882
Aldarions journey to Middle Earth took much longer than he had expected. The troubles in the south of Eriador had escalated and the Middle Men had no one to protect them. From the southeast evil men entered Eriador and moved north towards Tharbad. Aldarion heard many rumors from refugees in Vinyalonde and received request for help from envoys. He would try to explain that the Numenoreans knew nothing of warfare and had no weapons.
Aldarion had promised to return after two years, but when the third had passed, she went to see the queen, and told her that she had decided to leave Armenelos. Her father was old and dying and she wanted to be with him.
Then Erendis took Ancalime and travelled back to Emerie and to her parents' house. Her mother Nuneth welcomed her. Erendis was surprised to learn that she was expected.
Nuneth said, "the birds you received as a present at your wedding arrived here not long ago. I took it as a bad omen of your life with the prince."
Erendis did not speak about her life in Armenelos. Her father died shortly after and stayed in the house with her mother and only a few servants – all women. She never spoke to Ancalime about her father.
Ancalime had lived in the house for two years, when one day a boy came to the house. He was much elder than Ancalime, almost a young man. Ancalime did not remember having seen a boy before. His name was Ibal and he ran an errand for his mother.
Ibal offered Ancalime some bread, he had with him, and started to speak to her.
One of Erendis maids, a woman called Zamin, notice the two children, and send Ibal on his way back to home.
"What noisy thing was that?" Ancalime asked.
"A boy," said Zamin, "if you know what that is. But, how should you? They are breakers and eaters, mostly. That one is ever eating - but not to no purpose. A fine lad his father will find when he comes back; but if that is not soon, he will hardly know him. I might say that of others."
"Has the boy a father too?" asked Ancalime. "Yes," said Zamin. "Ulbar, one of the shepherds of the great Hallatan."
"Then why is the father not at home?" Ancalime asked, and Zamin explained that Ulbar had travelled with Aldarion to Middle Earth.
That evening Ancalime suddenly said to her mother: "Is my father also called the Aldarion?"
"He was," said Erendis. "But why do you ask?" She wondered and was troubled for no word concerning Aldarion had passed between them before.
Ancalime did not answer the question. "When will he come back?" she said instead.
"Do not ask me!" said Erendis. "I do not know. Never, perhaps. But do not trouble yourself for you have a mother, and she will not run away, while you love her." Ancalime did not speak of her father again.
Aldarion arrived in Lindon and met Gil-Galad, Cirdan and Elrond. He told them about the hostilities in the south.
He said; "The Numenoreans would like to help the people of Middle Earth! However, we have no experience in warfare! Will you help and train us?"
Gil-Galad asked; "Is this a request from the king of Numenor?"
Aldarion said; "My father is a modest man. He does not seek glory and he would never ask for help. I am, speaking on behalf of the Guild of Ventures."
Gil-Galad then asked; "-but is it not the decision of the King to send his people on such an endeavor?"
Aldarion said; "It is! However, if peace is our objective, maybe we could put aside our pride. You could ask for help and the King of Numenor will provide this. After all; it should be the men of the west that should guide the men of Middle Earth, as the western lords guided the Eldar."
Gil-Galad was silence for a long time, trying to read Aldarions mind.
Cirdan said; "I see lots of blood being spilt in Eriador as we speak. Does the peaceful Numenoreans not risk becoming victims instead of saviors?
However, Elrond said; "Strange, I foresee no or little loss of Numenoreans blood."
Gil-Galad then said; "We will be there as well! The son of the King is right, it should be men who secure a lasting peace in Middle Earth."
He looked at Aldarion; "Let us write a letter for your father!"
Aldarion smiled; he knew exactly what to write.
When Aldarion returned to Numenor, five years had passed. He rode directly to Armenelos and met his father in the Throne Room
The King was displeased with his son because of his delayed journey and would lecture him again, but instead of defending himself Aldarion handed a letter from Gil-Galad to the king. Aldarion stated he wanted to discuss the content, but Meneldur told Aldarion that he should first be with his family in his home.
