#eärnil ii

[thelordofgifs]

Ranking all the Kings of Gondor

Based on what, you may ask? Vibes. Let's go.

Eldacar. Twenty-first King. THE bestest boy in the legendarium. The hero of the Kin-strife, the archetype of immigrant child trauma, the exiled king, the vengeful father... we love him so so so much ok!!

Aragorn. First High King of the Reunited Kingdom. Yes I know your list would put him at the top but this is my list and I do what I want. Anyway he's wise and kind and "the hands of the king are the hands of a healer" and he's brave and clever and has an excellent fairy-tale romance going on and I am very much not immune to Viggo Mortensen covered in blood with unwashed hair.

Elendil. First High King. He's brave he's cool he's wise he DEFEATED SAURON. Love him.

Isildur. Second High King (co-ruler). Justice for my boy the movies did him so so dirty!! Anyway he saved the line of the White Tree and fought so so bravely and he did his best. I will not countenance Isildur slander actually.

Valacar. Twentieth King. Ranks this highly mostly because he's my blorbo Eldacar's father, but Valacar is cool! His father sent him to the Northmen to build an alliance and Valacar promptly fell in love with their chief's daughter instead. And then Vidumavi died long before he ever even became King and you have to wonder if Valacar feared he would outlive his children too :(

Aldamir. Twenty-third King. Also ranking highly mostly because of genetic proximity to my guy, but Aldamir is sooo tragic actually. He's a second son who never should have become King except his older brother was MURDERED and maybe he spent the rest of his life trying to live up to him!! Also he was also killed in battle which I am sad about. This family cannot catch a break.

Eärnur. Thirty-third and last King. This is the idiot who challenged the Witch-king of Angmar to single combat and was never seen again, but I have a soft spot for him on account of. that was really sexy.

Eldarion. Second High King of the Reunited Kingdom. We don't know much about Aragorn and Arwen's son, but movie!Eldarion is very cute which is enough to earn him a high rank.

Rómendacil II. Nineteenth King. An all-round competent guy who ruled as regent for years for first his lazy uncle and then his lazy father. Built the Argonath!! Also he's Eldacar's grandfather which again earns him points.

Eärnil II. Thirty-second King. Ended up with the crown after his predecessor and both his sons were killed in battle (although NOT his daughter. JUSTICE FOR FÍRIEL). Anyway Eärnil strikes me as a decent guy who was doing his best. Props to him for taking pains not to alienate the Dúnedain of Arthedain.

Ondoher. Thirty-first King. The aforementioned predecessor, who is mostly ranked highly because I feel bad that he died :( and he tried to ensure Gondor would still have an heir to the throne if he and his eldest son were killed! But his youngest son joined the battle in disguise and got killed anyway!

Minardil. Twenty-fifth King. Another tragic one, he was Eldacar's great-grandson and was slain in battle by the descendants of Castamir. I am upset about this.

Meneldil. Third King. We don't know much about him, but he was the first solo ruler of Gondor and also the last child born in Númenor before the Downfall, which is cool.

Telumehtar. Twenty-eighth King. Finally got rid of the last descendants of Castamir, excellent work.

Calimehtar. Thirtieth King. Defeated the Wainriders attacking Gondor in a great alliance with the Northmen, which we love to see. Also he built the White Tower of Minas Anor! Good for him.

Anárion. Second High King (co-ruler). He was initally a lot higher on the list because I feel for him always being overshadowed by his father and brother, but then I learned he was killed by a THROWN ROCK which is kind of pathetic ngl. Sorry, Anárion.

Tarondor. Twenty-seventh King. Had the unenviable task of rebuilding the realm after it was ravaged by the Great Plague, but unfortunately he moved out of Osgiliath for good (which makes me unreasonably sad. I love Osgiliath) and also allowed the watch on Mordor to lapse for good.

Eärendil. Fifth King. We don't know much about him, but his name is nice.

Anardil. Sixth King. We don't know much about him, but his name is also nice.

Telemnar. Twenty-sixth King. Died in the Great Plague, sad for him I guess.

Narmacil II. Twenty-ninth King. Slain in battle with Wainriders, made no impression on me at all.

Siriondil. Eleventh King. We know very little about him, but that's a good name.

Cemendur. Fourth King. Boring and doesn't even have a good name.

Turambar. Ninth King. Mainly this low down because THAT'S A TERRIBLE NAME WHAT ARE YOU THINKING.

Hyarmendacil II. Twenty-fourth King. Defeated the Haradrim in battle, good for him I guess.

Atanatar I. Tenth King. No personality. I don't like his name either.

Rómendacil I. Eighth King. Defeated some Easterlings in battle, but apparently not very well because they later killed him. Oh well.

Ciryandil. Fourtheenth King. A Ship-king, and I don't like Ship-kings (mostly because Castamir tried to be a Ship-king).

Ostoher. Seventh King. Didn't do much, although he started the practice of the King spending his summer in Minas Anor. Good for him? I guess?

Eärnil I. Another Ship-king. Died in a great storm, which is one of the perils associated with being a Ship-king!

Calmacil. Eighteenth King. Generally incompetent. Gains a couple of points for being Eldacar's great-grandfather.

Narmacil I. Seventeenth King. Also pretty incompetent. He let his nephew do all the work of ruling for him.

