Gallery
Aredhel Ar-Feiniel
"Their sister was Aredhel the White. She was younger in the years of the Eldar than her brothers; and when she was grown to full stature and beauty she was tall and strong and loved much to ride and hunt in the forests. There she was often in the company of the sons of Fëanor, her kin; but to none was her heart's love given. Ar-Feiniel she was called, the White Lady of the Noldor, for she was pale, though her hair was dark, and she was never arrayed but in silver and white."Sil, Chapter V - Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië
Fingolfin's third child and only daughter, Fingon and Turgon's sister, she grew in Valinor. She joined her brothers during the flight of the Noldor.
After Turgon founded the City of Gondolin, she accompanied him. But she wearied of the Hidden City and asked her brother leave to depart. He reluctantly granted her leave and, riding East to find the sons of Fëanor, she strayed from her escort and got lost in Nan Dungortheb.
She finally reached Himlad, Celegorm's and Curufin's kingdom and there, wandering in the woodsn she entered the forest of Nan Elmoth, where Melian had "trapped" Thingol. She was enmeshed in the forest.
She was taken in by Eöl, the Dark Elf, a famous Sindarin smith, and he married her. Eöl forbid her to seek again the sons of Fëanor or even any of the Noldor whom he hated. They had a son. Aredhel called him Lómion, but Eöl named him Maeglin.
Father and son finally quarrelled and Maeglin, taking advantage of his father's being absent, convinced his mother to take him to Gondolin, to meet the other members of his family. Eöl followed them and was captured by the Guard of Gondolin. Turgon gave him the choice to stay in Gondolin forever or to die. Eöl seized then a javelin that he held hid and cast it at his son, crying: "The second choice I take and for my son also! You shall not hold what is mine!"
Aredhel sprang before the dart, and it smote her in the shoulder. But the javelin was poisoned and she died in the night. Eöl was executed on the next day.
Top of the page
Daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel, she married Elrond in the year 109 Third Age. They had three children: Elladan and Elrohir - twins - and Arwen.
"In 2509, Celebrían, wife of Elrond, was journeying to Lórien when she was waylaid in the Redhorn Pass, and her escort being scattered by the sudden assault of the Orcs, she was seized and carried off. She was pursued and rescued by Elladan and Elrohir, but not before she had suffered torment and had received a poisoned wound. She was brought back to Imladris and though healed in body by Elrond, lost all delight in Middle-earth, and the next year went to the Havens and passed over Sea."
LotR, Appendix A (III) - Eriador, Arnor and the Heirs of Isildur
Top of the page
Daughter of Dior Eluchil and Nimloth, grand-daughter of Beren and Lúthien, Princess of Doriath, sister of Eluréd and Elurín, she was born on the isle of Tol Galen "on a night of stars, whose light glittered in the spray of the waterfall of Lanthir Lamath beside her father's house" hence her name meaning Star-Spray.
After the death of Elu Thingol, she went with her father to Doriath where she lived until the attack led by the sons of Fëanor in which Dior and Nimloth were killed, her brothers disappeared and Doriath was utterly destroyed. She could escape, taking with her Nauglamír, in which had been set the Silmaril which the sons of Fëanor covetted, and she went to the mouths of Sirion.
Later, they were joined by the survivors from Gondolin among whom was Eärendil, son of Tuor and Idril Celebrindal. They got married and had two children, the twins Elrond and Elros.
Eärendil put out to sea, seeking his parents, hoping to find Valinor. But he could not find them, and he was heading back home when the sons of Fëanor attacked the elves who lived by the mouths of Sirion, to take the Silmaril from them. Elwing cast herself into the sea, the Silmaril upon her breast. But Ulmo gave her the likeness of a great white bird. At night she reached Vingilot, Eärendil's ship and fell upon it, in a swoon. The next day, she had her own form. They both went towards Valinor and, thanks to the Silmaril, they reached it. She, as Eärendil, set foot on the land of Valinor.
While he was pleading for both the Eldar and the Edain before the Valar, Elwing went to Alqalondë where she was welcomed by the Teleri.
The Valar decided that Eärendil, Elwing and their children should be given leave each to choose to which kindred their fates should be joined. Eärendil left the choice to Elwing who chose to be judged among the Firstborn, because of Lúthien.
The ship Eärendil was lifted up in the heavens, Eärendil at the helm, bearing the Silmaril upon his brow. For Elwing, was built a white tower upon the borders of the Sundering Seas. There she learned the tongues of birds, who herself had once worn their shape. She also learned to fly and "at times when Eärendil returning drew near again to Arda, she would fly to meet him, even as she had flown long ago, when she was rescued from the sea. Then the far-sighted among the Elves that dwelt in the Lonely Isle would see her like a white bird, shining, rose-stained in the sunset, as she soared in joy to greet the coming of Vingilot to haven."
