August 19, 2002

Re: Random Thoughts on the Maiar
Matt S.

I think possibly the most prominent
Maiar, and possibly one of the most
important from a perspective global
the Sillmarillion-plus-LOTR stories
would be Melian - wife to Elu Thingol,
mother to Luthien, whose union with
Beren is at the root of the some of
the most profound and influential
events in the entire story - the
recapture of one of the Jewels, the
pardon of the Noldor and casting
down of Morgoth, and the strong
family-oriented thread connecting
the Numenoreans and the Elves (via
Elrond and Elros), which in turn
forms the basis both for the last
alliance (Elendil and Gil Galad)
and the fostering of Isildur's
line in Rivendell.

The complexity present in all
these connections has always added
a dimension of appeal for me, even
before I was aware of the source
of the appeal - part of Tolkien's
magic, I think...