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Elwing

Meaning: Star-spray

Location(s): Ossiriand, Doriath, Sirion, Valinor

Race/Species: Peredhil

Type/Kind: N/A

Title(s): the Fair, the White

Dates: I - 503

Parents: Dior (father), Nimloth (mother)

Siblings: Eluréd, Elurín

Spouse: Eärendil

Children: Elrond, Elros

Description:
'There live still those of whom Lúthien was the foremother, and it is said that her line shall never fail. Elrond of Rivendell is of that Kin. For of Beren and Lúthien was born Dior Thingol's heir; and of him Elwing the White whom Eärendil wedded, he that sailed his ship out of the mists of the world into the seas of heaven with the Silmaril upon his brow. And of Eärendil came the Kings of Númenor, that is Westernesse.'

The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 1, Ch 11, A Knife in the Dark

"And Elwing chose to be judged among the Firstborn Children of Ilúvatar, because of Lúthien..."

"For Ulmo bore up Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Eärendil her beloved."

"And it is said that Elwing learned the tongue of birds, who herself had once worn their shape; and they taught her the craft of flight, and her wings were of white and silver-grey. And at times, when Eärendil returning drew near again to Arda, she would fly to meet him, even as she had flown long ago, when she was rescued from the sea. Then the far-sighted among the Elves that dwelt in the Lonely Isle would see her like a white bird, shining, rose-stained in the sunset, as she soared in joy to greet the coming of Vingilot to haven."

The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, XXIV - Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath

Lanthir Lamath: 'Waterfall of Echoing Voices', where Dior had his house in Ossiriand, and after which his daughter Elwing was named.

The Silmarillion, Index

The birth date above is from War of the Jewels, The Later Quenta Silmarillion
A different date, I 500, is given in The Lost Road, The Later Annals of Beleriand. She is also described there as "fairest of all women save Lúthien..."

Contributors:
Ying, 01.05.03
Birth date added by Lyllyn 2.21.03
added quote: Elena Tiriel 7Dec04

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