The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Known to have been extant in I 484
Race
Division
Culture
Settlements
Dwelt in the woods near Menegroth
Pronunciation
ne'llas
Meaning
Uncertain1

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About this entry:

  • Updated 19 May 2020
  • This entry is complete

Nellas

A boyhood friend of Túrin

An Elf-maiden of Doriath, who lived in the woods near Menegroth. At the bidding of Melian, she became the friend and tutor of Túrin during his boyhood years in Doriath. It was from Nellas' teaching that Túrin gained the Elf-like bearing and knowledge of Sindarin that led the people of Nargothrond to give him the name Adanedhel, 'Elf-Man'. After Túrin's accidental slaying of Saeros, it was Nellas' account that earned him the forgiveness of the King (though he did not know this, having already exiled himself from the Hidden Kingdom).


Notes

1

The -las element of Nellas' name is almost certainly 'leaf' (and this fits well with the fact that she lived in the woods of Doriath). The initial nel- is, however, less clear. It perhaps represents a shortening of neldor, the word for 'beech' in the language of Doriath (so Nellas in full would mean 'beech leaf').

As an alternative, there is a Sindarin word nella related to the ringing of bells (deriving from a root nyel- for a song or sweet sound) so on this theory Nellas could be taken to mean something like 'singing leaf'. Finally, in some contexts, -las as a name ending can theoretically derive from a root meaning 'joy', so Nellas might mean something like 'joyful song'.

See also...

The Man

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 May 2020
  • This entry is complete

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