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{{maiar infobox
{{maiar infobox
| image=[[Image:Marta Aguado - Melian.jpg|250px]]
| name=Melian
| name=Melian
| othernames=
| image=[[File:Elena Kukanova - The Light of Valinor.jpg|250px]]
| coming=During the [[Years of the Trees]].
| caption="The Light of Valinor" by [[Elena Kukanova]]
| death=Immortal.
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈmeljan]}}
| duty=[[Vána]] and [[Estë]].
| othernames=''Melyanna'' ([[Quenya|Q]])<br/>''Tóril'' ([[Doriathrin|D]])
| robes=Red.
| titles=[[King of Doriath|Queen of Doriath]]
| gender=Female.
| position=
| appearance=Beautiful, regal.
| location=[[Valinor]]<br/>[[Cuiviénen]]<ref name=Five/><br/>[[Nan Elmoth]]<br/>[[Doriath]]
| hair=Dark.
| affiliation=[[Vána]] & [[Estë]]
|}}
| language=[[Valarin]]<br/>[[Sindarin]]
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Melian.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
| birth=[[Creation of the Ainur|Before the Music of the Ainur]]
{{pronounce|Quenya - Melyanna.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
| birthlocation=[[Timeless Halls]]
'''Melian''' the [[Maia]] was the wife of [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]], mother of [[Lúthien]], and Queen of [[Doriath]]. She appears in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and ''[[The Children of Húrin]]''.
| rule={{YT|1152}} - {{FA|503}}
| death={{FA|503}}<ref group="note">[[Thingol|Thingol's]] death and Melian's departure are indeed placed under {{YS|503}} in the final version of the [[The Tale of Years (The War of the Jewels)|The Tale of Years]] from ''[[The War of the Jewels]]'', but there Thingol was killed in the battle with the Dwarves. However, according to the narrative introduced after much hesitation into the published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'' by [[Christopher Tolkien]], it occurred immediately after the reforging of the [[Nauglamír]].</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Menegroth]]
| age=at least 4,815<ref group="note">[[Years of the Sun]]. Each [[Years of the Trees|Year of the Trees]] is equal to 9.582 Years of the Sun, and the Years of the Trees ended in the [[Year of the Trees 1500|year 1500]], while Melian dwelt in [[Middle-earth]] since the [[Year of the Trees 1050|year 1050]]. She definitely existed in [[Arda]] before this date, but it is unknown if she entered [[Eä]] exactly at the same time as the [[Valar]] and other [[Maiar]] did.</ref>
| notablefor=Casting the [[Girdle of Melian]] around Doriath to protect it
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Thingol]]
| children=[[Lúthien]]<br/>Fostered [[Túrin]]
| gender=Female
| height=
| hair=Dark<ref>{{NM|P2iv}}, p. 186</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=Red
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Melian''' the [[Maia]] was the wife of [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]], mother of [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]], and '''Queen of [[Doriath]]'''.
 
== Attributes==
Melian served [[Vána]] and [[Estë]]. She was said to be akin to [[Yavanna]] the Valië. She is associated with songbirds, and it is said she taught [[nightingales]] how to sing and their music followed her paces. In [[Valinor]], she dwelt in the [[Lórien (Valinor)|Gardens of Lórien]] tending its trees, and she was the most beautiful, wise and skilled in songs of enchantment of all the people of [[Irmo]]. However, she journeyed often to [[Middle-earth]] for she loved the deep shadows of trees and forests.<ref>{{S|IIc}}</ref><ref name=Thingol>{{S|Thingol}}</ref>
 
==History==
In the dawn of [[Arda]] Melian dwelt in the Gardens of Lórien, and taught the [[nightingales]] how to sing. When the lights of the [[Two Trees of Valinor|Two Trees]] mingled, at noon, she sang in Lórien, and it is said that everything stopped, even the bells and fountains of [[Valmar]], to enjoy her voice.<ref name=Thingol/>
 
