Word of the Day: Berúthiel – the Queen of Gondor in the early part of the Third Age, who was noted for being ‘nefarious, solitary, and loveless.’
While it is not clearly defined, Paul Strack suggests that it must have meant, ‘angry queen’ (Sindarin), coming from Bereth (‘Queen, spouse’) and rúth (anger) and the feminine suffix -iel.
Berúthiel: life and background
Despite loathing cats, she ended up with many since they followed her around – with 9 black cats and 1 white one (the latter was to spy on the former).
She sent her black cats to spy on the Men of Gondor, who didn’t want to touch the cats. She lived with her husband, Falastur, in Osgiliath and hated the sight and smell of the sea. Eventually, Tarannon exiled her from Gondor, and her name was erased in the Book of the Kings.