by J.R.R.
Tolkien
The
Silmarillion, now published four years after the death of its author, is an
account of the Elder Days, or the First Age of the World. In The Lord of the
Rings were narrated the great events at the end of the Third Age; but the tales
of The Silmarillion are legends deriving from a much deeper past, when Morgoth,
the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth, and the High Elves made war upon
him for the recovery of the Silmarils.
Not
only, however, does The Silmarillion relate the events of a far earlier time
than those of The Lord of the Rings; it is also, in all the essentials of its
conception, far the earlier work. Indeed, although it was not then called The
Silmarillion, it was already in being half a century ago; and in battered
notebooks extending back to 1917 can still be read the earliest versions, often
hastily penciled, of the central stories of the mythology. But it was never
published (though some indication of its content could be gleaned from The Lord
of the Rings), and throughout my father's long life he never abandoned it, nor
ceased even in his last years to work on it. In all that time The Silmarillion,
considered simply as a large narrative structure, underwent relatively little
radical change; it became long ago a fixed tradition, and background to later
writings. But it was far indeed from being a fixed text, and did not remain
unchanged even in certain fundamental ideas concerning the nature of the world
it portrays; while the same legends came to be retold in longer and shorter
forms, and in different styles. As the years passed the changes and variants,
both in detail and in larger perspectives, became so complex, so pervasive, and
so many-layered that a final and definitive version seemed unattainable.
Moreover the old legends ('old' now not only in their derivation from the
remote First Age, but also in terms of my father's life) became the vehicle and
depository of his profoundest reflections. In his later writing mythology and
poetry sank down behind his theological and philosophical preoccupations: from
which arose incompatibilities of tone.
On my
father's death it fell to me to try to bring the work into publishable form. It
became clear to me that to attempt to present, within the covers of a single
book the diversity of the materials - to show The Silmarillion as in truth a
continuing and evolving creation extending over more than half a century -
would in fact lead only to confusion and the submerging of what is essential I
set myself therefore to work out a single text selecting and arranging in such
a way as seemed to me to produce the most coherent and internally
self-consistent narrative. In this work the concluding chapters (from the death
of Túrin Turambar) introduced peculiar difficulties, in that they had remained
unchanged for many years, and were in some respects in serious disharmony with
more developed conceptions in other parts of the book.
A
complete consistency (either within the compass of The Silmarillion itself or
between The Silmarillion and other published writings of my father's) is not to
be looked for, and could only be achieved, if at all at heavy and needless
cost. Moreover, my father came to conceive The Silmarillion as a compilation, a
compendious narrative, made long afterwards from sources of great diversity
(poems, and annals, and oral tales) that had survived in agelong tradition; and
this conception has indeed its parallel in the actual history of the book, for
a great deal of earlier prose and poetry does underlie it, and it is to some extent
a compendium in fact and not only in theory. To this may be ascribed the
varying speed of the narrative and fullness of detail in different parts, the
contrast (for example) of the precise recollections of place and motive in the
legend of Túrin Turambar beside the high and remote account of the end of the
First Age, when Thangorodrim was broken and Morgoth overthrown; and also some
differences of tone and portrayal, some obscurities, and, here and there, some
lack of cohesion. In the case of the Valaquenta, for instance, we have to
assume that while it contains much that must go back to the earliest days of
the Eldar in Valinor, it was remodeled in later times; and thus explain its
continual shifting of tense and viewpoint, so that the divine powers seem now
present and active in the world, now remote, a vanished order known only to
memory.
The
book, though entitled as it must be The Silmarillion, contains not only
the Quenta Silmarillion, or Silmarillion proper, but also four other short
works. The Ainulindalë and Valaquenta, which are given at the beginning, are
indeed closely related with The Silmarillion; but the Akallabęth and Of the
Rings of Power, which appear at the end, are (it must to emphasized) wholly
separate and independent. They are included according to my father's explicit
intention; and by their inclusion is set forth the entire history is set forth
from the Music of the Ainur in which the world began to the passing of the
Ringbearers from the havens of Mithlond at the end of the Third Age.
The
number of names that occur in the book is very large, and I have provided a
full index; but the number of persons (Elves and Men) who play an important
part in the narrative of the First Age is very much smaller, and all of these
will be found in the genealogical tables. In addition I have provided a table
setting out the rather complex naming of the different Elvish peoples; a note
on the pronunciation of Elvish names, and a list of some of the chief elements
found in these names; and a map. It may be noted that the great mountain range
in the east, Ered Luin or Ered Lindon, the Blue Mountains, appears in the
extreme west of the map in The Lord of the Rings. In the body of the book there
is a smaller map: the intention of this is to make clear at a glance where lay
the kingdoms of the Elves after the return of the Noldor to Middle-earth. I
have not burdened the book further with any sort of commentary or annotation.
There is indeed a wealth of unpublished writing by my father concerning the
Three Ages, narrative, linguistic, historical, and philosophical, and I hope
that it will prove possible to publish some of this at a later date.
In the
difficult and doubtful task of preparing the text of the book I was very
greatly assisted by Guy Kay, who worked with me in 1974-1975.
Christopher
Tolkien
There
was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur,
the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before
aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music;
and they sang before him, and he was glad. But for a long while they sang only
each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each
comprehended only that part of me mind of Ilúvatar from which he came, and in
the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they
listened they came to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and
harmony.
And it
came to pass that Ilúvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a
mighty theme, unfolding to them things greater and more wonderful than he had
yet revealed; and the glory of its beginning and the splendour of its end
amazed the Ainur, so that they bowed before Ilúvatar and were silent.
Then
Ilúvatar said to them: 'Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now
that ye make in harmony together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you
with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in adorning this
theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will. But I win sit and
hearken, and be glad that through you great beauty has been wakened into song.'
Then the
voices of the Ainur, like unto harps and lutes, and pipes and trumpets, and
viols and organs, and like unto countless choirs singing with words, began to
fashion the theme of Ilúvatar to a great music; and a sound arose of endless
interchanging melodies woven in harmony that passed beyond hearing into the
depths and into the heights, and the places of the dwelling of Ilúvatar were
filled to overflowing, and the music and the echo of the music went out into
the Void, and it was not void. Never since have the Ainur made any music like
to this music, though it has been said that a greater still shall be made
before Ilúvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Ilúvatar after
the end of days. Then the themes of Ilúvatar shall be played aright, and take
Being in the moment of their utterance, for all shall then understand fully his
intent in their part, and each shall know the comprehension of each, and
Ilúvatar shall give to their thoughts the secret fire, being well pleased.
But now
Ilúvatar sat and hearkened, and for a great while it seemed good to him, for in
the music there were no flaws. But as the theme progressed, it came into the
heart of Melkor to interweave matters of his own imagining that were not in
accord with the theme of Ilúvatar, for he sought therein to increase the power
and glory of the part assigned to himself. To Melkor among the Ainur had been
given the greatest gifts of power and knowledge, and he had a share in all the
gifts of his brethren. He had gone often alone into the void places seeking the
Imperishable Flame; for desire grew hot within him to bring into Being things of
his own, and it seemed to him that Ilúvatar took no thought for the Void, and
he was impatient of its emptiness. Yet he found not the Fire, for it is with
Ilúvatar. But being alone he had begun to conceive thoughts of his own unlike
those of his brethren.
Some of
these thoughts he now wove into his music, and straightway discord arose about
him, and many that sang nigh him grew despondent, and their thought was
disturbed and their music faltered; but some began to attune their music to his
rather than to the thought which they had at first. Then the discord of Melkor
spread ever wider, and the melodies which had been heard before foundered in a
sea of turbulent sound. But Ilúvatar sat and hearkened until it seemed that
about his throne there was a raging storm, as of dark waters that made war one
upon another in an endless wrath that would not be assuaged.
Then
Ilúvatar arose, and the Ainur perceived that he smiled; and he lifted up his
left hand, and a new theme began amid the storm, like and yet unlike to the
former theme, and it gathered power and had new beauty. But the discord of
Melkor rose in uproar and contended with it, and again there was a war of sound
more violent than before, until many of the Ainur were dismayed and sang no
longer, and Melkor had the mastery. Then again Ilúvatar arose, and the Ainur
perceived that his countenance was stern; and he lifted up his right hand, and
behold! a third theme grew amid the confusion, and it was unlike the others.
For it seemed at first soft and sweet, a mere rippling of gentle sounds in
delicate melodies; but it could not be quenched, and it took to itself power
and profundity. And it seemed at last that there were two musics progressing at
one time before the seat of Ilúvatar, and they were utterly at variance. The
one was deep and wide and beautiful, but slow and blended with an immeasurable
sorrow, from which its beauty chiefly came. The other had now achieved a unity
of its own; but it was loud, and vain, and endlessly repeated; and it had
little harmony, but rather a clamorous unison as of many trumpets braying upon
a few notes. And it essayed to drown the other music by the violence of its
voice, but it seemed that its most triumphant notes were taken by the other and
woven into its own solemn pattern.
In the
midst of this strife, whereat the halls of Ilúvatar shook and a tremor ran out
into the silences yet unmoved, Ilúvatar arose a third time, and his face was
terrible to behold. Then he raised up both his hands, and in one chord, deeper
than the Abyss, higher than the Firmament, piercing as the light of the eye of
Ilúvatar, the Music ceased.
Then
Ilúvatar spoke, and he said: 'Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is
Melkor; but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Ilúvatar, those
things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have
done. And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its
uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that
attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more
wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'
Then the
Ainur were afraid, and they did not yet comprehend the words that were said to
them; and Melkor was filled with shame, of which came secret anger. But
Ilúvatar arose in splendour, and he went forth from the fair regions that he
had made for the Ainur; and the Ainur followed him.
But when
they were come into the Void, Ilúvatar said to them: 'Behold your Music!' And
he showed to them a vision, giving to them sight where before was only hearing;
arid they saw a new World made visible before them, and it was globed amid the
Void, and it was sustained therein, but was not of it. And as they looked and
wondered this World began to unfold its history, and it seemed to them that it
lived and grew. And when the Ainur had gazed for a while and were silent,
Ilúvatar said again: 'Behold your Music! This is your minstrelsy; and each of
you shall find contained herein, amid the design that I set before you, all
those things which it may seem that he himself devised or added. And thou,
Melkor, wilt discover all the secret thoughts of thy mind, and wilt perceive
that they are but a part of the whole and tributary to its glory.'
And many
other things Ilúvatar spoke to the Ainur at that time, and because of their
memory of his words, and the knowledge that each has of the music that he
himself made, the Ainur know much of what was, and is, and is to come, and few
things are unseen by them. Yet some things there are that they cannot see,
neither alone nor taking counsel together; for to none but himself has Ilúvatar
revealed all that he has in store, and in every age there come forth things
that are new and have no foretelling, for they do not proceed from the past.
And so it was that as this vision of the World was played before them, the
Ainur saw that it contained things which they had not thought. And they saw
with amazement the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar, and the habitation that
was prepared for them; and they perceived that they themselves in the labour of
their music had been busy with the preparation of this dwelling, and yet knew
not that it had any purpose beyond its own beauty. For the Children of Ilúvatar
were conceived by him alone; and they came with the third theme, and were not
in the theme which Ilúvatar propounded at the beginning, and none of the Ainur
had part in their making. Therefore when they beheld them, the more did they
love them, being things other than themselves, strange and free, wherein they
saw the mind of Ilúvatar reflected anew, and learned yet a little more of his
wisdom, which otherwise had been hidden even from the Ainur.
Now the
Children of Ilúvatar are Elves and Men, the Firstborn and the Followers. And
amid all the splendours of the World, its vast halls and spaces, and its
wheeling fires, Ilúvatar chose a place for their habitation in the Deeps of
Time and in the midst of the innumerable stars. And this habitation might seem
a little thing to those who consider only the majesty of the Ainur, and not
their terrible sharpness; as who should take the whole field of Arda for the
foundation of a pillar and so raise it until the cone of its summit were more
bitter than a needle; or who consider only the immeasurable vastness of the
World, which still the Ainur are shaping, and not the minute precision to which
they shape all things therein. But when the Ainur had beheld this habitation in
a vision and had seen the Children of Ilúvatar arise therein, then many of the
most mighty among them bent all their thought and their desire towards that
place. And of these Melkor was the chief, even as he was in the beginning the
greatest of the Ainur who took part in the Music. And he feigned, even to
himself at first, that he desired to go thither and order all things for the
good of the Children of Ilúvatar, controlling the turmoils of the heat and the
cold that had come to pass through him. But he desired rather to subdue to his
will both Elves and Men, envying the gifts with which Ilúvatar promised to
endow them; and he wished himself to have subject and servants, and to be
called Lord, and to be a master over other wills.
But the
other Ainur looked upon this habitation set within the vast spaces of the
World, which the Elves call Arda, the Earth; and their hearts rejoiced in
light, and their eyes beholding many colours were filled with gladness; but
because of the roaring of the sea they felt a great unquiet. And they observed
the winds and the air, and the matters of which Arda was made, of iron and
stone and silver and gold and many substances: but of all these water they most
greatly praised. And it is said by the Eldar that in water there lives yet the
echo of the Music of the Ainur more than in any substance else that is in this
Earth; and many of the Children of Ilúvatar hearken still unsated to the voices
of the Sea, and yet know not for what they listen.
Now to
water had that Ainu whom the Elves can Ulmo turned his thought, and of all most
deeply was he instructed by Ilúvatar in music. But of the airs and winds Manwë
most had pondered, who is the noblest of the Ainur. Of the fabric of Earth had
Aulë thought, to whom Ilúvatar had given skin and knowledge scarce less than to
Melkor; but the delight and pride of Aulë is in the deed of making, and in the
thing made, and neither in possession nor in his own mastery; wherefore he
gives and hoards not, and is free from care, passing ever on to some new work.
And
Ilúvatar spoke to Ulmo, and said: 'Seest thou not how here in this little realm
in the Deeps of Time Melkor hath made war upon thy province? He hath bethought
him of bitter cold immoderate, and yet hath not destroyed the beauty of thy
fountains, nor of my clear pools. Behold the snow, and the cunning work of
frost! Melkor hath devised heats and fire without restraint, and hath not dried
up thy desire nor utterly quelled the music of the sea. Behold rather the
height and glory of the clouds, and the ever changing mists; and listen to the
fall of rain upon the Earth! And in these clouds thou art drawn nearer to
Manwë, thy friend, whom thou lovest.'
Then
Ulmo answered: 'Truly, Water is become now fairer than my heart imagined,
neither had my secret thought conceived the snowflake, nor in all my music was
contained the falling of the rain. I will seek Manwë, that he and I may make
melodies for ever to my delight!' And Manwë and Ulmo have from the beginning
been allied, and in all things have served most faithfully the purpose of
Ilúvatar.
But even
as Ulmo spoke, and while the Ainur were yet gazing upon this vision, it was
taken away and hidden from their sight; and it seemed to them that in that
moment they perceived a new thing, Darkness, which they had not known before
except in thought. But they had become enamoured of the beauty of the vision
and engrossed in the unfolding of the World which came there to being, and
their minds were filled with it; for the history was incomplete and the circles
of time not full-wrought when the vision was taken away. And some have said
that the vision ceased ere the fulfillment of the Dominion of Men and the
fading of the Firstborn; wherefore, though the Music is over all, the Valar
have not seen as with sight the Later Ages or the ending of the World.
Then
there was unrest among the Ainur; but Ilúvatar called to them, and said: 'I
know the desire of your minds that what ye have seen should verily be, not only
in your thought, but even as ye yourselves are, and yet other. Therefore I say:
Eä! Let these things Be! And I will send forth into the Void the Flame
Imperishable, and it shall be at the heart of the World, and the World shall
Be; and those of you that will may go down into it. And suddenly the Ainur saw
afar off a light, as it were a cloud with a living heart of flame; and they
knew that this was no vision only, but that Ilúvatar had made a new thing: Eä,
the World that Is.
Thus it
came to pass that of the Ainur some abode still with Ilúvatar beyond the
confines of the World; but others, and among them many of the greatest and most
fair, took the leave of Ilúvatar and descended into it. But this condition
Ilúvatar made, or it is the necessity of their love, that their power should
thenceforward be contained and bounded in the World, to be within it for ever,
until it is complete, so that they are its life and it is theirs. And therefore
they are named the Valar, the Powers of the World.
But when
the Valar entered into Eä they were at first astounded and at a loss, for it
was as if naught was yet made which they had seen in vision, and all was but on
point to begin and yet unshaped, and it was dark. For the Great Music had been
but the growth and flowering of thought in the Tuneless Halls, and the Vision
only a foreshowing; but now they had entered in at the beginning of Time, and
the Valar perceived that the World had been but foreshadowed and foresung, and
they must achieve it. So began their great labours in wastes unmeasured and
unexplored, and in ages uncounted and forgotten, until in the Deeps of Time and
in the midst of the vast halls of Eä there came to be that hour and that place
where was made the habitation of the Children of Ilúvatar. And in this work the
chief part was taken by Manwë and Aulë and Ulmo; but Melkor too was there from
the first, and he meddled in all that was done, turning it if he might to his
own desires and purposes; and he kindled great fires. When therefore Earth was
yet young and full of flame Melkor coveted it, and he said to the other Valar:
'This shall be my own kingdom; and I name it unto myself!'
But
Manwë was the brother of Melkor in the mind of Ilúvatar, and he was the chief
instrument of the second theme that Ilúvatar had raised up against the discord
of Melkor; and he called unto himself many spirits both greater and less, and
they came down into the fields of Arda and aided Manwë, lest Melkor should
hinder the fulfillment of their labour for ever, and Earth should wither ere it
flowered. And Manwë said unto Melkor: 'This kingdom thou shalt not take for
thine own, wrongfully, for many others have laboured here do less than thou.'
And there was strife between Melkor and the other Valar; and for that time
Melkor withdrew and departed to other regions and did there what he would; but
he did not put the desire of the Kingdom of Arda from his heart.
Now the
Valar took to themselves shape and hue; and because they were drawn into the
World by love of the Children of Ilúvatar, for whom they hoped, they took shape
after that manner which they had beheld in the Vision of Ilúvatar, save only in
majesty and splendour. Moreover their shape comes of their knowledge of the
visible World, rather than of the World itself; and they need it not, save only
as we use raiment, and yet we may be naked and suffer no loss of our being.
Therefore the Valar may walk, if they will, unclad, and then even the Eldar
cannot clearly perceive them, though they be present. But when they desire to
clothe themselves the Valar take upon them forms some as of male and some as of
female; for that difference of temper they had even from their beginning, and
it is but bodied forth in the choice of each, not made by the choice, even as
with us male and female may be shown by the raiment but is not made thereby.
But the shapes wherein the Great Ones array themselves are not at all times
like to the shapes of the kings and queens of the Children of Ilúvatar; for at
times they may clothe themselves in their own thought, made visible in forms of
majesty and dread.
And the
Valar drew unto them many companions, some less, some well nigh as great as
themselves, and they laboured together in the ordering of the Earth and the
curbing of its tumults. Then Melkor saw what was done, and that the Valar
walked on Earth as powers visible, clad in the raiment of the World, and were
lovely and glorious to see, and blissful, and that the Earth was becoming as a
garden for their delight, for its turmoils were subdued. His envy grew then the
greater within him; and he also took visible form, but because of his mood and
the malice that burned in him that form was dark and terrible. And he descended
upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Valar, as a
mountain that wades in the sea and has its head above the clouds and is clad in
ice and crowned with smoke and fire; and the light of the eyes of Melkor was like
a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold.
Thus
began the first battle of the Valar with Melkor for the dominion of Arda; and
of those tumults the Elves know but little. For what has here been declared is
come from the Valar themselves, with whom the Eldalië spoke in the land of
Valinor, and by whom they were instructed; but little would the Valar ever tell
of the wars before the coming of the Elves. Yet it is told among the Eldar that
the Valar endeavoured ever, in despite of Melkor, to rule the Earth and to
prepare it for the coming of the Firstborn; and they built lands and Melkor
destroyed them; valleys they delved and Melkor raised them up; mountains they
carved and Melkor threw them down; seas they hollowed and Melkor spilled them;
and naught might have peace or come to lasting growth, for as surely as the
Valar began a labour so would Melkor undo it or corrupt it. And yet their
labour was not all in vain; and though nowhere and in no work was their will
and purpose wholly fulfilled, and all things were in hue and shape other than
the Valar had at first intended, slowly nonetheless the Earth was fashioned and
made firm. And thus was the habitation of the Children of Ilúvatar established
at the last in the Deeps of Time and amidst the innumerable stars.
In the
beginning Eru, the One, who in the Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar, made the
Ainur of his thought; and they made a great Music before him. In this Music the
World was begun; for Ilúvatar made visible the song of the Ainur, and they
beheld it as a light in the darkness. And many among them became enamoured of
its beauty, and of its history which they saw beginning and unfolding as in a
vision. Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the
Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it
was called Eä.
Then
those of the Ainur who desired it arose and entered into the World at the
beginning of Time; and it was their task to achieve it, and by their labours to
fulfil the vision which they had seen. Long they laboured in the regions of Eä,
which are vast beyond the thought of Elves and Men, until in the time appointed
was made Arda, the Kingdom of Earth. Then they put on the raiment of Earth and
descended into it, and dwelt therein.
The
Great among these spirits the Elves name the Valar, the Powers of Arda, and Men
have often called them gods. The Lords of the Valar are seven; and the Valier,
the Queens of the Valar, are seven also. These were their names in the Elvish
tongue as it was spoken in Valinor, though they have other names in the speech
of the Elves in Middle-earth, and their names among Men are manifold. The names
of the Lords in due order are: Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos, Lórien, and
Tulkas; and the names of the Queens are: Varda, Yavanna, Nienna, Estë, Vairë,
Vána, and Nessa. Melkor is counted no longer among the Valar, and his name is
not spoken upon Earth.
Manwë
and Melkor were brethren in the thought of Ilúvatar. The mightiest of those
Ainur who came into the World was in his beginning Melkor; but Manwë is dearest
to Ilúvatar and understands most clearly his purposes. He was appointed to be,
in the fullness of time, the first of all Kings: lord of the realm of Arda and
ruler of all that dwell therein. In Arda his delight is in the winds and the
clouds, and in all the regions of the air, from the heights to the depths, from
the utmost borders of the Veil of Arda to the breezes that blow in the grass.
Súlimo he is surnamed, Lord of the Breath of Arda. All swift birds, strong of
wing, he loves, and they come and go at his bidding.
With
Manwë dwells Varda, Lady of the Stars, who knows all the regions of Eä. Too
great is her beauty to be declared in the words of Men or of Elves; for the
light of Ilúvatar lives still in her face. In light is her power and her joy.
Out of the deeps of Eä she came to the aid of Manwë; for Melkor she knew from
before the making of the Music and rejected him, and he hated her, and feared
her more than all others whom Eru made. Manwë and Varda are seldom parted, and
they remain in Valinor. Their halls are above the everlasting snow, upon
Oiolossë, the uttermost tower of Taniquetil, tallest of all the mountains upon
Earth. When Manwë there ascends his throne and looks forth, if Varda is beside
him, he sees further than all other eyes, through mist, and through darkness,
and over the leagues of the sea. And if Manwë is with her, Varda hears more
clearly than all other ears the sound of voices that cry from east to west,
from the hills and the valleys, and from the dark places that Melkor has made
upon Earth. Of all the Great Ones who dwell in this world the Elves hold Varda
most in reverence and love. Elbereth they name her, and they call upon her name
out of the shadows of Middle-earth, and uplift it in song at the rising of the
stars.
Ulmo is
the Lord of Waters. He is alone. He dwells nowhere long, but moves as he will
in all the deep waters about the Earth or under the Earth. He is next in might
to Manwë, and before Valinor was made he was closest to him in friendship; but
thereafter he went seldom to the councils of the Valar, unless great matters
were in debate. For he kept all Arda in thought, and he has no need of any
resting-place. Moreover he does not love to walk upon land, and will seldom
clothe himself in a body after the manner of his peers. If the Children of Eru
beheld him they were filled with a great dread; for the arising of the King of the
Sea was terrible, as a mounting wave that strides to the land, with dark helm
foam-crested and raiment of mail shimmering from silver down into shadows of
green. The trumpets of Manwë are loud, but Ulmo's voice is deep as the deeps of
the ocean which he only has seen.
Nonetheless
Ulmo loves both Elves and Men, and never abandoned them, not even when they lay
under the wrath of the Valar. At times he win come unseen to the shores of
Middle-earth, or pass far inland up firths of the sea, and there make music
upon his great horns, the Ulumúri, that are wrought of white shell; and those
to whom that music comes hear it ever after in their hearts, and longing for
the sea never leaves them again. But mostly Ulmo speaks to those who dwell in
Middle-earth with voices that are heard only as the music of water. For all
seas, lakes, rivers, fountains and springs are in his government; so that the
Elves say that the spirit of Ulmo runs in all the veins of the world. Thus news
comes to Ulmo, even in the deeps, of all the needs and griefs of Arda, which
otherwise would be hidden from Manwë.
Aulë has
might little less than Ulmo. His lordship is over all the substances of which
Arda is made. In the beginning he wrought much in fellowship with Manwë and
Ulmo; and the fashioning of all lands was his labour. He is a smith and a
master of all crafts, and he delights in works of skill, however small, as much
as in the mighty building of old. His are the gems that lie deep in the Earth
and the gold that is fair in the hand, no less than the walls of the mountains
and the basins of the sea. The Noldor learned most of him, and he was ever
their friend. Melkor was jealous of him, for Aulë was most like himself in
thought and in powers; and there was long strife between them, in which Melkor
ever marred or undid the works of Aulë, and Aulë grew weary in repairing the
tumults and disorders of Melkor. Both, also, desired to make things of their
own that should be new and unthought of by others, and delighted in the praise
of their skill. But Aulë remained faithful to Eru and submitted all that he did
to his will; and he did not envy the works of others, but sought and gave
counsel. Whereas Melkor spent his spirit in envy and hate, until at last he
could make nothing save in mockery of the thought of others, and all their
works he destroyed if he could.
The
spouse of Aulë is Yavanna, the Giver of Fruits. She is the lover of all things
that grow in the earth, and all their countless forms she holds in her mind,
from the trees like towers in forests long ago to the moss upon stones or the
small and secret things in the mould. In reverence Yavanna is next to Varda
among the Queens of the Valar. In the form of a woman she is tall, and robed in
green; but at times she takes other shapes. Some there are who have seen her
standing like a tree under heaven, crowned with the Sun; and from all its
branches there spilled a golden dew upon the barren earth, and it grew green
with corn; but the roots of the tree were in the waters of Ulmo, and the winds
of Manwë spoke in its leaves. Kementári, Queen of the Earth, she is surnamed in
the Eldarin tongue.
The
Fëanturi, masters of spirits, are brethren, and they are called most often
Mandos and Lórien. Yet these are rightly the names of the places of their dwelling,
and their true names are Námo and Irmo.
Námo the
elder dwells in Mandos, which is westward in Valinor. He is the keeper of the
Houses of the Dead, and the summoner of the spirits of the slain. He forgets
nothing; and he knows all things that shall be, save only those that lie still
in the freedom of Ilúvatar. He is the Doomsman of the Valar; but he pronounces
his dooms and his Judgements only at the bidding of Manwë. Vairë the Weaver is
his spouse, who weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied
webs, and the halls of Mandos that ever widen as the ages pass are clothed with
them.
Irmo the
younger is the master of visions and dreams. In Lórien are his gardens in the
land of the Valar, and they are the fairest of all places in the world, filled
with many spirits. Estë the gentle, healer of hurts and of weariness, is his
spouse. Grey is her raiment; and rest is her gift. She walks not by day, but
sleeps upon an island in the tree-shadowed lake of Lórellin. From the fountains
of Irmo and Estë all those who dwell in Valinor draw refreshment; and often the
Valar come themselves to Lórien and there find repose and easing of the burden
of Arda.
Mightier
than Estë is Nienna, sister of the Fëanturi; she dwells alone. She is
acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered in the
marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded, that her
song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was
woven into the themes of the World before it began. But she does not weep for
herself; and those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope. Her
halls are west of West, upon the borders of the world; and she comes seldom to
the city of Valimar where all is glad. She goes rather to the halls of Mandos,
which are near to her own; and all those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she
brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom. The windows of her
house look outward from the walls of the world.
Greatest
in strength and deeds of prowess is Tulkas, who is surnamed Astaldo, the
Valiant. He came last to Arda, to aid the Valar in the first battles with
Melkor. He delights in wrestling and in contests of strength; and he rides no
steed, for he can outrun all things that go on feet, and he is tireless. His
hair and beard are golden, and his flesh ruddy; his weapons are his hands. He
has little heed for either the past or the future, and is of no avail as a
counsellor, but is a hardy friend. His spouse is Nessa, the sister of Oromë, and
she also is lithe and fleetfooted. Deer she loves, and they follow her train
whenever she goes in the wild; but she can outrun them, swift as an arrow with
the wind in her hair. In dancing she delights, and she dances in Valimar on
lawns of never-fading green.
Oromë is
a mighty lord. If he is less strong than Tulkas, he is more dreadful in anger;
whereas Tulkas laughs ever, in sport or in war, and even in the face of Melkor
he laughed in battles before the Elves were born. Oromë loved the lands of
Middle-earth, and he left them unwillingly and came last to Valinor; and often
of old he passed back east over the mountains and returned with his host to the
hills and the plains. He is a hunter of monsters and fell beasts, and he
delights in horses and in hounds; and all trees he loves, for which reason he
is called Aldaron, and by the Sindar Tauron, the Lord of Forests. Nahar is the
name of his horse, white in the sun, and shining silver at night. The Valaróma
is the name of his great horn, the sound of which is like the up going of the
Sun in scarlet, or the sheer lightning cleaving the clouds. Above all the horns
of his host it was heard in the woods that Yavanna brought forth in Valinor;
for there Oromë would train his folk and his beasts for the pursuit of the evil
creatures of. Melkor. The spouse of Oromë is Vána, the Ever-young; she is the
younger sister of Yavanna. All flowers spring as she passes and open if she
glances upon them; and all birds sing at her coming.
These
are the names of the Valar and the Valier, and here is told in brief their
likenesses, such as the Eldar beheld them in Aman. But fair and noble as were
the forms in which they were manifest to the Children of Ilúvatar, they were
but a veil upon their beauty and their power. And if little is here said of all
that the Eldar once knew, that is as nothing compared with their true being,
which goes back into regions and ages far beyond our thought. Among them Nine
were of chief power and reverence; but one is removed from their number, and Eight
remain, the Aratar, the High Ones of Arda: Manwë and Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna and
Aulë, Mandos, Nienna, and Oromë. Though Manwë is their King and holds their
allegiance under Eru, in majesty they are peers, surpassing beyond compare all
others, whether of the Valar and the Maiar, or of any other order that Ilúvatar
has sent into Eä.
With the
Valar came other spirits whose being also began before the World, of the same
order as the Valar but of less degree. These are the Maiar, the people of the
Valar, and their servants and helpers. Their number is not known to the Elves,
and few have names in any of the tongues of the Children of Ilúvatar; for
though it is otherwise in Aman, in Middle-earth the Maiar have seldom appeared
in form visible to Elves and Men.
Chief
among the Maiar of Valinor whose names are remembered in the histories of the
Elder Days are Ilmarë, the handmaid of Varda, and Eönwë, the banner-bearer and
herald of Manwë, whose might in arms is surpassed by none in Arda. But of all the
Maiar Ossë and Uinen are best known to the Children of Ilúvatar.
Ossë is
a vassal of Ulmo, and he is master of the seas that wash the shores of
Middle-earth. He does not go in the deeps, but loves the coasts and the isles,
and rejoices in the winds of Manwë; for in storm he delights, and laughs amid
the roaring of the waves. His spouse is Uinen, the Lady of the Seas, whose hair
lies spread through all waters under sky. All creatures she loves that live in
the salt streams, and all weeds that grow there; to her mariners cry, for she
can lay calm upon the waves, restraining the wildness of Ossë. The Númenóreans
lived long in her protection, and held her in reverence equal to the Valar.
Melkor
hated the Sea, for he could not subdue it. It is said that in the making of
Arda he endeavoured to draw Ossë to his allegiance, promising to him all the
realm and power of Ulmo, if he would serve him. So it was that long ago there
arose great tumults in the sea that wrought ruin to the lands. But Uinen, at
the prayer of Aulë, restrained Ossë and brought him before Ulmo; and he was
pardoned and returned to his allegiance, to which he has remained faithful. For
the most part; for the delight in violence has never wholly departed from him,
and at times he will rage in his wilfulness without any command from Ulmo his
lord. Therefore those who dwell by the sea or go up in ships may love him, but
they do not trust him.
Melian
was the name of a Maia who served both Vána and Estë; she dwelt long in Lórien,
tending the trees that flower in the gardens of Irmo, ere she came to
Middle-earth. Nightingales sang about her wherever she went.
Wisest
of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lórien, but his ways took him often to
the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience.
Of
Melian much is told in the Quenta Silmarillion. But of Olórin that tale does
not speak; for though he loved the Elves, he walked among them unseen, or in
form as one of them, and they did not know whence came the fair visions or the
promptings of wisdom that he put into their hearts. In later days he was the
friend of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and took pity on their sorrows; and
those who listened to him awoke from despair and put away the imaginations of
darkness.
Last of
all is set the name of Melkor, He who arises in Might. But that name he has
forfeited; and the Noldor, who among the Elves suffered most from his malice,
will not utter it, and they name him Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the World.
Great might was given to him by Ilúvatar, and he was coeval with Manwë. In the
powers and knowledge of all the other Valar he had part, but he turned them to
evil purposes, and squandered his strength in violence and tyranny. For he
coveted Arda and all that was in it, desiring the kingship of Manwë and
dominion over the realms of his peers.
From
splendour he fell through arrogance to contempt for all things save himself, a
spirit wasteful and pitiless. Understanding he turned to subtlety in perverting
to his own will all that he would use, until he became a liar without shame. He
began with the desire of Light, but when he could not possess it for himself
alone, he descended through fire and wrath into a great burning, down into
Darkness. And darkness he used most in his evil works upon Arda, and filled it
with fear for all living things.
Yet so
great was the power of his uprising that in ages forgotten he contended with
Manwë and all the Valar, and through long years in Arda held dominion over most
of the lands of the Earth. But he was not alone. For of the Maiar many were
drawn to his splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that
allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his
service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the
Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs,
demons of terror.
Among
those of his servants that have names the greatest was that spirit whom the
Eldar called Sauron, or Gorthaur the Cruel. In his beginning he was of the
Maiar of Aulë, and he remained mighty in the lore of that people. In all the
deeds of Melkor the Morgoth upon Arda, in his vast works and in the deceits of
his cunning, Sauron had a part, and was only less evil than his master in that
for long he served another and not himself. But in after years he rose like a
shadow of Morgoth and a ghost of his malice, and walked behind him on the same
ruinous path down into the Void.
HERE
ENDS THE VALAQUENTA
The
History of the Silmarils
It is
told among the wise that the First War began before Arda was full-shaped, and
ere yet there was any thing that grew or walked upon earth; and for long Melkor
had the upper hand. But in the midst of the war a spirit of great strength and
hardihood came to the aid of the Valar, hearing in the far heaven that there
was battle in the Little Kingdom; and Arda was filled with the sound of his
laughter. So came Tulkas the Strong, whose anger passes like a mighty wind,
scattering cloud and darkness before it; and Melkor fled before his wrath and
his laughter, and forsook Arda, and there was peace for a long age. And Tulkas
remained and became one of the Valar of the Kingdom of Arda; but Melkor brooded
in the outer darkness, and his hate was given to Tulkas for ever after.
In that
time the Valar brought order to the seas and the lands and the mountains, and
Yavanna planted at last the seeds that she had long devised. And since, when
the fires were subdued or buried beneath the primeval hills, there was need of
light, Aulë at the prayer of Yavanna wrought two mighty lamps for the lighting
of the Middle-earth which he had built amid the encircling seas. Then Varda
filled the lamps and Manwë hallowed them, and the Valar set them upon high
pillars, more lofty far than are any mountains of the later days. One lamp they
raised near to the north of Middle-earth, and it was named Illuin; and the
other was raised in the south, and it was named Ormal; and the light of the
Lamps of the Valar flowed out over the Earth, so that all was lit as it were in
a changeless day.
Then the
seeds that Yavanna had sown began swiftly to sprout and to burgeon, and there
arose a multitude of growing things great and small, mosses and grasses and
great ferns, and trees whose tops were crowned with cloud as they were living
mountains, but whose feet were wrapped in a green twilight. And beasts came
forth and dwelt in the grassy plains, or in the rivers and the lakes, or walked
in the shadows of the woods. As yet no flower had bloomed nor any bird had
sung, for these things waited still their time in the bosom of Yavanna; but
wealth there was of her imagining, and nowhere more rich than in the midmost
parts of the Earth, where the light of both the Lamps met and blended. And
there upon the Isle of Almaren in the Great Lake was the first dwelling of the
Valar when all things were young, and new-made green was yet a marvel in the
eyes of the makers; and they were long content.
Now it
came to pass that while the Valar rested from their labours, and watched the
growth and unfolding of the things that they had devised and begun, Manwë
ordained a great feast; and the Valar and an their host came at his bidding.
But Aulë and Tulkas were weary; for the craft of Aulë and the strength of
Tulkas had been at the service of an without ceasing fax the days of their
labour. And Melkor knew of an that was done, for even then he had secret
friends and spies among the Maiar whom he had converted to his cause; and far
off in the darkness he was filled with hatred, being jealous of the work of his
peers, whom he desired to make subject to himself. Therefore he gathered to
himself spirits out of the halls of Eä that he had perverted to his service,
and he deemed himself strong. And seeing now his time he drew near again to
Arda, and looked down upon it, and the beauty of the Earth in its Spring filled
him the more with hate.
Now
therefore the Valar were gathered upon Almaren, fearing no evil, and because of
the light of Illuin they did not perceive the shadow in the north that was cast
from afar by Melkor; for he was grown dark as the Night of the Void. And it is
sung that in that feast of the Spring of Arda Tulkas espoused Nessa the sister
of Oromë, and she danced before the Valar upon the green grass of Almaren.
Then
Tulkas slept, being weary and content, and Melkor deemed that his hour had
come. And he passed therefore over the Walls of the Night with his host, and
came to Middle-earth far in the north; and the Valar were not aware of him.
Now
Melkor began the delving and building of a vast fortress, deep under Earth,
beneath dark mountains where the beams of Illuin were cold and dim. That
stronghold was named Utumno. And though the Valar knew naught of it as yet,
nonetheless the evil of Melkor and the blight of his hatred flowed out thence,
and the Spring of Arda was marred. Green things fell sick and rotted, and
rivers were choked with weeds and slime, and fens were made, rank and
poisonous, the breeding place of flies; and forests grew dark and perilous, the
haunts of fear; and beasts became monsters of horn and ivory and dyed the earth
with blood. Then the Valar knew indeed that Melkor was at work again, and they
sought for his hiding place. But Melkor, trusting in the strength of Utumno and
the might of his servants, came forth suddenly to war, and struck the first
blow, ere the Valar were prepared; and he assailed the lights of Illuin and
Ormal, and cast down their pillars and broke their lamps. In the overthrow of
the mighty pillars lands were broken and seas arose in tumult; and when the
lamps were spilled destroying flame was poured out over the Earth. And the
shape of Arda and the symmetry of its waters and its lands was marred in that
time, so that the first designs of the Valar were never after restored.
In the
confusion and the darkness Melkor escaped, though fear fell upon him; for above
the roaring of the seas he heard the voice of Manwë as a mighty wind, and the
earth trembled beneath the feet of Tulkas. But he came to Utumno ere Tulkas
could overtake him; and there he lay hid. And the Valar could not at that time
overcome him, for the greater part of their strength was needed to restrain the
tumults of the Earth, and to save from ruin all that could be saved of their
labour; and afterwards they feared to rend the Earth again, until they knew
where the Children of Ilúvatar were dwelling, who were yet to come in a time
that was hidden from the Valar.
Thus
ended the Spring of Arda. The dwelling of the Valar upon Almaren was utterly
destroyed, and they had no abiding place upon the face of the Earth. Therefore
they departed from Middle-earth and went to the Land of Aman, the westernmost
of all lands upon the borders of the world; for its west shores looked upon the
Outer Sea, that is called by the Elves Ekkaia, encircling the Kingdom of Arda.
How wide is that sea none know but the Valar; and beyond it are the Walls of
the Night. But the east shores of Aman were the uttermost end of Belegaer, the
Great Sea at the West; and since Melkor was returned to Middle-earth and they
could not yet overcome him, the Valar fortified their dwelling, and upon the
shores of the sea they raised the Pelóri, the Mountains of Aman, highest upon
Earth. And above all the mountains of the Pelóri was that height upon whose
summit Manwë set his throne. Taniquetil the Elves name that holy mountain, and
Oiolossë Everlasting Whiteness, and Elerrína Crowned with Stars, and many names
beside; but the Sindar spoke of it in their later tongue as Amon Uilos. From
their halls upon Taniquetil Manwë and Varda could look out across the Earth
even into the furthest East.
Behind
the walls of the Pelóri the Valar established their domain in that region which
is called Valinor, and there were their houses, their gardens, and their
towers. In that guarded land the Valar gathered great store of light and an the
fairest things that were saved from the ruin; and many others yet fairer they
made anew, and Valinor became more beautiful even than Middle-earth in the Spring
of Arda; and it was blessed, for the Deathless dwelt there, and there naught
faded nor withered, neither was there any stain upon flower or leaf in that
land, nor any corruption or sickness in anything that lived; for the very
stones and waters were hallowed.
And when
Valinor was full-wrought and the mansions of the Valar were established, in the
midst of the plain beyond the mountains they built their city, Valmar of many
bells. Before its western gate there was a green mound, Ezellohar, that is
named also Corollairë; and Yavanna hallowed it, and she sat there long upon the
green grass and sang a song of power, in which was set all her thought of
things that grow in the earth. But Nienna thought in silence, and watered the
mould with tears. In that time the Valar were gathered together to hear the
song of Yavanna, and they sat silent upon their thrones of council in the
Máhanaxar, the Ring of Doom near to the golden gates of Valmar, and Yavanna
Kementári sang before them and they watched.
And as
they watched, upon the mound there came forth two slender shoots; and silence
was over all the world in that hour, nor was there any other sound save the
chanting of Yavanna. Under her song the saplings grew and became fair and tail,
and came to flower; and thus there awoke in the world the Two Trees of Valinor.
Of all things which Yavanna made they have most renown, and about their fate
all the tales of the Elder Days are woven.
The one
had leaves of dark green that beneath were as shining silver, and from each of
his countless flowers a dew of silver light was ever falling, and the earth
beneath was dappled with the shadow of his fluttering leaves. The other bore
leaves of a young green like the new-opened beech; their edges were of
glittering gold. Flowers swung upon her branches in clusters of yellow flame,
formed each to a glowing horn that spilled a golden rain upon the ground; and
from the blossom of that tree there came forth warmth and a great light.
Telperion the one was called in Valinor, and Silpion, and Ninquelótë, and many
other names; but Laurelin the other was, and Malinalda, and Culúrien, and many
names in song beside.
In seven
hours the glory of each tree waxed to full and waned again to naught; and each
awoke once more to life an hour before the other ceased to shine. Thus in
Valinor twice every day there came a gentle hour of softer light when both
trees were faint and their gold and silver beams were mingled. Telperion was
the elder of the trees and came first to full stature and to bloom; and that
first hour in which he shone, the white glimmer of a silver dawn, the Valar
reckoned not into the tale of hours, but named it the Opening Hour, and counted
from it the ages of their reign in Valinor. Therefore at the sixth hour of the
First Day, and of all the joyful days thereafter, until the Darkening of
Valinor, Telperion ceased his time of flower; and at the twelfth hour Laurelin
her blossoming. And each day of the Valar in Aman contained twelve hours, and
ended with the second mingling of the lights, in which Laurelin was waning but
Telperion was waxing. But the light that was spilled from the trees endured
long, ere it was taken up into the airs or sank down into the earth; and the
dews of Telperion and the rain that fell from Laurelin Varda hoarded in great
vats like shining lakes, that were to all the land of the Valar as wells of
water and of light. Thus began the Days of the Bliss of Valinor; and thus began
also the Count of Time.
But as
the ages drew on to the hour appointed by Ilúvatar for the coming of the
Firstborn, Middle-earth lay in a twilight beneath the stars that Varda had
wrought in the ages forgotten of her labours in Eä. And in the darkness Melkor
dwelt, and still often walked abroad, in many shapes of power and fear, and he
wielded cold and fire, from the tops of the mountains to the deep furnaces that
are beneath them; and whatsoever was cruel or violent or deadly in those days
is laid to his charge.
From the
beauty and bliss of Valinor the Valar came seldom over the mountains to Middle-earth,
but gave to the land beyond the Pelóri their care and their love. And in the
midst of the Blessed Realm were the mansions of Aulë, and there he laboured
long. For in the making of all things in that land he had the chief part, and
he wrought there many beautiful and shapely works both openly and in secret. Of
him comes the lore and knowledge of the Earth and of an things that it
contains: whether the lore of those that make not, but seek only for the
understanding of what is, or the lore of an craftsmen: the weaver, the shaper
of wood, and the worker in metals; and the tiller and husbandman also, though
these last and all that deal with things that grow and bear fruit must look
also to the spouse of Aulë, Yavanna Kementári. Aulë it is who is named the
Friend of the Noldor, for of him they learned much in after days, and they are
the most skilled of the Elves; and in their own fashion, according to the gifts
which Ilúvatar gave to them, they added much to his teaching, delighting to
tongues and in scripts, and in the figures of broidery, of drawing, and of
carving. The Noldor also it was who first achieved the making of gems; and the
fairest of an gems were the Silmarils, and they are lost.
