The second Ruling Queen ascends the throne. Trouble brews in the east across the sea and in Numenor.
Maid of the White Tree
Second Age 1500, Armenelos
Dear Lady Mornel
The Eldar ambassador Lord Penlod mentioned to me that you are not only head of your House but also a seer of Lord Irmo. I would like your advice as I have been troubled by visions of darkness. I know that the gift of foresight runs in the bloodline of my forefather Elros Tar-Minyatur to varying degrees. I had witnessed from afar the death of my twin in a vision. Recently I have visions of a rising Shadow in the east. In a city of holly-trees, I see a smith of the Eldar toiling at his forge. Behind him stands a malicious shadow. I see the Shadow touch the ships of my people in Middle-earth, sailing towards us. Our island is fouled by its taint. The White Tree withers and burns.
It disturbs me greatly that my nephew has turned his attentions back to his father's work on the naval fleet. Gil-galad's letters bear warnings of a great Darkness rising in the east. Despite my friendship with Gil-galad and the ancient friendship with the Eldar, I am unwilling to risk my people. As such I have suggested to the Council that my nephew indulge his interest in construction of new buildings in Andunie, away from the eastern shores. The ambassador Penlod has some experience in city construction and I have extended a strong request for him to act as a consultant to my nephew.
After much careful consideration, I have decided to forgo marriage entirely with its attendant joys and sorrows. The realm shall be my husband and children both. My nephew shall be my successor and heir once I take the Sceptre. I will tend the White Tree through the years of my life and ensure it continues to flourish. My father thinks I am giving too much credence to a mere dream but I do not doubt the truth of my vision. The Shadow is indeed on the move.
Princess Telperien, King's Heir
Second Age 1500, Formenos
Dear Princess
I do not question your visions for I know for one the gift of foresight that runs through your blood. Not all are similarly blessed with the gift but it does show exceptionally strong in some. Your visions of a smith trouble me greatly and I have sought out the wisdom of the Maiar. Sadly, Lord Irmo is not given to sharing his secrets, or those of Iluvatar, so readily.
I hear that your brother's son has drawn up plans for a tower on a hill outside the city of Andustar. Oddly, this troubles me as it reminds me much of Tar-Meneldur's stargazing tower. Perhaps it would not be the wisest thing for you to shut yourself off in the King's Court, or for your heir to hide away in a tower facing into the West. It is not good for a leader to lose touch with his or her people.
Your friend
Mornel Feanoriel
Second Age 1556, Armenelos
My Liege
Tar-Surion has abdicated and passed the Sceptre to his only surviving child – Tar- Telperien. Thus far the Queen has conducted herself admirably in court, and participated in council meetings. However, her decision to swear celibacy has not gone down well with the Council. Based on my assessment, Tar-Telperien is of a contemplative nature. She will listen and suggest, but she will not act. It is my suspicion that she might be a seer and a disciple of Lord Irmo.
Tar-Telperien's decision to follow the example of her predecessors since Tar-Ancalime and not involve Numenor in matters of Middle-earth has been met by the support of many in the Council, apart from those lords with vested interest in Middle-earth trade and shipbuilding. The Queen has also ruled out sending naval aid to protect the realm's overseas interests in Middle-earth for the foreseeable future. A diplomatic mission will still be sent every ten years to Lindon to maintain cordial relations with King Gil-galad.
As for the Queen's Heir, Minastir has been absent from the city due to construction projects in Andunie. He has purchased land on the hill of Oromet and lain the foundations for a tower facing into the west. He is young and ambitious. The proposal for a tower had not been approved by the new Queen although Tar-Surion did approve it just before he handed over the Sceptre. Court gossip has it that Telperien would like to cease its building but was talked out of it. Perhaps the tower might stir not envy as she feared but serve as a reminder to all of the Valar in the Uttermost West.
