Orontor

From Tolkien Gateway
Orontor
Númenórean
Biographical Information
LocationNúmenor
Family
ChildrenFíriel
Physical Description
GenderMale

Orontor was a Númenórean man who was the father of Fíriel according to the early version of the legendarium in The Lost Road.

History[edit | edit source]

Orontor was a good friend of Elendil, but at some point in time, he had departed Númenor. Men speculated that he had gained the displeasure of the king and had fled on a long voyage. However, the truth was that he was on a mysterious mission and would likely never be seen again or be seen again too late.[1] He left behind his daughter, Fíriel, in Elendil's house where she sang a sad song from a high window.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The meaning of Oronto is never given, but it could include the Quenya element oron ("mountain"). The name was created in an early step of Quenya development, but it was later used as an example of anessi ("given name").[2]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

Christopher Tolkien points out that Orontor's mission, "from which he might never return", could be a precedent of the voyage of Amandil to the West in the final version of Akallabêth.[3]

References