Atanatar II. Sixteenth King. Lived in indolence and splendour, and neglected the watch on Mordor which was not very wise of him!

Hyarmendacil I. Fifteenth King. Ok he actually sucks. The King who defeated the Haradrim and instituted the practice of taking their sons as hostages to live in the court of Gondor.

Tarannon. Twelfth King. The first of the Ship-kings, also known for his loveless marriage to his wife Berúthiel who gets blamed for everything for some reason.

Castamir the Usurper. (Technically) twenty-second King. Should not be on this list and is here purely so that I can say. FUCK. THIS. GUY.

[shantismurf]

I would love to hear about #6 South Pacific! =D

Ooh this one popped up and ran away with me a couple months ago when I was lucky enough to be a part of a small ensemble jazz adaptation of South Pacific that a wealthy patron of my choir commissioned for his birthday party 👀 You could never produce a work like that for a paid production due to copyright, so being able to sing it just for funsies was an incredible opportunity!!

I've got the whole plot sketched out...hmm lemme find a good excerpt...Oh how about the cast profiles!

Story setting: Umbar World War II in TA 2925 Umbar, City of the Corsairs: The Haven of Umbar was a city to the far southwest of Gondor in Middle-earth. By the Third Age it was known for its sea-faring Corsairs. It had been used by the 'King's Men', who had turned to the worship of Melkor in the last days of Númenor. These 'King's Men' became known as Black Númenóreans: "very powerful amongst the Haradrim, a neighbouring people with whom they were allied. The rulers of Umbar retained much influence over Harad well into the Third Age. When not part of Gondor, its system of government was likely tyrannical." In TA 933 Gondor's King Eärnil I captured Umbar in a surprise attack, although this was "at great cost.” Current conflict is some attempt to retake the city or region after some kind of Pearl Harbor like attack. Gondor has sent out calls for aid to all their allies, and hired many mercenary companies to expand their ranks. Bilbo is Nellie - traveling with a small band of Hobbits who answered the call of Gondor, mostly Tooks and a handful of Brandybucks who honor of the company of Hobbit archers that fought for Gondor at the Battle of Fornost in the war against Angmar almost a thousand years ago. They're not used in battle but assigned to support only, which is frustrating for them.  Thorin is Emilie - fled to Umbar to raise Fili and Kili alone after Dis and Vili died in the Flood of Tharbad during the Fell Winter. Thorin and the boys fled south and were distrusted as foreign dwarven refugees, rumors about him being a murderer are just baseless racist slander, even after 15 years. He’s established a stable, successful life despite the challenges, but he avoids the armies in the region, especially the Dwarven mercenaries. Dwalin is Lt Cable - posing/serving as an officer for the forces of Gondor, a mercenary leading a company of Dwarves, but has really come searching for the heirs of Durin. The Ris are natives of the South, could be from any of the clans who were only described as “Eastern clans”: Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, Stonefoots Dori is partly Bloody Mary - runs a tea shop, Nori (the other part of Bloody Mary) helps but he sells more than just tea which Dori turns a blind eye to, until Nori, seeing Dwalin notice Ori (Liat), tries to get a better life for Ori by getting the officer to fall for him.

Bofur is Billis - also in the Company with his cousin and brother. They treat the Hobbits better than the soldiers of Gondor do, and he is friends with Bilbo. (Sings “Nothing Like a Dame” but something about the bad food in the army and the Hobbits having better food lol)

[lurks-no-more]

I'm picking Fíriel! I think she'd have a pretty good chance of keeping the Line of Anárion going longer than happened in the canon.

Eärnil II seems to have been a perfectly okay king, but his son, Eärnur, was frankly a dumb jock and a lunkhead. Not only did he run right into the most obvious trap ever, when taunted by the Witch-King basically going "Neener neener, you're a wimp!", he didn't pay any attention of ensuring the succession!

I don't care if he was gay, or just not interested in having a wife and kids when he could be fighting and lifting weights instead, he was the bloody King of Gondor! He could have - should have! - chosen some promising young relative of his, and officially and very publicly adopted him as his heir, so that when he died, whether of old age, or choking on a pretzel, or haring off to the Tower of Dark Sorcery to have a duel with the fucking Witch-King, who surely would respect the terms and fight fair, there would be no confusion!

You may notice that I don't like Eärnur. He was, apparently, a great warrior and presumably a reasonable field commander, but as a king he was a moron and a dismal failure.

Felt like a Tolkien poll:

[middle-earth-mythopoeia]

What are your thoughts and theories about Dunedain women? They're not really named or talked about, but they must exist

You’re so right! And thank you for this ask! :)

The Dúnedain women are fascinating, and I wish Tolkien had written more about them. I’m assuming you’re asking about Dúnedain women in Middle-earth, but I want to go back earlier and talk about the Númenoreans first.

There were three Ruling Queens of Númenor—Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Telperiën and Tar-Vanimeldë—but there would have been four, if Tar-Míriel had not been forced to marry Ar-Pharazôn against her will. I find Míriel’s fate really tragic. Not only did her cousin force her to marry him and usurp the throne from her, then she had to watch as he became more and more corrupt and authoritarian (under Sauron’s influence) and ultimately brought about the downfall of her kingdom.

