Gilraen

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Gilraen
Arnorian
Anna Kulisz - Gilraen and sleeping Estel.jpg
"Gilraen and sleeping Estel" by Anna Kulisz
Biographical Information
Other namesthe Fair
LocationEriador, Rivendell
LanguageSindarin, Westron
BirthT.A. 2907
DeathT.A. 3007 (aged 100)
Family
HouseHouse of Isildur
ParentageDírhael and Ivorwen
SpouseArathorn II
ChildrenAragorn
Physical Description
GenderFemale
GalleryImages of Gilraen

Gilraen the Fair (T.A. 2907-3007) was a Dúnadan of the North, the daughter of Dírhael and Ivorwen, and a descendant of the first chieftain, Aranarth.

History[edit | edit source]

She was born in the year 2907 of the Third Age.[1] She wanted to marry Arathorn II, the Chieftain of the Dúnedain but her father at first did not want her partly because she was at the time younger than customary for marriage, and he also foresaw that Arathorn would have a short life. However, Ivorwen persuaded him in the end, saying that Arathorn's short life was a further incentive to have a quick marriage, so that an heir could be born to be their people's leader. They were married in T.A. 2929.[2] Gilraen's son Aragorn was born in T.A. 2931, but her husband was killed two years later[1], as her father predicted.

She then brought her son to live in Imladris to protect him from harm (from Isildur's enemies) as was customary with the Heir of Isildur. She opposed Aragorn's love for Arwen, believing that Arwen's lineage was more noble than his and that Elves and mortals should not intermarry. About T.A. 2984 Gilraen returned to her people in Eriador where she died in 3007,[1] aged one-hundred years.

Her final words to Aragorn were the linnod Ónen i-Estel Edain, ú-chebin estel anim, meaning "I gave Hope (an obvious reference to her son's nickname) to the Dúnedain, I have kept no hope for myself."[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Gilraen is a Sindarin name. It means "one adorned with a tressure set with small gems in its network" and is a combination of gil ("star") and raen ("netted", "enlaced").[3] More loosely translated it means "Netted Star".[4] It was a common name given to women of high rank among the Rangers of the North, because they used to wear such tressures.[3]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
House of Isildur
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arathorn I
2693 - 2848
 
 
 
House of Isildur
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Argonui
2757 - 2912
 
unknown
child
NB
 
Gilbarad
b. T.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arador
2820 - 2930
 
Dírhael
b. T.A.
 
Ivorwen
b. T.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arathorn II
2873 - 2933
 
 
 
GILRAEN
2907 - 3007
 
 
 
Elrond
b. F.A. 532
 
Celebrían
b. around S.A. 300
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aragorn II Elessar
T.A. 2931 - Fo.A. 120
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arwen
T.A. 241 - Fo.A. 121
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eldarion
Fo.A. 1 - around 220
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
unknown
daughters
 
 
 

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Aragorn and Elrond have a conversation at a memorial to Gilraen in Rivendell. Elrond suggests that she brought Aragorn to Imladris for safety from pursuit by the forces of evil. Elrond also thinks that Gilraen believed Aragorn would not escape his fate. Her memorial features a statue along with her name and an inscription of her final words written in Tengwar.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Elrond and Aragorn recite Gilraen's final words when Elrond brings the re-forged sword Andúril to Aragorn, with the words possibly taking on a different connotation from their meaning in the book.

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, pp. 11-13
  4. Paul Strack, "S. Gilraen f.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 5 February 2022)