Treebeard and the unnamed King of Lórien set bounds between them; Alan and James clearly know no bounds. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we conclude our six-episode look at The History of Galadriel and Celeborn in Unfinished Tales . Fangorn will walk where he wants to; of the Gwathló, we learn that the river is wide and it’s too hard to cross (especially in the middle of the night); Celeborn is (we guess) surprised to find the meaning of his name has been changed. We imagin...
Apr 05, 2026•2 hr 12 min•Season 10Ep. 26
Of the Elessar two things are said, though which is true only those Wise could say who now are gone — to paraphrase Merry, “that leaves us out, James”. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we return from our short break from The History of Galadriel and Celeborn to study a green gem and learn more about the Silvan Elves. Enerdhil becomes Sir-Not-Appearing-In-This-Book, Gandalf plays the part of a carnival magician, and Galadriel relishes being a big fish in a small pond. We wond...
Mar 29, 2026•1 hr 49 min•Season 10Ep. 25
Join us all in the Common Room for the Prancing Pony Podcast’s 11th annual Tolkien Reading Day special. Tolkien Reading Day is observed every March 25 in honor of the destruction of the Ring and the downfall of Barad-dûr. This year’s theme, as chosen by the Tolkien Society, is Unlikely Heroes — which describes each of the co-hosts who’ve joined with The Man of the West to present readings that showcase this year’s theme. Matt calls ‘dibs’, Don’s hero is a bird, Sara surprisingly doesn’t choose A...
Mar 22, 2026•2 hr 18 min•Season 10Ep. 24
Lórien had long years of peace and obscurity under the rule of Amdír; the PPP has had 10 years of, well, obscurity under the rule of Alan. Join The Man of the West and the Sage of the South as we continue our deep dive into the story of Amroth and Nimrodel found in The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Galadriel sees just how much those poor Silvan Elves need proper leadership; Amroth’s name, it turns out, might have come from living in a treehouse; and Imrazôr wonders what Mithrellas will do w...
Mar 15, 2026•1 hr 56 min•Season 10Ep. 23
When Sauron learned of Celebrimbor’s revolt, his wrath was revealed; Alan doesn’t wait for James to revolt, but his wrath is reduced to nothing more than bad jokes. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as Sauron has his way in Eregion in our third episode on The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Celebrimbor runs with a dangerous crowd, the Númenóreans show up five years late , and Amroth tragically discovers that Elves can’t swim across an ocean. We remind you how helpful it is to...
Mar 08, 2026•2 hr 13 min•Season 10Ep. 22
Christopher Tolkien says his father’s writing on Galadriel and Celeborn is “very roughly composed”; some way that our episodes are even more roughly composed. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we continue our futile quest for a consistent storyline in The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Amroth is and is not their son, Galadriel rolls a natural 20 for ‘Detect Evil’, and Celeborn wonders ‘why does she stay?’ We ask how to clean up the residue of evil, discover Sauron is a NI...
Mar 01, 2026•2 hr 1 min•Season 10Ep. 21
Celeborn has dwelt in the West since the days of dawn; it only seems like Alan has as well. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we embark on a six-part journey through The History of Galadriel and Celeborn from Unfinished Tales . Christopher Tolkien concedes ‘severe inconsistencies’, while Galadriel’s got a way about her; I don’t know what it is. Celeborn meets his wife in Doriath… or in Alqualondë. We marvel at the hubris of claiming to have learned everything the Valar can te...
Feb 22, 2026•1 hr 47 min•Season 10Ep. 20
Tal-Elmar hopes to turn the tables on Mogru, the town’s Master; James manages to turn the table on Alan by interviewing him about his decade in podcasting. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South for some hazy cosmic jive as we conclude our four-episode look at the story of Tal-Elmar. It turns out Mogru’s been plotting for a while now, Tal-Elmar could probably do with a few more clothes, and the Númenóreans apparently have errands to run. We note that Christoper Tolkien did an amazing...
Feb 15, 2026•2 hr 2 min•Season 10Ep. 19
Tal-Elmar refuses to help the Master because his “father is the elder”; James refuses to help Alan even though Alan is the elder. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as love dares you to care for the story of Tal-Elmar found in The Peoples of Middle-earth . Mogru gets some exercise — apparently for the first time in ages, Hazad knows martial law when he sees it, and Tal-Elmar braves the three dangers of the Agar swamp. We keep noticing unexpected lizard references, discover a grea...
Feb 08, 2026•1 hr 54 min•Season 10Ep. 18
Tal-Elmar spots three strange birds upon the water; Alan and James are just two strange guys with microphones. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we continue our four-part look into Tolkien’s unusual story of Tal-Elmar. Tal-Elmar reminds us of the legend of the Swans of Gorbelgod, Hazad offers a long history lesson, and together they turn and face the strange master of Agar: Mogru the Hutt. We discover that we’re good at finding things that don’t help us at all, admire Tolkien...