Around the time of the [[Awakening of the Elves]], her love for the trees brought her to [[Middle-earth]], filling its silence with her and her birds' voices.<ref name=Thingol/> After [[Oromë]] found the [[Elves]] in [[Cuiviénen]], the [[Valar]] planned to make [[Battle of the Powers|War]] against [[Melkor]]<ref>{{S|Captivity}}</ref> and during their preparations, they sent Melian to Cuiviénen, and then [[Five Guardians|a group]] of great Maiar to guard the Elves. Melian was their leader, the only female spirit among them.<ref name=Five>{{NM|P1xiii}}, pp. 95 & 99</ref>
[[File:Kip Rasmussen - Melian and Thingol.jpg|thumb|left|''Melian and Thingol'' by [[Kip Rasmussen]]]]
When the [[Eldar]] [[Great March|marched]] into the [[Aman|West]], in the woods of [[Nan Elmoth]], Melian came upon [[Thingol|Elwë Singollo]] of the people of the [[Teleri]]. Elwë was entranced and fell into a swoon at the sight of the Maia Melian, and the two of them stood hand in hand, unable to move or speak for years while the trees grew around them. As a result of his absence, a portion of his followers stayed behind to search for him, while the rest continued on to Valinor under the kingship of [[Olwë]], brother of Elwë.<ref name=Thingol/>


== History ==
Melian and Thingol recovered and gathered the Elves who stayed behind to look for Elwë, who were named [[Eglath]]. They founded the kingdom of [[Doriath|Eglador]] and ruled as King and Queen of all the Elves in [[Beleriand]]. Melian was the only known [[Ainur|Ainu]] who coupled with one of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], and thus she begot a child, the daughter named Lúthien, who was the fairest of the Children to have ever lived.<ref name=Thingol/> She married the Man [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]], and as a result, Melian's blood of the Maiar was passed on to both [[Elves]] and [[Men]].<ref name=Quest>{{S|Beren}}</ref>
In [[Valinor]], '''Melian''' dwelt in the gardens of [[Lórien in Valinor|Lórien]], she was akin to [[Yavanna]] the Valar. Melian journeyed often to [[Middle-earth]] for she loved the deep shadows of trees and forests. There, in the woods of [[Nan Elmoth]], she came upon [[Elwë Singollo]] (later known as [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]]) as he marched into the [[Aman|West]] with the people of the [[Teleri]]. Elwe was entranced and fell into a swoon at the sight of the Maia Melian and the two of them stood hand in hand unable to move or speak for years while the trees grew around them. As a result of his absence, a portion of his followers stayed behind to search for him, while the rest continued on to Valinor. Melian and Thingol soon founded the kingdom of [[Doriath]] in Middle-earth and ruled as King & Queen. Their only daughter, [[Lúthien|Lúthien Tinúviel]], married the man [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]], and as a result, Melian's Maian blood was passed on to both [[Elves]] and [[Men]].


When war with the Great Enemy, [[Morgoth]], came to Doriath, she used her powers to guard and defend it with a protection called ''List Melian'', or "the Girdle of Melian". This prevented anyone less powerful than Melian from entering the kingdom. However, with the foresight of a Maia, she predicted that one day someone more powerful would be able to enter. When Beren arrived as foretold, she counseled King Thingol against sending Beren to search for a [[Silmaril]], which would eventually lead to Doriath's ruin. This was one of many instances in which she proved, through her wisdom and powers of foresight, to be wiser than her husband, and an effective queen of her land. The great evil wolf [[Carcharoth]] also passed the Girdle. In Doriath she also became a friend and tutor of [[Galadriel]] to whom she taught the art of lembas-baking. After the departure of Lúthien and Beren, she aided Túrin and his mother and sister. She provided [[Beleg]] with some way-bread, [[lembas]], and foresaw his doom in his quest for [[Túrin]]. When [[Húrin]] returned, she was the one to lift the spell of Morgoth from him.
Foreseeing that war was coming to Beleriand, Melian warned her husband Thingol. In turn, Thingol ordered the delving of a strong fortress in their kingdom. This was [[Menegroth]], the Thousand Caves, and they were aided by the Dwarves. With the return of Morgoth and the flight of [[Ungoliant]] from his [[Balrogs]], the dark spider tried to enter into Thingol's domain, but Melian alone repelled Ungoliant and drove her away.
[[File:Donato Giancola - Beren and Luthien in the Court of Thingol and Melian.jpeg|thumb|''Beren and Lúthien in the Court of Thingol and Melian'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
When war with the Great Enemy, [[Morgoth]], [[First Battle|came at last]] to their land, she used her powers to guard and defend it with a protection called ''List Melian'', or "the [[Girdle of Melian]]", and their kingdom was known as [[Doriath]], the Land of the Fence. This prevented anyone less powerful than Melian from entering the kingdom.<ref>{{S|Sindar}}</ref> However, with the foresight of a Maia, she predicted that one day someone more powerful would be able to enter. When Beren arrived as foretold, she counselled King Thingol against sending Beren to search for a [[Silmaril]], which would eventually lead to Doriath's ruin. This was one of many instances in which she proved, through her wisdom and powers of foresight, to be wiser than her husband, and an effective queen of her land. The great evil wolf [[Carcharoth]] also passed the Girdle, as fate and the power of the Silmaril let him.<ref name=Quest/>


