Wikipedia: Elros

Elros
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Elros, Tar-Minyatur, was one of the Half-elven of Middle-earth, who chose to become human and was later the first High King of Númenor.

He was born on year 525 of the First Age to Eärendil and Elwing. His brother Elrond later a ruler of Elves of Eriador. After the fall of Gil-galad, there was no new High King of the Noldor elected, and through their ancestry Elros and Elrond and their heirs now could claim the title, although they never did.

Elrond, Elros and the other Half-Elven were appointed a choice whether to be of Elven descent or of Man-kind. Elrond chose to be with his Elven brethren and have the grace and benefits of the Valar, whilst his brother Elros chose to be with Man-kind and remain with the Edain. Elros and heirs were granted a higher life-span by the Valar in return. As a reward for the sufferings of the Edain against the dark forces of Morgoth, the Guardians of the World—the Valar—raised an island for them to dwell in, removed from the dangers of Middle-earth. Elros and the surviving Edain set sail over Sea, and guided by the Star of Eärendil came to the great Isle of Elenna, westernmost of all Mortal lands. There they founded the realm of Númenor, or Westernesse.

There was a tall mountain in the midst of Elenna, the Meneltarma or Pillar of Heaven, and from its summit the farsighted could descry the white tower of the Haven of the Eldar in Eressëa. Thence the Eldar came to the Edain and enriched them with knowledge and many gifts; but one command had been laid upon the Númenoreans, the Ban of the Valar: they were forbidden to sail west out of sight of their own shores or to attempt to set foot on the Undying Lands. For though a long span of life had been granted to them, in the beginning thrice that of lesser Men, they had to remain mortal, since the Valar were not permitted to take from them the Gift of Men (or the Doom of Men, as it was afterwards called.)

On year 32 of the Second Age, Elros became the first King of Numenor, under the Quenya name of Tar-Minyatur ("First King"). He ruled until the year 442 of the Second Age when he died after 500 years of life and 410 years of reign.

Elros had four children:

Vardamir Nólimon, his elder son who succeeded him for a day but then resigned in favor of his own son.
Tindomiel, a daughter.
Manwendill, a son.
Atanalcar, uncertain sex. (The name suggests a son.)

Through them Elros was the ancestor of all succeeding King and Queens of Númenor and other members of Númenúrian nobility. His descendants were long-lived but mortal. Later when they became powerful, they begrudged the choice of their forefather, desiring the immortality within the life of the world that was the fate of the Eldar, and murmuring against the Ban. In this way began their rebellion which, under the evil teaching of Sauron, brought about the Downfall of Númenor and the ruin of the ancient world, as is told in the Akallabêth.

Preceded by:
No-one Rulers of Númenor Succeeded by:
Vardamir Nólimon

	Wikipedia: Elros