Fairies

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"It was often said (in other families) that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife."
J.R.R. Tolkien[1]

Fairies were creatures of Hobbit legend, only mentioned fleetingly.[1] If such creatures ever existed, it is possible that the Fairies of the Third Age were among the "servants and helpers" of the Maiar (mentioned in Elven chronicles)[2] — lesser spirits that would have remained in Middle-earth (and would thus be equivalent to the Sprites).

Other versions of the legendarium

In early writings of the legendarium, Fairies was a name for the Elves.[3][4][5]

Names

Faërie, Faëry, Faery [...]

Inspiration and Etymology

J.R.R. Tolkien's concept of Faërie uses a deliberate variant spelling of fairy. While both spellings derive from Middle English faie ("possessing magical powers"), the name fairy carries connotations of 'prettiness'. Tolkien wanted to distance himself from this modern sense, and by using Faërie (variants included Faery and Fayery) he sought "connotations older and considerably darker".[6]

See also

External links

References

Legendary races of Arda
 Animals:  Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish
Dragon-kind:  Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms
Evil Races:  Ettens · Giants · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Two-headed Trolls
Other:  Badger-folk · Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless things · Spectres
Individuals:  Talking Gurthang · Talking purse · The Hunter · Lady of the Sun · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · River-woman · Tarlang · Tim · Tom · White cow