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Three ministries foreshadowed in the Old Covenant, and fulfilled in the messianic Jesus, are very much echoed in the Lord of the Rings: Priest, Prophet and King.
This parallel, mentioned by Steven D. Greydanus in his article and Stratford Caldecott in his essay, involves the characters of Aragorn, Frodo and Gandalf. [decentfilms.com - article here, Celebration p.29].
Frodo - the Priest
Gandalf - the Prophet
Aragorn - the King
All Christ-like and reflective of him in some aspects.
But certainly as Tolkien himself says,
" There is no embodiment of the 'creator' in this story... " [Letters p.237].
[as already mentioned in Truth and Myth], they are not direct allegories].
The similarities and parallels in the characteristics and happenings between these characters and Christ's life, death and resurrection are quite striking.
Each goes through a type of death and resurrection experience.
Each goes into the heart of the realm of the enemy to defeat him just as Jesus descended into Hell.
Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn all freely choose when they can leave Middle-earth and pass on:
Frodo:
Frodo is the sacrificial lamb of Middle-earth, but he is also the one who makes a great sacrifice and offering of his life, thus taking up a priestly role as the intermediary for Middle-earth, in accomplishing the act of destroying the Ring and saving the world. Frodo is both victim and priest for middle-earth [cf. Hebrews]. He lays down his life for the many and becomes the mediator for all.
He gives up his overall enjoyment of the Shire and in a way sacrifices himself. He carries the Ring into Mordor like Christ carrying the cross and is finally overcome. He freely takes up the Ring at the Council of Elrond and suffers the consequences;
" I am wounded Sam, it will never really heal. " [LotR p.1002].
Only in the Blessed Realm will he find rest, so he takes Arwen's place and goes with Bilbo, Gandalf and the Elves.
Frodo himself points out the sacrifice he made:
" ' But, ' said Sam and tears started in his eyes, ' I thought you were going to enjoy the Shire for years and years after all you have done.' "
" So I thought too once. But I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them. " [LotR p.1002].
Tolkien's echoes this in one of his letters,
" Frodo undertook his quest out of love - to save the world he knew from disaster at his own expense, ... " [Letters p.327].
Thus echoing St Paul's words;
" Just as through one man's disobedience all became sinners, so through one man's obedience, all shall become just. " [see Romans 5:19], and;
" Christ loved the Church and gave his life for it. " [Ephesians 5:25]
Frodo, like Jesus, is overcome at the end.
He 'dies' in a sense as he is physically overcome by the Evil of the Ring. Just a Jesus' body is destroyed and killed, but his spirit is faithful, so Tolkien mentions that Frodo's failure at the end was not a moral failure, but rather a physical one. Frodo, after months of carrying the Ring, is exhausted, starving and tortured by the Eye of Sauron.
Tolkien, in one of his letters of 1963 [Letters p.326] says the no-one would have been able to resist the final weight and evil of the Ring, and that Frodo did not fail morally, but the quest was saved because of his earlier sacrifice of love in not killing Gollum and showing him mercy. Because of this, mercy was shown to Frodo and the Quest was achieved through a paradox of love and forgiveness.
Frodo offers and his sacrifice is received. The sacrifice of love is the greater and more potent, so it bears greater fruit.
[See also the page Sacrificial Love and Mercy and Forgiveness for additional info on Frodo's sacrifice.]
Gandalf:
Gandalf carried the Ring of Fire, Narya the Great [or Red]. [LotR p.1004].
Upon entering Middle-earth, Círdan the Elf [at the Grey Havens] bequeathed to him the Red Ring saying,
" For great labours and perils lie before you and lest your task prove too great and wearisome take this Ring for your aid and comfort. It was entrusted to me only to keep secret, and here upon the Western shores it is idle; but I deem that in days ere long to come it shall be in nobler hands than mine, that may wield it to the kindling of hearts to courage. " [Unfinished Tales of Middle-earth and Númenor p.407].
And again the same dialogue is given slightly differently in the Tale of Years in the Appendix A of the Lord of the Rings,
" Take this ring, Master, for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may kindle hearts in a world that grows chill. " [LotR p.1060].
