An Interview with Ossë and Uinen

Although difficult to find Ossë and Uinen together, the Realm of Ulmo finally persuaded them to sit for a brief interview. The interviewer asked for a bit of background on these Maiar of Ulmo. Ossë looked somewhat embarrassed and Uinen spoke up.

“My husband loves storms and the waves that crash upon the shore. I believe this comes from the days he followed Melkor. It grieved me to have him leave our lord Ulmo, so I begged him to return, for I could see no good purpose in that Dark One’s ways,” the gentle voice explained.

Ossë squirmed in his chair, looking out at the ocean from the window beside him. “True, though he sang most beautifully at first,” he admitted, then changed the subject. “I love the waters and those that sail upon them. Círdan and I often speak and I enjoy spending time with the Falathrim, now that they have all come home to Valinor.”

He sat up, his face lighting with enthusiasm. “Never have I seen a people take to the water as those! I taught them how to build ships and to listen to the sea, which they have done beyond my wildest dreams.” He sobered at some distant memory. “One time my gentle wife agreed with me. That dark time came with their slaying in Alqualondë at the hand of Fëanor’s Kinslayers. Such a storm her tears caused.”

Uinen blushed, though her eyes glinted as if even after all this time she still mourned those wasted lives. “Aye, husband, it grieved me that kin would turn against kin for such a trifle. I would rather succor life than take it. Often I have sheltered creature and plant as well as sailors against the wrath of my dearest Ossë. But that day, I could not stand by and watch as the Noldor left Alqualondë.”

“Nor could I, Uinen, nor could I,” Ossë agreed. “The Teleri have ever been our friends and to this day they give credit to the Firstborn. My love for them had me seeking the favor of Lord Ulmo, that I might bring Tol Eressëa closer to Valinor, so the Eldar might reside nearer to the Valar.” A great sigh escaped him. “I also brought Númenor from beneath the depths for Elros and his descendants, though that turned out badly in the end. The Valar had such great hopes for the Peredhil who chose a mortal path, and for some ages, they lived up to it. Until Annatar whispered vile things in their ears about the Valar hoarding immortality. I could not let them sail to the Undying Lands, for that would have endangered all that we hold dear. Only the Faithful escaped our wrath that fateful day.”

Uinen reached over to grasp her husband’s hand. “Ever is it so, dear one. Some will listen to lies and deceit while others cannot be swayed. To this day, though greatly diluted with human blood, Elros’ line still survives. Can you not see them in those who go to sea and love the life?”

Ossë smiled and nodded. “Aye, and I still watch over them, though they know me no longer. As do your creatures. Despite the cruelties visited upon them, the whales and dolphins enjoy the company of Man.”

“Indeed, they do, and I pray that Men will understand the connections all beings have to each other,” Uinen replied.

Ossë rose and extended his hand to his wife. “Come, we must return to the sea now. I care not to linger above its soothing waters.”

Uinen joined her husband, turning to the interviewer. “Forgive our hasty departure. Take back word to the world of Men that we have not forgotten them and we pray they do not forget us.”

With that, the two Maiar vanished in a mist and the sound of soft, feminine laughter floated over the air. A sea bird cried and the waves crashed on the rocks outside the building. If one looked closely, one could see two faint forms swimming in the crystalline waters, turning to wave and then disappearing.

by BelleBayard