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Verna

Verna was an obscure location in southwest Beleriand near the Mouths of Sirion.

Arvernien was named after it.

[edit] Inspiration

Verna does not appear in narration or any maps of Beleriand; Tolkien appears to have invented the name in order to explain the etymology of Arvernien.[1] Since Tolkien explains Arvernien as "Land outside Verna", geographically, Verna could refer to adjacent regions like the forest of Nimbrethil or Lisgardh.

[edit] Etymology

Verna could be related to Quenya feren which means "birch, beech tree", and if so, it could refer to the forest of Nimbrethil ("(forest of) silver birches").[2] Another possibility is that it refers to a river, obviously Sirion, and comes from the Root WER, "winding" (thus, "Winding River").[3]

[edit] References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 19
  2. ↑ This connection was suggested by the Encyclopedia of Arda, and it referred to Arvernien, without acknowledging the existence of Verna as an independent word[1].
  3. ↑ David Salo, Message 34598, Elfling
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