Erendis or Aldarion?
 

So, which of the dysfunctial couple do you think has
the better case/ is the more sympatico? In UT CT's
editing of JRRT's writings seems to make it a near run
thing as to who has the better case, or to put it another
way, who is the more immature. I mean, those crazy kids
had everything! It would seem the only two real grownups
in the tale are Aldarion's dad and Erendis's mom. And
shouldn't Aldarion have toughed it out until at least there
were a few more heirs? After all even Chuck and Di didn't
call it quits until they had an heir and a spare.

Erendis was in the wrong. She should have stopped nagging him just because he wanted to do a bit of sailing. I'm not being sexist here but she should have had his dinner on the table and a nice cup of tea like a good wife should when he came back from one of his 7 year voyages and not constantly whinging. ;)

It has been a while since I read that bit, but I remember my reaction quite good. . .

I was filled with despise fpr Aldarion. . . what a moron he was. I do not think he should have married Erendis, if he where going to sail the amount that he did.

I am not saying that Erendis was being resonable at all times, but the times where she goes overboard was mostly provoced by Aldarion. At least that is how I remember it.

A lot of people in Tolkien's legandarium have become enamoured by the sea why should Aldarion be singled out. Some might say Earendil should have been at the Havens of Sirion when they were assaulted to protect his wife and children but no, he was sailing about. You never hear a bad word about Earendil.

They were both wrong, almost emo-ey kids with foolishly high prides. They had their own wrongs, like Erendis being impatient and cold towards her husband, and Aldarion, inconsiderate of his wife's needs (and wants) and not to mention life span. And then their high prides, and passing that to Ancalime. Truly, shadow of the Shadow, because it is not only the pride they passed to their daughter, it's also their stupidity about life being not that long enough. :D

No but you never hear his wife complaint about it and that is really essential to this thread.

One of the great untold stories of the legendarium methinks :p .

Nope, not sexist at all.

My sympathies are with Erendis because I think she loved Aldarion far more than he loved her, she was hurt more, and that kind of lack of balance is always horrible in a relationship.
Also there was the disparity in life-spans which Aldarion never took into account.

I was mad at both of them after reading the story.

Aldarion, fool that thou art! The love of a beautiful maiden you had, and cast it away! You cut into the very heart and beauty of Numenor, for the sake of your pride and your love for the sea! You despised the heart of a woman for the cold and threatening love of the sea.

Erendis, little pity can I spare you, neglected though you were! You poisoned the heart of your child, and you scorned all men for the sake of one whose heart recklessly followed the longing of the sea. Well did you know his heart ere you plighted your troth to him. Can you hate him for being what you knew him to be?

Ye are dysfunctional jerks, both of ye!