Melian the Maia

In the dawn of Arda Melian dwelt in the Gardens of Lórien, and taught the nightingales how to sing. When the lights of the Two Trees mingled, at noon, she sang in Lórien, and it is said that everything stopped, even the bells and fountains of Valimar, to enjoy her voice.[4] Around the time of the Awakening of the Elves, Melian left Valinor after a warning in a dream.[5] Melian's love for the trees brought her to Middle-earth, filling its silence with her and her birds' voices.[4] After Oromë found the Elves in Cuiviénen, the Valar planned to make War against Melkor[6] and during their preparations, they sent Melian to Cuiviénen, and then a group of great Maiar to guard the Elves. Melian was their leader, the only female spirit among them. When the Eldar marched into the West, in the woods of Nan Elmoth, Melian came upon Elw? Singollo of the people of the Teleri. Elw? was entranced and fell into a swoon at the sight of the Maia Melian, and the two of them stood hand in hand, unable to move or speak for years while the trees grew around them. As a result of his absence, a portion of his followers stayed behind to search for him, while the rest continued on to Valinor under the kingship of Olw?, brother of Elw?.[4] Melian and Thingol recovered and gathered the Elves who stayed behind to look for Elw?, who were named Eglath. They founded the kingdom of Eglador and ruled as King and Queen of all the Elves in Beleriand. Melian was the only known Ainu who coupled with one of the Children of Ilúvatar, and thus she begot a child, the daughter named Lúthien, who was the fairest of the Children to have ever lived.[4] She married the Man Beren Erchamion, and as a result, Melian's blood of the Maiar was passed on to both Elves and Men.[7]