The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Made after the Darkening of Valinor1
Location
Written in Aman; described the destruction of the Two Trees that formerly shone their Light over Valinor
Origins
Composed by Elemmírë of the Vanyar
Race
Division
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  • Updated 2 October 2011
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Lament for the Two Trees

Elemmírë’s song of regret

Elemmírë was a Vanya of Valinor, and was almost certainly present on the slopes of Taniquetil when Melkor and Ungoliant swept across the lands below and destroyed the Two Trees that gave light to the realm of the Valar. After the Darkening of Valinor, Elemmírë made a lament, Aldudénië or the Lament of the Two Trees, that mourned the passing of the Light of Valinor.


Notes

1

The date of authorship of the Lament is open to question, though it must clearly have been composed some time after the Darkening of Valinor, which it described. We're told that it was known to all the Eldar, which raises difficulties as many of the Eldar left Valinor almost immediately after the destruction of the Trees, and Elemmírë can hardly have had time to create the Lament before this happened. More likely, the tale was composed in the years after the Darkening, and later brought to Middle-earth from Aman, perhaps by the armies of the Valar at the end of the First Age.

See also...

Aldudénië

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About this entry:

  • Updated 2 October 2011
  • This entry is complete

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