Aldarion said: "Where is my home?"
Meneldur told his son about Erendis and Ancalime and that they have moved back to Emerie.
Aldarion bowed and left the Throne Room. Together with two of his men, Ulbar and Henderch he left for Emerie.
Riding hard they arrived at nightfall of the next day. Aldarion blew his horn as he saw the house.
As he leapt from his horse in the forecourt, he saw Erendis
"You come late" she said. "I had long ceased to expect you. I fear that there is no such welcome prepared for you as I had made when you were due."
"Mariners are not hard to please," Aldarion said.
"That is well," she said; and she turned back into the house and left him. The old maid Zamin came to the door. As Aldarion went in she said to the his two companions in a loud voice so that he could hear her: "There is no lodging for you here."
"No, Zamin," said Ulbar; "I will not stay. I am heading for home."
Erendis did not come to the table at his late meal, and Aldarion was served by women in a room apart. But before he was done, she entered, and said before the women: "You will be weary, my lord, after such haste. A guestroom is made ready for you, when you will. My women will wait on you. If you are cold, call for fire."
Aldarion made no answer. He went early to the bed and fell in a heavy sleep. He woke early and would leave the house: he would find Henderch and the horses, and ride to Hallatan of Hyarastorni. Later he would summon Erendis to bring his daughter to Armenelos, and not have dealings with her upon her own ground. But as he went out towards the doors Erendis came and stood before him in the door.
"You leave more promptly than you came," she said. "I hope that you have not found this house of women irksome already, to go thus before your business is done. Indeed, what business brought you here?"
Aldarion answered; "I was told in Armenelos that my wife was here and had removed my daughter here;" he answered. "As to the wife I am mistaken, it seems, but do I not have a daughter?"
"You had one some years ago," Erendis said. "But my daughter has not yet risen."
"Then let her rise, while I go for my horse," said Aldarion.
Aldarion and Henderch was ready to leave and returned to the house. Ancalime stood beside her mother on the threshold. She stood erect and stiff as her mother and made him no courtesy as he dismounted and came up the steps towards her. "Who are you?" she said. "And why do you bid me to rise so early, before the house is stirring?"
Aldarion looked at her keenly, and though his face was stern he smiled within; for he saw there a child of his own, rather than of Erendis, for all her schooling.
"You knew me once, Lady Ancalime," he said, "but no matter. Today I am but a messenger from Armenelos, to remind you that you are the daughter of the King's Heir and you shall be his Heir in your turn.
Aldarion rode on to Hyarastorni. When he came near, he heard music, and he found the shepherds holding a feast for the homecoming of Ulbar. The wife of Ulbar was dancing with him to the playing of pipes. At first no one noticed Aldarion, and he sat on his horse watching with a smile. However, suddenly Ulbar cried out "The Great Captain!" and Ibal, his son ran forward to Aldarion. "Lord Captain!" he said eagerly.
"What is it? I am in haste," said Aldarion. His mood was changed, and he felt wrathful and bitter.
Ibal asked; "how old must a man be, before he may go over sea in a ship, like my father?"
"As old as the hills, and with no other hope in life," said Aldarion.
When Ulbars wife came forward Aldarion took her hand. "Will you receive this of me?" he said. "It is but little return for six years of good man's aid that you gave me." Then he took a jewel red like fire and he pressed it into her hand. "From the Great King of the Elves it came," he said. Then Aldarion said farewell to the people there, and rode away, having no mind now to stay in that area.
When Hallatan heard of Aldarions strange coming and going, he was very surprised.
Aldarion rode only a short way from Hyarastorni and then he stayed his horse and spoke to Henderch his companion. "Whatever welcome awaits you, friend, I will not keep you from it. Ride now home. I have a mind to go alone."
Then he rode on alone back to Armenelos, and never again came to Emerie