#mardil

[anghraine]

On the one hand, I absolutely love the high tragedy of Denethor's arc in the book, think it's amazingly well-written, and that he is one of the most complex and fascinating characters that Tolkien ever wrote.

On the other, there's part of me that's also a little frustrated by how much it has to happen because Tolkien kind of wrote himself into a corner with the Ruling Stewards. He's insistent on a few things about them:

Their initial rise to power as perma-regents of Gondor was squeaky-clean. Mardil was a paragon of virtue, he tried to prevent Eärnur from getting himself killed, there were no clear successors, and retaining the regency prevented another Kinstrife and created a stable institution that would hold Gondor together for 900+ years after the failure of the kings.

They are a high Númenórean family descended from Elendil, even if they're not formally of the line of Elendil (for unknown reasons, but most likely because they're descended through women).

Denethor is notably very similar to Aragorn, in intellect, wisdom, stature, ability, even appearance. He is a towering and respected figure, and he and his sons are highly popular with their people (even with children).

Denethor's military tactics in the book are very good, and UT says Sauron hoped Denethor would be less prepared than he actually was.

Denethor is proud, unbending, and personally dislikes and distrusts Aragorn. He thinks Gandalf is using him against Sauron for now while planning for Aragorn to take power later (this is filtered through his pride but ... um, is he wrong?).

Faramir, now Denethor's last heir, is a fantastic if reluctant warrior and captain, a super special Númenórean throwback, and a thoughtful, intelligent, and wise person who is humbler than Denethor, but also established as wary about Aragorn.

Gondor formally rejected the claim of Aragorn's family before the Ruling Stewardship even existed.

What all this means is that Denethor, if alive, is someone who will never willingly give way to Aragorn. Denethor has legal precedent on his side, he is himself a perfectly good ruler from a long-standing, stable, legitimate ruling family and a highly capable military leader in war, he is liked by his people, and he even has a viable heir regardless of the personal strain between him and Faramir.

There's just no reason for Aragorn to take power that Denethor, as written, would find remotely persuasive. But Denethor is also too noble and capable and special for a power grab on Aragorn's side to feel right, esp given how destructive it would be in the middle of a war (as Aragorn acknowledges!). Despite the sparkly kingliness and mystical airs, this is fundamentally a dynastic dispute between two different houses descended from Elendil, based on the minutia of Gondorian and Númenórean law and precedent, and a fight over that is ... not the kind of story this is.

Denethor has to be driven to self-destruction by the plot so that Aragorn's rise can happen. It simply would not occur if Denethor was alive and in his right mind. Faramir has to be mystically healed by Aragorn so that his reservations will dissolve and he will voluntarily remove himself from the picture in a way that doesn't feel bad.

And both scenes are fantastic, and make sense for the characters. But I do feel that they kind of get steamrollered by the plot to make way for Aragorn.

The thing that makes that doubly fascinating, though, is that Tolkien didn't have to prop the House of the Stewards up so thoroughly. He could have written a version where the Stewards are inadequate or really sketchy or simply can't be compared to Aragorn's greatness and it's clear why they should be replaced by him and his house. Tolkien could have made this a lot easier for himself! And I do respect the more difficult and nuanced approach Tolkien took with the Stewards by making them genuinely impressive and noble and capable in their own right and not just cardboard-cutouts for Aragorn to kick over.

But, well.

#anghraine babbles #long post #legendarium blogging #legendarium fanwank #húrinionath #denethor #faramir #mardil voronwë #etc #ondonórë blogging

[isabelpsaroslunnen]

[Original date: 13 March 2018]

Unrelated to Éowyn, but one of the things I find interesting about the LOTR movies is how much harder they push the Chosen-One-by-blood narrative wrt Aragorn than the book. It's certainly present in the book, but much more debatable.

The short version: in the films, Aragorn has to convince himself that he should be king. In the book, Aragorn has to convince the people of Gondor that he should be king. He doesn't lead the dead to Minas Tirith; he leads Gondorian armies to Minas Tirith by saving south Gondor and winning their support.