Your humble servant
Penlod of the House of the Pillar
Second Age 1556, Andustar
Dear Lady Mornel
I am greatly troubled by a recent construction outside the city on the hill of Oromet. Somehow I sense a pall of despair about the site – thwarted ambitions and unanswered prayers. Mind you, they just put in the foundations. I have recently made the acquaintance of Prince Minastir. My impression of him was probably not as favourable as it should be. The main reason being that he was drunk and puking into the gutter outside a seedy tavern.
The prince wishes to travel to Middle-earth but his aunt has denied royal permission to do so. He has taken to heart the tales told by his mother of the riches of the land waiting to be picked. We fear the Numenoreans have lived beyond their means on the island of Elenna. The wealth granted by the Valar has been exhausted and they must seek resources elsewhere. The forests are still recovering from the heavy logging of Tar-Aldarion's reign. Quotas on timber were not strictly enforced during Tar-Anarion and Tar-Surion's reigns. Much land had been cleared for farming and construction during this time. Lady Yavanna must be weeping indeed.
For my part, I seriously doubt Middle-earth is paved in gold, gemstones, or silver. The Numenoreans will need to reconsider their current lifestyle and how sustainable it will be in the long-term. The downside about mortality is that they do not consider that they will need the same trees they are cutting down today for tomorrow. Few give a thought for their grandchildren. The Queen tends to her White Tree while the forests are laid bare. I used to spend many a leisurely hour strolling among the trees of Oromet with friends before they cleared the land for Prince Minastir's tower.
Yours in friendship
Earlindo
Second Age 1556, Formenos
Dear Prince Earlindo
First, allow me to extend my congratulations on your son's new woodcrafts store in Andustar. He is indeed a credit to your household. As for the Numenoreans, I must confess that I understand their dilemma when it comes to the forestry. I doubt many of them are keen to return to the tents of their forefathers, or the hunting-gathering lifestyle. I have regular headaches trying to find a balance in Formenos with the Noldor smiths and the local Nandor hunters.
Your news of the tower facing into the west troubles me too. Prince Minastir has little reason to face the west, unlike Elros whose parents are in Valinor. However, I think this is a passing phase and his eventual interest lies in the east. I expect he will raise Numenorean cities in Middle-earth when his time comes. That is not to say that tower of his will not cause trouble for the future rulers of his house.
I trust that despite Tar-Telperien's reluctance to engage with the Eldar in Middle-earth, relations are still cordial in Andunie? Cousin Arakano reported from his last visit that there were new laws approved by Tar-Surion in his later years at the Council's urging limiting Eldar residences to certain neighbourhoods in Andustar and their travel to other parts of the island. Has this caused any hardship for your people? This segregation disturbs me as rather than reinforcing the ancient friendship, it will give rise to ridiculous ideas of 'Elvish magic' and such.
Yours in friendship
Mornel Feanoriel
Second Age 1574, Armenelos
My Liege
After a restful retirement, Tar-Surion has passed beyond the Circles of Arda. A court scribe remarked that unlike his predecessors, his policies have left little mark on the realm, be it politically or culturally. At least Tar-Anarion left behind a grand theatre and appreciation of the performing arts. His daughter seems set to follow in his footsteps in leaving much of the actual ruling to the Council of the Sceptre.
The White Tree is flourishing under the Queen's care. She keeps herself secluded in the King's House and rarely leaves the city. Much of the news is brought to her by runners from throughout the kingdom. She does, however, attend Council meetings every other day. I have yet to secure a private audience with her ever since her heir finished his construction projects in Andustar, and promptly took off for Romenna and a ship bound for Middle-earth.
It has been brought to my attention that Tar-Surion had approved restrictions on travel by the Eldar in his realm shortly before his abdication. I was made aware of this only recently when I tried to leave Armenelos on a leisure trip with my lady to Romenna. There are few Eldar beyond Andunie. I hope to persuade Her Majesty to lift this unnecessary restriction.
Your humble servant
Penlod of the House of the Pillar
Author's Notes:
Some words of environmentally-conscious wisdom from Earlindo there. The first cracks of trouble appear in the island paradise that is Numenor between the Eldar and the Edain.