Unfinished Tales - Part Two - III - The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Thanks to the two of you for your contributions! It seems that this chapter is not as popular for general discussion, and since I'm away from my books for the next few days, I'm starting the thread for the next chapter today. Posting is welcome both there and here!

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

It seems that this chapter is not as popular for general discussion

Which is a pity.

I have always found the stories on Númenor fascinating especially because of their "humaness".

The good feeling one gets from "being good and righteous" is never far from pride... and pride (which the Greeks also called hybris) opens a door to evil.

And even if Tolkien handles generations of rulers in such a short narration, he makes them believable in their virtues and vices, in their steadfastness and honour, and in their fall partly following from that very same steadfastness and honour.

Pride and honour: great things but also very dangerous.

[Eruhen]

I also quite like reading anything that the Professor wrote on Westernesse. I really wish that he had written more about the Second Age in addition to the First. I have to concur with Nogrod; the Numenoreans interest me because of their "humanness".

I've wished and hoped quite often for a discovery of a version of the Akallabêth written in the fashion of "Aldarion and Erendis". Probably not going to happen, but it's nice to dream about.

[Nogrod]

Originally Posted by Eruhen

I also quite like reading anything that the Professor wrote on Westernesse. I really wish that he had written more about the Second Age in addition to the First.
I've wished and hoped quite often for a discovery of a version of the Akallabêth written in the fashion of "Aldarion and Erendis". Probably not going to happen, but it's nice to dream about.

Let's dream on Eruhen! We can always imagine how it went, how the people were, what they thought, how they behaved, what motivated them... That's also a good thing great fiction offers the reader, room for imagination!

Although I must agree I'd happily read more of the prof's possible ideas on Númenor and the people in there (or the Second Age in general).

[Eruhen]

As far as info from the Second Age goes, I'd like to know more about Gil-Galad, the Numenorean colonies (tantalizing info in "A & E", huh?), and the history and movements of the Dwarves. While we're making wish lists, I'd like a more detailed history of the Hobbits, a map of all of Middle-Earth post-Downfall from the hand of the Professor, and a parrot that can sing the Lay of Leithian in Sindarin.

But, as far as the Akallabêth goes, I found this while poking around on Ardalambion a while ago. I know it's by and large Mr. Fauskanger's work, but it's still fantastic, in my opinion. Definitely some of the best fan-fiction I've ever read, in any genre. Definitely better than the garbage video games that are most of my exposure to Tolkien fanfics.

[Dilettante]

As far as a favorite ruler of Numenor, would have to say Tar-Palantir because he was wise and he repented of the rebellion against the Valar wrought by his predecessors. (And his mum, Inzilbeth is also a favorite of mine.) He tried to stop what he saw coming and even visited the Meneltarma, unlike his father who had abandoned respect for Manwe and the rest. Alas, it seems to be to little too late.

I found myself wondering about Inzilbeth, how she was of the Faithful but was wedded to Ar-Gimilzor who persecuted the Faithful. Was she forced into their marriage? Or perhaps, did she take it upon herself to marry him any try to infiltrate his regime and bring an end to the destruction he was wreaking? That would be a cool story.

Speaking of marriages, royal marriages in Numenor seem to be disasters more often that not. Were they arranged? Or were they marrying for power/wealth rather than love?

I should have mentioned this in the discussion of Aldarion and Erendis, since that is where the table is; but this is The Line of Elros so it fits. I noticed that the daughter of Elros is Tindomiel which, if I am correct, is Morning Star. Fitting, considering her cousin is Undomiel, the Even Star. I was about to say these two girls frame the beginning and ending of the second age, but Arwen Undomiel was born several hundred years after the Third Age began. Still, is there a reason that one is Morning and the other Evening?

But, as far as the Akallabêth goes, I found this while poking around on Ardalambion a while ago. I know it's by and large Mr. Fauskanger's work, but it's still fantastic, in my opinion. Definitely some of the best fan-fiction I've ever read, in any genre. Definitely better than the garbage video games that are most of my exposure to Tolkien fanfics.

Eruhen, I have practically stopped reading fanfiction altogether. I agree, most of it is tripe. However, that looks pretty good.

[Guinevere]

To several of the kings listed in the "Line of Elros" there can be found more details in the Akallabêth, but it is an interesting complement.

I find Nogrod's comparison to Plato's "republic" (which I didn't know) very interesting and true.

What strikes me most, are all those birth- and death-dates and length of rules.
That the descendants of Elros had a longer life span seems logical, because of their Elven ancestry, but I ask myself how the Valar actually could alter the life span of the other Numenoreans...?

Also, it seems inconceivable how late everyone got married and how few children they had. The race of the Numenoreans apparently had a very low sex drive...

Originally posted by Esty
The one fact I find most interesting foreshadows Aragorn's death at the end of LotR - the ability of Númenorean kings to die at their own will.

I find this fascinating too!

From letter #212:
It was also the Elvish (and uncorrupted Númenorean) view that a "good" Man would or should die voluntarily by surrender with trust before being compelled (as did Aragorn). This may have been the nature of unfallen Man; though compulsion would not threaten him: he would desire and ask to be allowed to "go on" to a higher state.

I think that many people would wish for this ability to “fall asleep” at a time and under circumstances that they could choose themselves, rather than lingering on while the infirmities and indignities of old age assail the body. Especially in our time where modern medicine creates often problematic situations where life (and suffering) are artificially prolonged. Hence the huge success of “Right-to-die-Societies” !
I do wonder what Tolkien would have said to that?!

Btw, Helge Fauskanger's interesting text is not exactly fanfiction, it's his suggestions of how a movie prequel could be made from the story of the rise and fall of Númenor. Of course, doing this would involve a lot of "Fanfiction" indeed. (Well, we will have enough of fanfiction in the coming "Hobbit" movie!!)

My favourite among the Númenorean rulers is still King Meneldur, because of his thoughts and acts after receiving Gil-Galad's letter.
And I think it very sad that after her father's death, Ancalimë neglected all his policies.