The Prancing Pony Podcast

Episode 392 – Help!

Release Date: December 7, 2025
Hosts: Alan Sisto (A), Sara Brown (B)
Special Guest: Don Marshall (C)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Prancing Pony Podcast dives deep into J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, focusing on the somber tale of "Aldarion and Erendis" from Unfinished Tales. Special guest Don Marshall joins to discuss his new book, J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Fantasy. The hosts balance detailed lore analysis with poignant reflections on character, choice, legacy, and Tolkien's ability to portray complex, deeply human dilemmas. A substantial chunk of the episode is also devoted to reading and analyzing Gil-galad’s famous letter and the resulting inner struggle of Tar-Meneldur, Numenor’s king.

1. Don Marshall: From TikTok to Tolkien Biography

[07:16-21:45]

Background and Authorship Journey

• Don Marshall ("obscure Lord of the Rings facts guy" on TikTok) shares the story behind his new book, J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Fantasy
• He describes being approached by Adams Media to write a biography aimed at younger or new Tolkien readers:

  "I'm always writing for 14-year-old me. That's just my target audience." [09:35]

• The book consists of 100 short essays covering lesser-known and known episodes from Tolkien’s life, designed for accessibility and engagement.

Writing Process: What Made the Cut

• Don highlights balancing light and somber topics, especially WWII:

  "I very much wanted to spend more time on [WWI], but there was something about the tone of the book that I couldn't include too much...the further I got into it, the sadder, the more depressing it gets." [13:13]

• Notable obscure fact: Tolkien was briefly kidnapped as a baby in South Africa, but was safely returned ("Spoiler alert, Tolkien was fine..."). [11:03-12:03]

Tolkien’s Legacy: Beyond Fantasy

• Discusses Tolkien’s massive impact not just on fantasy, but music, adaptation strategies, and the struggle to adapt his work pre-Peter Jackson:

  "If the John Boorman script had ever been made...it's awful." [17:01-17:04]

• Alan, Sara, and Don reflect on the demanding Tolkien fandom and the challenges of future adaptations:

  "If they decide they were going to do [a Lord of the Rings TV show], then the Tolkien fandom...oh boy, are they going to be judgmental..." [19:20]

• Don shares an interest in making more of Tolkien’s work (like the Silmarillion) approachable for new readers in future books.

2. Diving Back Into “Aldarion and Erendis”

[22:10 - 54:31]

Summary of Narrative Developments

• Aldarion leaves his wife Erendis’ house coldly, not telling his daughter goodbye, and rides to visit his cousin Hallatan’s estate, only to find a joyous homecoming party for his sailor Ulbar.
• Aldarion’s mood sours upon realizing the contrast to his own cold reception at home; he impulsively gifts a prized Elvish ring (likely intended for Erendis) to Ulbar’s wife as thanks for her patience through her husband’s absence:

  "This is a kingly gift, a very kingly gift...I think that was meant originally for Erendis." [30:10]

• Aldarion’s interactions are marked by bitterness and petulance—he’s unable to recognize his own failings and projects blame:

  "He is a child here for sure...once he’s seen and called out, his mood shifts." [32:26]

• He leaves Hallatan’s house without resting, further highlighting the growing estrangement from his family and responsibilities:

  "To never go back to where your daughter is...that’s an insult to the people you are supposed to lead." [53:55]

Discussion Points

• The episode features detailed Quenya/Sindarin word analysis (e.g., Hierostorni = “South Fastness”).
• Contrasts are drawn between Aldarion’s motivations versus those of Ulbar—the latter is simply earning a living, while Aldarion’s call to the sea is obsessive.
• Ulbar’s wife is nameless in the text, further drive home her role as a mere symbol rather than an individual.

3. Gil-galad’s Letter & State of Middle-earth

[58:05-93:43]

Reading & Analysis of Gil-galad's Letter

• Gil-galad writes to King Tar-Meneldur, asking for Numenor’s help as “a new shadow arises in the east”—not just evil men, but a servant of Morgoth:

  "A servant of Morgoth is stirring, and evil things wake again...not far off is the day, I judge, when it will become too great for the Eldar unaided to withstand." [61:31]

• The letter explicitly warns that Numenor’s isolation won’t guarantee its safety:

  "The great sea will not be too wide for its wings if it is suffered to come to full growth." [62:58]

• Gil-galad praises Aldarion’s efforts in Middle-earth (“the greatest Elf-friend that now is among men”) and his visionary attempt to secure a harbor at Vinyalondë.

Critical Themes

• The growing existential threat of Sauron is foreshadowed—the threat that will eventually doom Numenor itself.
• Discussion of the practical, moral, and political difficulties of Numenorean intervention:

  "Would the placement of military forces at strategic points...but without imperial expansion, would that have been enough?" [83:55]

• Alan and Sara highlight the tragic irony that efforts meant for defense may ultimately be the seeds of colonial overreach that destroy Numenor’s soul.

