Elenwë

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Elenwë
Vanya
Marya Filatova - Turukano and Elenwe.jpg
"Turukano and Elenwe" by Marya Filatova
Biographical Information
PronunciationQ, [eˈlenwe]
LocationTirion
LanguageVanyarin
DeathY.T. 1500[1]
Helcaraxë
Family
SpouseTurgon
ChildrenIdril
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorGolden
GalleryImages of Elenwë

Elenwë was the wife of Turgon and the mother of Idril Celebrindal. She was one of the Vanyar, and her golden hair passed to her daughter.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

She followed her family to the departure of the Noldor from Aman. After Fëanor and his sons departed using the only ships, Fingolfin and Turgon took their people across the dangerous Helcaraxë, during which Elenwë was lost in the crossing, right before the Noldor returned to Middle-earth.[3][4] She and her daughter Idril fell into the bitter waters, and Turgon risked his life to save them. But he could only save Idril, and Elenwë was covered in fallen ice. Therefore, Turgon was thereafter always enmitied with the House of Fëanor.[5]

Elenwë is the only known full Vanya who accompanied the Flight of the Noldor and came under the Doom of Mandos. As she died before reaching Middle-earth, no Vanya is specifically known to have returned to Middle-earth (excepting the Host of the Valar of the War of Wrath, which however went home to Valinor).

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name contains elen meaning "star". The ending -wë means "person" and is peculiar since it is seen mostly in masculine names, being the male equivalent of -iel.[6]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Anairë
b. Y.T.
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fingon
Y.T. 1260 - F.A. 472
 
Turgon
Y.T. 1300 - F.A. 510
 
ELENWË
d. Y.T. 1500
 
Aredhel
Y.T. 1362 - F.A. 400
 
Eöl
d. F.A. 400
 
Argon
d. F.A. 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuor
b. F.A. 472
 
Idril
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
Maeglin
F.A. 320 - 510
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

Originally the name of Turgon's wife was Alairë - later corrected by Tolkien in 1970 to Anairë - who would not leave Valinor. Anairë became Fingolfin's spouse whilst Elenwë became Turgon's in genealogies.[7]

See also[edit | edit source]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §52
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Maeglin"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants", pp. 343-344
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 23
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin", p. 323