But
Manwë Súlimo, highest and holiest of the Valar, sat upon the borders of Aman,
forsaking not in his thought the Outer Lands. For his throne was set in majesty
upon the pinnacle of Taniquetil, the highest of the mountains of the world,
standing upon the margin of the sea. Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles
flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the
seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world. Thus they brought word
to him of well nigh all that passed in Arda; yet some things were hidden even
from the eyes of Manwë and the servants of Manwë, for where Melkor sat in his
dark thought impenetrable shadows lay.
Manwë
has no thought for his own honour, and is not jealous of his power, but rules
all to peace. The Vanyar he loved best of all the Elves, and of him they
received song and poetry; for poetry is the delight of Manwë, and the song of
words is his music. His raiment is blue, and blue is the fire of his eyes, and
his sceptre is of sapphire, which the Noldor wrought for him; and he was
appointed to be the vicegerent of Ilúvatar, King of the world of Valar and
Elves and Men, and the chief defence against the evil of Melkor. With Manwë
dwelt Varda the most beautiful, she who in the Sindarin tongue is named
Elbereth, Queen of the Valar, maker of the stars; and with than were a great
host of spirits in blessedness.
But Ulmo
was alone, and he abode not in Valinor, nor ever came thither unless there were
need for a great council; he dwelt from the beginning of Arda in the Outer
Ocean, and still he dwells there. Thence he governs the flowing of all waters,
and the ebbing, the courses of an rivers and the replenishment of Springs, the
distilling of all dews and rain in every land beneath the sky. In the deep
places he gives thought to music great and terrible; and the echo of that music
runs through all the veins of the world in sorrow and in joy; for it joyful is
the fountain that rises in the sun, its springs are in the wells of sorrow
unfathomed at the foundations of the Earth. The Teleri learned much of Ulmo,
and for this reason their music has both sadness and enchantment. Salmar came
with him to Arda, he who made the horns of Ulmo that none may ever forget who
once has heard them; and Ossë and Uinen also, to whom he gave the government of
the waves and the movements of the Inner Seas, and many other spirits beside.
And thus it was by the power of Ulmo that even under the darkness of Melkor
life coursed still through many secret lodes, and the Earth did not die; and to
all who were lost in that darkness or wandered far from the light of the Valar
the ear of Ulmo was ever open; nor has he ever forsaken Middle-earth, and
whatsoever may since have befallen of ruin or of change he has not ceased to
take thought for it, and will not until the end of days.
And in
that time of dark Yavanna also was unwilling utterly to forsake the Outer
Lands; for all things teat grow are dear to her, and she mourned for the works
that she had begun in Middle-earth but Melkor had |marred. Therefore leaving
the house of Aulë and the flowering meads of Valinor she would come at times
and heal the hurts of Melkor; and returning she would ever urge the Valar to
that war with his evil dominion that they must surely wage ere the coming of
die Firstborn. And Oromë tamer of beasts would ride too at whiles in the
darkness of the unlit forests; as a mighty hunter he came with spear and bow,
pursuing to the death the monsters and fell creatures of the kingdom of Melkor,
and his white horse Nahar shone like silver in the shadows. Then the sleeping
earth trembled at the beat of his golden hooves, and in the twilight of the
world Oromë would sound the Valaróma his great horn upon the plains of Arda;
whereat the mountains echoed, and the shadows of evil fled away, and Melkor
himself quailed in Utumno, foreboding the wrath to come. But even as Oromë
passed the servants of Melkor would gather again; and the lands were filled
with shadows and deceit.
Now all
is said concerning the manner of the Earth and its rulers in the beginning of
days, and ere the world became such as the Children of Ilúvatar have known it.
For Elves and Men are the Children of Ilúvatar; and since they understood not
fully that theme by which the Children entered into the Music, none of the
Ainur dared to add anything to their fashion. For which reason the Valar are to
these kindreds rather their elders and their chieftains than their masters; and
if ever in their dealings with Elves and Men the Ainur have endeavoured to
force them when they would not be guided, seldom has this turned to good, howsoever
good the intent. The dealings of the Ainur have indeed been mostly with the
Elves, for Ilúvatar made them more like in nature to the Ainur, though less in
might and stature; whereas to Men he gave strange gifts.
For it
is said that after the departure of the Valar there was silence, and for an age
Ilúvatar sat alone in thought. Then he spoke and said: 'Behold I love the
Earth, which shall be a mansion for the Quendi and the Atani! But the Quendi
shall be the fairest of all earthly creatures, and they shall have and shall
conceive and bring forth more beauty than all my Children; and they shall have
the greater bliss in this world. But to the Atani I will give a new gift.'
Therefore he willed that the hearts of Men should seek beyond the world and should
find no rest therein; but they should have a virtue to shape their life, amid
the powers and chances of the world, beyond the Music of the Ainur, which is as
fate to all things else; and of their operation everything should be, in form
and deed, completed, and the world fulfilled unto the last and smallest.
But
Ilúvatar knew that Men, being set amid the turmoils of the powers of the world,
would stray often, and would not use their gifts in harmony; and he said:
''These too in their time shall find that all that they do redounds at the end
only to the glory of my work.' Yet the Elves believe that Men are often a grief
to Manwë, who knows most of the mind of Ilúvatar; for it seems to the Elves
that Men resemble Melkor most of all the Ainur, although he has ever feared and
hated them, even those that served him.
It is
one with this gift of freedom that the children of Men dwell only a short space
in the world alive, and are not bound to it, and depart soon whither the Elves
know not. Whereas the Elves remain until the end of days, and their love of the
Earth and all the world is more single and more poignant therefore, and as the
years lengthen ever more sorrowful. For the Elves die not till tile world dies,
unless they are slain or waste in grief (and to both these seeming deaths they
are subject); neither does age subdue their strength, unless one grow weary of
ten thousand centuries; and dying they are gathered to the halls of Mandos in
Valinor, whence they may in time return. But the sons of Men die indeed, and
leave the world; wherefore they are called the Guests, or the Strangers. Death
is their fate, the gift of Ilúvatar, which as Time wears even the Powers shall
envy. But Melkor has cast his shadow upon it, and confounded it with darkness,
and brought forth evil out of good, and fear out of hope. Yet of old the Valar
declared to the Elves in Valinor that Men shall join in the Second Music of the
Ainur; whereas Ilúvatar has hot revealed what he purposes for the Elves after
the World's end, and Melkor has not discovered it.
It is
told that in their beginning the Dwarves were made by Aulë in the darkness of
Middle-earth; for so greatly did Aulë desire the coming of the Children, to
have learners to whom he could teach his lore and his crafts, that he was
unwilling to await the fulfilment of the designs of Ilúvatar. And Aulë made the
Dwarves even as they still are, because the forms of the Children who were to
come were unclear to his mind, and because the power of Melkor was yet over the
Earth; and he wished therefore that they should be strong and unyielding. But
fearing that the other Valar might blame his work, he wrought in secret: and he
made first the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves in a hall under the mountains in Middle-earth.
Now
Ilúvatar knew what was done, and in the very hour that Aulë's work was
complete, and he was pleased, and began to instruct the Dwarves in the speech
that he had devised for them, Ilúvatar spoke to him; and Aulë heard his voice
and was silent. And the voice of Ilúvatar said to him: 'Why hast thou done
this? Why dost thou attempt a thing which thou knowest is beyond thy power and
thy authority? For thou hast from me as a gift thy own bring only, and no more;
and therefore the creatures of thy hand and mind can live only by that being,
moving when thou thinkest to move them, and if thy thought be elsewhere,
standing idle. Is that thy desire?'
Then
Aulë answered: 'I did not desire such lordship. I desired things other than I
am, to love and to teach them, so that they too might perceive the beauty of
Eä, which thou hast caused to be. For it seemed to me that there is great room
in Arda for many things that might rejoice in it, yet it is for the most part
empty still, and dumb. And in my impatience I have fallen into folly. Yet the
making of thing is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of
little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so
without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father. But what
shall I do now, so that thou be not angry with me forever? As a child to his
father, I offer to thee these things, the work of the hands which thou hast
made. Do with them what thou wilt. But should I not rather destroy the work of
my presumption?'
Then
Aulë took up a great hammer to smite the Dwarves; and he wept. But Ilúvatar had
compassion upon Aulë and his desire, because of his humility; and the Dwarves
shrank from the hammer and wore afraid, and they bowed down their heads and
begged for mercy. And the voice of Ilúvatar said to Aulë: 'Thy offer I accepted
even as it was made. Dost thou not see that these things have now a life of
their own, and speak with their own voices? Else they would not have flinched
from thy blow, nor from any command of thy will.' Then Aulë cast down his
hammer and was glad, and he gave thanks to Ilúvatar, saying: 'May Eru bless my
work and amend it!'
But
Ilúvatar spoke again and said: 'Even as I gave being to the thoughts of the
Ainur at the beginning of the World, so now I have taken up thy desire and
given to it a place therein; but in no other way will I amend thy handiwork,
and as thou hast made it, so shall it be. But I will not suffer this: that
these should come before the Firstborn of my design, nor that thy impatience
should be rewarded. They shall sleep now in the darkness under stone, and shall
not come forth until the Firstborn have awakened upon Earth; and until that
time thou and they shall wait, though long it seem. But when the time comes I
will awaken them, and they shall be to thee as children; and often strife shall
arise between thine and mine, the children of my adoption and the children of
my choice.'
Then
Aulë took the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, and laid them to rest in
far-sundered places; and he returned to Valinor, and waited while the long
years lengthened.
Since
they were to come in the days of the power of Melkor, Aulë made the Dwarves
strong to endure. Therefore they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship
and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hanger and hurt of body more hardily
than all other speaking peoples; and they live long, far beyond the span of
Men, yet not for ever. Aforetime it was held among the Elves in Middle-earth
that dying the Dwarves returned to the earth and the stone of which they were
made; yet that is not their own belief. For they say that Aulë the Maker, whom
they call Mahal, cares for them, and gathers them to Mandos in halls set apart;
and that he declared to their Fathers of old that Ilúvatar will hallow them and
give them a place among the Children in the End. Then their part shall be to
serve Aulë and to aid him in the remaking of Arda after the Last Battle. They
say also that the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves return to live again in their
own kin and to bear once more their ancient names: of whom Durin was the most
renowned in after ages, father of that kindred most friendly to the Elves,
whose mansions were at Khazad-dűm.
Now when
Aulë laboured in the making of the Dwarves he kept this work hidden from the
other Valar; but at last he opened his mind to Yavanna and told her of all that
had come to pass. Then Yavanna said to him: 'Eru is merciful. Now I see that
thy heart rejoiceth, as indeed it may; for thou hast received not only
forgiveness but bounty. Yet because thou hiddest this thought from me until its
achievement, thy children will have little love for the things of my love. They
will love first the things made by their own hands, as doth their father. They
will delve in the earth, and the things that grow and live upon the earth they
will not heed. Many a tree shall feel the bite of their iron without pity.'
But Aulë
answered: 'That shall also be true of the Children of Ilúvatar; for they will
eat and they will build. And though the things of thy realm have worth in
themselves, and would have worth if no Children were to come, yet Eru will give
them dominion, and they shall use all that they find in Arda: though not, by
the purpose of Eru, without respect or without gratitude.'
'Not
unless Melkor darken their hearts,' said Yavanna. And she was not appeased, but
grieved in heart, fearing what might be done upon Middle-earth in days to come.
Therefore she went before Manwë, and she did not betray the counsel of Aulë,
but she said: 'King of Arda, is it true, as Aulë hath said to me, that the
Children when they come shall have dominion over all the things of my labour,
to do as they will therewith?'
'It is
true,' said Manwë. 'But why dost thou ask, for thou hadst no need of the
teaching of Aulë?'
Then
Yavanna was silent and looked into her own thought. And she answered: 'Because
my heart is anxious, thinking of the days to come. All my works are dear to me.
Is it not enough that Melkor should have marred so many? Shall nothing that I
have devised be free from the dominion of others?'
'If thou
hadst thy will what wouldst thou reserve?' said Manwë. 'Of all thy realm what
dost thou hold dearest?'
'All
have their worth,' said Yavanna, 'and each contributes to the worth of the
others. But the kelvar can flee or defend themselves, whereas the olvar that
grow cannot. And among these I hold trees dear. Long in the growing, swift
shall they be in the felling, and unless they pay toll with fruit upon bough
little mourned in their passing. So I see in my thought. Would that the trees
might speak on behalf of all things that have roots, and punish those that
wrong them!'
'This is
a strange thought,' said Manwë.
'Yet it
was in the Song,' said Yavanna. 'For while thou wert in the heavens and with
Ulmo built the clouds and poured out the rains, I lifted up the branches of
great trees to receive them, and some sang to Ilúvatar amid the wind and the
rain.'
Then
Manwë sat silent, and the thought of Yavanna that she had put into his heart
grew and unfolded; and it was beheld by Ilúvatar. Then it seemed to Manwë that
the Song rose once more about him, and he heeded now many things therein that
though he had heard them he had not heeded before. And at last the Vision was
renewed, but it was not now remote, for he was himself within it, and yet he
saw that all was upheld by the hand of Ilúvatar; and the hand entered in, and
from it came forth many wonders that had until then been hidden from him in the
hearts of the Ainur.
Then
Manwë awoke, and he went down to Yavanna upon Ezellohar, and he sat beside her
beneath the Two Trees. And Manwë said: 'O Kementári, Eru hath spoken, saying:
"Do then any of the Valar suppose that I did not hear all the Song, even
the least sound of the least voice? Behold! When the Children awake, then the
thought of Yavanna will awake also, and it will summon spirits from afar, and
they will go among the kelvar and the olvar, and some will dwell therein, and
be held in reverence, and their just anger shall be feared. For a time: while
the Firstborn are in their power, and while the Secondborn are young." But
dost them not now remember, Kementári, that thy thought sang not always alone?
Did not thy thought and mine meet also, so that we took wing together like
great birds that soar above the clouds? That also shall come to be by the heed
of Ilúvatar, and before the Children awake there shall go forth with wings like
the wind the Eagles of the Lords of the West.'
Then
Yavanna was glad, and she stood up, reaching her arms towards the heavens, and
she said: 'High shall climb the trees of Kementári, that the Eagles of the King
may house therein!'
But
Manwë rose also, and it seemed that he stood to such a height that his voice
came down to Yavanna as from the paths of the winds.
'Nay,'
he said, 'only the trees of Aulë will be tall enough. In the mountains the
Eagles shall house, and hear the voices of those who call upon us. But in the
forests shall walk the Shepherds of the Trees.'
Then
Manwë and Yavanna parted for that time, and Yavanna returned to Aulë; and he
was in his smithy, pouring molten metal into a mould. 'Eru is bountiful,' she
said. 'Now let thy children beware! For there shall walk a power in the forests
whose wrath they will arouse at their peril.'
'Nonetheless
they will have need of wood,' said Aulë, and he went on with his smith-work.
Through
long ages the Valar dwelt in bliss in the light of the Trees beyond. The
Mountains of Aman, but all Middle-earth lay in a twilight under the stars.
While the Lamps had shone, growth began there which now was checked, because
all was again dark. But already the oldest living things had arisen: in the
seas the great weeds, and on earth the shadow of great trees; and in the
valleys of the night-clad hills there were dark creatures old and strong. To
those lands and forests the Valar seldom came, save only Yavanna and Oromë; and
Yavanna would walk there in the shadows, grieving because the growth and
promise of the Spring of Arda was stayed. And she set a sleep upon many things
that had arisen in the Spring, so that they should not age, but should wait for
a time of awakening that yet should be.
But in
the north Melkor built his strength, and he slept not, but watched, and
laboured; and the evil things that he had perverted walked abroad, and the dark
and slumbering woods were haunted by monsters and shapes of dread. And in
Utumno he gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him
in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption: their
hearts were of fire, but they were cloaked in darkness, and terror went before
them; they had whips of flame. Balrogs they were named in Middle-earth in later
days. And in that dark time Melkor bred many other monsters of divers shapes
and kinds that long troubled the world; and his realm spread now ever southward
over Middle-earth.
And
Melkor made also a fortress and armoury not far from the north-western shores
of the sea, to resist any assault that might come from Aman. That stronghold
was commanded by Sauron, lieutenant of Melkor; and it was named Angband.
It came
to pass that the Valar held council, for they became troubled by the tidings
that Yavanna and Oromë brought from the Outer Lands; and Yavanna spoke before
the Valar, saying: 'Ye mighty of Arda, the Vision of Ilúvatar was brief and
soon taken away, so that maybe we cannot guess within a narrow count of days
the hour appointed. Yet be sure of this: the hour approaches, and within this
age our hope shall be revealed, and the Children shall awake. Shall we then
leave the lands of their dwelling desolate and full of evil? Shall they walk in
darkness while we have light? Shall they call Melkor lord while Manwë sits upon
Taniquetil?'
And
Tulkas cried: 'Nay! Let us make war swiftly! Have we not rested from strife
overlong, and is not our strength now renewed? Shall one alone contest with us
for ever?'
But at
the bidding of Manwë Mandos spoke, and he said: 'In this age the Children of
Ilúvatar shall come indeed, but they come not yet. Moreover it is doom that the
Firstborn shall come in the darkness, and shall look first upon the stars.
Great light shall be for their waning. To Varda ever shall they call at need.'
Then
Varda went forth from the council, and she looked out from the height of
Taniquetil, and beheld the darkness of Middle-earth beneath the innumerable
stars, faint and far. Then she began a great labour, greatest of all the works
of the Valar since their coming into Arda. She took the silver dews from the
vats of Telperion, and therewith she made new stars and brighter against the
coming of the Firstborn; wherefore she whose name out of the deeps of time and
the labours of Eä was Tintallë, the Kindler, was called after by the Elves
Elentári, Queen of the Stars. Carnil and Luinil, Nénar and Lumbar, Alcarinquë
and Elemmírë she wrought in that time, and many other of the ancient stars she
gathered together and set as signs in the heavens of Arda: Wilwarin,
Telumendil, Soronúmë, and Anarríma; and Menelmacar with his shining belt, that
forebodes the Last Battle that shall be at the end of days. And high in the
north as a challenge to Melkor she set the crown of seven mighty stars to
swing, Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar and sign of doom.
It is
told that even as Varda ended her labours, and they were long, when first
Menelmacar strode up the sky and the blue fire of Helluin flickered in the
mists above the borders of the world, in that hour the Children of the Earth
awoke, the Firstborn of Ilúvatar. By the starlit mere of Cuiviénen, Water of
Awakening, they rose from the sleep of Ilúvatar; and while they dwelt yet
silent by Cuiviénen their eyes beheld first of all things the stars of heaven.
Therefore they have ever loved the starlight, and have revered Varda Elentári
above all the Valar.
In the
changes of the world the shapes of lands and of seas have been broken and
remade; rivers have not kept their courses, neither have mountains remained
steadfast; and to Cuiviénen there is no returning. But it is said among the
Elves that it lay far off in the east of Middle-earth, and northward, and it
was a bay in the Inland Sea of Helcar; and that sea stood where aforetime the
roots of the mountain of Illuin had been before Melkor overthrew it Many waters
flowed down thither from heights in the east, and the first sound that was
heard by the Elves was the sound of water flowing, and the sound of water
falling over stone.
Long
they dwelt in their first home by the water under stars, and they walked the
Earth in wonder; and they began to make speech and to give names to all things
that they perceived. Themselves they named the Quendi, signifying those that
speak with voices; for as yet they had met no other living things that spoke or
sang.
And on a
time it chanced that Oromë rode eastward in his hunting, and he turned north by
the shores of Helcar and passed under the shadows of the Orocarni, the
Mountains of the East. Then on a sudden Nahar set up a great neighing, and
stood still. And Oromë wondered and sat silent, and it seemed to him that in
the quiet of the land under the stars he heard afar off many voices singing.
Thus it
was that the Valar found at last, as it were by chance, those whom they had so
long awaited. And Oromë looking upon the Elves was filled with wonder, as
though they were beings sudden and marvellous and unforeseen; for so it shall
ever be with the Valar. From without the World, though all things may be
forethought in music or foreshown in vision from afar, to those who enter
verily into Eä each in its time shall be met at unawares as something new and
unforetold.
In the
beginning the Elder Children of Ilúvatar were stronger and greater than they
have since become; but not more fair, for though the beauty of the Quendi in
the days of their youth was beyond all other beauty that Ilúvatar has caused to
be, it has not perished, but lives in the West, and sorrow and wisdom have
enriched it. And Oromë loved the Quendi, and named them in their own tongue
Eldar, the people of the stars; but that name was after borne only by those who
followed him upon the westward road.
Yet many
of the Quendi were filled with dread at his coming; and this was the doing of
Melkor. For by after-knowledge the wise declare that Melkor, ever watchful, was
first aware of the awakening of the Quendi, and sent shadows and evil spirits
to spy upon them and waylay them. So it came to pass, some years ere the coming
of Oromë, that if any of the Elves strayed far abroad, alone or few together,
they would often vanish, and never return; and the Quendi said that the Hunter
had caught them, and they were afraid. And indeed the most ancient songs of the
Elves, of which echoes are remembered still in the West, tell of the
shadow-shapes that walked in the hills above Cuiviénen, or would pass suddenly
over the stars; and of the dark Rider upon his wild horse that pursued those
that wandered to take them and devour them. Now Melkor greatly hated and feared
the riding of Oromë, and either he sent indeed his dark servants as riders, or
he set lying whispers abroad, for the purpose that the Quendi should shun
Oromë, if ever they should meet.
Thus it
was that when Nahar neighed and Oromë indeed came among them, some of the
Quendi hid themselves, and some fled and were lost. But those that had courage,
and stayed, perceived swiftly that the Great Rider was no shape out of
darkness; for the light of Aman was in his face, and all the noblest of the
Elves were drawn towards it.
But of
those unhappy ones who were ensnared by Melkor little is known of a certainty.
For who of the living has descended into the pits of Utumno, or has explored
the darkness of the counsels of Melkor? Yet this is held true by the wise of
Eressëa, that all those of the Quendi who came into the hands of Melkor, ere
Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty were
corrupted and enslaved; and thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orcs
in envy and mockery of the Elves, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest
foes. For the Orcs had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children of
Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance of life, could
ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the Ainulindalë before the Beginning:
so say the wise. And deep in their dark hearts the Orcs loathed the Master whom
they served in fear, the maker only of their misery. This it may be was the
vilest deed of Melkor, and the most hateful to Ilúvatar.
Oromë
tarried a while among the Quendi, and then swiftly he rode back over land and
sea to Valinor and brought the tidings to Valmar; and he spoke of the shadows
that troubled Cuiviénen. Then the Valar rejoiced, and yet they were in doubt
amid their joy; and they debated long what counsel it were best to take for the
guarding of the Quendi from the shadow of Melkor. But Oromë returned at once to
Middle-earth and abode with the Elves.
Manwë
sat long in thought upon Taniquetil, and he sought the counsel of Ilúvatar. And
coming then down to Valmar he summoned the Valar to the Ring of Doom, and
thither came even Ulmo from the Outer Sea.
Then
Manwë said to the Valar: 'This is the counsel of Ilúvatar in my heart: that we
should take up again the mastery of Arda, at whatsoever cost, and deliver the
Quendi from the shadow of Melkor.' Then Tulkas was glad; but Aulë was grieved,
foreboding the hurts of the world that must come of that strife. But the Valar
made ready and came forth from Aman in strength of war, resolving to assault
the fortresses of Melkor and make an end. Never did Melkor forget that this war
was made for the sake of the Elves, and that they were the cause of his
downfall. Yet they had no part in those deeds, and they know little of the
riding of the might of the West against the North in the beginning of their
days.
Melkor
met the onset of the Valar in the North-west of Middle-earth, and all that
region was much broken. But the first victory of the hosts of the West was
swift, and the servants of Melkor fled before them to Utumno. Then the Valar
passed over Middle-earth, and they set a guard over Cuiviénen; and thereafter
the Quendi knew nothing of the great Battle of the Powers, save that the Earth
shook and groaned beneath them, and the waters were moved, and in the north
there were lights as of mighty fires. Long and grievous was the siege of
Utumno, and many battles were fought before its gates of which naught but the
rumour is known to the Elves. In that time the shape of Middle-earth was
changed, and the Great Sea that sundered it from Aman grew wide and deep; and
it broke in upon the coasts and made a deep gulf to the southward. Many lesser
bays were made between the Great Gulf and Helcaraxë far in the north, where
Middle-earth and Aman came nigh together. Of these the Bay of Balar was the
chief; and into it the mighty river Sirion flowed down from the new-raised
highlands northwards: Dorthonion, and the mountains about Hithlum. The lands of
the far north were all made desolate in those days; for there Utumno was delved
exceeding deep, and its pits were filled with fires and with great hosts of the
servants of Melkor.
But at
the last the gates of Utumno were broken and the halls unroofed, and Melkor
took refuge in the uttermost pit. Then Tulkas stood forth as champion of the
Valar and wrestled with him, and cast him upon his face; and he was bound with
the chain Angainor that Aulë had wrought, and led captive; and the world had
peace for a long age.
Nonetheless
the Valar did not discover all the mighty vaults and caverns hidden with deceit
far under the fortresses of Angband and Utumno. Many evil things still lingered
there, and others were dispersed and fled into the dark and roamed in the waste
places of the world, awaiting a more evil hour; and Sauron they did not find.
But when
the Battle was ended and from the ruin of the North great clouds arose and hid
the stars, the Valar drew Melkor back to Valinor, bound hand and foot, and
blindfold; and he was brought to the Ring of Doom. There he lay upon his face
before the feet of Manwë and sued for pardon; but his prayer was denied, and he
was cast into prison in the fastness of Mandos, whence none can escape, neither
Vala, nor Elf, nor mortal Man. Vast and strong are those halls, and they were
built in the west of the land of Aman. There was Melkor doomed to abide for
three ages long, before his cause should be tried anew, or he should plead
again for pardon.
Then
again the Valar were gathered in council, and they were divided in debate. For
some, and of those Ulmo was the chief, held that the Quendi should be left free
to walk as they would in Middle-earth, and with their gifts of skill to order
all the lands and heal their hurts. But the most part feared for the Quendi in
the dangerous world amid the deceits of the starlit dusk; and they were filled
moreover with the love of the beauty of the Elves and desired their fellowship.
At the last, therefore, the Valar summoned the Quendi to Valinor, there to be
gathered at the knees of the Powers in the light of the Trees for ever; and
Mandos broke his silence, saying: 'So it is doomed.' From this summons came
many woes that afterwards befell.
But the
Elves were at first unwilling to hearken to the summons, for they had as yet
seen the Valar only in their wrath as they went to war, save Oromë alone; and
they were filled with dread. Therefore Oromë was sent again to them, and he
chose from among them ambassadors who should go to Valinor and speak for their
people; and these were Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë, who afterwards were kings. And
coming they were filled with awe by the glory and majesty of the Valar, and
desired greatly the light and splendour of the Trees. Then Oromë brought them
back to Cuiviénen, and they spoke before their people, and counselled them to
heed the summons of the Valar and remove into the West
Then
befell the first sundering of the Elves. For the kindred of Ingwë, and the most
part of the kindreds of Finwë and Elwë, were swayed by the words of their
lords, and were willing to depart and follow Oromë; and these were known ever
after as the Eldar, by the name that Oromë gave to the Elves in the beginning,
in their own tongue. But many refused the summons, preferring the starlight and
the wide spaces of Middle-earth to the rumour of the Trees; and these are the
Avari, the Unwilling, and they were sundered in that time from the Eldar, and
met never again until many ages were past.
The
Eldar prepared now a great march from their first homes in the east; and they
were arrayed in three hosts. The smallest host and the first to set forth was
led by Ingwë, the most high lord of all the Elvish race. He entered into
Valinor and sits at the feet of the Powers, and all Elves revere his name; but
he came never back, nor looked again upon Middle-earth. The Vanyar were his
people; they are the Fair Elves, the beloved of Manwë and Varda, and few among Men
have spoken with them.
Next
came the Noldor, a name of wisdom, the people of Finwë. They are the Deep
Elves, the friends of Aulë; and they are renowned in song, for they fought and
laboured long and grievously in the northern lands of old.
The
greatest host came last, and they are named the Teleri, for they tarried on the
road, and were not wholly of a mind to pass from the dusk to the light of
Valinor. In water they had great delight, and those that came at last to the
western shores were enamoured of the sea. The Sea-elves therefore they became
in the land of Aman, the Falmari, for they made music beside the breaking
waves. Two lords they had, for their numbers were great: Elwë Singollo (which
signifies Greymantle) and Olwë his brother.
These
were the three kindreds of the Eldalië, who passing at length into the
uttermost West in the days of the Trees are called the Calaquendi, Elves of the
Light. But others of the Eldar there were who set out indeed upon the westward
march, but became lost upon the long road, or turned aside, or lingered on the
shores of Middle-earth; and these were for the most part of the kindred of the
Teleri, as is told hereafter. They dwelt by the sea or wandered in the woods
and mountains of the world, yet their hearts were turned towards the West.
Those Elves the Calaquendi call the Úmanyar, since they came never to the land
of Aman and the Blessed Realm; but the Úmanyar and the Avari alike they call
the Moriquendi, Elves of the Darkness, for they never beheld the Light that was
before the Sun and Moon.
It is
told that when the hosts of the Eldalië departed from Cuiviénen Oromë rode at
their head upon Nahar, his white horse shod with gold; and passing northward
about the Sea of Helcar they turned towards the west. Before them great clouds
hung still black in the North above the ruins of war, and the stars in that
region were hidden. Then not a few grew afraid and repented, and turned back,
and are forgotten.
Long and
slow was the march of the Eldar into the west, for the leagues of Middle-earth
were uncounted, and weary and pathless. Nor did the Eldar desire to hasten, for
they were filled with wonder at all that they saw, and by many lands and rivers
they wished to abide; and though all were yet willing to wander, many feared rather
their journey's end than hoped for it Therefore whenever Oromë departed, having
at times other matters to heed, they halted and went forward no more, until he
returned to guide them. And it came to pass after many years of journeying in
this manner that the Eldar took their course through a forest, and they came to
a great river, wider than any they had yet seen; and beyond it were mountains
whose sharp horns seemed to pierce the realm of the stars. This river, it is
said, was even the river which was after called Anduin the Great, and was ever
the frontier of the west-lands of Middle-earth. But the mountains were the
Hithaeglir, the Towers of Mist upon the borders of Eriador; yet they were
taller and more terrible in those days, and were reared by Melkor to hinder the
riding of Oromë. Now the Teleri abode long on the east bank of that river and
wished to remain there, but the Vanyar and me Noldor passed over it, and Oromë
led them into the passes of the mountains. And when Oromë was gone forward the Teleri
looked upon the shadowy heights and were afraid.
Then one
arose in the host of Olwë, which was ever the hindmost on the road; Lenwë he
was called. He forsook the westward march, and led away a numerous people,
southwards down the great river, and they passed out of the knowledge of their
kin until long years were past. Those were the Nandor; and they became a people
apart, unlike their kin, save that they loved water, and dwelt most beside
falls and running streams. Greater knowledge they had of living things, tree
and herb, bird and beast, than all other Elves. In after years Denethor, son of
Lenwë, turned again west at last, and led a part of that people over the
mountains into Beleriand ere the rising of the Moon.
At
length the Vanyar and the Noldor came over Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains,
between Eriador and the westernmost land of Middle-earth, which the Elves after
named Beleriand; and the foremost companies passed over the Vale of Sirion and
came down to the shores of the Great Sea between Drengist and the Bay of Balar.
But when they beheld it great fear came upon them, and many withdrew into the
woods and highlands of Beleriand. Then Oromë departed, and returned to Valinor
to seek the counsel of Manwë, and left them.
And the
host of the Teleri passed over the Misty Mountains, and crossed the wide lands
of Eriador, being urged on by Elwë Singollo, for he was eager to return to
Valinor and the Light that he had beheld; and he wished not to be sundered from
the Noldor, for he had great friendship with Finwë their lord. Thus after many
years the Teleri also came at last over Ered Luin into the eastern regions of
Beleriand. There they halted, and dwelt a while beyond the River Gelion.
Melian
was a Maia, of the race of the Valar. She dwelt in the gardens of Lórien, and
among all his people there were none more beautiful than Melian, nor more wise,
nor more skilled in songs of enchantment. It is told that the Valar would leave
their works, and the birds of Valinor their mirth, that the bells of Valmar
were silent and the fountains ceased to flow, when at the mingling of the
lights Melian sang in Lórien. Nightingales went always with her, and she taught
them their song; and she loved the deep shadows of the great trees. She was
akin before the World was made to Yavanna herself; and in that time when the
Quendi awoke beside the waters of Cuiviénen she departed from Valinor and came
to the Hither Lands, and there she filled the silence of Middle-earth before
the dawn with her voice and the voices of her birds.
Now when
their journey was near its end, as has been told, the people of the Teleri
rested long in East Beleriand, beyond the River Gelion; and at that time many
of the Noldor still lay to the westward, in those forests that were afterwards
named Neldoreth and Region. Elwë, lord of the Teleri, went often through the
great woods to seek out Finwë his friend in the dwellings of the Noldor; and it
chanced on a time that he came alone to the starlit wood of Nan Elmoth, and there
suddenly he heard the song of nightingales. Then an enchantment fell on him,
and he stood still; and afar off beyond the voices of the lómelindi he heard
the voice of Melian, and it filled all his heart with wonder and desire. He
forgot then utterly all his people and all the purposes of his mind, and
following the birds under the shadow of the trees he passed deep into Nan
Elmoth and was lost. But he came at last to a glade open to the stars, and
there Melian stood; and out of the darkness he looked at her, and the light of
Aman was in her face.
She
spoke no word; but being filled with love Elwë came to her and took her hand,
and straightway a spell was laid on him, so that they stood thus while long
years were measured by the wheeling stars above them; and the trees of Nan
Elmoth grew tall and dark before they spoke any word.
Thus
Elwë's folk who sought him found him not, and Olwë took the kingship of the
Teleri and departed, as is told hereafter. Elwë Singollo came never again
across the sea to Valinor so long as he lived, and Melian returned not thither
while their realm together lasted; but of her there came among both Elves and
Men a strain of the Ainur who were with Ilúvatar before Eä. In after days he
became a king renowned, and his people were all the Eldar of Beleriand; the
Sindar they were named, the Grey-elves, the Elves of the Twilight and King
Greymantle was he, Elu Thingol in the tongue of that land. And Melian was his
Queen, wiser than any child of Middle-earth; and their hidden halls were
Menegroth,
the Thousand Caves, in Doriath. Great power Melian lent to Thingol, who was
himself great among the Eldar; for he alone of all the Sindar had seen with his
own eyes the Trees in the day of their flowering, and king though he was of
Amanyar, he was not accounted among the Moriquendi, but with the Elves of the
Light, mighty upon Middle-earth. And of the love of Thingol and Melian there
came into the world the fairest of all the Children of Ilúvatar that was or
shall ever be.
In time
the hosts of the Vanyar and the Noldor came to the last western shores of the
Hither Lands. In the north these shores, in the ancient days after the Battle
of the Powers, bent ever westward, until in the northernmost parts of Arda only
a narrow sea divided Aman, upon which Valinor was built, from the Hither Lands;
but this narrow sea was filled with grinding ice, because of the violence of
the frosts of Melkor. Therefore Oromë did not lead the hosts of the Eldalië into
the far north, but brought them to the fair lands about the River Sirion, that
afterwards were named Beleriand; and from those shores whence first the Eldar
looked in fear and wonder on the Sea there stretched an ocean, wide and dark
and deep, between them and the Mountains of Aman.
Now
Ulmo, by the counsel of the Valar, came to the shores of Middle-earth and spoke
with the Eldar who waited there, gazing on the dark waves; and because of his
words and the music which he made for them on his horns of shell their fear of
the sea was turned rather to desire. Therefore Ulmo uprooted an island which
long had stood alone amid the sea, far from either shore, since the tumults of
the fall of Illuin; and with the aid of his servants he moved it, as it were a
mighty ship, and anchored it in the Bay of Balar, into which Sirion poured his
water. Then the Vanyar and the Noldor embarked upon that isle, and were drawn
over the sea, and came at last to the long shores beneath the Mountains of
Aman; and they entered Valinor and were welcomed to its bliss. But the eastern
horn of the island, which was deep-grounded in the shoals off the mouths of
Sirion, was broken asunder and remained behind and that, it is said, was the
Isle of Balar, to which afterwards Ossë often came.
But the
Teleri remained still in Middle-earth, for they dwelt in East Beleriand far
from the sea, and they heard not the summons of Ulmo until too late; and many
searched still for Elwë their lord, and without him they were unwilling to
depart. But when they learned that Ingwë and Finwë and their peoples were gone,
then many of the Teleri pressed on to the shores of Beleriand, and dwelt
thereafter near the Mouths of Sirion, in longing for their friends that had
departed; and they took Olwë, Elwë's brother, to be their king. Long they
remained by the coasts of the western sea, and Ossë and Uinen came to them and
befriended them; and Ossë instructed them, sitting upon a rock near to the
margin of the land, and of him they learned all manner of sea-lore and sea-music.
Thus it came to be that the Teleri, who were from the beginning lovers of
water, and the fairest singers of all the Elves, were after enamoured of the
seas, and their songs were filled with the sound of waves upon the shore.
When
many years had passed, Ulmo hearkened to the prayers of the Noldor and of Finwë
their king. Who grieved at their long sundering from the Teleri, and besought
him to bring them to Aman, if they would come. And most of them proved now
willing indeed; but great was the grief of Ossë when Ulmo returned to the
coasts of Beleriand, to bear them away to Valinor; for his care was for the
seas of Middle-earth and the shores of the Hither Lands, and he was ill-pleased
that the voices of the Teleri should be heard no more in his domain. Some he
persuaded to remain; and those were the Falathrim, the Elves of the Falas, who
in after days had dwellings at the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest, the first
mariners in Middle-earth and the first makers of ships. Círdan the Shipwright
was their lord.
The
kinsfolk and friends of Elwë Singollo also remained in the Hither Lands,
seeking him yet, though they would fain have departed to Valinor and the light
of the Trees, if Ulmo and Olwë had been willing to tarry longer. But Olwë would
be gone; and at last the main host of the Teleri embarked upon the isle, and
Ulmo drew them far away. Then the friends of Elwë were left behind; and they
called themselves Eglath, the Forsaken People. They dwelt in the woods and
hills of Beleriand, rather than by the sea, which filled them with sorrow; but
the desire of Aman was ever in their hearts.
But when
Elwë awoke from his long trance, he came forth from Nan Elmoth with Melian, and
they dwelt thereafter in the woods in the midst of the land. Greatly though he
had desired to see again the light of the Trees, in the face of Melian he
beheld the light of Aman as in an unclouded mirror, and in that light he was
content. His people gathered about him in joy, and they were amazed; for fair
and noble as he had been, now he appeared as it were a lord of the Maiar, his
hair as grey silver, tallest of all the Children of Ilúvatar; and a high doom
was before him.
Now Ossë
followed after the host of Olwë, and when they were come to the Bay of Eldamar
(which is Elvenhome) he called to them; and they knew his voice, and begged
Ulmo to stay their voyage. And Ulmo granted their request, and at his bidding
Ossë made fast the island and rooted it to the foundations of the sea. Ulmo did
this the more readily, for he understood the hearts of the Teleri, and in the
council of the Valar he had spoken against the summons, thinking that it were
better for the Quendi to remain in Middle-earth. The Valar were little pleased
to learn what he had done; and Finwë grieved when the Teleri came not, and yet
more when he learned that Elwë was forsaken, and knew that he should not see
him again, unless it were in the halls of Mandos. But the island was not moved
again, and stood there alone in the Bay of Eldamar; and it was called Tol
Eressëa, the Lonely Isle. There the Teleri abode as they wished under the stars
of heaven, and yet within right of Aman and the deathless shore; and by that
long sojourn apart in the Lonely Isle was caused the sundering of their speech
from that of the Vanyar and the Noldor.
To these
the Valar had given a land and a dwelling-place. Even among the radiant flowers
of the Tree-lit gardens of Valinor they longed still at times to see the stars;
and therefore a gap was made in the great walls of the Pelóri, and there in a
deep valley that ran down to the sea the Eldar raised a high green hill: Túna
it was called. From the west the light of the Trees fell upon it, and its
shadow lay ever eastward; and to the east it looked towards the Bay of
Elvenhome, and the Lonely Isle, and the Shadowy Seas. Then through Calacirya,
the Pass of Light, the radiance of the Blessed Realm streamed forth, kindling
the dark waves to silver and gold, and it touched the Lonely Isle, and its
western shore grew green and fair. There bloomed the first flowers that ever
were east of the Mountains of Aman.
Upon the
crown of Túna the city of the Elves was built, the white walls and terraces of
Tirion; and the highest of the towers of that city was the Tower of Ingwë,
Mindon Eldaliéva, whose silver lamp shone far out into the mists of the sea.
Few are the ships of mortal Men that have seen its slender beam. In Tirion upon
Túna the Vanyar and the Noldor dwelt long in fellowship. And since of all
things in Valinor they loved most the White Tree, Yavanna made for them a tree
like to a lesser image of Telperion, save that it did not give light of its own
being; Galathilion it was named in the Sindarin tongue. This tree was planted
in the courts beneath the Mindon and there flourished, and its seedlings were many
in Eldamar. Of these one was afterwards planted in Tol Eressëa, and it
prospered there, and was named Celeborn; thence came in me fullness of time as
is elsewhere told, Nimloth, the White Tree of Númenor.
Manwë
and Varda loved most the Vanyar, the Fair Elves; but the Noldor were beloved of
Aulë, and he and his people came often among them. Great became their knowledge
and their skill; yet even greater was their thirst for more knowledge, and in
many things they soon surpassed their teachers. They were changeful in speech,
for they had great love of words, and sought ever to find names more fit for
all things that they knew or imagined. And it came to pass that the masons
of the house of Finwë, quarrying in the
hills after stone (for they delighted in the building of high towers), first
discovered the earth-gems, and brought them forth in countless myriads; and
they devised tools for the cutting and shaping of gems, and carved them in many
forms. They hoarded them not, but gave them freely, and by their labour
enriched all Valinor.
The
Noldor afterwards came back to Middle-earth, and this tale tells mostly of
their deeds; therefore the names and kinship of their princes may here be told,
in that form which these names later bore in the tongue of the Elves of
Beleriand.
Finwë
was King of the Noldor. The sons of Finwë were Fëanor, and Fingolfin, and
Finarfin; but the mother of Fëanor was Míriel Serindë, whereas the mother of
Fingolfin and Finarfin was Indis of the Vanyar. Fëanor was the mightiest in
skill of word and of hand, more learned than his brothers; his spirit burned as
a flame. Fingolfin was the strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant.
Finarfin was the fairest, and the most wise of heart; and afterwards he was a
friend of the sons of Olwë, lord of the Teleri, and had to wife Eärwen, the
swan-maiden of Alqualondë, Olwë's daughter.
The
seven sons of Fëanor were Maedhros the tall; Maglor the mighty singer, whose
voice was heard far over land and sea; Celegorm the fair, and Caranthir the dark;
Curufin the crafty, who inherited most his father's skill of hand; and the
youngest Amrod and Amras, who were twin brothers, alike in mood and face. In
later days they were great hunters in the woods of Middle-earth; and a hunter
also was Celegorm, who in Valinor was a friend of Oromë, and often followed the
Vala's horn.
The sons
of Fingolfin were Fingon, who was afterwards King of the Noldor in the north of
the world, and Turgon, lord of Gondolin; their sister was Aredhel the White.
She was younger in the years of the Eldar than her brothers; and when she was
grown to full stature and beauty she was tall and strong, and loved much to
ride and hunt in the forests. There she was often in the company of the sons of
Fëanor, her kin; but to none was her heart's love given. Ar-Feiniel she was
called, the White Lady of the Noldor, for she was pale though her hair was
dark, and she was never arrayed but in silver and white.
The sons
of Finarfin were Finrod the faithful (who was afterwards named Felagund, Lord of
Caves), Orodreth, Angrod, and Aegnor; these tour were as close in friendship
with the sons of Fingolfin as though they were all brothers. A sister they had,
Galadriel, most beautiful of all the house of Finwë; her hair was lit with gold
as though it had caught in a mesh the radiance of Laurelin.
Here
must be told how the Teleri came at last to the land of Aman. Through a long
age they dwelt in Tol Eressëa; but slowly their hearts were changed, and were
drawn towards the light that flowed out over the sea to the Lonely Isle. They
were torn between the love of the music of the waves upon their shores, and the
desire to see again their kindred and to look upon the splendour of Valinor;
but in the end desire of the light was the stronger. Therefore Ulmo, submitting
to the will of the Valar, sent to them Ossë, their friend, and he though
grieving taught them the craft of ship-building; and when their ships were
built he brought them as his parting gift many strong-winged swans. Then the
swans drew the white ships of the Teleri over the windless sea; and thus at
last and latest they came to Aman and the shores of Eldamar.
There
they dwelt, and if they wished they could see the light of the Trees, and could
tread the golden streets of Valmar and the crystal stairs of Tirion upon Túna,
the green hill; but most of all they sailed in their swift ships on the waters
of the Bay of Elvenhome, or walked in the waves upon the shore with their hair
gleaming in the light beyond the hill. Many jewels the Noldor gave them, opals
and diamonds and pale crystals, which they strewed upon the shores and
scattered in the pools; marvellous were the beaches of Elendë in those days.
