Endurance in Hope

a study on the influences of Nienna within the works of Tolkien

Pity and Mercy are two repeated concepts we encounter within The Lord of the Rings. Woven into multiple relationships between characters and underpinning a myriad of circumstances are the twin pillars of Pity and Mercy.

But why did Tolkien put so much subtle emphasis on these themes?

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Hello and welcome to Many Meetings, the heart of Tolkien-dom on Substack. I’m Breanne, a new-ish substacker, but a life long Tolkien fan. This space is one I’ve created to welcome others into these beautiful stories, sometimes on walks with my dog and sometimes in a quiet corner of your inbox.

Many Meetings is where I host my yearly read-through of The Lord of the Rings (coming this September, subscribe so you don’t miss out!). When I’m not doing read-throughs, I also post essays inspired by the works of Tolkien.

Today’s free post is a deep dive on a character of his I’ve long admired. Not only for how she influenced events in the Lord of the Rings but also for what she can teach us about moving through a broken world ourselves.A version of this post was shared one year ago and I’m happy to revisit it again today. Enjoy!

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Besides Pity and Mercy simply being in alignment with his faith (Tolkien was a devout Catholic), what if there was an in-universe answer as to why Pity and Mercy play such strong chords in the song of this fictional story? What if it all came down to a little known, yet vastly powerful, character from ancient Tolkien lore whose fingerprints can be traced all the way from the Shire to cracks of Mount Doom?

To answer these questions we’re going to wander somewhat into headcanon territory as Tolkien didn’t give us definitive proof for what I share below, and yet, he tells us how this character’s theme of mercy was woven into the world before it began. And once you know this, you can’t help but see her influence everywhere 

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite characters in Tolkien’s Legendarium: Nienna.   

Who is Nienna?

Nienna is one of the Valar—the archangel-like beings who were given stewardship of the physical world (Arda) by Eru Illúvatar, the high God in Tolkien’s legendarium. 

In the beginning of Tolkien’s creation story, Eru gives a vision of how the history of the physical world will unfold. Some of the spirits who dwell with Eru desire to enter this physical world and labor together there to achieve the original vision given to them by Eru. 

In The Silmarillion, Chapter: ‘Valaquenta’, we read descriptions of the greatest of these spirits, the Valar (called thus by the Elves). We learn their names, their traits, their supernatural powers and the influences they work to spread in the world. 

Tolkien writes this about Nienna: 

“Mightier than Estë is Nienna, sister of the Feanturi; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered in the marring of Melkor. 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. But she does not weep for herself; and those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope. Her halls are west of West, upon the borders of the world; and she comes seldom to the city of Valimar where all is glad. She goes rather to the halls of Mandos, which are near to her own; and all those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom. The windows of her house look outward from the walls of the world.”  -The Silmarillion: Valaquenta, J.R.R. Tolkien 

Nienna is, for lack of a better term, akin to being a patron saint of Pity and Mercy in Tolkien’s writing. As he puts it, “those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope…for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom.” 

Artwork by Haru Herlambang

Tolkien writes how Nienna’s influence helped shape the world from its beginning. Because of her great laments, “the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began.” And yet, she doesn’t weep for herself but rather creates to hold sacred space for the grief of others. 

What Does Nienna have to do with the events in The Lord of the Rings?

Perhaps the strongest thread of Nienna’s influence we can trace is tied to one who learned directly from her: Gandalf. In the same chapter referenced earlier we read of the Maiar (singular: Maia). 

“With the Valar came other spirits whose being also began before the World, of the same order as the Valar but of less degree. These are the Maiar, the people of the Valar, and their servants and helpers.” —The Silmarillion, Chapter: Valaquenta, J.R.R Tolkien 

The character of Gandalf is one of the Maia but when he dwelt in Valinor he was known by another name: Olórin. 

“Wisest of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lórien, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience.” –—The Silmarillion, Chapter: Valaquenta, J.R.R. Tolkien  

Eventually, Gandalf would be sent by the Valar with other Maia spirits in the physical form of old men to aid the peoples of Middle-earth in their fight against Sauron. These would come to be known as the Istari or ‘wizards.” We read about them in Unfinished Tales: 

“For they came from over the Sea out of the Uttermost West; though this was for long known only to Círdan, Guardian of the Third Ring, master of the Grey Havens, who saw their landings upon the western shores. Emissaries they were from the Lords of the West, the Valar, who still took counsel for the governance of Middle-earth, and when the shadow of Sauron began first to stir again took this means of resisting him.

For with the consent of Eru they sent members of their own high order, but clad in bodies as of Men, real and not feigned, but subject to the fears and pains and weariness of earth, able to hunger and thirst and be slain; though because of their noble spirits they did not die, and aged only by the cares and labours of many long years. And this the Valar did, desiring to amend the errors of old, especially that they had attempted to guard and seclude the Eldar by their own might and glory fully revealed; whereas now their emissaries were forbidden to reveal themselves in forms of majesty, or to seek to rule the wills of Men or Elves by open display of power, but coming in shapes weak and humble were bidden to advise and persuade Men and Elves to good, and to seek to unite in love and understanding all those whom Sauron, should he come again, would endeavor to dominate and corrupt.” Unfinished Tales, Chapter: The Istari, J.R.R. Tolkien 

And so we learn that long before Gandalf ever appeared as a wizard in the Shire to whisk a certain Hobbit away—without so much as a handkerchief!---on an adventure, he dwelt long in Valinor and learned much from Nienna and brought her teachings with him on his mission to Middle-earth 

Gandalf would go on to become close friends with Bilbo, Aragorn and Frodo. All characters who display acts of Mercy and Pity in crucial moments throughout the story. Could the instruction of Nienna given to Gandalf have then been passed on to these other characters through his friendship? 

