This post is a part of our Book Club reading of The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth: January - April 2023

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The Fall of Númenor Book Club Notes: Part Four

Aldarion and Erendis (pg. 66 - 82)

Before long, Sea-longing returned to Aldarion. In this time, he formed the Guild of Venturers, of which Aldarion was the Great Captain. He lived in a ship called Eӓmbar (“Sea-dwelling”), on the ship was the Guildhouse of the Venturers. Aldarion had a particular devotion to the Maia Uinen. The Venturers called themselves Uinendili (“Lovers of Uinen”).

Tar-Meneldur was displeased by Aldarion’s love for the Sea and restlessness, and they were estranged. The King “set a curb on the felling of trees in Númenor for the building of vessels” so Aldarion built a haven for his ships and sought timber in Middle-earth. In Middle-earth, he established Vinyalondë (“New Haven”).

Year 800: Tar-Meneldur commanded Aldarion to remain in Númenor where he was declared the King’s Heir; they were reconciled for a time. Erendis, daughter of Beregar, fell in love with Aldarion despite his insistence that he would not marry anytime soon.

Six years after being commanded to remain in Númenor, Aldarion decided to leave once more despite being relatively into Erendis. He was gone for 7 years. “But mariners are men of two minds, at war with themselves; and the desire of the Sea still holds me.”

The King became concerned that Aldarion would not be able to rule the people of Númenor because he never spent any time at home. He urged Aldarion to take a wife.

Aldarion departed once more; at this time, the King refused to bless his voyage by bestowing the traditional Green Bough of Return on his vessel. Erendis schemed with the Queen to bring it to him anyway. This won Aldarion’s love and he returned to Númenor sooner than initially planned. Aldarion brought Erendis back a large diamond but Meneldur said it was an inappropriate gift unless it were a betrothal gift (and he claimed it wasn’t).

Once more Aldarion departed, but this time it was in open defiance of the King. The King rescinded his authority as Lord of the Ships and Havens; closed the Guildhouse of the Venturers and shipyards; and forbade the felling of trees for shipbuilding.

He came back after five years but then left again very quickly afterwards. He was gone for so long that Erendis returned to her home because she feared he had died. When he finally returned, his ships had faced great storms and been damaged. At this time, Aldarion was pardoned and his titles restored. He also received the additional title of Master of the Forests.

Aldarion refused to seek out Erendis and busied himself with his work. By chance, he came upon heras she was in the forests; he apologized and finally agreed to plan to be betrothed. Erendis reluctantly agreed to go on a voyage with Aldarion around the coasts of the island. On this journey, Valandil named her Uinéniel (“Daughter of Uinen”), the new Lady of the Sea, a name which offended her. She replied, “Call me by no such name! I am no daughter of Uinen: rather is she my foe.”

Erendis would not be betrothed until Aldarion had spent time with her inland, so they dwelt in Emerië for a time. They had a fight because she did not want to share her husband with the Sea. After a time, Erendis was summoned by the Queen to Armenelos where she was reconciled with Aldarion and they were finally betrothed. Aldarion had been home for 15 years until the Sea-longing gripped his heart once more. He confessed his sea-longing to Erendis, which grieved her. He was gone for six years.

Timeline for this Section (via Tolkien Gateway)

800: Aldarion proclaimed the King's Heir.
806: Aldarion's seven-year voyage.
813: Aldarion returns toNúmenor.
816: Palarran completed; Aldarion's four year voyage.
820: Aldarion returns to Númenor; Tar-Meneldur rescinds Aldarion's authority.
824: Aldarion's five year voyage.
829: Aldarion returns and immediately sets out upon his fourteen year voyage.
843: Aldarion returns to Númenor; Tar-Meneldur restores authority.
850: Aldarion and Erendis sail to Andúnië.
858: Aldarion is betrothed to Erendis.
861: Aldarion and Erendis forswear wedding until his return.
863: Aldarion's six year voyage.
869: Aldarion returns to Númenor; first shadow appears on sailing to Middle-earth.
870: Wedding of Aldarion and Erendis.

Discussion Notes:

Marriage Advice fromNúneth

“‘All or nothing, Erendis,’ said Núneth. ‘So you were as a child. But you love this man, and he is a great man, not to speak of his rank; and you will not cast out your love from your heart so easily, nor without great hurt to yourself. A woman must share her husband’s love with his work and the fire of his spirit, or make him a thing not loveable…’”
She also commented that he was a great man beyond his station, that he was well-respected among Númenóreans.

Interpretations of this story will largely vary based on personal experience; there is something very personal about this story.
The importance of Erendis not being from the line of Elros:

Because she was not from the line of Elros, she had less time and the years spent waiting on Aldarion were more detrimental to her than they were to him who had a longer lifespan.

The symbolic nature of the Bough of Return

We see this decline throughout the story, first he leaves with it, then he obtains it through secrecy, then he is denied it…
When he departs for his final journey in this section, Erendis sets the Bough of Return on the prow of his ship, though she hides her tears; when he returns, the Bough has been withered from the cold.

Erendis remarks that she is glad she hadn’t come with him because she would have withered sooner than any green bough.
“But dismiss me now, if you will, and I think that men will not blame you. Yet dare I not to hope that your love will prove stronger to endure even than fair oilaire?”

Difference in Style from the Rest of the Book

This story is so different from the rest of the book. It’s the most “narrative” style story so far.

Reluctant Marriage

There is no clear “good guy”, rather this is a story of two broken people who were pushed into a marriage out of cultural necessity and with a lot of parental meddling.
“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.’”