Gandalf's role was one of a Steward, not directly challenging Sauron, but going between all who opposed him, uniting and kindling their hearts to courage in the battle against evil.
In a disagreement with Denethor, the Ruling Steward of Gondor, Gandalf proclaims,
" But I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great of small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night than can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know? " [LotR p.742].
Gandalf's role is very much like that of the a Prophet guided by the Holy Spirit, [kindling hearts in all regions], prophetic in vision and wisdom. Throughout the ages the Holy Spirit has chosen certain prophets and patriarchs to speak the Truth, and in a similar way Gandalf is Prophetic in his mission against Sauron. His staff is reminiscent of the Standard in the Desert carried by Patriarch Moses in the Old Testament. It for this that he was sent into the world,
" I was the enemy of Sauron, for that reason I was sent to Middle-earth. " [Letters p.204].
Tolkien confirms Gandalfs mission in another letter:
"... they are actually emissaries from the True West, and so immediately from God, sent precisely to strengthen the resistance of the 'good'. " [Letters p.207].
In his encounter with the Balrog he professes his faith [if you like] as a servant of the Holy Spirit;
" I am a servant of the Secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor " . This is a peculiar comment by Gandalf, because nowhere in the appendices, indices or Tolkien's letters is there any explanation of this proclamation. But the full meaning is found when Tolkien once told an American friend that this 'secret fire', is the Holy Spirit at the heart of the world. [www.christianitytoday.com, article here]
The Encyclopedia of Arda [arda] gives its own description of the Flame Imperishable;
" ...apparently also called the 'Secret Fire', the Flame Imperishable seems to represent that aspect of Ilúvatar through which he was able to grant free will and true life to the beings he created ", which also confirms Tolkien's own words about it being the source of life, a kind of the Breath of Life. [Ilúvatar is the One God].
Anor is the Sun, and so literally the 'flame of Anor' would be the light of the Sun, the fiery fruit of Laurelin, one of the Two Trees of Valinor. The Tree Laurelin, gave Light to the Blessed Realm.
Tolkien says that when Gandalf returned from death he was,
" ...enhanced in power [that is , under the forms of this fable, in sanctity]... " and, " ...both his wisdom and power are much greater. " [Letters p.203 & p.202].
Gandalf the Grey is characterized by his humanity and Gandalf the White is typified by his apparent divinity.
His prophetic wisdom is shown at many stages in the Lord of the Rings:
Aragorn:
Like real cultures and historical mythologies, Tolkien gave his characters many names. These names, given by different groups or persons to the characters, were usually prophetic and symbolized something of the purpose of the characters life.
Following are some of the names attributed to Aragorn:
In reference to his Kingship, six of these standout: Aragorn, Estel, Envinyatar, Elessar, Strider and Thorongil.
The root of Aragorn is ara meaning King [Letters p.246]. The character of Aragorn is one with immense nobility and integrity. He is,
" ...the greatest traveler and huntsman the world has ever known... " according to Gandalf. [arda]
He is set up, along with Frodo, Sam and Gandalf as one of the great heroes of the narrative.
At the time of Aragorn and Arwen's betrothal, Arwen proclaims,
" Dark is the Shadow, but my heart rejoices; for you, Estel shall be among the great whose valour will destroy it. " [LotR Appendix A p.1035].
Arwen's comment is backed by the Encyclopedia of Arda [arda],
" In fact an early manuscript of Appendix A does give an account of the meaning of Aragorn's name. According to that account, after Arathorn had named his son, Aragorn's grandmother Ivorwen interpreted it as 'Kingly Valour'. Ultimately, Tolkien rejected this version of the story, but it is not known whether he also intended to reject 'Kingly Valour' as the meaning of Aragorn's name. "
As the story progresses Tolkien begins to reveal more and more about the Kingly nature of Aragorn. He proclaims to Eomer,
" I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dunadan, the heir of Isildur, Elendil's son of Gondor ... " and warns that, " death shall come to any man that draws Elendil's sword save Elendil's heir. " [LotR p.423 & p.500]
His companions, Gimli and Legolas are surprised by his mood but not shocked because he proves himself worthy and they see his true stature;
" He seemed to have grown in stature, while Eomer had shrunk; in his living face they caught a brief vision of the power and majesty of the kings of stone. For a moment it seemed to the eyes of Legolas that a white flame flickered on the brows of Aragorn like a shining crown. " [LotR p.423].
