VIII
MANWË’S BAN
This text is located among the “Last Writings” which Christopher Tolkien dated to the last year of his father’s life (see XII:377). It is written in a clear hand in black nib-pen on the versos of two sheets of a printed Allen & Unwin “Publication Note” that is dated Feb. 1970. It arose in connection with, and was originally a part of, the text Glorfindel II that was published at XII:378–82. I supply the beginning of the first paragraph of this text from that printed at XII:380.
Elves were destined to be “immortal”, that is not to die within the unknown limits decreed by the One, which at the most could be until the end of the life of the Earth as a habitable realm. Their death – by any injury to their bodies so severe that it could not be healed – and the disembodiment of their spirits was an “unnatural” and grievous matter. It was therefore the duty of the Valar, by command of the One, to restore them to life, if they desired it. But this restoration could be withheld or delayed by Manwë, for some grave reason: such as very evil deeds, or any works of malice of which a disembodied spirit remained unrepentant.[1] Now Glorfindel of Gondolin was one of the exiled Ñoldor, rebels against the authority of Manwë, and they were under a ban imposed by him: they could not return in bodily form to the Blessed Realm in any manner.[fn1] Not while the Ban was in force.
This ban was as is told in the “Silmarillion” never fully revoked. Though after the defeat and downfall of Melkor[2] and his creatures from Middle-earth a general pardon was granted to all the Exiles who would accept it, those who then left Middle-earth did not dwell actually in Valinor, but in a special region of the great Isle of Eressëa that was set aside for them. There they could visit Valinor from time to time, but could not abide there long.
It must be supposed that Manwë intended to maintain the Ban – unless commanded by The One to lift it in any particular case, or in general – until some change unforeseen by him in the unfolding of the history of Middle-earth occurred.
Some of the Lore-masters later,[fn2] considering the events which led to the lifting of the Ban (as far as Elves were concerned) debated this matter. The One, all-seeing, knew of the imposition of the Ban, and permitted it; he also permitted its maintenance for long years, in the terms devised by Manwë, though these might seem too severe even on the Ñoldor, and were a great loss to the other Elves, and also to other folk and creatures. In particular, making any communication between the Ñoldor and the Valar impossible prevented the Ñoldor, in particular or as a people, from expressed repentance, or pleading for pardon and help. Some, therefore, of these loremasters concluded that Manwë, and the Council of the Valar, erred: because of their anger; and also because, though they possessed foreknowledge of history (since the making of the Music, and the vision that Eru thereafter presented to them of the unfolding history that it had generated), certain important matters had become dark to them. They had had no part in the creation of the Children of Eru, Elves and Men, and could not ever with complete assurance foresee the actions working of their independent wills.
But the wiser ones among them rebuked them, saying: Ye cannot say that the Valar erred, in so grave a matter, seeing that Eru knew and permitted the actions and commands of Manwë, for this is to attribute error to Him.[3] Moreover, ye misrepresent and exaggerate the workings of the Ban and so call in question its justice. As far as concerns the Ñoldor, they obtained precisely what they demanded: freedom from the sovereignty of Manwë, and therefore also from any protection or assistance by the Valar, or indeed any meddling with their affairs. They had been advised and solemnly taught by Manwë to what straits and griefs they would come, relying only on their own wisdom and power. They rejected him; and even before they had finally left the West Lands and reached Middle-earth, they did hideous deeds of robbery and bloodshed and treachery.[4] Then a large number of the Ñoldor, who had taken no part in this, went back to Valinor, and sought pardon and were granted it. Those that did not do so, even if not personally slayers, must share the blood guilt, if they accepted the freedom gained by it. That none of the Ñoldor should be allowed again to dwell in bodily form was an inevitable consequence. That none of the Valar or Maiar should appear in their lands to aid them was also inevitable. But it is not said that Manwë abandoned them, peoples over whom he had been appointed by Eru to be a vice-regent.[5] His messengers could come from Valinor and did so, and though in disguised form and issuing no commands, they intervened in certain desperate events.[fn3] [6]
Moreover the Valar had great knowledge of the war of the Ñoldor and Sindar against Melkor in Thangorodrim; for great hosts of Elves were slain in that war, and some came in spirit to Mandos[fn4] where all their deeds in Middle-earth were laid bare. And yet again: great and grievous as was the revolt of the Ñoldor, it was only a part of the griefs and anxieties of Manwë, only one aspect of his heavy kingship: the war against Melkor himself, which had now broken out again into new malignance. It was indeed Melkor who was the prime malefactor, the author and deviser of the revolt of the Ñoldor, though that was only again a small part of his assault upon the Valar and their land, which he had darkened and robbed of its primeval joy and beauty. From this he had escaped.
IX
ELVISH JOURNEYS ON HORSEBACK
This text is found in a bundle of manuscript material associated with the late typescript text B of Of Maeglin, which Christopher Tolkien describes at XI:316, 330 and dates to 1970. Portions of this text are drafting for texts already given at XI:332–3, 335–6 (q.v.). I give here some details among this material not previously published or cited.
