Welcome to Númenor!
“Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear.” –Grima
“A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.” –Gandalf
“He doesn’t approve of being late.” –Old Bilbo
I love all your quotes, but dude - look at the revised schedule. You are right on time.


Anyway, this week we’re covering both A Description of the Island of Númenor and The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor. We’ll start with the description first.
The most obvious first topic is the actual physical description of the island’s layout. I quite like the idea of it being shaped like a star. It gives it a uniqueness that makes it more than just a random blob of land, in my opinion. Do you feel this is too special, or do you like the layout, too? I like it as a multilayered symbol. The choice of the Valar in crafting the land, as well as the herald that Men followed to find their new land - the star-shape, the sole item of primeval light in the sky before the fall of the Trees and the coming of the Sun and Moon. Maybe conveying their hope of a new beginning, a return to the Eldar time of light, with this gift to worthy Men? The other thing - a foreshadowing - is probably unintended, since Ulmo has no hand in the making of Numenor and he seems to be the only one planning for Earendil and the redemption of Arda...but that Star reference: the greatest Mariner that will rise from a race of mariners. I see it here. So if Numenor is the hope of Men: that hope comes in form of the Star. In so many ways.


The most striking marker of the island is the great mountain right in the middle: Meneltarma. This is where worship of Eru is conducted three times a year. This is one of my favorite glimpses into the life of the Numenoreans. I just love the little detail of a great host of people garbed in white ascending this large mountain. I also really love the idea of the eagles keeping watch on it. Yes, and that no one speaks upon it, ever. That honor in silence. The opposite in its way of the wiles of Melkor/Morgoth, that so often rely on words and twisting them. As Rem pointed out in the Athrabeth, that honor done without really that much ostentation...a quiet offering. And without speech, no self-glamorizing, or petitioning (for that matter). One gives, one does not ask to receive in this way of worship.

The famous mallorn trees are said to have grown on the island. Do you like this or not? Does it take away some of their uniqueness that they seem to be popping up everywhere? I really like that they’re there. It adds a connection to LOTR without being too obtuse. I also like the mention of seeds having been given to Gil-galad who in turn gave them to Galadriel. I catch the detail here that they didn't thrive in Gil-gilad's land. I suppose they needed a more sheltered place to thrive - spiritually sheltered from Morgoth and the Marring? Which is maybe why they do well (at first) in Numenor?

The descriptions of the flora and fauna are so beautiful. I love “the kirinki that were no bigger than wrens, but all scarlet, with piping voices on the edge of human hearing….” Which description is your favorite? The kiriniki remind me a bit of my favorite wrens! And all the seabirds remind me of my home - they are everywhere here since the shore is never more than 12 miles away. They follow our boats, like JRRT describes here. I like the husbandry wisdom these Men start off with: they do not harass the birds, the Eagles nest in security, and horses are treasured. That stewardship idea, like that of the Firstborn, happening herein Men. I think here JRRT is pointing to an idealized Human world (where The Shire is maybe an idealized 'fantasy' world maybe?)

I often forget that in the beginning the Eldar used to visit Númenor from Eressëa. I think it’s a lovely idea, but I wonder what the relationship between them leaving and the Noldor leaving is. Why did the Noldor get banned but these don’t? Is it because they are Teleri, and wronged in the Kinslaying? It seems Noldor and returning Elves came there, but that was after the Ban was lifted?


The Line of Elros is a difficult beast to tackle since it’s essentially just a list of the kings. This will be mostly up for open discussion about any aspect. I just want to note that I think it’s incredible the amount of detail and work that Tolkien put into it. The sense of history is so deep, and yet it’s so tantalizing at the same time. I’m almost glad that the Second Age is so faintly sketched out because it creates many of those “unattainable vistas.” What do you think?
I suppose so. Its hard sometimes not to want "more" but then as JRRT said to write a series of mysteries and dynastic struggles would become very novelistic in flavor, and he says "not worth doing." I can agree about the 'unattainable vistas.' We do get that. And as much of the Age is the story of Men which we lack much of in real life, I suppose its a good parallel.
I shall be back to post about some Kings - must have a look at the list!