He also shows he is foresighted in his prophecy to Eomer that they will meet again,
" ...though all the foes of Mordor should stand between us. " [LotR p.762].
All these are naturally fulfilled in Aragorn as he takes up his heritage and becomes King of the Re-united Kingdom; but also they have similar meaning in reference to Jesus the True King.
Aragorn is the true King of both Arnor and Gondor. When Elendil and his sons [Isildur and Anarion] set foot upon the shores of Middle-earth after the destruction of Númenor, they founded a Kingdom that had a northern and southern part. Isildur became King of both realms after the death of Elendil and Anarion in the Last Alliance of Elves of Men; and he entrusted the Southern Kingdom to his son. But it was still one Kingdom.
Isildur was riding home North when he was killed in the Disaster of the Gladden Fields [where the Ring slipped from his finger into the Great River]. His son become King in the North.
Through the years and wars the Northern people were wiped out except for a dwindling remnant, but this remnant still held the line of the King from Father to Son, and the heir became known as the Chieftain of the Dúnedain . This was Aragorn's title as head of the Rangers in the North and in him the blood of Númenor and the Royal Throne ran true and unmingled. [LotR p.950].
In the South, the Kingdom remained strong for many thousands of years but later fell into decay and the line of Kings failed. Stewards were set up to rule the Kingdom with the hope that one day the King would come again and the line of Kings would be restored.
The Stewards were from a noble family line of Númenorean blood but eventually that became mingled with the blood of lesser men, whereas in the north, the line remained strong and true, but hidden and protected. It is said that Aragorn resembled more than any other, the Tall Ship Kings of Númenor. [Silmarillion p.364].
Just before Minas Tirith is about to be attacked, Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, says to Gandalf,
" Yet the Lord of Gondor is not to be made the tool of other men's purposes, however worthy. And to him there is no purpose higher in the world as it now stands than the good of Gondor; and the rule of Gondor, my lord, is mine and no other man's, unless the king should come again. " [LotR p.741].
Denethor's comment fore-shadows Aragorns appearance and restoration. " Unless the King come again " was part of an oath that a newly sworn in Steward would recite in Gondor, partly in hope and partly in tradition.
In Christian tradition, the saying Maranatha means Come Lord Jesus and is a prayer to hasten the Lord's coming. Jesus's Second Coming is not referred to as a returning or coming back because he has remained with us [he never left us], He is in the tabernacle of each Catholic or Eastern Church. But he will come again.
In fact, there is a shadow of this in Lord of the Rings as Aragorn has actually already been among the men of Gondor before his Official claim to Kingship, but under another name and guise. He fought and served under the name of Thorongil in both Gondor and Rohan when he was younger. He is much older than other men because of his Númenorean lineage. He is 80 in the Lord of the Rings but that is young for someone of his race. He is 240 when he dies. Hence he served as Thorongil under the fathers of Théoden, King of Rohan and Denethor, Steward of Gondor.
As already mentioned Thorongil means Eagle of the Star. In the Book of Revelation in the Christian Bible, the eagle is represented as an angelic being flanking the throne of God and flying in the heavens like the cherubims and angels. The eagle is important in Jewish theology as well, as an emblem of God in the Book of Exodus. Other great cultures and kingdoms have used the eagle as a sign of strength and royalty; for example the Roman Empire, and of course the more infamous use of the Nazis in WWII.
After the final victory and rescue of Frodo, Faramir and Éowyn see the Eagles flying towards the city of Minas Tirith proclaiming: [Minas Tirith is also known as the Tower of Guard or Tower of Anor]....
" Sing now,
all ye people of the Tower of Anor, |
for the Realm
of Sauron is ended forever, |
and the Dark Tower
is thrown down. |
Sing and rejoice
ye people of the Tower of Guard, |
for your watch
hath not been in vain, |
and the Black
Gate is broken, |
and your King
hath passed through, |
and he is victorious. |
Sing be glad,
all ye children of the West, |
for your King
shall come again, |
and he shall dwell
among you |
all the days of
your life. |
and the Tree that
was withered shall be renewed, |
and he shall plant
it in the high places, |
and the City shall
be blessed. |
Sing all ye people.
