Devastated that I can’t reblog that post about Gen having mother issues (which I agree with wholeheartedly) because it is written in a way that implies that he’s into Irene because he sees something mother-ish in her (cringe)

Melian! ^__^

character: hate them | don’t really care | like them | LOVE them | THEY AREMY PRECIOUS

ship with: Elwë/King Elu Thingol

friendship them with: Elwë/Elu Thingol, Lúthien, Beleg, Túrin, Nienor, Morwen, Galadriel, Finrod, Celeborn, other Sindar elves

general opinions: Brace yourself, this might be extensive and long, lol.

I think Melian is great! She’s one of my favorite maiar in the Silm, being the only one to have copulated with one of the Children of Ilúvatar. I think there’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s said to be extremely beautiful, and wise, and was very skilled in songs of enchantment. This last part gets controversial to some people who have a negative opinion of her, and in all honesty it does upset me a little (then again, who wouldn’t be a bit upset to hear negative stuff about their favorite characters? It happens).

I guess most of the controversy stems from her first meeting with Elwë/Thingol which I have to admit is a little bit…unusual. However, I don’t believe she purposely put a spell on him to make him love her. Here’s a passage: “and it chanced on a time that he came alone to the starlit wood of Nan Elmoth, and there suddenly he heard the song of nightingales.Then, an enchantment fell on him, and he stood still; and afar off beyond the voices of the lomelindi he heard the voice of Melian, and it filled all his heart with wonder and desire.” So, to me, he was first enchanted by the song of the nightingales, then he heard the voice of Melian. Yet, when he finally gets to her, here’s what happens: “She spoke no word; but being filled with love Elwë came to her and took her hand, and straightway a spell was laid on him, so that they stood thus while long years were measured by the wheeling stars above them; and the trees of Nan Elmoth grew tall and dark before they spoke any word.” Alright. I can see how that may be taken in a weird way, but like, it says he was “filled with love” BEFORE a spell was laid on him, and I personally think that spell had only to do with the fact that they stood in place for many years. Granted, I do think it’s a little ridiculous for them to be standing still for years and years not even saying a word to each other, and I guess Melian wasn’t being all wise in that instant. However, I truly believe she was just as spellbound by Elwë, and that she too fell in love with him at first sight (as mushy as it sounds).

Now, even though it’s many years later, they do snap out of it and go find the Teleri group that remained in Middle Earth. Melian becomes their queen and under her teachings “they become the fairest and the most wise and skillful of all the Elves of Middle-Earth.” So there you have it. Melian was good to her people. She offered her wisdom and counsel when she could, and did everything in her power to make sure her people were safe. Her powers weren’t ‘evil’ or used for ‘selfish’ reasons. Even when she fenced them in her Girdle she didn’t mean to ‘trap’ them inside. Okay, so they mostly needed ‘permission’ to leave it, but that’s not uncommon for those under the rule of a King and Queen. Plus the Girdle was for protection against Melkor/Morgoth’s forces, to keep them safe in a region where peace was still held. Essentially, her powers were used for good.

Melian and Thingol were equal rulers and beloved by (most) of their people. Oh, and she was generous and kind too. She let Beleg take some Lembas with him on his journey to join Túrin. Lembas had never been shared with the race of men before, yet Melian generously allowed this because she cared for Túrin as hers and Thingol’s foster-son. Also, she looked after Morwen and Nienor, Turin’s mother and sister, when they went to Doriath.

Let’s also not forget that without Melian (and Thingol), Lúthien wouldn’t exist and therefore neither would Elrond, Elros, Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen.

I guess the only thing that I’m not exactly okay with, is that after Thingol perishes she lifts up the girdle and goes back to Valinor. That’s kind of inconsiderate of her, to leave the people she ruled for so long defenseless. Yet, I can understand this as her being stricken with grief because I mean, her husband was murdered, and her only daughter was bound to the fate of Men, so they would never be together again. That must’ve hurt her a lot.

Thanks! :3

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