But I find it really interesting that (until Ar-Pharazôn ruined everything) Númenor had such egalitarian rules of succession. This was because Tar-Aldarion changed the laws so that Tar-Ancalimë, his daughter, could inherit the crown from him. Although Númenor had male-only primogeniture before that, I think it’s important to note that this law change happened quite early in its history—Númenor had twenty-five rulers, and Tar-Aldarion was the sixth. It’s also interesting to me that a power-hungry man illegitimately taking away the political authority of a woman is such an essential part of the downfall of Númenor.

And speaking of a man usurping the rightful Queen, I’m still mad that Fíriel didn’t become the Ruling Queen of Gondor after her father, King Ondoher, and her two elder brothers, were killed. She was the rightful heir to the throne according to the ancient laws of Númenor! She should have become Queen of Gondor! (I’ve been upset about this ever since I was 13 years old and reading the ROTK appendices for the first time.) But Eärnil II claimed the crown, and then his son Eärnur received it, and he was killed, and the rule of Gondor passed to the Stewards; and Eärnur was the last King of Gondor until Aragorn took the throne more than 900 years later, so once again, a man usurping a woman’s political power led to extremely dire consequences for the Dúnedain. If Eärnil hadn’t wrongfully taken the crown from Fíriel, the line of Kings and Queens wouldn’t have been broken and Gondor and Arnor wouldn’t have fallen into disarray.

(I think the narrative agrees with me, too, because Eärnur was described as valiant but not wise, a man who took pleasure chiefly in fighting, and he ultimately died because he was too proud to refuse a challenge from the Lord of Minas Morgul. Is this who should have been ruling Gondor? No. It explicitly says in the appendices, ‘It may be that if the crown and the sceptre had been united, then the kingship would have been maintained and much evil averted.’ Fíriel should have been given the crown! Another point in my favor is that Aragorn was descended from Fíriel, the rightful line. It says, ‘Arvedui did not press his claim; for he had neither the power nor the will to oppose the choice of the Dúnedain of Gondor; yet the claim was never forgotten by his descendants even when their kingship had passed away.’ That’s right! I fully believe that Aragorn reinstated the Númenorean law of succession when he became King, allowing for there to be Ruling Queens after his reign.)

But if there is not enough written about the Queens of Númenor and Gondor, there is even less about Dúnedain women who weren’t of royal blood. I love the idea that in later years, after the Númenoreans founded Gondor and Arnor, some of them would have become rangers alongside the male Dúnedain. Because why not? The fact that Númenor had Ruling Queens suggests that women could have had many of the same rights as men, so I see no reason why they couldn’t have done all the same things men did. I’d love to see more stories about them.

[luna-writes-stuff]

April Tolkien Challenge; Day 10

Crown of Aragorn

tap picture for better quality

——

Also known as the crown of Gondor, or the Silver Crown, it was said to have come from a Númenorean helmet, one that the great kings in battle used to wear. When it got crushed in the Battle of Dagorlad, the helmet of Isildur became the next Crown of Gondor.

When Atanatar II The Glorious became king, he refashioned ht helmet into the crown we know to have been King Elessar's, or Aragorn. The crown was once more lost as Eärnur lay it in the lap of King Eärnil II, his father, in the houses of the dead, and it remained there for 969 long years, awaiting the next king.

It was Gandalf who eventually handed Aragorn, or Elessar, his crown on May 1st of the year 3019 of the Third Age. It was tradition that the helmet be passed from father to son, but as Aragorn had no family left, he let Gandalf bring it to him, to crown him as king of Gondor, reclaiming his title as the last heir to the throne.

——

Sources: -One Wiki To Rule Them All, Crowning of King Elessar -One Wiki To Rule Them All, Crown of Gondor -Tolkien Gateway -Return of the King, JRR Tolkien,

[bretwalda-lamnguin]

It's interesting how Malbeth the Seer's role for the later kings of Arthedain parallels the Steward's role for the later Gondorian kings. Both serve as chief advisors, with something of a spiritual, quasi-religious role. Malbeth gives prophectic guidance to the kings, the Stewards keep the tradition of Isildur.

Both seem clearly associated with spiritual power, Malbeth with foresight, the Stewards with the ability to read the hearts and minds of others (going by Denethor and Faramir at least).

But the key difference it seems is that for all their spiritual power, the Húrinionath are pragmatists at heart, and seem to have a flair for the political. Malbeth on the other hand doesn't seem to know or care (telling the king to name his son last king is not a good way to inspire confidence in your dynasty!)

I also find it interesting that the decision for the Dúnedain that Malbeth talks about, is arguably the one taken by Pelendur. Putting Eärnil II on the throne of Gondor. The more hopeful, pragmatic choice, the one a Steward would always take regardless of signs and omens.

I wonder if any of the Húrinionath, probably Vorondil or Mardil met Malbeth after the fall of Arthedain, I can't imagine they got on well...

[laoih]

Since I haven't really stopped shaking my head about all the changes Amazon made when they adapted Tolkien's stories about the 2nd Age, I have also thought about how an adaptation with The Lord of the Rings appendices as a basis could be done differently.

The 2nd Age:

The Rings of Power and the Downfall of Númenor

I have many ideas abiut a possible adaptation of the 2nd Age that is closer to Tolkien's writings. However, I won't go into details because there exists a really good video about this.

