Aldarion's Return to Númenor

As time wore on and Ancalimë grew Aldarion still did not return. One summer she met a boy named Îbal (and she had seldom seen men). Zamîn, an older country woman who served in Erendis' house, chased the boy away and explained to Ancalimë who/what he was. "'They're breakers and eaters, mostly'" (p. 194, Unfinished Tales). Funny. Zamîn was not one to be intimidated by Eerendis' coldness. She explained to Ancalimë that the Îbal's father had set sail with Aldarion, her father. This spurred many questions that the girl asked of her mother but quickly found out that was a touchy subject. Ancailmë never brought Aldarion up again.

When Ancalimë was nine years old Aldarion finally returned. She was four when he promised Erendis he would be away only two years. No one greeted Aldarion at the harbour and he found his home in Armenelos shut and was greeted coldly by Meneldur. Aldarion spoke briefly of the changes in Middle-earth; how fear was creeping in. But the King would not hear it told in full until Aldarion first went to his family. "'Let a King first rule well his own house ere he correct others', it is said. It is true of all men'" (p. 196, Unfinished Tales). And Aldarion learned from his father that his wife and daughter resided in Emerië.

Aldarion travelled to Emerië with Îbal's father and found it most unwelcoming. Erendis reminded him he was over late, would not house his companion, did not join him for his meal, and had a guest bed prepared for him. Being exhausted he slept deeply but arose in the morning full of anger. He meant to leave unnoticed and summon Erendis and Ancalimë to Armenelos at a later time. But Erendis had not slept that night and awaited him so he could not slip out. She asked him what business he had for coming if he was to leave so soon. "'I was told in Armenelos that my wife was here, and had removed my daughter hither,' he answered. 'As to the wife I am mistaken, it seems, but have I not a daughter?'" (p. 197, Unfinished Tales). Ouch.

Not wanting to incur the wrath of the King she roused her daughter as Aldarion made preparations to leave. She did not recognize her father and he did not yet reveal his identity to her. Rather he reminded her that she was the child of the King's Heir and that one day she would be Heir herself. And he kissed her hand and rode away comforted seeing his child in Ancalimë despite the years of influence by Erendis. He did not ride back to Armenelos as he departed and Erendis noted this.

"Then she wept, from grief, but still more from anger. She had looked for some penitence, that she might extend after rebuke pardon if prayed for; but he had dealt with her as if she were the offender, and ignored her before her daughter. Too late she remembered the words of Núneth long before, and she saw Aldarion now as something large and not to be tamed, driven by a fierce will, more perilous when chill. She rose, turned from the window, thinking of her wrongs. 'Perilous!' she said. 'I am steel hard to break. So he would find even were he the King of Númenor!'" (p. 198, Unfinished Tales). It seems at this point it seems both have hardened their hearts toward each other beyond repair. She tries to control him; make him what she thinks he should be. He acts selfishly thinking more about his desire to journey on the seas than his wife and daughter. She responds with harsh words and actions. He ends with stonewalling and silence. All the while hearts harden. The way of many relationships and not just in Middle-earth.

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 881-882

Today's reading comes from: Unfnished Tales, pages 194-198