After Thingol's death, she vanished from [[Middle-earth]], passing to Valinor, where she mourned the loss of her husband in the [[Halls of Mandos]] and her daughter to the unknown fate of [[Men|mannish]] death. Melian and Thingol were a unique couple, the only case where an [[Ainur|Ainu]] married any Elf or Man. She was also the only Ainu known to have had children in the "official" drafts of Tolkien's work.
In Doriath, she also became a friend and tutor of [[Galadriel]] to whom she taught great lore and wisdom concerning Middle-earth and also the art of [[lembas]]-baking which she knew from her mistress, Yavanna. She eventually questioned Galadriel on how and why the [[Noldor]] had returned, upon which Galadriel told her only some of the story. Therefore she was the first to glean [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë|the truth]], perceiving more than Galadriel was willing to tell, and she warned Thingol against dealing with the [[Sons of Fëanor]].<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref> After the departure of Lúthien and Beren, she aided [[Túrin]] and his [[Morwen|mother]] and [[Niënor|sister]]. She provided [[Beleg]] with some way-bread, lembas, for him and the exiled Túrin, showing great favour because never before was lembas given to a Man and seldom was it again. But she also foresaw his doom in his quest for Túrin.<ref>{{S|Turin}}</ref> When [[Húrin]], father of [[Túrin]], returned from his captivity in [[Angband]], she was the one to lift the dark spell of Morgoth from him.


===Etymology===
Thingol's arrogance eventually resulted to his death in the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]]. Melian then departed from the mortal lands,<ref>{{NM|P1iv}}</ref> vanishing to Valinor, where she mourned the loss of her husband in the [[Halls of Mandos]] and her daughter to the unknown fate of the [[Gift of Men]]. In her absence, Doriath was opened to its enemies, which led to its ultimate demise.<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>
'''Melian''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈmeljan]}}) in [[Sindarin]] means ''Dear gift''. Her [[Quenya]] name was '''[[Melyanna]]''' (pron. {{IPA|[meˈʎanːa]}}; from ''mel,'' "love" and ''anna,'' "gift"). She was also called ''[[Tóril]]'' meaning "Queen".


== Other Versions ==
==Etymology==
In the early [[legendarium]] Melian is defined as a fay, making her somewhat more sinister than in her later appearance. This version of her is presented in '''The Tale of Tinúviel''', Tolkien's first story of Beren and Lúthien, which was written in archaic english and published in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''. In this work she appears in another later narrative, although her character is portrayed as being far weaker and more frail Melian's final manifestation.
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Melian.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{pronounce|Quenya - Melyanna.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
'''Melian''' is [[Sindarin]] for "Dear gift", from the ancient form '''''Melyanna''''', being a combination of ''mell'' ("love") + ''ann'' ("gift").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''[[anna]]'', ''mel-''</ref> She was also called ''Tóril'' meaning "Queen".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 389</ref>


