| This article is about the character. For the poem, see Tinfang Warble. |
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Tinfang was a great flautist and loremaster mentioned in The Book of Lost Tales, and the poem Tinfang Warble.
History[]
Tinfang was a half-Elf, son of an Elf (Gnome or Solosimpi) and of a Maia of Palúrien.[1] His fluting led the Elves forth and had an enchantment that made the stars twinkled according to his notes. His talent with the flute was so great that anyone, even the Solosimpi, could rival his ability, thus he was counted among the greatest of the minstrels of the Elves, along with Maglor, Daeron and Ivárë, and one of the three most 'magic' dancers, along with Ivárë and Tinúviel.[2][3]
It was said that his music could be heard in the Great Lands and sometimes also in Alalvinórë. In The Book of Lost Tales, Eriol asks Vairë about hearing 'dream-musics', and she replied that it was Tinfang, who had not been heard for many nights.[1]
Etymology[]
Tinfang means "star-beard" in Gnomish.[4] The character is nicknamed Tinfang Warble by children in the homonym poem and Tinfang Gelion in "The Lay of Leithian".[3] In Early Quenya his name is Timpinen, that means "fluter".[5]
Other versions[]
In other account, the parents of Tinfang were the king Tinwelint and of the queen Gwendeling. After Tinwelint was enchanted, he and his sister Tinúviel "long after joined the Eldar again, and tales there are concerning them both, though they are seldom told".[6]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. I: The Book of Lost Tales Part One, chapter IV: "The Chaining of Melko"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. II: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, chapter I: "The Tale of Tinúviel"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. III: The Lays of Beleriand, chapter III: "The Lay of Leithian"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. V: The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies"
- ↑ Beren and Lúthien, "List of Names [in the original text]"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. I: The Book of Lost Tales Part One, chapter IV: "The Chaining of Melko": "Notes and Commentary"