Rúmil (elf of Tirion)

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The name Rúmil refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Rúmil (disambiguation).
Rúmil
Noldo
Steamey - Rúmil of Tirion.jpg
"Rúmil" by Steamey
Biographical Information
Other names"Elf-sage of Valinor"
PositionLambengolmo
LocationTirion, Valinor
LanguageCommon Eldarin, Valarin, Quenya and Telerin
BirthBefore Y.T. 1169
Notable forSarati; see Works
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Rúmil

Rúmil was a Lambengolmo ("Loremaster") of the Noldor, living in the city of Tirion.

History[edit | edit source]

Rúmil was notable for inventing writing. His alphabet was called Sarati, as each letter was called a sarat. This alphabet was later expanded and perfected by Fëanor as the Tengwar.

It is assumed that Rúmil was one of the Noldor who refused the summons of Fëanor, because he stopped writing his part of Annals of Valinor with the return to Valinor of those Noldor, led by Finarfin.[1].

Works[edit | edit source]

Rúmil was said to be the author of various works, some of which would find great acknowledgment after they were translated into Westron by Bilbo Baggins. These include:

Pengolodh of Gondolin, when arrived to Valinor, later continued and completed much of his work.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The only thing known about the name Rúmil is that it is Quenya.[2]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In The Book of Lost Tales, Rúmil was the old Door-ward of Mar Vanwa Tyaliéva and known as "the Sage". Eriol meets him in a garden and with Littleheart they tell him about the Elves and their tongues. Seeing that they have great knowledge, Eriol asks them about the Valar. Rúmil explains him about Ilúvatar, naming the Music of the Ainur, and Eriol begs him to know more about it; this is the antecedent for Rúmil's Ainulindalë.[3]

In a later draft of Meril-i-Turinqi's "Melko's Chains" in The Book of Lost Tales, Tolkien apparently intended to replace Rúmil with Evromord the Door-ward of Mar Vanwa Tyaliéva.[4]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, II. The Later Annals of Valinor"
  2. 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), pp. 51, 54
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "II. The Music of the Ainur", Link between The Cottage of Lost Play and The Music of the Ainur
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "IV. The Chaining of Melko": "Notes and Commentary", p. 107 note 3