A Dictionary of Tolkien

by David Day

  Stoors

  Along of the three Hobbit strains, those named Stoors knew the arts of boating, fishing and swimming. They were lovers of flat river lands and were most friendly with Men. The Harfoots thought the Stoors a queer folk. Last of the Hobbits to settle in the Shire, the Stoors had attained a Mannish appearance in the eyes of the Harfoots, for they were heavier and broader than the other strains, and, unlike other Hobbits, they were able to grow beards.

  Swans

  It is told in the tale of the Great Journey of the Elves how the Teleri were brought at last to Eldamar by the Swans of Ulmo after long exile on Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle.

  Ossë the Maia had come to the Teleri and taught them how to build a great fleet that could carry all their Kindred. Once the ships were made the Swans of Ulmo, Lord of the Waters, came out of the West. These brilliant creatures were foam white and they circled in great broken rings round the ships of the Elves. The feathered glory of these birds was nearly equal to the size and strength of the Eagles of Manwë. By many long ropes, the Swans drew the great fleet of Elven-ships to Eldamar. Then, vast and stately, as if unaware of their mission and hearing some wild call, they departed. But before those indifferent beaks let drop the towing lines, that white rush engendered in the hearts of Elves a knowledge of the winds that play on the seas and a mastery of their white ships that sail on them. It is said that when these Elves listen to the sea on the Shore they hear those great wings beating still.

  After that time the Teleri were named Sea-elves, because of the wisdom that they gained from the great Swans. In that place to which the Swans of Ulmo had brought them, the Teleri made a city named Alqualondë, the “haven of Swans”. There they made the finest ships of Arda, even more cunningly fashioned than those first ones, and they built them in the forms of the Swans of Ulmo with vast, white wings and beaks of jet and gold.

  Swarthy Men

  In the First Age of the Sun those Men who came after the Edain to Beleriand were named Easterlings. However, some called them Swarthy Men, for they were shorter, broader and darker of hair and eye than the Edain. Mostly there were a less worthy people, and they betrayed the Elves to their enemies.

  But, in the Third Age, Swarthy Men was a name given to the tall, brown-skinned Haradrim, who many times made war on the Men of Gondor. They were fierce Men dressed in crimson and gold. On foot, on Horse and on the mighty Mûmakil they went into battle with scimitar, bow and spear.

  Swertings

  In the last centuries of the Third Age of the Sun, rumours and tales reached the peaceful lands of the Shire about the wars between the men of Gondor and the fierce warrior people far to the south who were named the Haradrim. In the dialect of the Shire the Haradrim people were called Swertings.

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  Taniquelassë

  Among the many beautiful, fragrant evergreen trees that the Elves of Tol Eressëa brought as a gift and a blessing to Númenor was one called Taniquelassë. The flower, the leaf and the bark were much prized by the Númenóreans for their sweet scent. Its name suggests that the tree had its origins on the slopes of Taniquetil, the Sacred Mountain of Manwë and the highest mountain in the Undying Lands.

  Taniquetil

  The highest mountain in Arda was Taniquetil in the eastern Pelóri Mountains in the Undying Lands. Taniquetil means “high white peak” and upon its summit was built Ilmarin, the mansions of the king and queen of the Valar, Manwë and Varda. From his throne on Taniquetil’s summit, Manwë could see over all the lands of Arda. The Vanyar Fair Elves live on its slopes and call it Oiolossë, meaning “snow everwhite” because it is always covered in snow. The Olympus of Arda it is also known by many other names: the White Mountain, Mount Everwhite, Amon Uilos and the Holy Mountain.

  Tareldar

  Those of the Elven people who heeded the summons of the Valar, departed to the West and looked on the Blessed Realm in the days of the Light of the Trees, were in the Quenya tongue called Tareldar or High Elves. They were a great people who thrived and built Elven cities and kingdoms the like of which had never been seen in Middle-earth, and never will be again, for the Tareldar were clear-sighted and keen-eyed beyond imagining. To compare them to the Moriquendi would be to compare diamonds to coal.

  Tarks

  In the Westron dialect there were many words taken from Elvish that were twisted in Orkish use. One of these was the Quenya word “tarkil”, meaning the Dúnedain. In the Orc usage this became Tark, a word of contempt for the Gondor Men.

