These events are highlight Aragorn's involvement with the great kingdoms of Rohan and Gondor. Aragorn had left Elrond's house, after discussion with the Elf-lord concerning Arwen, and went into the wild. "For the next thirty years he laboured in the cause against Sauron; and he became friend of Gandalf the Wise, from whom he gained much wisdom. With him he went on many perilous journeys, but as the years wore on he more often alone" (p. 340, The Return of the King).
Meanwhile, Ecthelion II had become Steward of Gondor during this time. "Ecthelion II, son of Turgon, was a man of wisdom. With what power was left to him he began to strengthen his realm against the assault of Mordor. He encouraged all men of worth from near and far to enter his service, and those who proved trustworthy he gave rank and reward" (p. 335, The Return of the King). It was in this way that a man named Thorongil came to Gondor. No one knew from where originated or what his true name was but he had come from Rohan where he had served King Thengel.
Thengel had been called home to Rohan from Gondor after his father, Fengel, died and he went unwillingly. "But he proved a good and wise king; though the speech of Gondor was used in his house, and not all men thought that good" (p. 350, The Return of the King). He married late in life and had three children his only son being Theoden. His youngest daughter born in 2963 was named Theodwyn. "Her brother loved her dearly" (p. 350, The Return of the King). Thengel died in 2980 and it was in his time that Saruman declared himself Lord of Isengard and began giving Rohan some trouble concerning borders. Thorongil must have served Thengel during this time.
In his service to Gondor Thoringil proved to be one of Ecthelion's greatest counselors and allies. "Thorongil often counselled Ecthelion that the strength of the rebels in Umbar was a great peril to Gondor, and a threat to the fiefs of the south that would prove deadly, if Sauron moved to open war. At last he got leave of the Steward and gathered a small fleet, and he came upon Umbar unlooked for by night, and there burned a great part of the ships of the Corsairs. He himself overthrew the Captain of the Haven in the battle upon the quays, and then withdrew his fleet with small loss. But when they came back to Pelagir, to men's grief and wonder, he would not return to Minis Tirith, where great honour awaited him" (p. 335, The Return of the King).
Thorongil told Ecthelion II by message that other deeds called him and it would be many years before he would come back to Gondor, fate willing. He was seen departing toward the Mountain of Shadow but none knew his tasks and all were sad. Save one, Denethor, son of Ecthelion II, in line to become the next (and last) Steward of Gondor.
So who is Thorongil? You probably already guessed he is Aragorn. "For he went in many guises, and won renown under many names. He rode in the host of the Rohirrim, and fought for the Lord of Gondor by land and by sea; and then in the hour of victory he passed out of knowledge of Men of the West, and went alone far into the East and deep into the South, exploring the hearts of Men, both evil an good, and uncovering the plots and devices of the servants of Sauron" (p. 341, The Return of the King).
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2953-2980 (approximately)
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 340-341; 335-336; and 350
No comments:
Post a Comment