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Submitted: June 15, 2010
Image Size: 1.4 MB
Resolution: 1333×2000

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Nienna, The Mourning Vala.by ~moon-blossom

Fan Art / Digital Art / Painting & Airbrushing / Books & Novels

"Nienna looked at the pale Moon under the shadow of her distant halls. She remembered the glory of the Two Trees and all the pain that Melkor caused by his greed and envy. But in silence she recalled the Music of The Ainur and how Melkor's actions were present even there, as a terrible melody in the middle of unfolding mysteries. And as she revived the Music in her thoughts, her sorrow grew but so did her compassion. For Nienna is the mighty one who cries for all the unjust and terrible things that happen in the world, but she is also the one that teaches endurance and wisdom through adversity. And by her tears, everything is purified and hallowed so that the mysteries can dance with the Music as it unfolds."

Ahem. Excuse the preceding fanfiction, but I wanted to sort of explain the drawing without being too explicit.

I started this drawing in March after the huge earthquake that affected our lands. Seeing all the devastation and helplessness of people made me really sad and I thought: "Why must we suffer so much?". Because it's not only that, but ALL the daily sufferings that everybody around the world experiences (just watch the news or read a newspaper... there is sadness everywhere). Yet everything has its contrary and for sorrow we also have hope. And Nienna personifies that dichotomy perfectly. She is infinitely sad but also infinitely wise and forgiving while teaching us the value of sorrow to strengthen the spirit. Even Gandalf learned from her... you can then see how powerful she is.

She is portrayed here in her halls located "west of the West". I wanted to add a bit of magic so that's why she seems to be shining under the moonlight. After all, she helped create the Two Trees so some of her magic is also in the last fruit of Telperion!