  Tasarion

  Among the most ancient of trees were those that the first Elves called the Tasarion. With many other kinds of tree they had come into the World in the Ages of the Lamps at the wish of Yavanna, Queen of the Earth. The Tasarion were strong, long-lived trees that loved to grow most of all by ruins, lakes, marshes and streams. In the Ages of Starlight the greatest forest of these trees on Middle-earth was in the Nan-tasarion, the “valley of the Tasarion”, in Beleriand. And though this forest was destroyed when Beleriand sank beneath the sea, the species of Tasarion survived all the changes of the World, and even the great invasions by the race of Men. For the Tasarion are the trees Men now call the Willow.

  Telcontari

  At the end of the War of the Rings a new line of kings was established to rule over the realms of Arnor and Gondor. The first of this line was Aragorn, son of Arathorn, who became King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom. He chosed Telcontar as the name of his House, for this was the Quenya form of Strider, the name by which he went in his years of exile. His descendants and successors preserved the name of the House that Aragorn had founded, calling themselves the Telcontari.

  Teleri

  There were three Kindred of Elves who in the years of Stars undertook the Great Journey from the East of Middle-earth to the Undying Lands. The first two were named the Vanyar and the Noldor, and they were the first of the Elvenhost to reach the Undying Lands beyond the Great Sea. The people of the Third Kindred were the Teleri; their destiny differed from the first two Kindred, for they were the largest in number of the Elven people and so their passage was slowest across the lands of Middle-earth. In the course of the Great Journey the Teleri became a scattered and divided people.

  At the Marchlands of the West of Middle-earth the Teleri tarried and stood back in fear of crossing the Great River Anduin and the Misty Mountains. Some Elves broke away and went South into the Vales of Anduin, where they lived for many centuries. These people were named the Nandor, and they took one called Lenwë as their lord.

  But the main host of the Teleri continued westwards, over the Misty Mountains and the Blue Mountains, to the land that was later named Beleriand. It was then that the greatest division of the Teleri occurred. They were all encamped in a great forest beyond the River Gelion, when they lost their king, Elwë Singollo, who alone among them had seen the Trees of the Valar in the Undying Lands. Elwë walked into the Forest of Nan Elmoth and there, enchanted, fell under a spell of love for Melian the Maia. In that spell he was held, though years passed and his people searched for him. A part who called themselves the Eglath, the “forsaken”, would go no further without him. They remained faithful to him until, at last, he returned with Melian his bride. The Eglath were renamed the Sindar, the “Grey-elves”, and under this union of Elf and Maia they built the most powerful kingdom of Elves on Middle-earth in the years of Starlight.

  But long before King Elwë returned, the larger part of the Teleri had taken his brother Olwë as king and had gone west again to the Great Sea. There they awaited some sign from the Valar that would bring them to the Undying Lands. The Teleri waited a long time on the shores of Middle-earth and grew to love the sea under the Stars. While on the shores they sang songs sad and brave. Of all Elves they were the loveliest of singers, and loved the sea the most. By some they were called the Lindar, the “singers”, and by others the Falmari, the Sea-elves. Hearing the Elven songs, Ossë, the Maia of the waves, came to them and sang to the Teleri of the waves and the sea. They lear
ned much from Ossë of the ways of the sea and their love for the sight and sounds of those turbulent shores of Middle-earth increased.

  So it was that, when Ulmo the Ocean Lord came to the Teleri with that rootless island that was his ship, once again some of the kindred forsook the Journey. These were named Falathrim, the “Elves of the Falas”, who, for the love of the shores of Middle-earth, remained. They chose Círdan as their lord, and they settled in the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest. In later years they were the first shipbuilders of Middle-earth.

  The greatest part of the Teleri went West with Ulmo, though Ossë pursued them and sang to them and would not let them forget the blessings of the seas. Ulmo, seeing how they so loved the waves, was loath to take them beyond the reach of the sea. So when he came within sight of the Undying Lands he did not take them ashore but anchored the island in the Bay of Eldamar, within sight of the Light and the land of their kindred, though it was beyond their reach. Once again the Journey of the Teleri was stayed, and for an Age they again lived apart from their kindred. Their language changed with their stay on Tol Eressëa, the “lonely isle”; the sounds of the sea were always on their tongue, and their language was no longer that of the Vanyar and Noldor.