The longer version:

In the films, Isildur, last king of Gondor, refused to surrender the Ring and was betrayed by it. His male-line heirs were kings, by right, of Gondor, but never claimed it. The main tension: Aragorn is king by right, but doesn't want it out of fear of hereditary weakness via Isildur.

In the books, Isildur handed over Gondor to his brother Anárion's heirs and left to take the Ring to Elrond. Much later, the king descended from Anárion died without male heirs, and his son-in-law, separately in line to be the next heir of Isildur, claimed to be rightful king. It was dodgy af and Gondor rejected the claim.

(Dodginess: a) he only claimed it as Isildur's heir because his family's kingdom was in shambles, b) he argued that since their ancestors had ruling queens, he should be king through his wife [??], and c) his father was actually alive at the time [?????].)

Gondor crowned a cousin of the old king, a captain of the line of Anárion who had just showed up with an army and saved Gondor. That guy's son was a fool (IMO) only kept in check by his faithful Steward, also descended from Anárion, and when that king got himself killed, Gondor decided to just keep the Steward.

It's not like Isildur's heirs could have waltzed in at any time as Rightful Kings. They thought they were (including Aragorn), but Gondor was pretty much "lol no" about it. When Denethor says Aragorn is only an heir of Isildur so idgaf, that's what he's talking about.

So Aragorn has to simultaneously be his own ancestor who claimed the throne AND the guy who actually got it by saving Gondor. Obviously, all this is pretty involved for film, but "Aragorn's family tried to claim Gondor by blood alone, but got rejected, so Aragorn has to prove himself to become king" isn't.

It's not just "they changed a thing = bad." I genuinely think it's interesting in a cultural sort of way that they could have made it much less Chosen One-ish than the original, and instead made it very much more so, AND modern audiences found that profoundly appealing.

#isabel talks #twitter salvage 2023 #text: lord of the rings #text: lord of the rings 2001 #text: middle earth #ch: aragorn #ch: isildur #ch: anárion #ch: arvedui #ch: eärnil ii #ch: eärnur ii #ch: mardil #ch: denethor #long post

[softlysilverfountainsfall]

"When Earnur received the crown in 2043 the King of Minas Morgul [the witch-king] challenged him to single combat, taunting him that he had not dared to stand before him in battle in the North. For that time Mardil the Steward restrained the wrath of the king[...]Earnur had held the crown only seven years when the Lord of Morgul repeated his challenge, taunting the king that to the faint heart of his youth he had now added the weakness of age. Then Mardil could no longer restrain him, and he rode with a small escort of knights to the gate of Minas Morgul" - Appendix A, The Return of the King

Even aside from the Fingolfin parallels, there is so much and yet so little here! They must have at least had a very good working relationship for Mardil to be able to talk down the notoriously eager-to-fight-the-witch-king Earnur, and I would infer a strong friendship as well. But what must it have been like when Mardil couldn't talk Earnur down?

(I'm assuming "restrain him" means talk him out of it and maaaybe block the door, because actually physically restraining your liege lord would not go over well; also, the appendix specifically mentions that none in Gondor could best Earnur in "weapons-sports.")

When he failed to persuade him to stay, did Mardil want to go with Earnur and the small company of knights? Did he have to stay behind (did Earnur make him stay behind?) because somebody had to rule Gondor? Did he not want to go at all and think it pure foolishness?

What about Earnur? He let Glorfindel talk him down from pursuing the witch-king years earlier, and after the first taunt he let Mardil talk him down too, and was apparently fine for seven years. What was it about this taunt/the unknown circumstances around it that made him lose it? Yes, the appendix notes his lack of wisdom and his hot temper, but he was also known for his prowess as a warrior and he was a military leader in the battle against the witch-king in Angmar, he couldn't have been an idiot and these taunts were obviously a trap.

(For that matter, the witch-king (and possible Sauron behind him) is playing an ingenious game. Earnur's temper is known to them, and Gondor's succession at the moment is not so much unstable as it is nonexistent. Earnur's death ends the line of kings in Gondor, and if Mardil hadn't been so capable a steward and politician it would've been an even greater disaster than it was. And Mardil must have been very capable, or there would have been civil war, regardless of how much everyone feared another Kin-strife.)

