@aspecardaweek Day 2: Aromanticism

Tar-Aldarion + aromantic text posts

"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."

❌ A romantic relationship

✅ The ocean

VS

Monogram of Elros Tar-Minyatur

An early monogram, displaying few of the features conventionally associated with later devices, or only in germ. The name of the king is in black (Tar-Minyatur) while 'Elenna' is written in red.

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Monogram of Tar Vardamir, named Nólimon

This is certainly an invention of a scribe working long after the death of Vardamir, as the presence of features adopted much later attest - doubtless because the nominal second ruler of Númenor never reigned.

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Monogram of Tar Amandil

In this monogram, the star shape is more pronounced; the tehta representing the 'a' of 'Elenna' has also been moved to the centre of the device - representing, naturally, the summit of Meneltarma.

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Monogram of Tar Elendil

The conventional features are now all present: the star shape is evident, and only the tehtar representing the 'a' in 'Tar' and 'Elenna' have been retained, in symbolic positions, one representing Meneltarma and the other the promontory of Forrostar or, in some interpretations, the stars (clearly the choice made by the scribe who invented the device of Vardamir, perhaps in reverence towards the Valië for whom the king was named).

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Monogram of Anardil, Tar Aldarion

In this monogram the tehtar are now circumflexes. The king's two names are present, one on land, the other at sea. A ship has been added.

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Monogram of Tar Ancalimë

The names of both of the Ruling Queen's parents have been included in this monogram, one that is particularly ornate for the period.

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explanation: ever since visiting Istanbul a year ago I've been interested in the tughra, a calligraphic monogram used by Ottoman sultans, much as seals were elsewhere (to authentify the sultan's correspondence or official documents), and also on a variety of objects, e.g. here on a wall at Topkapı palace or here on a coin). They started out fairly simple but some ended up being very ornate and gorgeous; and they typically contained the name of the sultan, that of his father, as well as things like epithets and prayers, and also had some conventional features which made them easy to recognise - the beyze (egg), i.e. the loops on the left hand side, and the three tuğ (flagstaff) at the top.

Anyway I've been trying to come up with a Númenorean version and ended up with this, combining some form of the prefix 'Tar' and the name 'Elenna'. As it happens the Ottoman tughra may have had a cartographic element as well - the loops on the left are said to possibly symbolise the two seas - Black Sea, Mediterranean - on whose shores they ruled. Hence the star shape (which I wanted from the start really) and Meneltarma.

As we descend deeper into the story, it is time to discuss the two families that are– as we’ll find out -- rather involved in this tale. 

Aldarion’s family: The Line of Elros

Aldarion (or, as he originally was called, Anardil) was the son of the fifth King of Númenor, Meneldur, and his wife, Queen Almarian. At this point in time, the royal family practiced agnatic primogeniture in succession, which meant the Crown was always passed to the male line . Thus, Meneldur’s two older sisters were excluded from inheriting the sceptre. Silmariën, the eldest, married Elatan of Andúnië, and from her came – in the fullness of time -- Amandil, Elendil, and his sons.

Queen Almarian was the daughter of Vëantur, the Captain of the King’s Ships, who was the first of Númenóreans to return to Middle-earth and meet High King Gil-galad and Círdan the Shipwright – almost six hundred years after the Edain sailed for their island reward.

Much was expected of Aldarion as a royal prince from the Line of Elros– above all to care for Númenor and its people. He, however, had larger dreams, awoken in him by his very first voyage on sea -- as we recounted in our first part of this series.

Erendis’ family: House of Bëor  

Erendis was the daughter of Beregar and Núneth. Beregar’s family descended from one Beleth, daughter of Bregolas of the First Age. Bregolas was notable for being the brother of Barahir and the uncle of Beren Erchamion himself, as well as the grandfather of Túrin and Tuor. Although a very illustrious family, Bëor’s descendants amongst the Edain were known to have a shorter lifespan than even ordinary Númenóreans. We illustrated the difference in Part 2 of this series. 

As we’ll see later, Tolkien doesn’t paint any of the women in these families in a positive light. Queen Almarian indulges her son far too much, and Núneth often interferes with the developing relationship by giving Erendis questionable advice. As both Aldarion and Erendis have personality traits that aren’t exactly compatible (or even particularly worth cultivating), the advice of these two women often brings further conflict, exacerbating the already fragile bond.

Speaking of that, more developments next week! 

[image: Ted Nasmith - Aldarion Returns From His First Voyage]

Thingol and Melian: His Eyes like Stars

1152 At this time, it is told, Elwë Singollo awoke from his long trance. And he came forth from Nan Elmoth with Melian, and they dwelt thereafter in the woods in the midst of the land; and though Elwë had greatly desired to see again the light of the Trees, in the face of Melian the fair he beheld the Light of Aman as in an unclouded mirror, and in that light he was content. Then his folk gathered about him in joy; and they were amazed, for fair and noble as he had been, now he appeared as it were a lord of the Maiar, tallest of all the Children of Ilúvatar, his hair as grey silver, and his eyes like unto stars. King of the Eglath he became, and Melian was his Queen, wiser than any daughter of Middle-earth.

- The War of Jewels: Grey Annals

Aegnor and Andreth: Stars Mirrored in Her face and Caught in Her Hair

Andreth adaneth, the life and love of the Eldar dwells much in memory; and we (if not ye) would rather have a memory that is fair but unfinished than one that goes on to a grievous end. Now he will ever remember thee in the sun of morning, and that last evening by the water of Aeluin in which he saw thy face mirrored with a star caught in thy hair — ever, until the North-wind brings the night of his flame. Yea, and after that, sitting in the House of Mandos in the Halls of Awaiting until the end of Arda.’

- Morgoth's Ring: Athrabeth Finrod Ah Andreth

Beren and Lúthien: Starlight in Her Eyes

He gazed, and as he gazed her hair within its cloudy web did snare the silver moonbeams sifting white between the leaves, and glinting bright the tremulous starlight of the skies was caught and mirrored in her eyes.

- Lays of Beleriand: Lay of Leithian

Aldarion and Erendis: Star in a Silver Fillet as the Betrothal Gift

No!’ said Erendis. ‘I have had my betrothal gift, though it came beforehand. It is the only jewel that I have or would have; and I will set it yet higher.’ Then he saw that she had caused the white gem to be set as a star in a silver fillet; and at her asking he bound it on her forehead. She wore it so for many years, until sorrow befell; and thus she was known far and wide as Tar-Elestirnë, the Lady of the Star-brow. Thus came,it is said, the manner of the Kings and Queens afterward to wear as a star a white jewel upon the brow, and they had no crown. [Author’s note.] Thus there was for a time peace and joy in Armenelos in the house of the King, and in all the Isle, and it is recorded in ancient books that there was great fruitfulness in the golden summer of that year, which was the eight hundred and fifty-eighth of the Second Age.

- Unfinished Tales: The Mariner's Wife

Faramir and Éowyn: The Star Mantle of His Mother

They were clad in warm raiment and heavy cloaks, and over all the Lady Éowyn wore a great blue mantle of the colour of deep summer-night, and it was set with silver stars about hem and throat. Faramir had sent for this robe and had wrapped it about her; and he thought that she looked fair and queenly indeed as she stood there at his side. The mantle was wrought for his mother, Finduilas of Amroth, who died untimely, and was to him but a memory of loveliness in far days and of his first grief; and her robe seemed to him raiment fitting for the beauty and sadness of Éowyn.