" |
This song of the eagles is extremely evocative of the mystery of Emmanuel, 'God will dwell among us' and also of Christ the King. The versus are incredibly similar to many of the praises and acclamations of the creatures and eagles in the Book of Revelation and the Old Testament after witnessing the victory of the Lord and the presentation of the New Jerusalem: ....
" Now God's
home is with his people! |
He will live with
them and they will be his people. |
God himself will
be with them and he will be their God. |
He will wipe away
all tears from their eyes. |
There will be
be no more death, |
no more grief
or crying or pain. |
The old things
have disappeared." |
and again from an Easter acclamation:
" Lady Full
of Grace: Rejoice, O Pure Virgin! |
Again I say: Rejoice!
Your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb! |
With Himself He
has raised all the dead! Rejoice, all you people! |
Shine! Shine!
O New Jerusalem! The Glory of the Lord has shone on you! |
Exalt now and
be glad, O Zion! |
Be radiant, O
Pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son! " |
[Troparion of the Eastern Church]
Added to this, is the imagery and words that describe the Field of Cormallen which is once again very much like the imagery found in Revelation concerning the King and the White Rider [Rev 19:11-12]. And the song sung in honour of Frodo and Sam, fulfills the exaltation of the humble [LotR p.932].
| "
Long live the Halflings! Praise them with great praise! |
| Cuio i Pheriain anann! Aglar'ni Pheriannath! |
| [
May the Halfings live long!, Glory to the Halfings! ] |
| Praise
them sith great praise, Frodo and Samwise! |
| Daur a Berhael, Conin en Annun! Eglerio! |
| [
Frodo and Sam, princes of the West, glorify them!
] |
| Praise
them! |
| Eglerio! |
| [
Glorify them! ] |
| A laita te, laita te! Andave laituvalmet! |
| [
Bless them, bless them, long we will bless them!
] |
| Praise
them! |
| Cormacolindor, a laita tarienna! |
| [
The Ring Bearers, bless them to the heights!
] |
| Praise
them! The ring-bearers, praise them with great praise! " |
| [translated Letters p.308]. |
Not only is there interesting similarity in the sung versus but also in the words used for the taking up of the Kingship by Aragorn.
" ...and there in the midst of the fields they set up their pavilions and awaited the morning; for it was the Eve of May and the King would enter his gates with the rising of the Sun." [LotR p.936].
and again, " ...the City was made ready for the coming of the King. " [LotR p.942].
This is very much like the Bride [the Church] being made ready for coming of Christ and the New Jerusalem, the New Creation to follow.
Why the New Jerusalem?
Tolkien mentioned the " Eve of May " [and uses capitals to denote it, though he did use capitals for a lot of phrases, but why use capitals for this?].
Because,
"...the month of May is traditionally dedicated to Mary in many cultures. May is considered the season of the beginning of new life [the start of Spring]. Already in Greek culture, May was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of fecundity. In Roman culture, May was dedicated to Flora, the goddess of bloom, of blossoms. The Romans celebrated ludi florales [literally: floral games] at the end of April, asking the intercession of Flora for all that blooms. This is also related to the medieval [superstitious] practice of expelling winter. May 1 was considered the beginning of growth. " [New Advent].
In the catholic tradition May is the Month of Mary ; this is because new life has come to us through Mary. Tolkien had an extremely strong love and devotion to Mary. Also interesting but probably coincidental, is the way Tolkien writes it, Eve of May ; Mary is the Second Eve , through Mary came the Redeemer, New Life came to us in Jesus but through Mary. This is why May was chosen as Mary's month.
Traditional understanding and study of scripture places the original creation in Spring & May in the Garden of Eden; and also Jesus's death and resurrection takes place in Spring. And the New Creation and restoration of the Reunited Kingdom in Middle-earth occurs in May.
Aragorns Kingship and Coronation takes places on the 1st of May with the rising of the Sun. There is a new creation in Gondor, and in Middle-earth in general, as Aragorn weds Arwen. The restoration of " the long sundered lines of half Elven " occurs. [Letters p.445].