And many pearls they won for themselves from the sea, and their halls were of
pearl, and of pearl were the mansions of Olwë at Alqualondë, the Haven of the
Swans, lit with many lamps. For that was their city, and the haven of their
ships; and those were made in the likeness of swans, with beaks of gold and
eyes of gold and jet. The gate of that harbour was an arch of living rock
sea-carved; and it lay upon the confines of Eldamar, north of the Calacirya,
where the light of the stars was bright and clear.
As the
ages passed the Vanyar grew to love the land of the Valar and the full light of
the Trees, and they forsook the city of Tirion upon Túna, and dwelt thereafter
upon the mountain of Manwë, or about the plains and woods of Valinor, and
became sundered from the Noldor. But the memory of Middle-earth under the stars
remained in the hearts of the Noldor, and they abode in the Calacirya, and in
the hills and valleys within sound of the western sea; and though many of them
went often about the land of the Valar, making far journeys in search of the
secrets of land and water and all living things, yet the peoples of Túna and
Alqualondë drew together in those days. Finwë was king in Tirion and Olwë in
Alqualondë; but Ingwë was ever held the High King of all the Elves. He abode
thereafter at the feet of Manwë upon Taniquetil.
Fëanor
and his sons abode seldom in one place for long, but travelled far and wide
upon the confines of Valinor, going even to the borders of the Dark and the
cold shores of the Outer Sea, seeking the unknown. Often they were guests in
the halls of Aulë; but Celegorm went rather to the house of Oromë, and there he
got great knowledge of birds and beasts, and all their tongues he knew. For all
living things that are or have been in the Kingdom of Arda, save only the fell
and evil creatures of Melkor, lived then in the land of Aman; and there also
were many other creatures that have not been seen upon Middle-earth, and
perhaps never now shall be, since the fashion of the world was changed.
Now the
Three Kindreds of the Eldar were gathered at last in Valinor, and Melkor was
chained. This was the Noontide of the Blessed Realm, the fullness of its glory
and its bliss, long in tale of years, but in memory too brief. In those days
the Eldar became full-grown in stature of body and of mind, and the Noldor
advanced ever in skill and knowledge; and the long years were filled with their
joyful labours, in which many new things fair and wonderful were devised. Then
it was that the Noldor first bethought them of letters, and Rúmil of Tirion was
the name of the loremaster who first achieved fitting signs for the recording
of speech and song, some for graving upon metal or in stone, others for drawing
with brush or with pen.
In that
time was born in Eldamar, in the house of the King in Tirion upon the crown of
Túna, the eldest of the sons of Finwë, and the most beloved. Curufinwë was his
name, but by his mother he was called Fëanor, Spirit of Fire; and thus he is
remembered in all the tales of the Noldor.
Míriel
was the name of his mother, who was called Serindë, because of her surpassing
skill in weaving and needlework; for her hands were more skilled to fineness
than any hands even among the Noldor. The love of Finwë and Míriel was great
and glad, for it began in the Blessed Realm in the Days of Bliss. But in the
bearing of her son Míriel was consumed in spirit and body; and after his birth
she yearned for release from the labours of living. Ana when she had named mm,
she said to Finwë: 'Never again shall I bear child; for strength that would
have nourished the life of many has gone forth into Fëanor.'
Then
Finwë was grieved, for the Noldor were in me youth of their days, and he
desired to bring forth many children into the Miss of Aman; and he said:
'Surely there is healing in Aman? Here all weariness can find rest.' But when
Míriel languished still, Finwë sought the counsel of Manwë, and Manwë delivered
her to the care of Irmo in Lórien. At their parting (for a little while as he
thought) Finwë was sad, for it seemed an unhappy chance that the mother should
depart and miss the beginning at least of the childhood days of her son.
'It is
indeed unhappy,' said Míriel, 'and I would weep, if I were not so weary. But
hold me blameless in this, and in all that may come after.'
She went
then to the gardens of Lórien and lay down to sleep; but though she seemed to
sleep, her spirit indeed departed from her body, and passed in silence to the
halls of Mandos. The maidens of Estë tended the body of Míriel, and it remained
unwithered; but she did not return. Then Finwë lived in sorrow; and he went
often to the gardens of Lórien, and sitting beneath the silver willows beside
the body of his wife he called her by her names. But it was unavailing; and
alone in all the Blessed Realm he was deprived of joy. After a while he went to
Lórien no more.
An his
love he gave thereafter to his son; and Fëanor grew swiftly, as if a secret
fire were kindled within him. He was tall, and fair of face, and masterful, his
eyes piercingly bright and his hair raven-dark; in the pursuit of all his
purposes eager and steadfast. Few ever changed his courses by counsel, none by
force. He became of all the Noldor, then or after, the most subtle in mind and
the most skilled in hand. In his youth, bettering the work of Rúmil, he devised
those letters which bear his name, and which the Eldar used ever after; and he
it was who, first of the Noldor, discovered how gems greater and brighter than
those of the earth might be made with skill. The first gems that Fëanor made
were white and colourless, but being set under starlight they would blaze with
blue and silver fires brighter than Helluin; and other crystals he made also,
wherein things far away could be seen small but clear, as with the eyes of the
eagles of Manwë. Seldom were the hands and mind of Fëanor at rest.
While
still in his early youth he wedded Nerdanel, the daughter of a great smith
named Mahtan, among those of the Noldor most dear to Aulë; and of Mahtan he
learned much of the making of things in metal and in stone. Nerdanel also was
firm of will, but more patient than Fëanor, desiring to understand minds rather
than to master them, and at first she restrained him when the fire of his heart
grew too hot; but his later deeds grieved her, and they became estranged. Seven
sons she bore to Fëanor; her mood she bequeathed in part to some of them, but
not to all.
Now it
came to pass that Finwë took as his second wife Indis the Fair. She was a
Vanya, close kin of Ingwë the High King, golden-haired and tall, and in all
ways unlike Míriel. Finwë loved her greatly, and was glad again. But the shadow
of Míriel did not depart from the house of Finwë, nor from his heart; and of
all whom he loved Fëanor had ever the chief share of his thought.
The
wedding of his father was not pleasing to Fëanor; and he had no great love for
Indis, nor for Fingolfin and Finarfin, her sons. He lived apart from them,
exploring the land of Aman, or busying himself with the knowledge and the
crafts in which he delighted. In those unhappy things which later came to pass,
and in which Fëanor was the leader, many saw the effect of this breach within
the house of Finwë, judging that if Finwë had endured his loss and been content
with the fathering of his mighty son, the courses of Fëanor would have been
otherwise, and great evil might have been prevented; for the sorrow and the
strife in the house of Finwë is graven in the memory of the Noldorin Elves. But
the children of Indis were great and glorious, and their children also; and if
they had not lived the history of the Eldar would have been diminished.
Now even
while Fëanor and the craftsmen of the Noldor worked with delight, foreseeing no
end to their labours, and while the sons of Indis grew to their full stature,
the Noontide of Valinor was drawing to its close. For it came to pass that
Melkor, as the Valar had decreed, completed the term of his bondage, dwelling
for three ages in the duress of Mandos, alone. At length, as Manwë had
promised, he was brought again before the thrones of the Valar. Then he looked
upon their glory and their bliss, and envy was in his heart; he looked upon the
Children of Ilúvatar that sat at the feet of the Mighty, and hatred filled him;
he looked upon the wealth of bright gems, and he lusted for them; but he hid
his thoughts, and postponed his vengeance.
Before
the gates of Valmar Melkor abased himself at the feet of Manwë and sued for
pardon, vowing that if he might be made only the least of the free people of
Valinor he would aid the Valar in all their works, and most of all in the
healing of the many hurts that he had done to the world. And Nienna aided his
prayer; but Mandos was silent
Then
Manwë granted him pardon; but the Valar would not yet suffer him to depart
beyond their sight and vigilance, and he was constrained to dwell within the
gates of Valmar. But fair-seeming were all the words and deeds of Melkor in
that time, and both the Valar and the Eldar had profit from his aid and
counsel, if they sought it; and therefore in a while he was given leave to go
freely about the land, and it seemed to Manwë that the evil of Melkor was
cured. For Manwë was free from evil and could not comprehend it, and he knew
that in the beginning, in the thought of Ilúvatar, Melkor had been even as he;
and he saw not to the depths of Melkor's heart, and did not perceive that all
love had departed from him for ever. But Ulmo was not deceived, and Tulkas
clenched his hands whenever he saw Melkor his foe go by; for if Tulkas is slow
to wrath he is slow also to forget. But they obeyed the judgement of Manwë; for
those who will defend authority against rebellion must not themselves rebel.
Now in
his heart Melkor most hated the Eldar, both because they were fair and joyful
and because in them he saw the reason for the arising of the Valar, and his own
downfall. Therefore all the more did he feign love for them and seek their
friendship, and he offered them the service of his lore and labour in any great
deed that they would do. The Vanyar indeed held him in suspicion, for they
dwelt in the light of the Trees and were content; and to the Teleri he gave
small heed, thinking them of little worth, tools too weak for his designs. But
the Noldor took delight in the hidden knowledge that he could reveal to them;
and some hearkened to words that it would have been better for them never to
have heard. Melkor indeed declared afterwards that Fëanor had learned much art
from him in secret, and had been instructed by him in the greatest of all his
works; but he lied in his lust and his envy, for none of the Eldalië ever hated
Melkor more than Fëanor son of Finwë, who first named him Morgoth; and snared
though he was in the webs of Melkor's malice against the Valar he held no
converse with him and took no counsel from him. For Fëanor was driven by the
fire of his own heart only, working ever swiftly and alone; and he asked the
aid and sought the counsel of none that dwelt in Aman, great or small, save
only and for a little while of Nerdanel the wise, his wife.
In that
time were made those things that afterwards were most renowned of all the works
of the Elves. For Fëanor, being come to his full might, was filled with a new
thought, or it may be that some shadow of foreknowledge came to him of the doom
that drew near; and he pondered how the light of the Trees, the glory of the
Blessed Realm, might be preserved imperishable. Then he began a long and secret
labour, and he summoned all his lore, and his power, and his subtle skill; and
at the end of all he made the Silmarils.
As three
great Jewels they were in form. But not until the End, when Fëanor shall return
who perished ere the Sun was made, and sits now in the Halls of Awaiting and
comes no more among his kin; not until the Sun passes and the Moon falls, shall
it be known of what substance they were made. Like the crystal of diamonds it
appeared, and yet was more strong than adamant, so that no violence could mar
it or break it within the Kingdom of Arda. Yet that crystal was to the
Silmarils but as is the body to the Children of Ilúvatar: the house of its
inner fire, that is within it and yet in all parts of it, and is its life. And
the inner fire of the Silmarils Fëanor made of the blended light of the Trees
of Valinor, which lives in them yet, though the Trees have long withered and shine
no more. Therefore even in the darkness of the deepest treasury the Silmarils
of their own radiance shone like the stars of Varda; and yet, as were they
indeed living things, they rejoiced in light and received it and gave it back in hues more marvellous than
before.
All who
dwelt in Aman were filled with wonder and delight at the work of Fëanor. And
Varda hallowed the Silmarils, so that thereafter no mortal flesh, nor hands
unclean, nor anything of evil will might touch them, but it was scorched and
withered; and Mandos foretold that the fates of Arda, earth, sea, and air, lay
locked within them. The heart of Fëanor was fast bound to these things that he
himself had made.
Then
Melkor lusted for the Silmarils, and the very memory of their radiance was a
gnawing fire in his heart. From that time forth, inflamed by this desire, he
sought ever more eagerly how he should destroy Fëanor and end the friendship of
the Valar and the Elves; but he dissembled his purposes with cunning, and
nothing of his malice could yet be seen in the semblance that he wore. Long was
he at work, and slow at first and barren was his labour. But he that sows lies
in the end shall not lack of a harvest, and soon he may rest from toil indeed
while others reap and sow in his stead. Ever Melkor found some ears that would
heed him, and some tongues that would enlarge what they had heard; and his lies
passed from friend to friend, as secrets of which the knowledge proves the
teller wise. Bitterly did the Noldor atone for the folly of their open ears in
the days that followed after.
When he
saw that many leaned towards him, Melkor would often walk among them, and amid
his fair words others were woven, so subtly that many who heard them believed
in recollection that they arose from their own thought. Visions he would
conjure in their hearts of the mighty realms that they could have ruled at
their own will, in power and freedom in the East; and then whispers went abroad
that the Valar had brought the Eldar to Aman because of their jealousy, fearing
that the beauty of the Quendi and the makers' power that Ilúvatar had
bequeathed to them would grow too great for the Valar to govern, as the Elves
waxed and spread over the wide lands of the world.
In those
days, moreover, though the Valar knew indeed of the coming of Men that were to
be, the Elves as yet knew naught of it; for Manwë had not revealed it to them.
Bat Melkor spoke to them in secret of Mortal Men, seeing how the silence of the
Valar might be twisted to evil. Little he knew yet concerning Men, for
engrossed with his own thought in the Music he had paid small heed to the Third
Theme of Ilúvatar; but now the whisper went among the Elves that Manwë held
them captive, so that Men might come and supplant them in the kingdoms of
Middle-earth, for the Valar saw that they might more easily sway this
short-lived and weaker race, defrauding the Elves of the inheritance of
Ilúvatar. Small truth was there in this, and little have the Valar ever
prevailed to sway the wills of Men; but many of the Noldor believed, or half
believed, the evil words.
Thus ere
the Valar were aware, the peace of Valinor was poisoned. The Noldor began to
murmur against them, and many became filled with pride, forgetting how much of
what they had and knew came to them in gift from the Valar. Fiercest burned the
new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of Fëanor;
and Melkor laughed in his secrecy, for to that mark his lies had been
addressed, hating Fëanor above all, and lusting ever for the Silmarils. But
these he was not suffered to approach; for though at great feasts Fëanor would
wear them, blazing on his brow, at other times they were guarded close, locked
in the deep chambers of his hoard in Tirion. For Fëanor began to love the
Silmarils with a greedy love, and grudged the sight of them to all save to his
father and his seven sons; he seldom remembered now that the light within them
was not his own.
High
princes were Fëanor and Fingolfin, the elder sons of Finwë, honoured by all in
Aman; but now they grew proud and jealous each of his rights and his
possessions. Then Melkor set new lies abroad in Eldamar, and whispers came to
Fëanor that Fingolfin and his sons were plotting to usurp the leadership of
Finwë and of the elder line of Fëanor, and to supplant them by the leave of the
Valar; for the Valar were ill-pleased that the Silmarils lay in Tirion and were
not committed to their keeping. But to Fingolfin and Finarfin it was said:
'Beware! Small love has the proud son of Míriel ever had for the children of
Indis. Now he has become great, and he has his father in his hand. It will not
be long before he drives you forth from Túna!'
And when
Melkor saw that these lies were smouldering, and that pride and anger were
awake among the Noldor, he spoke to them concerning weapons; and in that time
the Noldor began the smithying of swords and axes and spears. Shields also they
made displaying the tokens of many houses and kindreds that vied one with
another; and these only they wore abroad, and of other weapons they did not
speak, for each believed that he alone had received the warning. And Fëanor
made a secret forge, of which not even Melkor was aware; and there he tempered
fell swords for himself and for his sons, and made tall helms with plumes of
red. Bitterly did Mahtan rue the day when he taught to the husband of Nerdanel
all the lore of metalwork that he had learned of Aulë.
Thus
with lies and evil whisperings and false counsel Melkor kindled the hearts of
the Noldor to strife; and of their quarrels came at length the end of the high
days of Valinor and the evening of its ancient glory. For Fëanor now began
openly to speak words of rebellion against the Valar, crying aloud that he
would depart from Valinor back to the world without, and would deliver the
Noldor from thraldom, if they would follow him.
Then
there was great unrest in Tirion, and Finwë was troubled; and he summoned all
his lords to council. But Fingolfin hastened to his halls and stood before him,
saying: 'King and father, wilt thou not restrain the pride of our brother,
Curufinwë, who is called the Spirit of Fire, all too truly? By what right does
he speak for all our people, as if he were King? Thou it was who long ago spoke
before the Quendi, bidding them accept the summons of the Valar to Aman. Thou
it was that led the Noldor upon the long road through the perils of
Middle-earth to the light of Eldamar. If thou dost not now repent of it, two
sons at least thou hast to honour thy words.'
But even
as Fingolfin spoke, Fëanor strode into the chamber, and he was fully armed: his
high helm upon his head, and at his side a mighty sword. 'So it is, even as I
guessed,' he said. 'My half-brother would be before me with my father, in this
as in all other matters.' Then turning upon Fingolfin he drew his sword,
crying: 'Get thee gone, and take thy due place!'
Fingolfin
bowed before Finwë, and without word or glance to Fëanor he went from the
chamber. But Fëanor followed him, and at the door of the king's house he stayed
him; and the point of his bright sword he set against Fingolfin's breast 'See,
half-brother!' he said. 'This is sharper than thy tongue. Try but once more to
usurp my place and the love of my father, and maybe it will rid the Noldor of
one who seeks to be the master of thralls.'
These
words were heard by many, for the house of Finwë was in the great square
beneath the Mindon; but again Fingolfin made no answer, and passing through the
throng in silence he went to seek Finarfin his brother.
Now the
unrest of the Noldor was not indeed hidden from the Valar, but its seed had
been sown in the dark; and therefore, since Fëanor first spoke openly against
them, they judged that he was the mover of discontent, being eminent in
self-will and arrogance, though all the Noldor had become proud. And Manwë was
grieved, but he watched and said no word. The Valar had brought the Eldar to
their land freely, to dwell or to depart; and though they might judge departure
to be folly, they might not restrain them from it. But now the deeds of Fëanor
could not be passed over, and the Valar were angered and dismayed; and he was
summoned to appear before them at the gates of Valmar, to answer for all his
words and deeds. There also were summoned all others who had any part in this
matter, or any knowledge of it; and Fëanor standing before Mandos in the Ring
of Doom was commanded to answer all that was asked of him. Then at last the
root was laid bare, and the malice of Melkor revealed; and straightway Tulkas
left the council to lay hands upon him and bring him again to judgement. But
Fëanor was not held guiltless, for he it was that had broken the peace of
Valinor and drawn his sword upon his kinsman; and Mandos said to him: 'Thou
speakest of thraldom. If thraldom it be, thou canst not escape it; for Manwë is
King of Arda, and not of Aman only. And this deed was unlawful, whether in Aman
or not in Aman. Therefore this doom is now made: for twelve years thou shall
leave Tirion where this threat was uttered. In that time take counsel with
thyself, and remember who and what thou art. But after that time this matter
shall be set in peace and held redressed, if others will release thee.'
Then
Fingolfin said: 'I will release my brother.' But Fëanor spoke no word in
answer, standing silent before the Valar. Then he turned and left the council,
and departed from Valmar.
With him
into banishment went his seven sons, and northward in Valinor they made a
strong place and treasury in the hills; and there at Formenos a multitude of
gems were laid in hoard, and weapons also, and the Silmarils were shut in a
chamber of iron. Thither also came Finwë the King, because of the love that he
bore to Fëanor; and Fingolfin ruled the Noldor in Tirion. Thus the lies of
Melkor were made true in seeming, though Fëanor by his own deeds had brought
this thing to pass; and the bitterness that Melkor had sown endured, and lived
still long afterwards between the sons of Fingolfin and Fëanor.
Now
Melkor, knowing that his devices had been revealed, hid himself and passed from
place to place as a cloud in the hills; and Tulkas sought for him in vain. Then
it seemed to the people of Valinor that the light of the Trees was dimmed, and
the shadows of all standing things grew longer and darker in that time.
It is
told that for a time Melkor was not seen again in Valinor, nor was any rumour
heard of him, until suddenly he came to Formenos, and spoke with Fëanor before
his doors. Friendship he feigned with cunning argument, urging him to his
former thought of flight from the trammels of the Valar; and he said: 'Behold
the truth of all that I have spoken, and how thou art banished unjustly. But if
the heart of Fëanor is yet free and bold as were his words in Tirion, then I
will aid him, and bring him far from this narrow land. For am I not Vala also?
Yea, and more than those who sit in pride in Valimar; and I have ever been a
friend to the Noldor, most skilled and most valiant of the people of Arda.'
Now
Fëanor's heart was still bitter at his humiliation before Mandos, and he looked
at Melkor in silence, pondering if indeed he might yet trust him so far as to
aid him in his flight. And Melkor, seeing that Fëanor wavered, and knowing that
the Silmarils held his heart in thrall, said at the last: 'Here is a strong
place, and well guarded; but think not that the Silmarils will lie safe in any
treasury within the realm of the Valar!'
But his
cunning overreached his aim; his words touched too deep, and awoke a fire more
fierce than he designed; and Fëanor looked upon Melkor with eyes that burned
through his fair semblance and pierced the cloaks of his mind, perceiving there
his fierce lust for the Silmarils. Then hate overcame Fëanor's fear, and he
cursed Melkor and bade him be gone, saying: 'Get thee gone from my gate, thou
jail-crow of Mandos!' And he shut the doors of his house in the face of the
mightiest of all the dwellers in Eä.
Then
Melkor departed in shame, for he was himself in peril, and he saw not his time
yet for revenge; but his heart was black with anger. And Finwë was filled with
great fear, and in haste he sent messengers to Manwë in Valmar.
Now the
Valar were sitting in council before their gates, fearing the lengthening of
the shadows, when the messengers came from Formenos. At once Oromë and Tulkas
sprang up, but even as they set out in pursuit messengers came from Eldamar,
telling that Melkor had fled through the Calacirya, and from the hill of Túna
the Elves had seen him pass in wrath as a thundercloud. And they said that
thence he had turned northward, for the Teleri in Alqualondë had seen his
shadow going by their haven towards Araman.
Thus
Melkor departed from Valinor, and for a while the Two Trees shone again
unshadowed, and the land was filled with light. But the Valar sought in vain
for tidings of their enemy; and as a cloud far off that looms ever higher,
borne upon a slow cold wind, a doubt now marred the joy of all the dwellers in
Aman, dreading they knew not what evil that yet might come.
When
Manwë heard of the ways that Melkor had taken, it seemed plain to him that he
purposed to escape to his old strongholds in the north of Middle-earth; and
Oromë and Tulkas went with all speed northward, seeking to overtake him if they
might, but they found no trace or rumour of him beyond the shores of the
Teleri, in the unpeopled wastes that drew near to the Ice. Thereafter the watch
was redoubled along the northern fences of Aman; but to no purpose, for ere
ever the pursuit set out Melkor had turned back, and in secrecy passed away far
to the south. For he was yet as one of the Valar, and could change his form, or
walk unclad, as could his brethren; though that power he was soon to lose
forever.
Thus
unseen he came at last to the dark region of Avathar. That narrow land lay
south of the Bay of Eldamar, beneath the eastern feet of the Pelóri, and its
long and mournful shores stretched away into the south, lightless and
unexplored. There, beneath the sheer walls of the mountains and the cold dark
sea, the shadows were deepest and thickest in the world; and there in Avathar,
secret and unknown, Ungoliant had made her abode. The Eldar knew not whence she
came; but some have said that in ages long before she descended from the
darkness that lies about Arda, when Melkor first looked down in envy upon the
Kingdom of Manwë, and that in the beginning she was one of those that he
corrupted to his service. But she had disowned her Master, desiring to be
mistress of her own lust, taking all things to herself to feed her emptiness;
and she fled to the south, escaping the assaults of the Valar and the hunters
of Oromë, for their vigilance had ever been to the north, and the south was
long unheeded. Thence she had crept towards the light of the Blessed Realm; for
she hungered for light and hated it.
In a
ravine she lived, and took shape as a spider of monstrous form, weaving her
black webs in a cleft of the mountains. There she sucked up all light that she
could find, and spun it forth again in dark nets of strangling gloom, until no
light more could come to her abode; and she was famished.
Now
Melkor came to Avathar and sought her out; and he put on again the form that he
had worn as the tyrant of Utumno: a dark Lord, tall and terrible. In that form
he remained ever after. There in the black shadows, beyond the sight even of
Manwë in his highest halls, Melkor with Ungoliant plotted his revenge. But when
Ungoliant understood the purpose of Melkor, she was torn between lust and great
fear; for she was loath to dare the perils of Aman and the power of the
dreadful Lords, and she would not stir from her hiding. Therefore Melkor said
to her: 'Do as I bid; and if thou hunger still when all is done, then I will
give thee whatsoever thy lust may demand. Yea, with both hands.' Lightly he
made this vow, as he ever did; and he laughed in his heart. Thus did the great
thief set his lure for the lesser.
A cloak
of darkness she wove about them when Melkor and Ungoliant set forth; an
Unlight, in which things seemed to be no more, and which eyes could not pierce,
for it was void. Then slowly she wrought her webs: rope by rope from cleft to
cleft, from jutting rock to pinnacle of stone, ever climbing upwards, crawling
and clinging, until at last she reached the very summit of Hyarmentir, the
highest mountain in that region of the world, far south of great Taniquetil.
There the Valar were not vigilant; for west of the Pelóri was an empty land in
twilight, and eastward the mountains looked out, save for forgotten Avathar,
only upon the dim waters of the pathless sea. But now upon the mountain-top
dark Ungoliant lay; and she made a ladder of woven ropes and cast it down, and
Melkor climbed upon it and came to that high place, and stood beside her,
looking down upon the Guarded Realm. Below them lay the woods of Oromë, and
westward shimmered the fields and pastures of Yavanna, gold beneath the tall
wheat of the gods. Bat Melkor looked north, and saw afar the shining plain, and
the silver domes of Valmar gleaming in the mingling of the lights of Telperion
and Laurelin. Then Melkor laughed aloud, and leapt swiftly down the long
western slopes; and Ungoliant was at his side, and her darkness covered them.
Now it
was a time of festival, as Melkor knew well. Though all tides and seasons were
at the will of the Valar, and in Valinor there was no winter of death,
nonetheless they dwelt then in the Kingdom of Arda, and that was but a small
realm in the halls of Eä, whose life is Time, which flows ever from the first
note to the last chord of Eru. And even as it was then the delight of the Valar
(as is told in the Ainulindalë) to clothe themselves as in a vesture in the
forms of the Children of Ilúvatar, so also did they eat and drink, and gather
the fruits of Yavanna from the Earth, which under Eru they had made.
Therefore
Yavanna set times for the flowering and the ripening of all things mat grew in
Valinor; and at each first gathering of fruits Manwë made a high feast for the
praising of Eru, when all the peoples of Valinor poured forth their joy in
music and song upon Taniquetil. This now was the hour, and Manwë decreed a
feast more glorious than any that had been held since the coming of the Eldar
to Aman. For though the escape of Melkor portended toils and sorrows to come,
and indeed none could tell what further hurts would be done to Arda ere he
could be subdued again, at this time Manwë designed to heal the evil that had
arisen among the Noldor; and all were bidden to come to his halls upon
Taniquetil, there to put aside the griefs that lay between their princes, and
forget utterly the lies of their Enemy. There came the Vanyar, and there came
the Noldor of Tirion, and the Maiar were gathered together, and the Valar were
arrayed in their beauty and majesty; and they sang before Manwë and Varda in
their lofty halls, or danced upon the green slopes of the Mountain that looked
west towards the Trees. In that day the streets of Valmar were empty, and the
stairs of Tirion were silent; and all the land lay sleeping in peace. Only the
Teleri beyond the mountains still sang upon the shores of the sea; for they recked
little of seasons or times, and gave no thought to the cares of the Rulers of
Arda, or the shadow that had fallen on Valinor, for it had not touched them, as
yet.
One
thing only marred the design of Manwë. Fëanor came indeed, for him alone Manwë
had commanded to come; but Finwë came not, nor any others of the Noldor of
Formenos. For said Finwë: 'While the ban lasts upon Fëanor my son, that he may
not go to Tirion, I hold myself unkinged, and I will not meet my people.' And
Fëanor came not in raiment of festival, and he wore no ornament, neither silver
nor gold nor any gem; and he denied the sight of the Silmarils to the Valar and
the Eldar, and left them locked in Formenos in their chamber of iron.
Nevertheless he met Fingolfin before the throne of Manwë, and was reconciled,
in word; and Fingolfin set at naught the unsheathing of the sword. For
Fingolfin held forth his hand, saying: 'As I promised, I do now. I release
thee, and remember no grievance.'
Then
Fëanor took his hand in silence; but Fingolfin said: 'Half-brother in blood,
full brother in heart will I be. Thou shalt lead and I will follow. May no new
grief divide as.'
'I hear
thee,' said Fëanor. 'So be it.' But they did not know the meaning that their
words would bear.
It is
told that even as Fëanor and Fingolfin stood before Manwë there came the
mingling of the lights, when both Trees were shining, and the silent city of
Valmar was filled with a radiance of silver and gold. And in that very hour
Melkor and Ungoliant came hastening over the fields of Valinor, as the shadow
of a black cloud upon the wind fleets over the sunlit earth; and they came
before the green mound Ezellohar. Then the Unlight of Ungoliant rose up even to
the roots of the Trees, and Melkor sprang upon the mound; and with his black
spear he smote each Tree to its core, wounded them deep, and their sap poured
forth as it were their blood, and was spilled upon the ground. But Ungoliant
sucked it up, and going then from Tree to Tree she set her black beak to their
wounds, till they were drained; and the poison of Death that was in her went
into their tissues and withered them, root, branch, and leaf; and they died.
And still she thirsted, and going to the Wells of Varda she drank them dry; but
Ungoliant belched forth black vapours as she drank, and swelled to a shape so
vast and hideous that Melkor was afraid.
So the
great darkness fell upon Valinor. Of the deeds of that day much is told in the
Aldudénië, that Elemmírë of the Vanyar made and is known to all the Eldar. Yet
no song or tale could contain all the grief and terror that then befell. The
Light failed; but the Darkness that followed was more than loss of light. In
that hour was made a Darkness that seemed not lack but a thing with being of
its own: for it was indeed made by malice out of Light, and it had power to
pierce the eye, and to enter heart and mind, and strangle the very will.
Varda
looked down from Taniquetil, and beheld the Shadow soaring up in sudden towers
of gloom; Valmar had foundered in a deep sea of night. Soon the Holy Mountain
stood alone, a last island in a world that was drowned. All song ceased. There
was silence in Valinor, and no sound could be heard, save only from afar there
came on the wind through the pass of the mountains the wailing of the Teleri
like the cold cry of gulls. For it blew chill from the East in that hour, and
the vast shadows of the sea were rolled against the walls of the shore.
But
Manwë from his high seat looked out, and his eyes alone pierced through the
night, until they saw a Darkness beyond dark which they could not penetrate,
huge but far away, moving now northward with great speed; and he knew that
Melkor had come and gone.
Then the
pursuit was begun; and the earth shook beneath the horses of the host of Oromë,
and the fire that was stricken from the hooves of Nahar was the first light
that returned to Valinor. But so soon as any came up with the Cloud of
Ungoliant the riders of the Valar were blinded and dismayed, and they were
scattered, and went they knew not whither; and the sound of the Valaróma
faltered and failed. And Tulkas was as one caught in a black net at night, and
he stood powerless and beat the air in vain. But when the Darkness had passed,
it was too late: Melkor had gone whither he would, and his vengeance was
achieved.
After a
time a great concourse gathered about the Ring of Doom; and the Valar sat in
shadow, for it was night. But the stars of Varda now glimmered overhead, and
the air was clear; for the winds of Manwë has driven away the vapours of death
and rolled back the shadows of the sea. Then Yavanna arose and stood upon
Ezellohar, the Green Mound, but it was bare now and black; and she laid her
hands upon the Trees, but they were dead and dark, and each branch that she
touched broke and fell lifeless at her feet. Then many voices were lifted in
lamentation; and it seemed to those that mourned that they had drained to the
dregs the cup of woe that Melkor had filled for them. But it was not so.
Yavanna
spoke before the Valar, saying: "The Light of the Trees has passed away,
and lives now only in the Silmarils of Fëanor. Foresighted was he! Even for
those who are mightiest under Ilúvatar there is some work that they may
accomplish once, and once only. The Light of the Trees I brought into being,
and within Eä I can do so never again. Yet had I but a little of that light I
could recall life to the Trees, ere their roots decay; and then our hurt should
be healed, and the malice of Melkor be confounded.'
Then
Manwë spoke and said: 'Hearest thou, Fëanor son of Finwë, the words of Yavanna?
Wilt thou grant what she would ask?'
There
was long silence, but Fëanor answered no word. Then Tulkas cried: 'Speak, O
Noldo, yea or nay! But who shall deny Yavanna? And did not the light of the
Silmarils come from her work in the beginning?'
But Aulë
the Maker said: 'Be not hasty! We ask a greater thing than thou knowest. Let
him have peace yet awhile.'
But
Fëanor spoke then, and cried bitterly: 'For the less even as for the greater there
is some deed that he may accomplish but once only; and in that deed his heart
shall rest. It may be that I can unlock my jewels, but never again shall I make
their like; and if I must break them, I shall break my heart, and I shall be
slain; first of all the Eldar in Aman.'
'Not the
first,' said Mandos, but they did not understand his word; and again there was
silence, while Fëanor brooded in the dark. It seemed to him that he was beset
in a ring of enemies, and the words of Melkor returned to him, saying that the
Silmarils were not safe, if the Valar would possess them. 'And is he not Vala
as are they,' said his thought, 'and does he not understand their hearts? Yea,
a thief shall reveal thieves!' Then he cried aloud: 'This thing I will not do
of free will. But if the Valar will constrain me, then shall I know indeed that
Melkor is of their kindred.'
Then
Mandos said: 'Thou hast spoken.' And Nienna arose and went up onto Ezellohar,
and cast back her grey hood, and with her tears washed away the defilements of
Ungoliant; and she sang in mourning for the bitterness of the world and the
Marring of Arda.
But even
as Nienna mourned, there came messengers from Formenos, and they were Noldor
and bore new tidings of evil. For they told how a blind Darkness came
northward, and in the midst walked some power for which there was no name, and
the Darkness issued from it. But Melkor also was there, and he came to the
house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors,
and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled
from the horror of the Dark. And they told that Melkor had broken the
stronghold of Formenos, and taken all the Jewels of the Noldor that were
hoarded in that place; and the Silmarils were gone.
Then
Fëanor rose, and lifting up his hand before Manwë he cursed Melkor, naming him
Morgoth, the Black Foe of the World; and by that name only was he known to the
Eldar ever after. And he cursed also the summons of Manwë and the hour in which
he came to Taniquetil, thinking in the madness of his rage and grief that had
he been at Formenos his strength would have availed more than to be slain also,
as Melkor had purposed. Then Fëanor ran from the Ring of Doom, and fled into
the night; for his father was dearer to him than the Light of Valinor or the
peerless works of his hands; and who among sons, of Elves or of Men, have held
their fathers of greater worth?
Many
there grieved for the anguish of Fëanor, but his loss was not his alone; and
Yavanna wept by the mound, in fear that the Darkness should swallow the last
rays of the Light of Valinor forever. For though the Valar did not yet
understand fully what had befallen, they perceived that Melkor had called upon
some aid that came from beyond Arda. The Silmarils had passed away, and all one
it may seem whether Fëanor had said yea or nay to Yavanna; yet had he said yea
at the first, before the tidings came from Formenos, it may be that his after
deeds would have been other than they were. But now the doom of the Noldor drew
near.
Meanwhile
Morgoth escaping from the pursuit of the Valar came to the wastes of Araman.
This land lay northward between the Mountains of the Pelóri and the Great Sea,
as Avathar lay to the south; but Araman was a wider land, and between the
shores and the mountains were barren plains, ever colder as the Ice drew
nearer. Through this region Morgoth and Ungoliant passed in haste, and so came
through the great mists of Oiomúrë to the Helcaraxë, where the strait between
Araman and Middle-earth was filled with grinding ice; and he crossed over, and
came back at last to the north of the Outer Lands. Together they went on, for
Morgoth could not elude Ungoliant, and her cloud was still about him, and all
her eyes were upon him; and they came to those lands that lay north of the
Firth of Drengist. Now Morgoth was drawing near to the ruins of Angband, where
his great western stronghold had been; and Ungoliant perceived his hope, and
knew that here he would seek to escape from her, and she stayed him, demanding
that he fulfil his promise.
'Blackheart!'
she said. 'I have done thy bidding. But I hunger still.'
'What
wouldst thou have more?' said Morgoth. 'Dost thou desire all the world for thy
belly? I did not vow to give thee that. I am its Lord.'
'Not so
much,' said Ungoliant. 'But thou hast a great treasure from Formenos; I will
have all that. Yea, with both hands thou shalt give it'.
Then
perforce Morgoth surrendered to her the gems that he bore with him, one by one
and grudgingly; and she devoured them, and their beauty perished from the
world. Huger and darker yet grew Ungoliant, but her lust was unsated. 'With one
hand thou givest,' she said; 'with the left only. Open thy right hand.'
In his
right hand Morgoth held close the Silmarils, and though they were locked in a
crystal casket, they had begun to bum him, and his hand was clenched in pain;
but he would not open it 'Nay!' he said. 'Thou hast had thy doe. For with my
power that I put into thee thy work was accomplished. I need thee no more. These
things thou shalt not have, nor see. I name them unto myself for ever. '
But
Ungoliant had grown great, and he less by the power that had gone out of him;
and she rose against him, and her cloud closed about him, and she enmeshed him
in a web of clinging thongs to strangle him. Then Morgoth sent forth a terrible
cry, that echoed in the mountains. Therefore that region was called Lammoth;
for the echoes of his voice dwelt there ever after, so that any who cried aloud
in that land awoke them, and all the waste between the hills and the sea was
filled with a clamour as of voices in anguish. The cry of Morgoth in that hour
was the greatest and most dreadful that was ever heard in the northern world;
the mountains shook, and the earth trembled, and rocks were riven asunder. Deep
in forgotten places that cry was heard. Far beneath the rained halls of
Angband, in vaults to which the Valar in the haste of their assault had not
descended, Balrogs lurked still, awaiting ever the return of their Lord; and
now swiftly they arose, and passing over Hithlum they came to Lammoth as a
tempest of fire. With their whips of flame they smote asunder the webs of
Ungoliant, and she quailed, and turned to flight, belching black vapours to
cover her; and fleeing from the north she went down into Beleriand, and dwelt
beneath Ered Gorgoroth, in that dark valley that was after called Nan
Dungortheb, the Valley of Dreadful Death, because of the horror that she bred
there. For other foul creatures of spider form had dwelt there since the days
of the delving of Angband, and she mated with them, and devoured them; and even
after Ungoliant herself departed, and went whither she would into the forgotten
south of the world, her offspring abode there and wove their hideous webs. Of
the fate of Ungoliant no tale tells. Yet some have said that she ended long
ago, when in her uttermost famine she devoured herself at last.
And thus
the fear of Yavanna that the Silmarils would be swallowed up and fall into
nothingness did not come to pass; but they remained in the power of Morgoth.
And he being freed gathered again all his servants that he could find, and came
to the ruins of Angband. There he delved anew his vast vaults and dungeons, and
above their gates he reared the threefold peaks of Thangorodrim, and a great
reek of dark smoke was ever wreathed about them. There countless became the
hosts of his beasts and his demons, and the race of the Orcs, bred long before,
grew and multiplied in the bowels of the earth. Dark now fell the shadow on
Beleriand, as is told hereafter, but in Angband Morgoth forged for himself a
great crown of iron, and he called himself King of the World. In token of this
he set the Silmarils in his crown. His hands were burned black by the touch of
those hallowed jewels, and black they remained ever after; nor was he ever free
from the pain of the burning, and the anger of the pain. That crown he never
took from his head, though its weight became a deadly weariness. Never but once
only did he depart for a while secretly from his domain in the North; seldom
indeed did he leave the deep places of his fortress, but governed his armies
from his northern throne. And once only also did he himself wield weapon, while
his realm lasted.
For now,
more than in the days of Utumno ere his pride was humbled, his hatred devoured
him, and in the domination of his servants and the inspiring of them with lust
of evil he spent his spirit. Nonetheless his majesty as one of the Valar long
remained, though turned to terror, and before his face all save the mightiest
sank into a dark pit of fear.
Now when
it was known that Morgoth had escaped from Valinor and pursuit was unavailing,
the Valar remained long seated in darkness in the Ring of Doom, and the Maiar
and the Vanyar stood beside them and wept; but the Noldor for the most part
returned to Tirion and mourned for the darkening of their fair city. Through
the dim ravine of the Calacirya fogs drifted in from the shadowy seas and
mantled its towers, and the lamp of the Mindon burned pale in the gloom.
Then
suddenly Fëanor appeared in the city and called on all to come to the high
court of the King upon the summit of Túna; but the doom of banishment that had
been laid upon him was not yet lifted, and he rebelled against the Valar. A
great multitude gathered swiftly, therefore, to hear what he would say; and the
hill and an the stairs and streets that climbed upon it were lit with the light
of many torches that each one bore in hand. Fëanor was a master of words, and
his tongue had great power over hearts when he would use it; and that night he
made a speech before the Noldor which they ever remembered. Fierce and few were
his words, and filled with anger and pride; and hearing them the Noldor were
stirred to madness. His wrath and his hate were given most to Morgoth, and yet
well nigh all that he said came from the very lies of Morgoth himself; but he
was distraught with grief for the slaying of his father, and with anguish for
the rape of the Silmarils. He claimed now the kingship of all the Noldor, since
Finwë was dead, and he scorned the decrees of the Valar.
'Why, O
people of the Noldor,' he cried, 'why should we longer serve the jealous Valar,
who cannot keep us nor even their own realm secure from their Enemy? And though
he be now their foe, are not they and he of one kin? Vengeance calls me hence,
but even were it otherwise I would not dwell longer in the same land with the
kin of my father's slayer and of the thief of my treasure. Yet I am not the
only valiant in this valiant people. And have ye not all lost your King? And
what else have ye not lost, cooped here in a narrow land between the mountains
and the sea?
'Here
once was light, that the Valar begrudged to Middle-earth, but now dark levels
all. Shall we mourn here deedless for ever, a shadow-folk, mist-haunting,
dropping vain tears in the thankless sea? Or shall we return to our home? In
Cuiviénen sweet ran the waters under unclouded stars, and wide lands lay about,
where a free people might walk. There they lie still and await us who in our folly
forsook them. Come away! Let the cowards keep this city!'
Long he
spoke, and ever he urged the Noldor to follow him and by their own prowess to
win freedom and great realms in the lands of the East, before it was too late;
for he echoed the lies of Melkor, that the Valar had cozened them and would
hold them captive so that Men might rule in Middle-earth. Many of the Eldar
heard then for the first time of the Aftercomers. 'Fair shall the end be,' he
cried, though long and hard shall be the road! Say farewell to bondage! But say
farewell also to ease! Say farewell to the weak! Say farewell to your
treasures! More still shall we make. Journey light: but bring with you your
swords! For we will go further than Oromë, endure longer than Tulkas: we will
never turn back from pursuit. After Morgoth to the ends of the Earth! War shall
he have and hatred undying. But when we have conquered and have regained the
Silmarils, then we and we alone shall be lords of the unsullied Light, and
masters of the bliss and beauty of Arda. No other race shall oust us!'
Then
Fëanor swore a terrible oath. His seven sons leapt straightway to his side and
took the selfsame vow together, and red as blood shone their drawn swords in
the glare of the torches. They swore an oath which none shall break, and none
should take, by the name even of Ilúvatar, calling the Everlasting Dark upon
them if they kept it not; and Manwë they named in witness, and Varda, and the
hallowed mountain of Taniquetil, vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred to
the ends of the World Vala, Demon, Elf or Man as yet unborn, or any creature,
great or small, good or evil, that time should bring forth unto the end of
days, whoso should hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their possession.
Thus
spoke Maedhros and Maglor and Celegorm, Curufin and Caranthir, Amrod and Amras,
princes of the Noldor; and many quailed to hear the dread words. For so sworn,
good or evil, an oath may not be broken, and it shall pursue oathkeeper and
oathbreaker to the world's end. Fingolfin and Turgon his son therefore spoke
against Fëanor, and fierce words awoke, so that once again wrath came near to
the edge of swords. But Finarfin spoke softly, as was his wont, and sought to
calm the Noldor, persuading them to pause and ponder ere deeds were done that
could not be undone; and Orodreth, alone of his sons, spoke in like manner.
Finrod was with Turgon, his friend; but Galadriel, the only woman of the Noldor
to stand that day tall and valiant among the contending princes, was eager to
be gone. No oaths she swore, but the words of Fëanor concerning Middle-earth
had kindled in her heart, for she yearned to see the wide unguarded lands and
to rule there a realm at her own will. Of like mind with Galadriel was Fingon
Fingolfin's son, being moved also by Fëanor's words, though he loved him
little; and with Fingon stood as they ever did Angrod and Aegnor, sons of
Finarfin. But these held their peace and spoke not against their fathers.
At
length after long debate Fëanor prevailed, and the greater part of the Noldor
there assembled he set aflame with the desire of new things and strange
countries. Therefore when Finarfin spoke yet again for heed and delay, a great
shout went up: 'Nay, let us be gone!' And straightway Fëanor and his sons began
to prepare for the marching forth.
Little
foresight could there be for those who dared to take so dark a road. Yet all
was done in over-haste; for Fëanor drove them on, fearing lest in the cooling
of their hearts his words should wane and other counsels yet prevail; and for
all his proud words he did not forget the power of the Valar. But from Valmar
no message came, and Manwë was silent. He would not yet either forbid or hinder
Fëanor's purpose; for the Valar were aggrieved that they were charged with evil
intent to the Eldar, or that any were held captive by them against their will.
