Amlaith

Biography: Amlaith
Birth - Death	Third Age 726 - 946
Race:	Man
Gender:	Male
Ancestor(s):	Elendil Isildur ⁞
Parent(s):	Eärendur
	Amlaith
Child(ren):	Beleg
Descendant(s):	Line of Arthedain Aragorn II
Info:	1st King of Arthedain Younger brothers: Eldamacil, Tarondor II)

Description

Amlaith was the eldest son of Eärendur, having two younger brothers. He lived during the Third Age, through 726 to 946 and died 220 years old. At his death his son Beleg succeeded him as King of Arthedain.

Amlaith was supposed to become the eleventh King of Arnor after his father, who died III 861. However, rivalry and disagreements with his brothers eventually resulted in the wealthy kingdom being split into three: Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Being the eldest son, Amlaith was granted the larger lot with more lands and stronger fortresses, including Amon Sûl (Weathertop) and its palantír.

This way Amlaith rather became the first King of Arthedain, and he ruled for 85 years. This period was mainly peaceful, except for the continuous disputes with his two brothers, Eldamacil and Tarondor. Noteworthy is that Amlaith moved the capital of his kingdom from Annúminas to Fornost since the Men of Westernesse were diminished. Afterwards, he asked Gwindeth, the keeper of lake Nenuial, to raise the water levels in order to safekeep Annúminas until Arnor could be reunited.

It is peculiar why Amlaith chose to break the tradition to take a name in the noble tongue, Quenya, but decided for a name in Sindarin with a highly unclear meaning. Could it be to humble himself under a lower status, the he felt that he had failed to maintain the mighty realm of his father intact? Was that maybe another reason to why he moved the capital to Fornost? Either way, this new tradition with Sindarin names continues until today with Aragorn II.