Tal-Elmar - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Angry Brandybuck · 01-21-2004, 04:33 AM

There is already a discussion running featuring talk of The New Shadow, a story from The Peoples of Middle-Earth that Tolkein never finished.

This Thread asks questions about the other unfinished story in TPoME, Tal-Elmar. This is told from the PoV of one of the Wild Men of Middle-Earth and realtes the time that the Numenoreans came to the Western shores in search for 'permanent havens'.

Who were these wild men, where did they come from, and go? the story ends abruptly with the words

"Tal-Elmar offers himself as a hostage"

What happened after that? And was there a tough struggle between Wild Men and men of Westernesse?

Finwe · 01-21-2004, 12:08 PM

Well, that was probably another one of the stories that Tolkien started but never got around to finishing. We know that the Wild Men and the Men of Westernesse had many conflicts, so your hunch is probably correct. They most likely had conflicts, and in the ensuing battles, the Wild Men, due to their lesser "technology," were defeated by the advanced Numenoreans.

Ainaserkewen · 01-21-2004, 02:29 PM

I wouldn't say "didn't get around to finishing" Finwe. I think Tolkien didn't want to finish it because it wasn't really going anywhere, anywhere interesting that is. Like the New Shadow, it was merely a place of disapointing exploration, in my opinion. However, the beginning was quite interesting, at least to me. The flip views of the men of Middle-Earth was so different, it almost felt like someone besides Tolkien had written it.

01-21-2004, 04:33 AM	#1
Angry Brandybuck Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wotton-on-the-Edge Posts: 86	Tal-Elmar There is already a discussion running featuring talk of The New Shadow, a story from The Peoples of Middle-Earth that Tolkein never finished. This Thread asks questions about the other unfinished story in TPoME, Tal-Elmar. This is told from the PoV of one of the Wild Men of Middle-Earth and realtes the time that the Numenoreans came to the Western shores in search for 'permanent havens'. Who were these wild men, where did they come from, and go? the story ends abruptly with the words "Tal-Elmar offers himself as a hostage" What happened after that? And was there a tough struggle between Wild Men and men of Westernesse? __________________ The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath, The drums will shake the castle wall, the ring wraiths ride in black, Ride on.

01-21-2004, 12:08 PM	#2
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Well, that was probably another one of the stories that Tolkien started but never got around to finishing. We know that the Wild Men and the Men of Westernesse had many conflicts, so your hunch is probably correct. They most likely had conflicts, and in the ensuing battles, the Wild Men, due to their lesser "technology," were defeated by the advanced Numenoreans. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

01-21-2004, 02:29 PM	#3
Ainaserkewen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A cosmic waiting room Posts: 651	I wouldn't say "didn't get around to finishing" Finwe. I think Tolkien didn't want to finish it because it wasn't really going anywhere, anywhere interesting that is. Like the New Shadow, it was merely a place of disapointing exploration, in my opinion. However, the beginning was quite interesting, at least to me. The flip views of the men of Middle-Earth was so different, it almost felt like someone besides Tolkien had written it. __________________ Solus... I'm eating chicken again. I ate chicken yesterday and the day before... will I be eating chicken again tomorrow? Why am I always eating chicken?