Sil, Chapter XXIV - Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath
Top of the page
"Then the heart of Finduilas was turned from Gwindor and against her will her love was given to Túrin; but Túrin did not perceive what had befallen. And being torn in heart Finduilas became sorrowful; and she grew wan and silent."
Jealous, Gwindor betrayed Túrin's true identity, hoping Finduilas would turn from him.
Glaurung attacked Nargothrond. Túrin fought against his army in the plain of Tumhalad, but he was beaten. Orodreth and Gwindor were killed. He ran to Nargothrond to save Finduilas, but was held under the power of the dragon and could not react when the orcs took the prisonners to thraldom in Angband, among which was Finduilas. Deceived by Glaurung, Túrin did not pursue them.
As the slave convoy was crossing Brethil, they were attacked at the Crossings of Teiglin by Men who wanted to free the prisonners. The orcs at once slew them.
"And Finduilas, they pinned to a tree with a spear. So she died, saying at last:
Top of the page
Goldberry is Tom Bombadil's wife, Tolkien's most mysterious character (if you want to know who Tom Bombadil really is, ask about it in the newsgroups - you'll be answered with much pleasure!)
Tom Bombadil calls her Daughter of the Rivière (the Withywindle). If you read "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil", this name might be literal. He had much difficulties to catch her to marry her.
Top of the page
She received the Elessar from its maker, Enerdhil of Gondolin, and gave it to Eärendil when he put out to sea.
Maeglin, son of Aredhel Ar-Feiniel, fell in love with her but they were of kin too near and Idril, knowing his thought of her, loved him the less.
When Tuor came to Gondolin - in 495 First Age, Idril and him fell in love and in 502, they got married. The hate of Maeglin grew even more. Next Spring their son Eärendil was born.
Despite the peace in Gondolin, Idril was worried. She let prepare a secret way, that should lead down from the city and passing out beneath the surface of the plain issue far beyond the wall, northward of Amon Gwareth.
Maeglin betrayed. Captured by Morgoth, he revealed the location of Gondolin, hoping thus to receive Idril's hand.
The remnant of Gondolin fled to Nan-tathren, the Land of Willows. But the sea-longing woke in Tuor's heart and with his family he went to the mouths of Sirion when they joined Elwing and the survivors from Doriath.
Circa 543, Tuor "built a great ship, and he named it Eärrámë, which is Sea-Wing; and with Idril Celebrindal he set sail into the sunset and the West, and came no more into any tale or song. But in after days it was said that Tuor alone of mortal Men was numbered among the elder race, and was joined with the Noldor, whom he loved; and his fate is sundered from the fate of Men."
Top of the page
They both dwelt in Menegroth in Doriath where they ruled over the Sindar and had as only daughter Lúthien Tinúviel, and thus Valinorean blood survived in Endor.
Gifted with foresight, Melian felt the end of the Peace of Arda was approaching. This allowed Thingol to build relationships with the Naugrim of Nogrod and Belegost.
After Morgoth's escape, orcs attacked Doriath. The victory was dear-bought. Then Melian used her power to create around Neldoreth and Region an enchanted wall - the Ring of Melian. "None thereafter could pass against her will or the will of King Thingol, unless one should come with a power greater than that of Melian the Maia. And this inner land, which was long named Eglador, was after called Doriath, the guarded kingdom, Land of the Girdle."
Beren was the only one to get through the Ring of Melian uninvited.
Melian always tried to temper Thingol's mood, counselling him not to hinder Beren and Lúthien's love or not to keep the Silmaril.
Thingol was killed by the Dwarves of Nogrod who wanted to take from him the Nauglamír wherein they had set the Silmaril. Then, in despair and weary of Middle-earth, Melian withdrew her power from the forests of Neldoreth and Region and returned to the land of the Valar in the gardens of Lórien and she never came back.
Top of the page
Húrin went to the war and it was Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Morwen, pregnant by Nienor, stayed alone with her son fils. But fearing for Túrin's life, as Morgoth had given Dor-Lómin to the Easterlings, she sent him to King Thingol in Doriath. She could not bring herself to leave, as she was still hoping for Húrin's return. But the Easterlings left her alone - she inspired them much fear. She did not leave Dor-Lómin until the road were safe enough, protected by the Mormegil of Nargothrond. Then she went to Doriath where she learned her son had gone for many years.
After the fall of Nargothrond, she learned that the Mormegil was none but Túrin. She decided to go to the ruined city hoping to gather news about him. But Glaurung was stil there and he attacked them. Morwen's horse bolted and none saw her thereafter but once.
Húrin, overcome, was finaly released by Morgoth after twenty-eight years of captivity. Coming to Cabed Naeramarth, he saw the stone marking the place of the death of his children.