Actually, if I only had the rights to The Lord of the Rings incl. the appendices and not to the 2nd age texts from Unfinished Tales and The Silmarillion, I probably would not go for the 2nd Age at all. The majority of Tolkien's writings about the 2nd Age is in texts outside of The Lord of the Rings, and if I would not be allowed to properly adapt Tolkien's 2nd age stories because of rights, then I would pick something else.

So instead, let's go to a promising time in the 3rd Age, since most information about the 3rd Age can be found in The Lord of the Rings.

The 3rd Age:

The Angmar War and the Fall of Arnor

Let's go to the years 1940-2050 of the Third Age. In this time

in Arthedain, Arvedui marries princess Fíriel and becomes King of Arthedain. But the kingdom is overrun by the armies of the Witch-king and eventually falls. Arvedui dies, but his son survives.

in Lindon and Rivendell, Círdan, Elrond and Glorfindel defend Eriador against Angmar, together with Arthedain.

in the Shire, the hobbits elect the first Thain.

in Moria, the Balrog awakens and the Dwarves flee, eventually establishing the kingdom in Erebor

in Lóthlorien, Nimrodel and Amroth fall in love and decide to travel south. On their travels, Nimrodel is lost, and Amroth drowns, and Galadriel and Celeborn take up rule in Lóthlorien.

in Gondor, the king and his sons are killed by invading Wainraiders. The next king sends his son Eärnur against the Angmar in the North, resulting in the defeat of the armies of the Witch-king. When the Nazgûl come to Mordor and take Minas Ithil, they challenge Eärnur and he is never seen again after accepting and meeting their challenge. The rule of the stewards in Gondor begins.

Why this part of Middle-earth's history?

110 years: Compared to the time compressed in Amazon's show, 110 years is basically nothing. If needed it could even be shortened to only 59 years from 1940-1999, and only the final confrontation of the Witch-king and Eärnur would be lost.

Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits and Men: All major races of Middle-earth are involved thanks to the presence of the Men of Arthedain and Gondor, the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell, the Dwarves of Moria, and the Hobbits in the Shire.

Many canon characters to pick from: Canon characters include Círdan, Glorfindel, Elrond, Celebrian Nimrodel, Amroth, Celeborn and Galadriel among the Elves, Durin VI, Náin I and Thráin I among the Dwarves, Bucca among the Hobbits, and Arvedui, Fíriel, Ondoher, Eärnil II, Eärnur, Aranarth and more among Men.

Antagonists can include the Witch-king and other Nazgûl, the Barrow-wights, the evil Men of Rhudaur, the Wainraiders, Orcs, and the Balrog.

Known elements to attract the casual viewer:

characters like Elrond, Celeborn, Galadriel and the Witch-king

places like Rivendell, Moria, Lóthlorien and Gondor

the exploration of the origin of the Rangers in Eriador

the exploration of the history of Minas Ithil

the beginning of the rule of the stewards in Gondor

the awakening of the Balrog

the palantíri

Not-yet-seen elements to surprise the viewers:

exploring of the kingdom of Arthedain including its characters, culture, and its capital Fornost

exploring the Elven realm of Lindon and getting to see some of Tolkien's famous Elves properly for the first time

exploring Moria before its fall

getting to know the kingdom of Angmar and its capital Carn Dûm

exploring the concept of Barrow-wights

exploring other Mannish cultures like the Wainriders and the Lossoth

Possible storylines to tell

Storylines from Tolkien's writings:

Arthedain

Prince Arvedui marries princess Fíriel of Gondor.

When Fíriel's father and brothers die, Arvedui claims Gondor's throne since by Númenorean law Fíriel would be ruling queen, but the claim is rejected. Arvedui becomes King of Arthedain after his father's death.

The threat of Angmar grows, and Arvedui asks Gondor for help. But Angmar attacks first and captures the capital of Arthedain, Fornost. Many flee to Lindon, but Arvedui holds out at the North Downs for a while before fleeing to the Dwarf-mines in the Blue Mountains.

Eventually Arvedui flees further North, reaching the Icebay of Forochel were he meets the Lossoth. When Círdan sends a ship to get him, he is warned by the Lossoth not to get on the ship but ignores the warning. The ship sinks in a storm, and all aboard die.

Before his death, he gave the Lossoth the Ring of Barahir to thank them. The Ring is later on ransomed by the Dúnedain.

the Shire

During the war, most of the Hobbits went into hiding.

Some Hobbit archers were sent in support of the King, but they never returned. Some Hobbits als went to the last battle at Fornost when Angmar was defeated.

The Hobbits elect Bucca as the first Thain of the Shire in the absence of a King in Arnor.

Lindon & Rivendell

Angmar is kept at bay for a while thanks to the Elves of Lindon and Eriador.

After the fall of Arthedain,Círdan learns of Arvedui's escape route from Arvedui's son Aranarth and sends a ship North, which never reuturns.

Círdan of Lindon and Glorfindel of Rivendell regroup with Eärnur of Gondor, and together their armies defeat the armies of the Witch-king at Fornost.

When the Witch-king flees Glorfindel foresees that he won't be killed by the hand of a man.

Aranarth decides for his son to be raised in Rivendell.

the Shire

During the war, most of the Hobbits went into hiding.