In coming to save the Kingdom of Gondor, Aragorn passes through the Paths of the Dead and summons the Oathbreakers to the Stone of Erech, where they are called upon to fulfill their oaths and depart in peace. The oaths they had sworn were to fight in the earlier wars against Sauron, but they had fled preferring the darkness. Aragorn, much like Christ descending into Hades, passes through the Paths of the Dead, and calls those bound to him as the Heir of Elendil. The Gospels recount that when Christ had risen, many of the dead were seen around the streets of Jerusalem, themselves risen through the grace of Christ.
Tied in with this, is the manner in which he comes to Minas Tirith. Eomer, Eowyn and the Rohirrim cannot understand why Aragorn would take the Road to the Dimholt, and in fact they try to counsel him to do otherwise. It seemed like folly to them. For the apostles who followed Christ, it also seemed like folly that Jesus would take the road of suffering and darkness, and enter into glory through a different road than they had imagined. He becomes the King of Israel through an unforeseen Path. Aragorn does much the same.
After the Battle of the Pelennor field, Aragorn decided he wouldn't enter Minas Tirith until the time was ripe, but in the end at the request of Gandalf he entered for the sake of those who had been hurt by the Witch-King. Ioreth, woman of Gondor, had reminded Gandalf of an old piece of lore;
" The Hands of the King are the hands of a healer, so shall the rightful King be known. " [LotR p.844].
Aragorn enters the City and heals Éowyn, Merry and Faramir.
Faramir's healing is especially moving with Aragorn calling Faramir back from a 'dark vale', which is very Christ-like, and reminiscent of the Good Shepherd. He then 'breathed' on the athelas leaves and crushed them. " A living freshness filled the room as if the air itself awoke and tingled and sparkled with joy " ; he then cast them into bowl of steaming water and " all hearts were lightened. " [LotR p.847].
" Suddenly Faramir stirred and opened his eyes, and he looked on Aragorn who bent over him; and a light of knowledge and love was kindled in his eyes, and he spoke softly, " My Lord, you called me. I come. What does the King command? " [Faramir did not know Aragorn]. Aragorn tells him to be ready when he returns, Faramir replies, " I will lord, for who would lie idle when the King has returned. " [LotR p.848].
Then, " ...at the doors of the House of Healing many were already gathered to see Aragorn, and they followed after him; and when at last he had supped, men came and prayed that he would heal their kinsman or their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt or wound, or who lay under the Black Shadow. And Aragorn arose and went out, and he sent for the sons of Elrond and they laboured far into the night. And word went through the City: the King is come again indeed. " [LotR p.853]. There is a strong Christ-like resemblance here.
" The King has come again... " went through the city and they named him Elessar so the name foretold at his birth was adopted by own his people. [LotR p.853].
Aragorn was distrusted in the north, and spurned by men that in fact he protected [e.g. Bree]. Another parallel of a Scriptural verse regarding Jesus , 'a prophet is never recognized in his home town.' [Mark 6:4].
Aragorn is the Renewer, as the name Envinyatar denotes. But what is he renewing? Minas Tirith and the Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. Minas Tirith becomes the Bride prepared for Christ and the Reunited Kingdom becomes the New Jerusalem. [LotR p.845].
Not only is he the renewer, but he also saves Minas Tirith. Boromir requests of him, " Go to Minas Tirith and save my people. " [LotR p.404]. When Théoden came to the aid of Minas Tirith he, " ... gazed on her in her agony. " [LotR p.819]. But she is truly released when Aragorn appears bearing the Standard displaying the White Tree with the Seven Stars.
All things were made new after his coming which is very Christ-like. The City became full of life' and is repaired. He restored the two halfs of the Kingdom, north and south. He becomes King of the Reunited Kingdom and serves a part of more than just defeating Sauron, but brings Restoration to other aspects. The Wedding of " Aragorn and Arwen, restored the long sundered lines of half-elven. " [Letters p.445].
Divine and Human are reconciled in Jesus becoming flesh through Mary; and Aragorn [mortal] and Arwen [immortal] restore the Kingdom of the Númenoreans; the men who recognized Eru [monotheists], the One God and creator of Middle-earth.
