The Strangest Moment in Aragorn’s Coronation Had a Deeper Meaning Than Most The Lord of the Rings Fans Realize

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In Peter Jackson’s epic movie, “The Return of the King,” one unforgettable moment was Aragorn’s coronation as the new King of Gondor. Gandalf the White placed a crown on Aragorn’s head and said, “Now begins the reign of the king. May it be blessed.” As the crowd erupted in applause, Aragorn turned to the masses and declared, “Today is not about one man, but all of us. Together, let’s rebuild this world so we can share in the days of peace.” Then, with a voice that resonated through the halls, Aragorn sang in the ancient Elvish language of Quenya: “I long for the bright lands of old and the mountains where silver helmets shone. I yearn to see the Elven-city again beyond the Sea.

The words, hailing from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” novel, were originally spoken by Aragorn in the storyline. Interestingly, as detailed in the commentary for “The Return of the King,” this quote was transformed into a song in the movie. Despite the film not providing subtitles for Aragorn’s song, there was a translation in the book, particularly in the chapter “The Steward and the King” from “The Return of the King.” This song was known as the Oath of Elendil, and it carried a rich history in Middle-earth.

Aragorn’s Coronation Song Referenced the Origins of Gondor

Elendil, upon arriving in Middle-earth around 3320 Second Age, declared, “I have come from the vast Ocean. Here I will stay, and my descendants, for eternity.” This was similar to what he said when he first stepped foot on Middle-earth after leaving their corrupted island kingdom of Númenor, a punishment for their mistakes. The Valar, beings akin to gods, had initially given Númenor to the people of Middle-earth as a reward for their role in defeating an enemy, but they misused this gift by letting corruption take hold, eventually leading to Númenor’s downfall. Elendil’s decision to stay in Middle-earth was his way of making amends for these errors.

In Middle-earth, upon arrival, Elendil established the northern kingdom of Arnor, which eventually included what we know as the Shire and Bree. Simultaneously, his son Isildur built the southern kingdom of Gondor. It’s worth noting that though Aragorn is often recognized as Isildur’s heir in The Lord of the Rings, he was also Elendil’s descendant, making him the legitimate king of both Arnor and Gondor. Sadly, Arnor was destroyed around a millennium before the events portrayed in The Lord of the Rings, leaving remnants scattered across the region. Post the War of the Ring, Aragorn rebuilt Arnor and combined it with Gondor once more.

Aragorn’s Coronation Promised a Brighter Future For Middle-earth

At his coronation, Aragorn echoed the Oath of Elendil, thereby recalling his noble lineage for those who comprehended Elvish. However, his words also signified a fresh start, as the citizens of Gondor and Middle-earth were now liberated from the looming terror of the Dark Lord Sauron. Just like the Loyal Númenóreans who began anew after fleeing the demise of their land, Aragorn brought about a new era – one characterized by serenity and flourishing. He fulfilled the aspirations that Elendil and Isildur initially pursued before they were engulfed in the struggle against Sauron.

In Peter Jackson’s adaptations of The Lord of the Rings, the Oath of Elendil was not only heard during Aragorn’s coronation; it made another appearance, albeit more subtly. In The Fellowship of the Ring, as the fellowship rowed along the Anduin River, they passed the Argonath, a pair of colossal statues. Unlike in the book where the statues represented Anárion and his brother Isildur, the film replaced Anárion’s statue with one of Elendil. Aragorn remarked, “For long have I yearned to behold the kings of yore: my kin.” The music that played during this scene featured a choir singing the Oath of Elendil in Quenya, connecting the first and final installments of Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy through Aragorn’s coronation song.

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2025-04-28 20:05