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ElanorTX
Dor-Lomin
Dec 13 2008, 3:29pm
Post #1 of 4
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VI.5. The Steward and the King #2 The King
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At NEB's suggestion, I am putting days 2 through 4 up as open discussion and will chime in as able.
Aragorn
age 88
last seen at Field of Cormallen, April 8
first seen here May 1
starting thoughts (in no particular order)
#1 significance of white mantle
Till now Aragorn's been seen in dark green and in grey [including App. A lookback to meeting Arwen again in Lorien] and in Minas Tirith the cloak worn as livery of the 'heirs of Elendil' is black
#2 the Elendil-mir
The star-like jewel on the silver circlet that Aragorn wears is the replica used in crowning kings of Arnor.
When did Aragorn get it, and where has it been all this time? Why is he wearing it now?
#3 the sceptre of Annuminas
Elrond had withheld this from Aragorn earlier (App. A), saying "you have yet to earn it." What did Aragorn have to do to earn it, besides freeing Gondor? Help achieve Sauron's downfall? Free all of Arnor, or Eriador?
"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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batik
Dor-Lomin
Dec 13 2008, 7:32pm
Post #2 of 4
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#1 significance of white mantle
Hmmm..."White" = "nim"/Sindarian or "ninque"/Quenya
White council, White wizard, White gem (next chapter), White tree...
I would guess this signifies something that is blessed, reborn, remade, pure...
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sador
Gondolin
Dec 16 2008, 7:02am
Post #3 of 4
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This discussion (and the following one) are a bit like gramma's Time threads on Main, without the quotes. So I actually need to read the chapter in prder to have something semi-intelligent to say!
In a way, the three things you've mentioned are symbols of royalty - but more than that, of continuity with the ancient past.
The white mantle may stand for purity, or even for 'turning a new leaf' - also, Aragorn is becoming in a way Gandalf's heir, at least as far as leading to coalition of the West is considered (compare his words at the start of the council in 'The Last Debate').
Might also be reminiscent of Galadriel "White is the star in your white hand\ unmarred, unstained..."
Most important - on Cerin Amroth, Frodo has a vision of Aragorn as a young lord clothed in white, as a matter of fact of their betrothal. App. A mentions him as clothed by Galadriel in silver and white.
The Elendilmir is called 'a star' - a very nice conceit. It's interesting that Aragorn did keep it all along (or did Arwen send it through Halbarad? Galadriel gave him only the Elessar, but she might have given it to Gandalf). It is also interesting that it was not mentioned among the heirlooms of the House kept by Elrond - neither given like the ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil, nor witheld like the sceptre of Anuminas.
The Elendilmir is another connection with Elendil - which is actually Aragorn's claim to the kingship of Gondor. In UT, Aragorn is said to resemble Elendil, or at least both are considered to very like Elendur Isildur's son (The Disaster of the Gladden Fields, note 26 - in general, see page 277 of UT for a further discussion of this star). Aragorn's words at the coronation are Elendil's words when coming to Middle-Earth, and Elendil was known as 'the Faithful' - one value which Aragorn would greatly revere and try to exemplify.
The Hobbits also have a vision of the Elendilmiir, at the end of Fog on the Barrow-downs. Note that the chieftain of the Dunedain walks last in this vision, pretty much like Gildor did.
The sceptre of Anuminas is clearly a sign of royalty. Aragorn needs to be king before he is entitled to it.
In a way, it is sad. Aragorn has not yet earned the kingship of Arnor (the kingship of Gondor goes with the crown of Atanatar II Alcarin), and one might consider Elrond to be the steward of the Northren Kingdom. His surrendering the sceptre might mean that his stewardship is failing and his time is over, rather than that Aragorn is king of Arnor in anything more than the empty title he had already.
"I had so much to do here; and packing is such a bother" - Bilbo
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Dec 21 2008, 3:12am
Post #4 of 4
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That is a sad thought, but true
[In reply to]
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Aragorn's success, achieved through both his valor and the destruction of the Ring, does bring an end to the prominence of the Elves in Middle-earth.
And once the royal symbols are relinquished, Elrond is "free to leave": his purpose there no longer exists. "Aragorn sat with his head bowed to his knees; only Elrond knew fully what this hour meant to him." And to Elrond, as well.
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"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
"It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?"
-Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915
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