I'm reading The Lord of the Rings while running a One Ring saga and I've been doing some thinking around the theme of Aragorn's royal destiny to wield the reforged Narsil and reunite the Dúnedain kingdoms. It's a nice story in the context, but the royalism of it all annoys me.

I have in mind a reworking of this, with a royal heir in exile who is destined to lead his people, but who is not as noble as he might be.

My heir is Valdangarmo, descendant of Celebrimbor and heir to the lost kingdom of Eregion and king in exile of all Noldor in Middle Earth. He now lives in Mirkwood, fighting the shadow, like a good hero. He is attracting other like-minded Noldor warriors to his cause.

However, Vadangarmo is a Noldor partisan. The bitterness of the Kinslayings still resides in him. He is exiled from the elven realms not so much because of a desire to fight the shadow, but because he hates Sindar.

Nevertheless, he is of the line of Fëanor and impels respect from all other elves. He is destined to lead his people. But the Doom of the Noldor sits on him and his rule will bring further tragedy to the Noldor.

Noldor are not welcome in Mirkwood, thranduil is a Sinda or Grey Elf as it was Thingol and they blame the Noldor for all the calamities the Doom caused.

He rather should be in Rivendell or Lórien, where Noldor are welcomed.

Besides, Celebrimbor had no children nor spouse. However it could be possible to have a more distant relative to claim the realm, but then the "royal right" would be diluted.

May I suggest you read about the Eöldrim? It's an Elven culture I made up and they can be exactly what you are looking for. It was published in Other Minds, an unoffcial webzine devoted to roleplaying in Middel-earth.

Other Minds

On the other hand, nobility in Tolkien is a divine right. The rightful king is always naturally fit to rule and accepted by his people. So maybe, the whole story could focus on the evolution of a reticent hero who finally embraces his destiny. However, focusing a whole campaing in a single character usually is frustrating for the rest.

Thanks for the interesting reply Arthadan.

Is it certain that Celebrimbor had no children? Or is it just the case that none have been recorded?

The fact that the Silvan/Sindar Elves of Mirkwood would not welcome a Noldor is an interesting complication. I was going to have my heir to be active in southern Mirkwood, away from Thranduil's realm. That leaves open the possibilities of clashes between the northern elves and him and his followers. It is also important that he not be found at Rivendell or Lórien. While he might be free to go to those places, he is not really all that welcome, and doesn't like being there himself, because of his difficult personality and views.

I intend him to be an NPC. The PCs will meet him and assume he is a wandering hero. He should then become an ally to them. But then as they get to know him, they find that there is friction between him and other elves, which gradually builds into a bit of a crisis amongst elfdom.

Hi:

Well, he can always hide in Mirkwood, too - it's a big place & the silvan Elves' Kingdom is almost driven out, ain't it? Worked for Gollum (the Misty Mountains are huge & full of hidey-holes... Even the hordes of Goblins/Orc dwellers didn't find him).

Maybe he keeps the company of Woodmen instead, & the Elves aren't ranging that ways South?


But I could be wrong...



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In addition, Other Minds may also have two other articles that may provide helpful. In Issue 3, page 28/29 there is some info on Celebrimbor's ancestry (though not about potential progeny).
Issue 10, page 13pp. has an essay abou the Noldorin Royals for Gil-galad and later, plus some thoughts on the basic rules of inheritance among the Elves (as far as legal issues are covered).

Cheers
Tolwen

Aragorn is a great man to his kingdom. I like him very much