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Dates
Extant I 472 - c. I 4881
Location
Originally dwelt in Mithrim; later escaped to the Mouths of Sirion
Race
Division
Culture
Settlements
Dwelt for a time in the caves of Androth
Pronunciation
Uncertain; either 'a'nnile' or 'a'nna-el'2
Meaning
Apparently 'Elf of the gift'3

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About this entry:

  • Updated 21 June 2017
  • Updates planned: 1

Annael

The foster-father of Tuor

Annael
Tuor
(foster-son)

A Sindarin Elf, the foster-father of Tuor during his early years in Mithrim.


Notes

1

These are the only specific dates we have for Annael, but as one of the Grey-elves of Mithrim he was doubtless much older, and indeed probably predated the Return of the Noldor to Middle-earth centuries earlier. The last we definitely hear of him is that he found his way to the people of Círdan, having set out in I 488. We know no more with certainty; perhaps most likely, he sailed from Middle-earth after the War of Wrath, though conceivably he may have stayed among those Elves of Lindon who remained with Círdan on the shores of Middle-earth.

2

In Elvish names, the vowel combination ae is usually pronounced as a diphthong, essentially as the English word 'eye'. On that basis, Annael would be pronounced as something like 'a'nnile'. However, since the name is clearly composed of two distinct elements anna 'gift' and el (probably) 'Elf', it is plausible that the normal rules of pronunciation may not apply here, and the etymology of the name would lead to pronunciation more like 'a'nna-el' in this specific case.

3

We can be confident of the 'gift' (Elvish anna) in Annael's name, but its meaning is not entirely clear. Perhaps most likely, it refers to the 'gift' of his fostering of Tuor, though other interpretations are possible.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 21 June 2017
  • Updates planned: 1

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