Tinindil Orodel   From: 'Tin' - spark/sparkle, 'nim' - white - corruption of Tin-nim, led to Tinin; 'dil' - common ending to names that implies devotion Orod' - mountain; 'el' - star Tinindil - 'white spark' Orodel - 'mountain star' - a name given to him by Ingil Litheldar, his close friend Tinindil also took the name Oronion - after his second quest into the mountains. The name means 'mountain son'. 'It is told that once Elrohir, the son of Elrond fell in love with an elf maiden. It was unlike him, many said, and many too prophesized doom for his love. Little is known of the maiden, but she bore Elrohir a son, and was believed to have died in childbirth, living long enough to name her son Tinindil. In truth she was sent to the realm of Cirdan, the Shipwright, to be among the Falathrim, for it was from that race of people that she descended. Her frailty after bearing her son would not permit her to remain in Imladris, for her heart and soul yearned for the sea. Yet on the journey her memory failed, and when she reached Mithlond she had no recollection of who she was, having passed so close to death, as to have almost stepped inside Mandos' Halls. She remained in Imladris long enough, however, to name her son Tinindil. In childhood, then, Elrohir felt detached from the son that had caused the supposed death of the elf he loved. The love he felt for her was not transferred to his son, at least, not at first, for Elrohir grieved, and could not bear to look upon the face of his son, for fear of seeing that of his love there also. For that time, Tinindil was raised by Celebrian and Elrond himself, who taught him some lore and history of middle earth. The lord of Imladris did not wish his grandson to learn of pain and suffering in a world the young Tinindil saw as beautiful, and without fault, so until he reached maturity, Tinindil stayed in Imladris, and touched neither sword nor axe, nor spear nor bow. He developed a strong affinity for music, however, and would oft sit by the waters of the Bruinen, called Loudwater in the common tongue, where it passed through the sacred valley of Imladris, and play on reed flutes he fashioned at the water's edge. On reaching maturity, Elrond's gift to Tinindil was a carved reed flute, which stores within it a tin whistle. Tinindil carries it with him still, ever delighting in the sound of music. Alas, Elrond knew the innocence Tinindil had borne with youth could not last, and soon the elf began to gain a love of wandering, and a yearning for open roads. Before he would let him wander abroad the paths of Middle Earth, Elrond first wished his grandson to learn sufficient swordplay to defend himself. Yet the Lord of Imladris looked upon the knowledge as knowledge of both the technique, yet also and appreciation of the form and the responsibility of carrying a sword. He also looked upon combat as an art, and insisted Tinindil studied all aspects of it. Hence the grandson of Elrond learned to wield many weapons, though in the sword laid his greater strength. By fell chance, though not even Elrond could foresee what eventual ill would come of it, Tinindil was given a sword by Finlos, a Noldor, who resided in Imladris since it's formation as a refuge for those uprooted by the wars of Beleriand, in the times of old. He had fought at Aqualonde, not on the side of his kin, for they cast him out for his love of a Sindar, but on the side of Teleri, and he drew Noldorin blood. His blade was ever tarnished by it, though the Noldor found his own peace at the battle of the Last Alliance, where he cast down many foes, and thereby to have cleansed his sword, the sword was not appeased. He believed it free of the curse of kin slaying, but Elrond saw it still as tarnished, by what had gone before. Nonetheless, the young Tinindil was adamant that such a fine weapon, forged in the fires of Beleriand was a worthy goal, and at length, he persuaded Elrond to allow him to wield it. He trained with it, and it became a part of him, in as much as the warrior can forge a bond with his sword. Before Tinindil left Imladris to begin his wanderings, the tragedy of Celebrian came to pass. Though she was saved by the twin sons of Elrond, the lord of Imladris would not permit his grandson to enter the tunnels of the mountains, for still Tinindil's father, Elrohir, could not look upon his face. Thus, Tinindil awaited their return, with Elrond, and upon it, Tinindil stayed at the side of his grandmother, even until she departed Middle Earth. It was over the bed of Celebrian that Elrohir first beheld his son, and saw not evil in his face, for Tinindil's likeness had grown apart from his mother, and his most striking resemblance was of the twin sons of Elrond and Elrond himself. Father and son forged a strong bond, as all of the royal line grieved to see Celebrian grow weary of Middle Earth and pass over the sea. Tinindil resolved then to avenge his grandmother's passing, alone, for he deemed himself ready, and to vanquish evil from Middle earth. His youth, pride and grief were a combination that gave birth to anger, anger that would prove ferocious in years to come. Elrond wished his grandson not to leave, but also he saw that, for better or ill, Tinindil must make this journey to discover for himself how to ease his pain, for no amount of further protection would sate his wrath. The only path for the elf was to go, and find in the wild the answer he sought, whatever it might be. As he went, Tinindil carried the sword, and for many years afterwards. It proved worthy, deadly keen and thirsty for blood, and Tinindil's anger turned first upon those that cost him dearest. Thus he set himself into the Misty Mountains, and there learned many harsh lessons that cooled his anger somewhat. For the ancient peaks, sensing his grief that bordered on madness, for it