He is the twin brother of Elrond Half-Elven. After a childhood filled with turmoil,
he would choose to be counted among men. Taking on a mortal life and the kingship of Numenor.
Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we cover the life of Elros Tar-Minyatur.
In the late first age, Morgoth has seized control of all of northern Beleriand. Gondolin,
the last remaining threat to the dark lord, has fallen. Among the survivors of Gondolin
who flee to the havens of Sirion in the south is a young Earendil. There, he would meet Elwing. The
two would marry and in 532 FA, Elwing would give birth to twin sons - Elrond and Elros.
However, when the twins are just six years old, the Havens of Sirion are attacked by the Sons of
Feanor, who are attempting to take the silmaril from Elwing by force. This third kinslaying
of elves against elves results in many deaths, Elwing being lost to the sea, and the twins being
captured by the leaders of the attack Maedhros and Maglor. While Elwing would be taken by Ulmo
to her husband’s ship, the twins are shown pity by Maglor and are taken by the brothers to care for.
In one version of Tolkien’s writings, it is the Sons of Feanor who give the twins
their names - Elros meaning “elf of the spray” or “star-foam” for he was found
playing in a waterfall. We are told that despite the conditions under which Elrond
and Elros came under his care, a mutual love grows between Maglor and the twins.
In the coming days, Maglor, Maedhros, and the twins would notice a new star in the sky. The
Sons of Feanor would recognize it to be a silmaril of their father’s creation. Indeed,
it was a silmaril, now worn upon the brow of Elros’ father Earendil,
who now sailed the sky by the blessing of the Valar.
We are not told of any further deeds or events concerning Elros or his brother during the First
Age. Their father would fight against Morgoth’s winged dragons during the War of Wrath. In the
end, after forty years of war, Morgoth is defeated and the lands of Beleriand sink into the sea from
the destruction. After the great war, the Valar give Elros and Elrond as the Peredhil,
or half-elven, a choice. They may be counted among elves, living an immortal life. Or,
they can be counted among men, accepting the Gift of Iluvatar of death, and the unknown fate
that lies beyond the circles of the world. While Elrond would choose to be counted among elves,
Elros chooses the Gift of Men - though his life would be far longer than any other mortal man.
As the Second Age dawns, the valar raise from the sea a great island - a reward for the Edain,
the great clans of Men of the First Age who fought against Morgoth. Joining the
people of his paternal grandfather and maternal great-grandfather,
Elros leads the Edain as they sail across the sea. They follow the Star of Earendil,
which leads them to their new island home - Numenor.
They first reach Numenor in the 32nd year of the Second Age, founding what will become one of the
greatest civilizations to ever exist in the history of Arda. Elros becomes the first King
of Numenor this same year, taking his royal name in the elven language of Quenya - Tar-Minyatur,
meaning “High first-ruler”. This tradition would be followed by generations of Numenorean
rulers - with the practice only failing as Numenor begins its descent into evil.
Over the course of the next 50 years, the Edain would migrate from Middle-earth to their new
home. In addition to the island, the Numenoreans are also gifted longer lifespans than typically
found in men - and Elros and his descendants are particularly blessed with longevity.
Among the heirlooms Elros brings to Numenor are the Ring of Barahir - the ring that originally
belonged to Galadriel’s brother Finrod. Finrod gives it to Barahir as a symbol
of the friendship between their houses - and it would pass not only down to Elros,
but thousands of years later would come to Aragorn. Elros also brings
the Axe of his grandfather Tuor, the Bow of Barahir’s father Bregor, and Aranruth,
the sword of the great elf-king Thingol, who was Elros’ great-great-grandfather.
As the longest lived of the Numenoreans,
Elros would rule as King for 410 years. During his rule the capital city of Armenelos,
including its tower and citadel were constructed. No doubt, Elros would have played a key role in
establishing many of the traditions and ways of Numenor that would last for thousands of years.
Elros would have four children. His eldest son Vardamir Nolimon is born in the year 61 SA,
he would then have a daughter, Tindomiel, and two more sons: Manwendil and Atanalcar. Elros
would live until the year 442 SA, when he would pass the sceptre to Vardamir. However,
Vardamir himself was already 381 years old - and a mere 29 years
away from his own death. So Vardamir would only be the second king in title,
as he immediately passes the sceptre to his son Tar-Amandil, the third king of Numenor.
In that year of 442, Elros would die at the age of 500 years old. Whether Elros ever saw his
brother after sailing with the Edain to Numenor over 400 years earlier, no tale tells. We do,
however, know the manner of Elros’ death. We are told Elros remained unwearied until
he was 500 years old and then chooses to lay down his life. Unlike men in days to come,
the early Numenoreans would embrace the day that their time had come.
For a glimpse into such a death,
we can look to Aragorn as he bids farewell to Arwen in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings:
“Take counsel with yourself, beloved, and ask whether you would indeed have
me wait until I wither and fall from my high seat unmanned and witless. Nay,
lady, I am the last of the Númenóreans and the latest King of the Elder Days;
and to me has been given not only a span thrice that of Men of Middle-earth,
but also the grace to go at my will, and give back the gift. Now, therefore, I will sleep.”
In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound
for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory. Farewell!”
As thus would come the end of Elros Tar-Minyatur - the first
of the great Numenorean kings to embrace the Gift of Men.
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