Elvish journeys on horseback
We are not dealing with the movements of human cavalry with its slow pace (except in action): e.g., “walk” 3½ mph; “trot-walk” 5; “trot” 7, etc.![1] Elves (and their horses) were swifter in movement, hardier, and of greater endurance. At need an Eldarin rider could remain in the saddle for long hours with brief halts and light provision, while his horse maintained a high speed, and they could cover great distances in a day, with only a brief few hours’ rest or sleep before going on again. But we are in the case of Eöl’s journey to Nogrod and back not dealing yet with his desperate pursuit of the fugitives [Aredhel and Maeglin]. Eöl was “on a holiday”, riding in the wild lands he loved, at ease, and he had allowed ample time in which to reach Nogrod before the Feast.
Riding at ease he would journey about 9 hours, and at what was for him and his horse the gentle speed of some 9 miles in the hour. Of this 9 hours he would spend about 1½ hours (more or less) in halts. He would thus only go about 70 miles or less in a day.
Eöl was by choice a night-rider, being night-sighted, and training his riding horses to suit him. (But he had, of course, no fear of being abroad by day, or at need of riding in sunlight.) At Midsummer[fn1] when sunset was about 8 pm and sunrise about 4 am, he would start about 7:30 in late evening and go on about 4:30 in early morning (9 hours).
But he could, without wearying himself or his horse, journey for longer hours, and at greater speed. For example, he could journey for 10 hours at an average of 10 mph, spending no more than 1½ hours in halts, and so cover easily 85 miles in a day.[fn2] Speed, however, naturally depended much upon the ground. From Elmoth to Gelion[fn3] the land was, north of the Andram, and the Falls below the last Ford[fn4] over Gelion (just above the inflow of the River Ascar from the Mountains), mostly rolling plain, with large regions of big trees without thickets. There were several beaten tracks made originally by Dwarves from Belegost and Nogrod, the best (most used and widest) being from the Little Ford past the north of Elmoth and to the Ford of Aros, it crossed the Bridge of Esgalduin but went no further for, if the Dwarves wished to visit Menegroth and Thingol [?wished to see them they were][2]
Here the text, which has come to be written in very hasty and now rubbed pencil, becomes mostly illegible. Following the wholly illegible end of the last sentence above, some bits can be interpreted, including the names Thargelion, Asgar, and perhaps Be
legost.
X
RIDER TO “THE WHITE RIDER”
Though not in fact among Tolkien’s late writings, this seems an opportune place to bring to wider attention a text bearing on the history of the writing of The Lord of the Rings, as well as a charming if rejected scene involving Legolas and horses. This text is written on a torn half-sheet, and was originally intended as an insertion in the drafting of what became the chapter “The White Rider” (ch. 5 of Book III of The Lord of the Rings). At the top of the sheet a note Tolkien wrote: “If new ending of Chap. XXIII is used, this will not be required.” To the right of this Tolkien wrote the number “XXVI”, and at the far right are the words “3 rider”. (As Christopher Tolkien notes, the chapter “The White Rider” “was numbered ‘XXVI’ from an early stage”; VII:425). The entire page was ultimately crossed out (the reason for its rejection is discussed in the commentary following the text). In the foreword to the 2nd edition of LR Tolkien says (xx–xxi), “I went on and so came to Lothlórien and the Great River late in 1941. In the next year I wrote the first drafts of the matter that now stands as Book III, and the beginnings of Chapters 1 and 3 of Book V.” This strongly suggests that Tolkien drafted this rider early in 1942.
This text and the accompanying commentary by Patrick Wynne and Christopher Gilson were previously published in Vinyar Tengwar 27 (1993).
“What of our horses?” said Legolas.
“I was forgetting them,” said Aragorn. “We cannot lead them into the Forest; there will be no food for them in there. They must be set free, so that they can return as they will to their own master. We do not know how long our search will take or whither it will lead us.”
“But we do not yet know that it will take us into the Forest,” said Gimli. “At least let us take the horses to the edge of the wood! It is a long walk from here to Theoden’s halls, and you promised to ride back there with our borrowed mounts.”
“When our quest was over or proved vain,” said Aragorn.
“Let the horses judge!” said Legolas. “I will speak to them.” Running lightly over the grass he returned to the tree under which they had camped, and going to the horses he untethered them, fondling their heads and whispering in their ears. “Go free now, Hasofel and Arod!” he said aloud. “Wait for us a while, but no longer than seems good to you!”
The horses looked solemnly at him for a moment, and then walked together behind the Elf towards the river-bank. There they stood quietly like folk on a doorstep when friends are taking their leave. As the companions went away up the slope they lifted their heads and whinnied, and then bending to the grass, afar they strayed together, browsing peacefully as if they were in their home-pasture.
