Middle-earth Journeys
Tolkien Studies
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June 25, TA 3019
25 June 2006 13:37:08Quote:
King Elessar finds the sapling of the White Tree
...when Iniladin acceded to the sceptre, he took again a title in the Elven-tongue as of old, calling himself Tar-Palantir, for he was far sighted both in eye and in mind, and even those that hated him feared his words as those of a true-seer. ...The White Tree he tended again with honor; and he prophesied, say that when the Tree perished, then also would the line of Kings come to an end.
"The White Tree of Gondor" by Alan Lee
Over the last few months as he goes about his duties and slips ever more deeply into the role of King Elessar, Aragorn has been looking for a sign. With each passing day he has looked at the White Tree, standing barren in the court as if he hoped for it to spring forth life, or perhaps, that a seed, lying dormant and forgotten at its roots, would sprout. The days go by and the tree does not bloom and there is no seedling to be found. Aragorn must wonder if his Kingship will last past his the end of his days, however long they may be. The prophesy above, taken from the Silmarillion, outlines why.
This is yet another way that Aragorn's fate is tied to Isildur for it was Isildur who kept a seedling of Nimloth alive when that great Tree was cut down at Sauron's bidding, long ago, before the Fall of Numenor. The first White Tree brought to Middle Earth after the destruction of Numenor was planted in Minas Ithil by Isildur and then when Sauron destroyed that one, Isildur planted another in the court yard of Minas Tirith. The Tree bore fruit very rarely and when it did the seedling was carefully reared to be planted in the event the parent tree died.
It seems to me that Isildur represents the birth of Gondor in the beginning of the second age, an age of Men and Elves, while Aragorn represents the rebirth of Gondor in the fourth age. The age of Men. This new Age, with its roots sunk deeply into the dawn of time, looks for hope that it will be a fruitful one because the White Tree, the first of which was a gift from Yavanna, is a symbol of the continuity of Gondor, and its ties to Numenor and the Valar. The tree in the courtyard is the only 5th descendant of Nimroth's seed that Isildur stole during the reign of Ar-Pharazon.
The White Tree and its descendants thrived or struggled, its fruitfulness tied with the fortunes of the Kings throughout the history of Middle Earth. The tree in the courtyard flourished until King Eanur died without issue. At his death there had been no known seeds or seedlings to plant and so, when the Tree itself died with the passing of the Steward Belecthor II, it was left in its place in the courtyard to honor the Kings and their seeming end.
There is no doubt that Aragorn knew this history and the prophecy of Tar Palantir. And the question of whether his Kingship would be a barren or fruitful one troubled his heart. When Gandalf leads Aragorn out of the city to survey all of Gondor with their farseeing vision he confides these fears to this advisor and friend with whom he is loth to part. Gandalf tells Aragorn that all of this and more will be his realm and that it is Aragorn's job to rebuild them and to preserve that of the past that can be preserved, though much of the past is gone already or will fade with time, even as Gandalf's own time is ending. And, in answer to the fears Aragorn has about the bleak empty future of his line and his kingdom, Gandalf has him "turn his face from the green world, and look where all seems barren and cold."
This is yet another way that Aragorn's fate is tied to Isildur for it was Isildur who kept a seedling of Nimloth alive when that great Tree was cut down at Sauron's bidding, long ago, before the Fall of Numenor. The first White Tree brought to Middle Earth after the destruction of Numenor was planted in Minas Ithil by Isildur and then when Sauron destroyed that one, Isildur planted another in the court yard of Minas Tirith. The Tree bore fruit very rarely and when it did the seedling was carefully reared to be planted in the event the parent tree died.
It seems to me that Isildur represents the birth of Gondor in the beginning of the second age, an age of Men and Elves, while Aragorn represents the rebirth of Gondor in the fourth age. The age of Men. This new Age, with its roots sunk deeply into the dawn of time, looks for hope that it will be a fruitful one because the White Tree, the first of which was a gift from Yavanna, is a symbol of the continuity of Gondor, and its ties to Numenor and the Valar. The tree in the courtyard is the only 5th descendant of Nimroth's seed that Isildur stole during the reign of Ar-Pharazon.
The White Tree and its descendants thrived or struggled, its fruitfulness tied with the fortunes of the Kings throughout the history of Middle Earth. The tree in the courtyard flourished until King Eanur died without issue. At his death there had been no known seeds or seedlings to plant and so, when the Tree itself died with the passing of the Steward Belecthor II, it was left in its place in the courtyard to honor the Kings and their seeming end.
There is no doubt that Aragorn knew this history and the prophecy of Tar Palantir. And the question of whether his Kingship would be a barren or fruitful one troubled his heart. When Gandalf leads Aragorn out of the city to survey all of Gondor with their farseeing vision he confides these fears to this advisor and friend with whom he is loth to part. Gandalf tells Aragorn that all of this and more will be his realm and that it is Aragorn's job to rebuild them and to preserve that of the past that can be preserved, though much of the past is gone already or will fade with time, even as Gandalf's own time is ending. And, in answer to the fears Aragorn has about the bleak empty future of his line and his kingdom, Gandalf has him "turn his face from the green world, and look where all seems barren and cold."
Quote:
...Then Aragorn cried: 'Ye'! utuvienyes! I have found it! Lo! Here is scion of the Eldest of Trees! But how comes it here? For it is not itself yet seven years old.'
And Gandalf said: 'Verily this is a sapling of the line of Nimloth the fair; and that was a seedling of Galathilion, and that a fruit of Telperion of many names, Eldest of Trees. Who shall say how it comes here in the appointed hour?' But this is an ancient hallow and ere the kings failed or the Tree withered in the court, a fruit must have been set here... here it has lain hidden on the mountain, even as the race of Elendil lay hidden in the wastes of the North. Yet the line of Nimloth is far older than your line, King Elessar.'
Gandalf reminds Aragorn that if ever the Tree should make a seed, he too must take it and plant it so that the line of the Trees can be preserved.
And Aragorn planted the new tree by the fountain and swiftly and gladly it began to grow; and when the month of July entered in it was laden with blossom.
'The sign has been given,' said Aragorn, and the day is not far off.' And he set watchmen upon the wall.
And Gandalf said: 'Verily this is a sapling of the line of Nimloth the fair; and that was a seedling of Galathilion, and that a fruit of Telperion of many names, Eldest of Trees. Who shall say how it comes here in the appointed hour?' But this is an ancient hallow and ere the kings failed or the Tree withered in the court, a fruit must have been set here... here it has lain hidden on the mountain, even as the race of Elendil lay hidden in the wastes of the North. Yet the line of Nimloth is far older than your line, King Elessar.'
Gandalf reminds Aragorn that if ever the Tree should make a seed, he too must take it and plant it so that the line of the Trees can be preserved.
And Aragorn planted the new tree by the fountain and swiftly and gladly it began to grow; and when the month of July entered in it was laden with blossom.
'The sign has been given,' said Aragorn, and the day is not far off.' And he set watchmen upon the wall.
© J.R.R. Tolkien: The Silmarillion and from The Return of the King. Images © "The White Tree of Gondor" by Alan Lee.