1280

It was the morning of Erulaitale in Numenor. The majority of the population of the capital as well as many others had gathered in the streets below the King House. This was the day when Tar-Ancalime after over two hundred years of ruling would pass the scepter to her son.

Ancalime was standing at the top of the stairs leading to the King House together with Anarion

She stepped forward and raised her hands.

"People of Numenor I salute you!" Ancalime stated.

"I present to you your new king!"

Anarion stepped forward and stood with his mother.

"He is Tar-Anarion"

The people cheered and then began to repeat the name of the new king.

Ancalime turned towards her son with a smile; she handed him the stick.

Anarion took the scepter. A second Ancalime seemed reluctant to give up the scepter, but then she let go of it. Then without speaking, Anarion went down the stairs to the people. At the bottom of the stairs Lendalle was standing. She took his hand and together they started walking up the path leading to the top of Meneltarma.

The people looked at him; then most of them started to follow their new king. Many of them started to sing as they started their journey.

Ancalime stood at the top of the stairs watching her son lead the Numenoreans.

As usual, the council of Numenor met after the coronation and in the days after the new king received any Numenorean who wishes to see him. The first was his own son.

Surion entered the Throne Room.

He looked around in the room; "Are you alone father?"

The new King looked around; he smiled; "it seems to be so!"

Surion continued; "father many years ago I met a girl in Emerie. She was not of the line of Elros, and her presence there was by order of grandmother. I have had contact with ever since, when she visited Armenelos for the feast here, or my tournaments around Numenor.

"I know;" said Anarion; "ask her to come here with her family, and your mother and I can meet her! It was not I who found your mother, but when I looked into her eyes, I knew she was the one for me. I am confident that you who have found your own wife to be will know the same."

Surion was happy and was about to thank his father, but the king continued before he could; "tell her about the life of the royalties of Numenor and the obligations that comes with this, and tell her about your sisters in Middle Earth and why they are there and that you plan to visit them."

The king made a short pause, when he said; "-and that these journeys can take years and are not without risks."

Next year Cemenie and her family moved to the capital. They were often in the King House, and Surion told them about his ancestry. Ancalime stayed in the queen quarter and were seldom seen in Armenelos.

After four years, Cemenie and Surion were engaged. The King courtyard was decorated with flowers and Nimloth looked as beautiful as ever.

Ancalime was too old to participate in the feast. For the second time in her life, she had to fall asleep alone, and listening to an engagement party. However, this time she would not wake again.