Now they watched and waited, for they did not yet believe that Fëanor could
hold the host of the Noldor to his will.
And
indeed when Fëanor began the marshalling of the Noldor for their setting-out,
then at once dissension arose. For though he had brought the assembly in a mind
to depart, by no means all were of a mind to take Fëanor as King. Greater love
was given to Fingolfin and his sons, and his household and the most part of the
dwellers in Tirion refused to renounce him, if he would go with them; and thus
at the last as two divided hosts the Noldor set forth upon their bitter road.
Fëanor and his following were in the van, but the greater host came behind
under Fingolfin; and he marched against his wisdom, because Fingon his son so
urged him, and because he would not be sundered from his people that were eager
to go, nor leave them to the rash counsels of Fëanor. Nor did he forget his
words before the throne of Manwë. With Fingolfin went Finarfin also and for
like reasons; but most loath was he to depart. And of all the Noldor in
Valinor, who were grown now to a great people, but one tithe refused to take
the road: some for the love that they bore to the Valar (and to Aulë not least),
some for the love of Tirion and the many things that they had made; none for
fear of peril by the way.
But even
as the trumpet sang and Fëanor issued from the gates of Tirion a messenger came
at last from Manwë, saying: 'Against the folly of Fëanor shall be set my
counsel only. Go not forth! For the hour is evil, and your road leads to sorrow
that ye do not foresee. No aid will the Valar lend you in this quest; but
neither will they hinder you; for this ye shall know: as ye came hither freely,
freely shall ye depart. But thou Fëanor Finwë's son, by thine oath art exiled.
The lies of Melkor thou shalt unlearn in bitterness. Vala he is, thou saist
Then thou hast sworn in vain, for none of the Valar canst thou overcome now or
ever within the halls of Eä, not though Eru whom thou namest had made thee
thrice greater than thou art.'
But
Fëanor laughed, and spoke not to the herald, but to the Noldor, saying: 'So!
Then will this valiant people send forth the heir of their King alone into
banishment with his sons only, and return to their bondage? But if any will
come with me, I say to them: Is sorrow foreboded to you? But in Aman we have
seen it. In Aman we have come through bliss to woe. The other now we will try:
through sorrow to find joy; or freedom, at the least.'
Then
turning to the herald he cried: 'Say this to Manwë Súlimo, High King of Arda:
if Fëanor cannot overthrow Morgoth, at least he delays not to assail him, and
sits not idle in grief. And it may be that Eru has set in me a fire greater
than thou knowest. Such hurt at the least will I do to the Foe of the Valar
that even the mighty in the Ring of Doom shall wonder to hear it. Yea, in the
end they shall follow me. Farewell!'
In that
hour the voice of Fëanor grew so great and so potent that even the herald of
the Valar bowed before him as one full-answered, and departed; and the Noldor
were over-ruled. Therefore they continued their march; and the House of Fëanor
hastened before them along the coasts of Elendë: not once did they turn their
eyes back to Tirion on the green hill of Túna. Slower and less eagerly came the
host of Fingolfin after them. Of those Fingon was the foremost; but at the rear
went Finarfin and Finrod, and many of the noblest and wisest of the Noldor; and
often they looked behind them to see their fair city, until the lamp of the
Mindon Eldaliéva was lost in the night. More than any others of the Exiles they
carried thence memories of the bliss they had forsaken, and some even of the
things that they had made there they took with them: a solace and a burden on
the road.
Now
Fëanor led the Noldor northward, because his first purpose was to follow
Morgoth. Moreover Túna beneath Taniquetil was set nigh to the girdle of Arda,
and there the Great Sea was immeasurably wide, whereas ever northward the
sundering seas grew narrower, as the wasteland of Araman and the coasts of
Middle-earth drew together. But as the mind of Fëanor cooled and took counsel
he perceived overlate that all these great companies would never overcome the
long leagues to the north, nor cross the seas at the last, save with the aid of
ships; yet it would need long time and toil to build so great a fleet, even
were there any among the Noldor skilled in that craft. He resolved now
therefore to persuade the Teleri, ever friends to the Noldor, to join with
them; and in his rebellion he thought that thus the bliss of Valinor might be
further diminished and his power for war upon Morgoth be increased. He hastened
then to Alqualondë, and spoke to the Teleri as he had spoken before in Tirion.
But the
Teleri were unmoved by aught that he could say. They were grieved indeed at the
going of their kinsfolk and long friends, but would rather dissuade them than
aid them; and no ship would they lend, nor help in the building, against the
will of the Valar. As for themselves, they desired now no other home but the
strands of Eldamar, and no other lord than Olwë, prince of Alqualondë. And he
had never lent ear to Morgoth, nor welcomed him to his land, and he trusted
still that Ulmo and the other great among the Valar would redress the hurts of
Morgoth, and that the night would pass yet to a new dawn. Then Fëanor grew
wrathful, for he still feared delay; and hotly he spoke to Olwë. 'You renounce
your friendship, even in the hour of our need,' he said. 'Yet you were glad
indeed to receive our aid when you came at last to these shores, fainthearted
loiterers, and wellnigh emptyhanded. In huts on the beaches would yon be
dwelling still, had not the Noldor carved out your haven and toiled upon your
walls.'
But Olwë
answered: 'We renounce no friendship. But it may be the part of a friend to
rebuke a friend's folly. And when the Noldor welcomed us and gave us aid,
otherwise then you spoke: in the land of Aman we were to dwell for ever, as
brothers whose houses stand side by side. But as for our white ships: those you
gave us not. We learned not that craft from the Noldor, but from the Lords of
the Sea; and the white timbers we wrought with our own hands, and the white
sails were woven by our wives and our daughters. Therefore we will neither give
them nor sell them for any league or friendship. For I say to you, Fëanor son
of Finwë, these are to us as are the gems of the Noldor: the work of our
hearts, whose like we shall not make again.'
Thereupon
Fëanor left him, and sat in dark thought beyond the walls of Alqualondë, until
his host was assembled. When he judged that his strength was enough, he went to
the Haven of the Swans and began to man the ships that were anchored there and
to take them away by force. But the Teleri withstood him, and cast many of the
Noldor into the sea. Then swords were drawn, and a bitter fight was fought upon
the ships, and about the lamplit quays and piers of the Haven, and even upon
the great arch of its gate. Thrice the people of Fëanor were driven back, and
many were slain upon either side; but the vanguard of the Noldor were succoured
by Fingon with the foremost of the host of Fingolfin, who coming up found a
battle joined and their own kin falling, and rushed in before they knew rightly
the cause of the quarrel; some thought indeed that the Teleri had sought to
waylay the march of the Noldor at the bidding of the Valar.
Thus at
last the Teleri were overcome, and a great part of their mariners that dwelt in
Alqualondë were wickedly slain. For the Noldor were become fierce and
desperate, and the Teleri had less strength, and were armed for the most part
but with slender bows. Then the Noldor drew away their white ships and manned
their oars as best they might, and rowed them north along the coast. And Olwë
called upon Ossë, but he came not, for it was not permitted by the Valar that
the fight of the Noldor should be hindered by force. But Uinen wept for the
mariners of the Teleri; and the sea rose in wrath against the slayers, so that
many of the ships were wrecked and those in them drowned. Of the enslaving at
Alqualondë more is told in that lament which is named Noldolantë, the Fall of
the Noldor, that Maglor made ere he was lost.
Nonetheless
the greater part of the Noldor escaped, and when the storm was past they held
on their course, some by ship and some by land; but the way was long and ever
more evil as they went forward. After they had marched for a great while in the
unmeasured night, they came at length to the northern confines of the Guarded
Realm, upon the borders of the empty waste of Araman which were mountainous and
cold. There they beheld suddenly a dark figure standing high upon a rock that
looked down upon the shore. Some say that it was Mandos himself, and no lesser
herald of Manwë. And they heard a loud voice, solemn and terrible, that bade
them stand and give ear. Then all halted and stood still, and from end to end
of the hosts of the Noldor the voice was heard speaking the curse and prophecy
which is called the Prophecy of the North, and the Doom of the Noldor. Much it
foretold in dark words, which the Noldor understood not until the woes indeed
after befell them; but all heard the curse that was uttered upon those that
would not stay nor seek the doom and pardon of the Valar.
'Tears
unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and
shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the
mountains. On the House of Fëanor the wrath of the Valar lieth from the West
unto the uttermost East, and upon all that will follow them it shall be laid
also. Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away
the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue. To evil end shall all things
turn that they begin well; and by treason of kin unto kin, and the fear of
treason, shall this come to pass. The Dispossessed shall they be forever.
'Ye have
spilled the blood of your kindred unrighteously and have stained the land of
Aman. For blood ye shall render blood, and beyond Aman ye shall dwell in
Death's shadow. For though Eru appointed to you to die not in Eä, and no
sickness may assail you, yet slain ye may be, and slain ye shall be: by weapon
and by torment and by grief; and your houseless spirits shall come then to
Mandos. There long shall ye abide and yearn for your bodies, and find little
pity though all whom ye have slain should entreat for you. And those that
endure in Middle-earth and come not to Mandos shall grow weary of the world as
with a great burden, and shall wane, and become as shadows of regret before the
younger race that cometh after. The Valar have spoken.'
Then
many quailed; but Fëanor hardened his heart and said: 'We have sworn, and not
lightly. This oath we will keep. We are threatened with many evils, and treason
not least; but one thing is not said: that we shall suffer from cowardice, from
cravens or the fear of cravens. Therefore I say that we will go on, and this
doom I add: the deeds that we shall do shall be the matter of song until the
last days of Arda.'
But in
that hour Finarfin forsook the march, and turned back, being filled with grief,
and with bitterness against the House of Fëanor, because of his kinship with
Olwë of Alqualondë; and many of his people went with him, retracing their steps
in sorrow, until they beheld once more the far beam of the Mindon upon Túna
still shining in the night, and so came at last to Valinor. There they received
the pardon of the Valar, and Finarfin was set to rule the remnant of the Noldor
in the Blessed Realm. But his sons were not with him, for they would not
forsake the sons of Fingolfin; and all Fingolfin's folk went forward still,
feeling the constraint of their kinship and the will of Fëanor, and fearing to
face the doom of the Valar, since not all of them had been guiltless of the
Kinslaying at Alqualondë. Moreover Fingon and Turgon were bold and fiery of
heart, and loath to abandon any task to which they had put their hands until
the bitter end, if bitter it must be. So the main host held on, and swiftly the
evil that was foretold began its work.
The
Noldor came at last far into the north of Arda; and they saw the first teeth of
the ice that floated in the sea, and knew that they were drawing nigh to the
Helcaraxë. For between the land of Aman that in the north curved eastward, and
the east-shores of Endor (which is Middle-earth) that bore westward, there was
a narrow strait, through which the chill waters of the Encircling Sea and the
waves of Belegaer flowed together, and there were vast fogs and mists of
deathly cold, and the sea-streams were filled with clashing hills of ice and
the grinding of ice deep-sunken. Such was the Helcaraxë, and there none yet had
dared to tread save the Valar only and Ungoliant
Therefore
Fëanor halted and the Noldor debated what course they should now take. But they
began to suffer anguish from the cold, and the clinging mists through which no
gleam of star could pierce; and many repented of the road and began to murmur,
especially those that followed Fingolfin, cursing Fëanor, and naming him as the
cause of all the woes of the Eldar. But Fëanor, knowing all that was said, took
counsel with his sons; and two courses only they saw to escape from Araman and
come into Endor: by the straits or by ship. But the Helcaraxë they deemed
impassable, whereas the ships were too few. Many had been lost upon their long
journey, and there remained now not enough to bear across all the great host
together; yet none were willing to abide upon the western coast while others were
ferried first: already the fear of treachery was awake among the Noldor.
Therefore it came into the hearts of Fëanor and his sons to seize all the ships
and depart suddenly; for they had retained the mastery of the fleet since the
battle of the Haven, and it was manned only by those who had fought there and
were bound to Fëanor. And as though it came at his call, there sprang up a wind
from the north-west, and Fëanor slipped away secretly with all whom he deemed
true to him, and went aboard, and put out to sea, and left Fingolfin in Araman.
And since the sea was there narrow, steering east and somewhat south he passed
over without loss, and first of all the Noldor set foot once more upon the
shores of Middle-earth; and the landing of Fëanor was at the mouth of the firth
which was called Drengist and ran into Dor-lómin.
But when
they were landed, Maedhros the eldest of his sons, and on a time the friend of
Fingon ere Morgoth's lies came between, spoke to Fëanor, saying: 'Now what
ships and rowers will you spare to return, and whom shall they bear hither
first? Fingon the valiant?'
Then
Fëanor laughed as one fey, and he cried: 'None and none! What I have left
behind I count now no loss; needless baggage on the road it has proved. Let
those that cursed my name, curse me still, and whine their way back to the
cages of the Valar! Let the ships burn!' Then Maedhros alone stood aside, but
Fëanor caused fire to be set to the white ships of the Teleri. So in that place
which was called Losgar at the outlet of the Firth of Drengist ended the
fairest vessels that ever sailed the sea, in a great burning, bright and
terrible. And Fingolfin and his people saw the light afar off, red beneath the
clouds; and they knew that they were betrayed. This was the firstfruits of the
Kinslaying and the Doom of the Noldor.
Then
Fingolfin seeing that Fëanor had left him to perish in Araman or return in
shame to Valinor was filled with bitterness; but he desired now as never before
to come by some way to Middle-earth, and meet Fëanor again. And he and his host
wandered long in misery, but their valour and endurance grew with hardship; for
they were a mighty people, the elder children undying of Elu Ilúvatar, but
new-come from the Blessed Realm, and not yet weary with the weariness of Earth.
The fire of their hearts was young, and led by Fingolfin and his sons, and by
Finrod and Galadriel, they dared to pass into the bitterest North; and finding
no other way they endured at last the terror of the Helcaraxë and the cruel
hills of ice. Few of the deeds of the Noldor thereafter surpassed that
desperate crossing in hardihood or woe. There Elenwë the wife of Turgon was
lost, and many others perished also; and it was with a lessened host that
Fingolfin set foot at last upon the Outer Lands. Small love for Fëanor or his
sons had those that marched at last behind him, and blew their trumpets in
Middle-earth at the first rising of the Moon.
Now as
has been told the power of Elwë and Melian increased in Middle-earth, and all
the Elves of Beleriand, from the mariners of Círdan to the wandering hunters of
the Blue Mountains beyond the River Gelion, owned Elwë as their lord; Elu
Thingol he was called, King Greymantle, in the tongue of his people. They are
called the Sindar, the Grey-elves of starlit Beleriand; and although they were
Moriquendi, under the lordship of Thingol and the teaching of Melian they
became the fairest and the most wise and skilful of all the Elves of
Middle-earth. And at the end of the first age of the Chaining of Melkor, when
all the Earth had peace and the glory of Valinor was at its noon, there came
into the world Lúthien, the only child of Thingol and Melian. Though
Middle-earth lay for the most part in the Sleep of Yavanna, in Beleriand under
the power of Melian there was life and joy, and the bright stars shone as
silver fires; and there in the forest of Neldoreth Lúthien was born, and the
white flowers of niphredil came forth to greet her as stars from the earth.
It came
to pass during the second age of the captivity of Melkor that Dwarves came over
the Blue Mountains of Ered Luin into Beleriand. Themselves they named Khazâd,
but the Sindar called them Naugrim, the Stunted People, and Gonnhirrim, Masters
of Stone. Far to the east were the most ancient dwellings of the Naugrim, but
they had delved for themselves great halls and mansions, after the manner of
their kind, in the eastern side of Ered Luin; and those cities were named in
their own tongue Gabilgathol and Tumunzahar. To the north of the great height
of Mount Dolmed was Gabilgathol, which the Elves interpreted in their tongue
Belegost, that is Mickleburg; and southward was delved Tumunzahar, by the Elves
named Nogrod, the Hollowbold. Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was
Khazâd-dűm, the Dwarrowdelf, Hadhodrond in the Elvish tongue, that was
afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria; but it was far off in the
Mountains of Mist beyond the wide leagues of Eriador, and to the Eldar came but
as a name and a rumour from the words of the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains.
From
Nogrod and Belegost the Naugrim came forth into Beleriand; and the Elves were
filled with amazement, for they had believed themselves to be the only living
things in Middle-earth that spoke with words or wrought with hands, and that
all others were but birds and beasts. But they could understand no word of the
tongue of the Naugrim, which to their ears was cumbrous and unlovely; and few
ever of the Eldar have achieved the mastery of it But the Dwarves were swift to
learn, and indeed were more willing to learn the Elventongue than to teach
their own to those of alien race. Few of the Eldar went ever to Nogrod and
Belegost, save Eöl of Nan Elmoth and Maeglin his son; but the Dwarves
trafficked into Beleriand, and they made a great road that passed under the
shoulders of Mount Dolmed and followed the course of the River Ascar, crossing
Gelion at Sarn Athrad, the Ford of Stones, where battle after befell. Ever cool
was the friendship between the Naugrim and the Eldar, though much profit they
had one of the other; but at that time those griefs that lay between them had
not yet come to pass, and King Thingol welcomed them. But the Naugrim gave
their friendship more readily to the Noldor in after days than to any others of
Elves and Men, because of their love and reverence for Aulë; and the gems of
the Noldor they praised above all other wealth. In the darkness of Arda already
the Dwarves wrought great works, for even from the first days of their Fathers
they had marvellous skill with metals and with stone; but in that ancient time
iron and copper they loved to work, rather than silver or gold.
Now
Melian had much foresight, after the manner of the Maiar; and when the second
age of the captivity of Melkor had passed, she counselled Thingol that the
Peace of Arda would not last for ever. He took thought therefore how he should
make for himself a kingly dwelling, and a place that should be strong, if evil
were to awake again in Middle-earth; and he sought aid and counsel of the Dwarves
of Belegost They gave it willingly, for they were unwearied in those days and
eager for new works; and though the Dwarves ever demanded a price for all that
they did, whether with delight or with toil, at this time they held themselves
paid. For Melian taught them much that they were eager to learn, and Thingol
rewarded them with many fair pearls. These Círdan gave to him, for they were
got in great number in the shallow waters about the Isle of Balar; but the
Naugrim had not before seen their like, and they held them dear. One there was
as great as a dove's egg, and its sheen was as starlight on the foam of the
sea; Nimphelos it was named, and the chieftain of the Dwarves of Belegost
prized it above a mountain of wealth.
Therefore
the Naugrim laboured long and gladly for Thingol, and devised for him mansions
after the fashion of their people, delved deep in the earth. Where the
Esgalduin flowed down, and parted Neldoreth from Region, there rose in the
midst of the forest a rocky hill, and the river ran at its feet. There they
made the gates of the hall of Thingol, and they built a bridge of stone over
the river, by which alone the gates could be entered. Beyond the gates wide
passages ran down to high halls and chambers far below that were hewn in the
living stone, so many and so great that that dwelling was named Menegroth, the
Thousand Caves.
But the
Elves also had part in that labour, and Elves and Dwarves together, each with
their own skill, there wrought out the visions of Melian, images of the wonder
and beauty of Valinor beyond the Sea. The pillars of Menegroth were hewn in the
likeness of the beeches of Oromë, stock, bough, and leaf, and they were lit
with lanterns of gold. The nightingales sang there as in the gardens of Lórien;
and there were fountains of silver, and basins of marble, and floors of
many-coloured stones. Carven figures of beasts and birds there ran upon the
walls, or climbed upon the pillars, or peered among the branches entwined with
many flowers. And as the years passed Melian and her maidens filled the halls
with woven hangings wherein could be read the deeds of the Valar, and many
things that had befallen in Arda since its beginning, and shadows of things
that were yet to be. That was the fairest dwelling of any king that has ever
been east of the Sea.
And when
the building of Menegroth was achieved, and there was peace in the realm of
Thingol and Melian, the Naugrim yet came ever and anon over the mountains and
went in traffic about the lands; but they went seldom to the Falas, for they
hated the sound of the sea and feared to look upon it. To Beleriand there came
no other rumour or tidings of the world without.
But as
the third age of the captivity of Melkor drew on, the Dwarves became troubled,
and they spoke to King Thingol, saying that the Valar had not rooted out
utterly the evils of the North, and now the remnant, having long multiplied in
the dark, were coming forth once more and roaming far and wide. 'There are fell
beasts,' they said, 'in the land east of the mountains, and your ancient
kindred that dwell there are flying from the plains to the hills.'
And ere
long the evil creatures came even to Beleriand, over passes in the mountains,
or up from the south through the dark forests. Wolves there were, or creatures that
walked in wolf-shapes, and other fell beings of shadow; and among them were the
Orcs, who afterwards wrought ruin in Beleriand: but they were yet few and wary,
and did but smell out the ways of the land, awaiting the return of their lord.
Whence they came, or what they were, the Elves knew not then, thinking them
perhaps to be Avari who had become evil and savage in the wild; in which they
guessed all too near, it is said.
Therefore
Thingol took thought for arms, which before his people had not needed, and
these at first the Naugrim smithied for him; for they were greatly skilled in
such work, though none among them surpassed the craftsmen of Nogrod, of whom
Telchar the smith was greatest in renown. A warlike race of old were all the
Naugrim, and they would fight fiercely against whomsoever aggrieved them:
servants of Melkor, or Eldar, or Avari, or wild beasts, or not seldom their own
kin, Dwarves of other mansions and lordships. Their smithcraft indeed the
Sindar soon learned of them; yet in the tempering of steel alone of all crafts
the Dwarves were never outmatched even by the Noldor, and in the making of mail
of linked rings, which was first contrived by the smiths of Belegost, their
work had no rival.
At this
time therefore the Sindar were well-armed, and they drove off an creatures of
evil, and had peace again; but Thingol's armouries were stored with axes and
with spears and swords, and tall helms, and long coats of bright mail; for the
hauberks of the Dwarves were so fashioned that they rusted not but shone ever
as if they were new-burnished. And that proved well for Thingol in the time
that was to come.
Now as
has been told, one Lenwë of the host of Olwë forsook the march of the Eldar at
that time when the Teleri were halted by the shores of the Great River upon the
borders of the westlands of Middle-earth. Little is known of the wanderings of
the Nandor, whom he led away down Anduin: some, it is said, dwelt age-long in
the woods of the Vale of the Great River, some came at last to its mouths and
there dwelt by the Sea, and yet others passing by Ered Nimrais, the White
Mountains, came north again and entered the wilderness of Eriador between Ered
Luin and the far Mountains of Mist. Now these were a woodland people and had no
weapons of steel, and the coming of the fell beasts of the North filled them
with great fear, as the Naugrim declared to King Thingol in Menegroth.
Therefore Denethor, the son of Lenwë, hearing rumour of the might of Thingol
and his majesty, and of the peace of his realm, gathered such host of his
scattered people as he could, and led them over the mountains into Beleriand.
There they were welcomed by Thingol, as kin long lost that return, and they
dwelt in Ossiriand, the Land of Seven Rivers.
Of the
long years of peace that followed after the coming of Denethor there is little
tale. In those days, it is said, Daeron the Minstrel, chief loremaster of the
kingdom of Thingol, devised his Runes; and the Naugrim that came to Thingol
learned them, and were well-pleased with the device, esteeming Daeron's skill
higher than did the Sindar, his own people. By the Naugrim the Cirth were taken
east over the mountains and passed into the knowledge of many peoples; but they
were little used by the Sindar for the keeping of records, until the days of
the War, and much that was held in memory perished in the ruins of Doriath. But
of bliss and glad life there is little to be said, before it ends; as works
fair and wonderful, while still they endure for eyes to see, are their own
record, and only when they are in peril or broken for ever do they pass into
song.
In
Beleriand in those days the Elves walked, and the rivers flowed, and the stars
shone, and the night-flowers gave forth their scents; and the beauty of Melian
was as the noon, and the beauty of Lúthien was as the dawn in spring. In
Beleriand King Thingol upon his throne was as the lords of the Maiar, whose
power is at rest, whose joy is as an air that they breathe in all their days,
whose thought flows in a tide untroubled from the heights to the deeps. In
Beleriand still at times rode Oromë the great, passing like a wind over the
mountains, and the sound of his horn came down the leagues of the starlight,
and the Elves feared him for the splendour of his countenance and the great
noise of the onrush of Nahar; but when the Valaróma echoed in the hills, they
knew well that all evil things were fled far away.
But it
came to pass at last that the end of bliss was at hand, and the noontide of
Valinor was drawing to its twilight. For as has been told and as is known to
all, being written in lore and sung in many songs, Melkor slew the Trees of the
Valar with the aid of Ungoliant, and escaped, and came back to Middle-earth.
Far to the north befell the strife of Morgoth and Ungoliant; but the great cry
of Morgoth echoed through Beleriand, and all its people shrank for fear; for
though they knew not what it foreboded, they heard then the herald of death.
Soon afterwards Ungoliant fled from the north and came into the realm of King
Thingol, and a terror of darkness was about her; but by the power of Melian she
was stayed, and entered not into Neldoreth, but abode long time under the
shadow of the precipices in which Dorthonion fell southward. And they became
known as Ered Gorgoroth, the Mountains of Terror, and none dared go thither, or
pass nigh them; there life and light were strangled, and there all waters were
poisoned. But Morgoth, as has before been told, returned to Angband, and built
it anew, and above its doors he reared the reeking towers of Thangorodrim; and
the gates of Morgoth were but one hundred and fifty leagues distant from the
bridge of Menegroth: far and yet all too near.
Now the
Orcs that multiplied in the darkness of the earth grew strong and fell, and
their dark lord filled them with a lust of rain and death; and they issued from
Angband's gates under the clouds that Morgoth sent forth, and passed silently
into the highlands of the north. Thence on a sudden a great army came into
Beleriand and assailed King Thingol. Now in his wide realm many Elves wandered
free in the wild, or dwelt at peace in small kindreds far sundered; and only
about Menegroth in the midst of the land, and along the Falas in the country of
the mariners, were there numerous peoples. But the Orcs came down upon either
side of Menegroth, and from camps in the east between Celon and Gelion, and
west in the plains between Sirion and Narog, they plundered far and wide; and
Thingol was cut on from Círdan at Eglarest. Therefore he called upon Denethor;
and the Elves came in force from Region beyond Aros and from Ossiriand, and
fought the first battle in the Wars of Beleriand. And the eastern host of the
Orcs was taken between the armies of the Eldar, north of the Andram and midway
between Aros and Gelion, and there they were utterly defeated, and those that
fled north from the great slaughter were waylaid by the axes of the Naugrim
that issued from Mount Dolmed: few indeed returned to Angband.
But the
victory of the Elves was dear-bought For those of Ossiriand were light-armed,
and no match for the Orcs, who were shod with iron and iron-shielded and bore
great spears with broad blades; and Denethor was cut off and surrounded upon
the hill of Amon Ereb. There he fell and all his nearest kin about him, before
the host of Thingol could come to his aid. Bitterly though his fall was
avenged, when Thingol came upon the rear of the Orcs and slew them in heaps,
his people lamented him ever after and took no king again. After the battle
some returned to Ossiriand, and their tidings filled the remnant of their
people with great fear, so that thereafter they came never forth in open war,
but kept themselves by wariness and secrecy; and they were called the
Laiquendi, the Green-elves, because of their raiment of the colour of leaves. But
many went north and entered the guarded realm of Thingol, and were merged with
his people.
And when
Thingol came again to Menegroth he learned that the Orc-host in the west was
victorious, and had driven Círdan to the rim of the sea. Therefore he withdrew
all his people that his summons could reach within the fastness of Neldoreth
and Region, and Melian put forth her power and fenced all that dominion round
about with an unseen wail of shadow and bewilderment: the Girdle of Melian,
that none thereafter could pass against her will or the will of King Thingol,
unless one should come with a power greater than that of Melian the Maia. And
this inner land, which was long named Eglador, was after called Doriath, the
guarded kingdom, Land of the Girdle. Within it there was yet a watchful peace;
but without there was peril and great fear, and the servants of Morgoth roamed
at will, save in the walled havens of the Falas.
But new
tidings were at hand, which none in Middle-earth had foreseen, neither Morgoth
in his pits nor Melian in Menegroth; for no news came out of Aman whether by
messenger, or by spirit, or by vision in dream, after the death of the Trees.
In this same time Fëanor came over the Sea in the white ships of the Teleri and
landed in the Firth of Drengist, and there burned the ships at Losgar.
It is
told that after the flight of Melkor the Valar sat long unmoved upon their
thrones in the Ring of Doom; but they were not idle, as Fëanor declared in the
folly of his heart. For the Valar may work many things with thought rather than
with hands, and without voices in silence they may hold council one with
another. Thus they held vigil in the night of Valinor, and their thought passed
back beyond Eä and forth to the End; yet neither power nor wisdom assuaged
their grief, and the knowing of evil in the hour of its being. And they mourned
not more for the death of the Trees than for the marring of Fëanor: of the
works of Melkor one of the most evil. For Fëanor was made the mightiest in all
parts of body and mind, in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding,
in skill, in strength and in subtlety alike, of all the Children of Ilúvatar,
and a bright flame was in him. The works of wonder for the glory of Arda that
he might otherwise have wrought only Manwë might in some measure conceive. And
it was told by the Vanyar who held vigil with the Valar that when the
messengers declared to Manwë the answers of Fëanor to his heralds, Manwë wept
and bowed his head. But at that last word of Fëanor: that at the least the
Noldor should do deeds to live in song for ever, he raised his head, as one
that hears a voice far off, and he said: 'So shall it be! Dear-bought those
songs shall be accounted, and yet shall be well-bought. For the price could be
no other. Thus even as Eru spoke to us shall beauty not before conceived be
brought into Eä, and evil yet be good to have been.'
But
Mandos said: 'And yet remain evil. To me shall Fëanor come soon.'
But when
at last the Valar learned that the Noldor had indeed passed out of Aman and
were come back into Middle-earth, they arose and began to set forth in deeds
those counsels which they had taken in thought for the redress of the evils of
Melkor. Then Manwë bade Yavanna and Nienna to put forth all their powers of
growth and healing; and they put forth all their powers upon the Trees. But the
tears of Nienna availed not to heal their mortal wounds; and for a long while
Yavanna sang alone in the shadows. Yet even as hope failed and her song
faltered, Telperion bore at last upon a leafless bough one great flower of
silver, and Laurelin a single trait of gold.
These
Yavanna took; and then the Trees died, and their lifeless stems stand yet in
Valinor, a memorial of vanished joy. But the flower and the fruit Yavanna gave
to Aulë, and Manwë hallowed them, and Aulë and his people made vessels to hold
them and preserve their radiance: as is said in the Narsilion, the Song of the
Sun and Moon. These vessels the Valar gave to Varda, that they might become
lamps of heaven, outshining the ancient stars, being nearer to Arda; and she
gave them power to traverse the lower regions of Ilmen, and set them to voyage
upon appointed courses above the girdle of the Earth from the West unto the East
and to return.
These
things the Valar did, recalling in their twilight the darkness of the lands of
Arda; and they resolved now to illumine Middle-earth and with light to hinder
the deeds of Melkor. For they remembered the Avari that remained by the waters
of their awakening, and they did not utterly forsake the Noldor in exile; and
Manwë knew also that the hour of the coming of Men was drawn nigh. And it is
said indeed that, even as the Valar made war upon Melkor for the sake of the
Quendi, so now for that time they forbore for the sake of the Hildor, the
Aftercomers, the younger Children of Ilúvatar. For so grievous had been the
hurts of Middle-earth in the war upon Utumno that the Valar feared lest even
worse should now befall; whereas the Hildor should be mortal, and weaker than
the Quendi to withstand fear and tumult. Moreover it was not revealed to Manwë
where the beginning of Men should be, north, south, or east. Therefore the
Valar sent forth light, but made strong the land of their dwelling.
Isil the
Sheen the Vanyar of old named the Moon, flower of Telperion in Valinor; and
Anar the Fire-golden, fruit of Laurelin, they named the Sun. But the Noldor
named them also Rána, the Wayward, and Vása, the Heart of Fire, that awakens
and consumes; for the Sun was set as a sign for the awakening of Men and the
waning of the Elves, but the Moon cherishes their memory.
The
maiden whom the Valar chose from among the Maiar to guide the vessel of the Sun
was named Arien, and he that steered the island of the Moon was Tilion. In the
days of the Trees Arien had tended the golden flowers in the gardens of Vána,
and watered them with the bright dews of Laurelin; but Tilion was a hunter of
the company of Oromë, and he had a silver bow. He was a lover of silver, and when
he would rest he forsook the woods of Oromë, and going into Lórien he lay hi
dream by the pools of Estë, in Telperion's flickering beams; and he begged to
be given the task of tending for ever the last Flower of Silver. Arien the
maiden was mightier than he, and she was chosen because she had not feared the
heats of Laurelin, and was unhurt by them, being from the beginning a spirit of
fire, whom Melkor had not deceived nor drawn to his service. Too bright were
the eyes of Arien for even the Eldar to look on, and leaving Valinor she
forsook the form and raiment which like the Valar she had worn there, and she
was as a naked flame, terrible in the fullness of her splendour.
Isil was
first wrought and made ready, and first rose into the realm of the stars, and
was the elder of the new lights, as was Telperion of the Trees. Then for a
while the world had moonlight, and many things stirred and woke that had waited
long in the sleep of Yavanna. The servants of Morgoth were filled with
amazement, but the Elves of the Outer Lands looked up in delight; and even as
the Moon rose above the darkness in the west, Fingolfin let blow his silver
trumpets and began his march into Middle-earth, and the shadows of his host
went long and black before them.
Tilion
had traversed the heaven seven times, and thus was in the furthest east, when
the vessel of Arien was made ready. Then Anar arose in glory, and the first
dawn of the Sun was like a great fire upon the towers of the Pelóri: the clouds
of Middle-earth were kindled, and there was heard the sound of many waterfalls.
Then indeed Morgoth was dismayed, and he descended into the uttermost depths of
Angband, and withdrew his servants, sending forth great reek and dark cloud to
hide his land from the light of the Day-star.
Now
Varda purposed that the two vessels should journey in Ilmen and ever be aloft,
but not together; each should pass from Valinor into the east and return, the
one issuing from the west as the other turned from the east. Thus the first of
the new days were reckoned after the manner of the Trees, from the mingling of
the lights when Arien and Tilion passed in then- courses, above the middle of
the Earth. But Tilion was wayward and uncertain in speed, and held not to his
appointed path; and he sought to come near to Arien, being drawn by her
splendour, though the flame of Anar scorched him, and the island of the Moon
was darkened.
Because
of the waywardness of Tilion, therefore, and yet more because of the prayers of
Lórien and Estë, who said that sleep and rest had been banished from the Earth,
and the stars were hidden, Varda changed her counsel, and allowed a time
wherein the world should still have shadow and half-light. Anar rested
therefore a while in Valinor, lying upon the cool bosom of the Outer Sea; and
Evening, the time of the descent and resting of the Sun, was the hour of
greatest light and joy in Aman. But soon the Sun was drawn down by the servants
of Ulmo, and went then in haste under the Earth, and so came unseen to the east
and there mounted the heaven again, lest night be over-long and evil walk under
the Moon. But by Anar the waters of the Outer Sea were made hot and glowed with
coloured fire, and Valinor had light for a while after the passing of Arien.
Yet as she journeyed under the Earth and drew towards the east the glow faded
and Valinor was dim, and the Valar mourned then most for the death of Laurelin.
At dawn the shadows of the Mountains of Defence lay heavy on the Blessed Realm.
Varda
commanded the Moon to journey in like manner, and passing under Earth to arise
in the east, but only after the Sun had descended from heaven. But Tilion went
with uncertain pace, as yet he goes, and was still drawn towards Arien, as he
shall ever be; so that often both may be seen above the Earth together, or at
times it will chance that he comes so nigh that his shadow cuts off her
brightness and there is a darkness amid the day.
Therefore
by the coming and going of Anar the Valar reckoned the days thereafter until
the Change of the World. For Tilion tamed seldom in Valinor, but more often
would pass swiftly over the western land, over Avathar, or Araman, or Valinor,
and plunge in the chasm beyond the Outer Sea, pursuing his way alone amid the
grots and caverns at the roots of Arda. There he would often wander long, and
late would return.
Still
therefore, after the Long Night, the light of Valinor was greater and fairer
than upon Middle-earth; for the Sun rested there, and the lights of heaven drew
nearer to Earth in that region. But neither the Sun nor the Moon can recall the
light that was of old, that came from the Trees before they were touched by the
poison of Ungoliant That light lives now in the Silmarils alone.
But
Morgoth hated the new lights, and was for a while confounded by this
unlooked-for stroke of the Valar. Then he assailed Tilion, sending spirits of
shadow against him, and there was strife in Ilmen beneath the paths of the
stars; but Tilion was victorious. And Arien Morgoth feared with a great fear,
but dared not come nigh her, having indeed no longer the power; for as he grew
in malice, and sent forth from himself the evil that he conceived in lies and
creatures of wickedness, his might passed into them and was dispersed, and he
himself became ever more bound to the earth, unwilling to issue from his dark
strongholds. With shadows he hid himself and his servants from Arien, the
glance of whose eyes they could not long endure; and the lands near his
dwelling were shrouded in fumes and great clouds.
But
seeing the assault upon Tilion the Valar were in doubt, fearing what the malice
and cunning of Morgoth might yet contrive against them. Being unwilling to make
war upon him in Middle-earth, they remembered nonetheless the ruin of Almaren;
and they resolved that the like should not befall Valinor. Therefore at that
time they fortified their land anew, and they raised up the mountain-walls of
the Pelóri to sheer and dreadful heights, east, north, and south. Their outer
sides were dark and smooth, without foothold or ledge, and they fell in great
precipices with faces hard as glass, and rose up to towers with crowns of white
ice. A sleepless watch was set upon them, and no pass led through them, save
only at the Calacirya: but that pass the Valar did not close, because of the
Eldar that were faithful, and in the city of Tirion upon the green hill
Finarfin yet ruled the remnant of the Noldor in the deep cleft of the
mountains. For all those of elven-race, even the Vanyar and Ingwë their lord,
must breathe at times the outer air and the wind that comes over the sea from
the lands of their birth; and the Valar would not sunder the Teleri wholly from
their kin. But in the Calacirya they set strong towers and many sentinels, and
at its issue upon the plains of Valmar a host was encamped, so that neither
bird nor beast nor elf nor man, nor any creature beside that dwelt in
Middle-earth, could pass that leaguer.
And in
that time also, which songs call Nurtalë Valinóreva, the Hiding of Valinor, the
Enchanted Isles were set, and ail the seas about them were filled with shadows
and bewilderment. And these isles were strung as a net in the Shadowy Seas from
the north to the south, before Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle, is reached by one
sailing west. Hardly might any vessel pass between them, for in the dangerous
sounds the waves sighed for ever upon dark rocks shrouded in mist. And in the
twilight a great weariness came upon mariners and a loathing of the sea; but
all that ever set foot upon the islands were there entrapped, and slept until
the Change of the World. Thus it was that as Mandos foretold to them in Araman
the Blessed Realm was shut against the Noldor; and of the many messengers that
in after days sailed into the West none came ever to Valinor - save one only:
the mightiest mariner of song.
The
Valar sat now behind their mountains at peace; and having given light to
Middle-earth they left it for long untended, and the lordship of Morgoth was
uncontested save by the valour of the Noldor. Most in mind Ulmo kept the
exiles, who gathered news of the Earth through all the waters.
From
this time forth were reckoned the Years of the Sun. Swifter and briefer are
they than the long Years of the Trees in Valinor. In that time the air of
Middle-earth became heavy with the breath of growth and mortality, and the
changing and ageing of all things was hastened exceedingly; life teemed upon
the soil and in the waters in the Second Spring of Arda, and the Eldar
increased, and beneath the new Sun Beleriand grew green and fair.
At the
first rising of the Sun the Younger Children of Ilúvatar awoke in the land of
Hildórien in the eastward regions of Middle-earth; but the first Sun arose in
the West, and the opening eyes of Men were turned towards it, and their feet as
they wandered over the Earth for the most part strayed that way. The Atani they
were named by the Eldar, the Second People; but they called them also Hildor,
the Followers, and many other names: Apanónar, the After-born, Engwar, the
Sickly, and Fírimar, the Mortals; and they named them the Usurpers, the
Strangers, and the Inscrutable, the Self-cursed, the Heavy-handed, the
Night-fearers, the Children of the Sun. Of Men little is told in these tales,
which concern the Eldest Days before the waxing of mortals and the waning of
the Elves, save of those fathers of men, the Atanatári, who in the first years
of the Sun and Moon wandered into the North of the world. To Hildórien there
came no Vala to guide Men, or to summon them to dwell in Valinor; and Men have
feared the Valar, rather than loved them, and have not understood the purposes
of the Powers, being at variance with them, and at strife with the world. Ulmo
nonetheless took thought for them aiding the counsel and will of Manwë; and his
messages came often to them by stream and flood. But they have not skill in
such matters, and still less had they in those days before they had mingled
with the Elves. Therefore they loved the waters, and their hearts were stirred,
but they understood not the messages. Yet it is told that ere long they met Dark
Elves in many places, and were befriended by them; and Men became the
companions and disciples in their childhood of these ancient folk, wanderers of
the Elven-race who never set out upon the paths to Valinor, and knew of the
Valar only as a rumour and a distant name.
Morgoth
had then not long come back into Middle-earth, and his power went not far
abroad, and was moreover checked by the sudden coming of great light. There was
little peril in the lands and hills; and there new things, devised long ages before
in the thought of Yavanna and sown as seed in the dark, came at last to their
budding and their bloom. West, North, and South the children of Men spread and
wandered, and their joy was the joy of the morning before the dew is dry, when
every leaf is green.
But the
dawn is brief and the day full often belies its promise; and now the time drew
on to the great wars of the powers of the North, when Noldor and Sindar and Men
strove against the hosts of Morgoth Bauglir, and went down in ruin. To this end
the cunning lies of Morgoth that he sowed of old, and sowed ever anew among his
foes, and the curse that came of the slaying at Alqualondë, and the oath of
Fëanor, were ever at work. Only a part is here told of the deeds of those days,
and most is said of the Noldor, and the Silmarils, and the mortals that became
entangled in their fate. In those days Elves and Men were of like stature and
strength of body, but the Elves had greater wisdom, and skill, and beauty; and
those who had dwelt in Valinor and looked upon the Powers as much surpassed the
Dark Elves in these things as they in turn surpassed the people of mortal race.
Only to the realm of Doriath, whose queen Melian was of the kindred of Valar,
did the Sindar come near to match the Calaquendi of the Blessed Realm.
Immortal
were the Elves, and their wisdom waxed from age to age, and no sickness nor
pestilence brought death to them. Their bodies indeed were of the stuff of
Earth, and could be destroyed; and in those days they were more like to the
bodies of Men, since they had not so long been inhabited by the fire of their
spirit, which consumes them from within in the courses of time. But Men were
more frail, more easily slain by weapon or mischance, and less easily healed;
subject to sickness and many ills; and they grew old and died. What may befall
their spirits after death the Elves know not. Some say that they too go to the
halls of Mandos; but their place of waiting there is not that of the Elves, and
Mandos under Ilúvatar alone save Manwë knows whither they go after the time of
recollection in those silent halls beside the Outer Sea. None have ever come
back from the mansions of the dead, save only Beren son of Barahir, whose hand
had touched a Silmaril; but he never spoke afterward to mortal Men. The fate of
Men after death, maybe, is not in the hands of the Valar, nor was all foretold
in the Music of the Ainur.
In after
days, when because of the triumph of Morgoth Elves and Men became estranged, as
be most wished, those of the Elven-race that lived still in Middle-earth waned
and faded, and Men usurped the sunlight. Then the Quendi wandered in the lonely
places of the great lands and the isles, and took to the moonlight and the
starlight, and to the woods and caves, becoming as shadows and memories, save
those who ever and anon set sail into the West and vanished from Middle-earth.
But in the dawn of years Elves and Men were allies and held themselves akin,
and there were some among Men that learned the wisdom of the Eldar, and became
great and valiant among the captains of the Noldor. And in the glory and beauty
of the Elves, and in their fate, full share had the offspring of elf and
mortal, Eärendil, and Elwing, and Elrond their child.
It has
been told that Fëanor and his sons came first of the Exiles to Middle-earth,
and landed in the waste of Lammoth, the Great Echo, upon the outer shores of
the Firth of Drengist And even as the Noldor set foot upon the strand their
cries were taken up into the hills and multiplied, so that a clamour as of
countless mighty voices filled all the coasts of the North; and the noise of
the burning of the ships at Losgar went down the winds of the sea as a tumult
of great wrath, and far away all who heard that sound were filled with wonder.
Now the
flames of that burning were seen not only by Fingolfin, whom Fëanor had
deserted in Araman, but also by the Orcs and the watchers of Morgoth. No tale
has told what Morgoth thought in his heart at the tidings that Fëanor, his
bitterest foe, had brought a host out of the West. It may be that he feared him
little, for he had as yet no proof of the swords of the Noldor; and soon it was
seen that he purposed to drive them back into the sea.
Under
the cold stars before the rising of the Moon the host of Fëanor went up the
long Firth of Drengist that pierced the Echoing Hills of Ered Lómin, and passed
thus from the shores into the great land of Hithlum; and they came at length to
the long lake of Mithrim, and upon its northern shore made their encampment in
the region that bore the same name. But the host of Morgoth, aroused by the
tumult of Lam-moth and the light of the burning at Losgar, came through the
passes of Ered Wethrin, the Mountains of Shadow, and assailed Fëanor on a
sudden, before his camp was full-wrought or put in defence; and there on the
grey fields of Mithrim was fought the Second Battle in the Wars of Beleriand.
