Things of Middle-earth
Nenya
Type: Artifacts
Meaning: Water
Other Names: Ring of Adamant, Ring of Water, White Ring
Description:Nenya was one of the three Elven Rings made by Celebrimbor in Eregion. According to The History of Galadriel and Celeborn in Unfinished Tales, when he became aware that Sauron had crafted the Ruling Ring, Celebrimbor sought Galadriel's cousel in Lórinand. He gave her the White Ring at that time, and sent the others to Gil-galad in Lindon.
"Eärendil, the Evening Star...Its rays glanced upon a ring about her finger; it glittered like polished gold overlaid with silver light, and a white stone in it twinkled as if the Even-star had come down to rest upon her hand."
'Yes,' she said, divining his thought, 'it is not permitted to speak of it, and Elrond could not do so. But it cannot be hidden from the Ring-bearer, and one who has seen the Eye. Verily it is in the land of Lórien upon the finger of Galadriel that one of the Three remains. This is Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, and I am its keeper.
FotR, Book II, Ch 7, The Mirror of Galadriel
On her finger was Nenya, the ring wrought of mithril, that bore a single white stone flickering like a frosty star.
RotK, Book VI, Ch 9, The Grey Havens
There is mention of Nenya as "chief of the Three" in Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch IV, The History of Galadriel and Celeborn 'The Elessar'. Since Vilya is called "mightiest of the Three" in RotK, Tolkien either changed his mind about this, or meant that Nenya was "chief" in some other way than might. The History of Galadriel and Celeborn also says "by its power the realm of Lórinand was strengthened and made beautiful; but its power upon her was great also and unforseen, for it increased her latent desire for the Sea and for return into the West, so that her joy in Middle-earth was diminished." Finally, it is known that Nenya's power was sufficient to daunt the Witch-king when the wraiths were searching for the Shire:"But the power of the White Ring he would not defy, nor enter yet into Lórien. "
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch IV, (i), The Hunt for the Ring
Contributors: Lyllyn 1.26.04
