Meneldil
Third King of Gondor, Meneldil was born in 3318 of the Second Age as the son of Anarion. Meneldil became the last man born in Numenor, for the island was destroyed by Eru in 3319. Meneldil had three older siblings who were likely all females.
Meneldil was taken to Middle-Earth to live in Minas Anor with his father. He was the prince of the kingdom, for his father Anarion and uncle Isildur ruled Gondor and his grandfather Elendil ruled the North-Kingdom of Arnor.
Gondor allied itself with the Elves in 3434 to start a war against Sauron. It became known as the War of the Last Alliance. During the Siege of Barad-dur of 3440, Anarion was killed. Elendil died fighting in Mordor in 3441, but Isildur defeated Sauron and took the One Ring. Sauron's spirit fled into the East.
As Isildur planned to rule both Gondor and Arnor, he crowned Meneldil king of Gondor alone. Meneldil and his uncle journeyed through the country. They buried Elendil in Halifirien. Isildur advised that Meneldil and his descendants visit this honorable spot on occasion.
When Isildur left Gondor for Arnor, Meneldil bid him a fond farewell, though he was actually glad to see him go. Meneldil wished to rule Gondor by himself and did not value his uncle's aid.
As it turned out, Isildur and three of his sons were killed by Orcs when returning to Gondor. The One Ring was lost in the Anduin River. Valandil was crowned king of Arnor in year 10 of the Third Age, and Meneldil continued ruling Gondor. As the years passed, Gondor and Arnor became decreasingly united.
Meneldil had one son named Cemendur. He was crowned king when Meneldil died in 158 of the Third Age.
Note:
Meneldil's birth was given as 3299 of the Second Age in The History of Middle-Earth XII, page 208. In this edition, it is said that Meneldil's cousin Elendur was in fact the last man born in Numenor in 3318. This was apparently made noncanonical in The History of Middle Earth XII, pages 191 & 197.
Meneldil was taken to Middle-Earth to live in Minas Anor with his father. He was the prince of the kingdom, for his father Anarion and uncle Isildur ruled Gondor and his grandfather Elendil ruled the North-Kingdom of Arnor.
Gondor allied itself with the Elves in 3434 to start a war against Sauron. It became known as the War of the Last Alliance. During the Siege of Barad-dur of 3440, Anarion was killed. Elendil died fighting in Mordor in 3441, but Isildur defeated Sauron and took the One Ring. Sauron's spirit fled into the East.
As Isildur planned to rule both Gondor and Arnor, he crowned Meneldil king of Gondor alone. Meneldil and his uncle journeyed through the country. They buried Elendil in Halifirien. Isildur advised that Meneldil and his descendants visit this honorable spot on occasion.
When Isildur left Gondor for Arnor, Meneldil bid him a fond farewell, though he was actually glad to see him go. Meneldil wished to rule Gondor by himself and did not value his uncle's aid.
As it turned out, Isildur and three of his sons were killed by Orcs when returning to Gondor. The One Ring was lost in the Anduin River. Valandil was crowned king of Arnor in year 10 of the Third Age, and Meneldil continued ruling Gondor. As the years passed, Gondor and Arnor became decreasingly united.
Meneldil had one son named Cemendur. He was crowned king when Meneldil died in 158 of the Third Age.
Note:
Meneldil's birth was given as 3299 of the Second Age in The History of Middle-Earth XII, page 208. In this edition, it is said that Meneldil's cousin Elendur was in fact the last man born in Numenor in 3318. This was apparently made noncanonical in The History of Middle Earth XII, pages 191 & 197.
Names & Meanings
Meneldil comes from the Quenya word "astronomer." It is derived from menel meaning "heaven" and ndil meaning "friend."
References
The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond," page 265
The Lord of the Ring: Appendix A, "The Realms in Exile," page 318; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," pages 329-330
The Unfinished Tales: pages 271, 279, 308
The History of Middle-earth, volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 191, 197, 208, 212
The Silmarillion: definitions and translations of menel and ndil
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #297
The Lord of the Ring: Appendix A, "The Realms in Exile," page 318; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," pages 329-330
The Unfinished Tales: pages 271, 279, 308
The History of Middle-earth, volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 191, 197, 208, 212
The Silmarillion: definitions and translations of menel and ndil
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter #297
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