Dagor-nuin-Giliath it is named, the Battle-under-Stars, for the Moon had not
yet risen; and it is renowned in song. The Noldor, outnumbered and taken at
unawares, were yet swiftly victorious; for the light of Aman was not yet dimmed
in their eyes, and they were strong and swift, and deadly in anger, and their
swords were long and terrible. The Orcs fled before them, and they were driven
forth from Mithrim with great slaughter, and hunted over the Mountains of
Shadow into the great plain of Ard-galen, that lay northward of Dorthonion.
There the armies of Morgoth that had passed south into the Vale of Sirion and
beleaguered Círdan in the Havens of the Falas came up to their aid, and were
caught in their ruin. For Celegorm, Fëanor's son, having news of them, waylaid
them with a part of the Elven-host, and coming down upon them out of the hills
near Eithel Sirion drove them into the Fen of Serech. Evil indeed were the
tidings that came at last to Angband, and Morgoth was dismayed. Ten days that
battle lasted, and from it returned of all the hosts that he had prepared for
the conquest of Beleriand no more than a handful of leaves.
Yet
cause he had for great joy, though it was hidden from him for a while. For
Fëanor, in his wrath against the Enemy, would not halt, but pressed on behind
the remnant of the Orcs, thinking so to come at Morgoth himself: and he laughed
aloud as he wielded his sword, rejoicing that he had dared the wrath of the
Valar and the evils of the road, that he might see the hour of his vengeance.
Nothing did he know of Angband or the great strength of defence that Morgoth
had so swiftly prepared: but even had he known it would not have deterred him,
for he was fey, consumed by the flame of his own wrath. Thus it was that he
drew far ahead of the van of his host; and seeing this the servants of Morgoth
turned to bay, and there issued from Angband Balrogs to aid them. There upon
the confines of Dor Daedeloth, the land of Morgoth, Fëanor was surrounded, with
few friends about him. Long he fought on, and undismayed, though he was wrapped
in fire and wounded with many wounds; but at the last he was smitten to the ground
by Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, whom Ecthelion after slew in Gondolin. There he
would have perished, had not his sons in that moment come up with force to his
aid; and the Balrogs left him, and departed to Angband.
Then his
sons raised up their father and bore him back towards Mithrim. But as they drew
near to Eithel Sirion and were upon the upward path to the pass over the
mountains, Fëanor bade them halt; for his wounds were mortal, and he knew that
his hour was come. And looking out from the slopes of Ered Wethrin with his
last sight he beheld far off the peaks of Thangorodrim, mightiest of the towers
of Middle-earth, and knew with the foreknowledge of death that no power of the
Noldor would ever overthrow them; but he cursed the name of Morgoth thrice, and
laid it upon his sons to hold to their oath, and to avenge their father. Then
he died; but he had neither burial nor tomb, for so fiery was his spirit that
as it sped his body fell to ash, and was borne away like smoke; and his
likeness has never again appeared in Arda, neither has his spirit left the
halls of Mandos. Thus ended the mightiest of the Noldor, of whose deeds came
both their greatest renown and their most grievous woe.
Now in
Mithrim there dwelt Grey-elves, folk of Beleriand that had wandered north over
the mountains, and the Noldor met them with gladness, as kinsfolk long
sundered; but speech at first was not easy between them, for in their long
severance the tongues of the Calaquendi in Valinor and of the Moriquendi in
Beleriand had drawn far apart. From the Elves of Mithrim the Noldor learned of
the power of Elu Thingol, King in Doriath, and the girdle of enchantment that
fenced his realm; and tidings of these great deeds in the north came south to
Menegroth, and to the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest. Then all the Elves of
Beleriand were filled with wonder and with hope at the coming of their mighty
kindred, who thus returned unlocked-for from the West in the very hour of their
need, believing indeed at first that they came as emissaries of the Valar to
deliver them.
But even
in the hour of the death of Fëanor an embassy came to his sons from Morgoth,
acknowledging defeat, and offering terms, even to the surrender of a Silmaril.
Then Maedhros the tall, the eldest son, persuaded his brothers to feign to
treat with Morgoth, and to meet his emissaries at the place appointed; but the
Noldor had as little thought of faith as had he. Wherefore each embassy came
with greater force than was agreed; but Morgoth sent the more, and there were
Balrogs. Maedhros was ambushed, and all his company were slain; but he himself
was taken alive by the command of Morgoth, and brought to Angband.
Then the
brothers of Maedhros drew back, and fortified a great camp in Hithlum; but
Morgoth held Maedhros as hostage, and sent word that he would not release him
unless the Noldor would forsake their war, returning into the West, or else
departing far from Beleriand into the South of the world. But the sons of
Fëanor knew that Morgoth would betray them, and would not release Maedhros,
whatsoever they might do; and they were constrained also by their oath, and
might not for any cause forsake the war against their Enemy. Therefore Morgoth
took Maedhros and hung him from the face of a precipice upon Thangorodrim, and
he was caught to the rock by the wrist of his right hand in a band of steel.
Now
rumour came to the camp in Hithlum of the march of Fingolfin and those that
followed him, who had crossed the Grinding Ice; and all the world lay then in
wonder at the coming of the Moon. But as the host of Fingolfin marched into
Mithrim the Sun rose flaming in the West; and Fingolfin unfurled his blue and
silver banners, and blew his horns, and flowers sprang beneath his marching
feet, and the ages of the stars were ended. At the uprising of the great light
the servants of Morgoth fled into Angband, and Fingolfin passed unopposed
through the fastness of Dor Daedeloth while his foes hid beneath the earth.
Then the Elves smote upon the gates of Angband, and the challenge of their trumpets
shook the towers of Thangorodrim; and Maedhros heard them amid his torment and
cried aloud, but his voice was lost in the echoes of the stone.
But
Fingolfin, being of other temper than Fëanor, and wary of the wiles of Morgoth,
withdrew from Dor Daedeloth and turned back towards Mithrim, for he had heard
tidings that there he should find the sons of Fëanor, and he desired also to
have the shield of the Mountains of Shadow while his people rested and grew
strong; for he had seen the strength of Angband, and thought not that it would
fall to the sound of trumpets only. Therefore coming at length to Hithlum he
made his first camp and dwelling by the northern shores of Lake Mithrim. No
love was there in the hearts of those that followed Fingolfin for the House of
Fëanor, for the agony of those that endured the crossing of the Ice had been
great, and Fingolfin held the sons the accomplices of their father. Then there
was peril of strife between the hosts; but grievous as were their losses upon
the road, the people of Fingolfin and of Finrod son of Finarfin were still more
numerous than the followers of Fëanor, and these now withdrew before them, and
removed their dwelling to the southern shore; and the lake lay between them.
Many of Fëanor's people indeed repented of the burning at Losgar, and were
filled with amazement at the valour that had brought the friends whom they had
abandoned over the Ice of the North; and they would have welcomed them, but
they dared not, for shame.
Thus
because of the curse that lay upon them the Noldor achieved nothing, while
Morgoth hesitated, and the dread of light was new and strong upon the Orcs. But
Morgoth arose from thought, and seeing the division of his foes he laughed. In
the pits of Angband he caused vast smokes and vapours to be made, and they came
forth from the reeking tops of the Iron Mountains, and afar off they could be
seen in Mithrim, staining the bright airs in the first mornings of the world. A
wind came out of the east, and bore them over Hithlum, darkening the new Sun;
and they fell, and coiled about the fields and hollows, and lay upon the waters
of Mithrim, drear and poisonous.
Then
Fingon the valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided
the Noldor, before their Enemy should be ready for war; for the earth trembled
in the Northlands with the thunder of the forges of Morgoth underground. Long
before, in the bliss of Valinor, before Melkor was unchained, or lies came
between them, Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he
knew not yet that Maedhros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships,
the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart. Therefore he dared a
deed which is Justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor:
alone, and without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros; and
aided by the very darkness that Morgoth had made he came unseen into the
fastness of his foes. High upon the shoulders of Thangorodrim he climbed, and
looked in despair upon the desolation of the land; but no passage or crevice
could he find through which he might come within Morgoth's stronghold. Then in
defiance of the Orcs, who cowered still in the dark vaults beneath the earth,
he took his harp and sang a song of Valinor that the Noldor made of old, before
strife was born among the sons of Finwë; and his voice rang in the mournful
hollows that had never heard before aught save cries of fear and woe.
Thus
Fingon found what he sought. For suddenly above him far and faint his song was
taken up, and a voice answering called to him. Maedhros it was that sang amid
his torment. But Fingon climbed to the foot of the precipice where his kinsman
hung, and then could go no further; and he wept when he saw the cruel device of
Morgoth. Maedhros therefore, being in anguish without hope, begged Fingon to
shoot him with his bow; and Fingon strung an arrow, and bent his bow. And
seeing no better hope he cried to Manwë, saying: 'O King to whom all birds are
dear, speed now this feathered shaft, and recall some pity for the Noldor in
their need!'
His
prayer was answered swiftly. For Manwë to whom all birds are dear, and to whom
they bring news upon Taniquetil from Middle-earth, had sent forth the race of
Eagles, commanding them to dwell in the crags of the North, and to keep watch
upon Morgoth; for Manwë still had pity for the exiled Elves. And the Eagles
brought news of much that passed in those days to the sad ears of Manwë. Now,
even as Fingon bent his bow, there flew down from the high airs Thorondor, King
of Eagles, mightiest of all birds that have ever been, whose outstretched wings
spanned thirty fathoms; and staying Fingon's hand he took him up, and bore him
to the face of the rock where Maedhros hung. But Fingon could not release the
hell-wrought bond upon his wrist, nor sever it, nor draw it from the stone.
Again therefore in his pain Maedhros begged that he would slay him; but Fingon
cut off his hand above the wrist, and Thorondor bore them back to Mithrim.
There
Maedhros in time was healed; for the fire of life was hot within him, and his
strength was of the ancient world, such as those possessed who were nurtured in
Valinor. His body recovered from his torment and became hale, but the shadow of
his pain was in his heart; and he lived to wield his sword with left hand more
deadly than his right had been. By this deed Fingon won great renown, and all
the Noldor praised him; and the hatred between the houses of Fingolfin and
Fëanor was assuaged. For Maedhros begged forgiveness for the desertion in
Araman; and he waived his claim to kingship over all the Noldor, saying to
Fingolfin: 'If there lay no grievance between us, lord, still the kingship
would rightly come to you, the eldest here of the house of Finwë, and not the
least wise.' But to this his brothers did not all in their hearts agree.
Therefore
even as Mandos foretold the House of Fëanor were called the Dispossessed,
because the over-lordship passed from it, the elder, to the house of Fingolfin,
both in Elendë and in Beleriand, and because also of the loss of the Silmarils.
But the Noldor being again united set a watch upon the borders of Dor
Daedeloth, and Angband was beleaguered from west, and south, and east; and they
sent forth messengers far and wide to explore the countries of Beleriand, and to
treat with the people that dwelt there.
Now King
Thingol welcomed not with a full heart the coming of so many princes in might
out of the West, eager for new realms; and he would not open his kingdom, nor
remove its girdle of enchantment, for wise with the wisdom of Melian he trusted
not that the restraint of Morgoth would endure. Alone of the princes of the
Noldor those of Finarfin's house were suffered to pass within the confines of
Doriath; for they could claim close kinship with King Thingol himself, since
their mother was Eärwen of Alqualondë, Olwë's daughter.
Angrod
son of Finarfin was the first of the Exiles to come to Menegroth, as messenger
of his brother Finrod, and he spoke long with the King, telling him of the
deeds of the Noldor in the north, and of their numbers, and of the ordering of
their force; but being true, and wisehearted, and thinking all griefs now
forgiven, he spoke no word concerning the kinslaying, nor of the manner of the
exile of the Noldor and the oath of Fëanor. King Thingol hearkened to the words
of Angrod; and ere he went he said to him: 'Thus shall you speak for me to
those that sent you. In Hithlum the Noldor have leave to dwell, and in the
highlands of Dorthonion, and in the lands east of Doriath that are empty and
wild; but elsewhere there are many of my people, and I would not have them
restrained of their freedom, still less ousted from their homes. Beware
therefore how you princes of the West bear yourselves; for I am the Lord of
Beleriand, and all who seek to dwell there shall hear my word. Into Doriath
none shall come to abide but only such as I call as guests, or who seek me in
great need.'
Now the
lords of the Noldor held council in Mithrim, and thither came Angrod out of
Doriath, bearing the message of King Thingol. Cold seemed its welcome to the
Noldor, and the sons of Fëanor were angered at the words; but Maedhros laughed,
saying: 'A king is he that can hold his own, or else his title is vain. Thingol
does but grant us lands where his power does not run. Indeed Doriath alone
would be his realm this day, but for the coming of the Noldor. Therefore in
Doriath let him reign, and be glad that he has the sons of Finwë for his
neighbours, not the Orcs of Morgoth that we found. Elsewhere it shall go as
seems good to us."
But
Caranthir, who loved not the sons of Finarfin, and was the harshest of the
brothers and the most quick to anger, cried aloud: 'Yea more! Let not the sons
of Finarfin run hither and thither with their tales to this Dark Elf in his
caves! Who made them our spokesmen to deal with him? And though they be come
indeed to Beleriand, let them not so swiftly forget that their father is a lord
of the Noldor, though their mother be of other kin.'
Then
Angrod was wrathful and went forth from the council. Maedhros indeed rebuked
Caranthir; but the greater part of the Noldor, of both followings, hearing his
words were troubled in heart, fearing the fell spirit of the sons of Fëanor
that it seemed would ever be like to burst forth in rash word or violence. But
Maedhros restrained his brothers, and they departed from the council, and soon
afterwards they left Mithrim and went eastward beyond Aros to the wide lands
about the Hill of Himring. That region was named thereafter the March of
Maedhros; for northwards there was little defence of hill or river against
assault from Angband. There Maedhros and his brothers kept watch, gathering all
such people as would come to them, and they had few dealings with their
kinsfolk westward, save at need. It is said indeed that Maedhros himself
devised this plan, to lessen the chances of strife, and because he was very
willing that the chief peril of assault should fall upon himself; and he
remained for his part in friendship with the houses of Fingolfin and Finarfin,
and would come among them at times for common counsel. Yet he also was bound by
the oath, though it slept now for a time.
Now the
people of Caranthir dwelt furthest east beyond the upper waters of Gelion,
about Lake Helevorn under Mount Rerir and to the southward; and they climbed
the heights of Ered Luin and looked eastward in wonder, for wild and wide it
seemed to them were the lands of Middle-earth. And thus it was that Caranthir's
people came upon the Dwarves, who after the onslaught of Morgoth and the coming
of the Noldor had ceased their traffic into Beleriand. But though either people
loved skill and were eager to learn, no great love was there between them; for
the Dwarves were secret and quick to resentment, and Caranthir was haughty and
scarce concealed his scorn for the unloveliness of the Naugrim, and his people
followed their lord. Nevertheless since both peoples feared and hated Morgoth
they made alliance, and had of it great profit; for the Naugrim learned many
secrets of craft in those days, so that the smiths and masons of Nogrod and
Belegost became renowned among their kin, and when the Dwarves began again to
journey into Beleriand all the traffic of the dwarf-mines passed first through
the hands of Caranthir, and thus great riches came to him.
When
twenty years of the Sun had passed, Fingolfin King of the Noldor made a great
feast; and it was held in the spring near to the pools of Ivrin, whence the
swift river Narog rose, for there the lands were green and fair at the feet of
the Mountains of Shadow that shielded them from the north. The joy of that
feast was long remembered in later days of sorrow; and it was called Mereth
Aderthad, the Feast of Reuniting. Thither came many of the chieftains and
people of Fingolfin and Finrod; and of the sons of Fëanor Maedhros and Maglor,
with warriors of the eastern March; and there came also great numbers of the
Grey-elves, wanderers of the woods of Beleriand and folk of the Havens, with
Círdan their lord. There came even Green-elves from Ossiriand, the Land of
Seven Rivers, far off under the walls of the Blue Mountains; but out of Doriath
there came but two messengers, Mablung and Daeron, bearing greetings from the
King.
At
Mereth Aderthad many counsels were taken in good will, and oaths were sworn of
league and friendship; and it is told that at this feast the tongue of the
Grey-elves was most spoken even by the Noldor, for they learned swiftly the
speech of Beleriand, whereas the Sindar were slow to master the tongue of
Valinor. The hearts of the Noldor were high and full of hope, and to many among
them it seemed that the words of Fëanor had been Justified, bidding them seek
freedom and fair kingdoms in Middle-earth; and indeed there followed after long
years of peace, while their swords fenced Beleriand from the ruin of Morgoth,
and his power was shut behind his gates. In those days there was joy beneath
the new Sun and Moon, and all the land was glad; but still the Shadow brooded
in the north.
And when
again thirty years had passed, Turgon son of Fingolfin left Nevrast where he
dwelt and sought out Finrod his friend upon the island of Tol Sirion, and they
journeyed southward along the river, being weary for a while of the northern
mountains; and as they journeyed night came upon them beyond the Meres of
Twilight beside the waters of Sirion, and they slept upon his banks beneath the
summer stars. But Ulmo coming up the river laid a deep sleep upon them and
heavy dreams; and the trouble of the dreams remained after they awoke, but
neither said aught to the other, for their memory was not clear, and each
believed that Ulmo had sent a message to him alone. But unquiet was upon them
ever after, and doubt of what should befall, and they wandered often alone in
untrodden lands, seeking far and wide for places of hidden strength; for it
seemed to each that he was bidden to prepare for a day of evil, and to
establish a retreat, lest Morgoth should burst from Angband and overthrow the
armies of the North.
Now on a
time Finrod and Galadriel his sister were the guests of Thingol their kinsman
in Doriath. Then Finrod was filled with wonder at the strength and majesty of
Menegroth, its treasuries and armouries and its many-pillared halls of stone;
and it came into his heart that he would build wide halls behind ever-guarded
gates in some deep and secret place beneath the hills. Therefore he opened his
heart to Thingol, telling him of his dreams; and Thingol spoke to him of the
deep gorge of the River Narog, and the caves under the High Faroth in its steep
western shore, and when he departed he gave him guides to lead him to that
place of which few yet knew. Thus Finrod came to the Caverns of Narog, and
began to establish there deep halls and armouries after the fashion of the
mansions of Menegroth; and that stronghold was called Nargothrond. In that
labour Finrod was aided by the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains; and they were
rewarded well, for Finrod had brought more treasures out of Tirion than any
other of the princes of the Noldor. And in that time was made for him the
Nauglamír, the Necklace of the Dwarves, most renowned of their works in the
Elder Days. It was a carcanet of gold, and set therein were gems uncounted from
Valinor; but it had a power within it so that it rested lightly on its wearer
as a strand of flax, and whatsoever neck it clasped it sat always with grace
and loveliness.
There in
Nargothrond Finrod made his home with many of his people, and he was named in
the tongue of the Dwarves Felagund, Hewer of Caves; and that name he bore
thereafter until his end. But Finrod Felagund was not the first to dwell in the
caves beside the River Narog.
Galadriel
his sister went not with him to Nargothrond, for in Doriath dwelt Celeborn,
kinsman of Thingol, and there was great love between them. Therefore she
remained in the Hidden Kingdom, and abode with Melian, and of her learned great
lore and wisdom concerning Middle-earth.
But
Turgon remembered the city set upon a hill, Tirion the fair with its tower and
tree, and he found not what he sought, but returned to Nevrast, and sat in peace
in Vinyamar by the shores of the sea. And in the next year Ulmo himself
appeared to him, and bade him go forth again alone into the Vale of Sirion; and
Turgon went forth, and by the guidance of Ulmo he discovered the hidden vale of
Tumladen in the Encircling Mountains, in the midst of which there was a hill of
stone. Of this he spoke to none as yet, but returned once more to Nevrast, and
there began in his secret counsels to devise the plan of a city after the
manner of Tirion upon Túna, for which his heart yearned in exile.
Now
Morgoth, believing the report of his spies that the lords of the Noldor were
wandering abroad with little thought of war, made trial of the strength and
watchfulness of his enemies. Once more, with little warning, his might was
stirred, and suddenly there were earthquakes in the north, and fire came from
fissures in the earth, and the Iron Mountains vomited flame; and Orcs poured
forth across the plain of Ard-galen. Thence they thrust down the Pass of Sirion
in the west, and in the east they burst through the land of Maglor, in the gap
between the hills of Maedhros and the outliers of the Blue Mountains. But
Fingolfin and Maedhros were not sleeping, and while others sought out the
scattered bands of Orcs that strayed in Beleriand did great evil they came upon
the main host from either side as it was assaulting Dorthonion; and they
defeated the servants of Morgoth, and pursuing them across Ard-galen destroyed
them utterly, to the least and last, within sight of Angband's gates. That was
the third great battle of the Wars of Beleriand, and it was named Dagor
Aglareb, the Glorious Battle.
A
victory it was, and yet a warning; and the princes took heed of it, and
thereafter drew closer their leaguer, and strengthened and ordered their watch,
setting the Siege of Angband. which lasted wellnigh four hundred years of the
Sun. For a long time after Dagor Aglareb no servant of Morgoth would venture
from his gates, for they feared the lords of the Noldor; and Fingolfin boasted
that save by treason among themselves Morgoth could never again burst from the
leaguer of the Eldar, nor come upon them at unawares. Yet the Noldor could not
capture Angband, nor could they regain the Silmarils; and war never wholly
ceased in all that time of the Siege, for Morgoth devised new evils, and ever
and anon he would make trial of his enemies. Nor could the stronghold of
Morgoth be ever wholly encircled: for the Iron Mountains, from whose great
curving wall the towers of Thangorodrim were thrust forward, defended it upon
either side, and were impassable to the Noldor, because of their snow and ice.
Thus in his rear and to the north Morgoth had no foes, and by that way his
spies at times went out, and came by devious routes into Beleriand. And
desiring above all to sow fear and disunion among the Eldar, he commanded the
Orcs to take alive any of them that they could and bring them bound to Angband;
and some he so daunted by the terror of his eyes that they needed no chains
more, but walked ever in fear of him, doing his will wherever they might be.
Thus Morgoth learned much of all that had befallen since the rebellion of
Fëanor, and he rejoiced, seeing therein the seed of many dissensions among his
foes.
When
nearly one hundred years had run since the Dagor Aglareb, Morgoth endeavoured
to take Fingolfin at unawares (for he knew of the vigilance of Maedhros); and
he sent forth an army into the white north, and they turned west and again
south and came down the coasts to the Firth of Drengist, by the route that Fingolfin
followed from the Grinding Ice. Thus they would enter into the realm of Hithlum
from the west; but they were espied in time, and Fingon fell upon them among
the hills at the head of the Firth, and most of the Orcs were driven into the
sea. This was not reckoned among the great battles, for the Orcs were not in
great number, and only a part of the people of Hithlum fought there. But
thereafter there was peace for many years, and no open assault from Angband,
for Morgoth perceived now that the Orcs unaided were no match for the Noldor;
and he sought in his heart for new counsel.
Again
after a hundred years Glaurung, the first of the Urulóki, the fire-drakes of
the North, issued from Angband's gates by night. He was yet young and scarce
half-grown, for long and slow is the life of the dragons, but the Elves fled
before him to Ered Wethrin and Dorthonion in dismay; and he defiled the fields
of Ard-galen. Then Fingon prince of Hithlum rode against him with archers on
horseback, and hemmed him round with a ring of swift riders; and Glaurung could
not endure their darts, being not yet come to his full armoury, and he fled
back to Angband, and came not forth again for many years. Fingon won great
praise, and the Noldor rejoiced; for few foresaw the full meaning and threat of
this new thing. But Morgoth was ill-pleased that Glaurung had disclosed himself
over-soon; and after his defeat there was the Long Peace of wellnigh two
hundred years. In all that time there were but affrays on the marches, and all
Beleriand prospered and grew rich. Behind the guard of their armies in the
north the Noldor built their dwellings and their towers, and many fair things
they made in those days, and poems and histories and books of lore. In many
parts of the land the Noldor and the Sindar became welded into one people, and
spoke the same tongue; though this difference remained between them, that the
Noldor had the greater power of mind and body. and were the mightier warriors
and sages, and they built with stone, and loved the hill-slopes and open lands.
But the Sindar had the fairer voices and were more skilled in music, save only
Maglor son of Fëanor, and they loved the woods and the riversides; and some of
the Grey-elves still wandered far and wide without settled abode, and they sang
as they went.
This is
the fashion of the lands into which the Noldor came, in the north of the
western regions of Middle-earth, in the ancient days; and here also is told of
the manner in which the chieftains of the Eldar held their lands and the
leaguer upon Morgoth after the Dagor Aglareb, the third battle in the Wars of
Beleriand.
In the
north of the world Melkor had in the ages past reared Ered Engrin, the Iron
Mountains, as a fence to his citadel of Utumno; and they stood upon the borders
of the regions of everlasting cold, in a great curve from east to west. Behind
the walls of Ered Engrin in the west, where they bent back northwards, Melkor
built another fortress, as a defence against assault that might come from
Valinor; and when he came back to Middle-earth, as has been told, he took up
his abode in the endless dungeons of Angband, the Hells of Iron, for in the War
of the Powers the Valar, in their haste to overthrow him in his great
stronghold of Utumno, did not wholly destroy Angband nor search out all its
deep places. Beneath Ered Engrin he made a great tunnel, which issued south of
the mountains; and there he made a mighty gate. But above this gate, and behind
it even to the mountains, he piled the thunderous towers of Thangorodrim, that
were made of the ash and slag of his subterranean furnaces, and the vast refuse
of his tunnellings. They were black and desolate and exceedingly lofty; and
smoke issued from their tops, dark and foul upon the northern sky. Before the
gates of Angband filth and desolation spread southward for many miles over the
wide plain of Ard-galen; but after the coming of the Sun rich grass arose
there, and while Angband was besieged and its gates shut there were green
things even among the pits and broken rocks before the doors of hell.
To the
west of Thangorodrim lay Hísilóme, the Land of Mist, for so it was named by the
Noldor in their own tongue because of the clouds that Morgoth sent thither
during their first encampment; Hithlum it became in the tongue of the Sindar
that dwelt in those regions. It was a fair land while the Siege of Angband
lasted, although its air was cool and winter there was cold. In the west it was
bounded by Ered Lómin, the Echoing Mountains that marched near the sea; and in
the east and south by the great curve of Ered Wethrin, the Shadowy Mountains,
that looked across Ard-galen and the Vale of Sirion.
Fingolfin
and Fingon his son held Hithlum, and the most part of Fingolfin's folk dwelt in
Mithrim about the shores of the great lake; to Fingon was assigned Dor-lómin,
that lay to the west of the Mountains of Mithrim. But their chief fortress was
at Eithel Sirion in the east of Ered Wethrin, whence they kept watch upon
Ard-galen; and their cavalry rode upon that plain even to the shadow of
Thangorodrim, for from few their horses had increased swiftly, and the grass of
Ard-galen was rich and green. Of those horses many of the sires came from
Valinor, and they were given to Fingolfin by Maedhros in atonement of his
losses, for they had been carried by ship to Losgar.
West of
Dor-lómin, beyond the Echoing Mountains, which south of the Firth of Drengist
marched inland, lay Nevrast, that signifies the Hither Shore in the Sindarin
tongue. That name was given at first to all the coast-lands south of the Firth,
but afterwards only to the land whose shores lay between Drengist and Mount
Taras. There for many years was the realm of Turgon the wise, son of Fingolfin,
bounded by the sea, and by Ered Lómin, and by the hills which continued the
walls of Ered Wethrin westward, from Ivrin to Mount Taras, which stood upon a
promontory. By some Nevrast was held to belong rather to Beleriand than to
Hithlum, for it was a milder land, watered by the wet winds from the sea and
sheltered from the cold north winds that blew over Hithlum. It was a hollow
land, surrounded by mountains and great coast-cliffs higher than the plains
behind, and no river flowed thence; and there was a great mere in the midst of
Nevrast, with no certain shores, being encircled by wide marshes. Linaewen was
the name of that mere, because of the multitude of birds that dwelt there, of
such as love tall reeds and shallow pools. At the coming of the Noldor many of
the Grey-elves lived in Nevrast near to the coasts, and especially about Mount
Taras in the south-west; for to that place Ulmo and Ossë had been wont to come
in days of old. All that people took Turgon for their lord, and the mingling of
the Noldor and the Sindar came to pass soonest there; and Turgon dwelt long in
those halls that he named Vinyamar, under Mount Taras beside the sea.
South of
Ard-galen the great highland named Dorthonion stretched for sixty leagues from
west to east; great pine forests it bore, especially on its northern and
western sides. By gentle slopes from the 'plain it rose to a bleak and lofty
land, where lay many tarns at the feet of bare tors whose heads were higher
than the peaks of Ered Wethrin; but southward where it looked towards Doriath
it fell suddenly in dreadful precipices. From the northern slopes of Dorthonion
Angrod and Aegnor, sons of Finarfin, looked out over the fields of Ard-galen,
and were the vassals of their brother Finrod, lord of Nargothrond; their people
were few, for the land was barren, and the great highlands behind were deemed
to be a bulwark that Morgoth would not lightly seek to cross.
Between
Dorthonion and the Shadowy Mountains there was a narrow vale, whose sheer walls
were clad with pines; but the vale itself was green, for the River Sirion
flowed through it, hastening towards Beleriand. Finrod held the Pass of Sirion,
and upon the isle of Tol Sirion in the midst of the river he built a mighty
watch-tower, Minas Tirith; but after Nargothrond was made he committed that
fortress mostly to the keeping of Orodreth his brother.
Now the
great and fair country of Beleriand lay on either side of the mighty river
Sirion, renowned in song, which rose at Eithel Sirion and skirted the edge of
Ard-galen ere he plunged through the pass, becoming ever fuller with the streams
of the mountains. Thence he flowed south for one hundred and thirty leagues,
gathering the waters of many tributaries, until with a mighty flood he reached
his many mouths and sandy delta in the Bay of Balar. And following Sirion from
north to south there lay upon the right hand in West Beleriand the Forest of
Brethil between Sirion and Teiglin, and then the realm of Nargothrond, between
Teiglin and Narog. And the River Narog rose in the falls of Ivrin in the
southern face of Dor-lómin, and flowed some eighty leagues ere he joined Sirion
in Nan-tathren, the Land of Willows. South of Nan-tathren was a region of meads
filled with many flowers, where few folk dwelt; and beyond lay the marshes and
isles of reed about the mouths of Sirion, and the sands of his delta empty of
all living things save birds of the sea.
But the
realm of Nargothrond extended also west of Narog to the River Nenning, that
reached the sea at Eglarest; and Finrod became the overlord of all the Elves of
Beleriand between Sirion and the sea, save only in the Falas. There dwelt those
of the Sindar who still loved ships, and Círdan the shipbuilder was their lord;
but between Círdan and Finrod there was friendship and alliance, and with the
aid of the Noldor the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest were built anew. Behind
their great walls they became fair towns and harbours with quays and piers of
stone. Upon the cape west of Eglarest Finrod raised the tower of Barad Nimras
to watch the western sea, though needlessly, as it proved; for at no time ever
did Morgoth essay to build ships or to make war by sea. Water all his servants
shunned, and to the sea none would willingly go nigh, save in dire need. With
the aid of the Elves of the Havens some of the folk of Nargothrond built new
ships, and they went forth and explored the great Isle of Balar, thinking there
to prepare a last refuge, if evil came; but it was not their fate that they
should ever dwell there.
Thus the
realm of Finrod was the greatest by far, though he was the youngest of the
great lords of the Noldor, Fingolfin, Fingon, and Maedhros, and Finrod
Felagund. But Fingolfin was held overlord of all the Noldor, and Fingon after
him, though their own realm was but the northern land of Hithlum; yet their
people were the most hardy and valiant, most feared by the Orcs and most hated
by Morgoth.
Upon the
left hand of Sirion lay East Beleriand, at its widest a hundred leagues from
Sirion to Gelion and the borders of Ossiriand; and first, between Sirion and
Mindeb, lay the empty land of Dimbar under the peaks of the Crissaegrim, abode
of eagles. Between Mindeb and the upper waters of Esgalduin lay the no-land of
Nan Dungortheb; and that region was filled with fear, for upon its one side the
power of Melian fenced the north march of Doriath, but upon the other side the
sheer precipices of Ered Gorgoroth, Mountains of Terror, fell down from high
Dorthonion. Thither, as was earlier told, Ungoliant had fled from the whips of
the Balrogs, and there she dwelt a while, filling the ravines with her deadly
gloom, and there still, when she had passed away, her foul offspring lurked and
wove their evil nets; and the thin waters that spilled from Ered Gorgoroth were
defiled, and perilous to drink, for the hearts of those that tasted them were
filled with shadows of madness and despair. All living things else shunned that
land, and the Noldor would pass through Nan Dungortheb only at great need, by
paths near to the borders of Doriath and furthest from the haunted hills. That
way was made long before, in the time ere Morgoth returned to Middle-earth; and
if one fared upon it he came eastwards to Esgalduin, where still there stood in
the days of the Siege the stone bridge of Iant Taur. Thence he passed through
Dor Dínen, the Silent Land, and crossing the Arossiach (which signifies the
Fords of Aros) came to the north marches of Beleriand, where dwelt the sons of
Fëanor.
Southward
lay the guarded woods of Doriath, abode of Thingol the Hidden King, into whose
realm none passed save by his will. Its northern and lesser part, the Forest of
Neldoreth, was bounded east and south by the dark river Esgalduin, which bent
westward in the midst of the land; and between Aros and Esgalduin lay the
denser and greater woods of Region. Upon the southern bank of Esgalduin, where
it turned westward towards Sirion, were the Caves of Menegroth; and all Doriath
lay east of Sirion save for a narrow region of woodland between the meeting of
Teiglin and Sirion and the Meres of Twilight. By the people of Doriath this
wood was called Nivrim, the West March; great oak-trees grew there, and it also
was encompassed within the Girdle of Melian, that so some portion of Sirion
which she loved in reverence of Ulmo should be wholly under the power of
Thingol.
In the
south-west of Doriath, where Aros flowed into Sirion, lay great pools and
marshes on either side of the river, which halted there in his course and
strayed in many channels. That region was named Aelin-uial, the Twilight Meres,
for they were wrapped in mists, and the enchantment of Doriath lay over them.
Now all the northern part of Beleriand sloped southward to this point and then
for a while was plain, and the flood of Sirion was stayed. But south of
Aelin-uial the land fell suddenly and steeply; and all the lower fields of Sirion
were divided from the upper fields by this fall, which to one looking from the
south northward appeared as an endless chain of hills running from Eglarest
beyond Narog in the west to Amon Ereb in the east, within far sight of Gelion.
Narog came through these hills in a deep gorge, and flowed over rapids bat had
no fall, and on its western bank the land rose into the great wooded highlands
of Tauren-Faroth. On the west side of this gorge, where the short and foaming
stream Ringwil tumbled headlong into Narog from the High Faroth, Finrod
established Nargothrond. But some twenty-five leagues east of the gorge of
Nargothrond Sirion fell from the north in a mighty fall below the Meres, and
then he plunged suddenly underground into great tunnels that the weight of his
falling waters delved; and he issued again three leagues southward with great
noise and smoke through rocky arches at the foot of the hills which were called
the Gates of Sirion.
This
dividing fall was named Andram, the Long Wall, from Nargothrond to Ramdal, the
Wall's End, in East Beleriand. But in the east it became ever less sheer, for
the vale of Gelion sloped steadily southward, and Gelion had neither fall nor
rapids throughout his course, but was ever swifter than was Sirion. Between
Ramdal and Gelion there stood a single hill of great extent and gentle slopes,
but seeming mightier than it was, for it stood alone; and that hill was named
Amon Ereb. Upon Amon Ereb died Denethor, lord of the Nandor that dwelt in
Ossiriand, who marched to the aid of Thingol against Morgoth in those days when
the Orcs first came down in force, and broke the starlit peace of Beleriand;
and upon that hill Maedhros dwelt after the great defeat. But south of the
Andram, between Sirion and Gelion, was a wild land of tangled forest in which
no folk went, save here and there a few Dark Elves wandering; Taur-im-Duinath
it was named, the Forest between the Rivers.
Gelion
was a great river; and he rose in two sources and had at first two branches;
Little Gelion that came from the Hill of Himring, and Greater Gelion that came
from Mount Rerir. From the meeting of his arms he flowed south for forty
leagues before he found his tributaries; and before he found the sea he was
twice as long as Sirion, though less wide and full, for more rain fell in
Hithlum and Dorthonion, whence Sirion drew his waters, than in the east. From
Ered Luin flowed the six tributaries of Gelion: Ascar (that was after named
Rathlóriel), Thalos, Legolin, Brilthor, Duilwen, and Adurant, swift and
turbulent streams, falling steeply from the mountains; and between Ascar in the
north and Adurant in the south, and between Gelion and Ered Luin, lay the far
green country of Ossiriand, the Land of Seven Rivers. Now at a point nearly
midway in its course the stream of Adurant divided and then joined again; and
the island that its waters enclosed was named Tol Galen, the Green Isle. There
Beren and Lúthien dwelt after their return.
In
Ossiriand dwelt the Green-elves, in the protection of their rivers; for after
Sirion Ulmo loved Gelion above all the waters of the western world. The
woodcraft of the Elves of Ossiriand was such that a stranger might pass through
their land from end to end and see none of them. They were clad in green in
spring and summer, and the sound of their singing could be heard even across
the waters of Gelion; wherefore the Noldor named that country Lindon, the land
of music, and the mountains beyond they named Ered Lindon, for they first saw
them from Ossiriand.
East of
Dorthonion the marches of Beleriand were most open to attack, and only hills of
no great height guarded the vale of Gelion from the north. In that region, upon
the March of Maedhros and in the lands behind, dwelt the sons of Fëanor with
many people; and their riders passed often over the vast northern plain,
Lothlann the wide and empty, east of Ard-galen, lest Morgoth should attempt any
sortie towards East Beleriand. The chief citadel of Maedhros was upon the Hill
of Himring, the Ever-cold; and that was wide-shouldered, bare of trees, and
flat upon its summit, surrounded by many lesser hills. Between Himring and
Dorthonion there was a pass, exceeding steep upon the west, and that was the
Pass of Aglon, and was a gate unto Doriath; and a bitter wind blew ever through
it from the north. But Celegorm and Curufin fortified Aglon and held it with
great strength, and all the land of Himlad southward between the River Aros
that rose in Dorthonion and his tributary Celon that came from Himring.
Between
the arms of Gelion was the ward of Maglor, and here in one place the hills
failed altogether: there it was that the Orcs came into East Beleriand before
the Third Battle. Therefore the Noldor held strength of cavalry In the plains
at that place; and the people of Caranthir fortified the mountains to the east
of Maglor's Gap. There Mount Rerir, and about it many lesser heights, stood out
from the main range of Ered Lindon westward; and in the angle between Rerir and
Ered Lindon there was a lake, shadowed by mountains on all sides save the
south. That was Lake Helevorn, deep and dark, and beside it Caranthir had his
abode; but all the great land between Gelion and the mountains, and between
Rerir and the River Ascar, was called by the Noldor Thargelion, which signifies
the Land beyond Gelion, or Dor Caranthir, the Land of Caranthir; and it was
here that the Noldor first met the Dwarves. But Thargelion was before called by
the Grey-elves Talath Rhúnen, the East Vale.
Thus the
sons of Fëanor under Maedhros were the lords of East Beleriand, but their people
were in that time mostly in the north of the land, and southward they rode only
to hunt in the greenwoods. But there Amrod and Amras had their abode, and they
came seldom northward while the Siege lasted; and there also other of the
Elf-lords would ride at times, even from afar, for the land was wild but very
fair. Of these Fin-rod Felagund came most often, for he had great love of
wandering and he came even into Ossiriand, and won the friendship of the
Green-elves. But none of the Noldor went ever over Ered Lindon, while their
realm lasted; and little news and late came into Beleriand of what passed in
the regions of the East.
It has
been told how by the guidance of Ulmo Turgon of Nevrast discovered the hidden vale
of Tumladen; and that (as was after known) lay east of the upper waters of
Sirion, in a ring of mountains tall and sheer, and no living thing came there
save the eagles of Thorondor. But there was a deep way under the mountains
delved in the darkness of the world by waters that flowed out to join the
streams of Sirion; and this way Turgon found, and so came to the green plain
amid the mountains, and saw the island-hill that stood there of hard smooth
stone; for the vale had been a great lake in ancient days. Then Turgon knew
that he had found the place of his desire, and he resolved to build there a
fair city, a memorial of Tirion upon Túna; but he returned to Nevrast, and
remained there in peace, though he pondered ever in his thought how he should
accomplish his design.
Now
after the Dagor Aglareb the unquiet that Ulmo set in his heart returned to him,
and he summoned many of the hardiest and most skilled of his people, and led
them secretly to the hidden vale, and there they began the building of the city
that Turgon had devised; and they set a watch all about it, that none might
come upon their work from without, and the power of Ulmo that ran in Sirion
protected them. But Turgon dwelt still for the most part in Nevrast, until it
came to pass that at last the city was full-wrought, after two and fifty years
of secret toil. It is said that Turgon appointed its name to be Ondolindë in
the speech of the Elves of Valinor, the Rock of the Music of Water, for there
were fountains upon the hill; but in the Sindarin tongue the name was changed,
and it became Gondolin, the Hidden Rock. Then Turgon prepared to depart from
Nevrast and leave his halls in Vinyamar beside the sea; and there Ulmo came to
him once again, and spoke with him. And he said: 'Now thou shalt go at last to
Gondolin, Turgon; and I will maintain my power in the Vale of Sirion, and in
all the waters therein, so that none shall mark thy going, nor shall any find
there the hidden entrance against thy will. Longest of all the realms of the
Eldalië shall Gondolin stand against Melkor. But love not too well the work of
thy hands and the devices of thy heart; and remember that the true hope of the
Noldor lieth in the West and cometh from the Sea.'
And Ulmo
warned Turgon that he also lay under the Doom of Mandos, which Ulmo had no
power to remove. 'Thus it may come to pass,' he said, 'that the curse of the
Noldor shall find thee too ere the end, and treason awake within thy walls.
Then they shall be in peril of fire. But if this peril draweth nigh indeed,
then even from Nevrast one shall come to warn thee, and from him beyond ruin
and fire hope shall be born for Elves and Men. Leave therefore in this house
arms and a sword, that in years to come he may find them, and thus shalt thou
know him, and not be deceived.' And Ulmo declared to Turgon of what kind and
stature should be the helm and mail and sword that he left behind.
Then
Ulmo returned to the sea, and Turgon sent forth all his people, even to a third
part of the Noldor of Fingolfin's following, and a yet greater host of the
Sindar; and they passed away, company by company, secretly, under the shadows
of Ered Wethrin, and they came unseen to Gondolin, and none knew whither they
had gone. And last of all Turgon arose, and went with his household silently
through the hills, and passed the gates in the mountains, and they were shut
behind him.
Through
many long years none passed inward thereafter, save Húrin and Huor only; and
the host of Turgon came never forth again until the Year of Lamentation after
three hundred and fifty years and more. But behind the circle of the mountains
the people of Turgon grew and throve, and they put forth their skill in labour
unceasing, so that Gondolin upon Amon Gwareth became fair indeed and fit to
compare even with Elven Tirion beyond the sea. High and white were its walls,
and smooth its stairs, and tall and strong was the Tower of the King. There
shining fountains played, and in the courts of Turgon stood images of the Trees
of old, which Turgon himself wrought with elven-craft; and the Tree which he
made of gold was named Glingal, and the Tree whose flowers he made of silver
was named Belthil. But fairer than all the wonders of Gondolin was Idril,
Turgon's daughter, she that was called Celebrindal, the Silver-foot, whose hair
was as the gold of Laurelin before the coming of Melkor. Thus Turgon lived long
in bliss; but Nevrast was desolate, and remained empty of living folk until the
ruin of Beleriand.
Now
while the city of Gondolin was building in secret, Finrod Felagund wrought in
the deep places of Nargothrond; but Galadriel his sister dwelt, as has been
told, in Thingol's realm in Doriath. And at times Melian and Galadriel would
speak together of Valinor and the bliss of old; but beyond the dark hour of the
death of the Trees Galadriel would not go, but ever fell silent. And on a time
Melian said: 'There is some woe that lies upon you and your kin. That I can see
in you, but all else is hidden from me; for by no vision or thought can I
perceive anything that passed or passes in the West: a shadow lies over all the
land of Aman, and reaches far out over the sea. Why will you not tell me more?'
'For
that woe is past,' said Galadriel; 'and I would take what joy is here left,
untroubled by memory. And maybe there is woe enough yet to come, though still
hope may seem bright.'
Then
Melian looked in her eyes, and said: 'I believe not that the Noldor came forth
as messengers of the Valar, as was said at first: not though they came in the
very hour of our need. For they speak never of the Valar, nor have their high
lords brought any message to Thingol, whether from Manwë, or Ulmo, or even from
Olwë the King's brother, and his own folk that went over the sea. For what
cause, Galadriel, were the high people of the Noldor driven forth as exiles
from Aman? Or what evil lies on the sons of Fëanor that they are so haughty and
so fell? Do I not strike near the truth?'
