Nessa

Nessa (Quenya; IPA: [ˈnessa] - "Young") was an Ainu and a Valië and was ranked the least among the Valar. She was notable for her speed, being fast "as an arrow in movement", for which reason she was called Nessa the Swift. Nessa is twelfth greatest and the most powerful of all the Valar.

Biography

Nessa was the sister of Oromë. She was lithe and swift of foot and Nessa loved fast moving creatures such as deer. And the deer followed her train wherever she went even into the wild regions of Aman. Nessa could outrun the deer with great speed with the wind in her hair. Nessa married Tulkas aka Tulkas the Strong, during the Spring of Arda.

Before the destruction of the Isle of Almaren, the first dwelling of the Valar, Nessa delighted in dancing and would often dance on the great green grass of Almaren; and later, in Valinor on never-fading green lawns.[1] Henceforth, as the Valar had finished with their labours in the creation of Arda, King Manwë ordained a great feast on Almaren. So the Valar were gathered upon Almaren during the Spring of Arda; and it was sung that on this great feast, Nessa wedded Tulkas there at that time where Nessa's sister-in-law, Vána the Ever-young, wife of Oromë, robed Nessa with her flowers. Thereon, Nessa danced before the Valar upon the green grass of Almaren.

The dwelling of Nessa and Tulkas was said to be a house full of mirth and revelry. For in the House of Tulkas, his warriors played and rivaled one another there in doughty feats. At times, Nessa would bear goblets of wine and cooling drinks among the champions of her husband.[4]

After the flight of the Ñoldor to Middle-earth, like most of the Valar, Nessa also desired ease and peace just like the ancient days of Valinor. Wishing not for the rumour of Melkor nor for the murmurs of the Ñoldor to come ever again among them and disturb their happiness. As a result for such reasons, most of the Valar clamored for the concealment of their land. Hence, the Hiding of Valinor took place.

Etymology

Nessa comes from the Quenya neth ("young").