Luvailin
From Tolkien Gateway
Luvailin or Shadowmere was a mere in Eldamar under the shadow of Oiolossë.[1] The name Luvailin only appears in the Unfinished index, and Shadowmere is mentioned in Bilbo's song of Eärendil in Rivendell:
- ...where [i.e. in Elvenhome] pale as glass
beneath the Hill of Ilmarin
a-glimmer in a valley sheer
the lamplit towers of Tirion
are mirrored on the Shadowmere.[2]
Etymology
The name Shadowmere is said to be a "translation" of Luvailin.[1] Though Tolkien did not provide an explanation of the latter, fans have speculated that Luvailin seems to contain the elements luv- *"shadow-" (seemingly from √LUM, LUB "shadow, darkness",[3]) and ailin "pool, lake".[4], and that it is unclear if the name is supposed to be Quenya or Sindarin.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 217
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), pp. 161, 168
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies" s.v. AY-, p. 349
- ↑ "Shadowmere, a "translation" of Luvailin", The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza: Forum (accessed 18 November 2013)
