Character Bios
Nienna
Location(s): Valinor
Race/Species: Ainur
Type/Kind: Vala
Title(s): a Queen of the Valar
Siblings:
Mandos (Námo)
Lórien (Irmo)
Description:
The Fëanturi, masters of spirits, are brethren, and they are called most often Mandos and Lórien. Yet ... their true names are Námo and Irmo. ...
Mightier than Estë is Nienna, sister of the Fëanturi; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered in the marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded, that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began. But she does not weep for herself; and those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope. Her halls are west of West, upon the borders of the world; and she comes seldom to the city of Valimar where all is glad. She goes rather to the halls of Mandos, which are near to her own; and all those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom. The windows of her house look outward from the walls of the world.
The Silmarillion, Valaquenta: Of the Valar
Among [the Valar] Nine were of chief power and reverence; but one is removed from their number, and Eight remain, the Aratar, the High Ones of Arda: Manwë and Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna and Aulë, Mandos, Nienna, and Oromë.
The Silmarillion, Valaquenta: Of the Valar
Wisest of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lórien, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience.
The Silmarillion, Valaquenta: Of the Maiar
And Nienna arose and went up onto Ezellohar, and cast back her grey hood, and with her tears washed away the defilements of Ungoliant; and she sang in mourning for the bitterness of the world and the Marring of Arda.
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 9, Of the Flight of the Noldor
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 20Nov05
