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Silmarillion Explained: The Quenta Silmarillion
3
The Quenta Silmarillion
Part 2
Of the Beginning of Days
1. Of the Beginning of Days
Before Arda--the world--was completely shaped, the First War between the Valar and Melkor began. This is when Tulkas came to Arda, and Melkor hid, and peace returned for a long time.
The Lamps
Aulë forged two lamps to provide light to Arda; one in the north and one in the south. The world was always in daylight. Yavanna brought plants, and beasts began to multiply.
The Valar rested.
The Lamps
Melkor's Return
Melkor's Return
While the Valar rested, Melkor grew jealous of their work. He came to Middle-Earth and began to build underground fortresses, the first of which was called Utumno, or Udûn ('hell').
He marred the creation of the Valar and broke the Two Lamps, but then fled again when the Valar returned.
Developments
Developments
The Valar then built Valinor, the Undying Lands.
Yavanna grew the saplings of the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin.
It was during this time that Ilúvatar decided the fates of his future children; Elves would be immortal while Men were given the gift of death.
Of Aulë and Yavanna
2. Of Aulë and Yavanna
Impatient for the arrival of Elves and Men, Aulë created the Dwarves. Afraid that the other Valar would disapprove, he set them to work under the earth.
Ilúvatar's Discovery
Ilúvatar's Discovery
Despite Aulë's efforts to hide his creation, Ilúvatar found them nonetheless. He disapproved, and Aulë wept and decided to smite his creation. Upon seeing the Dwarves' fear, Ilúvatar had pity and instead decided that the Dwarves should sleep until the Elves entered creation.
Aulë and Yavanna
Aulë and Yavanna
Aulë told his wife about his creations, but Yavanna worried that the Dwarves would have no love for her plants. She went to Manwë to ask for help with protecting her creations from the Dwarves.
Manwë's Answer
Manwë's Answer
When the Elves awakened, Great Eagles and Ents would come to protect nature. These beings would find themselves in conflicts of interest with Dwarves in the ages to come.
Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor
3. Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor
Throughout the ages, Melkor fortified Utumno and gathered his servants. He created another fortress, Angband, which was commanded by Sauron.
The Valar debated on how to deal with the evil threat, and Tulkas proposed making war before the Elves awoke.
The Elves Awaken
The Elves Awaken
The first Elves awoke in Cuiviénen under the starlight. They named themselves the Quendi. In these twilit years, some elves vanished and never returned.
Eventually, Oromë found the elves, but they were wary because of Melkor's servants who had been tormenting them. Oromë named the Elves the Eldar.
War for Sake of the Elves
War for Sake of the Elves
Oromë returned to Valinor and announced the coming of the Elves. The Valar rejoiced and decided to wage war on Melkor again. They came to Middle-earth and destroyed Utumno. Melkor tried to flee but Tulkas chained him.
Melkor was sent before the feet of Manwë and asked for a pardon, but was instead sent to dwell in the Halls of Mandos for three ages.
The Sundering of the Elves
The Sundering of the Elves
The Valar befriended the Elves and asked them to come to Valinor.
The Elves then split into four groups: the Vanyar, the Ñoldor, and the Teleri all decided to journey west to Valinor, while the Avari chose to remain in the forests of Middle-earth.
Upon reaching the Misty Mountains, the Teleri were separated from the Vanyar and Ñoldor.
Types of Elves
Eldar
Elves who made the Great Journey from Cuiviénen
Avari
"The Unwilling"
Teleri
"Singers"
Ñoldor
Deep Elves
Vanyar
Fair Elves
Types of Elves
Those that remained in Beleriand
Those that stopped at the Misty Mountains
Those that went to Aman
Sindar
Grey Elves
Falmari
Sea Elves
Nandor
Wood Elves
Of Thingol and Melian
While the Elves journeyed westward to Valinor, a Maia named Melian came to Middle-earth to fill it with song.