"Near,'
said Galadriel; 'save that we were not driven forth, but came of our own will,
and against that of the Valar. And through great peril and in despite of the
Valar for this purpose we came: to take vengeance upon Morgoth, and regain what
he stole.'
Then
Galadriel spoke to Melian of the Silmarils, and of the slaying of King Finwë at
Formenos: but still she said no word of the Oath, nor of the Kinslaying, nor of
the burning of the ships at Losgar. But Melian said: 'Now much you tell me, and
yet more I perceive. A darkness you would cast over the long road from Tirion,
but I see evil there, which Thingol should learn for his guidance.'
'Maybe,'
said Galadriel; 'but not of me.'
And
Melian spoke then no more of these matters with Galadriel; but she told to King
Thingol all that she had heard of the Silmarils. 'This is a great matter,' she
said, 'greater indeed than the Noldor themselves understand; for the Light of
Aman and the fate of Arda lie locked now in these things, the work of Fëanor,
who is gone. They shall not be recovered, I foretell, by any power of the
Eldar; and the world shall be broken in battles that are to come, ere they are
wrested from Morgoth. See now! Fëanor they have slain, and many another, as I
guess; but first of all the deaths they have brought and yet shall bring was
Finwë your friend. Morgoth slew him, ere he fled from Aman.'
Then
Thingol was silent, being filled with grief and foreboding; but at length he
said: 'Now at last I understand the coming of the Noldor out of the West, at
which I wondered much before. Not to our aid did they come (save by chance);
for those that remain in Middle-earth the Valar will leave to their own
devices, until the uttermost need. For vengeance and redress of their loss the
Noldor came. Yet all the more sure shall they be as allies against Morgoth,
with whom it is not now to be thought that they shall ever make treaty.'
But
Melian said: 'Truly for these causes they came; but for others also. Beware of
the sons of Fëanor! The shadow of the wrath of the Valar lies upon them; and
they have done evil, I perceive, both in Aman and to their own kin. A grief but
lulled to sleep lies between the princes of the Noldor.'
And
Thingol answered: 'What is that to me? Of Fëanor I have heard but report, which
makes him great indeed. Of his sons I hear little to my pleasure; yet they are
likely to prove the deadliest foes of our foe.'
Their
swords and their counsels shall have two edges,' I said Melian; and afterwards
they spoke no more of this matter.
It was
not long before whispered tales began to pass among the Sindar concerning the
deeds of the Noldor ere they came to Beleriand. Certain it is whence they came,
and the evil truth was enhanced and poisoned by lies; but the Sindar were yet
unwary and trustful of words, and (as may well be thought) Morgoth chose them
for this first assault of his malice, for they knew him not. And Círdan,
hearing these dark tales, was troubled; for he was wise, and perceived swiftly
that true or false they were put about at this time through malice, though the
malice he deemed was that of the princes of the Noldor, because of the jealousy
of their houses. Therefore he sent messengers to Thingol to tell all that he
had heard.
It
chanced that at that time the sons of Finarfin were again the guests of
Thingol, for they wished to see their sister Galadriel. Then Thingol, being
greatly moved, spoke in anger to Finrod, saying: 'Ill have you done to me,
kinsman, to conceal so great matters from me. For now I have learned of all the
evil deeds of the Noldor.'
But
Finrod answered: 'What ill have I done yon, lord? Or what evil deed have the
Noldor done in all your realm to grieve you? Neither against your kinship nor
against any of your people have they thought evil or done evil.'
'I
marvel at you, son of Eärwen,' said Thingol, 'that you would come to the board
of your kinsman thus red-handed from the slaying of your mothers kin, and yet
say naught in defence, nor yet seek any pardon!'
Then
Finrod was greatly troubled, but he was silent, for he could not defend
himself, save by bringing charges against the other princes of the Noldor; and
that he was loath to do before Thingol. But in Angrod's heart the memory of the
words of Caranthir welled up again in bitterness, and he cried: 'Lord, I know
not what lies you have heard, nor whence; but we came not red-handed. Guiltless
we came forth, save maybe of folly, to listen to the words of fell Fëanor, and
become as if besotted with wine, and as briefly. No evil did we do on our road,
but suffered ourselves great wrong; and forgave it. For this we are named
tale-bearers to you and treasonable to the Noldor: untruly as you know, for we
have of our loyalty been silent before you, and thus earned your anger. But now
these charges are no longer to be borne, and the truth yon shall know.'
Then
Angrod spoke bitterly against the sons of Fëanor, telling of the blood at Alqualondë,
and the Doom of Mandos, and the burning of the ships at Losgar. And he cried:
'Wherefore should we that endured the Grinding Ice bear the name of kinslayers
and traitors?'
'Yet the
shadow of Mandos lies on you also,' said Melian. But Thingol was long silent
ere he spoke. 'Go now!' he said. 'For my heart is hot within me. Later you may
return, if you will; for I will not shut my doors for ever against you, my
kindred, that were ensnared in an evil that you did not aid. With Fingolfin and
his people also I will keep friendship, for they have bitterly atoned for such
ill as they did. And in our hatred of the Power that wrought all this woe our
griefs shall be lost. But hear my words! Never again in my ears shall be heard
the tongue of those who slew my kin in Alqualondë! Nor in all my realm shall it
be openly spoken, while my power endures. All the Sindar shall hear my command
that they shall neither speak with the tongue of the Noldor nor answer to it.
And all such as use it shall be held slayers of kin and betrayers of kin
unrepentant.'
Then the
sons of Finarfin departed from Menegroth with heavy hearts, perceiving how the
words of Mandos would ever be made true, and that none of the Noldor that
followed after Fëanor could escape from the shadow that lay upon his house. And
it came to pass even as Thingol had spoken; for the Sindar heard his word, and
thereafter throughout Beleriand they refused the tongue of the Noldor, and
shunned those that spoke it aloud; but the Exiles took the Sindarin tongue in all
their daily uses, and the High Speech of the West was spoken only by the lords
of the Noldor among themselves. Yet that speech lived ever as a language of
lore, wherever any of that people dwelt.
It came
to pass that Nargothrond was full-wrought (and yet Turgon still dwelt in the
halls of Vinyamar), and the sons of Finarfin were gathered there to a feast;
and Galadriel came from Doriath and dwelt a while in Nargothrond. Now King
Finrod Felagund had no wife, and Galadriel asked him why this should be; but
foresight came upon Felagund as she spoke, and he said: 'An oath I too shall
swear, and must be free to fulfil it, and go into darkness. Nor shall anything
of my realm endure that a son should inherit.'
But it
is said that not until that hour had such cold thoughts ruled him; for indeed
she whom he had loved was Amarië of the Vanyar, and she went not with him into
exile.
Aredhel
Ar-Feiniel, the White Lady of the Noldor, daughter of Fingolfin, dwelt in
Nevrast with Turgon her brother, and she went with him to the Hidden Kingdom.
But she wearied of the guarded city of Gondolin, desiring ever the longer the
more to ride again in the wide lands and to walk in the forests, as had been
her wont in Valinor: and when two hundred years had passed since Gondolin was
full-wrought, she spoke to Turgon and asked leave to depart. Turgon was loath
to grant this, and long denied her; but at the last he yielded, saying: 'Go
then, if you will though it is against my wisdom, and I forebode that ill will
come of it both to you and to me. But you shall go only to seek Fingon, our
brother; and those that I send with you shall return hither to Gondolin as
swiftly as they may.'
But
Aredhel said: 'I am your sister and not your servant, and beyond your bounds I
will go as seems good to me. And if you begrudge me an escort, then I will go
alone.'
Then
Turgon answered: 'I grudge you nothing that I have. Yet I desire that none
shall dwell beyond my walls who know the way hither: and if I trust you, my
sister, others I trust less to keep guard on their tongues.'
And
Turgon appointed three lords of his household to ride with Aredhel, and he bade
them lead her to Fingon in Hithlum, if they might prevail upon her. 'And be
wary,' he said; 'for though Morgoth be yet hemmed in the North there are many
perils in Middle-earth of which the Lady knows nothing.' Then Aredhel departed
from Gondolin, and Turgon's heart was heavy at her going.
But when
she came to the Ford of Brithiach in the River Sirion she said to her companions:
'Turn now south and not north, for I will not ride to Hithlum; my heart desires
rather to find the sons of Fëanor, my friends of old.' And since she could not
be dissuaded they turned south as she commanded, and sought admittance into
Doriath. But the march-wardens denied them; for Thingol would suffer none of
the Noldor to pass the Girdle, save his kinsfolk of the house of Finarfin, and
least of all those that were friends of the sons of Fëanor. Therefore the
march-wardens said to Aredhel: 'To the land of Celegorm for which you seek,
Lady, you may by no means pass through the realm of King Thingol; you must ride
beyond the Girdle of Melian, to the south or to the north. The speediest way is
by the paths that lead east from the Brithiach through Dimbar and along the
north-march of this kingdom, until you pass the Bridge of Esgalduin and the
Fords of Aros, and come to the lands that lie behind the Hill of Himring. There
dwell, as we believe, Celegorm and Curufin, and it may be that you will find
them; but the road is perilous.'
Then
Aredhel turned back and sought the dangerous road between the haunted valleys
of Ered Gorgoroth and the north fences of Doriath; and as they drew near to the
evil region of Nan Dungortheb the riders became enmeshed in shadows, and
Aredhel strayed from her companions and was lost. They sought long for her in
vain, fearing that she had been ensnared, or had drunk from the poisoned
streams of that land; but the fell creatures of Ungoliant that dwelt in the
ravines were aroused and pursued them, and they hardly escaped with their
lives. When at last they returned and their tale was told there was great
sorrow in Gondolin; and Turgon sat long alone, enduring grief and anger in
silence.
But
Aredhel, having sought in vain for her companions, rode on, for she was
fearless and hardy of heart, as were all the children of Finwë; and she held on
her way, and crossing Esgalduin and Aros came to the land of Himlad between
Aros and Celon where Celegorm and Curufin dwelt in those days, before the
breaking of the Siege of Angband. At that time they were from home, riding with
Caranthir east in Thargelion; but the people of Celegorm welcomed her and bade
her stay among them with honour until their lord's return. There for a while
she was content, and had great Joy in wandering free in the woodlands; but as
the year lengthened and Celegorm did not return, she became restless again, and
took to riding alone ever further abroad, seeking for new paths and untrodden
glades. Thus it chanced in the waning of the year that Aredhel came to the
south of Himlad, and passed over Celon; and before she was aware she was
enmeshed in Nan Elmoth.
In that
wood in ages past Melian walked in the twilight of Middle-earth when the trees
were young, and enchantment lay upon it still. But now the trees of Nan Elmoth
were the tallest and darkest in all Beleriand, and there the sun never came;
and there Eöl dwelt, who was named the Dark Elf. Of old he was of the kin of
Thingol, but he was restless and ill at ease in Doriath, and when the Girdle of
Melian was set about the Forest of Region where he dwelt he fled thence to Nan
Elmoth. There he lived in deep shadow, loving the night and the twilight under
the stars. He shunned the Noldor, holding them to blame for the return of
Morgoth, to trouble the quiet of Beleriand; but for the Dwarves he had more
liking than any other of the Elvenfolk of old. From him the Dwarves learned
much of what passed in the lands of the Eldar.
Now the
traffic of the Dwarves down from the Blue Mountains followed two roads across
East Beleriand, and the northern way, going towards the Fords of Aros, passed
nigh to Nan Elmoth; and there Eöl would meet the Naugrim and hold converse with
them. And as their friendship grew he would at times go and dwell as guest in
the deep mansions of Nogrod or Belegost There he learned much of metalwork, and
came to great skill therein; and he devised a metal as hard as the steel of the
Dwarves, but so malleable that he could make it thin and supple; and yet it
remained resistant to all blades and darts. He named it galvorn, for it was
black and shining like jet, and he was clad in it whenever he went abroad. But
Eöl, though stooped by his smithwork, was no Dwarf, but a tall Elf of a high
kin of the Teleri, noble though grim of face; and his eyes could see deep into
shadows and dark places. And it came to pass that he saw Aredhel Ar-Feiniel as
she strayed among the tall trees near the borders of Nan Elmoth, a gleam of
white in the dim land. Very fair she seemed to him, and he desired her; and he
set his enchantments about her so that she could not find the ways out, but
drew ever nearer to his dwelling in the depths of the wood. There were his
smithy, and his dim halls, and such servants as he had, silent and secret as their
master. And when Aredhel, weary with wandering, came at last to his doors, he
revealed himself; and he welcomed her, and led her into his house. And there
she remained; for Eöl took her to wife, and it was long ere any of her kin
heard of her again.
It is
not said that Aredhel was wholly unwilling, nor that her life in Nan Elmoth was
hateful to her for many years. For though at Eöl's command she must shun the
sunlight, they wandered far together under the stars or by the light of the
sickle moon; or she might fare alone as she would, save that Eöl forbade her to
seek the sons of Fëanor, or any others of the Noldor. And Aredhel bore to Eöl a
son in the shadows of Nan Elmoth, and in her heart she gave him a name in the
forbidden tongue of the Noldor, Lómion, that signifies Child of the Twilight;
but his father gave him no name until he was twelve years old. Then he called
him Maeglin, which is Sharp Glance, for he perceived that the eyes of his son
were more piercing than his own, and his thought could read the secrets of
hearts beyond the mist of words.
As
Maeglin grew to full stature he resembled in face and form rather his kindred
of the Noldor, but in mood and mind he was the son of his father. His words
were few save in matters that touched him near, and then his voice had a power
to move those that heard him and to overthrow those that withstood him. He was
tall and black-haired; his eyes were dark, yet bright and keen as the eyes of
the Noldor, and his skin was white. Often he went with Eöl to the cities of the
Dwarves in the east of Ered Lindon, and there he learned eagerly what they
would teach, and above all the craft of finding the ores of metals in the
mountains.
Yet it
is said that Maeglin loved his mother better, and if Eöl were abroad he would
sit long beside her and listen to all that she could tell him of her kin and
their deeds in Eldamar, and of the might and valour of the princes of the House
of Fingolfin. All these things he laid to heart, but most of all that which he
heard of Turgon, and that he had no heir; for Elenwë his wife perished in the
crossing of the Helcaraxë, and his daughter Idril Celebrindal was his only
child.
In the
telling of these tales there was awakened in Aredhel a desire to see her own
kin again, and she marvelled that she had grown weary of the light of Gondolin,
and the fountains in the sun, and the green sward of Tumladen under the windy
skies of spring; moreover she was often alone in the shadows when both her son
and her husband were away. Of these tales also grew the first quarrels of
Maeglin and Eöl. For by no means would his mother reveal to Maeglin where
Turgon dwelt, nor by what means one might come thither, and he bided his time,
trusting yet to wheedle the secret from her, or perhaps to read her unguarded
mind; but ere that could be done he desired to look on the Noldor and speak
with the sons of Fëanor, his kin, that dwelt not far away. But when he declared
his purpose to Eöl, his father was wrathful. 'You are of the house of Eöl,
Maeglin, my son,' he said, 'and not of the Golodhrim. All this land is the land
of the Teleri, and I will not deal nor have my son deal with the slayers of our
kin, the invaders and usurpers of our homes. In this you shall obey me, or I
will set you in bonds.' And Maeglin did not answer, but was cold and silent,
and went abroad no more with Eöl; and Eöl mistrusted him.
It came
to pass that at the midsummer the Dwarves, as was their custom, bade Eöl to a
feast in Nogrod; and he rode away. Now Maeglin and his mother were free for a
while to go where they wished, and they rode often to the eaves of the wood,
seeking the sunlight; and desire grew hot in Maeglin's heart to leave Nan
Elmoth for ever. Therefore he said to Aredhel: 'Lady, let us depart while there
is time? What hope is there in this wood for you or for me? Here we are held in
bondage, and no profit shall I find here; for I have learned all that my father
has to teach, or that the Naugrim will reveal to me. Shall we not seek for
Gondolin? You shall be my guide, and I will be your guard!'
Then
Aredhel was glad, and looked with pride upon her son; and telling the servants
of Eöl that they went to seek the sons of Fëanor they departed and rode away to
the north eaves of Nan Elmoth. There they crossed the slender stream of Celon
into the land of Himlad and rode on to the Fords of Aros, and so westward along
the fences of Doriath.
Now Eöl
returned out of the east sooner than Maeglin had foreseen, and found his wife
and his son but two days gone; and so great was his anger that he followed
after them even by the light of day. As he entered the Himlad he mastered his
wrath and went warily, remembering his danger, for Celegorm and Curufin were
mighty lords who loved Eöl not at all, and Curufin moreover was of perilous
mood; but the scouts of Aglon had marked the riding of Maeglin and Aredhel to
the Fords of Aros, and Curufin perceiving that strange deeds were afoot came
south from the Pass and encamped near the Fords. And before Eöl had ridden far
across the Himlad he was waylaid by the riders of Curufin, and taken to their
lord.
Then
Curufin said to Eöl: 'What errand have you, Dark Elf, in my lands? An urgent
matter, perhaps, that keeps one so sun-shy abroad by day.'
And Eöl
knowing his peril restrained the bitter words that arose in his mind. 'I have
learned. Lord Curufin,' he said. 'that my son and my wife, the White Lady of
Gondolin, have ridden to visit you while I was from home; and it seemed to me
fitting that I should join them on this errand.'
Then
Curufin laughed at Eöl, and he said: 'They might have found their welcome here
less warm than they hoped, had you accompanied them; but it is no matter, for
that was not their errand. It is not two days since they passed over the
Arossiach, and thence rode swiftly westward. It seems that you would deceive
me; unless indeed you yourself have been deceived.'
And Eöl
answered: 'Then, lord, perhaps you will give me leave to go, and discover the
truth of this matter.'
'You
have my leave, but not my love,' said Curufin. 'The sooner you depart from my
land the better will it please me.'
Then Eöl
mounted his horse, saying: 'It is good, Lord Curufin, to find a kinsman thus
kindly at need. I will remember it when I return.' Then Curufin looked darkly
upon Eöl. 'Do not flaunt the title of your wife before me,' he said. 'For those
who steal the daughters of the Noldor and wed them without gift or leave do not
gain kinship with their kin. I have given you leave to go. Take it, and be
gone. By the laws of the Eldar I may not slay you at this time. And this
counsel I add: return now to your dwelling in the darkness of Nan El-moth; for
my heart warns me that if you now pursue those who love you no more, never will
you return thither.'
Then Eöl
rode off in haste, and he was filled with hatred of all the Noldor; for he
perceived now that Maeglin and Aredhel were fleeing to Gondolin. And driven by
anger and the shame of his humiliation he crossed the Fords of Aros and rode
hard upon the way that they had gone before; but though they knew not that he
followed them, and he had the swiftest steed, he came never in sight of them
until they reached the Brithiach, and abandoned their horses. Then by ill fate
they were betrayed; for the horses neighed loudly, and Eöl's steed heard them,
and sped towards them; and Eöl saw from afar the white raiment of Aredhel, and
marked which way she went, seeking the secret path into the mountains.
Now
Aredhel and Maeglin came to the Outer Gate of Gondolin and the Dark Guard under
the mountains; and there she was received with Joy, and passing through the
Seven Gates she came with Maeglin to Turgon upon Amon Gwareth. Then the King
listened with wonder to all that Aredhel had to tell; and he looked with liking
upon Maeglin his sister-son, seeing in him one worthy to be accounted among the
princes of the Noldor.
'I
rejoice indeed that Ar-Feiniel has returned to Gondolin,' he said, 'and now
more fair again shall my city seem than in the days when I deemed her lost. And
Maeglin shall have the highest honour in my realm.'
Then
Maeglin bowed low and took Turgon for lord and king, to do all his will; but
thereafter he stood silent and watchful, for the bliss and splendour of
Gondolin surpassed all that he had imagined from the tales of his mother, and
he was amazed by the strength of the city and the hosts of its people, and the
many things strange and beautiful that he beheld. Yet to none were his eyes
more often drawn than to Idril the King's daughter, who sat beside him; for she
was golden as the Vanyar, her mother's kindred, and she seemed to him as the
sun from which all the King's hall drew its light
But Eöl,
following after Aredhel, found the Dry River and the secret path, and so
creeping in by stealth he came to the
Guard, and was taken and questioned. And when the Guard heard that he claimed
Aredhel as wife they were amazed, and sent a swift messenger to the City; and
he came to the King's hall.
'Lord,'
he cried, 'the Guard have taken captive one that came by stealth to the Dark
Gate. Eöl he names himself, and he is a tall Elf, dark and grim, of the kindred
of the Sindar; yet he claims the Lady Aredhel as his wife, and demands to be
brought before you. His wrath is great and he is hard to restrain; but we have
not slain him as your law commands.'
Then
Aredhel said: 'Alas! Eöl has followed us, even as I feared. But with great
stealth was it done; for we saw and heard no pursuit as we entered upon the
Hidden Way.' Then she said to the messenger: 'He speaks but the truth. He is
Eöl, and I am his wife, and he is the father of my son. Slay him not, but lead
him hither to the King's judgement, if the King so wills.'
And so
it was done; and Eöl was brought to Turgon's hall and stood before his high
seat, proud and sullen. Though he was amazed no less than his son at all that
he saw, his heart was filled the more with anger and with hate of the Noldor.
But Turgon treated him with honour, and rose up and would take his hand; and he
said: "Welcome, kinsman, for so I hold you. Here you shall dwell at your
pleasure, save only that you must here abide and depart not from my kingdom;
for it is my law that none who finds the way hither shall depart.'
But Eöl
withdrew his hand. 'I acknowledge not your law,' he said. 'No right have you or
any of your kin in this land to seize realms or to set bounds, either here or
there. This is the land of the Teleri, to which you bring war and all unquiet,
dealing ever proudly and unjustly. I care nothing for your secrets and I came
not to spy upon you, but to claim my own: my wife and my son. Yet if in Aredhel
your sister you have some claim, then let her remain; let the bird go back to
the cage, where soon she will sicken again, as she sickened before. But not so
Maeglin. My son you shall not withhold from me. Come, Maeglin son of Eöl! Your
father commands you. Leave the house of his enemies and the slayers of his kin,
or be accursed!' But Maeglin answered nothing.
Then
Turgon sat in his high seat holding his staff of doom, and in a stem voice
spoke: 'I will not debate with you. Dark Elf. By the swords of the Noldor alone
are your sunless woods defended. Your freedom to wander there wild you owe to
my kin; and but for them long since you would have laboured in thraldom in the
pits of Angband. And here I am King; and whether you will it or will it not, my
doom is law. This choice only is given to you: to abide here, or to die here;
and so also for your son.'
Then Eöl
looked into the eyes of King Turgon, and he was not daunted, but stood long
without word or movement while a still silence fell upon the hall; and Aredhel
was afraid, knowing that he was perilous. Suddenly, swift as serpent, he seized
a javelin that he held hid beneath his cloak and cast it at Maeglin, crying:
'The
second choice I take and for my son also! You shall not hold what is mine!'
But
Aredhel sprang before the dart, and it smote her in the shoulder; and Eöl was
overborne by many and set in bonds, and led away, while others tended Aredhel.
But Maeglin looking upon his father was silent.
It was
appointed that Eöl should be brought on the next day to the King's judgement;
and Aredhel and Idril moved Turgon to mercy. But in the evening Aredhel
sickened, though the wound had seemed little, and she fell into the darkness,
and in the night she died; for the point of the javelin was poisoned, though
none knew it until too late.
Therefore
when Eöl was brought before Turgon he found no mercy; and they led him forth to
the Caragdűr, a precipice of black rock upon the north side of the hill of
Gondolin, there to cast him down from the sheer walls of the city. And Maeglin
stood by and said nothing; but at the last Eöl cried out: 'So you forsake your
father and his kin, ill-gotten son! Here shall you fail of all your hopes, and
here may you yet die the same death as I.'
Then
they cast Eöl over the Caragdűr, and so he ended, and to all in Gondolin it
seemed just; but Idril was troubled, and from that day she mistrusted her
kinsman. But Maeglin prospered and grew great among the Gondolindrim, praised
by all, and high in the favour of Turgon; for if he would learn eagerly and
swiftly all that he might, he had much also to teach. And he gathered about him
all such as had the most bent to smithcraft and mining; and he sought in the
Echoriath (which are the Encircling Mountains), and found rich lodes of ore of
divers metals. Most he prized the hard iron of the mine of Anghabar in the
north of the Echoriath, and thence he got a wealth of forged metal and of
steel, so that the arms of the Gondolindrim were made ever stronger and more
keen; and that stood them in good stead in the days to come. Wise in counsel
was Maeglin and wary, and yet hardy and valiant at need. And that was seen in
after days: for when in the dread year of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad Turgon opened
his leaguer and marched forth to the help of Fingon in the north, Maeglin would
not remain in Gondolin as regent of the King, but went to the war and fought
beside Turgon, and proved fell and fearless in battle.
Thus all
seemed well with the fortunes of Maeglin, who had risen to be mighty among the princes
of the Noldor, and greatest save one in the most renowned of their realms. Yet
he did not reveal his heart: and though not all things went as he would he
endured it in silence, hiding his mind so that few could read it, unless it
were Idril Celebrindal. For from his first days in Gondolin he had borne a
grief, ever worsening, that robbed him of all joy: he loved the beauty of Idril
and desired her, without hope. The Eldar wedded not with km so near, nor ever
before had any desired to do so. And however that might be, Idril loved Maeglin
not at all; and knowing his thought of her she loved him the less. For it
seemed to her a thing strange and crooked in him, as indeed the Eldar ever
since have deemed it: an evil fruit of the Kinslaying, whereby the shadow of
the curse of Mandos fell upon the last hope of the Noldor. But as the years
passed still Maeglin watched Idril, and waited, and his love turned to darkness
in his heart. And he sought the more to have his will in other matters,
shirking no toil or burden, if he might thereby have power.
Thus it
was in Gondolin; and amid all the bliss of that realm, while its glory lasted,
a dark seed of evil was sown.
When
three hundred years and more were gone since the Noldor came to Beleriand, in
the days of the Long Peace, Finrod Felagund lord of Nargothrond journeyed east
of Sirion and went hunting with Maglor and Maedhros, sons of Fëanor. But he
wearied of the chase and passed on alone towards the mountains of Ered Lindon
that he saw shining afar; and taking the Dwarf-road he crossed Gelion at the
ford of Sarn Athrad, and taming south over the upper streams of Ascar, he came
into the north of Ossiriand.
In a
valley among the foothills of the mountains, below the springs of Thalos, he
saw lights in the evening, and far off he heard the sound of song. At this he
wondered much, for the Green-elves of that land lit no fires, nor did they sing
by night At first he feared that a raid of Orcs had passed the leaguer of the
North, but as he drew near he perceived that it was not so; for the singers
used a tongue that he had not heard before, neither that of Dwarves nor of
Orcs. Then Felagund, standing silent hi the night-shadow of the trees, looked
down into the camp, and there he beheld a strange people.
Now
these were a part of the kindred and following of Bëor the Old, as he was
afterwards called, a chieftain among Men. After many lives of wandering out of
the East he had led them at last over the Blue Mountains, the first of the race
of Men to enter Beleriand; and they sang because they were glad, and believed
that they had escaped from all perils and had come at last to a land without
fear.
Long
Felagund watched them, and love for them stirred in his heart; but he remained
hidden in the trees until they had all fallen asleep. Then he went among the
sleeping people, and sat beside their dying fire where none kept watch; and he
took up a rude harp which Bëor had laid aside, and he played music upon it such
as the ears of Men had not heard; for they had as yet no teachers in the art,
save only the Dark Elves in the wild lands.
Now men
awoke and listened to Felagund as he harped and sang, and each thought that he
was in some fair dream, until he saw that his fellows were awake also beside
him; but they did not speak or stir while Felagund still played, because of the
beauty of the music and the wonder of the song. Wisdom was in the words of the
Elven-king, and the hearts grew wiser that hearkened to him; for the things of
which he sang, of the making of Arda, and the bliss of Aman beyond the shadows
of the Sea, came as clear visions before their eyes, and his Elvish speech was
interpreted in each mind according to its measure.
Thus it
was that Men called King Felagund, whom they first met of all the Eldar, Nóm,
that is Wisdom, in the language of that people, and after him they named his
folk Nómin, the Wise. Indeed they believed at first that Felagund was one of
the Valar, of whom they had heard rumour that they dwelt far in the West; and
this was (some say) the cause of their journeying. But Felagund dwelt among
them and taught them true knowledge, and they loved him, and took him for their
lord, and were ever after loyal to the house of Finarfin.
Now the
Eldar were beyond all other peoples skilled in tongues; and Felagund discovered
also that he could read in the minds of Men such thoughts as they wished to
reveal in speech, so that their words were easily interpreted. It is said also
that these Men had long had dealings with the Dark Elves east of the mountains,
and from them had learned much of their speech; and since all the languages of
the Quendi were of one origin, the language of Bëor and his folk resembled the
Elven-tongue in many words and devices. It was not long therefore before
Felagund could hold converse with Bëor; and while he dwelt with him they spoke
much together. But when he questioned him concerning the arising of Men and
their journeys, Bëor would say little; and indeed he knew little, for the
fathers of his people had told few tales of their past and a silence had fallen
upon their memory. 'A darkness lies behind us,' Bëor said; 'and we have turned
our backs upon it, and we do not desire to return thither even in thought.
Westwards our hearts have been turned, and we believe that there we shall find
Light.'
But it
was said afterwards among the Eldar that when Men awoke in Hildórien at the
rising of the Sun the spies of Morgoth were watchful, and tidings were soon
brought to him; and this seemed to him so great a matter that secretly under
shadow he himself departed from Angband, and went forth into Middle-earth,
leaving to Sauron the command of the War. Of his dealings with Men the Eldar
indeed knew nothing, at that time, and learnt but little afterwards; but that a
darkness lay upon the hearts of Men (as the shadow of the Kinslaying and the
Doom of Mandos lay upon the Noldor) they perceived clearly even in the people
of the Elf-friends whom they first knew. To corrupt or destroy whatsoever arose
new and fair was ever the chief desire of Morgoth; and doubtless he had this
purpose also in his errand: by fear and lies to make Men the foes of the Eldar,
and bring them up out of the east against Beleriand. But this design was slow
to ripen, and was never wholly achieved; for Men (it is said) were at first
very few in number, whereas Morgoth grew afraid of the growing power and union
of the Eldar and came back to Angband, leaving behind at that time but few
servants, and those of less might and cunning.
Now
Felagund learned from Bëor that there were many other Men of like mind who were
also journeying westward. 'Others of my own kin have crossed the Mountains,' he
said, 'and they are wandering not far away; and the Haladin, a people from whom
we are sundered in speech, are still in the valleys on the eastern slopes,
awaiting tidings before they venture further. There are yet other Men, whose
tongue is more like to ours, with whom we have had dealings at times. They were
before us on the westward march, but we passed them; for they are a numerous
people, and yet keep together and move slowly, being all ruled by one chieftain
whom they call Marach.'
Now the
Green-elves of Ossiriand were troubled by the coming of Men, and when they
heard that a lord of the Eldar from over the Sea was among them they sent
messengers to Felagund. 'Lord,' they said, 'if you have power over these
newcomers, bid them return by the ways that they came, or else to go forward.
For we desire no strangers in this land to break the peace in which we live.
And these folk are hewers of trees and hunters of beasts; therefore we are
their unfriends, and if they will not depart we shall afflict them in all ways
that we can.'
Then by
the advice of Felagund Bëor gathered all the wandering families and kindreds of
his people, and they removed over Gelion, and took up their abode in the lands
of Amrod and Amras, upon the east banks of the Celon south of Nan Elmoth, near
to the borders of Doriath; and the name of that land thereafter was Estolad,
the Encampment. But when after a year had passed Felagund wished to return to
his own country, Bëor begged leave to come with him; and he remained in the
service of the King of Nargothrond while his life lasted. In this way he got
his name, Bëor, whereas his name before had been Balan; for Bëor signified
'Vassal' in the tongue of his people. The rule of his folk he committed to
Baran his elder son; and he did not return again to Estolad.
Soon
after the departure of Felagund the other Men of whom Bëor had spoken came also
into Beleriand. First came the Haladin; but meeting the unfriendship of the
Green-elves they turned north and dwelt in Thargelion, in the country of
Caranthir son of Fëanor; there for a time they had peace, and the people of
Caranthir paid little heed to them. In the next year Marach led his people over
the mountains; they were a tall and warlike folk, marching in ordered
companies, and the Elves of Ossiriand hid themselves and did not waylay them.
But Marach, hearing that the people of Bëor were dwelling in a green and
fertile land, came down the Dwarf-road, and settled in the country south ; and east of the dwellings of Baran son of
Bëor; and there was great friendship between those peoples.
Felagund
himself often returned to visit Men; and many other Elves out of the
west-lands, both Noldor and Sindar, Journeyed to Estolad, being eager to see
the Edain, whose coming had long been foretold. Now Atani, the Second People,
was the name given to Men in Valinor in the lore that told of their coming; but
in the speech of Beleriand that name became Edain, and it was there used only
of the three kindreds of the Elf-friends.
Fingolfin,
as King of all the Noldor, sent messengers of welcome to them; and then many
young and eager men of the Edain went away and took service with the kings and
lords of the Eldar. Among them was Malach son of Marach, and he dwelt in
Hithlum for fourteen years; and he learned the Elven-tongue and was given the
name of Aradan.
The
Edain did not long dwell content in Estolad, for many still desired to go
westward; but they did not know the way. Before them lay the fences of Doriath,
and southward lay Sirion and its impassable fens. Therefore the kings of the
three houses of the Noldor, seeing hope of strength in the sons of Men, sent word
that any of the Edain that wished might remove and come to dwell among their
people. In this way the migration of the Edain began: at first little by
little, but later in families and kindreds, they arose and left Estolad, until
after some fifty years many thousands had entered the lands of the Kings. Most
of these took the long road northwards, until the ways became well known to
them. The people of Bëor came to Dorthonion and dwelt in lands ruled by the
house of Finarfin. The people of Aradan (for Marach his father remained in
Estolad until his death) for the most part went on westward; and some came to
Hithlum, but Magor son of Aradan and many of the people passed down Sirion into
Beleriand and dwelt a while in the vales of the southern slopes of Ered
Wethrin.
It is
said that in all these matters none save Finrod Felagund took counsel with King
Thingol, and he was ill pleased, both for that reason, and because he was
troubled by dreams concerning the coming of Men, ere ever the first tidings of
them were heard. Therefore he commanded that Men should take no lands to dwell
in save in the north, and that the princes whom they served should be
answerable for all that they did; and he said: 'Into Doriath shall no Man come
while my realm lasts, not even those of the house of Bëor who serve Finrod the
beloved.' Melian said nothing to him at that time, but afterwards she said to
Galadriel: 'Now the world runs on swiftly to great tidings. And one of Men,
even of Bëor's house, shall indeed come, and the Girdle of Melian shall not
restrain him, for doom greater than my power shall send him; and the songs that
shall spring from that coming shall endure when all Middle-earth is changed.'
But many
Men remained in Estolad, and there was still a mingled people living there long
years after, until in the ruin of Beleriand they were overwhelmed or fled back
into the East. For beside the old who deemed that their wandering days were
over there were not a few who desired to go their own ways, and they feared the
Eldar and the light of their eyes; and then dissensions awoke among the Edain,
in which the shadow of Morgoth may be discerned, for certain it is that he knew
of the coming of Men into Beleriand and of their growing friendship with the
Elves.
The
leaders of discontent were Bereg of the house of Bëor, and Amlach, one of the
grandsons of Marach; and they said openly: 'We took long roads, desiring to
escape the perils of Middle-earth and the dark things that dwell there; for we
heard that there was Light in the West. But now we learn that the Light is
beyond the Sea. Thither we cannot come where the Gods dwell in bliss. Save one;
for the Lord of the Dark is here before us, and the Eldar, wise but fell, who
make endless war upon him. In the North he dwells, they say; and there is the
pain and death from which we fled. We will not go that way.'
Then a
council and assembly of Men was called, and great numbers came together. And
the Elf-friends answered Bereg, saying: 'Truly from the Dark King come all the
evils from which we fled; but he seeks dominion over all Middle-earth, and
whither now shall we turn and he will not pursue us? Unless he be vanquished
here, or at least held in leaguer. Only by the valour of the Eldar is he
restrained, and maybe it was for this purpose, to aid them at need, that we
were brought into this land.'
To this
Bereg answered: 'Let the Eldar look to it! Our lives are short enough.' But
there arose one who seemed to all to be Amlach son of Imlach, speaking fell
words that shook the hearts of all who heard him: 'All this is but Elvish lore,
tales to beguile newcomers that are unwary. The Sea has no shore. There is no
Light in the West. You have followed a fool-fire of the Elves to the end of the
world! Which of you has seen the least of the Gods? Who has beheld the Dark
King in the North? Those who seek the dominion of Middle-earth are the Eldar.
Greedy for wealth they have delved in the earth for its secrets and have
stirred to wrath the things that dwell beneath it, as they have ever done and
ever shall. Let the Orcs have the realm that is theirs, and we will have ours.
There is room in the world, if the Eldar will let us be!'
Then
those that listened sat for a while astounded, and a shadow of fear fell on
their hearts; and they resolved to depart far from the lands of the Eldar. But
afterwards Amlach returned among them, and denied that he had been present at
their debate or had spoken such words as they reported; and there was doubt and
bewilderment among Men. Then the Elf-friends said: 'You will now believe this
at least: there is indeed a Dark Lord, and his spies and emissaries are among
us; for he fears us, and the strength that we may give to his foes.'
But some
still answered: 'He hates us, rather, and ever the more the longer we dwell
here, meddling in his quarrel with the Kings of the Eldar, to no gain of ours.'
Many therefore of those that yet remained in Estolad made ready to depart; and
Bereg led a thousand of the people of Bëor away southwards, and they passed out
of the songs of those days. But Amlach repented, saying: 'I have now a quarrel
of my own with this Master of Lies, which will last to my life's end'; and he
went away north and entered the service of Maedhros. But those of his people
who were of like mind with Bereg chose a new leader, and they went back over
the mountains into Eriador, and are forgotten.
During
this time the Haladin remained in Thargelion and were content. But Morgoth,
seeing that by lies and deceits he could not yet wholly estrange Elves and Men,
was filled with wrath, and endeavoured to do Men what hurt he could. Therefore
he sent out an Orc-raid, and passing east it escaped the leaguer, and came in
stealth back over Ered Lindon by the passes of the Dwarf-road, and fell upon
the Haladin in the southern woods of the land of Caranthir.
Now the
Haladin did not live under the rule of lords or many together, but each
homestead was set apart and governed its own affairs, and they were slow to
unite. But there was among them a man named Haldad, who was masterful and fearless;
and he gathered all the brave men that he could find, and retreated to the
angle of land between Ascar and Gelion, and in the utmost comer he built a
stockade across from water to water; and behind it they led all the women and
children that they could save. There they were besieged, until their food was
gone.
Haldad
had twin children: Haleth his daughter, and Haldar his son; and both were
valiant in the defence, for Haleth was a woman of great heart and strength. But
at last Haldad was slain in a sortie against the Orcs; and Haldar, who rushed
out to save his father's body from their butchery, was hewn down beside him.
Then Haleth held the people together, though they were without hope; and some
cast themselves in the rivers and were drowned. But seven days later, as the
Orcs made their last assault and had already broken through the stockade, there
came suddenly a music of trumpets, and Caranthir with his host came down from
the north and drove the Orcs into the rivers.
Then
Caranthir looked kindly upon Men and did Haleth great honour; and he offered
her recompense for her father and brother. And seeing, over late, what valour
there was in the Edain, he said to her: 'If you will remove and dwell further
north, there you shall have the friendship and protection of the Eldar, and
free lands of your own.'
But
Haleth was proud, and unwilling to be guided or ruled, and most of the Haladin
were of like mood. Therefore she thanked Caranthir, but answered: 'My mind is
now set, lord, to leave the shadow of the mountains, and go west, whither
others of our kin have gone.' When therefore the Haladin had gathered all whom
they could find alive of their folk who had fled wild into the woods before the
Orcs, and had gleaned what remained of their goods in their burned homesteads,
they took Haleth for their chief; and she led them at last to Estolad, and
there dwelt for a time. But they remained a people apart, and were ever after
known to Elves and Men as the People of Haleth. Haleth remained their chief
while her days lasted, but she did not wed, and the headship afterwards passed
to Haldan son of Haldar her brother. Soon however Haleth desired to move
westward again; and though most of her people were against this counsel, she
led them forth once more; and they went without help or guidance of the Eldar,
and passing over Celon and Aros they journeyed in the perilous land between the
Mountains of Terror and the Girdle of Melian. That land was even then not yet
so evil as it after became, but it was no road for mortal Men to take without
aid, and Haleth only brought her people through it with hardship and loss,
constraining them to go forward by the strength of her will. At last they
crossed over the Brithiach, and many bitterly repented of their journey; but
there was now no returning. Therefore in new lands they went back to their old
life as best they could; and they dwelt in free homesteads in the woods of
Talath Dirnen beyond Teiglin, and some wandered far into the realm of
Nargothrond. But there were many who loved the Lady Haleth and wished to go
whither she would, and dwell under her rule; and these she led into the Forest
of Brethil, between Teiglin and Sirion. Thither in the evil days that followed
many of her scattered folk returned.
Now
Brethil was claimed as part of his realm by King Thingol, though it was not
within the Girdle of Melian, and he would have denied it to Haleth; but
Felagund, who had the friendship of Thingol, hearing of all that had befallen
the People of Haleth, obtained this grace for her: that she should dwell free
in Brethil, upon the condition only that her people should guard the Crossings
of Teiglin against all enemies of the Eldar, and allow no Orcs to enter their
woods. To this Haleth answered: 'Where are Haldad my father, and Haldar my
brother? If the King of Doriath fears a friendship between Haleth and those who
have devoured her kin, then the thoughts of the Eldar are strange to Men.' And
Haleth dwelt in Brethil until she died; and her people raised a green mound
over her in the heights of the forest, Tűr Haretha, the Ladybarrow,
Haudh-en-Arwen in the Sindarin tongue.
In this
way it came to pass that the Edain dwelt in the lands of the Eldar, some here,
some there, some wandering, some settled in kindreds or small peoples; and the
most part of them soon learned the Grey-elven tongue, both as a common speech
among themselves and because many were eager to learn the lore of the Elves.
But after a time the Elf-kings, seeing that it was not good for Elves and Men
to dwell mingled together without order, and that Men needed lords of their own
kind, set regions apart where Men could live their own lives, and appointed
chieftains to hold these lands freely. They were the allies of the Eldar in
war, but marched under their own leaders. Yet many of the Edain had delight in
the friendship of the Elves, and dwelt among them for so long as they had
leave; and the young men often took service for a time in the hosts of the
kings.
Now
Hador Lórindol, son of Hathol, son of Magor, son of Malach Aradan, entered the
household of Fingolfin in his youth, and was loved by the King. Fingolfin
therefore gave to him the lordship of Dor-lómin, and into that land he gathered
most of the people of his kin, and became the mightiest of the chieftains of
the Edain. In his house only the Elven-tongue was spoken; but their own speech
was not forgotten, and from it came the common tongue of Númenor. But in
Dorthonion the lordship of the people of Bëor and the country of Ladros was
given to Boromir, son of Boron, who was the grandson of Bëor the Old.
The sons
of Hador were Galdor and Gundor; and the sons of Galdor were Húrin and Huor;
and the son of Húrin was Túrin the Bane of Glaurung; and the son of Huor was
Tuor, father of Eärendil the Blessed. The son of Boromir was Bregor, whose sons
were Bregolas and Barahir; and the sons of Bregolas were Baragund and Belegund.
The daughter of Baragund was Morwen, the mother of Túrin, and the daughter of
Belegund was Rían, the mother of Tuor. But the son of Barahir was Beren One-hand,
who won the love of Lúthien Thingol's daughter, and returned from the Dead;
from them came Elwing the wife of Eärendil, and all the Kings of Númenor after.
All
these were caught in the net of the Doom of the Noldor; and they did great
deeds which the Eldar remember still among the histories of the Kings of old.
And in those days the strength of Men was added to the power of the Noldor, and
their hope was high; and Morgoth was straitly enclosed, for the people of
Hador, being hardy to endure cold and long wandering, feared sot at times to go
far into the north and there keep watch upon the movements of the Enemy. The
Men of the Three Houses throve and multiplied, but greatest among them was the
house of Hador Goldenhead, peer of Elven-lords. His people were of great
strength and stature, ready in mind, bold and steadfast, quick to anger and to
laughter, mighty among the Children of Ilúvatar in the youth of Mankind.
Yellow-haired they were for the most part, and blue-eyed; but not so was Túrin,
whose mother was Morwen of the house of Bëor. The Men of that house were dark
or brown of hair, with grey eyes; and of all Men they were most like to the
Noldor and most loved by them; for they were eager of mind, cunning-handed,
swift in understanding, long in memory, and they were moved sooner to pity than
to laughter. Like to them were the woodland folk of Haleth, but they were of
lesser stature, and less eager for lore. They used few words, and did not love
great concourse of men; and many among them delighted in solitude, wandering
free in the greenwoods while the wonder of the lands of the Eldar was new upon
them. But in the realms of the West their time was brief and their days
unhappy.
The
years of the Edain were lengthened, according to the reckoning of Men, after
their coming to Beleriand; but at last Bëor the Old died when he had lived
three and ninety years, for four and forty of which he had served King
Felagund. And when he lay dead, of no wound or grief, but stricken by age, the
Eldar saw for the first time the swift waning of the life of Men, and the death
of weariness which they knew not in themselves; and they grieved greatly for
the loss of their friends. But Bëor at the last had relinquished his life
willingly and passed in peace; and the Eldar wondered much at the strange fate
of Men, for in all their lore there was no account of it, and its end was
hidden from them.
