Elvish, Common, and a Duet

These lands are known as the Sundered Lands, in the Common Tongue. They are encircled and essentially cut off from the surrounding area by a ring of hills and the Anduin. The folk here are aloof, to a large degree, so Outsiders tended to go around it, rather than through it. The area became known as the Sundered Lands when a warrior settled therein and took note of the surroundings.

The Elves say the area was originally part of the flood plain of Anduin, and they named it 'Nandalad', or field of swamps. The area was rife with marsh and swamp before the coming of Men. When Men came, they drained and filled the swamps, turning the area into farmland.

So it is that the area has two names, both correct, and very different from one another. 'Nandalad' in the Elvish, and Sundered Lands in the Common Tongue. Few Men now bother with the Elven name...as is the way with Men, the now and the future are of more import and they have placed their mark upon the region. To the Elves, who may mourn the loss of swamp, waterbird, fish, and wild beasts, it remains, and always will remain, Nandalad.

I was educated in this matter by one of the Fair Folk while out upon my regular patrols of the area. It is a pleasant thing, of an evening, to sit before a fire on a bluff overlooking a river, tinkering with a lyre, and having one of the Firstborn join you! Likely to correct my use of the Elvish...I do not pretend to be a good speaker of the language! Yet he helped me and educated me, and that is a rare treat, friends. A rare and treasured treat in these later days of the world.

Eledhwen, Nandalad
Rhovannion


So yes, a Sunday spent playing with the Elvish tongues of Sindarin and Quenya. It has been fascinating indeed. Sparked, in part, by my attempts to compose some songs in the Elvish, as well as the Common Tongue of Men.

The lyre is nearly complete, though she has not told me her name as of yet. Soon her voice will awaken into the air and we shall dance a duet of sound. Always a delight!

Siani

All Things Change

A new name for this blog, a new description, and a new focus...forewarned by the last post I made here. Lindar I am become, a Bard, in effect. Nandar, too...a Harper. Nandaromardë, or Nandaromar.....Harper Hall. Lindarolond, Bard Haven. So this blog is named Nandaromar, since I am a Harper and this Waystation, or Mentirlond, is my Hall/Home.

Nadaromar Mentirlond (sounds better than Taur'Ohtarlond, or Wood Warrior Haven)....Harper Hall Path Watcher Haven, literally. Sometimes flow is better than specific accuracy in meaning. Especially from a Harper's perspective. ;)

Nandaromar, that is the name for this blog.

I am working on a Lyre currently (photos on FB and MERF). It ought to be complete in a couple, maybe three, days. I am decorating it with elements from Atalantë, once known as Númenor. In particular, Elanor blossoms and Sweet Galenas blossoms, along with the Star of Eärendil, my name in the Tengwar, and perhaps some line work. The name of my Waystation on the back, perhaps, with the Star of Arnor. We shall see.

After that, there is a Bowed Psaltery kit to be built..with the same decorative theme (Númenor), and after that, the completion of the harp I have under construction...same sort of decorations. There is a small wooden chest to be given the same decorative theme, and when all of these projects are sorted...in a month or so...I will start building directly from blueprints that I have...and then experimentation with modifications in the making of my own designs. As it is, I am planning on a seabird mount for the harp post...something made from a 'white' wood (to contrast the walnut) and carved separately which will then be attached in a yet to be determined fashion, to the post/harmonic curve juncture. The boss for the harp will instead be the eyes of the bird. Spirit in all things.

Change is the only constant. Sometimes it is annoying, but most of the time it is a good thing, at least eventually.

More arrows...and I will be adding cresting with the same theme as above, to old arrows and the new. Also the bows I am making..or one of them anyway. ;)

More gowns, dresses, even a few pants and tunics.

Things are moving along.

Namárië!

Siani/Eledhwen