Iathrim

The Iathrim are the Lemberi, the Lingerers; the Elves of the Twilight, the Enchanters, the Wards of Melian, the Kindred of Luthien. Literally, the Fence-people; the folk of Doriath. The Iathrim of Harlindon are about as numerous as the Falathrim, and are found throughout the lands south of the Gulf. Most have fair or sandy hair and pale blue or grey eyes. Most Iathrim were willing to live near the Noldor and these were gathered under the leadership of Celeborn. With Oropher some went east to the Baranduin, and gradually made their way to Mirkwood. For this reason the Iathrim are not as prominent in Lindons culture and governance as they might have been. Instead the Falathrim and Noldor are both more unified and more active. The Iathrin contribution to Lindon has been in the field of defence (they contribute many rangers), craftsmanship and magic. The Fenced Folk spent most of the First Age unified under a mighty king and his bride Melian, who took much of the governance to themselves. Thingol selected local leaders and counsellors to attend to his decisions his rule was more despotic than amongst the exiled Noldor, but a benevolent one. Outlying settlements which are so representative of the origins of the Iathrim of Lindon were fairly autonomous. For this reason the Sindar have preserved a more formal mechanism of rule than the other tribes in the wake of Gil-galads death. They strongly emphasize bloodline as one of the prerequisites to power, for though pre-eminence in a specific field of endeavour will bestow a primacy in that area, it will not grant nobility. Being rural folk in origin, and determined to delineate themselves from other Elves, they formed several great Houses (each named after a tree) which themselves contain older Houses (named after appropriate animals). The Iathrim revere Elbereth first, and out of their country origins, Ivann (Yavanna). Melian their Queen was a Maia, a spiritual handmaiden of the Valar. Representations of Melian, particularly from life, (sometimes with Elu) have acquired some religious importance. Melian’s Host, the Faerie of Doriath, which resettled in Harlindon (and absorbed the local spirits into their number), contributes an intensely otherworldly feel to the night gatherings of the Iathrim. Some amongst the Fence elves have the respect of the Host who are their allies. This prerogative is imbued with religion, being the heritage of Melian’s handmaidens.