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In the days of the [[Two Trees]], Arien was the [[Maia]] maiden of the [[Valie]] [[Vána]] ''the Ever-young'' where she tended to the golden flowers of the gardens of Vána. Therefore, Arien would water the flowers of Vána with great bright dews taken from the great golden Tree [[Laurelin]] itself which she was much devoted to among the great Two Trees of [[Valinor]].
In the days of the [[Two Trees]], Arien was the [[Maia]] maiden of the [[Valie]] [[Vána]] ''the Ever-young'' where she tended to the golden flowers of the gardens of Vána. Therefore, Arien would water the flowers of Vána with great bright dews taken from the great golden Tree [[Laurelin]] itself which she was much devoted to among the great Two Trees of [[Valinor]].
After the destruction of the great Two Trees of Valinor by [[Melkor]], the great Tree Laurelin managed to produce one last golden fruit before it died away, and then the [[Vala]] [[Aulë]] crafted a vessel to hold it. And the maia Arien was chosen by the [[Valar]] to guide the vessel of the [[Sun]], also named '[[Anar]]', above the airs of [[Arda]] and give light to the World, because she herself had not been afraid of the great heat of the Tree Laurelin and was able to stand its heat unhurt. For the maia maiden Arien was from the beginning a spirit of fire whom Melkor could not deceive nor draw to his service. And [[Tilion]], a maia as well who was one of the Vala Oromë's hunters, was chosen to steer the vessel of the [[Moon]]. The vessel of the Moon had already traversed 7 times before the vessel for Anar was finally ready, then the Sun arose in glory, and the first dawn of the Sun was like a great fire glowing upon the towers of the great [[Pelóri Mountains]] of [[Aman]]. It has been said that as Arien was the Guardian of the Sun, she was one of the most-loved maia maiden by mortal [[Men]] for her first journey across the sky had been the signal for the Awakening of Mankind, the '[[Atani]]' as they were later called. And the clouds of [[Middle-earth]] were kindled and there was heard a sound of many waterfalls. Then indeed, [[Morgoth]] was dismayed and he descended to the uttermost pit of [[Angband]] and withdrew his servants, sending forth great reeks and darkness of clouds to hide his land from the light of the Daystar.<ref>{{S|Sun}}, p. 110-11</ref>
After the destruction of the great Two Trees of Valinor by [[Melkor]], the great Tree Laurelin managed to produce one last golden fruit before it died away, and then the [[Vala]] [[Aulë]] crafted a vessel to hold it. And the maia Arien was chosen by the [[Valar]] to guide the vessel of the [[Sun]], also named '[[Anar]]', above the airs of [[Arda]] and give light to the World, because she herself had not been afraid of the great heat of the Tree Laurelin and was able to stand its heat unhurt. For the maia maiden Arien was from the beginning a spirit of fire whom Melkor could not deceive nor draw to his service. And [[Tilion]], a maia as well who was one of the Vala Oromë's hunters, was chosen to steer the vessel of the [[Moon]]. The vessel of the Moon had already traversed 7 times before the vessel for Anar was finally ready, then the Sun arose in glory, and the first dawn of the Sun was like a great fire glowing upon the towers of the great [[Pelóri Mountains]] of [[Aman]]. It has been said that as Arien was the Guardian of the Sun, she was one of the most-loved maia maiden by mortal [[Men]] for her first journey across the sky had been the signal for the Awakening of Mankind, the '[[Atani]]' as they were later called. And the clouds of [[Middle-earth]] were kindled and there was heard a sound of many waterfalls. Then indeed, [[Morgoth]] was dismayed and he descended to the uttermost pit of [[Angband]] and withdrew his servants, sending forth great reeks and darkness of clouds to hide his land from the light of the Daystar.<ref>{{S|Sun}}, p. 110-11</ref>
Queen [[Varda]] who was in charge of guiding the Moon and Sun purposed that the two vessels of the Sun & Moon should journey in [[Ilmen]] and ever be aloft, but not together. Each should pass from Valinor into the east and return west again, as one issues from the west while the other returns from the east. In spite of that, because of the waywardness of Tilion's journey and also because of the prayers of the Vala [[Irmo]]-[[Lórien]] and his spouse the Valie [[Estë]] who declared that night, sleep, and rest had been banished from the Earth and also, the stars had been hidden by the traversing of the Sun and Moon. As a result, Queen Varda changed her council and allowed time where the world would have shadow and half-light. Hence, Arien rested awhile in Valinor, laying upon the cool bosom of the Outer Sea. And in the evening when the time, descent, and rest of the Sun took place it was an hour of greatest joy and light in Aman.<ref>{{S|Sun}}, p. 111</ref>
Queen [[Varda]] who was in charge of guiding the Moon and Sun purposed that the two vessels of the Sun & Moon should journey in [[Ilmen]] and ever be aloft, but not together. Each should pass from Valinor into the east and return west again, as one issues from the west while the other returns from the east. In spite of that, because of the waywardness of Tilion's journey and also because of the prayers of the Vala [[Irmo]]-Lórien and his spouse the Valie [[Estë]] who declared that night, sleep, and rest had been banished from the Earth and also, the stars had been hidden by the traversing of the Sun and Moon. As a result, Queen Varda changed her council and allowed time where the world would have shadow and half-light. Hence, Arien rested awhile in Valinor, laying upon the cool bosom of the Outer Sea. And in the evening when the time, descent, and rest of the Sun took place it was an hour of greatest joy and light in Aman.<ref>{{S|Sun}}, p. 111</ref>