The text apparently describes Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas on the morning after their encounter with the old man by the campfire (cf. “[Legolas] returned to the tree under which they had camped”), when they are on the verge of entering Fangorn Forest proper. In The Lord of the Rings as published this occurs in “The White Rider”, not “The Riders of Rohan”; the latter chapter ends on the previous night, with the three companions still camping by the eaves of the Forest. In Tolkien’s numeration at the time of composition, “The Riders of Rohan” was numbered ‘XXIII’, and the significance of the note “If new ending of Chap. XXIII is used, this will not be required” seems to be this:
In “The Riders of Rohan” as published, at the end of the chapter the horses run away after the apparition of the mysterious old man: “The horses were gone. They had dragged their pickets and disappeared.” (LR:443) But that chapter as originally written ended differently; in the original version, the horses were alarmed but did not flee: “The horses were restive, straining at their tether-ropes, showing the whites of their eyes. It was a little while before Legolas could quiet them.” (VII:403) The insertion must have been written to accord with this earlier version of the story. Since the horses did not run away in chap. XXIII, it was necessary to account for what was done with them later in chap. XXVI when Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli finally entered Fangorn. However, Christopher Tolkien states that by the time of the completion of the fair copy manuscript of “The White Rider”, his father had changed the ending of “The Riders of Rohan” to its published form (VII:432). This, of course, is the “new ending of chap. XXIII” referred to in Tolkien’s note at the top of the manuscript, and with this change the insertion to chap. XXVI became unnecessary.
XI
LIVES OF THE NÚMENÓREANS
This typescript text exists in three versions: Tolkien’s typescript (A), its carbon copy (B) with no textual value save one brief marginal note concerning Aldarion’s later change of succession law; and (C) an amanuensis fair copy, likewise with no textual value. The text given here is therefore A, which occupies four-and-a-half sides. Christopher Tolkien assembled selections from this text, and from that given in chap. XIII below, into the chapter A Description of the Island of Númenor in UT:165–72. He dated both of these texts to c. 1965 (UT:7).
In the typescript the text proper is followed by a series of (at times quite lengthy) author’s notes. For the reader’s convenience I have placed all but the longest of these as footnotes; the remaining two follow the text and are cited in the text with “[Author’s Note]”. The discussion of Númenórean life-spans that opens this text was referenced and paraphrased by Christopher Tolkien at UT:224–5 n.1. This discussion further echoes closely the matters and schemes Tolkien developed at length for the Elves in part one of this book, “Time and Ageing” (and cf. esp. chap. XVIII, “Elvish Ages & Númenórean”, which likewise dates from 1965, in part one of this book).
Lives of the Númenóreans
Long life and Peace were the two things that the Edain asked for when the Valar offered them reward at the fall of Thangorodrim. Peace was readily granted; long life not so readily, and only after Manwë had consulted Eru.
Elros was treated specially. He and his brother Elrond were not actually differently endowed, so far as the purely physical potentiality of life was concerned; but since Elros elected to remain among the kindred of Men, he retained the chief human characteristic as compared with the Quendi: the “seeking elsewhither”, as the Eldar called it, the “weariness” or desire to depart from the World. He died, or resigned life, when he was about 500 years old.
The remainder of the people were granted a life-span about five times as long as that of ordinary Men: that is, they would die, whether by free resignation or not, somewhere within the limits of 350 to 420 years.[1] Within these limits individuals, and also families, [Author’s Note 1] differed in natural life-span, as they did before the Grace was given. The royal family or “Line of Elros” was in general longeval, and often lived for 400 years or a little more. In other families 400 years was less often achieved; though in families who had become allied with the Line of Elros by marriage (in the earlier generations) longeval individuals often appeared.
By this is meant that the “weariness” was not felt by the longeval until about the 400th year; how long they might have lived on into decrepitude, if they had “clung to life”, is not known, because in the early generations they did not do so. “Clinging to life”, and so in the end dying perforce and involuntarily, was one of the changes brought about by the Shadow and the rebellion of the Númenóreans. It was also accompanied by a shrinking of their natural life-span. These things first appeared in the 14th generation, that is, after the death of Tar-Atanamir in S.A. 2251.[2]
The increase of the Númenórean life-span was brought about by assimilating their life-mode to that of the Eldar, up to a limited point. They were however expressly warned that they had not become Eldar, but remained “mortal Men”, and had been granted only an extension of the period of their vigour of mind and body. Thus (as the Eldar) they “grew” at much the same rate as ordinary Men:[3] gestation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence up to puberty and “full-growth” proceeded more or less as before; but when they had achieved full-growth they then aged or “
wore out” very much slower, so that for them five years had about the same effect as one year for ordinary mortals.
The first approach of “world-weariness” was indeed for them a sign that their period of vigour was nearing its end. When it came to an end, if they persisted in living, then decay would, as growth had done, soon proceed at more or less the same rate as for other Men. Thus, if a Númenórean reached the end of vigour at about 400 years, he would then pass quickly, in about ten years, from health and vigour of mind to decrepitude and senility.
If one wishes, therefore, to find what “age” a Númenórean was in ordinary human terms of vigour and aptitude, this may be done so: (1) Deduct 20: since at 20 years a Númenórean would be at about the same stage of development as an ordinary person. (2) Add to this 20 the remainder divided by 5. Thus a Númenórean man or woman of years:
would be approximately of the “age”:
The Nature of Middle-earth Page 26