What immediately comes to mind is Bilbo’s decision to spare Gollum’s life while also claiming the One ring. This choice spared both their lives for future good. If Bilbo had slain Gollum, the poor creature would not have been present to aid in the Ring’s destruction many decades later. And if Bilbo had not displayed mercy in that moment, the Ring would’ve consumed his mind much sooner and perhaps Frodo wouldn’t have inherited it at all.  

The Legacy of Nienna 

We see Gandalf passing on Nienna’s legacy in The Fellowship of the Ring when Frodo finds out Gollum (under torture) has most likely told Sauron about the Shire and revealed the name, ‘Baggins’ to the Dark Lord. 

'But this is terrible!' cried Frodo. 'Far worse than the worst that I imagined from your hints and warnings. O Gandalf, best of friends, what am I to do? For now I am really afraid. What am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!'

'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.” 

I am sorry, said Frodo. 'But I am frightened; and I do not feel any pity for Gollum.'

'You have not seen him, Gandalf broke in.

'No, and I don't want to, said Frodo. 'I can't understand you. Do you mean to say that you, and the Elves, have let him live on after all those horrible deeds? Now at any rate he is as bad as an Orc, and just an enemy. He deserves death.’ 

'Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured before he dies, but there is a chance of it. And he is bound up with the fate of the Ring. My heart tells me that he has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that comes, the pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many - yours not least.’ “ – Gandalf The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter: The Shadow of the Past, J.R.R. Tolkien.

It’s not until much later when Frodo meets Gollum for himself that he recalls the conversation he had with Gandalf about this wretched character. Frodo and Samwise catch him in the wild and are forced to make a decision: kill Gollum or bring him with them. He’s too dangerous to do otherwise.  

“It seemed to Frodo then that he heard, quite plainly but far off, voices out of the past:

What a pity Bilbo did not stab the vile creature, when he had a chance!

Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need.’

‘I do not feel any pity for Gollum. He deserves death.’ 

‘Deserves death! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give that to them? Then be nọt too eager to deal out death in the name of justice, fearing for your own safety. Even the wise cannot see all ends.’

'Very well, he answered aloud, lowering his sword. 'But still I am afraid. And yet, as you see, I will not touch the creature. For now that I see him, I do pity him.” - The Two Towers, Chapter: The Taming of Sméagol, J.R.R. Tolkien 

And of course, we know that Bilbo and Frodo’s mercy is what leads to the events of  the One Ring being destroyed. And thus, Pity and Mercy are key components that helped bring about the downfall of the Dark Lord. 

I would even make a case (more head canon then anything) that the heart-rending vocals¹ provided by Aivale Cole in the Peter Jackson film when Gandalf’s falls are reminiscent of Nienna would have sang when she watched Gandalf perish. Aivale is quoted as saying Peter Jackson’s direction to her was that, “He wanted the singing to sound like a grieving spirit.”² If that doesn’t describe Nienna, I don’t know what does.³

Grief to Wisdom 

There are other characters in the story of Lord of the Rings who display traits of Nienna. When Aragorn comes to the Houses of Healing in The Return of the King, he tends to Merry who has been grievously wounded by the Witch King.

“Gandalf and Pippin came to Merry's room, and there they found Aragorn standing by the bed. 'Poor old Merry!' cried Pippin, and he ran to the bedside, for it seemed to him that his friend looked worse and a greyness was in his face, as if a weight of years of sorrow lay on him; and suddenly a fear seized Pippin that Merry would die.

'Do not be afraid, said Aragorn. 'I came in time, and I have called him back. He is weary now, and grieved, and he has taken a hurt like the Lady Eowyn, daring to smite that deadly thing. But these evils can be amended, so strong and gay a spirit is in him. His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.’ “ The Return of the King, Chaper: The Houses of Healing, J.R.R. Tolkien 

Aragorn’s observation of Merry’s grief being turned into something beautiful over time speaks of Nienna; how she wove the ability to harvest wisdom from grief into the themes of Tolkien’s world. Her lament moves the world into mercy and with mercy comes wisdom. 

Sister-Themes that lead us to Hope

Of course, the instances mentioned here are not the only displays of Mercy and Pity from the fictional world Tolkien created. There are many other great and small choices made from a myriad of characters that find their roots in these sister-themes. 

We know that, ultimately, Tolkien is the architect of these themes and his intention to put them into the story reflected, not only his faith in a merciful God, but fundamentally changed the lens through which we view his greatest stories. 

And the next time you read of Faramir, Treebeard, Théoden, Éowyn, Imrahil, Pippin and many others who all choose Mercy and Pity when circumstances thrust them into impossible situations, maybe you’ll think of the Nienna, the Lady of Valar who’s sorrow was so great for the world “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”.

May we, like these beloved characters, learn pity and endurance in hope. 

1. If you needed a refresher on this scene.

2. From an interview with Aivale Cole by The One Ring.net about her vocals in the film https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/09/25/62271-torn-world-hobbit-day-exclusive-interview-with-aivale-cole-nee-mabel-faletolu/

3. A powerful rendition of ‘Gandalf’s Fall’ you might enjoy.