Vairë (wife of Lindo)
| Vairë | |
|---|---|
| Gnome | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Location | Tol Eressëa |
| Family | |
| Parentage | Tulkastor |
| Siblings | Unnamed sibling (parent of Naimi)[1] |
| Spouse | Lindo |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Female |
Vairë was the daughter of Tulkastor and the wife of Lindo, the keeper of the Cottage of Lost Play.[2] Her niece Naimi married a man named Ottor named by the Elves Eriol.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
During the mariner Eriol's exploration of Tol Eressëa, Eriol sought a place to rest and came across the city of Kortirion, and found within, The Cottage of Lost Play, with its many small windows curtained snugly, filled with a warm light. He knocked on the door as was greeted by the Lord of the Cottage, Lindo and his wife Vairë. Lindo explained that the dwelling was called Mar Vanwa Tyaliéva, or the Cottage of Lost Play and that many other elves, and mannish children of various sizes lived among them.[3]:13-4
Lindo and Vairë accepted Eriol's request for entrance and lodging, and invited him in. Soon after, they made their way to the great hall, where an evening meal was set out. Tombo, the Gong of Children rang out and all the children of the dwelling joined them for supper, including Littleheart, the Gong-warden. They sang the song of the Bringing of the Meats and Lindo blessed the food and company.[3]:14-6
During dinner, Eriol asked Lindo and Vairë about the isle of Tol Eressëa. Lindo explained Eriol had come into the region of Alalminórë, or the Land of Elms at the center of the isle, which was the fairest of the realms of Tol Eressëa, and then to the city above it of Kortirion. He told of the isle's leader Meril-i-Turinqi, who was a descendant of Inwë, the King of all the Eldar when they dwelt in Kôr. At this isle is where many of the wisest and fairest of all the Eldar gathered, including Lindo's father Valwë, and his wife's father Tulkastor.[3]:14-6
All but Eriol filled their cups with limpë, which was a special drink that would give youth, but that only Meril-i-Turinqi could give to one who was not Eldar or that already dwelt with them. The gong sounded again, and the company moved to the Room of Logs where a magic fire burnt endlessly. There they would gather often for story time and now Vairë told him the history of the land. She spoke of Olórë Mallë, or the Path of Dreams, and of a white cottage that stood in its fairest garden. None knew of what it was built or when. This was then called the Cottage of Children and the Eldar guarded it fiercely, goading the children of men to play there. This was to protect them from straying into Valinor and abandoning their parents or returning and being unsatisfied with the world ever after. After the elves left Kôr, the Cottage of Children was abandoned and blocked off forever.[3]:17-9
Meril-i-Turinqi chose Lindo and Vairë to care for the remainder of the children who had been to Kôr. The two built the new Cottage of Lost Play where the children then lived, though some would depart to the Great Lands, and stay, becoming lost in the wonderous lands there. The rest return and bring stories to Lindo and Vairë.[3]:20
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "VI. The History of Eriol or Ælfwine and the End of the Tales", p. 290
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play", p. 3
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play"