Feb 01, 2026•1 hr 51 min•Season 10Ep. 17
Hazad’s beard was five feet long without stretching; Alan and James can’t get the podcast to two hours without stretching. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we explore the little-known story of Tal-Elmar from The Peoples of Middle-earth in a sort of epilogue to Aldarion and Erendis. We meet calamity’s child, Tal-Elmar, along with his prolific father, Hazad Longbeard; and we learn about the strange history of the people of Agar and the Fell Folk of the East — without learning ...
Jan 25, 2026•1 hr 59 min•Season 10Ep. 16
Come celebrate the New Year with us here at The Prancing Pony Podcast as The Man of the West welcomes The Sage of the South! James and Alan invite our listeners to the Common Room, answering their questions again in our 33rd Questions After Nightfall! James fishes for a bonus (already?) while we rate Galadriels; we re-write The Lord of the Rings from Legolas’ perspective and ponder career opportunities for ex-wizards. Also on the agenda: the problem children of Ilúvatar and our standing rule abo...
Jan 18, 2026•1 hr 48 min•Season 10Ep. 15
Tar-Aldarion changes the law of succession in Númenor; thankfully primogeniture will play no role in determining Sara’s successor on the podcast. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we conclude the long and tragic tale of Aldarion and Erendis — and say farewell to Sara for this season. Soronto waits for a day that will never come, Hallacar slides into Ancalimë’s DMs, and there’s a shadow hanging over Erendis as she meets her sorrowful end in Rómenna. We note that Silmarien ...
Jan 11, 2026•1 hr 55 min•Season 10Ep. 14
All of Aldarion’s efforts in Middle-earth were swept away with time and tide; we’ll have to wait awhile to see about all of Alan’s efforts on the podcast. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin our two-episode conclusion on Aldarion and Erendis, looking at the ‘notes and jottings’ that make up The Further Course of the Narrative. Tar-Aldarion sailed in from Armenelos BOAC, didn’t get to bed last night; Erendis has much to say about the men of Númenor, and Hallatan get...
Jan 04, 2026•2 hr 18 min•Season 10Ep. 13
Aldarion prepares to go from this misenchanted isle of daydreams filled with insolent women; Alan puts 10 pence in the Sara to get her take on said ‘insolent women’. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we near the end of Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales . Aldarion lays out his demands to the King; to soften the blow (and quiet the rumors), Meneldur sends the Sceptre along, “with love, from me to you”; and a letter from Erendis leads Aldarion to a rant that proves ...
Dec 14, 2025•2 hr 12 min•Season 10Ep. 12
Aldarion watches everyone celebrate and party from the sidelines; Alan painfully recalls his awkward teenage years, while Sara isn’t sure those are over. Join The Man of the West and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin the eighth of what is now eleven episodes on the story of Aldarion and Erendis in Unfinished Tales . Aldarion gives Ulbar’s wife a kingly gift meant for someone else, Gil-galad writes the best letter ever (and doesn't even use AI!), and Meneldur finds himself not so self-assured...
Dec 07, 2025•2 hr 27 min•Season 10Ep. 11
Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan for a very special conversation with Dr. Michael D.C. Drout, author of The Tower and the Ruin: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Creation , the new must-read book about Tolkien’s legendarium. Professor Drout builds the best dark towers ever, confesses his man-crush on Tom Shippey, and starts a fight with Alan about the talking fox. We discuss Jerry Springer in Middle-earth, laugh at a joke no one else laughed at, and whole-heartedly agree with Mike that “the...
Nov 23, 2025•2 hr 16 min•Season 10Ep. 10
Aldarion offers the usual assortment of excuses for his shortcomings, and delivers the mail to Meneldur; Alan and Sara offer no excuses for the PPP’s shortcomings, and wonder why Gil-galad hasn’t written to us. Join The Man of the West and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we continue our close readings in the story of Aldarion and Erendis in Unfinished Tales . Zamîn has “the talk” with Ancalimë; Erendis says ‘stop’, Aldarion says ‘go’; and Erendis looks for signs of regret in a man proving himself i...
Nov 16, 2025•2 hr 22 min•Season 10Ep. 9
Aldarion claims to ask for only two years, but takes a lot more; Alan and Sara ask for only two hours, and only take a little bit more. Join The Man of the West and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin to discover that maybe we should have asked for more than 10 episodes in the story of Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales . Ancalimë, the daughter of Aldarion and Erendis, is born just in time for Aldarion to let her down; the King’s Heir proves to be as blind as he can be, just sees what ...
Nov 09, 2025•2 hr 12 min•Season 10Ep. 8
Away from the Sea, Aldarion finds little peace or joy; away from the podcast, Alan is just fine, thank you very much. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we reach the halfway mark in our 10-episode run through the walking billboard for premarital counseling that is Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales . Aldarion wants to build Erendis a big, shiny boat because he doesn’t listen; Erendis proves she’s the bigger person (give her time, folks, she’ll catch up); and the El...
