Henneth Annun Reseach Center

Timeline Event

Aldarion quarrels with Tar-Meneldur after his first voyage as King's Heir

Event Type: General

Age: 2nd Age - Pre-Rings

Year: 0813

Description:
Seven years passed before Aldarion came back, bringing with him ore of silver and gold; and he spoke with his father of his voyage and his deeds. But Meneldur said: "Rather would I have had you beside me, than any news or gifts from the Dark Lands. This is the part of merchants and explorers, not of the King's Heir. What need have we of more silver and gold, unless to use in pride where other things would serve as well? The need of the King's house is for a man who knows and loves this land and people, which he will rule."

"Do I not study men all my days?" said Aldarion. "I can lead and govern them as I will."

"Say rather, some men, of like mind with yourself," answered the King. "There are also women in Númenor, scarce fewer than men; and save your mother, whom indeed you can lead as you will, what do you know of them? Yet one day you must take a wife."

"One day!" said Aldarion. "But not before I must; and later, if any try to thrust me towards marriage. Other things I have to do more urgent to me, for my mind is bent on them. 'Cold is the life of a mariner's wife'; and the mariner who is single of purpose and not tied to the shore goes further, and learns better how to deal with the sea."

"Further, but not more profit," said Meneldur. "And you do not 'deal with the sea,' Aldarion, my son. Do you forget that the Edain dwell here under the grace of the Lords of the West, that Uinen is kind to us, and Ossë is restrained? Our ships are guarded, and other hands guide them than ours. So be not overproud, or the grace may wane; and do not presume that it will extend to those who risk themselves without need upon the rocks of strange shores or in the lands of men of darkness."

"To what purpose then is the gracing of our ships," said Aldarion, "if they are to sail to no shores, and may seek nothing not seen before?"

He spoke no more to his father of such matters....

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 2, Aldarion and Erendis

Contributors:
Tanaqui 26Nov05

Related Library Entries

Events Search

All fields are optional. Dates default to the start of an event if it is multi-day.
Leave year set to "0" to see all years.



Start:    

  End:  

Full Text Search


Places

No related places

Go to Places

Things

No related things

Go to Things