Were-worms
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The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature like the werewolf of modern-day folktales. In [[Middle-earth]], "[[Werewolves]]", such as [[Draugluin]], did not shapechange and the name perhaps refers to the size and intelligence. | The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature like the werewolf of modern-day folktales. In [[Middle-earth]], "[[Werewolves]]", such as [[Draugluin]], did not shapechange and the name perhaps refers to the size and intelligence. | ||
| − | Thus Were-worms, if they did exist, could be a | + | Thus Were-worms, if they did exist, could be a [[Men|man]]-like type of Dragon, though this must remain in the realm of speculation. |
{{Legend}} | {{Legend}} | ||
[[Category:Dragons]] | [[Category:Dragons]] | ||
Revision as of 23:22, 24 April 2011
- "Tell me what you want done, and I will try it, if I have to walk from here to the East of East and fight the wild Were-worms in the Last Desert."
- ― Bilbo Baggins, from The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
Were-worms were creatures of an unknown kind, possibly mythical and presumably related to Dragons, that were said to dwell in the Last Desert.
Tolkien only ever mentions Were-worms once, in the quote given above, so we know almost nothing about them. We cannot even be certain that they actually existed — the Hobbits had a rich folklore full of fantastic creatures, and Were-worms quite possibly fall into that category.
Etymology
The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature like the werewolf of modern-day folktales. In Middle-earth, "Werewolves", such as Draugluin, did not shapechange and the name perhaps refers to the size and intelligence.
Thus Were-worms, if they did exist, could be a man-like type of Dragon, though this must remain in the realm of speculation.
| Legendary Races of Arda | |
| Animals: | Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish |
|---|---|
| Dragon-kind: | Great glow-worms · Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms |
| Evil Races: | Giants · Gongs · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Troll-men · Two-headed Trolls |
| Fairies: | Badger-folk · Dryads · Mermaids · Sprites · Sylphs · White cow |
| Other: | Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless Things · Spectres |
| Individuals: | The Hunter · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · Tarlang · Tim |