Character Bios
Melian
Meaning: from Quenya Melyanna: dear gift*
Location(s): Valinor, Doriath
Race/Species: Ainur
Type/Kind: Maia
Title(s): Queen of Doriath
Dates: (Creation) - I 504*
Spouse: Elu Thingol (Elwë)
Children:
Lúthien
[Dairon]
Description:
"She dwelt in the gardens of Lórien, and among all his people there were none more beautiful than Melian, nor more wise, nor more skilled in songs of enchantment."
"...and there Melian stood; and out of the darkness he looked at her, and the light of Aman was in her face."
"And of the love of Thingol and Melian there came into the world the fairest of all the Children of Ilúvatar that was or shall ever be."
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 4 - Of Thingol and Melian
"'Slender and very dark of hair,' said she [Vëannë], 'and her skin was white and pale, but her eyes shone seeming to hold great depths. Clad she was in filmy garments most lovely yet of the hue of night, jet-spangled and girt with silver. If ever she sang or if ever she danced, dreams and slumbers passed over the heads of those that were nigh, making them heavy as it were with a strong wine of sleep."
The Book of Lost Tales: Part II, The Tale of Tinúviel
* After the death of Thingol in I 502, Melian left for Ossiriand and in I 504, she left for Valinor.
The only reference found for the meaning of the name is that the Melian is derived from "mel" (love). The last element could be a Sindarin form of Q. 'anna', gift.
Dairon, minstrel of Doriath; later became Daeron.
*source: The Silmarillion, Appendix, Elements in Quenya and Sindarin names
Contributors:
Ying, 01.07.03, Finch, 01.22.03
