Unfinished Tales - Part Three - I - The Disaster of the Gladden Fields

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The actual text of this chapter is fairly brief - the notes are just as long! It is the account of the fate of Isildur after Sauron's fall, in more detail than was given in LotR. There are various details that give insights into more or less important facts concerning Middle-earth.

I'll start the discussion by tossing a few words into the ring: the Elendilmir - an interesting jewel with an interesting history, especially including its rediscovery much later. Thangail and dírnaith - two battle formations in a context that is of interest to those who like military tactics.

Names of characters about whom I would like to have heard more: Elendur ("strength and wisdom... majesty without pride, one of the greatest, the fairest of the seed of Elendil..."); Ohtar (Isildur's esquire, who risked a reputation as a coward to obey his lord and bring the shards of Narsil to safety); Estelmo (the sole survivor, Elendur's esquire).

I would like to have more information about the Dúnedain's emergency rations: not miruvor or lembas, but like them.

And finally I would like to mention a fascinating bit of information that climaxes in this sentence:

Saruman in his degradation had become not a dragon but a jackdaw.

After the notes there is an appendix: "Númenórean Linear Measures". Practical application is found in the origin of the word "Halfling" for Hobbits. How interesting and/or helpful is this information to you?

Has this chapter influenced or changed your opinon of Isildur? Is there a character (or several) that interests you? I look forward to hearing your thoughts!


Due to the briefness of this chapter, we will move on to the next one soon, unless discussion reaches such a feverish pitch that we need more time...