Razing Arnor: How real were the Dunadan conspiracies?

of its close friendship with the Eldar, Arnor may have retained a stronger tradition of hostility toward those Numenorean colonies which had supported Sauron. Tarannon, situated closer to the Black Numenorean kingdoms, may have simply been engaging in some Realpolitick to keep Gondor out of a major war. If the Black Numenoreans had made overtures to Gondor, the potential for extending his realm's influence both politically and financially through trade may have seemed attractive. Perhaps Tarannon could have entertained an ambition to reunite the Faithful Dunedain with the Black Numenoreans. Whatever Tarannon's motives or actions toward the Black Numenoreans, his successes in battle and politics may have inspired Amlaith's brothers to advance and demand policy changes that Arnor simply wasn't willing to accept. Cardolan, being closer to Enedwaith and controlling the sea-trade which must have passed through Tharbad, had better reason to want to be more like Gondor, or closer to Gondor, than Amlaith and the northern lords of Arnor. In terms of potential conflicts and motivations, Rhudaur is a much less clear issue, however. Since the Dunedain there were not very numerous, it seems odd that the hill-folk would welcome an alternative Dunadan king. Why bother? What could or should Amlaith's younger brother have promised them to induce them to be more loyal to him than to the king at Annuminas (later Fornost, where Amlaith established his seat)? If the Dunedain of Rhudaur had a stranglehold on the region's commerce and government, then the support of the hill-folk may have been unnecessary. An alliance with the local prince may be all that would be required. But why should the local prince wish to secede from Arnor, unless he wanted to be a power behind a throne? And yet, there is no indication that the Line of Isildur was controlled or influenced by anyone in Rhudaur. It may be that the Rhudaurians did not want to be governed by Cardolan, and seeing Amlaith as weak they decided to raise up their own king who would put their own priorities first. Imagine the weeks leading up to the division of Arnor. The High King was dead or dying and major policy changes were being proposed. Amlaith would be firmly set against reconciliation with the Black Numenoreans, and had no desire to set out upon wars of conquest. His brothers, inspired by Tarannon's growing power and influence, would be arguing for Arnor to take bolder action. "We've missed our

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