Elbereth. Elentári. Gilthoniel. Tintallë. Lady of the Stars. Varda.
With so many names, one must think that this lady was important, lofty, even exalted. Thinking that would be correct – but perhaps you don’t realize how correct.
Varda is many things. She is the most beautiful of the Valier. Shining with the very light of Ilúvatar. The wife of Manwë, Lord of the Valar. Creator of the Stars. Creator of the Sun and Moon, with the light of the Two Trees collected by Yavanna and Nienna. She was also the one who saw through Melkor – who would go on to become Morgoth, the great Evil and dread of Arda. Melkor feared her. Melkor, the brother of Manwë! Melkor, filled with Power and Might. He feared Varda, for she was so great, so lovely, and in such favor with Ilúvatar.
Many cases can be made for who is the greatest of the Aratar. Manwë, the Lord of the Valar, perhaps? Husband of Varda. (Ah, but we know that behind every great man is an even greater woman.) Aulë, maybe. Father of the Dwarves, great craft smith of the Valar. Or his wife, Yavanna: creator of the forests and fruits, and of the Two Trees, which gave light to Valinor. There is Ulmo, the Lord of the Waters and the greatest musician of the Valar; Mandos, keeper of the House of the Dead and all-knowing of the fate of Men’s spirits; Nienna (the sister of Mandos): the Valië of Sorrow, giver of strength to the spirits of the dead, who watered the Trees of Valinor with her tears, and who was the teacher and instructor of Olórin; and Oromë, the great hunter, lover of all beasts and birds. His enemies hate the very sound of his horn. But I don’t think any case proves stronger than the case for Varda, Queen of the Stars.
When together with her husband, Manwë, Varda gives him great sight and enables him to see farther than any eyes, and she is able to hear farther than any ears. Elves give most reverence to Varda, and cry out to her more than to any other of the Valar. In every account we read of Varda she demonstrates her grace and strength, her beauty and infinite wisdom, and her shrewdness of seeing through to the true souls of others. Who is truly the greatest of the Valar, only Ilúvatar knows. But the adoration of Varda is evident in the songs of those who love her…
Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath,
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea.
O stars that in the Sunless Year
With shining hand by her were sown,
In windy fields now bright and clear
We see your silver blossom blown!
O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas.
Glossary:
Valier = female Valar
Aratar = the eight most powerful Valar
Olórin = Gandalf
by Newra
