About Hiril Lothoniel (Last updated Dec 2020)

     Lothoniel, whose name loosely translates to "flower kindler" in Sindarin, earned this epessë during her first year at sea. A small group from the Mithdirith of Loth-i-Lonnath answered the call for sea duty, and since that time, Lothoniel has been enamoured with the sea, ever longing to return. Before this, she was known as Pengien, "daughter of the bow", a name given by her mother in honour of her father, an accomplished hunter.

     Born and raised in Lothlórien, Lothoniel, then called Pengien, was the youngest of three siblings. The reasons for her departure from the Golden Wood, and why she has never returned, remain a mystery to all save those closest to her. During her time in Lothlórien, she studied as a scholar, cultivated an interest in growing things, practised music, and danced as a child. A great love of language also blossomed in her, and though she primarily speaks Sindarin, particularly the Doriathrin dialect, it is known among her friends that she developed a deep fondness for Quenya for its melodic quality. Despite its occasional disfavour, for Lothoniel, Quenya is an art form, expressed through sound. When moved, she may speak in Quenya to convey deeper emotions, even at the risk of drawing frowns from others. She also speaks Westron, though it is rarely her preferred tongue, and as such, she sometimes struggles to recall words when forced to use it.

     Lothoniel’s true history, however, is revealed only to those who truly know her. But it is said that long before she settled in Duillond with her current kin, she spent many yéni in self-imposed solitude, wandering the wilds of Middle-earth, forsaking her studies, and devoting herself entirely to the art of the bow and twin swords. It was the only dancing she would perform, and the only music she made was the sound of arrows whistling cleanly through the air to strike their prey. Yet, after many years of solitary hunting, she passed through Duillond once again. The call of the sea, carried by the river Lune, drew her with such force that its song forever changed her. It was here that she joined the martial house of the Grey Havens, Loth-i-Lonnath, and made it her home.

     Relearning how to engage with others, and how to fight as part of a martial unit, was a challenge at first, but she embraced it. But even among her kin, the call of the sea did not abate. Her duties kept her landlocked until fate smiled upon her, allowing her to serve aboard a ship named Sulrochir. There, she learned from Cirvrannon Aearandir commander of the Mithdirith and the Loth-i-Lonnath fleet. It was during this time that she earned her epessë, Lothoniel, spoken fondly by Aearandir after she cared for a single flower aboard the ship. For Lothoniel, the sea became her true home, and she found peace upon the wide-open waters, far from the wild places she once roamed.

     Lothoniel’s life has never been one for close relationships until her time in Duillond. There, she found the love of friends, and those friends became the family she lost — her only family until she sails to Aman.

     Being a part of Loth-i-Lonnath has given her pride and contentment, and she would have gladly served under Hirgonui Curugirion, former Tûr of Loth-i-Lonnath, until she was called to Aman. It was never her calling to lead a noble martial herth (house). Unfortunately, events unfolded that led her down an unlikely path. She had to quickly become someone she never thought she would be — a Hiril, a Tûr. And, against all odds, that is what she became after the terrible events of Tharbad, when much of her herth either died or retired from service. Lothoniel was left to gather what remained, and rekindle the Flower of the Havens.

     At present, Hiril Lothoniel is almost an entirely different edhel than the one she once was. Whatever events may have marked her past are long behind her. She owns her history, stands firmly in the present, and looks to the future with renewed hope. Wee Pengien who, unsure of herself, nearly left her home in Duillond is no longer seen in the eyes of Lothoniel. Those who knew her before now, would not recognise the person she has become through her journey. Where once she frowned and doubted everything, she now laughs, dances, enjoys good wine and cheer, and is often seen playing instruments wherever she stays — whether it be the flute, lute, or harp. Hiril Lothoniel knows when it is time to enjoy life and when it is time for war, a lesson she learned along the way from those she deeply cares for.

Common Knowledge Regarding Hiril Lothoniel

In roleplay, here is what your elven character may know about her if you live in any of the places mentioned below:

      If you are an elf living in the Grey Havens , you may have seen her patrolling the region as part of her duty with the Mithdirith, the Grey Watch of Loth-i-Lonnath, the Flower of the Havens. You know she is addressed as Hiril Lothoniel because she is Tûr of her house, the successor to the former Tûr, Hîrgonui Curugirion, who has retired to Mithlond. While others may use 'hiril' out of respect or honour when addressing other ellith, Lothoniel holds this title officially as the Lady of the Flower, or Hiril-i-Loth, a distinction she earned due to her position as Tûr, a title that is often shortened simply to Hiril Lothoniel. This title also complements her name, which translates to ‘flower kindler’ in Sindarin—thus, she is sometimes referred to as "Lady Flower Kindler."

