The Prancing Pony Podcast – Episode 393: “From Me to You (the Sceptre)”

Date: December 14, 2025
Hosts: Alan Sisto, Sara Brown

Episode Overview

This episode of The Prancing Pony Podcast continues the in-depth exploration of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales, specifically focusing on the latter segment of "Aldarion and Erendis." Alan and Sara delve into the climactic turning point where Tar-Meneldur, the King of Númenor, makes a momentous decision in the face of family and political turmoil: he resigns the Sceptre to his estranged son Aldarion, setting into motion events with profound influence on Númenor’s fate. The hosts dissect the fraught emotional dynamics between father and son, examine the fallout for Erendis and Ancalimë, and reflect on pride, accountability, and communication—or the lack thereof—in Tolkien’s legendarium, all with their trademark warmth and sharp wit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Opening and Podcast Ethos

(Starts at 03:57)

• Alan and Sara reaffirm the welcoming, digressive, and convivial tone of the podcast, emphasizing their intent to combine serious Tolkien scholarship with pub-style banter.
• Running joke: “Can you really have too much Alan and Sara?” Sara: “You might have too much Aldarion and Erendis.”

2. Philology Fair – Númenorean Ship and Flower Names

(05:45–13:54)

• Ship Names & Etymology:

  • Númenor / Númenórë: “West-land”; “Númen” (West) + “nórë” (land).
  • Númenarma: “West Wings”; “ramar” = wings (cf. Galadriel's Lament).
  • Ambarm: “Sea Dwelling”; “ar” = sea.
  • Palaran: “Far Wanderer”; “Palan” = far (cf. Palantír), “-ran” = wander (cf. Mithrandir).
  • Hirilondë: “Haven Finder”; “hir” = find (cf. Galadriel's Lament), “londë” = haven (cf. Alqualondë).

• Flowers at the Wedding:

  • Lisúine: Possibly a sweet-scented herb with white flowers; etymology from Quenya “lys” (sweet).
  • Elenor: “Sun-star”; “el” (star), “anor” (sun). Noted as the flower Sam names his daughter after, blending hobbit and elvish tradition.

Highlights:

“I don't know what trees she knows of that have wings, though.” — Alan, (06:53)

Memorable exchange

Sara: “Present company, I almost forgot.”
Alan: “I'm here to remind you.” (12:00)

3. Aldarion’s Final Confrontation with His Father

(14:01–54:32; discussion transitions at 61:35 with next reading)

Reading – Aldarion Confronts Tar-Meneldur (14:01–16:46)

• Aldarion returns from sea, hardened and bitter, and accuses his father of chaining him to Númenor and blames him (and Arendis) for his failed marriage.
• Declares he will leave Númenor, renouncing his role as heir and demanding only a ship and men to depart; asks that his daughter Ancalimë be placed with his mother, not left with Arendis.

Analysis:

• Alan and Sara lambaste Aldarion’s evasive blame-shifting, calling out his “toddler tantrum” and his “high-value male” self-pity (23:37). Sara: "You don't want to get bashed? Don't behave like an eejit." (17:23)
• Both hosts reflect on Arendis’ parallel failings—her emotionally damaging parenting of Ancalimë—and the damage wrought by both parents’ mutual bitterness.

“In some ways, as much as we bash Aldarion, most of his damage…is short-term damage. Most of what Arendis does is long-term.” — Alan, (22:58)

• The discussion turns to Aldarion’s contempt for courtly traditions and his stated lack of love for Númenor:
  • Alan: “How in the world do you go from ‘I’ve been rejected by my wife’ ... to ‘I no longer care about the island where I'm supposed to be the king’?” (26:31)
• The hosts note Meneldur’s measured, humble response, who tries to set aside his own hurt and not lash out:

“It’s the iron fist in the velvet glove.” — Sara, (44:30)
"I've already written it down... Is he going to inherit the throne because he kills me first? You know, this is a bad situation." — Alan, (19:10)

Notable Quote:

“But your father, who loves you and grieves for you, will remit that the fault is not mine. Only that I have not ere now understood your purposes.” — Tar-Meneldur, (15:42)

4. Toxic Masculinity, Blame, and Communication Failure

(28:00–54:32)

• The hosts excoriate Aldarion’s misogynistic snipes ("women in their insolence would have men cringe"), linking them to modern “toxic masculinity.”
  • Sara: “This is classic, both abusive and narcissistic behavior… I'm the good guy here; everybody else is doing things that are wrong.” (30:32)
  • Alan: “He’s not just saying, ‘I am above her,’...All women do to all men. This is the misogyny that we've talked about.” (32:01)
• Both hosts stress repeated failures of communication ("What we have here is failure to communicate," Alan, 54:28)—the underlying tragedy afflicting both the family and Númenor as a whole.

