Silmarillion 2026 » Episode 3 » Valaquenta (EP274 REVISITED)

This chapter continues the story of Aldarion, destined to be Númenor’s 6th King. While it begins with the wedding, long-expected, of Aldarion and Erendis, it concludes with many events unexpected, including word from Gil-galad to the King of Númenor regarding “ a new shadow arising in the East”.This is a long chapter dense with nuance and character development, perhaps the richest glimpse we get into the various psyches of Númenoreans as individuals, and while I’d love to give it a much more in depth reading, I’m only going to hit the high points as regards this history of Númenor.However, if you’d like a more in-depth discussion of this story between me and Greta, please check out the notes, or just go back and find episodes 183, 185, 186, and 187.WATCH ON YOUTUBE » https://youtu.be/Ega_4eoLio4DISCUSSION EPISODES ON THE MARINER'S WIFE / ALDARION & ERENDIS:EP183: https://youtu.be/Ey76ckHwROEEP185: https://youtu.be/l83a6Idacg4EP186: https://youtu.be/NgcX2-QOmSIEP187: https://youtu.be/8HzR-raLIjc HELPFUL LINKSEpisode Webpage: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0341take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkout)listen to TOLKIEN’S WORKS for FREE » https://www.audibletrial.com/everonbuy Tolkien’s Requiem » https://tolkiensrequiem.com/buy Tolkien’s Overture » https://tolkiensoverture.com/read Tolkien's Tragedy » https://tolkienroad.substack.com/Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/86146331Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/146599956Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

12 Tammi 29min

Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, so given we are in his birth month, we’ll be revisiting our four-part series on his life story over the next few Fridays.In this episode, we’ll revisit part two, as we examine Tolkien's adult life immediately following World War I, from 1917 to 1936, leading up to the publication of The Hobbit… LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0220Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/6z71Peu0vr4Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/44712428Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

9 Tammi 54min

In episode 2 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore the creation story of Middle-earth, Ainulindalë, aka The Music of the Ainur. In this chapter, we’ll meet the powers behind the great events of Middle-earth’s history, including Ilúvatar, Manwë, and the ultimate villain, Melkor.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0273SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg02/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/K6k3fwOdGdkWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123937086Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60901808Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

7 Tammi 1h 6min

Over the next 3 episodes in our Fall of Númenor series, we’ll return to the story of Aldarion, whom we met 2 episodes ago.   Aldarion is the son of Tar-Meneldur and the expectant heir to Númenor’s throne. But as we will learn, he is a man torn between a deep longing for the sea and his destiny as Númenor’s king.   We have in fact covered this story before, in great detail, in episodes 183, 185, 186, and 187. For a more detailed discussion of the story itself, I’ll refer you to to those episodes. Check the show notes for more info.  However, in this episode, I’d like to touch on some of the prevailing themes in this story that relate to the larger story of Númenor, and unpack some key passages from this chapter.WATCH ON YOUTUBE » https://youtu.be/9Fy-Wav5G08DISCUSSION EPISODES ON THE MARINER'S WIFE / ALDARION & ERENDIS:EP183: https://youtu.be/Ey76ckHwROEEP185: https://youtu.be/l83a6Idacg4EP186: https://youtu.be/NgcX2-QOmSIEP187: https://youtu.be/8HzR-raLIjc HELPFUL LINKSEpisode Webpage: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0340take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkout)listen to TOLKIEN’S WORKS for FREE » https://www.audibletrial.com/everonbuy Tolkien’s Requiem » https://tolkiensrequiem.com/buy Tolkien’s Overture » https://tolkiensoverture.com/read Tolkien's Tragedy » https://tolkienroad.substack.com/Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/85784138Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/146598783Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

5 Tammi 21min

Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, so given we are in his birth month, we’ll be revisiting our four-part series on his life story over the next few Fridays.In this episode, we’ll revisit part one, as we explore his early life, from his birth in South Africa to his World War I experience… LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0219Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/b8CZyJc0XQgListen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146546266Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

2 Tammi 39min

Hey there, Fellowship! Welcome to The Tolkien Road.Every new year brings new resolutions—and for many Tolkien readers, one challenge stands above the rest: The Silmarillion. It’s a book admired, feared, and often postponed. But here at The Tolkien Road, we believe it’s the very heart of Tolkien’s legendarium—and the key to truly understanding Middle-earth.Starting today, and continuing every Wednesday for the next year, we’ll be walking through The Silmarillion one chapter at a time. Join us on this epic journey, and together we’ll earn our Silmarillion badges—one chapter, one story, one adventure at a time!In this episode, we’ll start with Tolkien’s introduction to the First Age of Middle-earth, The Waldman Letter.Alright, let’s dive in!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0272SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg01/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/qTX9Y-FX5zkWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123936576Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60605852Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

31 Joulu 20251h 7min

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor by exploring the founding of Eregion, the Elvish city that eventually gives birth to the Rings of Power!750 years into the Second Age, things are relatively peaceful. Númenor’s benevolent influence is extending into the lands once ruled by Morgoth’s minions, and there is little news of war or misery. However, with the shadow of Morgoth now a fading memory, a new power begins to stir, and Elvish craftsmen dream anew of beauty that will influence the fate of Middle-earth.And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0339To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/eUbGHjoOeEYWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146321693Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/84730458Buy Tolkien Road merch @ True Myths PressBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

29 Joulu 202518min