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."
Among the leaders of the Noldor, money is always an issue, as they need it to finance their war and their endless construction projects, and yet even the wealthiest among them (like my jewel-bedecked Lord Felagund) baulk at letting go of the treasures of Valinor, brought here at such great cost.
Now, the Dwarves have come up with a wide variety of rational solutions to cash-flow problems, such as loans and bonds, but the Lords I have spoken to see such business arrangements as mercenary, and regard them with suspicion.
No matter; I know just how to proceed! Aristocrats seem to enjoy the idea of regular gift exchanges, so my current plan is to simply offer Lord Felagund the funds he needs, and to hint that the gift I would wish for in return is… let me think, perhaps a share of the trade profits of his new, well-situated city?