▲
Ｎｉｅｎｎａ
In the Music, she took little part. But listened intently until the end.
All her love is mingled with ᴩɪᴛy.
For she is the mighty who cries for all the unjust and terrible things that happen in the world, but she is also the one that teaches endurance and wisdom through adversity.
Such a hard decision! I love so many of the Valar (Ulmo, who never abandons Middle Earth; Orome, the monster-hunter; Varda, the star-queen.) But, if I have to choose one, it’s going to be Nienna, the Lady of Pity and Mourning.
First of all, I’m a bit fascinated by the fact that Tolkien even created a Vala who’s entire job, basically, is to be sad. Honestly, should have been a huge warning to stop reading the Silmarillion when he introduced her at the beginning… But, since so much of Middle Earth’s beauty comes from the various tragedies that happen there, I guess it’s fitting. And poor Nienna saw those tragedies coming before anyone else did (except maybe Mandos.) In The Silmarillion it’s said that
So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded, that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began.
So, basically, Nienna is always sad because of all the sad things that happen to the Children of Iluvatar, and because of the imperfection of Arda. But she doesn’t stop there! Nienna takes her grief, and uses it to teach the importance of pity and endurance through hope. It’s said that she “brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom.”
But what I find most interesting about Nienna is her importance in Lord of the Rings. You see, one of Nienna’s greatest students in Valinor was the Maia Olorin (who’s later known in Middle Earth as Gandalf.) Through Gandalf (and through those that Gandalf had an affect on, such as Frodo and Faramir) Nienna’s teachings had a strong impact on the actions of the War of the Ring. This is most evident in Gandalf’s words about Bilbo’s choice not to kill Gollum:
Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.
And later, remembering these words, Frodo decides not to kill Gollum either, admitting “For now that I see him, I do pity him.” And it’s generally agreed that keeping Gollum alive was hugely important to the success of Frodo’s mission. (Also, some readers believe it’s no coincidence that Gandalf capitalizes “Pity” and “Mercy” in this quote - as they were the ideals of his teacher, perhaps when Gandalf talks about Pity, he’s really talking about Nienna?)
Later on, when Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are at the mercy of Faramir, he chooses to help them on their quest. And he, too, mentions pity several times. Most interestingly, when he tells Frodo about seeing Boromir’s body. Frodo suggests that it was only a vision from the enemy, meant to trick him into despair. But Faramir replies
‘Nay, it was not so,’ said Faramir. 'For his works fill the heart with loathing; but my heart was filled with grief and pity.’
Grief and pity being Nienna’s two main emotional states, I personally take this to be some indication that Nienna was responsible for setting Faramir’s mind at rest, convincing him that what he saw was true, and that Boromir was dead. Maybe she watched over the friends of her student, or maybe Nienna was responsible for all sorts of little moments like this in Middle Earth.
Anyway, there are plenty of other reasons for why Nienna is my favorite of the Valar, but her wisdom and strength in the face of tragedy, as well as her subtle but important influence on the events of The Lord of the Rings is a great place to start!
SOURCES: The Silmarillion, LOTR
If you request Nienna’s help she will be hard pressed to deny you. However she will typically not help unless she is asked to. She will offer comfort and guidance but to actually intervene in an altercation you would have to call on her.
This is because the Valar do not meddle. They are there primarily for guidance and to keep the world in balance. Behind the scenes tweaking, if you will. Nienna is very gentile and will not break from her role which is to observe the world and it’s sorrows and comfort the souls in the Halls of Mandos —-
but she is also weak to those in need. If they request her help and she cannot see her involvement causing any major disruptions in the goings on of the world, she will most likely not be able to keep herself from helping.
Note the major disruptions in the goings on of the world bit. If Nienna were asked to take the ring she would not do it. Because the bulk of Middle Earth has not asked for her help. The Valar have not been called on to act, so they will not.
Now if it were something like driving away orcs, etc – she would oblige.
Though Nienna is not sovereign over plants or growth – she has a certain affinity and appreciation for the cycle of trees. They do not capture her interest as much as Iluvatar’s children, but they still hold meaning to her. Her favorite season being spring when she gets to see a good majority of the foliage reawaken despite a long cold winter.
She finds it a bit inspiring.
Such a hard decision! I love so many of the Valar (Ulmo, who never abandons Middle Earth; Orome, the monster-hunter; Varda, the star-queen.) But, if I have to choose one, it’s going to be Nienna, the Lady of Pity and Mourning.
First of all, I’m a bit fascinated by the fact that Tolkien even created a Vala who’s entire job, basically, is to be sad. Honestly, should have been a huge warning to stop reading the Silmarillion when he introduced her at the beginning… But, since so much of Middle Earth’s beauty comes from the various tragedies that happen there, I guess it’s fitting. And poor Nienna saw those tragedies coming before anyone else did (except maybe Mandos.) In The Silmarillion it’s said that
So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded, that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began.
So, basically, Nienna is always sad because of all the sad things that happen to the Children of Iluvatar, and because of the imperfection of Arda. But she doesn’t stop there! Nienna takes her grief, and uses it to teach the importance of pity and endurance through hope. It’s said that she “brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom.”
