The Second Age Read Along - Part 3 - Week 3: HoMe5: The Lost Road - The Numenorean chapters

#What we’re reading today

For those that read last week’s reading, we’re advancing to the second segment of ‘The Lost Road’. Head to HoMe V: The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part One: ‘The Fall of Númenor and The Lost Road’, section III: ‘The Lost Road’, segment (ii): ‘The Númenóean chapters’.

#Before you read

We’re continuing into The Lost Road, following Alboin’s acceptance of the offer in his dreams to go back in Time and live as his ancestors. The perspective changes to one from Númenor. Remember, this version of the Númenórean events predates the published version in The Silmarillion, so the details may seem misplaced or incorrect, but it is just an early version. Other than that, there’s not much else you need to know heading into this one, so enjoy!

#After you read

We jump straight into the life of Elendil and his son, Herendil. Herendil is reaching manhood, so his father decides it is time to have a politically and historically informative discussion with him. Much of the discussion is centered around the true nature and desires of Sauron, a figure controlling the throne of Númenor. Herendil seems to be in favor of the desires of the King and the direction the nation is headed, so Elendil begins to educate him on the truths that Sauron has obscured. At the end, Elendil reveals that he is a leader in the movement to support Manwë against Sauron, and gives his son a choice as to whether to join him in that movement or not. Herendil chooses to side with his father.

The notes and commentary reveal some slight alternatives to these chapters, as well. For instance, there was another version where Herendil doesn’t side with his father until they flee at least when the attack on Valinor is commencing. Note some of the potential time-travel plot points in these chapters, like the questioning Elendil has towards his own language or the similarities from last week’s chapters’ father-son relationship to this week’s. As always, bring up anything you felt was noteworthy in the comments below!

#Discussion questions

• The commentary at the start of these chapters discusses the decision to have the Númenor story as the climax of the time-travel novel. What do you think of this decision? Was there any alternative?
• Who won the moral debate Elendil and Herendil were having regarding whether Men should attempt to oppose death? Were both sides compelling?
• Is Herendil convinced in the end by his father’s arguments or simply by his love for his father?
• Are you a fan of some of the extra details regarding Númenor’s story we get from this perspective? If so, which ones?