#ciryandil

          Tarcíryan was the young brother of King Tarannon Falastur. He was born Círyan, adding the prefix Tar- to his name as had that Númenórean kings of old when it became clear that Falastur would produce no heirs with his hated wife, Queen Berúthiel, emphasizing his position as his brother’s heir. After Tarannon ascended to the throne, Tarcíryan took his place as Captain of the Hosts and sailed alongside the king as he attacked the coastal settlements of the Easterlings. In one of these battles he was slain, leaving his wife Láminë a widow and losing his chance at the throne; instead, his son Eärnil inherited Falastur’s crown upon his death.           Eärnil continued the expansionist maritime policy of his predecessor, constructing a great navy and rebuilding the havens of Pelargir. He captured the Haven of Umbar, establishing it as an outpost of Gondor and learning of Berúthiel’s disappearance. The rulers of Umbar resented Eärnil and Falastur for their conquest of their people, though their own ancestors had long ago conquered this land in turn, and sabotaged one of his voyages three years later. The truth of Eärnil’s disappearance at sea was unknown for many generations, revealed only to the sons of Castamir upon their exile from Gondor.           At the time of his death, Eärnil’s wife Tyelcatálië was pregnant with his last child. She nearly withered away in grief, but her daughters tended to her through the birth of their youngest sister, and she survived into old age. Tyelcatálië and Eärnil’s only son, Círyandil, inherited the throne and dedicated himself to maintaining Umbar, not wishing his father’s achievements to be forgotten. Círyandil defended Umbar against the Haradrim, led by the Black Númenórean lords Eärnil had driven from the city, and was slain before his time in a siege. His wife Netyariel, a weaver, spun herself a veil that she wore in mourning for the rest of her life.           Círyandil was succeeded by his son Círyaher, who set about reorganizing Gondor’s armies with the expertise of his wife, the fearsome warrior Ilwiel. For years they trained their soldiers quietly, but thirty-five years into Círyaher’s reign they struck suddenly against the people of the South who had slain Círyandil. In a swift and brutal military victory, Círyaher decimated the southern forces and exacted submission from the men of Harad. After this victory, he took the name Hyarmendacil, “South-victor,” in the same style as his ancestor Rómendacil I, and Ilwiel took the name Rilyasicil for her skill with the dagger.           During his reign, Hyarmendacil brought Gondor to its greatest extent of power and wealth, even reestablishing trade with Celebrindor, King of Arthedain. Hyarmendacil ruled in peace for the rest of his days, though he was plagued by aches from his old battle wounds that only worsened in his old age. Queen Rilyasicil bore him but one child, Atanatar II, who knew only a life of decadence and would not take the lurking threats against Gondor seriously.