Aldarion and Erendis

[ArcusCalion]

The more I think about it, the less the path forward on this issue is clear to me. We have three possibilities before us, each one a conscious choice on our part:

1) We stick with giving both versions, which was never intended by Tolkien
2) We pick one version, even though there is no way to choose which is better
3) We combine them in some way, which for the first instance is impossible.

In general I am inclined to 3) but this only solves the issue for one of the two complications. The first instance of competing narratives demands either 1) or 2) and I am readily unsure which to choose. As you say, I must give a reason why I prefer one version over the other, but I cannot give any, because they are both equally preferable. Therefore I find myself unable to decide what to do in this case, but lean now more towards your original solution, which is 1). I would appreciate others' thoughts on the matter.

[Findegil]

I am not that sure that JRR Tolkien never intended to give alternatives in the narative. He goes so far as to tell us that this particular tale survived the down fall because of the special interrest that Elendil had in it. But was Elendils interrest in the end of the tale strong enough? The shadow that he observed is found in the earlier interactions of Aldarion and Erendis.
Anyhow I don't imaging Elendil carrying books in his ship. He is reported as author of the Akallabêth, so I think he rather wrote or let write the story of Aldarion and Erendis anew after the Downfall. And thus a good 2000 years later it is more then possible that with nearly all books of Númenor lost, what was remembered where conflicting versions.

Respectfully
Findegil

[ArcusCalion]

that is very true, perhaps leaving both versions in as you have it is fine then.

[Findegil]

Okay that's fine.

Respectfully
Findegil