Meneldil

Meneldil (S.A. 3318 - T.A. 158) was the son and fourth child of Anárion, and was recorded as being the last man born in Númenor before the downfall. He had three older siblings, all apparently sisters. His name means "devoted to heaven".

He became the third King of Gondor in T.A. 2 after the death of his uncle Isildur. He was the first King of Gondor who ruled independent from the High Kingdom of the Dúnedain, Arnor.

It is doubtful whether he was King by right, as his father was only the regent for Gondor, under the High King Isildur. His young cousin Valandil, by right King of both Arnor and Gondor, would have legally been his overlord, but no claim by Valandil was ever made. It was in any case unlikely Meneldil would easily give up his right to rule to a much younger cousin he had never seen. In any case the people of Gondor did not resist Meneldil's claim on the throne, and King Valandil and heirs made no serious attempts to regain control over Gondor until after Anárion's line had failed. In effect Meneldil now had severed Gondor from Arnor, but the title of High King remained with the northern line.

He died in T.A. 158 and was succeeded by his son Cemendur.