was as if he had lost a mother in Celebrian, turned upon him the might of nature, to first cool the fire in his spirit. And after these lessons had been learned, the anger within Tinindil became a smoldering flame that ever burned, and desired to consume his reason. For he was not sated then, and he foraged deep into the mountains and into the tunnels to seek his enemy. He was lucky, in many cases to come out alive. It was as if his great grandfather were watching down upon him from the stars, and the mariner kept him safe for many years, desiring that Tinindil should find his answer, and find reason, and truth, and wisdom in them, for in time, he became the heir of Earendil. Eventually he left the mountains, for he had learned much, but still he was not appeased, for his taking of evil life only fed the fuel of anger within him that as he struck evil down, more rose to stand in its place. He went north, and wandered in dark places there, and fought many fell men on lonely roads. During such wandering in the north he met Isithrandil, later revealed to Tinindil as Ingil Litheldar. The two became great friends, and it was Ingil that showed Tinindil how he could confront his grief, and how he could live a life not governed by anger, by hate, and by war. Ingil too, in the wisdom of one who has walked the earth for thousands of years sensed the malevolence of the sword his friend carried, but like Elrond, he saw Tinindil's path would lead him to that discovery himself. Eventually, Tinindil parted with Ingil, and went south once more, to Imladris, though the two met many more times afterwards. He did not remain in Imladris long, leaving again, but this time for Lothlorien, the first journey of Tinindil at peace. There wandering amongst the trees and his woodland kin, he sung and played a beautiful music, that he ever afterwards held as the finest he had ever created. He walked and sung beneath the mallryn for many moons, until his path brought him to a house. He befriended an elf there, who he quickly forged a strong bond with, and afterwards they took several journeys together, and he visited her house in Lothlorien many times. He called her sister, though their bond was stronger, even than that of family. She was a gwathel to him, a heart sister, and her name was Tari Avalonde. Fair she was, and in their friendship, seemed fairer to Tinindil than any elf he had met before. His love for her was strong, but it was a love of friendship and fellowship, not romantic love, and it was all the stronger for it. It was on Tinindil's return from Lorien that news of the one ring came unto Imladris. During the war of the ring, Tinindil, with his father and uncle, was present at the Council of Elrond, when Frodo Baggins took the one ring. Tinindil scouted ahead of the fellowship with Elrohir and Elladan, and it was at this time he learned the value of silence, and invisibility in dark places, a skill that would serve him greatly as the years advanced. He rode afterwards with the Northern Dunedain, and passed through the Paths of the Dead with them, fighting at Pelennor and Pelargir, also fighting at the last on the Plains of Gorgoroth. He journeyed then to Lothlorien, and stayed for a time with Tari Avalonde, helping to build the Gardens of Lorien, as living memory to those who had died in the wars of Middle Earth, and given their lives to vanquish evil. On his return to Imladris, Tinindil sought peace for many years, and it was only many years later that he would carry another sword. Always with him was the gift of a knife that Celebrian made him when young, but no sword rested at his side until one night, under the glorious light of Earendil, Tinindil forged another sword, and bound within it the light of the star, that it would never be tainted by evil. In a vision, he was called to forge another sword, for it was told he would soon meet one who would have need of it. Carrying both, Tinindil left Imladris again, to search for this other, for his dream had told him at the ford of Bruinen he would find the answer to his dream. He waited there for many days, until one night in a second dream he was told to leave the sword in the middle of the ford, and its rightful owner would appear. Thrusting the keen blade into the riverbed, Tinindil waited. For three whole days neither sight nor sound was heard of any man or beast, but on the fourth day, a ring of steel on steel made the elf draw his own sword. An old man appeared, fighting a group of three bandits. He was backing toward the ford, and Tinindil, realizing he could not intervene, for this was part of his dream, waited and watched. Suddenly the old man's rusted sword snapped, and the bandits closed in. Tinindil broke cover then, wrenching the sword from where it had rested three days, and with a shout, tossing the blade to the old man. With sudden and surprising strength and speed, the man slew the first bandit. The other two ran, for fear that their quarry was more than a match for their own skill. Thus Tinindil met Roquinn the Istar, and saved his life, though later Roquinn would repay the favor. The lives of both the Istar and the elf were saved by the second sword forged under Earendil's light. Tinindil and Roquinn came to Imladris, where Roquinn was welcomed, for oft had he visited that place before. Tinindil had known him not, and rejoiced that the Istar was so welcomed among his kin. By now, Tinindil was at peace with the world, and though he carried his sword, he did not draw it again for many years more. It was in this time that he married the lady Alora Felagund. And though Elrond warned him his love would lead only to death, Tinindil did not listen, for his love for her was strong, and he vowed he would protect her, that death may never come unto their happy union. But, one night, when Tinindil had