Nonetheless
the Edain of old learned swiftly of the Eldar all such art and knowledge as
they could receive, and their sons increased in wisdom and skill, until they
far surpassed all others of Mankind, who dwelt still east of the mountains and
had not seen the Eldar, nor looked upon the faces that had beheld the Light of
Valinor.
Now
Fingolfin, King of the North, and High King of the Noldor, seeing that his
people were become numerous and strong, and that the Men allied to them were
many and valiant, pondered once more an assault upon Angband; for he knew that
they lived in danger while the circle of the siege was incomplete, and Morgoth
was free to labour in his deep mines, devising what evils none could foretell
ere he should reveal them. This counsel was wise according to the measure of
his knowledge; for the Noldor did not yet comprehend the fullness of the power
of Morgoth, nor understand that their unaided war upon him was without final
hope, whether they hasted or delayed. But because the land was fair and their
kingdoms wide, most of the Noldor were content with things as they were,
trusting them to last, and slow to begin an assault in which many must surely
perish were it in victory or in defeat Therefore they were little disposed to
hearken to Fingolfin, and the sons of Fëanor at that time least of all. Among the
chieftains of the Noldor Angrod and Aegnor alone were of like mind with the
King; for they dwelt in regions whence Thangorodrim could be descried, and the
threat of Morgoth was present to their thought. Thus the designs of Fingolfin
came to naught, and the land had peace yet for a while.
But when
the sixth generation of Men after Bëor and Marach were not yet come to full
manhood, it being then four hundred years and five and fifty since the coming
of Fingolfin, the evil befell that he had long dreaded, and yet more dire and
sudden than his darkest fear. For Morgoth had long prepared his force in
secret, while ever the malice of his heart grew greater, and his hatred of the
Noldor more bitter; and he desired not only to end his foes but to destroy also
and defile the lands that they had taken and made fair. And it is said that his
hate overcame his counsel, so that if he had but endured to wait longer, until
his designs were full, then the Noldor would have perished utterly. But on his
part he esteemed too lightly the valour of the Elves, and of Men he took yet no
account.
There
came a time of winter, when night was dark and without moon; and the wide plain
of Ard-galen stretched dim beneath the cold stars, from the hill-forts of the
Noldor to the feet of Thangorodrim. The watch-fires burned low, and the guards
were few; on the plain few were waking in the camps of the horsemen of Hithlum.
Then suddenly Morgoth sent forth great rivers of flame that ran down swifter
than Balrogs from Thangorodrim, and poured over all the plain; and the
Mountains of Iron belched forth fires of many poisonous hues, and the fume of
them stank upon the air, and was deadly. Thus Ard-galen perished, and fire
devoured its grasses; and it became a burned and desolate waste, full of a choking
dust, barren and lifeless. Thereafter its name was changed, and it was called
Anfauglith, the Gasping Dust. Many charred bones had there their roofless
grave; for many of the Noldor perished in that burning, who were caught by the
running flame and could not fly to the hills. The heights of Dorthonion and
Ered Wethrin held back the fiery torrents, but their woods upon the slopes that
looked towards Angband were all kindled, and the smoke wrought confusion among
the defenders. Thus began the fourth of the great battles, Dagor Bragollach,
the Battle of Sudden Flame.
In the
front of that fire came Glaurung the golden, father of dragons, in his full
might; and in his train were Balrogs, and behind them came the black armies of
the Orcs in multitudes such as the Noldor had never before seen or imagined.
And they assaulted the fortresses of the Noldor, and broke the leaguer about
Angband, and slew wherever they found them the Noldor and their allies.
Grey-elves and Men. Many of the stoutest of the foes of Morgoth were destroyed
in the first days of that war, bewildered and dispersed and unable to muster
their strength. War ceased not wholly ever again in Beleriand; but the Battle
of Sudden Flame is held to have ended with the coming of spring, when the onslaught
of Morgoth grew less.
Thus
ended the Siege of Angband; and the foes of Morgoth were scattered and sundered
one from another. The most part of the Grey-elves fled south and forsook the
northern war; many were received into Doriath, and the kingdom and strength of
Thingol grew greater in that time, for the power of Melian the queen was woven
about his borders and evil could not yet enter that hidden realm. Others took
refuge in the fortresses by the sea, and in Nargothrond; and some fled the land
and hid themselves in Ossiriand, or passing the mountains wandered homeless in
the wild. And rumour of the war and the breaking of the siege reached the ears
of Men in the east of Middle-earth.
The sons
of Finarfin bore most heavily the brunt of the assault, and Angrod and Aegnor
were slain; beside them fell Bregolas lord of the house of Bëor, and a great
part of the warriors of that people. But Barahir the brother of Bregolas was in
the fighting farther westward, near to the Pass of Sirion. There King Finrod Felagund,
hastening from the south, was cut off from his people and surrounded with small
company in the Pen of Serech; and he would have been slain or taken, but
Barahir came up with the bravest of his men and rescued him, and made a wall of
spears about him; and they cut their way out of the battle with great loss.
Thus Felagund escaped, and returned to his deep fortress of Nargothrond; but he
swore an oath of abiding friendship and aid in every need to Barahir and all
his kin, and in token of his vow he gave to Barahir his ring. Barahir was now
by right lord of the house of Bëor, and he returned to Dorthonion; but most of
his people fled from their homes and took refuge in the fastness of Hithlum.
So great
was the onslaught of Morgoth that Fingolfin and Fingon could not come to the
aid of the sons of Finarfin; and the hosts of Hithlum were driven back with
great loss to the fortresses of Ered Wethrin, and these they hardly defended
against the Orcs. Before the walls of Eithel Sirion fell Hador the Golden-haired,
defending the rearguard of his lord Fingolfin, being then sixty and six years
of age, and with him fell Gundor his younger son, pierced with many arrows; and
they were mourned by the Elves. Then Galdor the Tall took the lordship of his
father. And because of the strength and height of the Shadowy Mountains, which
withstood the torrent of fire, and by the valour of the Elves and the Men of
the North, which neither Orc nor Balrog could yet overcome, Hithlum remained
unconquered, a threat upon the flank of Morgoth's attack; but Fingolfin was
sundered from his kinsmen by a sea of foes.
For the
war had gone ill with the sons of Fëanor, and well nigh all the east marches
were taken by assault The Pass of Aglon was forced, though with great cost to
the hosts of Morgoth; and Celegorm and Curufin being defeated fled south and
west by the marches of Doriath, and coming at last to Nargothrond sought
harbour with Finrod Felagund. Thus it came to pass that their people swelled
the strength of Nargothrond; but it would have been better, as was after seen,
if they had remained in the east among their own kin. Maedhros did deeds of
surpassing valour, and the Orcs fled before his face; for since his torment
upon Thangorodrim his spirit burned like a white fire within, and he was as one
that returns from the dead. Thus the great fortress upon the Hill of Himring
could not be taken, and many of the most valiant that remained, both of the
people of Dorthonion and of the east marches, rallied there to Maedhros; and
for a while he closed once more the Pass of Aglon, so that the Orcs could not
enter Beleriand by that road. But they overwhelmed the riders of the people of
Fëanor upon Lothlann, for Glaurung came thither, and passed through Maglor's
Gap, and destroyed all the land between the arms of Gelion. And the Orcs took
the fortress upon the west slopes of Mount Rerir, and ravaged all Thargelion,
the land of Caranthir; and they defiled Lake Helevorn. Thence they passed over
Gelion with fire and terror and came far into East Beleriand. Maglor joined
Maedhros upon Himring; but Caranthir fled and joined the remnant of his people
to the scattered folk of the hunters, Amrod and Amras, and they retreated and
passed Ramdal in the south. Upon Amon Ereb they maintained a watch and some
strength of war, and they had aid of the Green-elves; and the Orcs came not
into Ossiriand, nor to Taur-im-Duinath and the wilds of the south.
Now news
came to Hithlum that Dorthonion was lost and the sons of Finarfin overthrown,
and that the sons of Fëanor were driven from their lands. Then Fingolfin beheld
(as it seemed to him) the utter ruin of the Noldor, and the defeat beyond
redress of all their houses; and filled with wrath and despair he mounted upon
Rochallor his great horse and rode forth alone, and none might restrain him. He
passed over Dor-nu-Fauglith like a wind amid the dust, and all that beheld his
onset fled in amaze, thinking that Oromë himself was come: for a great madness
of rage was upon him, so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar. Thus
he came alone to Angband's gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more
upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat.
And Morgoth came.
That was
the last time in those wars that he passed the doors of his stronghold, and it
is said that he took not the challenge willingly; for though his might was
greatest of all things in this world, alone of the Valar he knew fear. But he
could not now deny the challenge before the face of his captains; for the rocks
rang with the shrill music of Fingolfin's horn, and his voice came keen and
clear down into the depths of Angband; and Fingolfin named Morgoth craven, and
lord of slaves. Therefore Morgoth came, climbing slowly from his subterranean
throne, and the rumour of his feet was like thunder underground. And he issued
forth clad in black armour; and he stood before the King like a tower,
iron-crowned, and his vast shield, sable on-blazoned, cast a shadow over him
like a stormcloud. But Fingolfin gleamed beneath it as a star; for his mail was
overlaid with silver, and his blue shield was set with crystals; and he drew
his sword Ringil, that glittered like ice.
Then
Morgoth hurled aloft Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld, and swung it down
like a bolt of thunder. But Fingolfin sprang aside, and Grond rent a mighty pit
in the earth, whence smoke and fire darted. Many times Morgoth essayed to smite
him, and each time Fingolfin leaped away, as a 'lightning shoots from under a
dark cloud; and he wounded Morgoth with seven wounds, and seven times Morgoth
gave a cry of anguish, whereat the hosts of Angband fell upon their faces in
dismay, and the cries echoed in the Northlands.
But at
the last the King grew weary, and Morgoth bore down his shield upon hint Thrice
he was crushed to his knees, and thrice arose again and bore up his broken
shield and stricken helm. But the earth was all rent and pitted about him, and
he stumbled and fell backward before the feet of Morgoth; and Morgoth set his
left foot upon his neck, and the weight of it was like a fallen hill. Yet with
his last and desperate stroke Fingolfin hewed the foot with Ringil, and the
blood gashed forth black and smoking and filled the pits of Grond.
Thus
died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the
Elven-kings of old. The Orcs made no boast of that duel at the gate; neither do
the Elves sing of it, for their sorrow is too deep. Yet the tale of it is
remembered still, for Thorondor King of Eagles brought the tidings to Gondolin,
and to Hithlum afar off. And Morgoth took the body of the Elven-king and broke
it, and would cast it to his wolves; but Thorondor came hasting from his eyrie
among the peaks of the Crissaegrim, and he stooped upon Morgoth and marred his
face. The rushing of the wings of Thorondor was like the noise of the winds of
Manwë, and he seized the body in his mighty talons, and soaring suddenly above
the darts of the Orcs he bore the King away. And he laid him upon a
mountain-top that looked from the north upon the hidden valley of Gondolin; and
Turgon coming built a high cairn over his father. No Orc dared ever after to
pass over the mount of Fingolfin or draw nigh his tomb, until the doom of
Gondolin was come and treachery was born among his kin. Morgoth went ever halt
of one foot after that day, and the pain of his wounds could not be healed; and
in his face was the scar that Thorondor made.
Great
was the lamentation in Hithlum when the fall of Fingolfin became known, and
Fingon in sorrow took the lordship of the house of Fingolfin and the kingdom of
the Noldor; but his young son Ereinion (who was after named Gil-galad) he sent
to the Havens.
Now
Morgoth's power overshadowed the Northlands; but Barahir would not flee from
Dorthonion, and remained contesting the land foot by foot with his enemies.
Then Morgoth pursued his people to the death, until few remained; and all the
forest of the northward slopes of that land was turned little by little into a
region of such dread and dark enchantment that even the Orcs would not enter it
unless need drove them, and it was called Deldúwath, and Taur-nu-Fuin, The
Forest under Nightshade. The trees that grew there after the burning were black
and grim, and their roots were tangled, groping in the dark like claws; and
those who strayed among them became lost and blind, and were strangled or
pursued to madness by phantoms of terror. At last so desperate was the case of
Barahir that Emeldir the Manhearted his wife (whose mind was rather to fight
beside her son and her husband than to flee) gathered together all the women
and children that were left, and gave arms to those that would bear them; and
she led them into the mountains that lay behind, and so by perilous paths,
until they came at last with loss and misery to Brethil. Some were there received
among the Haladin, but some passed on over the mountains to Dor-lómin and the
people of Galdor, Hador's son; and among those were Rían, daughter of Belegund,
and Morwen, who was named Eledhwen, that is Elf-sheen, daughter of Baragund.
But none ever saw again the men that they had left. For these were slain one by
one, until at last only twelve men remained to Barahir: Beren his son, and
Baragund and Belegund his nephews, the sons of Bregolas, and nine faithful
servants of his house whose names were long remembered in the songs of the
Noldor: Radhruin and Dairuin they were, Dagnir and Ragnor, Gildor and Gorlim
the unhappy, Arthad and Urthel, and Hathaldir the young. Outlaws without hope
they became, a desperate band that could not escape and would not yield, for
their dwellings were destroyed, and their wives and children captured, slain,
or fled. From Hithlum there came neither news nor help, and Barahir and his men
were hunted like wild beasts; and they retreated to the barren highland above
the forest, and wandered among the tarns and rocky moors of that region,
furthest from the spies and spells of Morgoth. Their bed was the heather and
their roof the cloudy sky.
For nigh
on two years after the Dagor Bragollach the Noldor still defended the western pass
about the sources of Sirion, for the power of Ulmo was in that water, and Minas
Tirith withstood the Orcs. But at length, after the fall of Fingolfin, Sauron,
greatest and most terrible of the servants of Morgoth, who in the Sindarin
tongue was named Gorthaur, came against Orodreth, the warden of the tower upon
Tol Sirion. Sauron was become now a sorcerer of dreadful power, master of
shadows and of phantoms, foul in wisdom, cruel in strength, misshaping what he
touched, twisting what he ruled, lord of werewolves; his dominion was torment.
He took Minas Tirith by assault, for a dark cloud of fear fell upon those that
defended it; and Orodreth was driven out, and fled to Nargothrond. Then Sauron
made it into a watchtower for Morgoth, a stronghold of evil, and a menace; and
the fair isle of Tol Sirion became accursed, and it was called Tol-in-Gaurhoth,
the Isle of Werewolves. No living creature could pass through that vale that
Sauron did not espy from the tower where he sat. And Morgoth held now the western
pass, and his terror filled the fields and woods of Beleriand. Beyond Hithlum
he pursued his foes relentlessly, and he searched out their hiding-places and
took their strongholds one by one. The Orcs growing ever bolder wandered at
will far and wide, coming down Sirion in the west and Colon in the east, and
they encompassed Doriath; and they harried the lands so that beast and bird
fled before them, and silence and desolation spread steadily from the North.
Many of the Noldor and the Sindar they took captive and led to Angband, and
made them thralls, forcing them to use their skill and their knowledge in the
service of Morgoth. And Morgoth sent out his spies, and they were clad in false
forms and deceit was in their speech; they made lying promises of reward, and
with conning words sought to arouse fear and jealousy among the peoples,
accusing their kings and chieftains of greed, and of treachery one to another.
And because of the curse of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë these lies were often
believed; and indeed as the time darkened they had a measure of truth, for the
hearts and minds of the Elves of Beleriand became clouded with despair and
fear. But ever the Noldor feared most the treachery of those of their own kin,
who had been thralls in Angband; for Morgoth used some of these for his evil
purposes, and feigning to give them liberty sent them abroad, but their wills
were chained to his, and they strayed only to come back to him again. Therefore
if any of his captives escaped in truth, and returned to their own people, they
had little welcome, and wandered alone outlawed and desperate.
To Men
Morgoth feigned pity, if any would hearken to his messages, saying that their
woes came only of their servitude to the rebel Noldor, but at the hands of the
rightful Lord of Middle-earth they would get honour and a just reward of
valour, if they would leave rebellion. But few men of the Three Houses of the
Edain would give ear to him, not even were they brought to the torment of
Angband. Therefore Morgoth pursued them with hatred; and he sent his messengers
over the mountains.
It is
told that at this time the Swarthy Men came first into Beleriand. Some were
already secretly under the dominion of Morgoth, and came at his call; but not
all, for the rumour of Beleriand, of its lands and waters, of its wars and
riches, went now far and wide, and the wandering feet of Men were ever set
westward in those days. These Men were short and broad, long and strong in the
arm; their skins were swart or sallow, and their hair was dark as were their
eyes. Their houses were many, and some had greater liking for the Dwarves of
the mountains than for the Elves. But Maedhros, knowing the weakness of the
Noldor and the Edain, whereas the pits of Angband seemed to hold store
inexhaustible and ever-renewed, made alliance with these new-come Men, and gave
his friendship to the greatest of their chieftains, Bór and Ulfang. And Morgoth
was well content; for this was as he had designed. The sons of Bór were Borlad,
Borlach, and Borthand; and they followed Maedhros and Maglor, and cheated the
hope of Morgoth, and were faithful. The sons of Ulfang the Black were Ulfast,
and Ulwarth, and Uldor the accursed; and they followed Caranthir and swore
allegiance to him, and proved faithless.
There
was small love between the Edain and the Easterlings, and they met seldom; for
the newcomers abode long in East Beleriand, but Hador's folk were shut in
Hithlum, and Beer's house was well-nigh destroyed. The People of Haleth were at
first untouched by the northern war, for they dwelt to the southward in the
Forest of Brethil; but now there was battle between them and the invading Orcs,
for they were stout-hearted men and would not lightly forsake the woods that
they loved. And amid the tale of defeats of that time the deeds of the Haladin
are remembered with honour: for after the taking of Minas Tirith the Orcs came
through the western pass, and maybe would have ravaged even to the mouths of
Sirion; but Halmir lord of the Haladin sent swift word to Thingol, for he had friendship
with the Elves that guarded the borders of Doriath. Then Beleg Strongbow, chief
of the march-wardens of Thingol, brought great strength of the Sindar armed
with axes into Brethil; and issuing from the deeps of the forest Halmir and
Beleg took an Orc-legion at unawares and destroyed it. Thereafter the black
tide out of the North was stemmed in that region, and the Orcs dared not cross
the Teiglin for many years after. The People of Haleth dwelt yet in watchful
peace in the Forest of Brethil, and behind their guard the Kingdom of
Nargothrond had respite, and mustered its strength.
At this
time Húrin and Huor, the sons of Galdor of Dor-lómin, were dwelling with the
Haladin, for they were akin. In the days before the Dagor Bragollach those two
houses of the Edam were joined at a great feast, when Galdor and Glóredhel the
children of Hador Goldenhead were wedded to Hareth and Haldir the children of
Halmir lord of the Haladin. Thus it was that the sons of Galdor were fostered
in Brethil by Haldir their uncle, according to the custom of Men in that time;
and they went both to that battle with the Orcs, even Huor, for he would not be
restrained, though he was but thirteen years old. But being with a company that
was cut off from the rest they were pursued to the Ford of Brithiach, and there
they would have been taken or slain but for the power of Ulmo, that was still
strong in Sirion. A mist arose from the river and hid them from their enemies,
and they escaped over the Brithiach into Dimbar, and wandered among the hills
beneath the sheer walls of the Crissaegrim, until they were bewildered in the
deceits of that land and knew not the way to go on or to return. There
Thorondor espied them, and he sent two of his eagles to their aid; and the
eagles bore them up and brought them beyond the Encircling Mountains to the
secret vale of Tumladen and the hidden city of Gondolin, which no Man yet had
seen.
There
Turgon the King received them well, when he learned of their kin; for messages
and dreams had come to him up Sirion from the sea, from Ulmo, Lord of Waters,
warning him of woe to come and counselling him to deal kindly with the sons of
the house of Hador, from whom help should come to him at need. Húrin and Huor
dwelt as guests in the King's house for well nigh a year; and it is said that
in this time Húrin learned much lore of the Elves, and understood also
something of the counsels and purposes of the King. For Turgon took great
liking for the sons of Galdor, and spoke much with them; and he wished indeed to
keep them in Gondolin out of love, and not only for his law that no stranger,
be he Elf or Man, who found the way to the secret kingdom and looked upon the
city should ever depart again, until the King should open the leaguer, and the
hidden people should come forth.
But
Húrin and Huor desired to return to their own people and share in the wars and
griefs that now beset them. And Húrin said to Turgon: "Lord, we are but
mortal Men, and unlike the Eldar. They may endure for long years awaiting
battle with their enemies in some far distant day; but for us the time is
short, and our hope and strength soon wither. Moreover we did not find the road
to Gondolin, and indeed we do not know surely where this city stands; for we
were brought in fear and wonder by the high ways of the air, and in mercy our
eyes were veiled.' Then Turgon granted his prayer, and he said: 'By the way
that you came you have leave to depart, if Thorondor is willing. I grieve at
this parting; yet in a little while, as the Eldar account it, we may meet
again.'
But
Maeglin, the King's sister-son, who was mighty in Gondolin, grieved not at all
at their going, though he begrudged them the favour of the King, for he had no
love for any of the kindred of Men; and he said to Húrin: 'The King's grace is
greater than you know, and the law is become less stem than aforetime; or else
no choice would be given you but to abide here to your life's end.'
Then
Húrin answered him: The King's grace is great indeed; but if our word is not
enough, then we will swear oaths to you.' And the brothers swore never to
reveal the counsels of Turgon, and to keep secret an that they had seen in his
realm. Then they took their leave, and the eagles coming bore them away by
night, and set them down in Dor-lómin before the dawn. Their kinsfolk rejoiced
to see them, for messengers from Brethil had reported that they were lost; but
they would not declare even to their father where they had been, save that they
were rescued in the wilderness by the eagles that brought them home. But Galdor
said: Did you then dwell a year in the wild? Or did the eagles house you in
their eyries? But you found food and fine raiment, and return as young princes,
not as waifs of the wood.' And Húrin answered: 'Be content that we have
returned; for only under an oath of silence was this permitted.' Then Galdor
questioned them no more, but he and many others guessed at the truth; and in
time the strange fortune of Húrin and Huor reached the ears of the servants of
Morgoth.
Now when
Turgon learned of the breaking of the leaguer of Angband he would not suffer
any of his own people to issue forth to war; for he deemed that Gondolin was
strong, and the time not yet ripe for its revealing. But he believed also that
the ending of the Siege was the beginning of the downfall of the Noldor, unless
aid should come; and he sent companies of the Gondolindrim in secret to the
mouths of Sirion and the Isle of Balar. There they built ships, and set sail
into the uttermost West upon Turgon's errand, seeking for Valinor, to ask for
pardon and aid of the Valar; and they besought the birds of the sea to guide
them. But the seas were wild and wide, and shadow and enchantment lay upon
them; and Valinor was hidden. Therefore none of the messengers of Turgon came
into the West, and many were lost and few returned; but the doom of Gondolin
drew nearer.
Rumour
came to Morgoth of these things, and he was unquiet amid his victories; and he
desired greatly to learn tidings of Felagund and Turgon. For they had vanished
out of knowledge, and yet were not dead; and he feared what they might yet
accomplish against him. Of Nargothrond he knew indeed the name, but neither its
place nor its strength; and of Gondolin he knew nothing, and the thought of
Turgon troubled him the more. Therefore he sent forth ever more spies into
Beleriand; but he recalled the main hosts of the Orcs to Angband, for he
perceived that he could not yet make a final and victorious battle until he had
gathered new strength, and that he had not measured rightly the valour of the
Noldor nor the might in arms of the Men that fought beside them. Great though
his victory had been in the Bragollach and in the years after, and grievous the
harm that he had done to his enemies, his own loss had been no less; and though
he held Dorthonion and the Pass of Sirion, the Eldar recovering from their
first dismay began now to regain what they had lost. Thus Beleriand in the
south had a semblance of peace again for a few brief years; but the forges of
Angband were full of labour.
When seven
years had passed since the Fourth Battle, Morgoth renewed his assault, and he
sent a great force against Hithlum. The attack on the passes of the Shadowy
Mountains was bitter, and in the siege of Eithel Sirion Galdor the tall. Lord
of Dor-lómin, was slain by an arrow. That fortress he held on behalf of Fingon
the High King; and in that same place his father Hador Lórindol died but a
little time before. Húrin his son was then newly come to manhood, but he was
great in strength both of mind and body; and he drove the Orcs with heavy
slaughter from Ered Wethrin, and pursued them far across the sands of
Anfauglith.
But King
Fingon was hard put to it to hold back the army of Angband that came down from
the north; and battle was Joined upon the very plains of Hithlum. There Fingon
was outnumbered; but the ships of Círdan sailed in great strength up the Firth
of Drengist, and in the hour of need the Elves of the Falas came upon the host
of Morgoth from the west. Then the Orcs broke and fled, and the Eldar had the
victory, and their horsed archers pursued them even into the Iron Mountains.
Thereafter
Húrin son of Galdor ruled the house of Hador in Dor-lómin, and served Fingon.
Húrin was of less stature than his fathers, or his son after him; but he was
tireless and enduring in body, lithe and swift after the manner of his mothers
kin, Hareth of the Haladin. His wife was Morwen Eledhwen, daughter of Baragund
of the house of Bëor, she who fled from Dorthonion with Rían daughter of
Belegund and Emeldir the mother of Beren.
In that
time also the outlaws of Dorthonion were destroyed, as is told hereafter; and
Beren son of Barahir alone escaping came hardly into Doriath.
Among
the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those
days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow
of death light that endures. And of these histories most fair still in the ears
of the Elves is the tale of Beren and Lúthien. Of their lives was made the Lay
of Leithian, Release from Bondage, which is the longest save one of the songs
concerning the world of old; but here is told in fewer words and without song.
It has
been told that Barahir would not for sake Dorthonion, and there Morgoth pursued
him to his death, until at last there remained to him only twelve companions.
Now the forest of Dorthonion rose southward into mountainous moors; and in the
east of those highlands there lay a lake, Tarn Aeluin, with wild heaths about
it, and all that land was pathless and untamed, for even in the days of the
Long Peace none had dwelt there. But the waters of Tarn Aeluin were held in
reverence, for they were clear and blue by day and by night were a mirror for
the stars; and it was said that Melian herself had hollowed that water in the
days of old. Thither Barahir and his outlaws withdrew, and there made their
lair, and Morgoth could not discover it. But the rumour of the deeds of Barahir
and his companions went far and wide; and Morgoth commanded Sauron to find them
and destroy them.
Now
among the companions of Barahir was Gorlim son of Angrim. His wife was named
Eilinel, and their love was great, ere evil befell. But Gorlim returning from
the war upon the marches found his house plundered and forsaken, and his wife
gone; whether slain or taken he knew not. Then he fled to Barahir, and of
companions his he was the most fierce and desperate; but doubt gnawed his
heart, thinking that perhaps Eilinel was not dead. At times he would depart
alone and secretly, and visit his house that stood amid the fields and woods he
had once possessed; and this became known to the servants of Morgoth.
On a
time of autumn he came in the dusk of evening, and drawing near he saw as he
thought a light at the window; and coming warily he looked within. There he saw
Eilinel, and her face was worn with grief and hunger, and it seemed to him that
he heard her voice lamenting that he had forsaken her. But even as he cried
aloud the light was blown out in the wind; wolves howled, and on his shoulders
he felt suddenly the heavy hands of Sauron's hunters. Thus Gorlim was ensnared;
and taking him to their camp they tormented, seeking to learn the hidings of
Barahir and all his ways. But nothing would Gorlim tell. Then they promised him
that he should be released and restored to Eilinel, if he would yield; and
being at last worn with pain, and yearning for his wife, he faltered. Then
straightaway they brought him into the dreadful presence of Sauron; and Sauron
said: 'I hear now that thou wouldst barter with me. What is thy price?'
And
Gorlim answered that he should find Eilinel again, and with her be set free;
for he thought Eilinel also had been made captive.
Than
Sauron smiled, saying: 'That is a small price for so great a treachery. So
shall it surely be. Say on!'
Now
Gorlim would have drawn back, but daunted by the eyes of Sauron he told at last
all that he would know. Then Sauron laughed; and he mocked Gorlim, and revealed
to him that he had only seen a phantom devised by wizardry to entrap him; for
Eilinel was dead. 'Nonetheless I will grant thy prayer,' said Sauron; 'and thou
shalt go to Eilinel, and be set free of my service.' Then he put him cruelly to
death.
In this
way the hiding of Barahir was revealed, and Morgoth drew his net about it; and
the Orcs coming in the still hours before dawn surprised the men of Dorthonion
and slew them all, save one. For Beren son of Barahir had been sent by his
father on a perilous errand to spy upon the ways of the Enemy, and he was far
afield when the lair was taken. But as he slept benighted in the forest he
dreamed that carrion-birds sat thick as leaves upon bare trees beside a mere,
and blood dripped from their beaks.
Then
Beren was aware in his dream of a form that came to him across the water, and
it was a wraith of Gorlim; and it spoke to him declaring his treachery and
death, and bade him make haste to warn his father. Then Beren awoke, and sped
through the night, and came back to the lair of the outlaws on the second
morning. But as he drew near the carrion-birds rose from the ground and sat in
the alder-trees beside Tarn Aeluin, and croaked in mockery.
There
Beren buried his fathers bones, and raised a cairn of boulders above him, and
swore upon it an oath of vengeance. First there for he pursued the Orcs that
had slain his father and his kinsmen, and he found their camp by night at
Rivil's Well above the Fen of Serech, and because of his wood craft he came
near to their fire unseen. There their captain made boast of his deeds, and he
held up the hand of Barahir that he had cut off as a token for Sauron that
their mission was fulfilled; and the ring of Felagund was on that hand. Then
Beren sprang from behind rock, and slew captain, and taking the hand and the
ring he escaped, being defended by fate for the Orcs were dismayed, and their
arrows wild.
Thereafter
for four years more Beren wandered still upon Dorthonion, a solitary outlaw;
but he became the friend of birds and beasts, and they aided him, and did not
betray him, and from that time forth he ate no flesh nor slew any living thing
that was not in the service of Morgoth. He did not fear death, but only
captivity, and being bold and desperate he escaped both death and bonds; and
the deeds of lonely daring that he achieved were noised abroad throughout
Beleriand, and the tail of them came even into Doriath. At length Morgoth set a
price upon his head no less than the price upon the head of Fingon, High King
of the Noldor; but the Orcs fled rather at the rumour of his approach than
sought him out. Therefore and army was sent against him under the command of
Sauron; and Sauron brought werewolves, fell beasts inhabited by dreadful
spirits that he had imprisoned in their bodies.
All that
land was now become filled with evil, and all clean things were departing from
it; and Beren was pressed so hard that at last he was forced to flee from
Dorthonion. In time of winter and snow he forsook the land and grave of his
father, and climbing into the high land of Doriath. There it was put into his
heart that he would go down into the Hidden Kingdom, where no mortal foot had
trodden. Terrible was his southward journey. Sheer were the precipices of Ered
Gorgoroth, and beneath their feet were shadows that were laid before the rising
of the Moon. Beyond lay the wilderness of Dungortheb, where the sorcery of
Sauron and the power of Melian came together, and horror and madness walked.
There spiders of the fell race of Ungoliant abode, spinning their unseen webs
in which all living things were snared; and monsters wandered there that were
born in the long dark before the Sun, hunting silently with many eyes. No food
for Elves or Men was there in that haunted land, but death only. That journey
is not accounted least among the great deeds of Beren, but he spoke of it to no
one after, lest the horror return into his mind; and none know how he found a
way, and so came by paths that no Man nor Elf else ever dared to tread to the
borders of Doriath. And he passed through the mazes that Melian wove about the
kingdom of Thingol, even as she had foretold; for a great doom lay upon him.
It is
told in the Lay of Leithian that Beren came stumbling into Doriath grey and
bowed as with many years of woe, so great had been the torment of the road. But
wandering in the summer in the woods of Neldoreth he came upon Lúthien,
daughter of Thingol and Melian, at a time of evening under moonrise, as she
danced upon the unfading grass in the glades beside Esgalduin. Then all memory
of his pain departed from him, and he fell into an enchantment; for Lúthien was
the most beautiful of all the Children of Ilúvatar. Blue was her raiment as the
unclouded heaven, but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle was
sewn with golden flowers, but her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight. As
the light upon the leaves of trees, as the voice of clear waters, as the stars
above the mists of the world, such was her glory and her loveliness; and in her
face was a shining light.
But she
vanished from his sight; and he became dumb, as one that is bound under a
spell, and he strayed long in the woods, wild and wary as a beast, seeking for
her. In his heart he called her Tinúviel, that signifies Nightingale, daughter
of twilight, in the Grey-elven tongue, for he knew no other name for her. And
he saw her afar as leaves in the winds of autumn, and in winter as a star upon
a hill, but a chain was upon his limbs.
There
came a time near dawn on the eve of spring, and Lúthien danced upon a green
hill; and suddenly she began to sing. Keen, heart-piercing was her song as the
song of the lark that rises from the gates of night and pours its voice among
the dying stars, seeing the sun behind the walls of the world; and the song of
Lúthien released the behind the walls of the world; and the song of Lúthien released
the bonds of winter, and the frozen waters spoke, and flowers sprang from the
cold earth where her feet had passed.
Then the
spell of silence fell from Beren, and he called to her, crying Tinúviel; and
the woods echoed the name. Then she halted in wonder, and fled no more, and
Beren came to her. But as she looked on him, doom fell upon her, and she loved
him; yet she slipped from his arms and vanished from his sight even as the day
was breaking. Then Beren lay upon the ground in a swoon, as one slain at once
by bliss and grief; and he fell into a sleep as it were into an abyss of
shadow, and waking he was cold as stone, and his heart barren and forsaken. And
wandering in mind he groped as one that is stricken with sudden blindness, and
seeks with hands to grasp the vanished light. Thus he began the payment of
anguish for the fate that was laid on him; and in his fate Lúthien was caught,
and being immortal she shared in his mortality, and being free received his
chain; and her anguish was greater than any other of the Eldalië has known.
Beyond
his hope she returned to him where he sat in darkness, and long ago in the
Hidden Kingdom she laid her hand in his. Thereafter often she came to him, and
they went in secret through the woods together from spring to summer; and no
others of the Children of Ilúvatar have had joy so great, though the time was
brief.
But
Daeron the minstrel also loved Lúthien, and he espied her meetings with Beren,
and betrayed them to Thingol. Then the King was filled with anger, for Lúthien
he loved above all things, setting her above all the princes of the Elves;
whereas mortal Men he did not even take into his service. Therefore he spoke in
grief and amazement to Lúthien; but she would reveal nothing, until he swore an
oath to her that he would neither slay Beren nor imprison him. But he sent his
servants to lay hands on him and lead him to Menegroth as a malefactor; and
Lúthien forestalling them led Beren herself before the throne of Thingol, as if
he were an honoured guest.
Then
Thingol looked upon Beren in scorn and anger; but Melian was silent. 'Who are
you', said the King, 'that come hither as a thief, and unbidden dare to
approach my throne?'
But
Beren being filled with dread, for the splendour of Menegroth and the majesty
of Thingol were very great, answered nothing. Therefore Lúthien spoke, and
said: 'He is Beren son of Barahir, lord of Men, mighty foe of Morgoth, the tale
of whose deeds is become a song even among the Elves.'
'Let
Beren speak!' said Thingol. 'What would you here, unhappy mortal, and for what
cause have you left your own land to enter this, which is forbidden to such as
you? Can you show reason why my power should not be laid on you in heavy
punishment for you insolence and folly?'
Then
Beren looking up beheld the eyes of Lúthien, and his glance went also to the
face of Melian and it seemed to him that words were put into his mouth. Fear
left him, and the pride of the eldest house of Men returned to him; and he
said: 'My fate, O King, led me hither, through perils such as few even of the
Elves would dare. And here I have found what I sought not indeed, but finding I
would possess for ever. For it is above all gold and silver, and beyond all
jewels. Neither rock, nor steel, nor the fires of Morgoth, nor all the powers
of the Elf-kingdoms, shall keep from me the treasure that I desire. For Lúthien
your daughter is the fairest of all the Children of the World.'
Then
silence fell upon the hall, for those that stood there were astounded and
afraid, and they thought that Beren would be slain. But Thingol spoke slowly,
saying: 'Death you have earned with these words; and death you should find
suddenly, had I not sworn an oath in haste; of which I repent, baseborn mortal,
who in the realm of Morgoth has learnt to creep in secret as his spies and
thralls.'
Then
Beren answered: 'Death you can give me earned or unearned; but the names I will
not take from you of baseborn, nor spy, nor thrall. By the ring of Felagund,
that he gave to Barahir my father on the battle field of the North, my house
has not earned such names from any Elf, be he king or no.'
His
words were proud, and all eyes looked upon the ring; for he held it now aloft,
and the green jewels gleamed there that the Noldor had devised in Valinor. For
this ring was like to twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads
met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other
devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house; Then Melian leaned to
Thingol's side, and in whispered counsel bade him forgo his wrath. 'For not by
you,' she said, 'shall Beren be slain; and far and free does his fate led him
in the end, yet it is wound with yours. Take heed!'
But
Thingol looked in silence upon Lúthien; and he thought in his heart: 'Unhappy
Men, children of little lords and brief kings, shall such as these lay hands on
you, and yet live?' Then breaking the silence he said: 'I see the ring, son of
Barahir, and I perceive that you are proud, and deem yourself mighty. But a
father's deeds, even had his service been rendered to me, avail not to win the
daughter of Thingol and Melian. See now! I too desire a treasure that is
withheld. For rock and steel and the fires of Morgoth keep the jewel that I
would possess against all the powers of the Elf-kingdoms. Yet I hear you say
that bonds such as these do not daunt you. Go your way therefore! Bring to me
in your hand a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown; and then, if she will, Lúthien
may set her hand in yours. Then you shall have my jewel; and though the fate of
Arda lie within the Silmarils, yet you shall hold me generous.'
Thus he
wrought the doom of Doriath, and was ensnared within the curse of Mandos. And
those that heard these words perceived that Thingol would save his oath, and
yet send Beren to his death; for they know that not all the power of the
Noldor, before the Siege was broken, had availed even to see from afar the
shining Silmarils of Fëanor. For they were set in the Iron Crown, and treasured
in Angband above all wealth; and Balrogs were about them, and countless swords,
and strong bars, and unassailable walls, and the dark majesty of Morgoth.
But
Beren laughed. 'For little price,' he said, 'do Elven-kings sell their
daughters: for gems, and things made by craft. But if this be your will,
Thingol, I will perform it. And when we meet again my hand shall hold a
Silmaril from the Iron Crown; for you have not looked the last upon Beren son
of Barahir.' Then he looked in the eyes of Melian, who spoke not; and he bade
farewell to Lúthien Tinúviel, and bowing before Thingol and Melian he put aside
the guards about him, and departed from Menegroth alone.
Then at
last Melian spoke, and she said to Thingol: 'O King, you have devised cunning
counsel. But if my eyes have not lost their sight, it is ill for you, whether
Beren fail in his errand, or achieve it. For you have doom either your
daughter, or yourself. And now is Doriath drawn within the fate of a mightier
realm.' But Thingol answered: 'I sell not to Elves or Men those whom I love and
cherish above all treasure. And if there were hope or fear that Beren should
come ever back alive to Menegroth, he should not have looked again upon the
light of heaven, though I had sworn it.'
But
Lúthien was silent, and from that hour she sang not again in Doriath. A
brooding silence fell upon the woods, and the shadows lengthened in the kingdom
of Thingol.
It is
told in the Lay of Leithian that Beren passed through Doriath unhindered, and
came at length to the region of the Twilight Meres, and the Fens of Sirion; and
leaving Thingol's land he climbed the hills above the Falls of Sirion, where
the river plunged underground with great noise. Thence he looked westward, and
through the mist and rains that lay upon those hills he saw Talath Dirnen, the
Guarded Plain, stretching between Sirion and Narog; and beyond he descried afar
the highlands of Taur-en-Faroth that rose above Nargothrond. And being
destitute, without hope or counsel, he turned his feet thither.
Upon all
that plain the Elves of Nargothrond kept unceasing watch; and every hill upon
its borders was crowned with hidden towers, and through all its woods and
fields archers ranged secretly and with great craft. Their arrows were sure and
deadly, and nothing crept there against their will. Therefore, ere Beren had
come far upon his road, they were aware of him, and his death was nigh. But
knowing his danger he held ever aloft the ring of Felagund; and though he saw
no living thing, because of the stealth of the hunters, he felt that he was
watched, and cried often aloud: 'I am Beren son of Barahir, friend of Felagund.
Take me to the King!' Therefore the hunters slew him not, but assembling they
waylaid him, and commanded him to halt. But seeing the ring they bowed before
him, though he was in evil plight, wild and wayworn; and they led hi northward
and westward, going by night lest their paths should be revealed. For at that
time there was no ford or bridge over the torrent of Narog before the gates of
Nargothrond; but further to the north, where Ginglith joined Narog, the flood
was less, and crossing there and turning again southward the Elves led Beren
under the light of the moon to the dark gates of their hidden halls.
Thus
Beren came before King Finrod Felagund; and Felagund knew him, needing no ring
to remind him of the kin of Bëor and of Barahir. Behind closed doors they sat,
and Beren told of the death of Barahir, and of all that had befallen hi in
Doriath; and he wept, recalling Lúthien and their joy together. But Felagund
heard his tale in wonder and disquiet; and he knew that the oath he had sworn
was come upon him for his death, as long before he had foretold to Galadriel.
He spoke then to Beren in heaviness of heart. 'It is plain that Thingol desires
your death; but it seems that this doom goes beyond his purpose, and that the
Oath of Fëanor is again at work. For the Silmarils are cursed with an oath of
hatred, and he that even names them in desire moves a great power from slumber;
and the sons of Fëanor would lay all the Elf-kingdoms in ruin rather than
suffer any other than themselves to win or possess a Silmaril, for the Oath
drives them. And now Celegorm and Curufin are dwelling in my halls; and though
I, Finarfin's son, am King, they have won a strong power in the realm, and lead
many of their own people. They have shown friendship to me in every need, but I
fear that they will show neither love nor mercy to you, if your quest be told.
Yet my own oath holds; and thus we are all ensnared.'
Then
King Felagund spoke before his people, recalling the deeds of Barahir, and his
vow and he declared that it was laid upon him to aid the son of Barahir in his
need, and he sought the help of his chieftains. Then Celegorm arose amid the
throng, and drawing his sword he cried: 'Be he friend or foe, whether demon of
Morgoth, of Elf, or child of Men, or any other living thing in Arda, neither
law, nor love, nor league of hell, nor might of the Valar, nor any power of
wizardry, shall defend him from the pursuing hate of Fëanor's sons, if he take
or find a Silmaril and keep it. For the Silmarils we alone claim, until the
world ends.'
Many
other words he spoke, as potent as were long before in Tirion the words of his
father that first inflamed the Noldor to rebellion. And after Celegorm Curufin
spoke, more softly but with no less power, conjuring in the minds of the Elves
a vision of war and the ruin of Nargothrond. So great a fear did he set in
their hearts that never after until the time of Túrin would any Elf of that
realm go into open battle; but with stealth and ambush, with wizardry and
venomed dart, they pursued all strangers, forgetting the bonds of kinship. Thus
they fell from the valour and freedom of the Elves of old, and their land was
darkened.
And now
they murmured that Finarfin's son was not as a Vala to command them, and they
turned their faces from him. But the curse of Mandos came upon the brothers,
and dark thoughts arose in their hearts, thinking to send forth Felagund alone
to his death, and to usurp, it might be, the throne of Nargothrond; for they
were of the eldest line of the princes of the Noldor.
And
Felagund seeing that he was forsaken took from his head the silver crown of
Nargothrond and cast it at his feet, saying: 'Your oaths of faith to me you may
break, but I must hold my bond. Yet if there be any on whom the shadow of out
curse has not yet fallen, I should find at least a few to follow me, and should
not go hence as a beggar that is thrust from the gates.' There were ten that
stood by him; and the chief of them, who was named Edrahil, stooping lifted the
crown and asked that it be given to a steward until Felagund's return. 'for you
remain my king, and theirs,' he said, 'whatever betide.'
Then
Felagund gave the crown of Nargothrond to Orodreth his brother to govern in his
stead; and Celegorm and Curufin said nothing, but they smiled and went from the
halls.
On an
evening of autumn Felagund and Beren set out from Nargothrond with their ten
companions; and they journeyed beside Narog to his source in the Falls of
Ivrin. Beneath the Shadowy Mountains they came upon a company of Orcs, and slew
them all in their camp by night; and they took their gear and their weapons. By
the arts of Felagund their own forms and faces were changed into the likeness
of Orcs; and thus disguised they came far upon their northward road, and
ventured into the western pass, between Ered Wethrin and the highlands of
Taur-nu-Fuin. But Sauron in his tower was ware of them, and doubt took him; for
they went in haste, and stayed not to report their deeds, as was commanded to
all the servants of Morgoth that passed that way. Therefore he sent to waylay
them, and bring them before him.
Thus
befell the contest of Sauron and Felagund which is renowned. For Felagund
strove with Sauron in songs of power, ad the power of the King was very great;
but Sauron had the mastery, as is told in the Lay of Leithian:
He
chanted a song of wizardry,
Of
piercing, opening, of treachery,
Revealing,
uncovering, betraying.
