Tar-Aldarion
| Biography: Tar-Aldarion | |
|---|---|
| Birth - Death | Second Age S.A. 700 - 1098 |
| Race: | Man |
| Gender: | Male |
| Ancestor(s): | Elros ⁞ |
| Tar-Aldarion | |
| Descendant(s): | ⁞ Ar-Pharazôn |
| Info: | 6th King of Númenor. |
Tar-Aldarion was the 6th King of Númenor and one of its most influential early rulers. He is chiefly remembered for transforming Númenor into a great seafaring power, expanding its exploration of Middle-earth, and establishing lasting alliances with the Eldar. He sailed from his island nation and became friends with the likes of Gil-galad, Círdan, Celebrimbor and Galadriel. He founded the port city of Vinyalondë, but had to abandon it to the tides after several attempts at bracing it against the wild seas.
Aldarion was born in April of S.A. 700 in Númenor, the son of the fifth Númenórean king. From an early age he displayed a deep love for the sea, a passion that brought him into frequent disagreement with his father, who favored caution and inward-looking governance. Despite this tension, Aldarion enjoyed close bonds with other members of his family, especially his grandfather.
In S.A. 725, Veantur took Aldarion on his first great voyage, sailing to the Grey Havens in Lindon and along the western coasts of Eriador. During this journey Aldarion forged enduring friendships with Círdan and Gil-galad, ties that would later shape Númenórean policy toward Middle-earth.
Aldarion soon became an accomplished mariner, leading long voyages despite his family's objections. In his hundredth year he was proclaimed heir to the throne, and at the celebrations met his wife-to be, though he did not at first pursue her, choosing instead to continue his voyages.
Throughout his life Aldarion undertook numerous expeditions to Middle-earth, earning renown as the greatest mariner of his age. He maintained a close friendship with Gil-galad in Lindon and perceived early the rising threat of Sauron to Elves and Men alike. To support resistance against this danger, Aldarion established the haven of Vinyalondë at the mouth of the river Gwathló, a port that later survived into the Third Age as Lond Daer.
Aldarion oversaw the construction of many great ships, among them the largest ship ever built in Númenor. Though driven by the need for timber, he showed foresight in environmental stewardship, ordering new trees to be planted wherever forests were felled on the island.
Under his influence, Númenórean activity along the coasts of Middle-earth increased greatly. The deforestation of Enedwaith and Minhiriath began during this period, and the Drúedain of Númenor grew uneasy, foretelling misfortune from Aldarion's far-ranging voyages. Some of these fears were shared by Aldarion's father the king, who worried that explorers might bring foreign diseases back to the island, though such illnesses ultimately proved rare and short-lived.
Aldarion's many journeys included voyages to Lindon, extended explorations south along the coasts to the Bay of Belfalas and the land later associated with Amroth, expeditions to gather timber and metals, and diplomatic missions bearing messages between Gil-galad and the Númenórean court. His growing reputation and the expanding power of Númenor contributed to Sauron's decision to withdraw from Eriador and establish himself in Mordor instead.
Aldarion's marriage to his wife was marked by deep and ultimately irreconcilable differences. Even before their wedding, his devotion to the sea competed with her love for the forests and settled life of Númenor. Their opposing temperaments, compounded by Aldarion's long absences, led to estrangement and lasting bitterness. Aldarion received the Sceptre in S.A. 883, becoming the Sixth King of Númenor, and ruled for many years. He continued his voyages even after becoming King. His only child was a daughter. To secure her succession, Aldarion changed the Law of Succession of Númenor from agnatic primogeniture to absolute cognatic primogeniture, allowing the eldest child to inherit regardless of gender, thus allowing his daughter to become the first queen of Númenór when he abdicated the throne in S.A. 1075.
Aldarion died in S.A. 1098 at the age of 398, leaving behind a legacy defined by maritime expansion and foresight.