frymëa

Frymëa is a fictional character from the early drafts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, specifically from the unpublished work *The Book of Lost Tales 1* (composed between 1914 and 1920). She appears in the mythopoeic tales set in the world of Eä, which later evolved into Middle-earth.

Frymëa is described as the first wife of the Valar (angelic beings) and the mother of the Maiar (spirits of lesser power). In the earliest versions of Tolkien’s mythology, she was known as the "Mother of the Valar" and played a central role in the creation of the world. Her name derives from Quenya, an Elvish language Tolkien invented, and translates roughly to "the first-born" or "the mother of the first." Frymëa is often associated with the concept of primordial creation and the nurturing of the early cosmos.

In the *Book of Lost Tales*, Frymëa is depicted as a benevolent figure who aids the Valar in shaping the world, though her role is less prominent than that of her husband, Manwë. Over time, Tolkien revised and expanded his mythology, and Frymëa’s character was eventually merged or reimagined in later works. By the time of *The Silmarillion* (published posthumously in 1977), her direct influence was largely absorbed into the broader narrative of the Valar’s creation myths.

Frymëa’s story reflects Tolkien’s early fascination with mythic archetypes and the origins of divine figures. While she does not appear in his later published works, her presence in the *Lost Tales* offers insight into the evolution of his cosmology. Scholars and fans of Tolkien’s legendarium often reference her as a key figure in the development of his mythopoeic worldbuilding.