Almaren

From Tolkien Gateway
Almaren
Island
Sage - Almaren.png
General Information
Other names"Isle of Almaren"
LocationIn the centre of the Great Lake in early Middle-earth
TypeIsland
DescriptionLarge green island, fairest land during the Days before days
People and History
InhabitantsValar and Maiar
CreatedV.Y. 1900
DestroyedV.Y. 3450
EventsSpring of Arda
Wedding of Tulkas and Nessa

The Isle of Almaren, commonly called Almaren, was a large island in the center of early Arda.

Geography[edit | edit source]

Almaren was located in the center of the Great Lake, which was in turn at the center of Middle-earth. As the seas and lands were symmetrical, the island was the midmost point of all Arda.

History[edit | edit source]

In the V.Y. 1500 since the coming of many of the Valar to Arda, another Vala came to the aid of Manwë. This was Tulkas the Strong who caused Melkor to abandon Middle-earth, causing the end of the First War.[1] In the peace that followed, the Valar were able to bring order to the seas and lands,[2] and it may have been that Almaren was created at that time.

By V.Y. 1900 Aulë had wrought the Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, and Varda had given them hallowed fire that lit Arda and brought living things to life. Almaren certainly did exist by this time, for being between the Two Lamps all things grew richest and fairest upon the island and the Valar made their dwelling there (though they were often abroad upon their business).

When at last the Valar were content, Manwë ordained a great feast upon the isle in V.Y. 3400. At the feast Tulkas wed Nessa and then slept, for he was weary with his labors in the ordering of Arda. Seeing his chance, Melkor and his host surmounted the Walls of Night and began the delving of Utumno in the north. His coming marred the Spring of Arda, turning many living things sick, rotted, or corrupted. The Valar then knew that Melkor was returned, but did not know his hiding-place.

In V.Y. 3450, Melkor came forth in war and cast down the Two Lamps. Their destruction broke the lands and roiled the seas. The dwelling of the Valar upon Almaren was utterly destroyed and the island and the Great Lake disappeared in the tumult.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Almaren is clearly Quenya, but it is never glossed. The Etymologies had the Qenya words almarë ("blessedness") and almarea ("blessed"),[3] which might be related.

References

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