Nienna teaches pity and endurance; though she rarely travels to the joyful city of Valmar, she goes more often to the halls of her brother Mandos to comfort and counsel those in the Halls of Waiting. The Maia Olórin, who was later to travel to Middle-earth as Gandalf, learned much from her.
Gandalf, que em Aman era conhecido como Olórin, era um Maia de Manwë e de Varda, mas passava longos períodos com Nienna, na parte mais ao oeste de Aman. Com ela aprendeu dons de piedade, compaixão, sofrimento e paciência. Além disso, como ele era um Ainur, conhecia partes da MÚSICA, ou seja, conhecia partes da história que ainda viria.
"Then Tom put the Ring round the end of his little finger and held it up to the candlelight... There was no sign of Tom disappearing!"