A breakdown of Tolkien’s ‘Of Thingol and Melian’, Chapter 4 in The Silmarillion. As usual I share a mini summary with my thoughts, 10 tidbits and 5 quotes!

A Mini Summary and Some Personal Thoughts

Chapter 4 ‘Of Thingol and Melian’ is the shortest chapter in The Silmarillion. It’s also one of my favorites because it reads like a fairy tale! There’s a beautiful maiden (or in this case, a Maia) who literally teaches birds how to sing; a couple who meets in the woods and instantly falls in love; and a happy ending with them ruling as King and Queen, and having a baby who will be ‘the fairest of all the children of Ilúvatar.’ It’s short and sweet, but Tolkien manages to do what he does best and pack a lot in.

Let’s get into the tidbits!

Ten Tidbits About ‘Of Melian and Thingol’

1. Melian was a Maia.

Tolkien with his first sentences again. But actually, this one tells us quite a lot right off the bat. Melian was of the Maiar, who we learned about in the Ainulindalë. The Maiar are one of the Ainor, and the Maiar include the likes of Gandalf, Saruman, and Balrogs. So these people are no joke. And Melian certainly isn’t either.

2. Melian taught Nightingales how to sing.

Classic fairy tale trope here, but at the highest degree. Not only does Melian sing with the birds like any proper princess, but she actually taught the nightingales how to sing. I’d say she’s one-upped your typical fairy tale princess with that fact alone.

3. Melian’s akin to Yavanna – yes, that Yavanna!

Melian was related to Yavanna – yes, the Vala over the flora and fauna we learned about in the Valaquenta. I just thought that was pretty epically cool. I imagine it means that Melian’s lineage is related (however distantly) to Yavanna as well, which is kinda of mind blowing. Right?! It definitely changed the way I think about some key characters in LOTR – but I won’t spoil anymore…yet!

4. Elwë was leader of the Teleri elves.

You may remember Elwë from Chapter 3, as one of the ambassadors summoned to Valinor. He was leading the Teleri Elves with his brother Olwë.

5. All it took to enchant Elwë was to hear Melian’s voice.

One day Elwë was strolling in the woods, as you do, looking for his friend Finwë when he heard the song of nightingales. An enchantment came upon him and he heard the voice of Melian. And that was all it took.

6. Elwë fell in love and was lost. Like literally.

Elwë came to Melian and when he took her hand a spell was laid on him. I’m not sure what kind of spells and enchantments were used here, but we do know Melian was the most skilled in songs of enchantment. You could say this enchantment was pretty strong. Thingol and Melian literally stood there in the woods as long years passed. Years! I really feel for the Teleri Elves and Olwë here. Elwë’s poor people were looking all over for him and never found him, so his brother took over as King of the Teleri and the Teleri Elves departed without him.

7. Elwë became King Thingol of the Sindar Elves.

Instead Elwë’s became King of a new peoples: all the Eldar of Beleriand. They were named the Sindar, the Grey-elves, the Elves of the Twilight. Elwë became ‘King Greymantle, Elu Thingol in the tongue of that land.’

8. Melian the Wise ruled as Queen by Thingol’s side.

Melian became Thingol’s Queen and ruled by his side. She was said to be ‘wiser than any child of Middle-earth.’ Which makes sense to me, she is after all, a Maia.

9. Thingol and Melian = Ultimate Power Couple

Thingol was pretty impressive all on his own. Of all the Sindar elves, he alone had seen the light of the Trees and was counted among the Caliquendi, the Elves of the Light. As we’ve established, Melian’s also pretty amazing – arguably of a higher class than Thingol because she’s of the Ainor. So the two of them together made one powerful ruling couple.

Great power Melian lent to Thingol, who was himself great among the Eldar.

10. Tolkien and his foreshadowing (dropping a big one here)

I’ve spoken about Tolkien and his first sentences, but this last sentence is proof that Tolkien sure knows how to end a chapter too. The foreshadowing is too good! If you’re not sure who is being referenced here, just wait until we get further into The Silmarillion. It’s a pretty good story.

5 Fav Quotes from ‘Of Melian and Thingol’

It is told that the Valar would leave their works, and the birds of Valinor their mirth, that the bells of Valmar were silent and the fountains ceased to flow, when at the mingling of the lights Melian sang in Lórien.

I cannot begin to imagine how beautiful Melian’s voice must have been that everyone, from the Valar to birds to even fountains would all stop what they’re doing when she sang.

…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.

Tolkien so often uses the phrase ‘by chance’ throughout his writings. And when he does, that meeting is more often than not, hardly a mere coincidence.

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.

I love this beautiful description of how Melian and Thingol fell in love. It feels magical.

Elwë Singollo came never again across the sea to Valinor so long as he lived, and Melian returned not thither while their realm together lasted; but of her there came among both Elves and Men a strain of the Ainur who were with Ilúvatar before Eä.

In Tolkien’s writings, Elves and Men coming together is a big and unique thing – it only happens a few times after all. But this chapter reminded me of what an even bigger deal it is for a Maia and an Elf to come together!

And of the love of Thingol and Melian there came into the world the fairest of all the Children of Ilúvatar that was or shall ever be.

Possibly one of my fav Tolkien foreshadowing moments.

Further Study

I love listening to podcasts to gain more insights and thoughts on Tolkien’s works. Here a couple I listened to about this chapter:

• The Prancing Pony Podcast Episode 012 – All in the Family
• The Tolkien Professor’s Silmarillion Seminars

The Silmarillion Second Breakfast Book Club

That’s Chapter 4, ‘Of Melian and Thingol’! If you’ve missed any previous posts on The Silmarillion in our Second Breakfast Book Club, then check out the Reading Schedule. You can find updates on future chapters there as well. Next up, Chapter 5!