The famous mallorn trees are said to have grown on the island. Do you like this or not? Does it take away some of their uniqueness that they seem to be popping up everywhere? I really like that they’re there. It adds a connection to LOTR without being too obtuse. I also like the mention of seeds having been given to Gil-galad who in turn gave them to Galadriel.

Mallorns: I had an initial "huh?!" that mallorns, which seem exalted given their association with Lorien and Galadriel, could have lowly origins among mere Men. But then it makes me think that the Edain in Numenor were not too different from the Eldar, and I get the feeling that Numenor was supposed to be a Tol Eressea for mortals, and then it all works. I also like the fact that mallorns don't spread like dandelions but have to be given as gifts, and they don't grow everywhere. (I personally think they don't grow in Lindon because it's too far north and too cold.)

Interesting, in the Notes section the mechanics of the life extension of the Numenoreans is described: the twins Elrond and Elros had not that much 'difference in potential life' but because Elros chose to live among Men, he absorbed their restless need to leave the world - and thus makes the first choice of all Numenoreans: to leave this life as he begins to fail. In his case, the choice is profound, as it seems his life span could have been very, very long...but the quality not so much (hmmm... a Ring metaphor? Do not embalm 'life'?)

And I note his son, rightfully the second King, didn't even really take the scepter: he was more interested in lore and learning and was only a King 'for a year' in the records to record his name in the line.

That metaphor, I have wondered often, does it have a basis in faith for JRRT? The constant message to not 'embalm' and attempt to hold onto 'life' and things unchanged...it is the message of the Ring, and here in the choice of the chosen Men. Perhaps because life in all its forms belongs rightfully to the Divine? That that is a usurpation of Eru's prerogative?

I wonder what happened to all of Vardamir's material? Presumably lost with Numenor, since none of it is referenced and we have just that notation about Elendil writing the Akallabeth (in Middle-earth I would presume). Too bad. So much lost - if it had not simply been destroyed out of sheer pique by Al-Pharazon.

Once again, the JRRT's mechanics of the longer life span make sense: the closer a Numenorean lives to the Elven way (empowering the fea?) that span stays longer. As they drift further from that way of life, their span begins to wane. Thus the renewal in Aragorn.


So akin to that idea is what Brethil mentioned, that the Edain started out as stewards, like Elves, and their initial culture was their golden age. It's no accident that their early kings were more interested in Elves and learning than ruling.

Also in Notes, the increase in the life span of Numenoreans is indeed attributed to them living in the style of the Elves - though it is made clear to them (presumably by the ever-communication-impaired Valar) that they still Mortal Men, and not Firstborn.

(I personally think they don't grow in Lindon because it's too far north and too cold.)

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But Sam's grew in the Shire though. Just sayin'

Places where the taint of the Marring were less (Lorien shielded by Nenya and Galadriel, and Numenor because of its new lands, distance from the mainland and its 'pristine' state - well in the beginning anyway!)

Places where the taint of the Marring were less (Lorien shielded by Nenya and Galadriel, and Numenor because of its new lands, distance from the mainland and its 'pristine' state - well in the beginning anyway!)

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... Gil-galad perished before the Three could be used, yes, but at the start of the Third Age we at least have a Ring of Power in Lindon with Cirdan, and I think very arguably with Galadriel too.
Indeed, Elthir. Of course it is all speculation - based on that single tease of info that they would not grow in Gil-gilad's Lindon - but perhaps Celeborn simply did not have Galadriel's rather empire-building notions quite as much. Maybe borders and the like not quite so psychically secured. Don't pay too much mind Elthir! I'm simply off on a faery-hunt anyway, but its fun to theorize!