journeyed to Lothlorien with Alora to visit his gwathel, Tari Avalonde, his wife could not rest, following their visit, and with her handmaiden rode abroad in the moonlight. When they came to the edge of the Golden Wood, they ventured a little further, fearing naught in the days when peace was prevalent in Middle Earth. The moment she had left him to venture forth would be the last time Tinindil saw her. When she did not return, Tinindil, remembering Elrond's words, thought her dead. In tracking her path, he was lead to the Misty Mountains again, seeing the watchful peaks, was filled with a fire to bring justice unto those who had taken from him what he held dear. Thus he entered the mountains a second time. And though he had wandered among the paths many times since his first visit, it is these two journeys that are remembered. For he had been a hunter of the mountains, yet seeking peace, he forsook that path. Now, he returned to it, going deep into the tunnels that he knew well, and seeking to fight more and more evil creatures. At last, in the caverns and depths of the world, he fought a great metal beast of Morgoth's time, crawled there to live out whatever life it might forge for itself. It was here the sword of Earendil burned brightest, yet the beast forged of steel in the fires of Morgoth's furnace broke the sword of Earendil, snapping off the very tip of the sword. The light of the star flooded out, and it was through the rush of bright light that Tinindil lived, for it blinded the beast, and he made his escape. He was sore wounded, for a piece of the beast's metal hide was lodged in his chest, and he had suffered many other wounds from his long time below ground. Staggering to the surface, he regained enough strength to travel to Khazad-Dum, ever concealing his true identity. There it was the dwarf Noín Ironfoot filed the broken end of his sword, and strengthened the steel, for he resolved to carry the blade ever afterwards. All he sought now was to rekindle the light of Earendil within it. He took a new name, Oroníon (mountain son) and many believed the grandson of Elrond dead, driven mad by the disappearance of his love. Some said he had flung himself from the falls of Rauros, others that he had walked into the sea in the west and not stopped walking. But truly, Tinindil traveled in secret, veiled, to hide his scarring, for his body was marred with the scars of his battle. He came first to Khazad-Dum, then to Lothlorien, though he had intended to cross Eregion to Kaldor, yet had not the strength. There he was healed in body by master Nurbor Caladcrist, and Tari Avalonde and Roquinn the Istar were at his side. However his spirit, as Celebrían's once had grew weary of Middle Earth, tainted, as he was by the craft of Morgoth. Still he would not be satisfied until the fire of his sword was rekindled. Tinindil's journey to Imladris was long, for still he was weary of the world, and without the light of the star, neither Tari nor Roquinn could foresee any path for him but that of the a ship over the sea. Thus both came with him to Imladris in secret, though it was Roquinn who wandered first with him even into the Black Lands of Mordor, for Tinindil resolved to find some interest in life on Arda somewhere. But once more his strength faded, and Roquinn set him on the path to Imladris. Many years after the night Tinindil had forged the twin swords, they rewove the light of the star of Tinindil's great grandsire into his sword. As the task was completed, the sword shone forth a brilliant light, which, as Tinindil lifted it from the forge, enveloped him. And when the great light died, the light of the star had return to Tinindil's eyes, and he took joy in the things of Middle Earth once more and once more had found peace in his heart. Tinindil was given to him by his mother, before her death, a ring. Ever afterwards he wore it on the thumb of his left hand. It comprised of two intertwining strands, and made of mixed silver and mithril. Tinindil's mother had been named 'evergreen' by Elrohir, and the ring was said to have the power to keep the body and soul of whosoever wore it youthful. The actual power of the ring was myth, yet the wearer could still find within themselves an ageless quality, discovered if they chose to look for it. Thus the legend that the ring's magical power kept Tinindil youthful is falsehood, it was only in one that finally found salvation that the youthful joy of peace is observed. And this he did find, and remained youthful, even unto his ending, for he would not leave Middle Earth, once his love of it was rekindled. Thus he lived out a mortal life, and the flame imperishable left him. Yet the light of Earendil did not, and in his last years, the face of Tinindil, ageless as it was, took on that of his grandsire. As Tinindil prepared to meet his end, there came to him a final vision. Alone, he made a long journey west, his strength leaving him to the shores of the sea. There he built a vessel, as instructed by his dream, and with his last strength he made sail west, across the open water, standing on the prow, as once Earendil had on board Vingilot. Sailing west was the last any mortal saw of him, but as he traveled further, there came unto him from the heavens a great light, and he, and the ship were borne aloft. Tinindil heard in his ears and all about him, in the very fibers of his craft, which he became bound to, a song, and it was sweeter than any earthly song he had heard before. It was the song that bore him up, the music of the Valar, and soon it was that he reached the heavens, evermore to sail across the sky among the stars. For he was Earendil's heir, and in the wake of the great ship of the mariner did his lesser star make its passage across the firmament.' Back to the top Return to the front page of the book