Tar-Meneldur and His Son

Tar-Meneldur was the fifth King of Númenor; he was born in 543 Second Age and died in 942. He was gentile and wise. He gave up his throne long before custom, ruling Númenor from 740-883 Second Age. He loved studying the stars and the heavens. Before becoming King he built a tower in Forostar, the northernmost part of Andor, but had to leave once he took the sceptre. He longed for studying the stars and was not concerned with the Sea as most Númenóreans were.

He married beautiful Almarian. "She was the daughter of Vëantur, Captain of the King's ships under Tar-Elendil..." (p. 173, Unfinished Tales). They had a son in 700 Second Age: Anardil, known as Aldarion. He took after his grandfather Vëantur rather than his father. There is a great story in Unfinished Tales about Aldarion and his wife. It is one of the few storied that survived the Downfall of Númenor. Tolkien does a masterful job of describing their relationship--so much of it rings true in relationships today I believe.

Aldarion had two younger sisters one of whom, Ailinel married Orchaldor (of the House of Hador) who was friend of Meneldur the King. Together they had a son Soronto. As Aldarion grew he spent as much time as he could upon the shores and with his grandfather Vëantur learning how to row, sail, and even captain ships and he was much loved by his grandfather. His own father was pleased that Aldarion was growing in body and mind.

There came a time when Vëantur said to his grandson, "'Anardilya, the spring is drawing nigh, and also the day of your full age' (for in that April Aladarion would be twenty-five years old) 'I have in mind a way to mark it fittingly'" (p. 174, Unfinished Tales) His plan was to take Aldarion with him on a journey to Middle-earth; where he could see the great lands and meet Círdan the Shipwright and King Gil-galad. Menuldur, in his heart, did not like this idea but seeing the excitement in his son's eyes allowed Aldarion to depart. He did offer the following warning to his son: "'But do not become enamoured of the Great Lands, you who one day must be King and Father of this Isle!'" (p. 174, Unfinished Tales).

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 543-725

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 173-174