4. Of Thingol and Melian
Elwë Discovers Melian
Elwë Discovers Melian
Elwë, leader of the Teleri, was walking in the woods when he heard the singing of Melian. Enchanted, he followed the sound until he came upon her in a clearing.
Enamored by her, he took her hand and a spell caused them to stand together in the woods for many years, desiring nothing else but each other's presence.
The Teleri Move On
Unable to find Elwë, his brother Olwë took leadership of the Teleri and would attempt to bring them to Valinor at last.
The Teleri Move On
The Sindar Are Formed
The Sindar Are Formed
Elwë and Melian built the kingdom of Doriath in Middle-earth. His people became known as the Sindar--the Grey Elves.
Of all the Sindar, only Elwë had seen the light of the Trees of Valinor.
Elwë would become known by his Sindarin name, Elu Thingol.
Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië
5. Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië
Oromë leads the Vanyar and the Ñoldor to the West, but are stopped by the seas. Ulmo creates a floating island to bring them across the sea to Valinor.
Meanwhile, the Teleri are left behind in Middle-earth, searching for Elwë.
Teleri in East Beleriand
Teleri in East Beleriand
The Teleri travel to the western shore of Middle-earth, where they meet the sea Maiar named Ossë and Uinen.
Ossë persuades some of the Teleri to stay in Middle-earth, and they become the Falathrim, led by Círdan the Shipwright.
These Elves would eventually build the Grey Havens in another age.
The Formation of Tol Eressëa
Ossë goes to the Teleri (led by Olwë) on their island and begs Ulmo to stop their travel to Valinor, because Ulmo believes the Elves should remain in Middle-earth.
The island anchors off the shores of Valinor and becomes known as Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle.
The Formation of Tol Eressëa
The Elves in Valinor
The Elves in Valinor
Manwë and Varda become fond of the Vanyar, while Aulë takes a liking to the Ñoldor and teaches them his craft.
Finwë becomes High King of the Ñoldor, and his sons are Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin.
The Teleri on Tol Eressëa build swan ships.
Fëanor
The half-brother of Fingolfin and Finarfin, Fëanor is known for his skill in crafts and words.
He would eventually create the Silmarils, the jewels that precipitate much of the conflict of the First Age.
He has numerous sons, who all play important parts in the First Age: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Maedhros, and Maglor.
Fingolfin
Fingolfin is the strongest and most valiant of the sons of Finwë.
Fingolfin's children are Fingon, Turgon, and Aredhel.
Fingolfin
Finarfin
Finarfin is the wisest of the sons of Finwë.
Finarfin's children include Finrod, Orodreth, Aegnor, Angrod, and Galadriel.
Finarfin
Finrod
Galadriel
Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor
6. Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor
Fëanor was born to Finwë and his wife Míriel. After giving birth, Míriel's spirit departed her body for the Halls of Mandos.
Finwë remarried to another Elf named Indis, and together they had Fingolfin and Finarfin, to Fëanor's dismay.
Fëanor's Early Life
Fëanor's Early Life
Fëanor becomes a great smith, and he marries Nerdanel.
He also created the writing script Tengwar, which is the script the Elves use in Middle-earth until the Third Age.
Melkor is Freed
Melkor is Freed
Melkor's time in the Halls of Mandos is finally served and he is freed by the Valar, though they do not allow him to leave their sight.
Melkor pretends to be reformed, and evil is such a foreign concept to Manwë that he is unable to comprehend that Melkor is being deceitful, though Ulmo and Tulkas remain suspicious.
Melkor and the Elves
Melkor and the Elves
Melkor loathed the Elves but pretended to love them, and he took a particular interest in the Ñoldor.
Melkor claimed that Fëanor learned much from him, but none despised Melkor more than Fëanor.
Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor
During this time, Fëanor crafts the Silmarils, Melkor stirs up unease among the Ñoldor, and Fëanor is eventually banished from Tirion for threatening Fingolfin.
7. Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor
The Silmarils
The Silmarils
Fëanor crafts three Silmarils, indescribably beautiful gems with the light of the Two Trees of Valinor within them. Varda hallows them and declares that 'no mortal flesh, nor hands unclean, nor anything of evil will might touch them.'
Fëanor values these gems above all else, and Mandos declares that the fate of all Arda is tied into these creations.
Melkor's Scheming
Melkor's Scheming
Melkor lusts after the Silmarils and wants to turn the Elves against the Valar. He begins to sow anti-Valar sentiment among the Elves.
Eventually Fëanor declares that he will leave Valinor and free the Ñoldor from their thralldom to the Valar, if they would follow him.
Fëanor becomes afraid Fingolfin is trying to become Finwë's favorite, so he threatens him.
Developments
Developments
After Fëanor stirs up such dissent, the Valar question him and find out all the trouble Melkor has been causing.
Fëanor is banished due to his actions with Fingolfin, and Melkor manages to hide from the Valar.
Melkor then comes to Fëanor with the offer of friendship, and Fëanor slams the door in his face.
Of the Darkening of Valinor
8. Of the Darkening of Valinor
Melkor flees Valinor, but secretly turns back and returns to the West.
He meets Ungoliant, a massive spider-like spirit of darkness.
Fingolfin attempts to make amends with Fëanor.
Melkor and Ungoliant
Melkor sneaks into Ungoliant's realm and takes the form of a Dark Lord.
He and Ungoliant decide to team up in order to destroy the Two Trees of Valinor so that darkness can rule once more.
Melkor and Ungoliant
Fëanor and Fingolfin
In an attempt to heal any divisions between them, Fingolfin meets Fëanor before the throne of Manwë and tells him that all is forgiven and he will follow Fëanor, to which Fëanor begrudgingly agrees.
Fëanor and Fingolfin
The Destruction of the Trees
The Destruction of the Trees
While the Valar are distracted with the events among the Elves, Melkor and Ungoliant sneak to the Two Trees of Valinor and poison them. The trees wither and their light fades. The world is plunged into darkness once more.
Melkor and Ungoliant escape, but Manwë knows who is responsible for this unthinkable evil.
Of the Flight of the Ñoldor
9. Of the Flight of the Ñoldor
The Valar summon Fëanor and tell him that the Silmarils contain the last light of the Trees, and if he is willing to sacrifice the gems the Trees can have their light restored.
Fëanor declines, saying that if he loses his greatest creations then he would have no reason to live.
Melkor Robs the Ñoldor
Melkor Robs the Ñoldor
While the Valar and Fëanor are speaking, Melkor attacks the Ñoldor city of Tirion and steals all of their treasure, including the Silmarils. During this, Finwë is slain by Melkor.
When Fëanor and the Valar receive news of this, Fëanor curses the Valar, believing that if they hadn't summoned him to their council then he could have protected his father and his Silmarils. Fëanor officially names Melkor "Morgoth."
Morgoth and Ungoliant
Upon reaching Middle-earth, Ungoliant demands that Morgoth give her the treasures he stole from the Ñoldor. Morgoth cedes some of the treasure but refuses to give her the Silmarils, so Ungoliant attacks. Morgoth screams in agony, summoning Balrogs from the ruins of Utumno who then help him drive Ungoliant away.
Ungoliant flees, never to be heard from again. Morgoth travels to his old fortress called Angband and begins plotting once more.
Fëanor Rallies the Ñoldor
Fëanor Rallies the Ñoldor
Fëanor returns to Tirion and claims the High Kingship. He turns many of the Ñoldor against the Valar, claiming that they either can't or won't summon the strength to defeat Morgoth forever.
Fëanor and his sons swear a terrible soul-binding oath to destroy anyone or anything that would ever keep the Silmarils from them, no matter who it is.
Fingolfin and Finarfin
Upon these developments, Fëanor's half-brothers are torn on what to do. They begrudginly agree to follow Fëanor on his quest to Middle-earth.
