Tianwen·Magweth Pengolodh

.Pengolod noticed some depressions on the side of the mountain road facing west, and wondered what they were.Under the mountains and the city, there is a large camp.People came down the mountain from all parts of Númenor to prepare for the next morning's ascent, and nearly every peddler in Romena came to sell their wares to them.

They rode through the crowd, which was like the assortment of people in Alfwine's shop, but more mixed.There are many nobles from different regions.Some people's eyes showed discomfort and distrust, and it could be seen that they had just returned home from the army.Some people looked dazed, presumably they had lost relatives in that war.The influence of Middle-earth from the past is still visible.The men from the northern lands of Frosta were evidently descended from the fair-haired families of Hador.A man from the west of the island with deep-set eyes and black hair, obviously descended from the Beor family.Pengolod also caught a rare glimpse among the crowd of five short-built Drueden, who were still a solitary people.When Ah Tang saw them, he was stunned: "They live in the forest in the middle of Númenor, where they can't see the sea. Think about it, they never want to see the sea!"

When they arrived at the king's camp, they were sent as guests to spend the night in a nobleman's tent.Although the king was the host who entertained them, he had to stay alone that night and pray before Ruletalie.Except for the servants coming and going between the two of them that night, it was touchingly quiet.After some time they were received by those who received them, saying that it would be the king's honor that Pengolod should visit Armenelos, and that the kinsmen of the young Aerrinian, having heard of his coming, would be glad to entertain him , until Pengolod returns."I will never trouble the king," said Pengolod, but his host assured him that the king was in fact very eager to see him, to show him the wonders of Armenelos, especially the library.Pengolod managed to be both noncommittal and enthusiastic, ruminating on this second invitation until midnight.

The next morning, no one mentioned it again, but there were other things to think about, because they joined the huge procession celebrating Ruletale.

As soon as they started climbing the mountain with the thousands of people, Pengolod patted Tom on the shoulder: "What's going on with these caves we passed by?"

Ah Tang lowered his head and whispered, "It's the tomb of the kings."

Pengolod understood immediately.These tombs are located on the west side of the mountain road, facing Aman Island.The first one must be the tomb of Elros, the entrance is filled with flowers dropped by people passing by.As the road wound upward, he also saw other tombs, each with carved arches.Some are engraved with names and faces, but since each ruler has his own tomb, it is easy to link the tomb to the identity of the ruler.They walked up the path and found that the carvings in front of the mausoleum were increasing in size and ornateness.Apart from Elros, only two kings of the past have won sacrifices from their people--Tal-Telperion, who ruled before Tar-Minastir, The people of the period received fruit and flowers there; interestingly enough, another was Aldarion.The entrance to his tomb is stacked with scrolls and inscribed stones, and verdant branches of the Oullari tree.Pengolod picked up a stone with the name of a common man engraved on it.He put it down and moved on.

Thousands of climbers, all dressed in white, were silent.People pulled up their white hoods to cover their flushed faces, helping children and the elderly along the way.But at the steepest point, the climbers suddenly accelerated their speed eagerly, and the previous silence was tainted with urgent joy.Once Pengolod came to the heights where the crowds gathered, he understood why.

Once at the top of the mountain, there is a fresh, cool breeze blowing from higher up.The knee-length grass swayed, and each blade of grass quietly rose up again after footsteps passed, making everyone feel as if they were in a vibrant green ocean.Pengolod noticed some people looking up at the sky, and looked up too.High in the sky, beyond the reach of mortal eyesight, hovered three eagles.He could have sworn that, though it was still day, the blue sky above them seemed darker than at the foot of the mountains.There was an austere purity to the wind and grass, rock and sky of this clearing, and an unearthly harmony.Standing on the holy land on the top of Menirtama Mountain, every breath of breeze contains a holy breath, and the undulating grass under the feet also contains a holy atmosphere.

Pengolod was genuinely moved.Such a holy place, this kind of beautiful scenery that reflected Arda's original appearance that had never been harmed by evil, he had only experienced it once or twice in Central Continent, but they were never holy places belonging to other people.He thought: It is true that the Elves have disobeyed the Valar, and since we have never had such a sacred place, it is true that we are not otherworldly.