Some Hobbit archers were sent in support of the King, but they never returned. Some Hobbits als went to the last battle at Fornost when Angmar was defeated.

The Hobbits elect Bucca as the first Thain of the Shire in the absence of a King in Arnor.

Lóthlorien

The story of Amroth and Nimrodel, ending with Nimrodel being lost and Amroth dead.

As a result, Celeborn and Galadriel come to Lóthlorien and take up rule there.

Moria

The Balrog awakens in Moria and Durin VI is killed.

Náin dies a year after Durin VI, and the Dwarves flee Moria.

The Dwarves come to Erebor, where Thráin I establishes his kingdom.

Gondor

Gondor is attacked by Wainraiders, and King Ondoher and his two sons fall in the battle north of the Morannon. Eventually, the invasion is stopped under the leadership of Eärnil, Captain of the Southern Army.

After rejecting Arvedui's/Fíriel's claim to the throne, Eärnil is crowned King.

Vorondil, later steward of Gondor, hunts down the Kine of Araw and creates the Horn of Araw.

Eärnur, Eärnil's son, arrives in Anor by ship with the army of Gondor. Together with the Elves of Lindon and Rivendellhe attacks the Witch-king in Fornost. Angmar is defeated and the Witch-king flees, but humiliates Eärnur.

The Nazgûl come to Mordor and take Minas Ithil. The Witch-king then taunts and challenges Eärnur who is King by now. Eärnur accepts the challenge and rids out to meet him, but he is never seen again.

The stewards start ruling Gondor.

Possible storylines to develop:

Was Arvedui's and Fíriel's marriage a political marriage or did they marry out of love?

Did Fíriel survive, and if so, how and where?

How did Aranarth escape and where did he go? What was his relationship with Elrond that convinced him to have his son raised in Rivendell?

Who among the Dúnedain went North to Forochel to get the Ring of Barahir back?

How were the Hobbits in the Shire affected by the war against Angmar?

What was the story of the Hobbit archers at the last battle of Fornost?

What made the Hobbits elect Bucca as the first Thain?

What was Celebrían like and what was she up to at that time? Was she in contact with her parents? What where her children doing?

What was the relationship between the Elves of Rivendell and the remaining humans in Rhudaur?

Where were Celeborn and Galadriel before eventually going to Lóthlorien, and what where they doing?

What was the relationship of Durin VI and his son Náin I?

After the awakening of the Balrog and the death of Durin VI, the Dwarves remain in Moria for a while. Where they still unaware of the Balrog, were they trying to fight it, or were they just too stubborn to leave?

"All evil things were stirring" – was the balrog roused by the digging of the Dwarves or because Sauron's power was growing again in Mirkwood?

How did Nimrodel and Amroth fall in love with each other?

What happened to Nimrodel?

How where Galadriel and Celeborn received in Lóthlorien?

Who created the sword that would eventually kill the Witch-king in the battle of the Pelennor fields?

... and many many more.

An adaptation would probably profit from a little rearrangement of the timeline – for example having the Balrog awaken a couple of years earlier than it did so that the Dwarvish plotline can run at the same time as Arvedui's. Since it is only a couple of years, there are no noticable effects on events of characters – at best it even provides a reason why the Dwarves did not help the Elves and Arvedui against Angmar, and why the Elves of Rivendell could not provide any assistance against the Balrog.

... so, this was fun. 🙂 And I guess based on my current knowledge I should be happy that nobody attempts to mess up this fascinating part of the Appendices in any adaptation...

[sweetearthandnorthernsky]

i’m all over the place today (sorry not sorry) [actually mildly sorry] BUT one does not simply control or ignore the hyperfixation.

anyways; i just replayed silent street on an alt and this will never fail to make me insane

Eärnil II says, “Who defies the claim of my son?” Eärnil II says, “Why does my son flee death?” Eärnil II says, “What vile force guides my hand?”

Mardil Voronwë says, “Has the King at last returned?” Mardil Voronwë says, “Your plans are ill-laid.” Mardil Voronwë says, “What cruel fate is this?” Mardil Voronwë says, “Eärnur... must fall.”

AND THEN

Boromir I says, "The Morgul-blade bites deep!" Boromir I says, "You cannot hold forever..." Boromir I says, "The blade... it is still... within." Boromir I says, "Feel the fading of your life!" Boromir I says, "Glory to Gondor!"

Telemnar says, "Plague-bearers! Slay them!" Telemnar says, "The Plague claims all!" Telemnar says, "The Plague rots us all!" Telemnar says, "I feel the Plague within me once more..." Telemnar says, "Let the Plague take you!"

Tarannon Falastur says, "Berúthiel, do you torment me still?" Tarannon Falastur says, "The Sea was to be my resting place!" Tarannon Falastur says, "Choke and sputter!" Tarannon Falastur says, "The Sea claims all!" Tarannon Falastur says, "What was it all for?"

Atanatar II says, "Come to mock me like the others?" Atanatar II says, "Suffer my fate!" Atanatar II says, "I will not fail my people again!" Atanatar II says, "Time erodes all."

and you also straight up fight meneldil who’s isildur’s nephew at the end of the fight which is. yk. fun.