As for Mardil, what was it like after Earnur was gone?

"...but since there were no witnesses of his death, Mardil the Good Steward ruled Gondor in his name for many years[...]Now the descendants of the kings had become few[...]So it was that no claimant to the crown could be found who was of pure blood, or whose claim all would allow; and all feared the memory of the Kin-strife..."

This means that there were multiple possible claimants to the throne and dissension over the weakness of their claims and guess who was in the middle of every single one of those factions, and who had to balance and deny all of them with the constant threat of civil war and Mordor over his head?

Mardil.

I do think Earnur and Mardil were friends or at least friendly. I don't think that, or Mardil's grief for Earnur, would preclude some bitterness and resentment on Mardil's part. He was left very much holding the bag because of Earnur's recklessness.

#lotr #lotr appendices #earnur #mardil the steward #this got long #I knew I had thoughts about these characters but I didn't think I had this many #I want to know more! #all of this is speculation and questions #because there are literally 4 paragraphs on everything #from Earnur taking the crown to Mardil remaining the steward #softlysilver

[bretwalda-lamnguin]

It's interesting how Malbeth the Seer's role for the later kings of Arthedain parallels the Steward's role for the later Gondorian kings. Both serve as chief advisors, with something of a spiritual, quasi-religious role. Malbeth gives prophectic guidance to the kings, the Stewards keep the tradition of Isildur.

Both seem clearly associated with spiritual power, Malbeth with foresight, the Stewards with the ability to read the hearts and minds of others (going by Denethor and Faramir at least).

But the key difference it seems is that for all their spiritual power, the Húrinionath are pragmatists at heart, and seem to have a flair for the political. Malbeth on the other hand doesn't seem to know or care (telling the king to name his son last king is not a good way to inspire confidence in your dynasty!)

I also find it interesting that the decision for the Dúnedain that Malbeth talks about, is arguably the one taken by Pelendur. Putting Eärnil II on the throne of Gondor. The more hopeful, pragmatic choice, the one a Steward would always take regardless of signs and omens.

I wonder if any of the Húrinionath, probably Vorondil or Mardil met Malbeth after the fall of Arthedain, I can't imagine they got on well...

#Malbeth #malbeth the seer #pelendur #mardil voronwë #vorondil #húrinionath #lotr

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Had to look up the information on the Horn of Gondor.

From The Return of the King, “Minas Tirith”:

“I have recieved this,” said Denethor, and laying down his rod he lifted from his lap the thing that he had been gazing at. In each hand he held up one half of a great horn cloven through the middle: a wild-ox horn bound with silver.

“That is the horn that Boromir always wore!” cried Pippin.

“Verily,” said Denethor. “And in my turn I bore it, and so did each eldest son of our house, far back into the vanished years before thr failing of the kings, since Vorondil father of Mardil hunted the wild kine of Araw in the far fields of Rhûn.”

And then in Appendix A.I.ii, in a footnote on the steward “Vorondil the Hunter” (father of Mardil; Mardil was the first ruling Steward of Gondor):

The wild white kine that were still to be found near the Sea of Rhûn were said in legend to be descended from the Kine of Araw, the huntsman of the Valar, who alone of the Valar came often to Middle-earth in the Elder Days. Oromë is the High-elven form of his name.

#gondor #boromir #denethor #orome #the lord of the rings #tolkien

[lotr-sesa]

Masterlist for Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2022

Masterlist for Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2022

To date, we have twenty stories. The mods would like to thank all the writers, and also extend a special heartfelt thanks to those who filled prompts without signing up with prompts of their own. Thank you!

All the links in the masterlist go directly to the work on AO3. Go, read and enjoy, and please don't forget to leave kudos!

