Aldarion is finally back in Númenor after fourteen years away, and while he pretends everything is fine, the island has other ideas—especially when Erendis keeps coming up in ways he absolutely did not plan for. He throws himself into fixing ships, reopening shipyards, and getting very invested in the state of Númenor’s trees, all while carefully not admitting how much he’s missed her. When their paths cross again, things quickly slide into that familiar mix of longing, awkwardness, and wildly different ideas of what a good life looks like.

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Aldarion is building enormous ships, refusing to settle down, and repeatedly sailing off much to his father’s growing frustration. King Meneldur finds himself increasingly disquieted as the Queen quietly nudges events along, Erendis keeps crossing Aldarion’s path at just the wrong moments, and Númenórean traditions and superstitions turn every departure into a much bigger deal than expected. Between forbidden blessings, symbolic green boughs, awkward gifts, and tense family conversations, emotions are running high and the sea itself feels a little less predictable than usual. Join us as we unpack rebellion, tradition, and slow-burning tension in Númenor—where love, duty, and wanderlust are all on a collision course.https://linktr.ee/sistersoftheshirepodcast

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In this episode, we detour into a delightfully dramatic footnote about the Númenóreans popping back into Middle-earth after centuries away and accidentally freaking everyone out just a little. Then it’s back to Númenor, where a prince who cannot quit the Sea, a dad who would really like him to stay home and learn king stuff, and a growing band of enthusiastic sailors keep missing each other completely. Add in feasts, shiny new titles, ever-bigger ships, and one quietly important newcomer, and you’ve got a story full of lore, family tension, and some truly impressive levels of maritime stubbornness—all with the sense that this is only the beginning.

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This week on The Sisters of the Shire Podcast, we’re bringing you a special bonus Christmas episode that trades epic quests for hot cocoa and childhood wonder as we dive into Tolkien’s Letters from Father Christmas. This is an episode made for indulging your inner child—and maybe sharing with the actual children in your life—as Ashley and her daughter Lizzie take turns reading selections from the letters, while Abi and Ashley pause to discuss the unmistakable Tolkien-ness woven through every polar bear mishap and goblin-infested snowdrift. We talk about what these letters reveal about Tolkien as a father, a storyteller, and a world-builder, and why this small, playful corner of his writing still feels so magical. Settle in by the fire and join us for a Christmas episode that’s more North Pole chaos than Middle-earth catastrophe.

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We’re kicking off Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner’s Wife with a story full of stars, ships, and Númenórean family tension. This episode introduces Meneldur, a future king who prefers stargazing to ruling, and his son Aldarion, who is far more interested in the sea than the throne. With legendary sailors, famous Elves, and the irresistible pull of the ocean, we explore how a simple love of sailing might become something much bigger—and far more complicated.

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This week on Sisters of the Shire, we journey straight into the heart of the star-shaped island of Númenor—the great central region known as the Mittalmar. While last week we toured the five pointed coasts, this time we explore the vast inland plains, the scattered “cookie-bite” regions of Emerië and Arandor, and the towering sacred mountain Meneltarma, where the Three Prayers once echoed in perfect silence. We’ll uncover why horses ruled the roads, why seabirds basically formed their own welcoming committee, and how Númenor’s love of the sea shaped everything from their tools to their traditions. And of course… we dig into legendary heirlooms that made the journey from Beleriand to Númenor—including one that survives long after the island’s fall. Join us for a deep dive into the landscapes, customs, and surprising treasures at the very center of Númenor’s story!

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This week we officially enter the Second Age with “A Description of the Island of Númenor.” Before stepping onto that legendary star-shaped island, we give a quick, drama-filled recap of the major events that transformed Middle-earth and paved the way for the rise of the Dúnedain. Then we dive into Tolkien’s rare sketch of Númenor, the partially lost records Christopher Tolkien pieced together, and the tantalizing hints of what survived the island’s downfall. From fragrant forests to stargazing towers, hidden bays to ancient havens, we explore Númenor like the archivists of old—setting the stage for the story to come.

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We finally come to the conclusion of Turin’s story—and what a wild, dramatic finale it is. In this episode, we sort through some of the most unexpectedly Shakespearean moments Tolkien ever wrote, as Turin wakes after the battle with Glaurung and tries to piece together the chaos that followed. Misread signals, rising tempers, and a whole crowd of very confused onlookers make for one unforgettable morning in Brethil. It’s intense, it’s messy, and yes, we add a little humor to keep ourselves from falling apart right along with the characters. Tune in now to hear how it all unfolds.

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