Gil-galad's Plea For Aid

Aldarion, leaving Emerië, heard much joy and celebration at the house of Ulbar, Îbal's father. Much music and laughter was heard as Ulbar's wife danced with him. At first Aldarion smiled but became bitter at the treatment from his own wife. Before riding off, never to set foot in Emerië again, he bestowed a bejeweled gold bracelet to Ulbar's wife as a small token for the time he took her husband away. This jewel came from Gil-galad the High King of the Elves of Middle-earth. My hunch is it was originally intended for Erendis. This was not the only item Adlarion had brought from Gil-galad. He had a letter to be delivered to his father, Meneldur, that he gave before leaving to find Erendis.

Meneldur opened the letter to read it's content. After formal openings it began: "Long have I owed you thanks, for you have so many times sent to me your son, Anardil Aldarion: the greatest Elf-friend that now is among Men, I deem. At this time I ask your pardon, if I have detained him overlong in my service; for I had great need of the knowledge of Men and their tongues which he alone possesses. He dared many perils to bring me counsel. Of my need he will speak to you; yet he does not guess at how great it is, being young and full of hope. Therefore I write this for the eyes of the King of Númenor only" (p. 199, Unfinished Tales).

Gil-galad went on to explain how a new shadow was rising, clearly a servant of Morgoth (though yet unnamed). He spoke of the Elves need for help against a war that was surely coming. How Aldarion had labored much building havens and strongholds but never with enough men to sustain them nor did Círdan have enough workers to aid. He urged Meneldur to listen and aid his son. Ending the letter by saying, "The memories of the First Age are dim, and all things in Middle-earth grow colder. Let not the ancient friendship of the Eldar and Dunedain wane also. Behold! The darkness that is to come is filled with hatred for us, but it hates you no less. The Great Sea will not be too wide for its wings, if it is suffered to come to full growth. Manwë keep you under the One, and send fair wind to your sails" (p. 200, Unfinished Tales).

Meneldur was greatly troubled. Seeing clearly how his strained relationship with his son had kept him from inquiring about the details of Aldarion's many voyages. "'May Eru call me before such a time comes!'" (p. 200, Unfinished Tales). Meneldur labored greatly at what to do. Should he prepare for war and send aid? Should he ban all voyages to Middle-earth and simply wait? To train for war he feared his captains would wreak havoc for power and glory on the peoples of Middle-earth. "'Will they say to Eru: At least your enemies were amongst them?'" (p. 201, Unfinished Tales). The other option meant waiting and letting friends die while risking a great enemy come upon Númenor with no chance at defense. "'Will they say to Eru: At least I spilled no blood'" (p. 201, Unfinished Tales). Ultimately Meneldur decided these things were too lofty for him (for he has never liked sailing nor been to Middle-earth) and his choice is to hand the Sceptre to Aldarion and make him King.

I love the philosophical approach Meneldur takes here. This is no easy question. To go to war or not. How does one answer to God? "Yes, I killed and destroyed innocent people but those who were oppressing died also" verses "Yes, I let suffering and oppression run unchecked but at least my hands are clean from spilling blood". Perhaps that's the essence of what Tolkien is getting at here: There are no innocent and clean hands when it comes to war. He would know better than I seeing first hand the horrors that war bring. 

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 882

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 198-201