King Meneldur's Decision

After several days Aldarion returned to Romenna. "By that time, as he found to his embitterment, many tongues were already wagging in the City" (p. 201, Unfinished Tales). It seems people couldn't stop talking about the future King and Queen of Númenor--isn't our culture the same way? Endlessly talking about the rich and famous in our society, particularly if woes or poor choices enter into the scenario. In anger he had Armenelos, his house, destroyed and every tree cut down on the property and sent to the shipwards, save one. The white Elven-tree he left untouched, recognizing it's beauty, as was told to him at his wedding feast.

Several days after this he went before King Meneldur, his father. He was angry and full of contempt. Accusing the King of conspiring with Erendis and robbing him of purpose. His mind was made up to incur the wrath of the King and then set sail once and for all for Middle-earth. He asked only for his inheritance for his great ship Hirilondë and all the men it could hold. He also requested that his daughter not be raised in isolation in Emerië. Meneldur sat in silence and full of patience. When Aldarion finally stopped his ranting the King exonerated himself from conspiracy with Erendis and acknowledged that for too long he had no clear understanding of Aldarion's voyages.

Aldarion responded that it was partly Meneldur's fault that he did not know his purposes. Yet he was not silent. Aldarion tried to explain to Erendis who either did not want to listen or did not want to understand. Of his wife he said, "'I love her, or I should care less. The past I will keep in my heart; the future is dead. She does not love me, or aught else. She loves herself with Numenor as a setting, and myself as a tame hound, to drowse by the hearth until she has a mind to walk in her own fields'" (p. 203, Unfinished Tales). I find it very interesting that a running theme in the contention of husband and wife is that of taming. It would seem that the wife is trying to make her husband something she can control; and the husband is not something that can be tamed.

Meneldur proceeded to speak of Gil-galad's letter and it's gravity and how such things were beyond his knowledge. He then read from a parchment written by Meneldur himself: "Therefore: first for the honour of his well-beloved son; and second for the better direction of the realm in courses which his son more clearly understands, the King has resolved: that he will forthwith resign the Sceptre to his son, who shall now become Tar-Aldarion, the King" (p. 203, Unfinished Tales). Such a thing had never before happened in Númenor. Meneldur was in full vigor ruling only for 142 years at this point. And I don't believe it was simply because Meneldur was scared to make a decision. Rather, he knew his son would be better fit to lead for a time such as this and he wished to honor the son he loved. For by becoming King Aldarion would be raised above the drama and scorn that was happening with Erendis.

Aldarion was amazed. He had been trying to rouse his father to anger and this move was most unexpected. At first he fell to his knees but then he laughed for he was moved by the generosity of the act. He recognized immediately his own pride and his father's great humility and how the latter out shined the former. One week later the King gathered with his Council to inform them of his decision. Most urged Meneldur to give the decision more time but he assured them he had put much thought into his it and they could not convince him otherwise. His only request was he keep the Sceptre until Erukyermë in the spring.

Erendis was hurt by the news of the proclamation. Meneldur moved quickly to command her, though graciously, to come to Armenelos with Ancalimë until Erukyermë. It likely was an attempt by Meneldur to reconcile Aldarion and Erendis. She refused to come but agreed to send Ancalimë. Meneldur showed her letter to Aldarion and he said, "'It is far below my hope of her. She has dwindled; and if I have wrought this, then black is my blame. But do the large shrink in adversity? This was not the way, not even in hate or revenge! She should have demanded that a great house be prepared for her, called for a Queen's escort, and come back to Armenelos with her beauty adorned royally, with the star on her brow; then well nigh all the Isle of Númenor she might have bewitched to her part, and made me seem a madman and churl. The Valar be my witness, I would have rather have had it so: rather a beautiful Queen to thwart me and flout me, than freedom to rule while the Lady Elestirnë falls down dim into her own twilight'" (p. 205, Unfinished Tales). What a noble response. He'd rather see his reputation and honor suffer than that of Erendis.

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 882-883

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 201-205