lord! But have pity, and take not so many years as I lost before'" (p. 187, Unfinished Tales). Aldarion realized his father and fiancé had not conspired together and waited a year but could no longer contain himself. He prepared for journey, to the joy of the Venturers, and Erendis placed the bough of return on the ship herself and hid her tears. Aldarion was gone at sea for six long years.
Upon his return his mother was ill-pleased and the Venturers were fallen out of esteem for nearly everyone thought he had treated Erendis poorly. Upon his journey Aldarion was also laid with heavy burdens. "Men near the coasts were growing afraid of the Númenóreans, or were become openly hostile; and Aldarion heard rumours of some lord in Middle-earth who hated the men of the ships" (p. 188, Unfinished Tales). And the winds were against his ships on the return voyage taking them north into the frozen regions and when finally he saw Meneltarma from far off he noticed the bough of return had withered. Such a thing had never happened before. And he feared it a sign of what he might face.
Erendis did not come to greet him. When Aldarion found her she did seem eager to hear tales told of all his adventures. Upon hearing them, and Aladrion spoke uneasily, she thanked the Valar for his safe return and reaffirmed her death would have been assured had she went with him in the cold waters. At this Aldarion asked if her love had withered like the bough and she assured him it had not for she saw his return as the return of the sun after a long winter. And Aldarion wished that spring and summer would begin. "'And let not winter return,' said Erendis" (p. 188, Unfinished Tales). And to the joy of the King and Queen their wedding was set for the next spring.
Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 858-869
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, 185-188
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