Fingon, Fingolfin's son, is instrumental in convincing Fingolfin to follow Fëanor to Middle-earth.
As Fëanor leaves Tirion, a herald of Manwë begs Fëanor to reconsider, but Fëanor laughs and doubles down on his plan.
Obstacles to Travel
At the time, the only ways to Middle-earth from Aman are to cross the sea, or to go north and cross the dangerous ice bridge called the Helcaraxë, or 'Grinding Ice.'
Fëanor decides to travel to Alqualondë, chief city of the Falmari on the shores of Valinor, in order to meet with Olwë and ask for his boats so the Ñoldor can sail to Middle-earth.
This will precipitate one of the most heinous acts ever committed in Arda.
Fëanor's Betrayals
Fëanor's Betrayals
Olwë declines Fëanor's request, because like the Silmarils to Fëanor these ships are the masterwork of the Falmari.
Fëanor and his followers then turn on their fellow Elves, slaughtering many of them in cold blood in order to commandeer the ships.
When Fingolfin and Finarfin arrive later, they are horrified.
The Aftermath of the First Kinslaying
Because of this unprecedented offense, the Valar curse Fëanor and ban him from Valinor forever. The Ñoldor as a whole are also cursed.
At this point Finarfin turns back to Valinor, devastated by the destruction Fëanor has caused. He and his followers return to Tirion and remain there. Fingolfin and his followers choose to continue onward, though they are far from pleased with the path Fëanor has set the Ñoldor on.
From Bad to Worse
A storm destroys all but a few of the stolen ships, and the Ñoldor make their way further north to the Helcaraxë. It is here that Fëanor and his followers decide to secretly steal the remaining ships and sail to Middle-earth, leaving Fingolfin and his followers to die in the cold.
Infuriated by this betrayal, Fingolfin chooses to still lead his people across the Helcaraxë and into Middle-earth. Countless Elves perish during this brutal journey.
Of the Sindar
While Melkor was still a captive in the Halls of Mandos, Dwarves began to enter Beleriand and construct great underground cities, including Khazad-dûm.
King Thingol of the Sindar develops good relationships with the Dwarves, and both civilizations prosper.
10. Of the Sindar
The Construction of Menegroth
The Sindar and the Dwarves work together to construct Menegroth, the seat of King Thingol and the capital holding of Doriath.
It is a vast and beautiful dwelling; despite being underground it is carved and decorated in the style of the Elves.
The Construction of Menegroth
The Sindar Prepare for Defense
As Melkor's captivity comes to a close, evil begins appearing in Doriath once more. Thingol and the Dwarves begin producing weapons and armor and stockpiling them in Menegroth.
Despite this feeling of foreboding, these years are still fairly peaceful and prosperous.
The Sindar Prepare for Defense
Evil Returns to Beleriand
Evil Returns to Beleriand
When Melkor and Ungoliant destroy the Trees in Valinor, the entire world is shrouded in darkness. Across the sea in Middle-earth, Orcs take advantage of this and attack the holdings of the Sindar in Doriath.
Many Elves die and cities are pushed to the brink of collapse, but Melian casts a protective spell around a region of Doriath that becomes known as the Girdle of Melian.
Of Men
12. Of Men
Upon the first sunrise Men, the Younger Children of Ilúvatar, entered the world.
They appeared in Hildórien, a region in the far east of Middle-earth. However, they eventually made their way west. Most Men did not play much part in the events of the First Age, though there are a few major exceptions.
Men and Elves
THESE. ARE. NOT. OKAY.
Men and Elves
Elves and Men are the two generations of the Children of Ilúvatar. While there was almost never romance between the two races, unlike any other race these two were compatible given their statuses as Children of Ilúvatar.
The three times an Elf/Man romance occurs during the entire history of Arda include:
- Beren and Lúthien (First Age)
- Tuor and Idril (First Age)
- Aragorn and Arwen (Third Age)
*Eärendil and Elwing would also count, except that Eärendil is a half-Elf while Elwing is a full Elf.
