Aelin-uial was a marshy confluence of the river Aros into Sirion, south of Doriath.[1][2]
History
The Aelin-uial was the maze of lakes and fens which formed where the river called Aros met Sirion, before it fell beneath the Andram. These were lands heavy with enchantment, both from the girdle of Melian guarding Doriath to the North, but also from the power of Ulmo that was very mighty in the waters of the river Sirion. The Aelin-uial was under the total control of the Sindarin kingdom of Doriath. The march wardens of Thingol had secret ferries among the reeds, so that they could cross between the Sirion's eastern and western banks unseen. At the southern end of the Aelin-Uial, the Sirion's waters collected together once more from the many paths they took through the Marshland and, at the place called the Falls of Sirion, fell a very loud waterfall down into the earth.[1]
It was here that Turgon and Finrod were given the idea of building their hidden fortress at Gondolin and Nargothrond. This idea was given to them by Ulmo, who put this idea into their heads while they were dreaming.[3]
As Beren Erchamion left Doriath, he passed through Aelin-uial and proceeded to the Falls of Sirion.[4]
In search for Túrin Turambar, Morwen and Nienor followed Mablung, who later brought them to the hidden ferries of the elves.[5] After the release of Húrin, he passed through the Aelin-auial and entered Doriath, where he met Elu Thingol and reutrned the Nauglamir.[6]
It was destroyed in the War of Wrath, which occurred at the end of the First Age.[7]
Etymology
The name Aelin-uial is Sindarin which means "Twilight Meres" from the words aelin ("lake, pool") and uial ("twilight").[8]
Its earlier name was the Gnomish Hithliniath "Pools of Mist" which was later change to Umboth-miluin.[9]
Other Names
It is also called the "Meres of Twilight", "Twilight Meres", or "Twilit Meres".
Translations around the world
| Foreign Language | Translated name |
|---|---|
| Hungarian | Félhomály-tavak |
| Russian | Аэлин-уиал |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XIV: "Of Beleriand and its Realms"
- ↑ The Atlas of Middle-earth, The First Age, The Elder Days, "Beleriand and the Lands to the North"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XIII: "Of the Return of the Noldor"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XIX: "Of Beren and Lúthien"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXI: "Of Túrin Turambar"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXII: "Of the Ruin of Doriath"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXIV: "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin names
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels, Part Two: The Later Quenta Silmarillion, XI: "Of Beleriand its Realms"
