Later Aldarion rescinded the clause that the Heir must marry for he knew his daughter's reluctance (as was his own) to have others impose their will on her. Many suitors for Ancalimë began to appear because of her beauty, her position, and the intrigue of her upbringing was discussed amongst all in the island. It is said that she fled away from both Armenelos and Emerië to avoid suitors taking for a time the life of a shepherdess. One story said that Erendis knew her whereabouts and Aldarion prevented the counsel from looking for her. Another account stated Erendis was troubled and Aldarion angry at Ancalimë's actions. And to assuage the King's anger Erendis attempted to reconcile with him. "But Aldarion was unmoved, declaring that the King had no wife, but that he had a daughter and an heir; and that he did not believe that Erendis was ignorant of her hiding-place" (p. 209, Unfinished Tales).
During her exile Ancalimë was wooed and fell in love with a shepherd named Mámandil. Once he declared his love to her she revealed her true identity, as Heir to the King, and she could not marry him. However, the shepherd revealed his true name Hallacar, a descendent of Elros and because of his lineage they could indeed marry. Ancalimë was angry at the deception saying that should she have free will. Her preference would have been to marry Úner (which means Noman). In the end the two were wed.
Again there are a couple of versions of the story. One, that because of his pursuit of her heart and the urging of the Counsel she married sooner than later. However, another tale says that she waited overlong to marry and her cousin, Soronto, tried to usurp the throne from her. In either case it was clear that Ancalimë and Hallacar had a dysfunctional marriage like Aldarion and Erendis. "Her life with Hallacar was unhappy, and she begrudged him her son Anárion, and there was strife between them thereafter" (p. 211, Unfinished Tales). As a result Ancalimë forbid any of the women of her house to marry. Many obeyed but still had suitors and lovers in the country. Because of her bitterness toward her husband she, being Queen, took away his land since she was the rightful ruler of Númenor. To get back at her Hallacar arranged for her servant girls to be wedded and deceived Ancalimë to attend the weddings. He told her it was a last feast at his house before he gave up his land and to her dismay it was a grand wedding feast for all those she had forbidden to marry.
As for Aldarion he continued his many voyages to Middle-earth leaving Ancalimë his regent. Around 1000 Second Age he took his last trip over the Great Sea. Ancalimë became Queen of Númenor in 1075 Second Age. "It is told that after the death of Tar-Aldarion in 1098 Tar-Ancalimë neglected all her father's policies and gave no further aid to Gil-galad in Lindon" (p. 212, Unfinished Tales). She ruled Númenor as queen until 1280. Her two granddaughters refused the scepter because they feared and disliked her and the sceptre went rather to the youngest grandchild, a son.
"Of Erendis it is said that when old age came upon her, neglected by Ancalimë and in bitter loneliness, she longed once more for Aladarion; and learning that he was gone from Númenor on what proved to be his last voyage but that he was soon expected to return, she left Emerië at last and journeyed unrecognised and unknown to the haven of Romenna. There, it seems, she met her fate; but only the words 'Erendis perished in the water in the year 985' remain to suggest how it came to pass" (p. 212, Unfinished Tales)
Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 892-1280
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, pages 208-212
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