== Genealogy ==
==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | |ELU|y|MEL| |BEO| | | |ELU=[[Thingol|Elu Thingol]]|MEL='''MELIAN'''|BEO=[[House of Bëor]]}}
{{familytree | |ELU|y|MEL| |BEO| | | |ELU=[[Thingol|Elu Thingol]]|MEL='''MELIAN'''|BEO=[[House of Bëor]]}}
Line 35: Line 64:
{{familytree | | | |LUT|~|y|~|BER| | | |LUT=[[Lúthien]]|BER=[[Beren]]}}
{{familytree | | | |LUT|~|y|~|BER| | | |LUT=[[Lúthien]]|BER=[[Beren]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | |DIO|y|NIM| | |DIO=[[Dior Eluchíl]]|NIM=[[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | | |DIO|y|NIM| | |DIO=[[Dior|Dior Eluchíl]]|NIM=[[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree |EAR|y|ELW| |ELD| |ELN|EAR=[[Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]|ELD=[[Eluréd]]|ELN=[[Elurín]]}}
{{familytree |EAR|y|ELW| |ELD| |ELN|EAR=[[Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]|ELD=[[Eluréd]]|ELN=[[Elurín]]}}
Line 41: Line 70:
{{familytree |ERD| |ERS| | | | | | | | |ERD=[[Elrond]]|ERS=[[Elros]]}}
{{familytree |ERD| |ERS| | | | | | | | |ERD=[[Elrond]]|ERS=[[Elros]]}}
{{familytree/end}}
{{familytree/end}}
== See Also ==
 
* [[:Category:Images of Melian|Images of Melian]].
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
She appeared in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' as ''Tindriel'' or ''Wendelin'' ([[Qenya]]) and in a [[Gnomish]] dictionary as ''Gwendeling'' or ''Gwendhiling''. In a crossed out note, she had with [[Thingol|Tinwelint]] a son, [[Tinfang Warble|Tinfang]], and a daughter, [[Lúthien|Tinúviel]].<ref>{{LT1|IV}}</ref><ref>{{LT1|V}}</ref><ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, entry "Wendelin"</ref>
 
In the early [[legendarium]] Melian is defined as a fay, making her somewhat more sinister than in her later appearance. This version of her is presented in '''The Tale of Tinúviel''', Tolkien's first story of Beren and Lúthien, which was written in archaic English and published in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''. In this work she appears in another later narrative, although her character is portrayed as being far weaker and more frail than Melian's final manifestation. She also appeared under several names, such as '''Gwenniel'''.
 
[[Vëannë]] and [[Ausir (boy)|Ausir]] argued whether she should be called ''Wendelin'' or ''Gwendeling''. In a slightly later version, the name ''Melian'' appeared. In one variant she was a daughter of [[Irmo|Lórien]]. She was found by [[Thingol|Tinwelint]] while listening to the song of nightingales and ran away with laughter when he tried to touch her hair. Then he fell into a deep slumber, and she kept watch over him while he slept. Later she became his wife and the queen of [[Doriath|Artanor]].<ref>{{LT2|I}}</ref>
 
[[Christopher Tolkien]] noticed that in this early version her protection was weaker and there was the possibility that enemies would follow the returning Beren and Tinúviel.<ref>{{LT2|In}}, § 2. ''People and lands in the Tale of Tinúviel''<!-- Please check my retranslation from Polish --></ref>
 
==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/how-could-melian-have-children-if-the-valar-could-not/ How Could Melian have Children if the Valar Could Not?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
 
{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Melian}}
 
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=maiar
| house=[[Maiar|Maia]] of [[Vána]] & [[Estë]]
| born=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| died={{FA|502}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=Title established
| list=1st [[King of Doriath|Queen of Doriath]]
| dates={{YT|1152}} – {{FA|502}}
| next=[[Nimloth (elf of Doriath)|Nimloth]] <small>(''possibly'')</small>
}}
{{seq-end}}
 
{{ainur}}
{{ainur}}
{{references}}
 
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Fays]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:Ilkorin names]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]]
[[de:Melian]]
[[de:Melian]]
[[fi:Melian]]
[[fi:Melian]]