The silent crowd almost filled this alpine holy place.The Pengolod host led him and Tom to the western edge of the clearing.They waited there for some time, then the crowd moved silently out of the way and ushered in the king.

Once again Pengolod was struck with unexpected awe.Of all the mortals present, only Tar-Minastir came adorned when he came to the Holy Land.In one hand he held a gem-topped scepter, and at his waist he wore a sword in an ivory scabbard, and he held up a green branch with red spikes—Oyo Larry in Bloom.Minas Tier in his white robes was thinner than Cirjatan, and must have resembled the Eldar in his youth.His determined face was really clean-shaven.He's just starting to show signs of aging.His black hair, tied in a silver headband embellished with a white stone, was blown by the wind and brushed against his face, but his gray eyes kept a detached depth.His expression seemed to be anticipating this moment of communion with the Supreme with supreme solemn joy.

Wherever the king went, crowds bowed down like long grass.The king went all the way to the western edge of the plateau.Tom knelt down and remained kneeling; Pengolod felt him tug on his sleeve and realized he should do the same.When the king was in place, everyone knelt down.Then, on behalf of the crowd, the king began to speak and pray.

The king's words were very simple, and half of them were drowned in the endless wind.Tar-Minastir called Eru by many names: Iluvatar, the Supreme, the Creator, the Eternal, the Great, and the Light.He expresses his gratitude for the many gifts bestowed upon mankind by the High: life in Arda which they have been blessed with, that the world is guarded by the Valar, that the summer and the sea continue to bring bounty, the victory of that boon in the late wars.

Tar-Minastir lifted up the flowering branch, and set it down on an ordinary gray stone, one of the few great ones here.As he did so, three eagles swooped down from their heights, and circled over Tar-Minastir, in plain sight to the worst-sighted.There was still no sound, not even a breath, but this divine omen sent a wave of joy through the crowd.After that, the king took the lead, and all the kneeling people bowed in the direction where the gray stone was.Pengolod followed suit.There is no shame in paying homage and surrender.He felt that he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the here and now.

The first to rise was also the king.He raised his sceptre, and addressing the crowd, his words were equally simple: "We live in the Land of Gifts, and all that we have received here is the gift of Iluvatar the Supreme and Valar the Gods. Blessed are you. Go. Now, may you be blessed with success. Peace has come again." After speaking, he lowered his scepter and walked through the crowd again.After he had passed, the people began to rise, but remained where they were until the King left the height and went down the hill.

Pengolod watched the crowd.Some were dizzy with happiness, a few were weeping, and the rest were thoughtful.Many went to the place where Tar-Minastiel had stood, and looked west for a moment before leaving.Pengolod joined the patient crowd with his usual curiosity, wondering what to see.Ah Tang stayed by his side.Even though the ceremony was over, Pengolod noticed that the child was still full of longing, but the rules of the Holy Land prevented him from explaining what people were looking at.When they came to the edge of the holy land, Ah Tang raised his hand to indicate which way to look.

Pengolod carefully explored everything in front of him.He saw the central plain of Númenor.Like Meneltamar being called a great mountain, the Isle of Númenor is actually smaller than is often claimed, and the land below them is mainly cultivated and pasture land, here and there dotted with well-defined, wooded valleys .No wonder the sailors here are restless.Beyond the plain is the coast surrounded by woods, and after crossing the two narrow lands surrounding the bay, there is the vast ocean.On the horizon, Pengolod first saw a white gleam, and when he looked closely, he saw another land across the vast sea-the coast of Avalonni.

Beautiful Avaloni, Tor Eressia, home of elves.An eagle swooped down like a scimitar, cutting off his sight, and then flew high to the side of the two companions again.The three eagles flapped their wings together and flew towards Avaloni in an arrow shape.In their unmistakable westward course, Pengolod saw reproach—he too should go without delay to the land that was his.Although he was very reluctant to leave this holy place, the scene in front of him was accompanied by the elf's yearning for the sea,