Nov 02, 2025•1 hr 55 min•Season 10Ep. 7
Erendis’ mom gives her some pretty questionable relationship advice; Alan and Sara give you a pretty questionable podcast episode. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we near the halfway point of our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales . Aldarion tells Erendis to try to see it his way, but Erendis reminds him life is very short, and there’s no time; the stars of this rom-com finally get betrothed; and Meneldur gives his wayward son some hard truths....
Oct 26, 2025•2 hr 10 min•Season 10Ep. 6
Aldarion runs headlong into contentment and doesn’t even recognize it; Alan and Sara run headlong into more bad jokes and don’t particularly care. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we find ourselves moving swiftly through our 10-part series on Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales . Meneldur takes Aldarion’s cell phone, turns off the Wi-Fi, and stops giving him in allowance; Erendis’ name might be a little on the nose, but we’re sure it will have no effect whatsoever...
Oct 19, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Erendis arrives at a very important party, and is caught by Aldarion’s beauty and splendor of bearing; that never happens to Alan or Sara. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we continue our 10-part dive into the story of Aldarion and Erendis from Unfinished Tales . Queen Almarian drops a hint that Aldarion just can’t catch, Meneldur has wisdom for his son — even if he ignores it, and Aldarion can’t stop looking at Erendis as he sails away… before too long, he’ll fall in lo...
Oct 12, 2025•1 hr 59 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Tolkien writes about the difficulty of relating the legendarium without “explanatory digressions”; Alan and Sara realize the PPP has a new subtitle. Join The Man of the West and the Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we begin — hold on to your headphones — a ten-part series on the story of Aldarion and Erendis, as the PPP begins its season-long look at Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth . Meneldur is a humble and wise king; Vëantur gives his grandson a ticket to ride; and Aldarion starts his cul...
Oct 05, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 10Ep. 3
Join us all in the Common Room here at The Prancing Pony Podcast as The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan answer listener questions again in our 32nd Questions After Nightfall! Sara welcomes you all to her Galadriel TED Talk, and we discuss the deep matters of loss in Tolkien and learning life lessons in the legendarium. But it’s not all serious: members of the Fellowship in a rock band, Aulë’s mistakes with Dwarven reproduction, and a strutting Glorfindel lighten the mood. Also, Sar...
Sep 28, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Season 10Ep. 2
The Lord of the Mark returns for a special episode to help get Season 10 of The Prancing Pony Podcast underway, as we chat with Dan Falconer and Leonard Ellis from Wētā Workshop! From Falconer’s early days on the first Peter Jackson films to Ellis’ upcoming sculpt of Cirith Ungol, our conversation centers on all things Middle-earth. We learn the real meaning of the acronym CAD, find that even the people who make these things don’t have room on their shelves for all of them, and officially put a ...
Sep 21, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Season 10Ep. 1
Alan and James sit down with fellow Tolkien-nerd and lead writer for Wētā Workshop's new game, Tales of the Shire . We discuss the depth of world-building by Tolkien and how to reflect that in a game set in the Shire, and celebrate the appearance of familiar names and places in the game. Darren tells us about an unbelievable meeting in Oxford, compares the Silmarillion to a dehydrated feast, and we all wonder about the lost company of Hobbit archers! Also, food is love, and we agree. Learn more ...
Jul 27, 2025•2 hr 3 min
Tolkien believes that his method of translation-by-sense “perhaps needs some defence”; Alan and James know their method of podcasting requires a lot of defense. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we misplace our Babel fish in the second half of Appendix F from The Lord of the Rings , on translation. Tolkien speaks to the reader directly, gives us a fantastic analogy with Arthur and Camelot, and provides comic relief in the form of Hobbit names. We wonder how ‘amused’ Denethor ...
Jul 20, 2025•2 hr 10 min
The Elves speak in a more gracious and antique style; James thinks there’s an old joke in there somewhere. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we begin our two-episode exploration of Appendix F to The Lord of the Rings , and the languages of Middle-earth take center stage. Pengoloð shows up again, someone is trying to gloss over Thingol’s linguistic genocide, and Galadriel has her scribes everywhere. We discuss Tolkien’s gripe with translations a week early, give another shout-...
Jul 13, 2025•2 hr 5 min
Maybe Celebrimbor just has poor penmanship; and maybe Alan still can’t pronounce things correctly. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we urge you to take the advice provided in the episode title when we dive into Appendix E to The Lord of the Rings on Writing and Spelling… but we know you’re here for the pronunciation humiliation! Fëanor stands on the shoulders of the giant Rumil, Tolkien retcons the Dwarvish ‘outer names’, and everything’s absurd to the Elves. We try to rhyme...
Jun 29, 2025•2 hr 7 min
