The Tale of Eol and Aredhel

Aredhel the daughter of Fingolfin and was living with her brother Turgon in Gondolin. She grew weary of the Hidden City and wished to leave but Turgon long denied her request. Eventually he gave her leave but only to visit their brother Fingon. He was loath to let his sister near danger and also to let anyone who knew the way to the Hidden City wander abroad. She replied, "'I am your sister and not your servant, and beyond your bounds I will go as seems good to me'" (p. 131, The Silmarillion). How's that for a little sibling tension? An escort with her but she decided to see the sons of Feanor whom were her friends. As she traveled the march wardens of Doriath did not allow her to enter that realm for Thingol would not allow any Noldor (unless his kin from Finarfin's house) to pass his lands.

The quickest path, she was told, was through dangerous land. Being eager to see the sons of Feanor she traveled the no-man land between the Girdle of Melian and Nan Dungortheb where Ungoliant had settled long before. There she was separated from her guard. They looked for her in vain and aroused the fell creatures of Ungoliant in their search. They returned to Gondolin and reported the ill news to Turgon. "But Aredhel, having sought in vain for her companions, rode on, for she was fearless and hardy of heart, as were all the children of Finwe..." (p. 132 The Silmarillion). There are very few female characters in Tolkien's writings, but nearly all of them are presented in favorable light. Honorable, steadfast, wise, courageous beautiful in form, mind, and heart. There is something right and true about they way he portrays women.

Eventually she finds her way to the people of Celegorm. There she stayed awhile before becoming restless again and taking leave. She became lost in the woods of Nan Elmoth. There lived Eol, the Dark Elf, who loved the dense woods that did not allow the sun to shine. He was of Thingol's kin but grew restless in Doriath. He settled in Nan Elmoth and there befriended the Dwarves, learning their metal work and visiting their halls in Belegost and Nogrod often. Eol hated the Noldor blaming them for the return of Morgoth. He espied Aredhel lost in the woods. "Very fair she seemed to him, and he desired her; and he set his enchantments about her so that she could not find the ways out, but drew ever nearer to his dim halls, and such servants as he had, silent and secret as their master" (p. 133, The Silmarillion). Eol took her as wife and no one heard of her for a long time.

Whether he meant to or not Tolkien touches on masculinity gone bad. Not that I think Eol forced Aredhel into anything, rather, he passively went about this relationship. He could have rode out and helped her, given her the choice of staying with him or leaving the woods. Rather he led her by enchantment to his door. I'm sure being weary and close to wits end Eol seemed an inviting choice. Kind of like the guy who takes the friend route rather than just asking a woman out--for fear of rejection. "It is not said that Aredhel was wholly unwilling, nor that her life in Nan Elmoth was hateful to her for many years" (p. 133, The Silmarillion). She could wander the woods with Eol all she wanted. His only commands that she forsake the Sun (as he did) and that she not seek for the sons for Feanor or any Noldor for that matter. Isn't this ironic? Eol hates the Noldor yet takes one for a wife. She bore a son to Eol. Interestingly, she gave him a secret name in the Noldor tongue; Eol did not name him until he was 12 years old, and finally he called him Maeglin. 

In physical features he was like the Noldor but in mood Maeglin was like his father. He traveled often with his father learning Dwarf skill (particularly mining) as Eol had done: "Yet, it is said Maeglin loved his mother better..." (p. 134, The Silmarillion). She would tell him many stories of her kin and their deeds when Eol was away. Maeglin took all to heart. What most caught his attention was the fact that Turgon had no heir as his wife had died in the journey to Middle-earth and she had only bore him a daughter named Idril. Aredhel would not reveal the way to Gondolin but as she told her son the stories she longed to see Gondolin and her kin again especially since she was often left alone when Eol and Maeglin travelled. Maeglin also wanted to meet his kin and told his father the desire. Eol went off: "'...I will not deal nor have my son deal with the slayers of our kin, the invaders, and usurpers of our homes. In this you shall obey me, or I will set you in bonds'" (p. 134, The Silmarillion). Maeglin was silent and Eol did not trust his son. Wow, Eol is setting some bad fatherly examples here. Crushing his sons dream, hypocrisy (I will not deal with the slayers of our kin--other than marrying your mother, wait what?), threatening him, abandoning Aredhel for long stretches while he traveled. I get the idea that Eol is a selfish individual and that this dysfunctional family will affect others in Middle-earth.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, circa 316-400
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 131-134
Map of interest: Beleriand