5. Tar-Meneldur’s Abdication: Sceptre Drop

(57:47–83:15)

Reading – Meneldur Resigns the Sceptre (57:47–61:35)

• Meneldur, after considering Gil-Galad’s letter about Middle-earth’s rising threat, formally announces (via a written proclamation) his abdication and passes the Sceptre to Aldarion, acknowledging that his son is better equipped for “courses which his son more clearly understands.”
• “Mic drop—sceptre drop,” as Alan puts it (61:35).

Analysis:

• The hosts scrutinize this as both noble humility (“his humility sets him far above my pride” — Aldarion at 91:58) and a sign of the king’s despair at his own failings to reconcile Aldarion’s conflicting duties.

• Aldarion’s stunned, genuinely humbled response is highlighted as rare self-awareness:

  “Father, he said, ask the king to forget my insolence to him. For he is a great king, and his humility sets him far above my pride. I am conquered. I submit myself wholly…” — (81:22–92:00)

• The council’s reaction is discussed: only Halatan supports the decision outright; others are shocked and beg delay, underscoring the moment’s gravity and Meneldur’s thoughtful deliberation.

6. Erendis’ Reaction and Final Rupture

(100:49–127:38)

Reading – Erendis’ Reply (100:49–103:33)

• Hearing news of the upcoming change, Erendis writes back: she will send Ancalimë if commanded, but she herself will not return to Armenelos. She asks only for peace and laments the ruined house her estranged husband destroyed.
• Aldarion’s reaction is bitter; he accuses Erendis of “dwindling” instead of meeting adversity with pride, and finally confronts some guilt: “If I have wrought this, then black is my blame.”

Analysis:

• The hosts dissect Erendis’ genuine (but misguided) perception of the king’s actions as a rebuke, and offer understanding for her wish to stay in her own domain.
• Alan: "All I can think of is this like that little gif of the stick figure man looking up at the word, the point, as it goes right over his head." (118:10)
• Sara: "You know, we have been begging these people to communicate... they're now communicating, but they're doing it so badly." (117:04)

7. Themes: Agency, Consequence, and Generational Damage

• Agency: Alan and Sara praise Aldarion’s last act of insisting Ancalimë be allowed to “choose by knowledge” rather than remaining a “pipe in a cage.”

  “Agency is very important to Aldarion...She’s going to get to choose, but she’s going to get to choose by knowledge.” — Alan, (125:21)

• Consequence: Both hosts agree that the failures in communication and the mutual cruelty have generational damage, with Ancalimë as principal victim.

  “Tragically, Arrendis’s end…” — Sara, (127:38)

• Pride as Virtue and Flaw: [Mailbag Question at 128:33] Sara offers a key distinction: being proud (external, justifiable) vs. being prideful (internal, arrogance), drawing from Tolkien's many character arcs.

Notable Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Aldarion’s Toxic Attitude:
  Sara: "You don't pass that damage down to your kids, because the actions...are his actions as her husband." (21:39)
• On Communication Failure:
  Alan: "Once again, what we have here is failure to communicate." (54:28)
• On Meneldur’s Humility:
  Aldarion (quoted): “For he is a great king, and his humility sets him far above my pride." (91:58)
• On Double Standards:
  Sara: "Was it not Aldarion just a moment ago who was talking about these women? … She could never do anything to please him." (122:25)
• On Generational Trauma:
  Alan: "We're going to see that generational trauma come home to roost...when we talk about Ancalimë’s time as Queen." (72:09)
• On Pride:
  Sara: "There's a difference between being proud and being prideful." (130:51)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Philology Fair (Quenya Names): 05:58–13:54
• Aldarion’s Confrontation w/ Father: 14:01–54:32
• Meneldur’s Abdication: 57:47–83:15
• Council’s Reaction: 93:08–98:03
• Erendis’ Reply & Aftermath: 100:49–127:38
• Mailbag (Pride Discussion): 128:07–133:44

Tone, Style, and Closing

Alan and Sara manage to combine scholarly rigor with an infectious, self-effacing camaraderie, referencing pop culture (“he just would be a bro, don’t you think?” Sara at 24:17), and making even the darkest elements of Númenor’s tragedy relatable and vivid for listeners. Their playful ribbing is balanced by genuine empathy for Tolkien’s characters and a clear affection for his nuanced storytelling.

Summary Takeaway

This episode presents a stunning literary dissection of pride, legacy, and the cost of broken relationships in Tolkien’s legendarium. Through robust textual analysis, etymology, and psychological insight—and a healthy dose of humor—Alan and Sara show how Meneldur’s reluctant abdication and Aldarion and Erendis’s mutual breakdown carry both personal and national consequences, setting the stage for Númenor’s future. Even in unfinished tales, Tolkien’s depth of characterisation and thematic complexity offer timeless lessons in communication and responsibility—ones the hosts never tire of unpacking with their lively, welcoming audience.

Next Episode Teaser: The hosts will pick up after the winter holidays with Tar-Aldarion’s reign, Ancalimë’s upbringing, and the changing laws of Númenor—promising more drama, insight, and laughter.