Hardened Hearts

When Ancalimë was almost four Aladarion revealed to Erendis his intention to sail, once again, to Middle-earth. She said nothing though she was not surprised. "He tarried until the birthday of Ancalimë, and made much of her that day" (p. 191, Unfinished Tales). And although his daughter was full of joy the household was not. After her birthday Aldarion left for a while to make final preparations. He came back to bid his wife and daughter farewell and Erendis could not hold back her tears. "They grieved him, and yet irked him, for his mind was resolved and he hardened his heart" (p. 191-192, Unfinished Tales).

Aldarion spoke harsh words to his wife. Erendis responded that he taken so much time from her plus he still had no heir because her bed was lonely and cold. He responded: "'Often of late I have thought that you preferred it so'" (p. 192, Unfinished Tales). Ouch! There is never a good time for unresolved conflict to come out. It's not pretty. I know from firsthand experience. Ultimately Aldarion promised he would be gone for only two years. The next morning, after kissing Ancalimë (who would not let go of him) he set off. And Erendis did see Aldarion off nor did she send a bough of return.

"All that day Erendis sat in her chamber alone, grieving; but deeper in her heart she felt a new pain of cold anger, and her love of Aldarion was wounded to the quick" (p. 192, Unfinished Tales). And thus the seeds of destruction to a marriage are sown. She moved, with her daughter, to Emerië, the pasturelands in the midst of Númenor away from the Sea. Two special songbirds, wedding gifts of the Elves of Erressëa, followed her there but she shooed them away. Immediately they stopped singing, circled above her three times and headed west stopping long enough only for Núneth, Erendis' mother, to see them. She knew that Aldarion had left for the Sea and Erendis had hardened her heart.

Two years passed and King Meneldur ordered Erendis to prepare Aldarion's house in Armenelos to be ready for his return. She had the house readied by her servants but she herself did not go to Armenelos. But the year passed and the next. "The Erendis grew hard and silent" (p. 193, Unfinished Tales). She gave what love she had to her daughter only and yet sheltered her from contact with all men. She did teach Ancalimë how to read and write, especially in the Elven tongue, but little would Erendis speak in Númenórean, her husband's preferred language. Ancalimë on occasion would run free throughout the land learning from a shepherdess or servant of their house who did not fear Erendis.

This is a sad reading. I can resonate with it, to some degree, unfortunately. Marriage is hard. It's simply not feelings of love and happiness all the time. And yet love is a choice and not a feeling so even if the relationship is hard marriages survive by acts of will not fleeting feelings. Still, I pray that my heart never hardens to the point of Erendis and Aldarion.

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 877-881

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 191-194