The Land of the Gift

There is a 6 page treatise on Andor, the Land of the Gift, home of the Númenóreans in Unfinished Tales. Once again Tolkien goes into extensive detail about the land, types of trees and flowers, rivers, etc. It's obvious the author had a great love of creation. I do not think I could begin to write in such lucid detail about nature even when it is in front of me let alone making up a country.

"The land of Númenor resembled in outline a five-pointed star, or pentangle, with a central portion some two hundred and fifty miles across, north and south, and east and west, from which extended five large peninsular promontories" (p. 165, Unfinished Tales).

Mittalmar was the center of the island and in its midst was the holy mountain Meneltarma, "...Pillar of the Heavens, sacred to the worship of Eru Illúvatar" (p. 166, Unfinished Tales). Throughout their time of grace no alter, idol, or standing stone was raised on that mountain. Ever it was guarded by Eagles who hovered above the people as they gathered to worship. They were known as the Witnesses of Manwë. It was a place of silence and solitude except at the high times. "Thrice only in each year the King spoke, offering prayer for the coming year at the Erukyermë in the first days of spring, praise for Eru Illúvatar at the Eurlaitalë in midsummer, and thanksgiving to him at the Eruhantalë at the end of autumn" (p. 166, Unfinished Tales).

The land was filled also with pastures and forests. The west side of Andor was most fertile as it faced the Blessed Realms. The Eldar in Eressëa came there at times and brought gifts of trees and plants. One tree in particular was akin to the Beech but with a single great trunk, the Malinornë. The sixth King of Númenor, Tar-Aldarion, gave some seeds of the malinornë as a gift to Gil-galad who in turn gave them to Galadriel his kinswoman. "...and under her power they grew and flourished in the guarded land of Lothlórien beside the river Anduin, until the High Elves at last left Middle-earth..." (p. 168, Unfinished Tales).

All people in Númenor travelled by horse as both men and women loved to ride. These steeds could hear their master's whistle from afar and come running. Even so, with this love of riding, very few roads were made in the land. The people were also great craftsman learning from the Elves though precious metal or jewels were rare in the land. Rather most of these came by way of gift of the Eldar. In the beginning very few weapons were made and mostly for heirloom purposes as each new King was given a sword on the day of coronation. The weapons made were for practical purposes: axes for the felling of trees and bows for the hunting of food. In fact "...shooting with bows on foot and on horseback was a chief sport and pastime of the Númenóreans" (p. 170, Unfinished Tales).

And of course sea-faring was very popular too. And long the Númenóreans travelled to Middle-earth in peace. They loved all things about the sea including swimming, diving, and rowing. They learned their love of the sea from Círdan's Elves when they first travelled to Andor. But it was long after the Elves left before they ventured far onto the seas themselves. In fact it would be 600 Second Age before the Númenóreans would actually reach the shores of Middle-earth again.

So we get a nice picture of the land and lifestyle of the Edain: Men from the Three Faithful Houses who stood with the Eldar against Morgoth in the First Age. I love the rich detail that Tolkien as his Middle-earth is immense. I love the picture of the people gathering three times a year at a sacred place to worship Eru Illúvatar. They were thankful for what he had done for them and that resulted in worship: entrusting him with the coming year, praising him for who he is, and giving thanks for what he had provided. That's good stuff and the closest we will ever see to religious practice in Middle-earth.

Still this brief glimpse of worship reminds me that I seek to live a life of worship like that to Jesus. Entrusting my future to Him, praising Him for who He is, and being thankful for His provision. I must admit though I often take Him for granted or get wrapped up in my own world. Human nature I suppose. And we shall see that human nature in the Númenóreans. For the bulk of the Second Age readings from The Silmarillion come from a chapter titled Akallabêth, meaning the Downfallen. 

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 1

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 165-171