Description of a Frieze in the Temple of Melkor at Armenelos by Sarbanes Oxley

The Left Frieze

(Translator’s Note: This was found in a scroll gathering dust in a dim corner of the great library at Osgiliath. King Eärendil was kind enough to send it over to Imladris, along with several others deemed ‘superfluous.’ I believe you will soon understand why I have chosen to transcribe this text over another. –Lindir) 

Text begins: 

In the antechamber of the Great Temple there are two friezes. The one on the right, called ‘The God Arises’, depicts the Great Melkor in the traditional position of Rising Above Stars, and was carved by the Númenórean master Zôraphel. The one on the left is known only colloquially as ‘The Supplicant’ and depicts a kneeling figure with face upturned, arms raised as if summoning the newly arrived worshippers to the temple complex beyond. It was carved by the Zigȗr himself, and before its destruction by treacherous agents of the blasphemous cult calling themselves the ‘Faithful’, it was known to be the most beautiful and accurate depiction of the glories that await the worshipper once the Great Melkor is freed. This account is meant to serve as a living recollection of the glory of the Zigȗr’s work until such time as the frieze might be restored. 

The frieze itself spans three cubits high by seven cubits long, set from waist-height to eye-level for a man of good breeding. It is carved of white marble imported from the base of the mountain outside the city, and was left unpainted upon its conclusion. It depicts a kneeling figure in fitted robes leaning forward, head raised up, eyes staring into the secret sanctums within, both arms reaching out and up with hands open in worshipful supplication. Behind the figure is carved a small holly tree with many-spiked leaves and clusters of small berries. Ahead of the figure is the glorious hand of the Zigȗr himself reaching down to uplift the worshipper into the Mysteries. 

Despite the presence of the Zigȗr’s arm, the focus of the frieze, and where the master craftsman clearly expended most of his efforts, is in the face of the worshipper. Hundreds of crafts-minded worshippers have copied that face into their own works and hundreds more have written great tributes to it, of which this humble work is one, and none of them can come close to its glorious idealization of the Númenórean figure. To describe:

The face of the worshipper bears a great resemblance to the face of the ancient statue of the great Ar-Indilzar, who is also called Ar-Gimilzôr. However, the features are less traditionally masculine, the set of the face lighter and more refined than that of the ancient king’s to reflect the role that women also fulfill in their worship of the Great Melkor. Similarly, the figure’s long hair is bound back by a wreath of living holly; such garlands are a traditional maiden’s hairstyle dating back from the days of the Sixth King. 

The worshipper’s smile is famously expressive. Those who see the frieze have often described the smile as rapturous, open, loving, confident, and shy. Many also report feeling a sense of being adored and cherished as they walk past it on their way to worship. This is believed to be representative of the bliss and glory that will be ours once the Great Melkor walks free again. Such is the great care and skill of the Zigȗr! 

I have included a rough copy of the great master Arnuzîr’s masterpiece rendition of the frieze below: 

(What follows is a work of no particular talent; I suspect this Arnuzîr earned his mastery through virtues other than the artistic. I have not included it in an effort to spare your eyes from its lack of grace. –Lindir) 

An idiosyncrasy of the figure was discovered shortly after its dedication: Both the yearning gaze and the reaching hands form a direct line to the high dais at the base of the statue of Melkor where the Zigȗr traditionally performs the rites of worship. By this are the coming worshippers reassured of the rightness of their growing veneration. Such is his brilliant and great mind.

The frieze on the right, in contrast… 

(Based on the descriptions, I believe you recognize the figure as well as I. –Lindir) 

(I do. It seems like the truth of Eregion may be more dangerous than we thought. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. –Elrond)