[arofili]

the line of elros ❖ stewards of gondor ❖ headcanon disclaimer

          Mardil Voronwë was the son of Vorondil, and became the first Ruling Steward of Gondor. He served as the third and last Steward to Eärnil II and after him his son Eärnur. Upon Eärnur’s inheritance, the Witch-king of Minas Morgul, whom Eärnur had faced in the North, challenged him again to single combat. Eärnur, rash and humiliated by his failure in their first encounter, was eager to answer, but all his counselors clearly saw that it was a trap.           It took the combined persuasion of Eärnur’s mother, lover, and his Steward to convince him not to go at that time, but after his lover was slain in a skirmish, not even the wisdom of Mardil could prevent him from answering the Witch-king’s third challenge. Eärnur left his crown upon the lap of his father in the Houses of the Dead, where it would remain until Steward Faramir would pass it to King Elessar nearly a thousand years later. Eärnur rode past the gates of Minas Morgul with a small escort of loyal knights, never to be seen again.           As his fate was for a time uncertain and Eärnur had named no heir, nor were there any obvious lords of royal descent to step forth and make their claim, no new King was selected. Thus, with a heavy heart, Mardil took up the leadership of Gondor, first of the Ruling Stewards. He began his rule with the promise to lead “until the King returns,” at first with the hope that Eärnur would ride back to Minas Tirith in glory, and later as but a formality.           Mardil ruled Gondor with wisdom and patience during the time known as the Watchful Peace, earning the epithet Voronwë, “the Steadfast.” He was an even-tempered and practical man who paid close attention to even the minutiae of bureaucracy. His wife Anoriel was likewise a fastidious scholar, and it was at her suggestion that Mardil established a Stewards’ Reckoning of time, inserting two leap-days in an effort to maintain a coherent calendar.           The son of Mardil Voronwë and Anoriel was Eradan, first of the Stewards to be named in Sindarin save for those who had taken names from great heroes of the First Age. Eradan was a solitary man who preferred quietude and the company of books. His wife, Gilwen, was of a similar mind, and together they agreed to leave one another alone as soon as their only son Herion came of age.           Unlike his father, Herion was a lively and boisterous man eager to enter the social circles of Gondor. He wed the dancer Cadwareth, a beautiful woman whom he adored despite her own inconstant affections. Their son Belegorn was a hunter like his ancestor Vorondil, and though he never brought down a beast so mighty as the Kine of Araw, he carried the Horn of Gondor with a reverence matched only by his love for his wife Lossendil, a healer-woman of Ithilien he met on his travels.

[tolkienmatters]

‘Not by the hand of man will he fall’ - Prophecy and End of Kings

One of the most enduring moments of the Lord of the Rings is Eowyn’s slaying of the Witch King and fulfilling the Prophecy of Glorfindel, but where did this prophecy come from? During the Witch King’s conquest of Arnor, King Eärnil II sent his son Prince Eärnur with a small army to help defend their ally. Eärnur’s army merged with an Elven host under Glorfindel, and the Host of the West met the Witch King’s army at Fornost. During the battle the Witch King rode issuing a challenge of single combat to Eärnur, who accepted the challenge, but the Witch King’s malice and intimidating aura frightened the Gondorian horses, and Eärnur’s horse fled in fear - taking the Prince with him. The Witch King mocked him for this, and as Glorfindel’s army came the Witch King escaped the battle. Eärnur regained control of his horse and wanted to chase them, but Glorfindel warned against it prophesying “Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall”. Eärnur did not pursue, and though the battle was won his pride was hurt, and ultimately Arnor was destroyed. Mordor soon took Minas Ithil, Gondor’s chief position in Mordor, and made it into Minas Morgul, a fortress of dark sorcery. Eärnur came to the throne after the death of his father, and upon his ascension to the throne the Witch King, now based in Minas Morgul, issued his challenge again. Eärnur wished to fight him but was held back by his steward Mardil. Years later the Witch King issued another challenge, but this time Eärnur accepted. He left the Crown of Gondor on his father’s tomb, gathered an escort of knights and rode to Minas Morgul. He and his escort were never seen or heard from again. There was no heir and nobody claimed the throne. The line was broken and nobody wanted to risk another Kin-Strife. So began the Ruling Stewards as the caretakers of the throne, and the Crown of Gondor remained in the tombs until the Fourth Age and the coronation of King Elessar. Glorfindel’s prophecy remained part of legend and gave the Witch King more infamy. Hundred years later, During the Battle of Pelennor Fields in the War of the Ring, Merry the Hobbit broke the Witch King’s armor with a barrow-blade, and Dernhelm revealed himself to be Eowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, who then slew the Witch King. His doom was met by the hand of Woman and Hobbit, and thus the prophecy came to pass.

“Now the descendants of the kings had become few. Their numbers had been greatly diminished in the Kin-strife; whereas since that time the kings had become jealous and watchful of those near akin. Often those on whom suspicion fell had fled to Umbar and there joined the rebels; while others had renounced their lineage and taken wives not of Númenorean blood. So it was that no claimant to the crown could be found who was of pure blood, or whose claim all would allow; and all feared the memory of the Kin-strife, knowing that if any such dissension arose again, then Gondor would perish. Therefore, though the years lengthened, the Steward continued to rule Gondor, and the crown of Elendil lay in the lap of King Eärnil in the Houses of the Dead, where Eärnur had left it. “

- The end of the line of kings from the Third Age into the Fourth. Appendices, Annals of the Kings and Rulers, The Numenorean Kings, Of Numenor

[austerlitzborodinoleipzig]

Today is one of those “let’s think about Tolkien’s weird obsession with Second-of-his-name trope” days.

