A Sense of History: Straight Road
The next in a series of articles about ships passing to and from the West, Simon uses "The Fall of Númenor" to attempt to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to "Beowulf."
Chapter 62
Fëanor gathers his sons to him and spells out his plan to set out for Alqualondë. The ships can bear them to Middle Earth far quicker than the treacherous path across the Helcaraxë. He is so focused on his words he does not initially see Nerdanel, her arm gripping Nelyo's, her face pale and tight as she looks at Fëanor. He follows Ambarussa's distracted gaze and catches sight of her, his words trailing off as the hope that she has returned to him blossoms in his heart. But she has not come for him. She wants her sons and in this she is cruelly disappointed yet again, as once more they side with Fëanor and leave her in the square, alone.