By any other name

[altariel]

Thanks to the munificence of trixieleitz, you will notice that 'the annoying 1' has now gone from my user name, and I'm now finally, properly altariel. You shouldn't notice any difference at all at your end.

Who is Altariel? Altariel is the Quenya name for Galadriel, Tolkien's best female character. It means something about golden hair. My hair is more silver these days, nor am I stronger than the foundations of the earth (not every day, anyway), but (despite what the fanfic suggests) Galadriel was always my favourite character in Tolkien. She hung out with angels and was the boss of the White Council (the Good Guys' think tank and strategy-making body). She knew that apparent defeats can be transformed into great victories, if you play a long enough game. Also she understood that some victories are not worth the scorched earth that they would take. Wise woman.

Tolkien couldn't stop turning her into the BVM, but in my head she is more Jadis (without all the bad press Lewis gave her).

Plus - magic mirror!

Altariel is also the name under which I commit Tolkien fanfiction.

Thank you, trixieleitz!

Comments

[mikekellner.livejournal.com]

Congrats. Getting rid of the One was a long time obsession of your namesake. ;^)

She is my favorite character as well. A lady for all seasons. Whatever Tolkien tried to make her into, I hold that when you read the various writings about her, what emerges is a truly gifted and complex person. A true feminist who was unhappy with the plan where her brothers were to seek kingdoms while she was to be restricted to seeking a king.

In one of the letters Tolkien refers to her as the Elf Queen. I view this as her true position. When her cousin died, he was proclaimed to have been the Last High King of the Elves in Middle-earth. Yet, she is a true daughter of kings, closer to the royal line than Gil-galad was. It seems a bit of discrimination to me that she was not acknowledged as the High Queen. Given that when the big players got together for lunch, they all called her boss, wouldn't it have been proper that they grant her the title she deserves?

Anyway, we can now wake the non Tolkienistas from the slumber I induced, so they can hear me offer...

Happy Birthday.

mk

PS Her hair was a mix of gold & silver. You are just coming into your own.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Congrats. Getting rid of the One was a long time obsession of your namesake. ;^)

*snort!* Nice one!

I knew you would understand about Galadriel. And you're damn right - she's easily Top Elf in Middle-earth.


PS Her hair was a mix of gold & silver. You are just coming into your own.

You, sir, are welcome in this journal at all times ;-D

[trixieleitz]

Getting rid of the One was a long time obsession of your namesake.

Hee, brilliant! Does that make me one of the Fellowship, then?

Ooooh, oooh, altariel, can I be Gollum? Pleeeeeasssssse?

[altariel.livejournal.com]

You can certainly be Gollum, my precious (although technically he doesn't count as one of the Fellowship, she says nerdily...!).

[trixieleitz]

Technically, I didn't actually say I thought he was ;) (she says pedantically)

[altariel.livejournal.com]

:-D When nerds and pedants attack!