The website Encyclopedia of Arda mentions that,
"...in both the North and South kingdoms of the Dúnedain, there had been no King for many centuries. At the time of Aragorn's coronation, there had been no King of Gondor for 969 years, and no King of a united Arnor for 2,158 years. The last King to rule both realms jointly had been Aragorn's distant ancestor Isildur, though his Kingship was cut short at the Disaster of the Gladden Fields before he could truly take up the rule of his twin realms. " - [arda].
This paragraph from the Encyclopedia of Arda brings up another point of Aragorns role as King. He undoes the wrong-doing of Isildur [of not destroying the One Ring when he had the chance] in his fight against Sauron. This is also stated in the text,
" ...since it seemed fit that the Isildur's heir should labour to repair Isildur's fault, I went with Gandalf on the long and hopeless search. " [LotR p.245].
Just as Jesus undoes the fault of Adam, Aragorn looks to undo the fault of Isildur.
An additional point that is symbolic in the Restoration are the verses that go with the name of Aragorn;
" All that is gold does not glitter, |
Not
all those who wander are lost; |
The
old that is strong does wither, |
Deep
roots are not reached by the frost. |
From
the ashes a fire shall be woken, |
A
light from the shadows shall spring; |
Renewed
shall be blade that was broken, |
The
crownless again shall be King. " |
Apart from there being great story telling with the sword being reforged and symbolizing the Restored line of Kings [as has almost certainly been used before in other myths] there is interesting imagery in the dates and names of Narsil and Andúril [Aragorns reforged sword].
The origins of Narsil's name are complex, and contain an element of symbolism. Tolkien himself described the name's derivation in his Letters:
" Narsil is a name composed of 2 basic stems without variation or adjuncts: vNAR 'fire', & vTHIL 'white light'. It thus symbolised the chief heavenly lights, as enemies of darkness, Sun [Anar] and Moon [in Q] Isil. " - [Letters p.425 No.347]. Andúril had these traced on its blade [sun and moon and stars] [LotR p.269].
"...and the sword of Elendil filled Orcs and Men with fear, for it shone with the light of the sun and of the moon, and it was named Narsil. " [the Silmarillion].
Narsil was forged by Telchar and symbolized the Chief Heavenly Lights that were made from the fruit and dew of the Two Trees in the Blessed Realm. The Blade is broken beneath Elendil when he falls fighting Sauron at the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. The light of the sword is extinguished but the shards are kept as Heirlooms of the King and would not be reforged until Isildur's Bane is found again [i.e. Isildur's Bane = the Ring, after it is lost in the Great River].
Narsil is reforged for Aragorn, as he begins the Quest with the Fellowship. It is reforged on [or just before] December the 25th! He renames it Andúril, Flame of the West. This is the date of the reforging and the departure of the Fellowship from Rivendell. The Quest begins on 25th December, just as Jesus is born to start the official plan of salvation and reunites the human and divine. The Sword symbolizes the healing of a broken line. That of the Kings of Númenor but there is also similar symbolism here with the broken relationship with God.
Also, the sheath that Galadriel gifts to Aragorn is,
" overlaid with a tracery of flowers and leaves wrought of silver and gold and on it were set in elven runes formed of many gems the name Andúril and the lineage of the Sword. " [LotR p.365].
These flowers and leaves of Silver and Gold reflect the origin of the original name, Narsil; that of the light of the Sun and Moon that were made from the flowers and leaves of the Silver and Golden Trees, Teleperion and Laurelin in the Blessed Realm.
The name and lineage is reminiscent of the East-West theme in the Lord of the Rings. Andúril is Flame of the West. The West is very much a location of good and the East is often where evil resides. The Blessed Realm exists in the West. In the section First and Last Things, it is outlined how Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden through the Eastern Gate, and Cherubim holding Flaming Swords were placed to guard the Entrance [Gen 3:24]. Aragorn, being very much a Second Adam type of figure, carries a Flaming Sword from the West, in his restoration of the Kingdom of Gondor.
