An introduction to the life and lies of Tararanhir, King of the Elves. A story retrieved by me, Sir Gilion, Scholar of Gondor. To outline the story of this elf, it is important that I preface my story with his origins. I met him by chance by Edhellond, and was fascinated by him, and asked him for an interview. He declined (as is the wont of mighty elf kings), but eventually over a decade I convinced him to tell me his story. He asked me if I was familiar with the Elvish languages and I, of course, was not (although I am learning!). He was happy with this (perhaps he wished to teach me), but alas he was departing Edhellond and offered me this single chance to record this tale I long wanted. He began with his very origins, all the way to the very day I began writing his tale. I note now that the purpose of this tale’s production is a publication for the acceptance into the society of Gondorian scholars and masters of lore. With hopes of success, this tale shall show my determination and commitment to scholarly pursuits. The tale of Tararanhir as told to me, begins here:
With a gasp! I awoke in a land unknown to me with naught around me but stars, trees and a great lake. I knew not my name, but knew only that I was alone. I knew my purpose, but knew not how to speak, or yet who I was.
I was a creation of the One, the almighty Eru Iluvatar. And I was first among the Elves to awake. I was chosen for this great purpose to be king of all Elvendom, to inspire and lead my people. And thus I took the name, Tararanhir which means Lord King of Kings. I looked to the sky and felt the eye of my creator, and so I walked, nay I strode across the land, feeling and touching all that came across me. I heard a great booming voice call to me. It was my creator.
“Hello,” He said with a tone of sweetened honey. Though of course language had not been invented yet, so I instead simply understood it somehow.
“What is this place?” I asked, and suddenly realized that from my mouth was an utterance of words. Speech that had been granted to me by the creator, and I would tinker with it greatly. This speech I called Tarpahta, which means king-speech in Sindarin.
“Your Kingdom, King of all Elves,” returned the voice, and so it was laid before me great foresight of what would come, kingdoms to rise and fall, and I would be eldest and King!
“Ok, then,” I said, coolly with great confidence. And then I was king.
I was awoken for this purpose, and I would now prepare. I would become master of land, of spoken word, of weapon, of all that fell beneath my kingdom. I returned to the land I named Cuivenien, where my brothers and sisters would in a short time awake. Its meaning was derived from Tarpahta, meaning Waters of The World That Are Blessed. I wrote words for everything, I prepared speech, for their arrival. I prepared to teach and to learn too, for who knew what would occur after the Years of The Lord.
Yes, indeed, these times were so called the Years of The Lord, for I alone, lord, awoke to prepare the world for the coming of my people and walked lonely paths alone. And upon these lonely paths did I walk until I wandered into far mountain reaches. And there with my superior sight did I spy the One, the creator, speaking to my comrade, Aule. As Lord Iluvatar departed, I entered into the land the dwarves later call Gundabad, but I named it Foramon, which means Northern Jewel of The Grey Hills. I crept through cavernous walls and so I saw Aule turn creatures to stone! They were of an ugly sort, I thought.
And so I came upon these great stone statues that seemed to have the flame of life within them. They were beardless, and I thought that they were rather bland. Beardless and short. And I could not believe they were beardless. I disliked this and so I called to Aule, “Why are they without beard my lord!? Do you wish them to be mistaken for Elfish young?!” I chided him much in this way. He looked confused, for he had not considered adding beards. And so he fashioned beards onto them.
I was not impressed, for they were far too short, clinging to their faces like small rodents! I tapped my foot and said, “This will not do!” And so he lengthened them until I was contented. And I clapped for joy, and pointed to the tallest and lordliest of the bunch, who had, of course, the longest of the dwarves’’ beards. “His clan you shall name, ‘Longbeards’,for he should be king of all of these folk,” I said pointedly to Aule.
Aule nodded deep in thought, his hand scratching his chin, “Indeed. It will be done.” He looked to me and I asked him, “What shall you call these folk?” Aule remained silent, for he was dumb and did not know. And I looked to their lesser stature and I nodded. “This shall be a Dwarf!” I advised. Aule returned with a quizzical look, “Dwarfs?” And I grew irate, for my skill with languages was called to insult by the lesser Vala! “Nay, good sir! Dwarves.” And Aule so beloved the name that he gave me his eternal thanks in the form of a well furnished blade, which I wielded for eternity and forever. It was named Narsil, and it was beautiful.
And thus I continued on, skipping and frolicking through unladen fields. And I came across a great host of Valar and Maiar. The great lords of the world, my comrades! They were shaping and changing the world. It was quite jarring to see! And so I (Tararanhir) came to them and I called, “O great mae govannen (which means lords of the west)! What duty do you now do? What can I now aid with?” My request was answered with murmurs and conflict. And I stood upon a tall hill and looked about the land. Much too rocky for my liking, and there was this Melkor fellow, who had made a habit of undoing what my allies had done.
I returned to the Valar and I said unto them, “Flatten this land, and let water flow! For we should give more to our great friend Ulmo, who should seek to rule these rivers we shall make!” And they heeded my counsel, as Melkor jealously hid. I saw him, though. “Say Melkor! Why do you harass us in our good deeds? I sayeth begone with thee and run to thine hills!” And so he ran.
The world was greatly shaped and again I received thanks and praise, and with my aid, two great lamps were raised to light the world anew and named they were for me: Suilad (meaning Silver Crown) and Mellon (meaning Gold Sceptre) began the years of the lamps. And now I turned back, past my home in Cuivenen, and came to a place I called Hildorien. This place was a curious place, and as light reached its banks, a race of hardy folk awoke! And they were dismayed, for they knew not who I was and they struck at me with clubs and rocks and spears and other crude implements besides! They embarked on a fool’s errand, one likely incited by evil Melkor. They sought to kill me, yet they knew not of my immortality, the lesser fools! And so I sang them to sleep amid their tossing of spears, so that they shall not harm another until they awake from my great lullaby. I was greatly angered by Melkor’s awakening of man, and so I went to his home and knocked upon his doors. I named him Morgoth, the Black Foe, to his face, and he was ashamed and receded. I was contented enough for some time and sought to rest, and returned to my lonely kingdom, to find that it was, after all, not so lonely. The Elves awoke!
I was excited for now there were finally subjects for my kingdom, and quickly I raced back to Cuivenen, for they knew not where to go. I met each of them and taught them to speak and they looked at me in awe. They were of many clans, and very different, some of less vigor than others. They saw my lordliness and kingliness and my skill with all craft, and they bent the knee. And so they bade me to lead them and I thought that something was missing. So I wandered, and wandered until I came across the huntsman, who I had learned much from. I called to him. 'Alas, my lord Orome! My subjects, they have awoken from their long slumber. Is it now time for the grand design of The One?' I asked sternly . Orome rapped his fingers together, looking quite flustered. 'Why of course, King of the Firstborn. But I know not the way.' And so I led him to Cuivenien, having left a trail of green stones I called Beryls on my first journey to find Orome. It seems they had spilled out of my deep pockets.
Orome arrived in Cuivenen and he offered to lead my people to the blessed land. I was discontented with this, as I wanted to lead them. But I swallowed my pride and allowed cooler heads to prevail. He took three chieftains, to show them Aman, to see if it would be a suitable domain for their people. I remained behind and taught my people more of what it means to be one of the Eldar. At Orome’s return, I gathered up those of my people I liked and set off. And the others, these I called Avari, which means ugly elves, I took them not with me. They were different than I and the other great ones like me, and were unpleasant to our eyes. To them I said, “For you I will return, but there is not enough room yet on the ships!” I did not return, for I disliked them so. But indeed did our journey begin west.