"But Húrin did not look at the stone, for he knew what was written there; and his eyes had seen that he was not alone. Sitting in the shadow of the stone there was a woman, bent over her knees; and as Húrin stood there silent she cast back her tattered hood and lifted her face. Grey she was and old, but suddenly her eyes looked into his, and he knew her; for though they were wild and full of fear, that light still gleamed in them that long ago had earned for her the name Eledhwen, proudest and most beautiful of mortal women in the days of old.
...It is told that a seer and harp-player of Brethil named Glirhuin made a song, saying that the Stone of the Hapless should not be defiled by Morgoth nor ever thrown down, not though the sea should drown all the land; as after indeed befell, and still Tol Morwen stands alone in the water beyond the new coasts that were made in the days of the wrath of the Valar. But Húrin does not lie there, for his doom drove him on, and the Shadow still followed him."
Top of the page
The Dwarves were driven out of Khazad-dûm by the Balrog, she was frightened and fled south, followed by Amroth. He found her under the eaves of Fangorn. They promised to get married in a land of peace. The only possible place was the West; thus they went towards a port which would become afterwards Dol Amroth.
During their journey they were separated. Amroth went alone to the port where was one only ship ready to go West. The sailors agreed to delay their going for many weeks, so that Nimrodel would have enough time to come. But a storm broke: The moorings broke and the ship was driven to the open sea.
Amroth, in despairto be separated from Nimrodel for ever, crying her Name leapt into the sea and swam towards the shore. None ever saw again Amroth or Nimrodel.
Daughter of Orodreth King of Nargothrond after the death of Finrod Felagund, she fell in love with Gwindor, a young lord of Nargothrond. He gave her the name Faelivrin, which is "the gleam of the sun on the pools of Ivrin". He was captured and taken as a slave in Angband after Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
He finally escaped and came back to Nargothrond accompanied by Agarwaen, son of Ulwarth (whose true name was Túrin).
Sil, Chapter XXI - Of Túrin Turambar
- Tell the Mormegil that Finduilas is here.
Therefore they had laid her in a mound near that place, and named it Haudh-en-Elleth, the Mound of the Elf-maid."
Sil, Chapter XXI - Of Túrin Turambar
"In a chair, at the far side of the room facing the outer door, sat a woman. Her long yellow hair rippled down her shoulders; her gown was green, green as young reeds, shot with silver like beads of dew; and her belt was of gold, shaped like a chain of flag-lilies set with the pale-blue eyes of forget-me-nots. About her feet in wide vessels of green and brown earthenware, white water-lilies were floating, so that she seemed to be enthroned in the midst of a pool.
- Enter good guests! she said.
And as she spoke they knew that it was her clear voice thay had heard singing."
LotR, Book I, Chapter VII - In the House of Tom Bombadil
Idril, daughter Turgon King of Gondolin and of Elenwë, who died during the crossing of the Helkaraxë, was born in Valinor.
Morgoth's hosts invaded the City and to save Idril and Eärendil from Maeglin, Tuor killed him. They escaped by the secret way of Amon Gwareth. In Cirith Thoronath, they were attacked by a Balrog. Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower fought him and both died.
Sil, Chapter XXIII - Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin
Melian, Maïa of Lórien, liked to wander in the forests of Beleriand. There, as she was singing with nightingales in the Forest of Nan Elmoth she met Elwë Singollo, Lord of the Third Kindred of the Eldar. Melian's voice charmed him so much that he could not move and he forgot his people.
"She spoke no word; but being filled with love Elwë came to her and took her hand, and straightway a spell was laid on him, so that they stood thus while long years were measured by the wheeling stars above them; and the trees of Nan Elmoth grew tall and dark before they spoke any word."
Sil, Chapter IV - Of Thingol et Melian
Sil, Chapter X - Of the Sindar
Morwen, daughter of Baragund, was born in Dorthonion. There she dwelt until the batttle of Dagor Bragollach, after which she went to Dor-Lómin. She wed Húrin and had three children: Lalaith, Túrin and Nienor. Lalaith died aged three.
- You came at last, she said, I have waited too long.
- It was a dark road. I came as I could, he answered.
- But you are too late, said Morwen. They are lost.
- I know it, he said. But you are not.
- But Morwen said: Almost. I am spent. I shall go with the sun. Now little time is left: if you know, tell me! How did she find him?
But Húrin did not answer, and they sat beside the stone, and did not speak again; and when the sun went down Morwen sighed and clasped his hand, and was still; and Húrin knew that she had died. He looked down at her in the twilight and it seemed to him that the lines of grief and cruel hardship were smoothed away...
Sil, Chapter XXII - Of the Ruin of Doriath
Nimrodel was a Wood Elf of Lórinand. Amroth, King of that country, loved her. Even though she loved him too, she did not want to marry him for he was a Sinda and she did not like Sindar for having brought wars. She refused to speak Sindarin and she dwelt alone beside the falls of the river Nimrodel.