  The Valar were, however, displeased with their brother Ulmo, for they wished to bring the Third Kindred to the actual shore of their realm. At their bidding Ulmo relented and he sent Ossë to them once more. Reluctantly, Ossë taught them the art of building ships and, when the ships were built, Ulmo sent to them vast winged Swans, which drew the Teleri finally to Eldamar.

  The Teleri were grateful to reach their Journey’s end at last and great indeed was the welcome they were given. The Noldor and Vanyar came from the city Tirion upon Túna with many gifts of gemstones and gold. And in time the Teleri came to know the Light of the Trees and the wisdom of the Valarian people.

  Under their king Olwë, they built beautiful mansions of pearl, and ships like the Swans of Ulmo, with eyes and beaks of jet and gold. They named their city Alqualondë, which is the “haven of Swans”. Remaining close to the waves they had learned to love, they walked the shores or sailed on the Bay of Eldamar. The Teleri were a happy people and so they remain; their ships constantly sail out through the arching sea-carved stone gate of their haven and city. They know little of war and strife; their concerns are with the sea, with ships and with singing. These are their chief joys.

  War came to them twice, and each time it was unlooked for and unexpected. The first time, according to the “Aldudénië” – the tale of the Darkening of Valinor – Fëanor, lord of the Noldor, came to the Teleri of Alqualondë, desiring their ships to go to Middle-earth so that he could avenge his father’s death and regain the Silmarils from Morgoth. King Olwë denied him his wish, however, and so the fierce Noldor slew many of the Teleri and took their ships. This was the first slaying of Elf by Elf known in Arda. It has always been counted a great evil and has been held against the sons of Fëanor ever since.

  Only once more did the Teleri of Alqualondë in any way test themselves in war. This was the War of Wrath when the Valar, the Maiar and the Eldar went to the Great Battle at the end of the First Age of the Sun and defeated the rebel Vala, Melkor, whom the Elves named Morgoth. But even then the Teleri did not fight but only used their ships to carry the Vanyar and Noldor warriors from the Undying Lands across the western sea to Middle-earth. Though they would help the Noldor, they would not die on their behalf on the battle-field for they well remembered the First Kinslaying on the Soil of Eldamar. The “Akallabêth” tells that, when Númenor tore open the belly of the World with its Downfall, the Spheres of mortal and immortal lands fell apart. Thereafter, only the ships of the Teleri could ever cross the gap between the Spheres. The fair, white Swan ships of the Teleri are a wonder and a miracle and the mortal World has never since seen their like, though they still sail in the Bay of Eldamar and will do so until the Unmaking of Eä.

  Thangorodrim

  The huge volcanic mountain that Morgoth raised above his mighty armoury and fortress of Angband after he and Ungoliant destroyed the Trees of the Valar and stole the Silmarils was called Thangorodrim. This terrible, three-peaked mountain of slag and volcanic rock constantly belched out poisonous smoke and fumes. Its name means “mountains of oppression” and deep within its bowels, Morgoth devised and gathered many monsters and evil beings. However, Thangorodrim did not survive the First Age of the Sun, for in the Great Battle during the War of Wrath, when Ancalagon the Black, the mightiest of the Winged Dragons was slain, he fell from the sky and broke open Thangorodrim.

  Théoden

  Northman, king of Rohan. Born in 2948 of the Third Age, Théoden, son of Thengel, became the seventeenth king of Rohan in 2980. In the beginning he was a good and strong king, but near the end of his reign he fell under the influence of Gríma Wormtongue, who secretly was a servant of the evil Wizard Saruman. However, in 3019, Gandalf healed him from the evil spells of Saruman. Théoden mounted his steed, Snowmane, and led the Horsemen of Rohan onto the battlegrounds of Hornburg and Pelennor Fields. Upon Pelennor, after overthrowing the Haradrim, Théoden won a warrior’s death by daring to stand against the Witch-king of Angmar.

