Things of Middle-earth
Hithlain
Type: Miscellaneous
Meaning: mist-thread
Description:
The fiber from which the especially strong and light rope of the Galadhrim is made:
[The] Elves stowed... coils of rope, three to each boat. Slender they looked, but strong, silken to the touch, grey of hue like the elven-cloaks.
'What are these?' asked Sam, handling one that lay upon the greensward.
'Ropes indeed!' answered an Elf from the boats. 'Never travel far without a rope! And one that is long and strong and light. Such are these. They may be a help in many needs.'
'You don't need to tell me that!' said Sam. 'I came without any and I've been worried ever since. But I was wondering what these were made of, knowing a bit about rope-making: it's in the family as you might say.'
'They are made of hithlain,' said the Elf, 'but there is no time now to instruct you in the art of their making. Had we known that this craft delighted you, we could have taught you much.'
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 8, Farewell to Lórien
Out of the shadows a ladder was let down: it was made of rope, silver-grey and glimmering in the dark, and though it looked slender it proved strong enough to bear many men.
The Fellowship of the Ring, LoTR Book 2, Ch 6, Lothlórien
There indeed... was a coil of the silken-grey rope made by the folk of Lórien. [Sam] cast an end to his master.... [Frodo] could see the grey line as it came dangling down, and he thought it had a faint silver sheen.
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 4, Ch 1, The Taming of Sméagol
'It looks a bit thin, but it's tough; and soft as milk to the hand. Packs close too, and as light as light.'
The Two Towers, LoTR Book 4, Ch 1, The Taming of Sméagol
Contributors:
Elithien 12Oct03
Elena Tiriel 14Mar10