Major Men of the First Age
These Men will all become prominent figures in the years to come.
Major Men of the First Age
Tuor
Beren
Húrin
Túrin Turambar
The Gift of Men
The Gift of Men
Of all the creation of Arda, Ilúvatar gave only Men the ability to die and leave the Circles of the World. Immortal beings such as the Elves and eventually even the Valar would come to envy the ability of Men to leave the world behind for whatever lies beyond.
When considering beings like the Nazgûl in the context of the Gift of Men, wraithdom becomes an even more terrible fate.
Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
11. Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
After Fëanor departed Valinor, the Valar considered the ramifications of what had happened and what was to come. Manwë and Mandos observed that Fëanor was the greatest of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and had Fëanor chosen to do good with his gifts, his positive impact on the world would have been unparalleled. As it was, Fëanor was instead on a fast track to death and despair.
The Fruit and the Flower
The Fruit and the Flower
Yavanna and Nienna did everything in their power to restore the Trees, but nothing worked. Instead, Telperion yielded a single flower and Laurelin yielded a single fruit, then the Trees fully and finally died forevermore, where their dead stems still stand in Valinor as a monument to lost joy.
Yavanna took the flower and the fruit to the rest of the Valar.
The Creation of the Sun and Moon
The Creation of the Sun and Moon
The Valar use the fruit of Laurelin to create the Sun and the flower of Telperion to create the Moon. A Maia is assigned to each in order to steer them across the sky, creating the daylight cycle.
Morgoth hates both and sends shadows to assail the Moon, but he is utterly terrified by the Sun and can do nothing more than hide himself and his followers from it.
Valinor is Fortified
Valinor is Fortified
The Valar are concerned about Morgoth's growing power and fortify Valinor. They make it more difficult to find and raise colossal mountains to wall it off from any potential invaders.
The only way through these mountains was the city Tirion, led by Finarfin. The Valar did not want to cut off those faithful Ñoldor from the rest of the world.
Of the Return of the Ñoldor
13. Of the Return of the Ñoldor
Upon arriving in Middle-earth, Fëanor and his followers set up camp but are quickly set upon by servants of Morgoth. The Ñoldorin Elves are far mightier than the native Elves of Middle-earth, and they repel the enemy easily. Fëanor is convinced that this is his chance to catch Morgoth, and he charges all the way to Angband, far ahead of the rest of his allies.
The Death of Fëanor
The Death of Fëanor
In his haste to exact vengeance on Morgoth, Fëanor isolated himself far from his allies and found himself ambushed by many Balrogs. He held his own for a long time, but eventually he received too many mortal wounds. His sons arrived and drove off the Balrogs before they could finish Fëanor off, but he succumbed to his wounds soon after--using his dying breath to curse Morgoth three times.
The Capture and Rescue of Maedhros
The Capture and Rescue of Maedhros
Maedhros, eldest son of Fëanor, was soon summoned to a parley with Morgoth's ambassadors. He was ambushed and taken to Angband, where Morgoth hung him from a cliff face by his right arm.
Fingon, son of Fingolfin, found Maedhros with the help of a Great Eagle and was only able to rescue him by severing his hand. This event served to heal the divisions between the House of Fëanor and the House of Fingolfin. The Ñoldor were, for the most part, united once more. Maedhros (far more reasonable than his father) waived his claim to kingship of the Ñoldor and Fingolfin became High King.
The Ñoldor Settle in Middle-earth
The Ñoldor Settle in Middle-earth
Over the next few hundred years, the Ñoldor establish several kingdoms around Beleriand. Finrod constructs a cave fortress called Nargothrond, and Turgon constructs a great city called Gondolin. Galadriel meets Celeborn in Thingol's realm, and the two fall in love.
Glaurung, father of dragons, also first appears during this time, but he is driven back into Angband.