Tarn Aeluin

From Tolkien Gateway
Tarn Aeluin
Lake
Elena Kukanova - Aeluin.jpg
"Aeluin" by Elena Kukanova
General Information
Pronunciationeye-loo-een
Other namesAeluin
LocationEastern Dorthonion, south-west of Ladros
TypeLake
DescriptionA lake of clear waters with wild heaths about it
People and History
InhabitantsBarahir's outlaws
EventsMassacre at Tarn Aeluin
GalleryImages of Tarn Aeluin
"But the waters of Tarn Aeluin were held in reverence, for they were clear and blue by day and by night were a mirror for the stars..."
Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beren and Lúthien"

Tarn Aeluin,[1] sometimes referred to as just Aeluin,[2] was a clear blue mountain lake in the eastern highlands of Dorthonion, southwest of Ladros.[3] It was situated among wild heather hills, themselves surrounded by trackless and uninhabited forests and highland plains of heather. Alder-trees were known to grow beside the lake.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Tarn Aeluin was said to have been hallowed by Melian the Maia.[1]

When Aegnor saw the reflection of Andreth in Tarn Aeluin, he fell in love with her.[2]

Barahir's outlaws hid from Morgoth's forces after the Dagor Bragollach and made their lair at Tarn Aeluin. There they remained hidden until they were betrayed by Gorlim.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Aeluin is clearly Sindarin, being never glossed. Paul Strack explains it means "Blue Lake", from ael ("lake, pool") + luin ("blue").[4] Tarn is an archaic English word meaning "mountain lake".

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

According to the text in "The Complaint of Mîm the Dwarf", Mîm, the last of the Petty-dwarves, had made his first work of art at Tarn Aeluin during his youth: a flower with dew on it.[5]

References