Tolkien's letter #180

[Bêthberry]

posted by Aiwendil:

Or Romestamo and Morinehtar. "Alatar and Pallando" are better known since UT was published about 15 years earlier than HoMe XII, but are really no more authoritative.

True, but on Tolkien's own standard set by "Cellar Door" *coughs and looks at Fordim*, I would say the latter names trip off the tongue more easily, are more melifluous, and don't harbour any unfortunate allusion to star-crossed lovers.

Does anyone know if Tolkien left any statement about why he changed the names?

Oh, and, nice thread, Ophelia