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Timeline Event

Aldarion's first voyage to Middle-earth

Event Type: General

Age: 2nd Age - Pre-Rings

Years: 0725 ~ 0727

Description:

Anardil (Aldarion) was born in the year 700 of the Second Age, and his first voyage to Middle-earth took place in 725-7.

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 2, Aldarion and Erendis: Notes, "Chronology"

It happened on a time that Vëantur said to his grandson: "Anardilya, the spring is drawing nigh, and also the day of your full age" (for in that April Aldarion would be twenty-five years old). "I have in mind a way to mark it fittingly. My own years are far greater, ... but once more at least I would ride the Great Sea.... This year you shall come with me, and we will go to Mithlond.... Good welcome you will find from Círdan the Shipwright and from King Gil-galad. Speak of this to your father."

When Aldarion ... asked leave to go as soon as the spring winds should be favourable, Meneldur was loath to grant it. A chill came upon him, as though his heart guessed that more hung upon this than his mind could foresee. But when he looked upon the eager face of his son he let no sign of this be seen. "Do as your heart calls, onya" he said. ...

Thus it came to pass that on a morning of fair sun and white wind, in the bright spring of the seven hundred and twenty-fifth year of the Second Age, the son of the King's Heir of Númenor sailed from the land; and ere day was over he saw it sink shimmering into the sea, and last of all the peak of the Meneltarma as a dark finger against the sunset.

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

It is said that Aldarion himself wrote records of all his journeys to Middle-earth.... Of his first journey little is known, save that he made the friendship of Círdan and Gil-galad, and journeyed far in Lindon and the west of Eriador, and marvelled at all that he saw. He did not return for more than two years.... It is said that his delay was due to the eagerness he had to learn all that he could of Círdan, both in the making and management of ships, and in the building of walls to withstand the hunger of the sea.

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

There was joy in Rómenna and Armenelos when men saw the great ship Númerrámar (which signifies "West-wings") coming up from the sea, her golden sails reddened in the sunset. The summer was nearly over and the Eruhantalë was nigh. It seemed to Meneldur when he welcomed his son in the house of Vëantur that he had grown in stature, and his eyes were brighter; but they looked far away.

"What did you see, onya, in your far journeys that now lives most in memory?"

But Aldarion, looking east towards the night, was silent. At last he answered, but softly, as one that speaks to himself: "The fair people of the Elves? The green shores? The mountains wreathed in cloud? The regions of mist and shadow beyond guess? I do not know." He ceased, and Meneldur knew that he had not spoken his full mind. For Aldarion had become enamoured of the Great Sea, and of a ship riding there alone without sight of land, borne by the winds with foam at its throat to coasts and havens unguessed; and that love and desire never left him until his life's end.

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

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 4Nov05, 7Jul06

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