We have a long way to go, and there is time ahead for thought.
The Sleeper was a mysterious figure who dwelt within the Tower of Pearl located in the westernmost cape of the Twilit Isles according to the early version of the legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales.[1]
In his travel to Kôr, Eärendel woke up the Sleeper with the gong of Littleheart.[2]:254
As J.R.R. Tolkien never finished "The Tale of Eärendel", the Sleeper's identity was never specified. In an outline of the Tale, Tolkien wrote: "The Sleeper is Idril but he [Eärendel] does not know", but this was struck out.[2]:276 In other note, the Sleeper was a messenger of Turgon who was cursed and unable to leave the Tower; after being awakened by Littleheart's gong, the Sleeper warned the travellers of the magic.[2]:263
Other versions of the legendarium
Before writing any narrative of the Lost Tales, Tolkien wrote Tha Eadigan Saelidan: The Happy Mariners, which Christopher Tolkien identifies with 'the Song of the Sleeper of the Tower of Pearl' mentioned in the Lost Tale of "The Hiding of Valinor".[2]:274 Although the poem gives some details about the Tower, it does not include any information about the Sleeper.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play", p. 15
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "V. The Tale of Eärendel"