An Unfinished Tolkien Story Showed the Perspective of Sauron’s Most Forgotten Servants

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Critics sometimes find J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, like ‘The Lord of the Rings’, to have a clear-cut morality, which is more nuanced compared to modern series such as ‘Game of Thrones’. However, this critique overlooks the complexity in Tolkien’s stories, for they are primarily told from the perspectives of heroes like Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, and Samwise Gamgee. These characters often lack insight into their enemies’ thoughts because these tales are their accounts. Yet, it is worth noting that one of Tolkien’s unfinished stories, “Tal-Elmar”, would have offered a different perspective on Middle-earth, as it was set during the Second Age. This story, written between ‘The Two Towers’ and ‘The Return of the King’, in 1955, could have provided a more diverse lens through which to view Tolkien’s mythical world.

As a follower, I stumbled upon an intriguing, unfinished work penned by J.R.R. Tolkien, titled “Tal-Elmar.” This draft, left incomplete, was later published within the compendium known as The Peoples of Middle-earth. In essence, this narrative revolves around a band of Wild Men, whom I suspect share kinship with others found in his celebrated works.

Serving under the malevolent Dark Lord Sauron or “the North King,” as they addressed him, these Wild Men clashed with the Númenóreans. The allure of this tale lies not only in its unfinished state but also in its complexity – the Wild Men employed terms unfamiliar to characters and cultures from The Lord of the Rings, necessitating a degree of interpretation to fully grasp the storyline.

If Tolkien had completed “Tal-Elmar,” it would have undeniably stood as one of Middle-earth’s most distinctive tales, offering readers an intriguing perspective on this captivating universe.

Despite being left incomplete, a draft titled “Tal-Elmar” was eventually published by Tolkien’s son as part of the book The Peoples of Middle-earth. This unfinished work centered around a band of wild beings, possibly connected to others seen in The Lord of the Rings. They were followers of the Dark Lord Sauron or “the North King,” as they called him, and often clashed with the Númenóreans. What sets “Tal-Elmar” apart and makes it challenging to understand is that the Wild Men used terms for characters and cultures from The Lord of the Rings that were unfamiliar, necessitating some interpretation of the story. Had Tolkien completed “Tal-Elmar,” it would have been one of Middle-earth’s most distinctive tales.

Tal-Elmar Was Unlike the Other Wild Men of Agar

In contrast to the residents of Agar, including Tal-Elmar’s 16 brothers, Tal-Elmar was a tall, thin, blond young man. Unlike them, he traced his distinctive features back to his grandmother, Elmar, who was not originally from Agar but belonged to the nomadic warrior tribe known as the “Fell Folk of the East.” These people often clashed with the Wild Men and were possibly the Northmen of Rhovanion, based on their physical characteristics and Middle-earth’s geography.

Interestingly, it was said that the Fell Folk’s weapons were crafted by beings rumored to be demons in fiery hills, which could refer to Dwarves. In a fierce battle between the Wild Men and the Fell Folk, Tal-Elmar’s grandfather took Elmar as his wife. Elmar despised her captors, and she foretold that one of her descendants would avenge her: “In your lineage, one shall emerge who is mine alone. And with his emergence shall come the fall of your people and the demise of your king.

One day, Tal-Elmar and his father, Hazad Longbeard, spotted some dark-sailed ships approaching their hometown of Agar. These vessels were none other than the dreaded Númenóreans, a people they hadn’t seen in years. Yet, Hazad immediately recognized them. He warned Tal-Elmar, “These are to be feared like death itself. They worship and brutally kill men in honor of the Dark.” Rumors swirled about their barbaric practices, such as kidnapping beautiful women, children, and young, unblemished men, either for consumption or as sacrifices to darkness. Tal-Elmar rushed to inform the town-master, Mogru, about what he and his father had witnessed. However, Mogru harbored ill feelings towards Tal-Elmar, perhaps due to his Fell Folk lineage, so he instructed him to spy on the Númenóreans in a misguided attempt to capture him instead.

“Tal-Elmar” Showed a Perspective Absent From The Lord of the Rings

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the tale unfolds with Tal-Elmar following Mogru’s instructions, leading him to be found by the enigmatic Númenóreans. Boarding their vessel, I found it astonishing that Tal-Elmar could comprehend and communicate with his captors’ language – a tongue that had hauntingly echoed in his dreams prior. The reasons for this uncanny ability are yet to be unveiled, leaving us, the audience, in suspense as the storyline remains incomplete. Curiosity piqued, Tal-Elmar inquired about his potential fate, fearing he might be offered as a sacrifice to the Dark. The Númenóreans reassured him, stating they did not worship the Dark but perceived it as a belief held by the Wild Men. They clarified their intentions: they aimed to seize Agar and forge an alliance with the feared “Northern Cruels,” serving as a deterrent against Sauron. These Northern Cruels might have been none other than the elusive Elves.

In Tolkien’s draft, the story of Tal-Elmar concluded, but given Elmar’s prophecy, it seems that Tal-Elmar might have played a role in the demise of his own people and Sauron. This could have occurred during the Second Age, as detailed in “The Silmarillion”. Although the story remains unfinished, “Tal-Elmar” is captivating. It underscores how many of Sauron’s followers didn’t see themselves as evil. From their perspective, the beings readers would perceive as heroes were the real villains. This perception was largely influenced by Sauron’s deceptions, but there was also some justification to their fears. Tolkien pointed out that the Númenóreans did indeed seize lands belonging to the original inhabitants of Middle-earth, even if they weren’t serving Sauron directly. The emphasis on Wild Men in “Tal-Elmar” makes it unique among Tolkien’s stories.

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2025-05-31 01:24