The Guardians were a group of Maiar who were sent to Cuiviénen by the Valar to guard the Elves during the First Age. Five of the members of this guard were known as the Five Guardians.[1]
History[]
At the beginning of the First Age, Melian left Valinor for Endor after receiving a warning in a dream. She informs the newly awakened Elves of the existence of the Valar.[1]
After the finding the Elves in Cuiviénen, Oromë dwelt among them with Tulkas for forty-eight years. However, when he had to attend the Council of the Valar for the war-preparations against Melkor, Oromë leaves Melian and some guards about Cuiviénen to protect the Elves in his absence[2].[1]
After some time, Oromë journeys back to Cuiviénen with more Maiar in order to aid Melian and the other guards, though Melkor begins to suspect the Valar's war-preparations creates a "heresy" for his emissaries to spread.[1]
It is unrecorded whether Melian and the other Guardians assisted Oromë in accompanying the Eldar on their Great Journey.[1]
When Oromë is called again to a new council, the Valar send to Cuiviénen five "great spirits of the Maiar" who called themselves the Five Guardians. These were Tarindor, Olórin, Hrávandil, Haimenar, and Palacendo. Melian was to be their chief when they arrived.[1]
Background[]
The editor of The Nature of Middle-earth, Carl F. Hostetter, notes that the Five Guardians were the same as the Order of Wizards, though it is unclear, though implied, if the last two names correspond to the earlier Blue Wizards.[3]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The Nature of Middle-earth, Part One: Time and Ageing, XIII: "Key Dates", pgs. 93-9
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. X: Morgoth's Ring, "The Annals of Aman", pgs.47-8
- ↑ The Nature of Middle-earth, Part One: Time and Ageing, XIII: "Key Dates", Notes, pg. 101 (note 7)