In response to the Guy from Finland: kiitos (is that right?)!

Author's Note: And now we have come to the much anticipated interview from Elendil. I love this guy! Please let me know what you think of the things he has to say. Can you see anything that our culture could stand to learn from this wise Númenórean?

Elendil

Name(s): Elendil; Nimruzîr; Voronda; the Tall; the Fair

Race: Men

Life: He was born in 3119 S.A. in Numenor, escaping its downfall with his two sons and a few other followers. He founded the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor, and he led the Last Alliance with Gil-galad. He was slain by Sauron at the end of the Siege of Barad-dûr in S.A. 3441.

. . .

Although I know that you were greatly involved in the doings of the Faithful long before the Downfall, I want to start our questioning only a few years before Amandil, your father, sailed for Valinor. Did you foresee anything like the Downfall?

Well, I knew that based on its trajectory, Númenor was destined to fall. I mean, she was digging her own grave with both hands. I could never have predicted the way in which she would collapse, but I did have a sense of foreboding, and every day I woke up with the idea in the back of my mind that perhaps today would be the last time I would arise without war or chaos or revolution. Somehow, there was always a part of my heart that was always aware of a pending doom.

What did you do to prepare for it?

I did several things. Of course I focused most of my attention on the troubles before me, but in my spare time, I studied. I read every history book I could get my hands on, and had copies made of some of the more important texts. I also found myself, quite involuntarily, thinking ahead as if I would have to leave. This was partially due to my fear that the King's Men would come to make an arrest and I would have to escape. But I also wanted to keep my family's treasures close at hand in case a war really did break out. Without our history, we were only small men in a big sea of time, and heirlooms are the best reminder of our history.

So did you approve of your son going to take a fruit from the White Tree?

It was reckless and dangerous, but I am very glad that he did it, and the deed proved to have had perfect timing. If he had listened to common sense, we would have had nothing tangible in memory of that beautiful tree: Nimloth, the symbol of our alliance with the Eldar. It was a foolish and brave thing for Isildur to do, and as a father, I cannot help but be proud of his courage.

What happened after your father left?

First, the king summoned all who were able to prepare for war. Everyone knew that this war would be against the Valar, and we also knew that those who refused would be burned in the temple of Morgoth. I eluded both of these fates and instead took my father's last advice to "hold me every in readiness".

I gathered all the things I had been saving, the heirlooms, some other precious items, my family, and many members of the Faithful, and I housed them all in my ships which were anchored in the East. Thus it was that because of my father's charge to be ready, we were indeed prepared for that terrible day.

Could you very briefly describe the events?

Fire shot out of the sacred mountain of Meneltarma and the foundations of the earth were shaken. Then the island fell, in all of her splendor, under the devouring waves of the sea. The wind swept my ships away with a deafening roar, but the sound did not drown out the screams from the island. That was the most dreadful day in the history of men; there can be no dispute.

When you arrived in Middle Earth, did you want to remember Númenor, or did you hope to start completely fresh?

We were forced to aim for a mixture of both because we lived in a state of paradox. Númenóreans had the ability to be proud of what their country started as, but the Faithful were at the same time ashamed of the evils committed by their contemporaries, which were in contradiction to the very mission of the founding fathers. So in our newly established kingdoms, we hoped to recall the characteristics of the original, undefiled Númenor of Elros' days. We desired to build on the solid foundation that the latter kings had forsaken.

Elendil, you are known for documenting much of Númenórean history. You have studied more in this subject than anyone else. What advice do you give to other countries and peoples so that they can avoid a downfall like that of Númenor?

[Briefly, Thalion wishes to tell readers to pay very close attention here. Elendil looked straight into Estel's eyes and gave the following answer with absolute sincerity in his expression. His words reveal a part of his inmost being, and Thalion could tell from his tone that he was desperate to be heard and to help avert another calamity such as the Downfall of Númenor. Please consider his words with great respect, even if you don't at first agree. If you had seen his eyes while he spoke, you would not be so eager to doubt]

Hold to an absolute set of values. Do not let a finite man or a group of them decide what is right and what is wrong; there must be a fixed standard upon which to lean. Without it, no one has grounds to do anything and everyone has the ability to do everything. No one is safe until all are under the same rule.

Do not be afraid of law. Do not believe that tradition and standards are hindrances, but consider them instead to be your security. They protect the people from those with power, and they also protect everyone from everyone else. Absolute freedom is only anarchy and chaos; there must be restraint on all, peasant and king, for men are inclined to corruption.

Do not be gullible, believing what those who claim to be wise say. All people of a country should investigate the truth and compare what goes on to what ought to occur. Do not allow rulers to interpret laws, but search for the intended meaning and hold to it relentlessly. If you allow even small liberty for the king to infringe on the people, you will find it nearly impossible to stop him.

Last and most importantly, do not forget Him who gave you life. Eru is the foundation of all that will last, and without His approval, it is impossible for anything to succeed. He alone gives the strength necessary for true triumph, and He alone gives the standard for goodness. On Him, the infinite and unchanging God, finite man must depend for any authentic meaning. Please understand that this is the pinnacle of wisdom. It does not matter what your flesh tells you or what those around you may say. If you remain rooted in the immovable rock that is God, you will not—and indeed cannot—be shaken.

Please be sure to review on this, the last interview! The epilogue is all that stands between us and completion. Thanks to all those who stuck around this long!