The Lumi-väki were a small, reclusive group of Men who dwelt in the far north of Middle-earth. They were a hardy people adapted to living in icy lands, and in the Elder Days they were skilled at evading Morgoth’s spies and thralls who traipsed across their hunting grounds while running errands from Angband. Though the Lumi-väki did not involve themselves in the war against the Dark King, they never served him and resisted his encroachment upon their peace.
In the elven-tongue, the Lumi-väki were known as the Forodwaith, “people of the north,” and their lands were called after them. Ever an insular people, their numbers dwindled as the world changed, and by the time of the Third Age only a few of their clans remained, dwelling mostly in the Ice-bay of Forochel. They had limited contact with the other people of the Westlands; some of their chieftains could speak limited Westron, and they knew to hate and fear the Witch-king of Angmar, but they placed no value on jewels and weaponry as did the Men to their south.
Arvedui, the Last King of Arthedain, fled into the north to escape the Witch-king’s destruction of Arnor, where he was sheltered by a clan among the Lumi-väki. Though he did not understand their culture, terming them the Lossoth, “snow-host,” he was deeply grateful for their aid. In thanks for Chieftain Taavetti’s kindness, Arvedui granted him a kingly gift: the Ring of Barahir, an ancient heirloom of his house, and though the Lumi-väki had little use for a sparkling ring they accepted his offer graciously. When Círdan sent an elven-ship to Arvedui’s aid, Taavetti warned against boarding the boat, for he sensed impending disaster, but Arvedui did not heed his warning. Indeed, a great storm overwhelmed the vessel the moment it set out to sea, and the Last King was lost in the cold waters of the far north.
Over a century later, Taavetti’s great-great-granddaughter Helmi led her people, who had by now consolidated into a singular clan. These were dark times for the Lumi-väki, for food was scarce and vicious white wolves prowled across the ice, stealing their prey and attacking their shelters. Thus when Arahael, grandson of Arvedui, appeared in the North asking after his grandfather’s fate, Helmi was eager to strike a bargain with him. In exchange for the tale of Arvedui’s fate and the return of the Ring of Barahir, Arvedui and his rangers aided the Lumi-väki in their hunting for three seasons, supplying them with enough food to last them through the harsh winter. For her resourcefulness and strength of character, Helmi became known as Helmi the Beloved, honored among her people for centuries to come.
When the War of the Ring overshadowed all of Middle-earth, the Lumi-väki were not unaffected. As the Rangers fought against Sauron’s agents in Eriador, evil beasts prowled as far north as Forochel, forcing the Lumi-väki to fight back. Chieftain Yrjänä left his Great Lodge of Sûri-kylä, where he had dwelt since the death of his son in battle against a cold-drake, to lead his people against this threat, and tamed a great woolly mammoth, riding it into war against the Lumi-väki’s foes. Only once did Yrjänä and his warriors meet the Dúnedain in this war, when they rescued a company of Rangers from an orc-horde, but in recognition of their valiance in battle King Elessar sent a caravan of goods and food to the Lumi-väki after the War.