     It is also common knowledge that Lothoniel was once frequently seen alongside hîr Cirdamir, patrolling the roads and attending gatherings. However, after the tragic Ambush at Tharbad, many of the herth were so grieved that they retired to deal with their despair. It is presumed that Cirdamir was among those who chose to retire, though no one knows for certain, and Lothoniel rarely speaks on the matter. The events of Tharbad are still too painful for those remaining in the herth to discuss, and the memory of it casts a shadow over their deeds.

     You would also know that the victories of the Mithdirith in the north-east are now shadowed in equal measure by their losses in the Ambush at Tharbad. The grief from that day ran so deep that many retired, leaving Lothoniel to shoulder what remained of the herth. Whether by fate or the coincidence of her name, Lothoniel found herself tasked with rekindling the Flower of the Havens.

     In more recent times, and despite her elevation, Hiril Lothoniel has been seen patrolling the roads with fellow members of the Mithdirith, most often with her closest friend, Arnelloth. She does not enjoy sitting idly behind a desk handing out tasks and orders, thus always finds time to do the same tasks she commands others to do which has earned her a great deal of respect. Lothoniel can also be found at light-hearted gatherings in Duillond or Celondim when she is off duty, enjoying moments of respite away from the responsibilities of her martial role.

     If you are an elf living in Rivendell, you would know that Lothoniel is Tûr of her herth, Loth-i-Lonnath, a martial house that is well known in Rivendell for its annual cavalcade. This convoy escorts the edhil to and from the Grey Havens and ensures the safety of the roads, a duty that has earned the house much respect in the region. You may also recall whispers from a few years ago about a near-fatal injury Lothoniel sustained while fighting goblins in the Misty Mountains. The wound was severe enough to require an extended stay in a Rivendell healing house for several months before she could return to Lindon.

     More recently, the victories of the Mithdirith in the north-east have been overshadowed by the tragic losses suffered during the ambush at Tharbad. It was an elf from Rivendell who delivered the news of the ambush, but tragically, he succumbed to his wounds from an orc attack shortly thereafter, dying at the Ford of Bruinen. This event stirred deep outrage among the elves of Rivendell, and the echoes of that grief still linger.

     If you are an elf living in Lothlórien, you may know that Pengien (Lothoniel) was born there, though her time among the Galadhrim was brief by elven reckoning, despite spanning several lifetimes by the measure of men. As a young elleth, she studied and grew in Lothlórien, cultivating a love of music, language, and the natural world. However, for reasons known only to her, she eventually left and has not returned. During her time in the Golden Wood, she was known as Pengien, and while some may still recall that name, it is more likely that the name Lothoniel would be unfamiliar to most.

     What you are more likely to know is her current association with the martial house of Loth-i-Lonnath, a house that has long been linked with the Grey Havens and the Falathrim. Lothoniel’s rise to the position of Tûr is a relatively recent development in the reckoning of elves, and many of the Galadhrim may not yet be aware of her leadership. For most, the name Curugirion remains far more familiar, as he led Loth-i-Lonnath for over three millennia before Lothoniel assumed command after the tragic events of Tharbad.

     If you are an elf living in Mirkword, you may have heard of Loth-i-Lonnath, but it is less likely that you would be familiar with Lothoniel, its current Tûr. It is far more probable that you would recall Curugirion, the house's founder and leader for over three millennia, as his name has long been associated with Loth-i-Lonnath. Lothoniel’s rise to leadership, after the tragic events of Tharbad, may not have reached your ears, as her role is still relatively new in the reckoning of elves, and her time in the house was marked by a quieter, more solitary past before assuming her current responsibilities.

About Loth-i-Lonnath

     Loth-i-Lonnath  — "Flower of the Havens", is a rank 10 Elf only, heavy immersive roleplaying kinship, based in the Grey Havens of Lindon. We are one of the few kinships truly dedicated to purposeful, lore-observant Elven roleplay. If you seek to immerse yourself in the true essence of an Elf in Middle-earth, we are the kinship for you. Primarily being Falathrim we embody the elves of the Third Age, capturing the grace, joy, and song that so vividly define them in Tolkien's Middle-Earth.

     Founded in 2010 during the early years of the Laurelin EU-RP server, we are a long-established and stable kinship earning a proud history of providing a welcoming environment for roleplayers seeking a mature community and an authentic Elven home. We're now bringing the same sense of fellowship, family and tradition to the Meriadoc EU-RP server.

     If this sounds like the kind of kinship you're looking for, visit our website here:
http://loth-i-lonnath.shivtr.com/

Additional Information

For Lotro related videos by Lothoniel visit Youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrMsSxI4HUadLC1wn16kBhQ