Thuringwethil
Thuringwethil (perished First Age c. 465) was a Vampire servant of Sauron during the First Age. She was Sauron's messenger, but was caught in the battle between her master and Lúthien and Huan at Tol-in-Gaurhoth ("Isle of Werewolves"). She was slain either by the Hound of Valinor or in the collapse of Minas Tirith. Lúthien later used her cloak to sneak into Angband during the Quest for the Silmaril.[1]
Because of Thuringwethil's ability to change forms, she may have been a Maia.
Etymology
The name Thuringwethil is difficult to translate. A direct translation is "Secret Sister" (from thurin = "secret, hidden" and gwethil = "sister, associate"). However, in an early version of the legendarium the name is said to mean "she of hidden shadow",[2], and in The Silmarillion the name is glossed as "Woman of Secret Shadow".[3]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "III. The Lay of Leithian: Canto XIII (Beren and Lúthien in Angband)", Note to line 3954, p. 304
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"