Mereth Aderthad

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The Mereth Aderthad by Jenny Dolfen

The Mereth Aderthad (S. "Feast of Reuniting") was the great celebratory feast held by High King Fingolfin near the Pools of Ivrin soon after the Return of the Noldor to Middle-earth.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Twenty years after the first rising of the Sun,[note 1] the High King Fingolfin held a great celebratory feast during the spring, close by to the Pools of Ivrin under the Mountains of Shadow to the north of Beleriand. Its purpose was to unite all of the divided Elves in one cause, and ambassadors came from all the peoples and realms of Beleriand. From the eastern March came warriors lead by Maedhros and Maglor, though none of their brothers came. As well as Elves from the separate branches of the Noldor, native Grey-elves were also present, including wanderers of the woods and the folk of the Havens along with Círdan. Ambassadors even came from the Green-elves, the people of distant Ossiriand in the east. Yet, from Doriath, only Mablung and Daeron came with tidings from their King.[1]

The feast was hailed as a great success, and the Elves made common cause there against their great enemy to the north. For a few short years after the Mereth Aderthad, Beleriand enjoyed a time of peace and happiness before plunging into the Wars that would eventually destroy it, though the joy at the feast would be remembered for many years after.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Mereth Aderthad is Sindarin for "Feast of Reuniting", from the word mereth ("feast"),[2] and possibly the word aderthad.

In the Noldorin phase of the language, Mereth Aderthad is glossed as "Feast of Games and Reuniting".[3]

Notes

  1. The Complete Guide to Middle-earth gives the date of F.A. 21, giving a different interpretation of the line "when twenty years of the Sun had passed"

References