ATHELES also known as KINGSFOIL by TheProphetCassandra for atamascolily (Elrond & Elros; rated G)

The Last Midwinter by sallysavestheday for likethenight (Sam, Rosie, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Legolas, Gimli, Faramir, Denethor II; rated G)

like calls to like by TheProphetCassandra for BiSquared (Bard/Thranduil, Elrond & Thranduil, Legolas & Thranduil, Bain & Legolas; rated G)

we can fall in love or we can go insane by TheProphetCassandra for Melime (Durin IV/Elrond, Disa/Durin IV, Disa & Elrond, Maedhros & Maglor & Elros & Elrond, Elrond & Gil-galad, Elrond & Galadriel; not rated)

Just Between Us by Melusine6619 for jbean27 (Elrond/Glorfindel; rated Teen and Up)

Treegarth of Orthanc by Melime for sallysavestheday (Legolas & Treebeard; rated G)

Nunc Dimittis by Verecunda for Anonymous prompter (Morgoth/Sauron; rated G)

Poisoned Gifts by Empy for Verecunda (Sauron, implied Morgoth/Sauron; rated G)

A Leaf of the White Tree by bunn for Caiti (Caitriona_3) (Boromir; rated G)

Time and Time Again by jbean27 for Melime (Durin IV & Elrond; rated G)

Prizes won by Melusine6619 for Empy (Bard/Thranduil; rated M)

Because they love thee by oxbridge for Talagan_Silvertongue (Arvedui, Aranarth, Glamagol, Eärnur, Mardil; rated G)

A Long Tale Unfolding by elwinfortuna for Princess_of_Words (Elrond & Elros, Celebrian/Elrond, Elrond & Gil-galad; rated G)

Here in My Heart by Melusine6619 for starlightwalking (Fingon/Maedhros; rated Teen and Up)

fragile/uncanny by likethenight for Empy (Bard/Thranduil; rated Teen and Up)

Sweeter than Strawberries by elwinfortuna for Melime (Elanor Brandyfoot/Poppy Proudfellow; rated G)

Once They Were Wolves by BaccaratBlack for jbean27 (Elrond & Maedhros; rated G)

Inescapable by starlightwalking for Goldscythe (Erestor & Maedhros; rated Teen and Up)

in the hills of dorthonion by Arveldis for Verecunda (Aegnor/Andreth; rated G)

Star-dusk by starlightwalking for sallysavestheday (Eöl/Melian, Elwë/Melian, Aredhel/Eöl; rated M)

#lord of the rings secret santa #lotr sesa #fic masterlist #masterlist #prompt meme #fic challenge #fanfic #lotr fic #silm fic #hobbit fic #rings of power fic #tolkien #the lord of the rings #the silmarillion #the hobbit #rings of power #signal boost #ao3 exchange #twenty new fics yay #don't forget to leave kudos #everyone loves feedback

[tolkien-feels]

It's a serious plot point, I know, but where is my comedy spin off featuring Mardil physically holding Earnur back whenever the Witch-king taunts him with schoolyard level insults?

[hallothere]

Faramir talking about ‘the good Mardil’

Mardil Voronwe

Mardil that lotro makes a special point to make you feel feelings about

#lotro #i'm thinking specifically about the silent street but also other things #aaaaaa

[sweetearthandnorthernsky]

i’m all over the place today (sorry not sorry) [actually mildly sorry] BUT one does not simply control or ignore the hyperfixation.

anyways; i just replayed silent street on an alt and this will never fail to make me insane

Eärnil II says, “Who defies the claim of my son?” Eärnil II says, “Why does my son flee death?” Eärnil II says, “What vile force guides my hand?”

Mardil Voronwë says, “Has the King at last returned?” Mardil Voronwë says, “Your plans are ill-laid.” Mardil Voronwë says, “What cruel fate is this?” Mardil Voronwë says, “Eärnur... must fall.”

AND THEN

Boromir I says, "The Morgul-blade bites deep!" Boromir I says, "You cannot hold forever..." Boromir I says, "The blade... it is still... within." Boromir I says, "Feel the fading of your life!" Boromir I says, "Glory to Gondor!"

Telemnar says, "Plague-bearers! Slay them!" Telemnar says, "The Plague claims all!" Telemnar says, "The Plague rots us all!" Telemnar says, "I feel the Plague within me once more..." Telemnar says, "Let the Plague take you!"

