 | |
| Adan | |
| Aerin | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Lady Aerin, Indor’s daughter |
| Location | Dor-lómin |
| Death | F.A. 496 (suicide) Dor-lómin |
| Family | |
| House | House of Hador |
| Parentage | Indor |
| Spouse | Brodda |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Female |
| Gallery | Images of Aerin |
Aerin, the daughter of Indor,[1] was a kinswoman of Húrin in Dor-lómin, taken as wife by Brodda the Easterling.
History
After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Brodda the Easterling became the lord of Hithlum, and took her as his wife against her will, hoping thus to produce an heir. Aerin secretly helped Húrin's wife Morwen.[2]
When Túrin, son of Húrin, returned to Dor-lómin, he learned from Aerin that his mother had left Hithlum. In rage he killed Brodda, thereby also sealing Aerin's fate, who immolated herself alive in her hall to prevent further torment from other Easterlings. From then on, the remainder of the House of Hador were to be persecuted even more cruelly than before.[3][4]
Etymology
As Paul Strack points out, due the context in later legendarium, the name should be Mannish Hadorian, but because its development in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, it could be Sindarin.[5] If that was the case it would include the element aer ("ocean"). The ending perhaps is the same in the names of Húrin and Túrin; in that case the name would mean "She who desires the Sea".
Genealogy
Other versions of the legendarium
The Book of Lost Tales
This character already appears in the early version of the legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales, with the Gnomish name Airin. She is described as "of the long hair", and she is also a kinswoman of Mavwin and wife of Brodda. Here he is not an Easterling, but it is said she had a horrible life by his side.[6]:91
When Mawvin decided to leave Hisilómë and go to Tinwelint's realm, she asked Airin to put her daughter and properties under the care of Brodda. Airin conviced her husband of this without effort, but Nienóri refused to stay.[6]:93
She was not present when Turambar arrived at Brodda's hall and killed him. After the murder of Brodda and Orlin, Airin appeared and stopped others from attacking Turambar. She was horrified by the crime, and Turambar did not dare to look upon her. Then she pronounced a public judgement, saying that Brodda was a bad lord and Turambar's wrath was just, but being a guest, killing his host was a terrible crime, as was killing Orlin of the same kind. Therefore she condemned Turambar to be disinherited and exiled for ever. Everyone there agreed with her, save Turambar, who asked to be killed right away. But the people there loved Airin and respected her, and Airin's secret wish to keep Túrin alive was fulfilled.[6]:89–91
She is given the Gnomish name Faiglindra ("long-tressed"); in Qenya Firilanda.[6]:93
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin", p. 189
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Departure of Túrin", p. 69
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Túrin Turambar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin"
- ↑ Paul Strack, "Ed. Aerin f.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon, accessed 31 May 2024
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "II. Turambar and the Foalókë"