But what I find most interesting about Nienna is her importance in Lord of the Rings. You see, one of Nienna’s greatest students in Valinor was the Maia Olorin (who’s later known in Middle Earth as Gandalf.) Through Gandalf (and through those that Gandalf had an affect on, such as Frodo and Faramir) Nienna’s teachings had a strong impact on the actions of the War of the Ring. This is most evident in Gandalf’s words about Bilbo’s choice not to kill Gollum:
Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.
And later, remembering these words, Frodo decides not to kill Gollum either, admitting “For now that I see him, I do pity him.” And it’s generally agreed that keeping Gollum alive was hugely important to the success of Frodo’s mission. (Also, some readers believe it’s no coincidence that Gandalf capitalizes “Pity” and “Mercy” in this quote - as they were the ideals of his teacher, perhaps when Gandalf talks about Pity, he’s really talking about Nienna?)
Later on, when Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are at the mercy of Faramir, he chooses to help them on their quest. And he, too, mentions pity several times. Most interestingly, when he tells Frodo about seeing Boromir’s body. Frodo suggests that it was only a vision from the enemy, meant to trick him into despair. But Faramir replies
‘Nay, it was not so,’ said Faramir. 'For his works fill the heart with loathing; but my heart was filled with grief and pity.’
Grief and pity being Nienna’s two main emotional states, I personally take this to be some indication that Nienna was responsible for setting Faramir’s mind at rest, convincing him that what he saw was true, and that Boromir was dead. Maybe she watched over the friends of her student, or maybe Nienna was responsible for all sorts of little moments like this in Middle Earth.
Anyway, there are plenty of other reasons for why Nienna is my favorite of the Valar, but her wisdom and strength in the face of tragedy, as well as her subtle but important influence on the events of The Lord of the Rings is a great place to start!
SOURCES: The Silmarillion, LOTR
Nienna can’t purify or heal from touch alone effectively – to really utilize her powers, it takes her tears.
They are very potent but at the same time it makes it difficult to help people large scale. At least when she is confining herself to a form.
If Nienna were to be touched by corruption it would not effect her disposition at first because she is so pure of heart and holds the powers of purification —
Instead her physical attributes would change first. Most notably I believe she would lose her eyesight. For Nienna loves her task of observing Eru’s children and though she may still hear their songs she would be unable to keep from sorrowing of her own loss, at least for a short time.
I fear when the music will cease –
for I have heard it so long
and silence does ring in my ears
much louder than the most disruptive drum.
I fear when the colors will die
and I and my kin will no longer
grip firmly the fabrics of the world
it will tear asunder
Ｉ ｆｅａｒ—-
| aegismatrona asked: ♆ |
body headcanon
Nienna has porcelain white skin and she is often a little cool to the touch. This is just a reflection of her feelings. Though when she is hopeful, she tends to be a bit warmer. Regardless of temperature she always feels very soft.
| irmolorien-deactivated20190119 asked: ϡ ღ † |
mental state headcanon
She is always teetering on tears, though her name means She Who Weeps – Nienna does try quite hard not to cry all the time. She is anxious and sad, but she tries to remain hopeful despite all the terrible things she sees in the world. She carries herself with a grace she does not feel for if you tap too hard on the glass she will almost immediately crumble and once she begins to cry it takes her a long time to stem her tears.
love/sexuality headcanon
A persons gender does not really matter to Nienna, though it takes quite a bit to gain her romantic interest. Right off the bat everyone has her love and affection, this she gives unconditionally but it is very different than romantic love. The only word I can come up with that is similar to it is maternal, but even that is not quite right. It is not romantic, and it not always parental – but it is a love with no strings attached.
religion headcanon
As far as religion goes, Nienna feels like she is an absent goddess. It is something that she would like to change but she does not feel it is her place to make such decisions. She places her faith in Manwe and Iluvatar. She would be hard pressed to question them. The only time Nienna speaks up about anything is when she feels someone is going to be unjustly punished or she would like someone to be given a second chance – but she can recognize when her personal feelings are in the way. Essentially she has blind faith in those who are meant to lead her.
Nienna believes the downfall of all things to be pride – this includes Ainur, Elves, Dwarves, Men, Hobbits. Any living creature begins to find sorrow and lose the path to redemption and forgiveness when they believe themselves to be better than others.
She herself recognizes her place as both Valar and Aratar but she tries very hard not to be prideful about her position. She accepts the responsibilities these titles set upon her shoulders but she does not brag and often speaks very humbly to even the most undeserving of creatures.
She fears that if she begins to pride herself on her power and position, she may also unintentionally hurt others.
Despite her ideals, she does not like to be viewed as weak. She attests that there is a difference between being prideful and simply wanting to be respected though she may never make any real effort to gain said respect.
Most do not find respect for her until after they have passed and she is at their side offering comfort where Námo will not. It bothers her, as she is easily wounded by words and thoughts, but she will not hold anyone’s trespasses against them.
So she remains humble, but wishes greatly to be respected despite the fact that she will not force someone to respect her.