  Thingol

  Elven king of Doriath. Born by the Waters of Awakening at the beginning of the Ages of the Stars, Elwë Singollo – who later became King Thingol – was the High King of the Teleri Elves. He was the tallest of the Elves and had silver hair, and led his people on the Great Journey. This he did as far as Beleriand, where he met Melian the Maia and fell into a trance of love for many years. By the time he reappeared, most of the Teleri had taken his brother, Olwë, as their new king and completed the journey. Those who remained behind became the Sindar or Grey-elves. With their transformed King Thingol, meaning “King Grey-mantle”, and their Queen Melian the Maia, they built the forest kingdom of Doriath and the mansions of Menegroth. Thingol ruled a peaceful kingdom through all the Ages of the Stars, and Melian gave birth to the incomparable Princess Lúthien. Even during the war-torn First Age of the Sun, Doriath appeared to be safe because a spell called the Girdle of Melian protected it. However, in the fifth century, Thingol’s daughter met and fell in love with the mortal hero, Beren. Not wishing to lose his daughter to a mortal, Thingol sent Beren on the Quest of the Silmaril. The lovers managed to steal a jewel from Morgoth’s crown. However, when Thingol hired the Dwarves of Nogrod to set the Silmaril in the necklace called the Nauglamír, the craftsmen were suddenly overcome by a desire to possess the jewel. They slew Thingol and stole the Silmaril.

  Thorin I

  Dwarf king of Grey Mountains. Born in the Kingdom under the Mountain in 2035, Thorin was the son of King Thráin I. In 2190, he became Thorin I, the second King under the Mountain. Thirty years later, wishing to find new challenges, Thorin I led his people to the Grey Mountains where he founded and ruled a prosperous new kingdom until his death in 2289.

  Thorin II

  Dwarf king-in-exile. Born in 2746 of the Third Age in the Kingdom under the Mountain, Thorin was the grandson of King Thrór. In 2770, all the Dwarves of Erebor were driven out by Smaug the Dragon. In 2790, his grandfather was slain, and his father, King Thráin II, led his people into the War of the Dwarves and the Orcs. At this time he became known as Thorin Oakenshield because, when disarmed during the Battle of Azanulbizar, he used an oak bough as a weapon. After the war, Thorin Oakenshield remained in the Blue Mountains and in 2845, he became Thorin II, king-in-exile. Nearly a century later, in 2941, he formed the expedition of Thorin and Company and went on the Quest of the Lonely Mountain. The adventure finally resulted in the death of Smaug the Dragon and the re-establishment of the Dwarf Kingdom under the Mountain. However, in the fight to keep possession of what the company had won, Thorin Oakenshield was mortally wounded in the Battle of Five Armies, and died shortly after.

  Thorin III

  Dwarf king of Erebor. Known as Thorin Stonehelm, this son of King Dáin Ironfoot (heir of Thorin II) was born in Erebor in
2866 of the Third Age. He became King under the Mountain in 3019 after his father died defending Erebor during the War of the Ring. A brave warrior, Thorin Stonehelm rallied his people and, with the Men of Dale, broke the siege of Erebor and defeated the Easterling and Orc armies.

  Thorondor

  Eagle of Encircling Mountains. Thorondor was the king of the Eagles during the First Age of the Sun. With a wingspan measured at thirty fathoms, he appears to have been the largest Eagle ever to have lived. During the Wars of Beleriand, Thorondor rescued the Noldor prince Maedhros from Thangorodrim, brought back the body of King Fingolfin from Angband, and scarred the face of Morgoth with his talons. Beren and Lúthien were also rescued from Angband by the Eagle Lord. For centuries, Thorondor’s Eagles guarded the hidden realm of Gondolin from its enemies. However, Thorondor and his Eagles won greatest fame in the Great Battle by destroying the Winged Dragons of Angband. Thorondor, meaning “high eagle”, appears to have returned with the Valar and Maiar to the Undying Lands at the end of the First Age of the Sun.

  Thráin I

  Dwarf king of Erebor. Thráin I became the first King under the Mountain at Erebor in 1999 of the Third Age of the Sun. Born in Moria in 1934, Thráin was the son of King Náin I. His father ruled Moria for just one year before being slain by the Balrog in 1981. Forced to abandon Moria, Thráin I became king-in-exile. Finally, Thráin I brought his wandering people to Erebor, where he found that great jewel called the Arkenstone, the “heart of the mountain”. There he founded the Kingdom under the Mountains and prospered until his death in 2190.