By [[Anar]] the waters of the Outer Sea were made hot and glowed with colored fire, and hence for awhile [[Valinor]] had light after the passing of the maia maiden Arien. Yet, as Arien journeyed underneath the earth and drew towards the east, the glow faded and Valinor became dim. The [[Valar]] then mourned for the loss of the great Tree [[Laurelin]]. Consequently, by the coming and going of Anar the Valar reckoned the days after until the 'Change of the World'.
By [[Anar]] the waters of the Outer Sea were made hot and glowed with colored fire, and hence for awhile [[Valinor]] had light after the passing of the maia maiden Arien. Yet, as Arien journeyed underneath the earth and drew towards the east, the glow faded and Valinor became dim. The [[Valar]] then mourned for the loss of the great Tree [[Laurelin]]. Consequently, by the coming and going of Anar the Valar reckoned the days after until the 'Change of the World'.

Revision as of 16:37, 26 February 2016

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Arien
Maia
NOLANOS - El Fuego de Anor.jpg
"Maiden of the Sun" by NOLANOS
Biographical Information
PositionGuiding the Sun
AffiliationVarda, formally Estë and Vána
Physical Description
GenderFemale
GalleryImages of Arien
"Too bright were the eyes of Arien for even the Eldar to look on, and leaving Valinor she forsook the form and raiment which like the Valar she had worn there, and she was as a naked flame, terrible in the fullness of her splendor."
― "Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"

Arien (Q, pron. [ˈari.en], stem Ariend-) was a Maia maiden who guided the Sun.

History

In the days of the Two Trees, Arien was the Maia maiden of the Valie Vána the Ever-young where she tended to the golden flowers of the gardens of Vána. Therefore, Arien would water the flowers of Vána with great bright dews taken from the great golden Tree Laurelin itself which she was much devoted to among the great Two Trees of Valinor. After the destruction of the great Two Trees of Valinor by Melkor, the great Tree Laurelin managed to produce one last golden fruit before it died away, and then the Vala Aulë crafted a vessel to hold it. And the maia Arien was chosen by the Valar to guide the vessel of the Sun, also named 'Anar', above the airs of Arda and give light to the World, because she herself had not been afraid of the great heat of the Tree Laurelin and was able to stand its heat unhurt. For the maia maiden Arien was from the beginning a spirit of fire whom Melkor could not deceive nor draw to his service. And Tilion, a maia as well who was one of the Vala Oromë's hunters, was chosen to steer the vessel of the Moon. The vessel of the Moon had already traversed 7 times before the vessel for Anar was finally ready, then the Sun arose in glory, and the first dawn of the Sun was like a great fire glowing upon the towers of the great Pelóri Mountains of Aman. It has been said that as Arien was the Guardian of the Sun, she was one of the most-loved maia maiden by mortal Men for her first journey across the sky had been the signal for the Awakening of Mankind, the 'Atani' as they were later called. And the clouds of Middle-earth were kindled and there was heard a sound of many waterfalls. Then indeed, Morgoth was dismayed and he descended to the uttermost pit of Angband and withdrew his servants, sending forth great reeks and darkness of clouds to hide his land from the light of the Daystar.[1] Queen Varda who was in charge of guiding the Moon and Sun purposed that the two vessels of the Sun & Moon should journey in Ilmen and ever be aloft, but not together. Each should pass from Valinor into the east and return west again, as one issues from the west while the other returns from the east. In spite of that, because of the waywardness of Tilion's journey and also because of the prayers of the Vala Irmo-Lórien and his spouse the Valie Estë who declared that night, sleep, and rest had been banished from the Earth and also, the stars had been hidden by the traversing of the Sun and Moon. As a result, Queen Varda changed her council and allowed time where the world would have shadow and half-light. Hence, Arien rested awhile in Valinor, laying upon the cool bosom of the Outer Sea. And in the evening when the time, descent, and rest of the Sun took place it was an hour of greatest joy and light in Aman.[2]

