Melian

Melian was a Maia of the race of the Ainur. She served both Vána and Estë, before she left for Middle-earth she dwelt in Lórien tending the trees that grew in the Gardens of Irmo. Wherever she went Nightingales sang about her. She fell in love with the Elven-king Elu Thingol, King Grey Mantle, and with him ruled the kingdom of Doriath. She was one of the two known Ainur said to have borne children, as Ungoliant is said to be a spirit (what else but a maia) who had followed Melkor in rebellion, then turned to her own purposes. Melian's main line of descent is of the half-elven.

When Thingol (also called Elwë) met Melian, he lost track of the passage of time and was left behind when most of the Eldar left for Valinor. They had one daughter, Lúthien Tinúviel, through whom Melian's Maiarin blood passed into bloodlines of both Elves and Men.

In Doriath she used her powers to guard and defend it with a protection called the Girdle of Melian, but she predicted that one person would breach it. When Beren arrived as foretold, she counseled Thingol against sending Beren for a Silmaril, a quest which would eventually lead to Doriath's ruin.

After Thingol's death, she allowed her body to "die," leaving Middle-earth for Valinor, where she mourned the loss of her husband and daughter.