Rúmil was a knowledgeable loremaster of the Ñoldor living in the city of Tirion, in Valinor.
Biography
Rúmil was possibly born in Valinor or perhaps one of the firstborn. He thrived well in Valinor being the first to invent the art of writing down words with pen or brush on many different mediums: he invented the alphabet called Sarati (each letter being a Sarat). This alphabet was later expanded and perfected by Fëanor as the Tengwar. Rúmil was also a skilled linguist, and when the Teleri finally arrived in Valinor he was first to discover just how the Telerin language had changed from Common Eldarin compared to Quenya. He became part of an elvish culture of loremasters known as the Lambengolmor.
When the Ñoldor were determined to return to Middle-earth in pursuit of Morgoth, Rúmil was one of the Ñoldor who refused the summons of Fëanor, and he remained in Tirion as one of the Ñoldor of Finarfin, where he presumably remains still.[1]
Etymology
Rúmil was a Quenyan word.[2] The origin of his name is not clear - possibly deriving from the stem rum, meaning 'a secret'.[citation needed]
Earlier versions of the legendarium
In The History of Middle-earth series, Rúmil is additionally given as the original author of much of the work which is included in The Silmarillion: the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta and Annals of Aman are by his hand. He is also given as the author of the Lhammas and Lhammasethen, as well as the Ambarkanta.
He once narrated the story of the Music of the Ainur (when that account had not yet developed into the final version, named Ainulindalë) to Eriol in Tol Eressëa - the first time any Man had been told the tale - during the week of Eriol's arrival to and stay at the Cottage of Lost Play.[3]
The War of the Jewels attributes to him a collection of sayings called i Equessi Rumilo.[4]
Pengolodh of Gondolin later continued and completed much of his work.
References
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter VI: "Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"
- ↑ The Complete Guide to Middle-earth
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. I: The Book of Lost Tales, chapter II: "The Music of the Ainur"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. XI: The War of the Jewels