Other Gems:
Other small excerpts that indicate his royalty, supremacy and almost divinity are continued below:
At the end when Gandalf and the others say goodbye to him, Tolkien writes,
" With that they departed, and it was then the time of sunset; and when after a while they turned and looked back, they saw the King of the West sitting upon his horse with his knights about him; and the falling Sun shone upon them and made all their harness to gleam like red and gold, and the white mantle of Aragorn was turned to a flame. Then Aragorn took the green stone and held it up, and there came a green fire from his hand. " [LotR p.960].
Telcontar [Strider] is also adopted by Aragorn as the " name of my house and all the heirs of my body ", another parallel with Christ's Body, His Church.
Legolas mentions the love that all come to have for Aragorn as a true King of Men and Lord of the West when he comments to Gimli that they were,
" ...held to the road by the will of Aragorn, and also by love of him. " [LotR p.856].
Gandalf says to Saruman when they meet him on the road traveling north, “ You could have met the King and received his Mercy. ” [LotR p.961].
When Aragorn takes up the Crown he repeats the words of Elendil, "Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs unto to the ending of the world. " [LotR p.946]. And Gandalf proclaims, " Now come the days of the King, may they be blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure! " [LotR p.946].
Aragorn is crowned King,
" But when Aragorn arose all that beheld him gazed in silence for it seemed to them that he was revealed to them now for the first time. Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him. And then Faramir cried, 'Behold the King' ." [LotR p.947].
" And in that moment all the trumpets were blown and the King Elessar went forth and came to the barrier, and Hurin of the Keys thrust it back; and amid the music of harp and of viol and of flute and the singing of clear voices, the King passed through the flower-laden streets and came to the Citadel, and entered in; and the banner of the Tree and the Stars was unfurled upon the top most tower, and the reign of King Elessar began of which many songs have told. " [LotR p.947].
The similarities of biblical writing in the two paragraphs above cannot be ignored in Aragorns Kingship [see the Trees of Life regarding the Standard of the Tree and Stars and the significance of the Keys].
" In the days that followed his crowning, the King sat upon his throne in the Hall of the Kings and pronounced his judgments." [LotR p.947]. His supremacy is confirmed.
Arwen's words to Aragorn on his deathbed, " Would you then, lord, before your time leave your people that live by your word. " [LotR appendices p.1037]. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the Lord [Luke 4:4].
In the appendices, Aragorn is described at his death, which he freely chooses the time of:
" Then a great beauty was revealed in him, so that all who after came there, looked on him in wonder; for they saw that the grace of his youth, and the valour of his manhood, and the wisdom and majesty of his age were blended together. And long there he lay, an image of the splendour of the Kings of Men in glory undimmed before the breaking of the world. " [LotR appendices p.1038].
Aragorn becomes the Great King of Men heading into the Fourth Age. He brings unity, healing and restoration. His wisdom is clearly laid out by Tolkien and he is shown to be pre-eminent as the foremost leader in Middle-earth now that the Elves are departing. Many leaders in Middle-earth come to pay him homage or send emissaries.
Certainly there are aspects of the True King that have worked their way into Tolkien's writing of Aragorn King.
Final thoughts:
Priest, Prophet and King: some aspect of each of these offices are reflected in each of the characters of Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn.
But there is another reflection in these characters and offices: just as Jesus calls us all to share in his Kingship, Priestly ministry and Prophetic fulfillment when we become adopted sons and daughters of God; Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn represent what we are, could be and should be.
Frodo is the everyman, he is very much us, forging his way in a dangerous world. Weak, often powerless and fragile, he gives all through his littleness.
Gandalf and Aragorn show us what we could be in God's full plan if we let him transform us through life and prayer. Through the grace of Christ we are regenerated to an unfallen nature. Dignity, nobility and integrity are displayed in Aragorn and Gandalf.
These aspects are communicated in a subtle way when Gandalf says to Frodo and Sam at the Field of Cormallen,
"...in Gondor the New Year will always now begin on the twenty-fifth of March when Sauron fell, and when you were brought out of the fire to the King. He has tended you, and now he awaits you. You shall eat and drink with him. When you are ready I will lead you to him. " [LotR p.931].
At the fall of evil, Frodo is brought out of the fire to the King, just as each one of us is brought out of the fire to the Father when Jesus died for us. We are delivered to the King where we can feast at the Banquet of the Lamb.
