This is an unfinished perspective of the coming of the Númenóreans to Middle-earth by the Wild Men who dwelt there. It highlights two men Hazad Longbeard and his son Tal-Elmar.
Of Hazad Longbeard it is said: "Two prides he had" in the number of his sons (seventeen in all), and in the length of his beard (five feet without stretching); but his joy in his beard was the greater" (p. 423, The Peoples of Middle-earth). That sounds a little funny, taking more enjoyment from one's beard than his children (though if I could grow a beard I may do the same) but it's revealed that Hazad's sons for the most part had left his house and had never concerned themselves with their father again. Though his youngest son (18 years old), Tal-Elmar loved his father dearly. These Wild Men where short and swarthy but Tal-Elmar was tall and white-skinned. Though he did not seem as strong as his people none could take him down when his anger was aroused. And mostly his anger was spoked when someone disrespected his father.
"For Tal-elmar had a strange belief (whence it came was a wonder) that the old should be treated kindly and with courtesy, and should be suffered to live out their life-days in such ease as they could" (p. 423-424, The Peoples of Middle-earth). Tal-elmar was wise enough to see that the elderly had earned their rest and food from years and labors and that they possessed wisdom concerning situations that young had not yet faced. I love that perspective. I pray I can keep it, not only with my parents, but generations older than me. Hazad, in return, dearly loved his son and not only because he was treated with respect. Tal-elmar reminded Hazad after his mother. In fact that's who he named his youngest son after.
Hazad's father, Buldar, had went to war years earlier and brought home a woman, Elmar, and took her as his wife. When she had learned enough of the Wild Men's speech she declraed to Buldar: "'I have much to thank thee for, lord; but think not ever to get my love so. For thou hast torn me from my own people, and from him that I loved and from the child that I bore him'" (p. 425, The Peoples of Middle-earth). Buldar acknowledged her feelings but added it would be useless for her to try to escape for multiple reasons. She went on to predict a curse saying that Buldar's house would wane, along with his people, and how one would arise, of her kin alone, signaling the end of all Buldar's people. Hazard was the youngest child and Buldar and Elmar and he loved his mother. Her words proved true as Buldar became poor and the people started to dwindle.
Fast forward to a father-son morning walk. Sitting on a hill together Tal-elmar's young eyes espied several ships on the Sea. Three white and one black. This troubled his father. Hazad told his son about the three enemies of their people: The wild men of the mountains, the Fell Folk of the East (his mother's kin), and the High Men of the Sea. It was said that the High Men of the Sea worshipped the Dark and took many captives for food or sacrifice. Being convinced his son was not mistaking the ships for something else they went back to the Master of their town to raise warning. It's clear Mogru, the Master, had little respect for Hazad's family. He laughed at Hazad's tale and insulted him. This aroused Tal-elmar's anger and he spoke many defiant words back to the Master. This enraged Mogru but many of his men were away and he knew he could not have Tal-elmar killed until they were back.
Eventually he goes with Hazad and Tal-elmar to the hill and all three now see the ships which are much closer. Now Mogru was fearful and sought to raise a defense. But his cunning was greater than Tal-elmar's. The youth had offered to be Mogru's messenger during their intense exchange in the village so that the Master could not issue secret messages against him or his father. Mogru now used this pledge against Tal-elmar. Telling him first to gather the men to the village and the run to the shore to spy out useful information concerning the Sea Men. Tal-elmar realized immediately that he was in trouble but pledged death to Mogru if anything should happen to his father while he was away.
Tal-elmar gathered them men and then went into the forest toward the shore. Though fearful at first a growing though came upon Tal-elmar. He felt as if he was going to greet friends and kinsmen rather than enemies. He already felt like an alien among his people; perhaps the newcomers would welcome him. As he found a point to spy Tal-elmar realized there were too many soldiers to count. Mogru had given strict orders to come back with solid intel or do not come back at all. As he sat and watched the Sea Men Tal-elmar remembered another time when Mogru had sent him on a life threatening mission (though he did not recognize it at the time). Realizing Mogru intended to kill him sooner than later and spurred on by the thought that he was meeting kinsmen Tal-elmar revealed himself to the Númenóreans.
They take him prisoner. At first sight they thought him to be an Elf but when he spoke the tongue of the Wild Men they did not trust him. Their captain felt sure that Tal-elmar was of Númenórean dissent given his appearance and likeness to them. "Tar-elmar feels the language to be known and only veiled from him" (p. 435, The Peoples of Middle-earth). They treat him kindly hoping he can remember their language and aid in their mission to occupy the land. Eventually Tal-elmar does speak in their tongue saying it is the language spoken in his dreams. The Númenóreans are shocked and think he has met with the Elves but Tal-elmar does not know what they are talking about. They offer to take him with them so he can see but he grows fearful thinking of the tales his father told him.
The Númenóreans explain they are enemies of the Dark and it's the people of Tal-elmar that belong to the Dark. They explain to him the meaning of their black ship. Tal-elmar says that his people do not love or serve the dark; including his father. With this admission Tal-elmar declares he will not leave his father even to meet the Elves. "'Alas!' they said. 'Your time of dwelling in these hills is come to an end. Here the men of the West have resolved to make their homes, and the folk of the dark must depart--or be slain'" (p. 437, The Peoples of Middle-earth). The last note of the story is Tal-elmar offers himself as hostage. I would assume it's an attempt to save his father whom he loves but we'll never know. The frustrating bit about reading things from Unfinished Tales or The History of Middle-earth is that you can see glimpses of stories Tolkien never had the time to finish. I was reading an entirely different book recently where the author was reminding me that all of us, Professor Tolkien included, will die with unfulfilled dreams and desires. It's how this life works. So with that in mind I am very thankful for the works that Tolkien did produce.
Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, circa 1800-2250
Today's reading comes from: The People's of Middle-earth, pages 423-437
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