Neldoreth

Neldoreth was a great beech-forest in the north of Doriath, lying between tworivers. It formed the northern part of the realm of King Thingol and was enclosed within his realm's magical protections.

It was in Neldoreth that Lúthien was born, and there Beren first beheld her dancing in the moonlight. Later, when Sauron had imprisoned Beren on Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Thingol sought to confine his daughter by placing her in a house built high in the branches of the greatest tree of the forest.

Like the rest of Beleriand, Neldoreth was lost beneath the waves of the sea following the War of Wrath.

Neldoreth was also remembered by Treebeard, who in later Ages recalled wandering its golden and red autumn leaves. In his chant he called it Taur-na-neldor, meaning "Beech-forest".

Etymology

The name Neldoreth is likely derived from *neldor* ("beech") and the abstract noun suffix *-eth*. Taur-na-neldor is a clearer construction: *taur* ("forest") + *na* ("of") + *neldor* ("beech").

References

• The Silmarillion
• The Lay of Leithian
• The Lord of the Rings (Appendices, drafts in The History of Middle-earth)