Latest revision as of 14:54, 19 January 2024

"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
This article or section needs expansion and/or modification. Please help the wiki by expanding it.
Melian
Maia
Elena Kukanova - The Light of Valinor.jpg
"The Light of Valinor" by Elena Kukanova
Biographical Information
PronunciationS, [ˈmeljan]
Other namesMelyanna (Q)
Tóril (D)
TitlesQueen of Doriath
LocationValinor
Cuiviénen[1]
Nan Elmoth
Doriath
AffiliationVána & Estë
LanguageValarin
Sindarin
BirthBefore the Music of the Ainur
Timeless Halls
RuleY.T. 1152 - F.A. 503
DeathF.A. 503[note 1] (aged at least 4,815[note 2])
Menegroth
Notable forCasting the Girdle of Melian around Doriath to protect it
Family
SpouseThingol
ChildrenLúthien
Fostered Túrin
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorDark[2]
ClothingRed
GalleryImages of Melian

Melian the Maia was the wife of Elu Thingol, mother of Lúthien Tinúviel, and Queen of Doriath.

Attributes[edit | edit source]

Melian served Vána and Estë. She was said to be akin to Yavanna the Valië. She is associated with songbirds, and it is said she taught nightingales how to sing and their music followed her paces. In Valinor, she dwelt in the Gardens of Lórien tending its trees, and she was the most beautiful, wise and skilled in songs of enchantment of all the people of Irmo. However, she journeyed often to Middle-earth for she loved the deep shadows of trees and forests.[3][4]

History[edit | edit source]

In the dawn of Arda Melian dwelt in the Gardens of Lórien, and taught the nightingales how to sing. When the lights of the Two Trees mingled, at noon, she sang in Lórien, and it is said that everything stopped, even the bells and fountains of Valmar, to enjoy her voice.[4]

Around the time of the Awakening of the Elves, her love for the trees brought her to Middle-earth, filling its silence with her and her birds' voices.[4] After Oromë found the Elves in Cuiviénen, the Valar planned to make War against Melkor[5] and during their preparations, they sent Melian to Cuiviénen, and then a group of great Maiar to guard the Elves. Melian was their leader, the only female spirit among them.[1]

Melian and Thingol by Kip Rasmussen

When the Eldar marched into the West, in the woods of Nan Elmoth, Melian came upon Elwë Singollo of the people of the Teleri. Elwë was entranced and fell into a swoon at the sight of the Maia Melian, and the two of them stood hand in hand, unable to move or speak for years while the trees grew around them. As a result of his absence, a portion of his followers stayed behind to search for him, while the rest continued on to Valinor under the kingship of Olwë, brother of Elwë.[4]

Melian and Thingol recovered and gathered the Elves who stayed behind to look for Elwë, who were named Eglath. They founded the kingdom of Eglador and ruled as King and Queen of all the Elves in Beleriand. Melian was the only known Ainu who coupled with one of the Children of Ilúvatar, and thus she begot a child, the daughter named Lúthien, who was the fairest of the Children to have ever lived.[4] She married the Man Beren Erchamion, and as a result, Melian's blood of the Maiar was passed on to both Elves and Men.[6]

Foreseeing that war was coming to Beleriand, Melian warned her husband Thingol. In turn, Thingol ordered the delving of a strong fortress in their kingdom. This was Menegroth, the Thousand Caves, and they were aided by the Dwarves. With the return of Morgoth and the flight of Ungoliant from his Balrogs, the dark spider tried to enter into Thingol's domain, but Melian alone repelled Ungoliant and drove her away.

Beren and Lúthien in the Court of Thingol and Melian by Donato Giancola

When war with the Great Enemy, Morgoth, came at last to their land, she used her powers to guard and defend it with a protection called List Melian, or "the Girdle of Melian", and their kingdom was known as Doriath, the Land of the Fence. This prevented anyone less powerful than Melian from entering the kingdom.[7] However, with the foresight of a Maia, she predicted that one day someone more powerful would be able to enter. When Beren arrived as foretold, she counselled King Thingol against sending Beren to search for a Silmaril, which would eventually lead to Doriath's ruin. This was one of many instances in which she proved, through her wisdom and powers of foresight, to be wiser than her husband, and an effective queen of her land. The great evil wolf Carcharoth also passed the Girdle, as fate and the power of the Silmaril let him.[6]

