Aegnor and Andreth

There was one romance between a male elf and a female mortal. Way back in the First Age, Aegnor (one of the princes of the Noldor, son of Finarfin) and Andreth (Barahir’s aunt, who was the father of Beren.)

Aegnor and his brother Angrod settled in northern Dorthonion during the events of The Silmarillion. It was there that, while taking a walk one night, Aegnor saw Andreth’s reflection in a lake and the two fell in love.

However, since it was against elvish custom to be married during times of war, and because of the complication of their different races, Aegnor wouldn’t marry her. However, it’s said that Aegnor refused to marry any elves either, for Andreth’s sake.

Aegnor died before Andreth - both he and his brother Angrod were killed during the Dagor Bragollach. It’s said that he is one of the few elves that refuses to be re-embodied, and instead stays in the Halls of Mandos, since he has no desire to live in a world without Andreth.

Andreth went on to become a wise woman of her house, respected by elves and men alike. She actually had a close friendship with Aegnor’s other brother, Finrod Felagund. The two would often meet and discuss the differences between elves and men. One of these conversations was recorded as Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, and is probably the best source for the differences (philosophical and otherwise) between elves and men.

SOURCES: The Silmarillion, Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth (published in The History of Middle Earth, v. 10)

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON askmiddlearth.tumblr.com