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Idis, or Ælflæd Flæd,[1] was the daughter of Théoden and Elfhild, in an early draft of The Lord of the Rings.[2]
Biography[]
Sometime before 2995 in the late Third Age, Idis was born to Théoden and Elfhild in Rohan.
In the years leading up to the War of the Ring, Idis assisted in caring for Théoden alongside Éowyn, her cousin, in Meduseld.
On March 2 in TA 3019, when Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas entered Meduseld, Idis stood alongside Éowyn behind Théoden's chair, noted as being a fair woman. After Frána Wormtongue was overthrown by Gandalf, Idis and Éowyn assisted Théoden in crossing the hall before being told to go. As they left the hall, Éowyn looked back and was noted as being more fair and slender than Idis. Later, when Théoden planned to ride to battle, Idis was present but did not comment when Théoden proclaimed that Éowyn would lead Rohan in his stead, nor did she comment after Gandalf approved the choice. Idis was present with Éowyn at the meal before Théoden's host was to depart Edoras for battle. Despite this, however, Idis did not assist Éowyn in bringing the wine. During this meal, Háma assures Théoden that the House of Eorl would not end with Éomer, noting both Éowyn, Éomer's sister, and Idis, Théoden's daughter, as being both "wise and high-hearted". Despite this, however, Háma then advised Théoden that he should allow Éowyn to be the "lord of the Eorlingas" since she was more loved by the people of Rohan than Idis.[3]
Etymology[]
While Idis is not glossed, it is presumed by Paul Strack of Eldamo.org that the name is Rohanese.[4]
In a note, Christopher Tolkien noted the similarity between the name Idis and the Old English poetic word ides ("woman, lady").[1]
The Old English/Early Middle English name Ælflæd Flæd is comprised of Ælf ("elf"),[5] læd ("lead"),[6] and Flæd ("beauty, purity").
Genealogy[]
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| Théodred |
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| Lothíriel |
| Éomer |
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| Éowyn |
| Faramir | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elfwine |
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| Elboron | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Barahir | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background[]
Christopher Tolkien mentioned in a note to the sentence "Go, Idis, and you too Eowyn sister-daughter!" that the order of the names were swapped and Idis was written as Ælflæd Flæd.[1] The character of Idis was eventually discarded from the story by J.R.R. Tolkien, since her role was overshadowed by Éowyn all references to her were removed.[3] As such, Théoden's only child remained Théodred, his son.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. VII: The Treason of Isengard, chapter XXVI: "The King of the Golden Hall", Notes, pg. 450 (note 15)
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. VII: The Treason of Isengard, "Index", pg. 484 (entry Idis)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. VII: The Treason of Isengard, chapter XXVI: "The King of the Golden Hall", pg. 445, 447
- ↑ Idis on Eldamo.org
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]