Aldarion meanwhile had not romantic aspirations and focused solely on the husbandry of foresting so that timber would not lack in Númenor. Eventually he asked to sail again and his father begrudgingly let him go. Queen Almarion and her court came to bid him farewell and Aldarion first laid eyes on Erendis and his interest was piqued. Both mother and father urged him to stay in Númenor and seek for a wife but Aldarion refused saying, "...mariners are men of two minds, at war with themselves; and the desire of the Sea still holds me" (p. 177, Unfinished Tales). Erendis heard his words and turned her heart wholly toward him: "Yet she looked on no man with favor thereafter, and every suitor she dismissed" (p. 177, Unfinished Tales). I like the burgeoning romance here. Aldarion has great self-awareness knowing he cannot devote himself fully to a wife at this time.
For seven years Aldarion voyaged and Meneldur was displeased when his son returned. He rebuked him for shirking his duties as heir (to know and love his land and people), not seeking a wife, and taking for granted the grace of the Valar for protecting his ships. Aldarion said in return: "'Other things I have to do more urgent for me, for my mind is bent on them. 'Cold is the life of a mariner's wife'; and the mariner who is single of purpose and not tied to the shore goes further, and learns better how to deal with the sea" (p. 178, Unfinished Tales). This reminds me of Paul talking to the church in Corinth about the concerns of the married and unmarried.
For a time Aldarion dwelled in Númenor and built the largest ship yet, Palarran, the Far-Wanderer. Yet he often met with Erendis during this time and the King was pleased. Meneldur was concerned for Erendis' heart since his son was not cured from the sea. Once Palarran was built Aldarion was set to leave again and now Meneldur was stirred to wrath. The Númenórean's had custom that a woman, typically from the captain's kin, would place the Bough of Return on the ship's prow as a token of friendship to Uinen and Ossë. Meneldur did not stay Aldarion but he did forbid the Queen from placing the bough on his ship. At this Erendis offered to go in her stead and arrived as Aldarion was ready to leave with blessing or not (which made his crew very nervous). He was shocked to see Erendis arrive and she made it known that she came for the Queen but she herself looked forward to his return. "At that time Aldarion first looked on Erendis with love; and he stood long in the stern looking back as the Palarran passed out to sea" (p. 179, Unfinished Tales).
Upon his return Aldarion bore a gift, a diamond, for Erendis. He father was not happy. "Cold now were the greetings between King and his son; and Meneldur rebuked him, saying that such a gift was unbecoming of the King's Heir unless it were a betrothal gift, and he demanded that Aldarion declare his mind" (p. 179, Unfinished Tales). At this Aldarion distanced himself from Erendis (for he did not like others to impose their will on him) and prepared for another journey to Middle-earth. Meneldur publicly forbade him to go. in defiance of the King Aldarion left with seven ships and the Venturers. Upon leaving a cloaked woman came with a bough saying it was from the Lady of the Westlands (Erendis).
Meneldur then rescinded Aldarion's title as Lord of Ships and Havens and closed all the shipyards, and put a stop to all felling of trees for shipbuilding. It was five years before Aldarion returned with news, ships, and lots of timber from Middle-earth. He was full of wrath at the actions of his father. "'Has not a King's son aught to do but study women's faces to find a wife? The work of forestry I took up, and I have been prudent in it; there will be more timber in Númenor ere my day ends than there is under your scepter" (p. 180, Unfinished Tales). Gathering three ships he left immediately without bough or blessing this time as the King set a guard around the harbor.
When Aldarion was gone for another 10 years Erendis asked for leave in the Queen's court fearing his death or decision to reside in Middle-earth and also wishing to escape various courters. Four years from that point Aldarion finally returned in a battered and broken vessel. Meneldur rebuked him for his rebellion and forsaking the Valar but seeing his son's contrition restored his previous title as Lord of Ships and added Master of the Forests. Aldarion was sad to see Erendis was gone but too proud to go after her. Rather he busied himself in the tending of forests and repairing of harbors for it had been nearly twenty years and much was done with out foresight.
I love this story. The interaction between father and son. Son and romantic interest. It's full of great realistic relational tensions. I think one thing that stands in Aldarion's way is he is not being forthright about everything on his mind. He is carrying burdens to great for one man and his prideful refusal to seek the help of others is creating this tension in his relationships.
Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 800-843
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 176-181
No comments:
Post a Comment