In Doriath, she also became a friend and tutor of Galadriel to whom she taught great lore and wisdom concerning Middle-earth and also the art of lembas-baking which she knew from her mistress, Yavanna. She eventually questioned Galadriel on how and why the Noldor had returned, upon which Galadriel told her only some of the story. Therefore she was the first to glean the truth, perceiving more than Galadriel was willing to tell, and she warned Thingol against dealing with the Sons of Fëanor.[8] After the departure of Lúthien and Beren, she aided Túrin and his mother and sister. She provided Beleg with some way-bread, lembas, for him and the exiled Túrin, showing great favour because never before was lembas given to a Man and seldom was it again. But she also foresaw his doom in his quest for Túrin.[9] When Húrin, father of Túrin, returned from his captivity in Angband, she was the one to lift the dark spell of Morgoth from him.

Thingol's arrogance eventually resulted to his death in the Battle of the Thousand Caves. Melian then departed from the mortal lands,[10] vanishing to Valinor, where she mourned the loss of her husband in the Halls of Mandos and her daughter to the unknown fate of the Gift of Men. In her absence, Doriath was opened to its enemies, which led to its ultimate demise.[11]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Melian is Sindarin for "Dear gift", from the ancient form Melyanna, being a combination of mell ("love") + ann ("gift").[12] She was also called Tóril meaning "Queen".[13]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
Elu Thingol
 
MELIAN
 
House of Bëor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lúthien
 
 
 
Beren
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dior Eluchíl
 
Nimloth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
 
Elwing
 
Eluréd
 
Elurín
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elrond
 
Elros
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

She appeared in The Book of Lost Tales as Tindriel or Wendelin (Qenya) and in a Gnomish dictionary as Gwendeling or Gwendhiling. In a crossed out note, she had with Tinwelint a son, Tinfang, and a daughter, Tinúviel.[14][15][16]

In the early legendarium Melian is defined as a fay, making her somewhat more sinister than in her later appearance. This version of her is presented in The Tale of Tinúviel, Tolkien's first story of Beren and Lúthien, which was written in archaic English and published in The Book of Lost Tales Part Two. In this work she appears in another later narrative, although her character is portrayed as being far weaker and more frail than Melian's final manifestation. She also appeared under several names, such as Gwenniel.

Vëannë and Ausir argued whether she should be called Wendelin or Gwendeling. In a slightly later version, the name Melian appeared. In one variant she was a daughter of Lórien. She was found by Tinwelint while listening to the song of nightingales and ran away with laughter when he tried to touch her hair. Then he fell into a deep slumber, and she kept watch over him while he slept. Later she became his wife and the queen of Artanor.[17]

Christopher Tolkien noticed that in this early version her protection was weaker and there was the possibility that enemies would follow the returning Beren and Tinúviel.[18]

External links[edit | edit source]

Notes

  1. Thingol's death and Melian's departure are indeed placed under Y.S. 503 in the final version of the The Tale of Years from The War of the Jewels, but there Thingol was killed in the battle with the Dwarves. However, according to the narrative introduced after much hesitation into the published Silmarillion by Christopher Tolkien, it occurred immediately after the reforging of the Nauglamír.
  2. Years of the Sun. Each Year of the Trees is equal to 9.582 Years of the Sun, and the Years of the Trees ended in the year 1500, while Melian dwelt in Middle-earth since the year 1050. She definitely existed in Arda before this date, but it is unknown if she entered exactly at the same time as the Valar and other Maiar did.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XIII. Key Dates", pp. 95 & 99
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: IV. Hair", p. 186
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Maiar"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Thingol and Melian"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  6. 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Túrin Turambar"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: IV. Time-scales"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Doriath"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries anna, mel-
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 389
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "IV. The Chaining of Melko"
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "V. The Coming of the Elves and the Making of Kôr"
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Wendelin"
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel"
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel": "Notes and Commentary", § 2. People and lands in the Tale of Tinúviel


Melian
Maia of Vána & Estë
Preceded by:
Title established
1st Queen of Doriath
Y.T. 1152F.A. 502
Followed by:
Nimloth (possibly)


Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar