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Ailinel

From Tolkien Gateway

Ailinel
Númenórean
Biographical Information
Date of birthS.A. 712
Personal Information
GenderFemale
ParentageTar-Meneldur and Almarian
SiblingsTar-Aldarion, Almiel
SpouseOrchaldor
ChildrenSoronto

Ailinel was the second child of Tar-Meneldur and Almarian of Númenor. Her elder brother was Aldarion, who later became King Tar-Aldarion, and her younger sister was Almiel. Ailinel wedded a noble named Orchaldor, a descendant of the House of Hador, and they had a son named Soronto.

Because her brother Tar-Aldarion had only one child—a daughter—he changed the law of succession so that his child could become a Ruling Queen. According to some readings of Númenor's complex laws of inheritance, if the law had not changed, Ailinel's son Soronto would have become Tar-Aldarion's heir. If history had been different, then, Ailinel would have been the foremother of the succeeding Kings of Númenor (though sources differ on the technicalities of this point).

[edit] Etymology

Ailinel's name appears to incorporate the Quenya word for 'lake', ailin, and the feminine suffix -el.