Miaulë

"The Dark Lord’s wrath is nothing on an empty stomach—best I keep him fed, or all his great plans will crumble like overbaked bread."

Miaulë (G."She-cat"), the Cook of Angband was a Maia of unique character—a spirit of grotesque humor and subtle kindness—who served under Morgoth and Sauron during the First Age of Middle-earth. Taking the form of a cat-demon, she was closely associated with Tevildo, the Prince of Cats, and played a notable role within the dark halls of Angband and Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Like all of Tevildo's Thanes she was disembodied when the Spell Sauron had hung over the Fortress was broken.

Nature

Miaulë was a rare being among Morgoth’s servants: chaotic yet not wholly evil. She joined the rebellion less out of malice than a perverse sense of humor and a desire to impose her artistry upon the world of Arda. Favoring the finesse of subtle jabs over the crude savagery of blunt cruelty, she often clashed with Draugluin, whom she dismissed as a primitive and utterly tasteless beast unworthy of refinement.

Her shifting form—ranging from a large shadowy cat-beast to a luminous cat-maiden with a blend of feline grace and human allure—reflected the ambiguity of her nature. In her darkest days, she was feared; in her lighter moods, she was almost endearing, albeit dangerous.

History

Angband

Following the destruction of Utumno, Miaulë continued her service in Angband. It was here, after the mysterious demise of the previous head cook—rumored to have been devoured by one of his own monstrous creations—that Miaulë assumed the title of Cookmistress of Angband. In this role, she oversaw vast kitchens fueled by the fires of Thangorodrim, preparing meals for Morgoth’s court, his dread servants, and his countless armies.

Though mocked by some for her humble station, Miaulë wielded power through her craft. Her alchemical skills allowed her to create draughts that strengthened Morgoth’s soldiers and poisons that weakened his enemies. It is said her “black marmalade tarts” became the stuff of grim legend, and her scullions labored in terror of her swift discipline, her claws leaving marks not easily forgotten.

Tol-in-Gaurhoth

In the latter days of the First Age, Miaulë was sent with Tevildo to serve under Sauron at Tol-in-Gaurhoth, seeking change and new challenges. The dark kitchens of the isle became her domain, where she prepared feasts for Sauron and his chief lieutenant, Thuringwethil. Her efforts culminated in the celebration of a sinister triumph shortly before the assault of Huan and Lúthien.

Her culinary creations—meant to honor the dark victory—were never served, for the fortress fell.

Legacy

Miaulë’s ultimate fate remains uncertain. While some say she perished alongside Tevildo, others claim her spirit endured, finding redemption in Valinor or wandering the lands of Arda in secret.

Among the common folk, tales persist of a mysterious woman who roams Middle-earth’s inns and kitchens, her luminous eyes betraying a feline grace. She is said to reward cooks who labor with love and punish those who serve deceit. Many believe her to be Miaulë, still wandering, still mischievous, still seeking the perfect recipe.