Letter writing!
So, this episode is one of the first instances in our story where characters will be communicating with one another via written letter. It is a symptom of a dramatic adaptation that it is usually much more interesting to put characters in a scene together, rather than to have them exchanging messages back and forth (via letter or messenger). Certainly, geography will require it in the future as well, and there will be instances when the story will require not just communication by letter, but for the audience to know the contents of a letter (either as it is written, or when it is delivered).
So, what do letters look like in First Age Beleriand?
Good question. Tolkien doesn't exactly give us a lot of examples there. He does, however, give us a very detailed example of a letter written by the High King of the Noldor to the King of Númenor in the Second Age, which should serve as a good model. It's given in Unfinished Tales, in the Tale of Aldarion and Erendis. There is also the King's Letter, written by Aragorn to Sam in the 4th Age in Sindarin, but for our purposes, let's look at Gil-galad's letter from SA 883:
Clearly I chose this as one of the shorter epistles, but also it is interesting because there is a distinction between dictating to a scribe versus writing it yourself within the text of the letter. You will note that the introduction at the beginning is handled in much the same way that the letter of Gil-galad is handled by Tolkien in Unfinished Tales. This was a standard form of letter writing for a very large chunk of history, and writing in this style automatically gives a remove of time to the writing.
So, my suggestion is that we use the following format for letter-writing:
I think that would be in keeping with how Tolkien chose to handle letter-writing in this story.
* Yes, yes, that's an edit by CJRT.
For the curious, the King's Letter from HoME IX: Sauron Defeated consists mostly of Aragorn greeting Sam's family, and looks like this:
glaemscrafu.jrrvf.com
So, this episode is one of the first instances in our story where characters will be communicating with one another via written letter. It is a symptom of a dramatic adaptation that it is usually much more interesting to put characters in a scene together, rather than to have them exchanging messages back and forth (via letter or messenger). Certainly, geography will require it in the future as well, and there will be instances when the story will require not just communication by letter, but for the audience to know the contents of a letter (either as it is written, or when it is delivered).
So, what do letters look like in First Age Beleriand?
Good question. Tolkien doesn't exactly give us a lot of examples there. He does, however, give us a very detailed example of a letter written by the High King of the Noldor to the King of Númenor in the Second Age, which should serve as a good model. It's given in Unfinished Tales, in the Tale of Aldarion and Erendis. There is also the King's Letter, written by Aragorn to Sam in the 4th Age in Sindarin, but for our purposes, let's look at Gil-galad's letter from SA 883:
When Aldarion left the chamber, Meneldur looked at the letter that his son had given him, wondering; for he saw that it came from King Gil-galad in Lindon. It was sealed, and bore his device of white stars upon a blue rondure. Upon the outer fold was written:
Given at Mithlond to the hand of the Lord Aldarion King's Heir of Númenórë, to be delivered to the High King at Armenelos in person.
Then Meneldur broke the seal and read:
Ereinion Gil-galad son of Fingon* to Tar-Meneldur of the line of Eärendil, greeting: the Valar keep you, and may no shadow fall upon the Isle of Kings.
Long I have owed you thanks, for you have so many times sent to me your son Anardil Aldarion: the greatest Elf-friend that now is among Men, as I deem. At this time I ask your pardon, if I have detained him overlong in my service; for I had great need of the knowledge of Men and their tongues which he alone possesses. He has dared many perils to bring me counsel. Of my need, he will speak to you; yet he does not guess how great it is, being young and full of hope. Therefore I write this for the eyes of the King of Numénórë only.
A new shadow arises in the East. It is no tyranny of evil Men, as your son believes; but a servant of Morgoth is stirring, and evil things wake again. Each year it gains in strength, for most Men are ripe to its purpose. Not far off is the day, I judge, when it will become too great for the Eldar unaided to withstand. Therefore, whenever I behold a tall ship of the Kings of Men, my heart is eased. And now I make bold to seek your help. If you have any strength of Men to spare, lend it to me, I beg.
Your son will report to you, if you will, all our reasons. But in fine it is his counsel (and that is ever wise) that when assault comes, as it surely will, we will seek to hold the Westlands, where still the Eldar dwell, and Men of your race, whose hearts are not yet darkened. At the least we must defend Eriador about the long rivers west of the mountains that we name Hithaeglir: our chief defense. But in that mountain-wall there is a great gap southward in the land of Calenardhon; and by that way inroad from the East must come. Already enmity creeps along the coast towards it. It could be defended and assault hindered, did we hold some seat of power upon the nearer shore.
So the Lord Aldarion long has seen. At Vinyalondë by the mouth of Gwathló he has long labored to establish such haven, secure against sea and land; but his mighty works have been in vain. He has great knowledge in such matters, for he has learned much of Círdan, and he understands better than any the needs of your great ships. But he has never had men enough; whereas Círdan has no wrights or masons to spare.
The King will know his own needs; but if he will listen with favour to the Lord Aldarion, and support him as he may, then hope will be greater in the world. The memories of the First Age are dim, and all things in Middle-earth grow colder. Let not the ancient friendship of Eldar and Dúnedain wane also.
Behold! The darkness that is to come is filled with hatred for us, but it hates you no less. The Great Sea will not be too wide for its wings, if it is suffered to come to full growth.
Manwë keep you under the One, and send fair wind to your sails.
Meneldur let the parchment fall into his lap.
Unlike modern letters, it does not begin with an address to the person the letter is intended for and end with a signature from the person writing the letter. Instead, it begins with an identification of the letter writer, continues with an address to the intended recipient, and then the body of the letter follows. This is typical for medieval letters, and immediately recalls a more ancient epistolary form. Speaking of...here's the letter of St. Paul to Philemon from the New Testament:Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints ; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—
I appeal to you for my child Onesimus , whom I have begotten in my imprisonment , who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Clearly I chose this as one of the shorter epistles, but also it is interesting because there is a distinction between dictating to a scribe versus writing it yourself within the text of the letter. You will note that the introduction at the beginning is handled in much the same way that the letter of Gil-galad is handled by Tolkien in Unfinished Tales. This was a standard form of letter writing for a very large chunk of history, and writing in this style automatically gives a remove of time to the writing.
So, my suggestion is that we use the following format for letter-writing:
<Name of sender> <title of sender> to <name of recipient> <title of recipient>, greeting: <culturally appropriate well wishes/ salutation>
Body of letter.
Closing wish/blessing/salutation (again, culturally appropriate).
I think that would be in keeping with how Tolkien chose to handle letter-writing in this story.
* Yes, yes, that's an edit by CJRT.
For the curious, the King's Letter from HoME IX: Sauron Defeated consists mostly of Aragorn greeting Sam's family, and looks like this:
Glǽmscrafu - King’s letter
glaemscrafu.jrrvf.com
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