Because really, I still don’t know why but nearly half of Tolkien’s heroes, or characters of particular relevance to the plot/history of Middle-Earth are the second guys to wear that name. 

I mean,the most glaring exemple is Aragorn who is actually Aragorn II, son of Arathorn, you guessed it, II. And in Gondor you have Denethor II, son of Ecthelion II. Also fun fact, had Boromir been a Ruling Steward, he would have been called Boromir II. (Unrelated, but Boromir the first was a bit of a badass, and one of my favorite obscure characters). Thorin Oakenshield? Thorin the fucking second. And so is his cousin, Dain II Ironfoot. 

So I decided to sit down, reread LOTR’s appendices and see where that trend goes. 

So hereby is the (maybe not exhaustive list) of all the characters that wear the number II behind their names. 

Kings of Arnor and Chieftain of the Dunedain

Argeleg II and Arveleg II, no, they’re not father and son. Kings of the Arthedain. There’s nothing else about them, except that during Argeleb’s reign, there was the great plague of the Third Age, so that puts him above most of the other kings for relevance. 

Arahad II: chieftain of the Dunedain

Arathorn II: aka Gilraen’s husband

Aragorn II, son of Arathorn, Heir of Isildur

Interestingly, Arvedui, while an important figure, is the first and last of his name, but then again, I guess you can’t have two kings called “The Last One”. 

Kings of Gondor

Atanatar Alcarin, “The Glorious”, whose reign represents the summit of Gondor’s power. Guess what? He was Atanatar II

Romendacil II: okay this one is an interesting one, and one of my obscure faves. (Seriously, Gondor’s history is fascinating). Seemingly one the great kings Gondor had. Per ROTK, Appendix A he “was a man of great vigour, and in 1240 Narmacil, to rid himself of all cares, made him Regent of the realm.” Interesting because he’s the first and last Regent, Gondor apparently had. A sort of proto-Stewardship? Why was the title not used after that? But anyway, guy ruled Gondor, in his uncle’s, then father’s and finally in his own name. Also first one to reach out toward the Northmen, to conclude alliances with them. Invited some Northmen to serve in Gondor’s armed forces. Send his son and heir to Vidugavia’s court. So generally open-minded. Good captain, crushed the Easterlings. Also built the pillars of the Argonath. On the downside, his policy concerning the Northmen led to the Kin-Strife. 

Hyarmendacil II and Narmacil II : unremarkable

Eärnil II : penultimate King of Gondor. Also one the greats. See the pattern, yet?

Stewards

Belecthor II : under his office, the White Tree died. 

Turin II : built Henneth Annun

Ecthelion II, Denethor II, and Boromir would-have-been-II 

Durin’s Line

Technically there has been a Durin II, however, nothing is said about him. We know Durin III was given one of the Seven Rings, by Celebrimbor, and Durin VI awoke the Balrog in the Moria. 

Nain II : only thing we know is that his son, Dain I, was killed by a dragon.

And then come-on Tolkien, it’s getting ridiculous

Thrain II : died in Dol Guldur, 

his son Thorin II Oakenshield

Dain II Ironfoot, who ends up King under the Mountain.

Interestingly enough, all Kings of Rohan have a unique name. 

Same goes for the Kings of Numenor, except that there are two Amandil and Elendil, who bookend the Numenor era. 

Tar Amandil, second ruling King of Numenor and his son Tar Elendil.

And then we have the Lords of Andunië, Amandil and his son Elendil, who then becomes the first High King of the Numenoreans in exile. Both are descendants of Tar Amandil and Tar Elendil, through Elendil’s daughter, Silmariën. 

Also there’s King Bard II of Dale, succeeds his father during the War of the Ring.

[caidaarnor]

Canon Humanos

Eärnil II (92 años, PB: Sean Connery): Rey de Gondor, ganó el trono gracias a que el Consejo del Reino lo escogio a él después de una vacío de poder. Con medias sabias y oportunas ha vuelto a poner de pie al reino. Pero lejos quedan sus días de gloria y esplendor. 

Eärnur (47 años, PB: Sean Bean): Hijo del rey y gran capitán de Gondor. Es un diestro guerrero y comandante, que ayudó a su padre en las muchas victorias que ha obtenido. Actualmente esta al frente de la gran hueste que Gondor a ha mandado para ayudar al ya moribundo reino de Arthedain. Tal vez la ayuda llegue demasiado tarde. 

Pelendur (96 años, PB: Jeremy Irons): Senescal de Gondor y hombre fuerte del reino. Ha servido a dos reyes, y tiene depositada su confinza en Eärnil, pues su decisión suya que la corona recayera sobre él. Sabio y fuerte, su compromiso es absoluto con el reino y el trono. 

Aranarth (37 años, PB: Viggo Mortensen): Único hijo varón de Arvediu y por lo tanto heredero de Arthedain y de Arnor. Es un valeroso capitán y digno descendiente de Numenor. No viendo posibilidad de restablecer el antiguo reino, se ha proclamado Capitán de los Dúnedain del Norte. Con lo que contaba tal vez era con la llegada de Gondor. 