By Anar the waters of the Outer Sea were made hot and glowed with colored fire, and hence for awhile Valinor had light after the passing of the maia maiden Arien. Yet, as Arien journeyed underneath the earth and drew towards the east, the glow faded and Valinor became dim. The Valar then mourned for the loss of the great Tree Laurelin. Consequently, by the coming and going of Anar the Valar reckoned the days after until the 'Change of the World'. Along with that, Morgoth feared with a great fear for the maia Arien and he dared not come nigh to her, having indeed no longer the power to do so in the first place. For as Morgoth grew in malice, and sent forth from himself the evil he conceived in lies and creatures of wickedness, thus his might was passed unto them and was dispersed; and Morgoth himself became ever more bound to earth, unwilling to issue out from his dark strongholds. With shadows Morgoth hid himself and his servants as well from the glance of Arien whose eyes could not be endured for long. Furthermore, the lands near Morgoth's dwelling were shrouded in fumes and great clouds.[3] The light in Valinor was much fairer than Middle-earth because the Sun rested there and the lights of heaven drew near to that land in that region. Moreover, the Valar stored the radiance of the Sun in many vessels, vats, and pools for their comfort in times of darkness.[4]

Tilion, the maia hunter chosen to guide the Moon, loved the maia maiden Arien and followed her through the night sky sometimes catching up to her and becoming burned and blackened by her heat.[5] It was said that the maia maiden Arien was stronger in might than the maia hunter Tilion.

Other Versions of the Legendarium

In other writings, Arien's name was Urwen or Urwendi, which translated in "Maiden of the Sunship". She was one of Vána's maidens who took care of the tree Laurelin; her task was to water it. When the Two Trees of Valinor were destroyed, she had to stir the Ship of the Sun.[6] [7]

Morgoth wanted to claim Arien as a wife,[8] and ravished her, upon which she abandoned her body and "died", leaving the Sun to travel through the skies uncontrollably and burning parts of Arda the world. As well, it is stated in other abandoned writings that she was a Maia of Varda. It is not clear if it was Tolkien's intent to keep these elements in The Silmarillion tradition, had he lived long enough to publish it.

It was told that the maia Arien(Urwendi), before the rising of the Sun, Arien and her maidens had entered into 'Fôs Almir' which was a bath of flame that would make one pure.[9]

Etymology

Arien means "Maiden of Sunlight" in Quenya. It is derived from the root as-, seen also in árë "sunlight"[10] and -ien feminine suffix.

References

Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar
Middle-earth Cosmology
 Constellations  Anarríma · Durin's Crown · Menelmacar · Remmirath · Soronúmë · Telumendil · Valacirca · Wilwarin
Stars  Alcarinquë · Borgil · Carnil · Elemmírë · Helluin · Luinil · Lumbar · Morwinyon · Nénar · Star of Eärendil · Til 
The Airs  Aiwenórë · Fanyamar · Ilmen · Menel · Vaiya · Veil of Arda · Vista
Narsilion  Arien · Moon (Isil, Ithil, Rána) · Sun (Anar, Anor, Vása) · Tilion
See also  Abyss · Arda · Circles of the World · · Timeless Halls · Two Lamps · Two Trees · Void