Notable Quotes

• "Flattery will get you everything." – On Gil-galad’s diplomatic tone [80:48]
• "Gil-galad was an Elven king, of him the harpers sadly sing..." [82:08] — Sara, quoting Tolkien’s elegy

4. Tar-Meneldur's Inner Turmoil: The Weight of Choice

[97:25-133:41]

Meneldur’s Reaction

• The reading shifts to Tar-Meneldur’s internal deliberations upon reading the letter:

  "May Eru call me before such a time comes, he cried aloud...I am in too great doubt to rule, to prepare or to let be, to prepare for war which is yet only guessed..." [97:25-98:30]

• Meneldur is paralyzed by the dilemma: prepare for war and risk turning Numenor militaristic, or risk being unprepared if evil comes.
• He wonders if the Valar will send a sign, and whether Gil-galad’s letter is that sign.

Parallels and Reflections

• Strong connections drawn to Lord of the Rings moments: Frodo’s “I wish it need not have happened in my time” and Faramir’s values of only loving “that which they defend.”
• Host discussion reflects on Tolkien’s own experience with war, pacifism, and the nuanced tragedy of leadership:

  "You can’t always stay in that mode of peace...especially when you’re not having it in your time..." [86:49]

• Meneldur’s ultimate decision is to abdicate in favor of Aldarion ["Yet that also is a choice. For I know well which road he will take." [99:39]], seeing himself as inadequate to guide Numenor through such momentous danger.

5. The Erasure of Past: Aldarion's Symbolic Actions

[133:46–144:48]

• Aldarion, bitter and withdrawn, returns to Rómenna, orders his house razed and all its trees felled for ship timber—except the living, beautiful Elven tree given at his wedding (“uncalime”), which reminds him of his daughter.

  "He finally sees its beauty...if only he had done something similar when he went home..." [137:45]

• He names the tree “Ancalime,” wishing that like the tree, his daughter "stand so in long life, unbent by wind or will, and unclipped."
• The hosts sharply critique this as selfish wishful parenting, reflecting his own obstinacy:

  "He’s hoping his daughter will be all the worst parts of both him and Erendis..." [141:00]

6. Broader Reflections and Listener Question

[145:16-148:07]

• Listener question asks: "Isn't the tale of Aldarion and Erendis just a domestic tragedy?"

  Alan and Sara argue that it is—while also shaping the destiny of Numenor and Middle-earth due to its larger geo-political impact.

• Sara compares other Tolkien “domestic tragedies,” like the fates of Turin and Aredhel, noting their reverberating consequences.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote / Moment | |---------------|--------------------| | 09:35 | "I'm always writing for 14 year old me. That's just my target audience." – Don | | 11:03 | "I think it was that he was kidnapped as a small baby." – Don on obscure Tolkien facts | | 30:10 | "This is a kingly gift, a very kingly gift...I think that was meant originally for Erendis." – Alan | | 53:55 | "To never go back to where your daughter is...that's an insult to the people you are supposed to lead." – Alan | | 61:31 | "A servant of Morgoth is stirring, and evil things wake again..." – Gil-galad’s letter | | 62:58 | "The great sea will not be too wide for its wings if it is suffered to come to full growth." – Gil-galad’s letter | | 80:48 | "Flattery will get you everything." – Sara | | 82:08 | Sara sings Gil-galad's elegy | | 97:25 | “May ERU call me before such a time comes, he cried aloud…” – Tar-Meneldur’s crisis | | 116:03 | “I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness…” – referencing Faramir via Alan | | 141:00 | “This is...all the worst parts of Eldarion with all the worst parts of Erendis.” – Sara |

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [07:16-21:45]: Don Marshall’s interview, new Tolkien biography
• [22:10-54:31]: Reading and discussion: Aldarion’s estrangement and Ulbar’s party
• [58:05-93:43]: Gil-galad’s letter and implications for Numenor, Sauron’s rise
• [97:25-133:41]: Tar-Meneldur’s internal debate
• [133:46-144:48]: Destruction of Aldarion’s house and symbolism of the tree
• [145:16-148:07]: Listener mail, domestic tragedy theme

Episode Tone and Style

• Language: Familiar, enthusiastic, humorous despite heavy subject matter (“junior high dance,” “word nerdery,” “metaphor alert”).
• Approach: Deep analysis, emotional resonance, and contextualization of Tolkien’s themes—blending textual close reading with historical and real-world analogies (e.g., WWII, pacifism).

Conclusion

This episode is a showcase of Prancing Pony Podcast’s signature mix of Tolkien scholarship, fan-friendly discussion, and humor. With contributions from Don Marshall, deep readings of “Aldarion and Erendis,” and a thorough, moving unpacking of Gil-galad’s warning and Tar-Meneldur’s crisis, the episode underscores the profound moral complexity at the heart of Tolkien’s secondary world—and the lasting, deeply personal impact of flawed choices.