Tarannon Falastur says, "Berúthiel, do you torment me still?" Tarannon Falastur says, "The Sea was to be my resting place!" Tarannon Falastur says, "Choke and sputter!" Tarannon Falastur says, "The Sea claims all!" Tarannon Falastur says, "What was it all for?"

Atanatar II says, "Come to mock me like the others?" Atanatar II says, "Suffer my fate!" Atanatar II says, "I will not fail my people again!" Atanatar II says, "Time erodes all."

and you also straight up fight meneldil who’s isildur’s nephew at the end of the fight which is. yk. fun.

#it does very much feel like it's a Gondor Day TM tho so i guess i'll be doing smthn with that #sticky note tag #screaming crying throwing up #for reference bc i can never remember the deal with all of these people at the same time #and have to look at least one of them up #boromir i was the father of cirion; he died bc he was shot with a morgul [arrowhead? blade? idk] and got a really bad wasting disease #telemnar was king of gondor during the plague and the watch on mordor ceased and then 2nd the white tree withered and died #[the 3rd one is the one from that's there during wotr before being replaced by the sapling aragorn found] #atanatar ii kinda just. did nothing and mordor kinda took advantage of that. #and then tarannon. oh boy this guy did so much but he was a ship-king and. did so many things #now having typed that i probably should remember them better #i hope lmao

[444names]

Names generated from the full list of Moon selenographical features and French names

Aford Afrey Ageasbeas Agnetinz Albeauzeau Aldis Alement Alley Alpoune Alvenois Amauberis Amblamist Amene Amons Aneau Apent Arbin Ardan Aseidger Asheille Assen Astine Auxure Aviconne Avien Ayermonna...

Bacharyn Bacquer Baire Bancitat Bannyson Bardimer Barte Batillesse Bayeaudeck Bazine Beaur Beauval Beaux Belley Belmir Berno Biert Binglacour Bisoner Bizée Bjesse Blanque Blault Boischaël Bolzeau Bommon Bonius Boragore Borber Borene Borélodil Bosselle Bouay Boulta Bound Bounsuels Bouron Boynisell Bozon Brach Bradin Brantion Brodour Brosimirs Broux Brussau Bujobile Bunoister Burche Burcouray Burier Bustelin Cadebon Callard Capances Caphéopey Caplourie Caravalet Carna Casque Casse Chard Chazo Cheect Cheland Cheliandre Chene Choamy Choeurne Clois Clorectoue Cloux Coderthwev Coison Colaford Cotte Coudeau Couis Coupur Coute Couth Crard Crocher Croterre Custivalps Cécierise Célin Dabeau Dabing Daner Daramorva Darmy Darvilemie Davoyeux Deate Deaulis Decon Dejousts Delenter Dellanger Dellegrass Derafors Desmarrise Desquer Dessamas Desse Desset Dettegis Doine Donton Dorcad Dornanne Dorte Doufore Doviergeog Drablante Drailau Drivet Dubertain Dublet Dubrice Dubue Dubuilance Duchefand Ducierthin Ducrèchay Dudecurin Duernien Dullin Dunne Dupina Dupornaud Dupra Durea Délinoël Emessaveux Erdefoux Ertalps Exhinck Fabiernis Fabontorne Fallard Fauchomarl Faville Fayet Febrier Fecoutais Feneve Flecov Flemi Flordin Fordine Forochau Fraist Freau Fretteline Frier Frobin Galen Galvegerd Ganhord Garks Genion Gidosteen Gimon Glard Goigni Gotaudes Gouille Grache Grade Graninne Graste Grefed Grich Grier Groquiront Guilia Gärtionoy Hasset Hathe Heaudi Hiboix Hiche Hotterun Houchard Hugan Humeng Hunet Héniatrun Jacieux Jacom Jacquer Jaloquel Jambon Janarobir Janbron Janneks Jearmán Jeaux Jesjasher Joldukev Josylvale Julamo Krachard Laclandris Lacolzeaux Lafain Lafolze Lagaisegir Lagriault Laharoury Lallooks Lamilet Lanchee Lanissago Lapen Laper Larbeley Lardoise Larolia Lathing Lavergay Lavide Laïsen Leauzier Lecre Lemette Leminette Lerroux Leton Leuregate Lexan Liedolson Lierlev Livigne Lormedis Lorétatte Loutartion Loyothie Luaillan Luclanill Lunetiss Mahin Maile Maimo Malme Mangen Manne Manstrain Mantio Marchalp Mardille Mardinet Marics Marivas Marle Marmon Marnes Martanifte Mashilie Mathélous Matiaquert Maudin Maxelle Maxente Mayohanne Maëll Medefau Medier Mellierond Menacke Menan Mierdonc Misimax Mobin Mocho Monne Monovskill Moroit Motte Moure Mukeve Nange Narder Nelleguis Nelogette Nesarrim Niline Nistin Nolia Nonser Ochamp Océcil Offeaulin Ohneautrev Olfrable Oreyoe Oucyrenne Palen Pandive Paque Pardé Paste Patte Payere Peliphone Pettette Phabon Phienne Phome Phorree Plageollin Plope Poldrau Polet Popper Poqueriver Poutridon Prett Pricouis Proch Rabriquese Rainien Rallet Rance Rante Raument Rence Retion Reurn Ricle Rigok Risson Ristry Robeauc Robeyriff Roier Romonse Rompoisle Romsdebon Rondoux Roodev Rotiedge Rourity Ruglia Runierisem Rélémy Sabarge Sardes Schoux Selegous Seline Sellagard Shaine Sichenato Siolau Slitz Smane Soncy Sophaléo Sopponne Soutre Spard Spatrum Spenesieu Spuyeau Stion Stivilloë Streher Stéon Stéont Suille Suprin Suriste Sylvy Talins Tatier Telaux Tervier Tesmytoux Theeperse Thenarraim Theushard Thiree Tinke Tonneau Treauzie Trulx Trumnerey Tudemined Ungeau Ussette Ustus Vadejeau Venyu Verry Verte Vetterry Villanie Villemes Voites Vopoix Wanusionis Whartouche Whoside Wiche Wikisevre Wikoe Witte Worasser Wriau Yalmodnard Yamescasim Zemadne Éliandry Élinette Élène

