So made a thread version of this on Twitter, but here’s a sermon in honor of my surprise Númenor fave from this season: Valandil!
My friends and I on Tumblr/Twitter noticed that in both the proclamation and Galadriel’s challenge, Valandil steps up while nobody else wants to go first.
We agreed that he has some big Eldest Child “I gotta make it happen or it won’t happen” energy.
We also theorized a background of underprivilege, at least in comparison to Isildur and Ontamo. I feel this most when Isildur gets them all failed from the Sea Guard — Ontamo isn’t happy, but Valandil is *beside himself* with rage - to the point that he trashes Isil’s dead mom.
And you’ll notice Valandil’s the one that makes the “your father got you a spot” jab when Isildur makes it on the boat. The tension only really eases when Elendil reveals he’s made Isildur a stable sweep.
Oh and also! He’s the Star Pupil! Remember Galadriel’s “How to Kill An Orc For Dummies” Class? She said Stab, Twist, Gut. Behold, when Valandil comes to Middle-Earth: stab, twist, gut!
(He deserves a gold star. And a cookie.)
He spends a lot of time holding ppl up at the end of this season 2. Here he is carrying Isildur and supporting Miriel. He’s there to break the news to Elendil that Isildur is gone, and he’s there when Elendil has his “should’ve let the Elf drown” moment.
Someone on Twitter theorized that Valandil might evolve into one of the more prominent Faithful in later seasons, but a friend of mine here suggests that he could easily also become one of the King’s Men. He could observe Elendil’s grief and Míriel’s blindness and say “so much for being Faithful!”
Whichever it is, this the Second Age and everyone is screwed in the end, and I reeeally don’t like the implications of a scene where Sauron casually hands him his sword back. Seems kinda ominous to me.
Do we need to say anything about Valandil and Isildur? I don’t think so. I think this right here speaks for me.
In conclusion!
He protecc
He attacc
But most importantly
He a SNACC
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