Frumgar (55 años, PB: Bernard Hill): Señor de los Éothéod. Él y su pueblo emigraron al norte de las tierras de Rhovanion, buscando huir de los orientales de Rhûn. Se ha establecido en los valles altos del Anduin, y su pueblo se ha hecho famoso por la doma de caballos y por ser diestros jinetes. Mantiene una firme alianza con Gondor, y ha mandado a su hijo junto a un destacamento en ayuda de Arnor. 

Fram (27 años, PB: Karl Urban): Hijo de Frumgar, se dice de Fram que es un terrible guerrero, capaz de ahuyentar a cualquier enemigo cuando carga con colera y rabia. Es diestro con la espada y la lanza, digno hijo de su padre, y el futuro de su pueblo. Su padre la puso al frente de las fuerzas que mando en apoyo de Gondor en su expedición al norte de la Tierra Media. 

Semincanon: 

- Firiel: Madre de Aranarth y vidua de Arvedui, tuvo la suerte de huir a Rivendel antes de que Fornost cayera. Siguiendo el consejo de su marido se llevo el Cetro de Annúnimas con ella junto al resto de tesoros de Fornost antes de su caída. - Vorondil: És el hijo del Senescal de Gondor. Al contrario que su padre cree que el poder de los reyes se está debilitando, y que el linaje de Anárion tal vez esta agotado de forma casi definitiva. Es un buen guerrero, prefiriendo la espada antes que la diplomacia, al contrario que su padre. Tal vez Gondor necesite cambios, reforzando en su lugar el poder del Consejo, porque en su opinión los reyes vienen y van. - Hermana de Aranarth: Hermana menor de Aranarth, le toco vivir unos tiempos difíciles para su regente, por lo que ha tenido que acostumbrarse a vivir en un mundo peligroso y nada fácil. Buena cazadora, sabe moverse por los bosques de Eriador, además de gran arquera.

[dickbosman]

"Dreary and wearisome. Cold, clammy winter still held sway in this forsaken country. The only green was the scum of livid weed on the dark greasy surfaces of the sullen waters. Dead grasses and rotting reeds loomed up in the mists like ragged shadows of long forgotten summers." -Passage of the Marshes, The Two Towers The Dead Marshes was an area of swampland east of the Emyn Muil and bordered on the east by the Dagorlad plain, site of the ancient Battle of Dagorlad during the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. The marshes predated the battle, but were not named until after. The Dead Marshes were part of the ancient battlefield of the Battle of Dagorlad between the Last Alliance and the forces of Mordor, where many of the fallen were laid to rest. Over time, the battlefield became marshes, which swallowed up the dead, though their bodies could still be seen floating in the water (although, according to Gollum, they are not physically there, and only appear as visions). During Gondor's war with the Wainriders, King Ondoher's army was caught by surprise and he and men were driven into the Dead Marshes and defeated. When Eärnil II became king, he avenged the earlier defeat at the Battle of the Camp in TA 1944, and the Wainriders were defeated and driven into the marshes where most perished. The Dead Marshes were located north-west of the Morannon, and southeast of the Emyn Muil. Aragorn once captured Gollum here, on February 1, 3017 and took him to Mirkwood. Old dead bodies in the water of the marshes. During the quest to destroy the One Ring, Gollum led Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee on a passage through the marshes. They entered the Dead Marshes at Dawn on the 1st of March. The Passage was marked by lights that danced about and candles which Gollum called "candles of corpses"; it is likely that those who become entranced by these lights and attempt to touch the bodies drown in the water and go down to join the dead. It seems that the bodies only appear in the water when the lights are lit. At the Mere of Dead Faces, Frodo became entranced by these lights and tried to reach out and touch the faces of the dead at the bottom of the marshes, though Sam broke him out of his trance. Gollum told them that the dead could not be touched, suggesting that he had once tried to eat them. While passing through the marshes, a Black Rider on a Fell beast passed overhead, terrifying Gollum enough that he started to slip back into his old speech-habits, which he had somewhat given up after swearing to "serve the master of the Precious." They exited the Marshes on the morning of March 2, 3019.

[anghraine]

Aragorn is very much more like Eärnil than Arvedui 2k21

[ao3feed-tolkien]

Order Of Succession

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2EpVCVh

by Ancalimë (Cymbidia)

In the aftermath of the deaths of Ondoher, Artamir, and Faramir in rapid succession, third in line Ëarnil and the Steward Pelendur discuss Ëarnil’s ascension to the throne of Gondor, and the uncertain future of the kingdom. Written for Days 1 & 2 of B2MEM Bingo G48: Ruling Stewards & N42: Ëarnil II Card #98: Gondorian history

Words: 494, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, TOLKIEN J. R. R. - Works & Related Fandoms

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen

Characters: Eärnil II, Pelendur (Tolkien), Ëarnur (mentioned), Arvedui (mentioned)

Relationships: Ëarnil II & Pelendur

Additional Tags: succession, Uncomfortable Conversations, Foresight or Prescience?, Ëarnur is short for Ëarendur as in the Last King Of Arnor, Someone has to have connected the dots, The Decline Of Men, Back to Middle-Earth Month, Back to Middle-Earth Month 2019

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2EpVCVh