#444 names #444names

[ao3feed-tolkien]

Herion’s Teaching Trials

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/LBUqdRG

by what_katy_did_1234

When Magistrate Herion agrees to teach Criminal Procedure at the University of Osgiliath, he doesn’t reckon upon drawn into a web of crime and intrigue. Luckily his “housemate” Lord Arahaelon, formerly Ambassador to Harad, is on hand to help him investigate, and they discover that there is somewhere even more full of intrigue than the Emperor’s harem in Harad…

[Disclaimer: None of the characters in this story are based on real people, and any similarity is accidental. Indeed, I have gone to considerable effort to ensure that resemblance is not present.]

Presently unfinished but hoping you will all inspire me to finish it.

Words: 3691, Chapters: 4/?, Language: English

Series: Part 56 of LOTR fan fiction

Fandoms: The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Categories: Gen, M/M, Other

Characters: Arahaelon of Anorien (OC), Herion (OC), Professor Uirior (OC), Mardil - a cat (OC), Reader Arathorn (OC), Justice Denethor (OC), Reader Ondoher (OC), Mudion (OC), Professor Telion (OC), Lecturer Galdir (OC), Lieutenant Barthon (OC), Damben (OC), Silevil (OC), Miriel (OC)

Relationships: Arahaelon/Herion

Additional Tags: Inspired by The Lord of the Rings, Murder Mystery, Academia, University, Murder, Inspired by James Bond, Gondor, Spies & Secret Agents, Cats, Herding Cats, Gay, Students, Cheese

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/LBUqdRG

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #Tolkien #JRR Tolkien #Tolkien works #ao3 #fan fiction

[anghraine]

It's time to ask the most pressing LOTR question of them all:

Faramir is excluded to give other Stewards a chance because he was only briefly Ruling Steward.

---

*Best means what it means to you!

**Movie Denethor does not count for the purposes of this poll.

#i am very tired from gardening so this amused me :P #anghraine babbles #poll nonsense #legendarium blogging #lord of the rings #house of húrin #húrinionath #hador son of túrin #mardil voronwë #boromir son of denethor i #cirion #dior son of barahir #denethor son of rían #túrin son of húrin i #denethor #túrin son of thorondir #beregond son of beren #ecthelion son of turgon

[lesbiansandboromir]

The Likeness of the Ruling Stewards: A History of Private Portraiture in the Late Third Age

This concept is rather convoluted but the basic premise is that Ruling Stewards had to cultivate a culture of projected modesty and an insistence on never elevating themselves to the role of 'King' by rejecting such self adulation as, for example, official portraiture. Hence, most if not all of the images Gondor has of Stewards passed comes from the intimate studies or sketches of them from their family and friends. In the Fourth Age a scholar of Pelargir named Amlugniben requested the House of Hurin's permission to copy, research and compile the best of these images into a book and they were (eventually) granted that allowance. And so I... am making an effort to... make that... myself... SO HERE'S PART ONE

#tolkien #lotr #lord of the rings #gondor #the ruling stewards #third age #mardil voronwe #mardil #eradan #herion #means I get to name a TONNE of wives :333 #art #no fucking idea how to tag this it's for me #tolkien of colour #userindomiel

[softlysilverfountainsfall]

Help Tolkien wrote three sentences about these characters and now I'm obsessed

#the slimarillion #lotr #lotr appendices #mardil the steward #earnur #softlysilver

[bretwalda-lamnguin]

I searched Mardil Voronwë to try and see how old he was when Gondor's war with Angmar began and this came up:

I'm in absolute stitches right now.

#i can't find the source the actual link just goes dead #mardil voronwë #Eärnur #Eärendur

[arofili]

the line of elros ❖ stewards of gondor ❖ headcanon disclaimer

          Mardil Voronwë was the son of Vorondil, and became the first Ruling Steward of Gondor. He served as the third and last Steward to Eärnil II and after him his son Eärnur. Upon Eärnur’s inheritance, the Witch-king of Minas Morgul, whom Eärnur had faced in the North, challenged him again to single combat. Eärnur, rash and humiliated by his failure in their first encounter, was eager to answer, but all his counselors clearly saw that it was a trap.           It took the combined persuasion of Eärnur’s mother, lover, and his Steward to convince him not to go at that time, but after his lover was slain in a skirmish, not even the wisdom of Mardil could prevent him from answering the Witch-king’s third challenge. Eärnur left his crown upon the lap of his father in the Houses of the Dead, where it would remain until Steward Faramir would pass it to King Elessar nearly a thousand years later. Eärnur rode past the gates of Minas Morgul with a small escort of loyal knights, never to be seen again.           As his fate was for a time uncertain and Eärnur had named no heir, nor were there any obvious lords of royal descent to step forth and make their claim, no new King was selected. Thus, with a heavy heart, Mardil took up the leadership of Gondor, first of the Ruling Stewards. He began his rule with the promise to lead “until the King returns,” at first with the hope that Eärnur would ride back to Minas Tirith in glory, and later as but a formality.           Mardil ruled Gondor with wisdom and patience during the time known as the Watchful Peace, earning the epithet Voronwë, “the Steadfast.” He was an even-tempered and practical man who paid close attention to even the minutiae of bureaucracy. His wife Anoriel was likewise a fastidious scholar, and it was at her suggestion that Mardil established a Stewards’ Reckoning of time, inserting two leap-days in an effort to maintain a coherent calendar.           The son of Mardil Voronwë and Anoriel was Eradan, first of the Stewards to be named in Sindarin save for those who had taken names from great heroes of the First Age. Eradan was a solitary man who preferred quietude and the company of books. His wife, Gilwen, was of a similar mind, and together they agreed to leave one another alone as soon as their only son Herion came of age.           Unlike his father, Herion was a lively and boisterous man eager to enter the social circles of Gondor. He wed the dancer Cadwareth, a beautiful woman whom he adored despite her own inconstant affections. Their son Belegorn was a hunter like his ancestor Vorondil, and though he never brought down a beast so mighty as the Kine of Araw, he carried the Horn of Gondor with a reverence matched only by his love for his wife Lossendil, a healer-woman of Ithilien he met on his travels.

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