Then
sudden Felagund there swaying,
Sang in
a song of staying,
Resisting,
battling against power,
Of
secrets kept, strength like a tower,
And
trust unbroken, freedom, escape;
Of
changing and shifting shape,
Of
snares eluded, broken traps,
The
prison opening, the chain that snaps.
Backwards
and forwards swayed their song.
Reeling
foundering, as ever more strong
The
chanting swelled, Felagund fought,
And all
the magic and might he brought
Of
Elvenesse into his words.
Softly
in the gloom they heard the birds
Singing
afar in Nargothrond,
The
sighting of the Sea beyond,
Beyond
the western world, on sand,
On sand
of pearls on Elvenland.
Then in
the doom gathered; darkness growing
In
Valinor, the red blood flowing
Beside
the Sea, where the Noldor slew
The
Foamriders, and stealing drew
Their
white ships with their white sails
From
lamplit havens. The wind wails,
The
wolf howls. The ravens flee.
The ice
mutters in the mouths of the Sea.
The
captives sad in Angband mourn.
Thunder
rumbles, the fires burn-
And
Finrod fell before the throne.
Then
Sauron stripped from the their disguise, and they stood before him naked and
afraid. But though their kinds were revealed, Sauron could not discover their
names or their purposes.
He cast them therefore into a deep pit, dark and silent, and
threatened to slay them cruel, unless one would betray the truth to him. From
time to time they saw two eyes kindled in the dark, and a werewolf devoured one
of the companions; but none betrayed their lord.
In the time when Sauron cast Beren into the pit a weight of horror
came upon Lúthien's heart; and going to Melian for counsel she learned that
Beren lay in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth without hope of rescue. Then
Lúthien, perceiving that no help would come from any other on earth, resolved
to fly from Doriath and come herself to him; but she sought the aid of Daeron,
and he betrayed her purpose because he would not deprive Lúthien of the lights
of heaven, lest she fail and fade, and yet would restrain her, he caused a
house to be built from which she should not escape. Not far from the gates of
Menegroth stood the greatest of all the trees in the Forest of Neldoreth; and
that was a beech-forest and the northern half of the kingdom. This mighty beech
was named Hírilorn, and it had three trunks, equal in girth, smooth in rind,
and exceeding tall; no branches grew from them for a great height above the
ground. Far aloft between the shafts of Hírilorn a wooden house was built, and
there Lúthien was made to dwell; and ladders were taken away and guarded, save
only when the servants of Thingol wrought her such things as she needed.
It is told in the Lay of Leithian how she escaped from the house
in Hírilorn; for she put forth her arts of enchantment, and caused her hair to
grow to great length, and of it she wove a dark robe that wrapped her beauty
like a shadow, and it was laden with a spell of sleep. Of the strands that
remained she twined a rope, and she let it down from her window; and as the end
swayed above the guards that sat beneath the house they fell into a deep
slumber. Then Lúthien climbed from her prison, and shrouded in her shadowy
cloak she escaped from all eyes, and vanished out of Doriath.
It chanced that Celegorm and Curufin went on a hunt through the
Guarded Plain; and this they did because Sauron, being filled with suspicion,
sent forth many wolves into the Elf-lands. Therefore they took their hounds and
rode forth; and they thought that ere they returned they might also hear
tidings concerning King Felagund. Now the chief of the wolf hounds that
followed Celegorm was named Huan. He was not born in Middle-earth, but came
from the Blessed Realm; for Oromë had given him to Celegorm long ago in
Valinor, and there he had followed the horn of his master, before evil came.
Huan followed Celegorm into exile, and was faithful; and thus he too came under
the doom of woe set upon the Noldor, and it was decreed that he should meet
death, but not until he encountered the mightiest wolf that would ever walk the
world.
Huan it was that found Lúthien flying like a shadow surprised by
the daylight under the trees, when Celegorm and Curufin rested a while near to
the western eaves of Doriath; for nothing could escape the sight and scent of
Huan, nor could any enchantment stay him, and he slept not, neither by night
nor day. He brought her to Celegorm, and Lúthien, learning that he was a prince
of the Noldor and a foe of Morgoth, was glad; and she declared herself, casting
aside her cloak. So great was her sudden beauty revealed beneath the sun that
Celegorm became enamoured of her; but he spoke her fair, and promised that she
would find help in her need, if she returned with him now to Nargothrond. By no
sign did he reveal that he knew already of Beren and the quest, of which she
told, nor that it was a matter which touched him near.
Thus they broke off the hunt and returned to Nargothrond, and
Lúthien was betrayed; for they held her fast, and took away her cloak, and she
was not permitted to pass the gates or to speak with any save the brothers,
Celegorm and Curufin. For now, believing that Beren and Felagund were prisoners
beyond hope of aid, they purposed to let the King perish, and to keep Lúthien ,
and force Thingol to give her the mightiest of princes of the Noldor. And they
did not purpose to seek the Silmarils by craft or war, or to suffer any others
to do so, until they had all the might of the Elf-kingdoms under their hands.
Orodreth had no power to withstand them, for they swayed the hearts of the
people of Nargothrond; and Celegorm sent messengers to Thingol urging his suit.
But Huan the hound was true of heart, and the love of Lúthien had
fallen upon him in the first hour of their meeting; and he grieved at her
captivity. Therefore he came often to her chamber; and at night he lay before
her door, for he felt that evil had come to Nargothrond. Lúthien spoke often to
Huan in her loneliness, telling of Beren, who was the friend of all birds and
beasts that did not serve Morgoth; ad Huan understood all that was said. For he
comprehended the speech of all things with voice; but it was permitted to him
thrice only ere his death to speak with words.
Now Huan devised a plan for the aid of Lúthien; and coming at a
time of night he brought her cloak, and for the first time he spoke, giving her
counsel. Then he led her by secret ways out of Nargothrond, and they fled north
together; and he humbled his pride and suffered her to ride upon him in the
fashion of a steed, even as the Orcs did at times upon great wolves. Thus they
made great speed, for Huan was swift and tireless.
In the pits of Sauron Beren and Felagund lay, and all their
companions were now dead; but Sauron purposed to keep Felagund to the last, for
he perceived that he was a Noldo of great might and wisdom, and he deemed that
in him lay the secret of their errand. But when the wolf came for Beren,
Felagund put forth all his power, and burst his bonds; and he wrestled with the
werewolf, and slew it with his hands and teeth; yet he himself was wounded to
the death. Then he spoke to Beren, saying: 'I go now to my long rest in the timeless
halls beyond the seas and the Mountains of Aman. It will be long ere I am seen
among the Noldor again; and it may be that we shall not meet a second time in
death or life, for the fates of our kindreds are apart. Farewell!' He died then
in the dark, in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, whose great tower he himself had built. Thus
King Finrod Felagund, fairest and most beloved of the house of Finwë, redeemed
his oath; but Beren mourned beside him in despair.
In that hour Lúthien came, and standing upon the bridge that led
to Sauron's isle she sang a song that no walls of stone could hinder. Beren
heard, and he thought that he dreamed; for the stars shone above him, and in
the trees nightingales were singing. And in answer he sang a song of challenge
that he had made in praise of the Seven Stars, the Sickle of the Valar that
Varda hung above the North as a sign for the fall of Morgoth. Then all strength
left him and he fell down into darkness.
But Lúthien heard his answering voice, and she sang then a song of
greater power. The wolves howled, and the isle trembled. Sauron stood in the
high tower, wrapped in his black thought ;but he smiled hearing her voice, for
he knew that it was the daughter of Melian. The fame of the beauty of Lúthien
and the wonder of her song had long gone forth from Doriath; and he thought to
make her captive and hand her over to the power of Morgoth, for his reward
would be great. Therefore he sent a wolf to the bridge. But Huan slew it
silently. Still Sauron sent others one by one; and one by one Huan took them by
the throat and slew them. Then Sauron sent Draugluin, a dread beast, old in
evil lord and sire of the werewolves of Angband. His might was great; and the
battle of Huan and Draugluin was long and fierce. Yet at length Draugluin
escaped, and fleeing back into the tower he died before Sauron's feet; and as
he died he told his master: 'Huan is there!' Now Sauron knew well, as did all
in that land, the fate that was decreed for the hound of Valinor, and it came
into his thought that he himself would accomplish it. Therefore he took upon
himself the form of a werewolf, and made himself the mightiest that had yet
walked the world; and he came forth to win the passage of the bridge.
So great was the horror of his approach that Huan leaped aside. Then
Sauron sprang upon Lúthien; and she swooned before the menace of the fell
spirit in his eyes and the foul vapour of his breath. But even as he came,
falling she cast a fold of her dark cloak before his eyes; and he stumbled, for
a fleeting drowsiness came upon him. Then Huan sprang. There befell the battle
of Huan and Wolf-Sauron, and howls and baying echoed in the hills, and the
watchers on the walls of Ered Wethrin across the valley heard it afar and were
dismayed.
But no wizardry nor spell, neither fang nor venom, nor devil's art
nor beast-strength , could overthrow Huan without forsaking his body utterly.
Ere his foul spirit left its dark house, Lúthien came to him, ghost be sent
quaking back to Morgoth; and she said: 'There everlastingly thy naked self
shall endure the torment of his scorn, pierced by his eyes, unless thou yield
to me the mastery of thy tower.'
Then Sauron yielded himself, and Lúthien took the mastery of the
isle and all that was there; and Huan released him. And immediately he took the
form of a vampire, great as a dark cloud across the moon, and he fled, dripping
blood from his throat upon the trees, and came to Tar-nu-Fuin, and dwelt there,
filling it with horror.
Then Lúthien stood upon the bridge, and declare her power: and the
spell was loosed that bound stone to stone, and the gates were thrown down, and
the walls opened, and the pits laid bare; and many thralls and captives came
forth in wonder and dismay, shielding their eyes against the pale moon light,
for they had lain long in the darkness of Sauron. But Beren came not. Therefore
Huan and Lúthien sought him in the isle; and Lúthien found him mourning by
Felagund. So deep was his anguish that he lay still, and did not hear her feet.
Then thinking him already dead she put her arms about him and fell into a dark
forgetfulness. But Beren coming back to the light out of the pits of despair
lifted her up, and they looked again upon one another; and the day rising over
the dark hills shone upon them.
They buried the body of Felagund upon the hill-top of his own
isle, and it was clean again; and the green grave of Finrod Finarfin's son,
fairest of all the princes of the Elves, remained inviolate, until the land was
changed and broken, and foundered under destroying seas. But Finrod walks with
Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.
Now Beren and Lúthien Tinúviel went free again and together walked
through the woods renewing for a time their joy; and though winter came it hurt
them not, for flowers lingered where Lúthien went, and the birds sang beneath
the snow clad hills. But Huan being faithful went back to Celegorm his master;
yet their love was less than before.
There was tumult in Nargothrond. For thither now returned many
Elves that had been prisoners in the isle of Sauron; and a clamour arose that
no words of Celegorm could still. They lamented bitterly the fall of Felagund
their king, saying that a maiden had dared that which the sons of Fëanor had
not dared to do; but many perceived that it was treachery rather than fear that
had guided Celegorm and Curufin. There fore the hearts of the people of
Nargothrond were released from their dominion, and turned again to the house of
Finarfin; and they obeyed Orodreth. But he would not suffer them to slay the
brothers, as some desired, for the spilling of kindred blood by kin would bind
the cures of Mandos more closely upon them all. Yet neither bread nor rest
would he grant to Celegorm and Curufin within his realm, and he swore that
there should be little love between Nargothrond and the sons of Fëanor there
after.
'Let it be so!' said Celegorm, and there was a light of menace in
his eyes; but Curufin smiled. Ten they took horse and rode away like fire, to
find if they might their kindred in the east. But none would go with them, not
even those that were of their own people; for all perceived that the curse lay
heavily upon the brothers, and that evil followed them. In that time
Celebrimbor the son of Curufin repudiated the deeds of his father, and remained
in Nargothrond; yet Huan followed still the horse of Celegorm his master.
Northward they rode, for they intended in their haste to pass
through Dimbar, and along the north marches or Doriath, seeking the swiftest
road to Him ring, where Maedhros their brother dwelt; and still they might hope
with speed to traverse it, since it lay close to Doriath's borders, shunning
Nan Dungortheb and the distant menace of the Mountains of Terror.
Now it is told that Beren and Lúthien came in their wandering into
the Forests of Brethil, and drew near at last to the borders of Doriath. Then
Beren took thought of his vow; and against his heart he resolved, when Lúthien
was come again within the safety of her own land, to set forth once more. But
she was not willing to be parted form him again, saying: 'You must choose,
Beren, between these two: to relinquish the quest and your oath and seek a life
of wandering upon the face of the earth; or to hold to your word and challenge
the power of darkness upon its throne. But on either road I shall go with you,
and our doom shall be alike.'
Even as they spoke together of these things, walking without heed
of aught else, Celegorm and Curufin rode up, hastening through the forest; and
the brothers espied them and knew them for afar. Then Celegorm turned his horse,
and spurred it upon Beren, purposing to ride him down; but Curufin swerving
stooped and lifted Lúthien to his saddle, for he was a strong and cunning
horseman. Then Beren sprang from before Celegorm full upon the speeding horse
of Curufin that had passed hi; and the Leap of Beren is renowned among that had
passed him; and the Leap of Beren is renowned among Men and Elves. He took
Curufin by the throat from behind, and hurled him backward, and they fell to
the ground together. The horse reared and fell, but Lúthien was flung aside,
and lay upon the grass.
Then Beren throttled Curufin; but death was near him, for Celegorm
rode upon him with a spear. in that hour Huan forsook the service or Celegorm,
and sprang up[on him, so that his horse swerved aside, and would not approach
Beren because of the terror of the great hound. Celegorm cursed both hound and
horse, but Huan was unmoved. Then Lúthien rising forbade the slaying of
Curufin; but Beren despoiled him of his gear and weapons, and took his knife,
sheathless by his side; iron it would cleave as if it were green wood. Then
Beren lifting Curufin flung him from him, and bade him walk now back to his
noble kinsfolk, who might teach him to turn his valour to worthier use. 'Your
horse,' he said, 'I keep for the service of Lúthien, and it may be accounted
happy to be free of such a master.'
Then Curufin cursed Beren under cloud and sky. 'Go hence,' he
said, 'unto a swift and bitter death.' Celegorm took him beside him on his
horse, and the brothers made then as if to ride away; and Beren turned away and
took no heed of their words. But Curufin, being filled with shame and malice,
took the bow of Celegorm and shot back as they went; and the arrow was aimed at
Lúthien. Huan leaping caught it in his mouth; but Curufin shot again, and Beren
sprang before Lúthien, and the dart smote him in the breast.
It is told that Huan pursued the sons of Fëanor, and they fled in
fear; and returning he brought to Lúthien a herb out of the forest. With that
leaf he staunched Beren's wound, and by her arts and by her love she healed
him; and thus at last they returned to Doriath. There Beren, being torn between
his oath and his love, and knowing Lúthien to be now safe, arose one morning
before the sun, and committed her to the care of Huan; then in great anguish he
departed while she yet slept upon the grass.
He rode northward again with all speed to the Pass of Sirion, and
coming to the skirts of Taur-nu-Fuin he looked out across the waste of
Anfauglith and saw afar the peaks of Thangorodrim. There he dismissed the horse
of Curufin, and bade it leave now dread and servitude and run free upon the
green grass in the lands of Sirion. Then being now alone and upon the threshold
of the final peril he made the Song of Parting, in praise of Lúthien and the
lights of heaven; for he believed that he must now say farewell to both love
and light. Of that song these words were part:
Farewell
sweet earth and northern sky,
forever
blest, since here did lie
and
here with lissom limbs did run
beneath
the Moon, beneath the Sun,
Lúthien
Tinúviel
more
fair than mortal tongue can tell.
Though
all to ruin fell the world
and
were dissolved and backward hurled
unmade
into the old abyss,
yet
were its making good, for this-
the
dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea-
that
Lúthien for a time should be.
And he
sang aloud, caring not what ear should overhear him, for he was desperate and
looked for no escape.
But
Lúthien heard his song, and she sang in answer, as she came through the woods
unlooked for. For Huan, consenting once more to be her steed, had borne her
swiftly hard upon Beren's trail. Long he had pondered in his heart what counsel
he could devise for the lightning of the peril of these two whom he loved. He
turned aside therefore at Sauron's isle, as they ran northward again, and he
took thence the ghastly wolf-hame of Draugluin, and the bat-fell of?
ThurIngwëthil. She was the messenger of Sauron, and was wont to fly in
vampire's form to Angband; and her greatfingered wings were barbed at each joint's
end with and iron claw. Clad in these dreadful garments Huan and Lúthien ran
through Taur-nu-Fuin, and all things fled before them.
Beren
seeing their approach was dismayed; and he wondered, for he had heard the voice
of Tinúviel, and he thought it now a phantom for his ensnaring. But they halted
and cast aside their disguise, and Lúthien ran towards him. Thus Beren and
Lúthien met again between the desert and the wood. For a while he was silent
and was glad; but after a space he strove once more to dissuade Lúthien from
her journey.
'Thrice
now I curse my oath to Thingol,' he said, 'and I would that he had slain me in
Menegroth, rather than I should bring you under the shadow of Morgoth.'
Then for
the second time Huan spoke with words; and he counselled Beren, saying: 'From
the shadow of death you can no longer save Lúthien, for by her love she is now
subject to it. You can turn from your fate and lead her into exile, seeking
peace in vain while your life lasts. But if you will not deny your doom, then
either Lúthien, being forsaken, must assuredly die alone, or she must with you
challenge the fate that lies before you--hopeless, yet not certain. Further
counsel I cannot give, nor may I go further on your road. But my heart
forebodes that what you find at the Gate I shall myself see. All else is dark
to me; yet it may be that our three paths lead back to Doriath, and we may meet
before the end.'
Then
Beren perceived that Lúthien could not be divided from the doom that lay upon
them both, and he sought no longer to dissuade her. By the counsel of Huan and
the arts of Lúthien he was arrayed now in the hame of Draugluin, and she in the
winged fell of ThurIngwëthil. Beren became in all things like a werewolf to
look upon, save that in his eyes there shone a spirit grim indeed but clean;
and horror was in his glance as he saw upon his flank a bat-like creature
clinging with creased wings. Then howling under the moon he leaped down the
hill, and the bat wheeled and flittered above him.
They
passed through all perils, until they came with the dust of their long and
weary road upon them to the drear dale that lay before the Gate of Angband.
Black chasms opened beside the road, whence forms as of writhing serpents
issued. On either hand the cliffs stood as embattled walls, and upon them sat
carrion fowl crying with fell voices. Before them was the impregnable Gate, an
arch wide and dark at the foot of the mountain; above it reared a thousand feet
of precipice.
There
dismay took them, for at the gate was a guard of whom no tidings had yet gone
forth. Rumour of he knew not what designs abroad among the princes of the Elves
had come to Morgoth, and ever down the aisles of the forest was heard the
baying of Huan, the great hound of war, whom long ago the Valar unleashed. Then
Morgoth recalled the doom of Huan, and he chose one from among the whelps of
the race of Draugluin; and he fed him with his own hand upon living flesh, and
put his power upon him. Swiftly the wolf grew, until he could creep into no
den, but lay huge and hungry before the feet of Morgoth. There the fire and
anguish of hell entered into him, and he became filled with a devouring spirit,
tormented, terrible, and strong. Carcharoth, the Red Maw, he is named in the
tales of those days, and Anfauglir, the Jaws of Thirst. And Morgoth set him to
lie unsleeping before the doors of Angband, lest Huan come.
Now
Carcharoth espied them from afar, and he was filled with doubt; for news had
long been brought to Angband that Draugluin was dead. Therefore when they
approached he denied them entry, and bade them stand; and he drew near with
menace, scenting something strange in the air about them. But suddenly some
power, descended from of old from divine race, possessed Lúthien, and casting
back her foul raiment she stood forth, small before the might of Carcharoth,
but radiant and terrible. Lifting up her hand she commanded him to sleep,
saying: 'O woe-begotten spirit, fall now into dark oblivion, and forget for a
while the dreadful doom of life.' And Carcharoth was felled, as though
lightning had smitten him.
Then
Beren and Lúthien went through the Gate, and down the labyrinthine stairs; and
together wrought the greatest deed that has been dared by Elves or Men. For
they came to the seat of Morgoth in his nethermost hall that was upheld by
horror, lit by fire, and filled with weapons of death and torment. There Beren
slunk in wolf's form beneath his throne; but Lúthien was stripped of her
disguise by the will of Morgoth, and he bent his gaze upon her. She was not
daunted by his eyes; and she named her own name, and offered her service to
sing before him, after the manner of a minstrel. Then Morgoth looking upon her
beauty conceived in his thought an evil lust, and a design more dark than any
that had yet come into his heart since he fled from Valinor. Thus he was
beguiled by his own malice, for he watched her, leaving her free for awhile,
and taking secret pleasure in his thought. Then suddenly she eluded his sight,
and out of the shadows began a song of such surpassing loveliness, and of such
blinding power, that he listened perforce; and a blindness came upon him, as
his eyes roamed to and fro, seeking her.
All his
court were cast down in slumber, and all the fires faded and were quenched; but
the Silmarils in the crown on Morgoth's head blazed forth suddenly with a
radiance of white flame; and the burden of that crown and of the jewels bowed
down his head, as though the world were set upon it, laden with a weight of
care, of fear, and of desire, that even the will of Morgoth could not support.
Then Lúthien catching up her winged robe sprang into the air, and her voice
came dropping down like rain into pools, profound and dark. She cast her cloak
before his eyes, and set upon him a dream, dark as the outer Void where once he
walked alone.
Suddenly
he fell, as a hill sliding in avalanche, and hurled like thunder from his
throne lay prone upon the floors of hell. The iron crown rolled echoing from
his head. All things were still.
As a
dead beast Beren lay upon the ground; but Lúthien touching him with her hand
aroused him, and he cast aside the wolf-hame. Then he drew forth the knife
Angrist; and from the iron claws that held it he cut a Silmaril.
As he
closed it in his hand, the radiance welled through his living flesh, and his
hand became as a shining lamp; but the jewel suffered his touch and hurt him
not. It came then into Beren's mind that he would go beyond his vow, and bear
out of Angband all three of the Jewels of Fëanor; but such was not the doom of
the Silmarils. The knife Angrist snapped, and a shard of the blade flying smote
the cheek of Morgoth. He groaned and stirred, and all the host of Angband moved
in sleep.
Then
terror fell upon Beren and Lúthien, and they fled, heedless and without
disguise, desiring only to see the light once more. They were neither hindered
nor pursued, but the Gate was held against their going out; for Carcharoth had
arisen from sleep, and stood now in wrath upon the threshold of Angband. Before
they were aware of him, he saw them, and sprang upon them as they ran.
Lúthien
was spent, and she had not time nor strength to quell the wolf. But Beren
strode forth before her, and in his right hand he held aloft the Silmaril.
Carcharoth halted, and for a moment was afraid. 'Get you gone, and fly!' cried
Beren; 'for here is afire that shall consume you, and all evil things.' And he
thrust the Silmaril before the eyes of the wolf.
But
Carcharoth looked upon that holy jewel and was not daunted, and the devouring
spirit within him awoke to sudden fire; and gaping he took suddenly the hand
within his jaws, and he bit it off at the wrist. Then swiftly all his inwards
were filled with a flame of anguish, and the Silmaril seared his accursed
flesh. Howling he led before them, and the walls of the valley of the Gate
echoes with the clamour of his torment. So terrible did he become in his
madness that all the creatures of Morgoth that abode in that valley, or were
upon any of the roads that led thither, fled far away' for he slew all living
things that stood in his path, and burst from the North with ruin upon the
world. Of all the terrors that came ever into Beleriand ere Angband's fall the
madness of Carcharoth was the most dreadful; for the power of the Silmaril was
hidden within him.
Now
Beren lay in a swoon within the perilous Gate, and death drew nigh him for
there was venom on the fangs of the wolf. Lúthien with her lips drew out the
venom, and she put forth her failing power to staunch the hideous wound. But
behind her in the depths of Angband the rumour grew of great wrath aroused. The
host of Morgoth were awakened.
Thus the
quest of the Silmaril was like to have ended in ruin and despair; but in that
hour above the wall of the valley three mighty birds appeared, flying northward
with wings swifter than the wind. Among all birds and beasts the wandering and
need of Beren had been noised, and Huan himself had bidden all things watch,
that they might bring him aid. High above the realm of Morgoth Thorondor and
his vassals soared, and seeing now the madness of the Wolf and Beren's fall
they came swiftly down, even as the powers of Angband were released from the
toils of sleep.
Then
they lifted up Lúthien and Beren from the earth, and bore them aloft into the
clouds. Below them suddenly thunder rolled, lightnings leaped upward, and the
mountains quaked. Fire and smoke belched forth from Thangorodrim, and flaming
bolts were hurled far abroad, falling ruinous upon the lands; and the Noldor in
Hithlum trembled. But Thorondor took his way far above the earth, seeking the
high roads of heaven, where the sun daylong shines unveiled and the moon walks
amid the cloudless stars. Thus they passed swiftly over Dor-nu-Fauglith, and
over Taur-nu-Fuin, and came above the hidden valley of Tumladen. No cloud nor mist
lay there, and looking down Lúthien saw far below, as a white light starting
from a green jewel, the radiance of Gondolin the fair where Turgon dwelt. But
she wept, for she thought that Beren would surely die, he spoke no word, nor
opened his eyes, and knew thereafter nothing of his flight. And at the last the
eagles set them down upon the borders of Doriath; and they were come to that
same dell whence Beren had stolen in despair and left Lúthien asleep.
There
the eagles laid her at Beren's side and returned to the peaks of Crissaegrim
and their high eyries; but Huan came to her, and together they tended Beren,
even as before when she healed him of the wound that Curufin gave to him. But
this wound was fell and poisonous. Long Beren lay, and his spirit wandered upon
the dark borders of death, knowing every an anguish that pursued him from dream
to dream. Then suddenly, when her hope was almost spent, he woke again, and
looked up, seeing leaves against the sky; and he heard beneath the leaves
singing soft and slow beside him Lúthien Tinúviel. And it was spring again.
Thereafter
Beren was named Erchamion, which is the One-handed; and suffering was graven in
his face. But at last he was drawn back to life by the love of Lúthien, and he
arose, and together they walked in the woods once more. And they did not hasten
from that place, for it seemed fair to them. Lúthien indeed was willing to
wander in the wild without returning, forgetting house and people and all the
glory of the Elf-kingdoms, and for a time Beren was content; but he could not
for long forget his oath to return to Menegroth, nor would he withhold Lúthien
from Thingol for ever. For he held by the law of Men, deeming it perilous to
set at naught the will of the father, save at the last need; and is seemed also
to him unfit that one so royal and fair as Lúthien should live always in the
woods, as the rude hunters among Men, without home or honour or the fair things
which are the delight of the queens of the Eldalië. Therefore after a while he
persuaded her, and their footsteps forsook the houseless lands; and he passed
into Doriath, leading Lúthien home. So their doom willed it.
Upon
Doriath evil days had fallen. Grief and silence had come upon all its people
when Lúthien was lost. Long they had sought for her in vain. And it is told
that in that time Daeron the minstrel of Thingol strayed from the land, and was
seen no more. He it was that made music for the dance and song of Lúthien,
before Beren came to Doriath; and he had loved her, and set all his thought of
her in his music. He became the greatest of all the minstrels of the Elves east
of the Sea, named even before Maglor son of Fëanor. But seeking for Lúthien in
despair he wandered upon strange paths, and passing over the mountains he came
into the East of Middle-earth, where for many ages he made lament beside dark
waters for Lúthien, daughter of Thingol, most beautiful of all living things.
In that
time Thingol turned to Melian; but now she withheld her counsel from him,
saying that the doom that he had devised must work to its appointed end, and
that he must wait now upon time. But Thingol learned that Lúthien had journeyed
far from Doriath, for messages came secretly from Celegorm, as has been told,
saying that Felagund was dead, and Beren was dead, but Lúthien was in
Nargothrond, and that Celegorm would wed her. Then Thingol was wrathful, and he
sent forth spies, thinking to make war upon Nargothrond; and thus he learned
that Lúthien was again fled, and that Celegorm and Curufin were driven from
Nargothrond. Then his counsel was in doubt, for he had not the strength to
assail the seven sons of Fëanor; but he sent messengers to Himring to summon
their aid in seeking for Lúthien, since Celegorm had not sent her to the house
of her father, nor had he kept her safely.
But in
the north of his realm his messengers met with a peril sudden and unlooked for:
the onslaught of Carcharoth, the Wolf of Angband. In his madness he had run
ravening from the north, and passing at length over Taur-nu-Fuin upon its
eastern side he came down from the sources of Esgalduin like a destroying fire.
Nothing hindered him, and the might of Melian upon the borders of the land
stayed him not; for fate drove him, and the power of the Silmaril that he bore
to his torment. Thus he burst into the inviolate woods of Doriath, and all fled
away in fear. Alone of the messengers Mablung, chief captain of the King,
escaped, and he brought the dread tidings to Thingol.
Even in
that dark hour Beren and Lúthien returned, hastening from the west, and the
news of their coming went before them like a sound of music borne by the wind
into dark houses where men sit sorrowful. They came at last to the gates of
Menegroth, and a great host followed them. Then Beren led Lúthien before the throne
of Thingol her father; and he looked in wonder upon Beren, whom he had thought
dead; but he loved him not, because of the woes that he had brought upon
Doriath. But Beren knelt before him, and said: 'I return according to my word.
I am come now to claim my own.'
And
Thingol answered: 'What of your quest, and of your vow?'
But Beren
said: 'It is fulfilled. Even now a Silmaril is in my hand.'
Then
Thingol said: 'Show it to me!'
And
Beren put forth his left hand, slowly opening its fingers; but it was empty.
Then he held up his right arm; and from that hour he named himself Camlost, the
Empty-handed.
Then
Thingol's mood was softened; and Beren sat before his throne upon the left, and
Lúthien upon the right, and they told all the tale of the Quest, while all
there listened and were filled with amazement. And it seemed to Thingol that
this Man was unlike all other mortal Men, and among the great in Arda, and the
love of Lúthien a thing new and strange; and he perceived that their doom might
not be withstood by any power of the world. Therefore at the last he yielded
his will, and Beren took the hand of Lúthien before the throne of her father.
But now
a shadow fell upon the joy of Doriath at the return of Lúthien the fair; for
learning of the cause of the madness of Carcharoth the people grew the more
afraid, perceiving that his danger was fraught with dreadful power because of
the holy jewel, and hardly might be overthrown. And Beren, hearing of the
onslaught of the Wolf, understood that the Quest was not yet fulfilled.
Therefore,
since daily Carcharoth drew nearer to Menegroth, they prepared the Hunting of
the Wolf; of all pursuits of beasts whereof tales tell the most perilous. To
that chase went Huan the Hound of Valinor, and Mablung of the Heavy Hand, and
Beleg Strongbow, and Beren Erchamion, and Thingol King of Doriath. They rode
forth in the morning and passed over the River Esgalduin; but Lúthien remained
behind at the gates of Menegroth. A dark shadow fell upon her and it seemed to
her that the sun had sickened and turned black.
The
hunters turned east and north, and following the course of the river they came
at last upon Carcharoth the Wolf in a dark valley, down the northern side
whereof Esgalduin fell in a torrent over steep falls. At the foot of the falls
Carcharoth drank to ease his consuming thirst, and he howled, and thus they
were aware of him, But he, espying their approach, rushed not suddenly to
attack them. It may be that the devil's cunning of his heart awoke, being for a
moment eased of his pain by the sweet waters of Esgalduin; and even as they
rode towards him he slunk aside into a deep brake, and there lay hid. But they
set a guard about all that place, and waited, and the shadows grew long in the
forest.
Beren
stood beside Thingol, and suddenly they were aware that Huan had left their
side. Then a great baying awoke in the thicket; for Huan becoming impatient and
desiring to look upon this wolf had gone in alone to dislodge him. But
Carcharoth avoided him, and bursting form the thorns leaped suddenly upon
Thingol. Swiftly Beren strode before him with a spear, but Carcharoth swept it
aside and felled him, biting at his breast. In that moment Huan leaped from the
thicket upon the back of the Wolf, and they fell together fighting bitterly;
and no battle of wolf and hound has been like to it, for in the baying of Huan
was heard the voice of the horns of Oromë and the wrath of the Valar, but in
the howls of Carcharoth was the hate of Morgoth and malice crueller than teeth
of steel; and the rocks were rent by their clamour and fell from on high and
choked the falls of Esgalduin. There they fought to the death; but Thingol gave
no heed, for he knelt by Beren, seeing that he was sorely hurt.
Huan in
that hour slew Carcharoth; but there in the woven woods of Doriath his own doom
long spoken was fulfilled, and he was wounded mortally, and the venom of
Morgoth entered into him. Then he came, and falling beside Beren spoke for the
third time with words; and he bade Beren farewell before he died. Beren spoke
not, but laid his hand upon the head of the hound, and so they parted.
Mablung
and Beleg came hastening to the King's aid, but when they looked upon what was
done they cast aside their spears and wept. Then Mablung took a knife and
ripped up the belly of the Wolf; and within he was well nigh all consumed as
with a fire, but the hand of Beren that held the jewel was yet incorrupt. But
when Mablung reached forth to touch it, the hand was no more, and the Silmaril
lay there unveiled, and the light of it filled the shadows of the forest all
about hem. Then quickly and in fear Mablung took it and set it in Beren's
living hand; and Beren was aroused by the touch of the Silmaril, and held it
aloft, and bade Thingol receive it. 'Now is the Quest achieved,' he said, 'and
my doom full-wrought'; and he spoke no more.
They
bore back Beren Camlost son of Barahir upon a bier of branches with Huan the
wolfhound at his side; and night fell ere they returned to Menegroth. At the
feet of Hírilorn the great beech Lúthien met them walking slow, and some bore
torches beside the bier. There she set her arms about Beren, and kissed him
bidding him await her beyond the Western Sea; and he looked upon her eyes ere
the spirit left him. But the starlight was quenched and darkness had fallen
even upon Lúthien Tinúviel. Thus ended the Quest of the Silmaril; but the Lay
of Leithian, Release form Bondage does not end.
For the
spirit of Beren at her bidding tarried in the halls of Mandos, unwilling to
leave the world, until Lúthien came to say her last farewell upon the dim
shores of the Outer Sea, whence Men that die set out never to return. But the
spirit of Lúthien fell down into darkness, and at the last it fled, and her
body lay like a flower that is suddenly cut off and lies for a while unwithered
on the grass.
Then a
winter, as it were the hoar age of mortal Men, fell upon Thingol. But Lúthien
came to the halls of Mandos, where are the appointed places of the Eldalië,
beyond the mansions of the West upon the confines of the world. There those
that wait sit in the shadow of their thought. But her beauty was more than
their beauty, and her sorrow deeper than their sorrows; and she knelt before
Mandos and sang to him.
The song
of Lúthien before Mandos was the song most fair that ever in words was woven,
and the song most sorrowful that ever the world shall ever hear. Unchanged,
imperishable, it is sung still in Valinor beyond the hearing of the world, and
the listening the Valar grieved. For Lúthien wove two themes of words, of the
sorrow of the Eldar and the grief of Men, of the Two Kindreds that were made by
Ilúvatar to dwell in Arda, the Kingdom of Earth amid the innumerable stars. And
as she knelt before him her tears fell upon his feet like rain upon stones; and
Mandos was moved to pity, who never before was so moved, nor has been since.
Therefore
he summoned Beren, and even as Lúthien had spoken in the hour of his death they
met again beyond the Western Sea. But Mandos had no power to withhold the
spirits of Men that were dead within the confines of the world, after their
time of waiting; nor could he change the fates of the Children of Ilúvatar. He
went therefore to Manwë, Lord of the Valar, who governed the world under the
hand of Ilúvatar; and Manwë sought counsel in his inmost thought, where the
will of Ilúvatar was revealed.
These
were the choices that he gave to Lúthien. Because of her labours and her
sorrow, she should be released from Mandos, and go to Valimar, there to dwell
until the world's end among the Valar, forgetting all griefs that her life had
known. Thither Beren could not come. For it was not permitted to the Valar to
withhold Death from him, which is the gift of Ilúvatar to Men. But the other
choice was this: that she might return to Middle-earth, and take with her
Beren, there to dwell again, but without certitude of life or joy. Then she
would become mortal, land subject to a second death, even as he; and ere long
she would leave the world for ever, and her beauty become only a memory in
song.
This doom
she chose, forsaking the Blessed Realm, and putting aside all claim to kinship
with those that dwell there; that thus whatever grief might lie in wait, the
fates of Beren and Lúthien might be joined, and their paths lead together
beyond the confines of the world. So it was that alone of the Eldalië she has
died indeed, and left the world long ago. Yet in her choice the Two Kindreds
have been joined; and she is the forerunner of many in whom the Eldar see yet,
thought all the world is changed, the likeness of Lúthien the beloved, whom
they have lost.
It is
said that Beren and Lúthien returned to the northern lands of Middle-earth, and
dwelt together for a time as living man and woman; and they took up again their
mortal form in Doriath. Those that saw them were both glad and fearful; and
Lúthien went to Menegroth and healed the winter of Thingol with the touch of
her hand. But Melian looked in her eyes and read the doom that was written
there, and turned away; for she knew that a parting beyond the end of the world
had come between them, and no grief of loss has been heavier than the grief of
Melian the Maia in that hour. Then Beren and Lúthien went forth alone, fearing
neither thirst nor hunger; and they passed beyond the River Gelion into
Ossiriand, and dwelt there in Tol Galen the green isle, in the midst of
Adurant, until all tidings of them ceased. The Eldar afterwards called that
country Dor Firn-i-Guinar, the Land of the Dead that Live; and there was born
Dior Aranel the beautiful, who was after known as Dior Eluchíl, which is
Thingol's Heir. No mortal man spoke ever again with Beren son of Barahir; and
none saw Beren or Lúthien leave the world, or marked where at last their bodies
lay.
In those
days Maedhros son of Fëanor lifted up his heart, perceiving that Morgoth was
not unassailable; for the deeds of Beren and Lúthien were sung in many songs
throughout Beleriand. Yet Morgoth would destroy them all, one by one, if they
could not again unite, and make new league and common council; and he began
those counsels for the raising of the fortunes of the Eldar that are called the
Union of Maedhros.
Yet the
oath of Fëanor and the evil deeds that it had wrought did injury to the design
of Maedhros, and he had less aid than should have been. Orodreth would not
march forth at the word of any son of Fëanor, because of the deeds of Celegorm
and Curufin; and the Elves of Nargothrond trusted still to defend their hidden
stronghold by secrecy and stealth. Thence came only a small company, following
Gwindor son of Guilin, a very valiant prince; and against the will of Orodreth
he went to the northern war, because he grieved for the loss of Gelmir his
brother in the Dagor Bragollach. They took the badge of the house of Fingolfin,
and marched beneath the banners of Fingon; and they came never back, save one.
From
Doriath came little help. For Maedhros and his brothers, being constrained by
their oath, had before sent to Thingol and reminded him with haughty words of
their claim, summoning him to yield the Silmaril, or become their enemy. Melian
counselled him to surrender it; but the words of the sons of Fëanor were proud
and threatening, and Thingol was filled with anger, thinking of the anguish of
Lúthien and the blood of Beren whereby the jewel had been won, despite the
malice of Celegorm and Curufin. And every day that he looked upon the Silmaril
the more he desired to keep it forever; for such was its power. Therefore he
sent back the messengers with scornful words. Maedhros made no answer, for he
had now begun to devise the league and union of the Elves; but Celegorm and
Curufin vowed openly to slay Thingol and destroy his people, if they came
victorious from war, and the jewel were not surrendered of free will. Then
Thingol fortified the marches of his realm, and went not to war, nor any out of
Doriath save Mablung and Beleg, who were unwilling to have no part in these
great deeds. To them Thingol gave leave to go, so long as they served not the
sons of Fëanor; and they joined themselves to the host of Fingon.
But
Maedhros had the help of the Naugrim, both in armed force and in great store of
weapons; and the smithies of Nogrod and Belegost were busy in those days. And
he gathered together again all his brothers and all the people who would follow
them; and the Men of Bór and Ulfang were marshalled and trained for war, and
they summoned yet more of their kinsfolk out of the East. Moreover in the west
Fingon, ever the friend of Maedhros, took counsel with Himring, and in Hithlum
the Noldor and the Men of the house of Hador prepared for war. In the forest of
Brethil Halmir, lord of the People of Haleth, gathered his men, and they
whetted their axes; but Halmir died ere the war came, and Haldir his son ruled
that people. And to Gondolin also the tidings came, to Turgon, the hidden king.
But
Maedhros made trial of his strength too soon, ere his plans were full-wrought;
and though the Orcs were driven out of all the northward regions of Beleriand,
and even Dorthonion was freed for a while, Morgoth was warned of the uprising
of the Eldar and the Elf-friends, and took counsel against them. Many spies and
workers of treason he sent forth among them, as he was the better able now to
do, for the faithless Men of his secret allegiance were yet deep in the secrets
of the sons of Fëanor.
At
length Maedhros, having gathered all the strength that he could of Elves and
Men and Dwarves, resolved to assault Angband from east and west; and he
purposed to march with banners displayed in open force over Anfauglith. But
when he had drawn forth, as he hoped, the armies of Morgoth in answer, then
Fingon should issue forth from the passes of Hithlum; and thus they thought to
take the might of Morgoth as between anvil and hammer, and break it to pieces.
And the signal for this was to be the firing of a great beacon in Dorthonion.
On the
appointed day, on the morning of Midsummer, the trumpets of the Eldar greeted
the rising of the sun; and in the east was raised the standard of the sons of
Fëanor, and in the west the standard of Fingon, High King of the Noldor. Then
Fingon looked out from the walls of Eithel Sirion, and his host was arrayed in
the valleys and the woods upon the east of Ered Wethrin, well hid from the eyes
of the Enemy; but he knew that it was very great. For there all the Noldor of
Hithlum were assembled, together with Elves of the Falas and Gwindor's company
from Nargothrond, and he had great strength of Men: upon the right were the
host of Dor-lómin and all the valour of Húrin and Huor his brother, and to them
had come Haldir of Brethil with many men of the woods.
Then
Fingon looked towards Thangorodrim, and there was a dark cloud about it, and a
black smoke went up; and he knew that the wrath of Morgoth was aroused, and
that their challenge was accepted. A shadow of doubt fell upon Fingon's heart;
and he looked eastwards, seeking if he might see with elven-sight the dust of
Anfauglith rising beneath the hosts of Maedhros. He knew not that Maedhros was
hindered in his setting-forth by the guile of Uldor the accursed, who deceived
him with false warnings of assault from Angband.
But now
a cry went up, passing up the wind from the south from vale to vale, and Elves
and Men lifted their voices in wonder and joy. For unsummoned and unlocked for
Turgon had opened the leaguer of Gondolin, and was come with an army ten
thousand strong, with bright mail and long swords and spears like a forest.
Then when Fingon heard afar the great trumpet of Turgon his brother, the shadow
passed and his heart was uplifted, and he shouted aloud: 'Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya
Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë! The day has come! Behold, people of the
Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!' And all those who heard his great
voice echo in the hills answered crying: 'Auta i lómë! The night is passing!'
Now
Morgoth, who knew much of what was done and designed by his enemies, chose his
hour, and trusting in his treacherous servants to hold back Maedhros and
prevent the union of his foes he sent a force seeming great (and yet but part
of all that he had made ready) towards Hithlum; and they were clad all in dun
raiment and showed no naked steel, and thus were already far over the sands of
Anfauglith before their approach was seen.
Then the
hearts of the Noldor grew hot, and their captains wished to assail their foes
upon the plain; but Húrin spoke against it, and bade them beware of the guile
of Morgoth, whose strength was always greater than it seemed, and his purpose
other than he revealed. And though the signal of the approach of Maedhros came
not, and the host grew impatient, Húrin urged them still to await it, and to
let the Orcs break themselves in assault upon the hills.
But the
Captain of Morgoth in the west had been commanded to draw out Fingon swiftly
from his hills by whatever means he could. He marched on therefore until the
front of his battle was drawn up before the stream of Sirion, from the walls of
the fortress of Eithel Sirion to the inflowing of Rivil at the Fen of Serech;
and the outposts of Fingon could see the eyes of their enemies. But there was
no answer to his challenge, and the taunts of the Orcs faltered as they looked
upon the silent walls and the hidden threat of the hills. Then the Captain of
Morgoth sent out riders with tokens of parley, and they rode up before the
outworks of the Barad Eithel. With them they brought Gelmir son of Guilin, that
lord of Nargothrond whom they had captured in the Bragollach; and they had
blinded him. Then the heralds of Angband showed him forth, crying: 'We have
many more such at home, but you must make haste if you would find them; for we
shall deal with them all when we return even so.' And they hewed off Gelmir's
hands and feet, and his head last, within sight of the Elves, and left him.
By ill
chance, at that place in the outworks stood Gwindor of Nargothrond, the brother
of Gelmir. Now his wrath was kindled to madness, and he leapt forth on
horseback, and many riders with him; and they pursued the heralds and slew
them, and drove on deep into the main host. And seeing this all the host of the
Noldor was set on fire, and Fingon put on his white helm and sounded his
trumpets, and all the host of Hithlum leapt forth from the hills in sudden
onslaught. The light of the drawing of the swords of the Noldor was like a fire
in a field of reeds; and so fell and swift was their onset that almost the
designs of Morgoth went astray. Before the army that he sent westward could be
strengthened it was swept away, and the banners of Fingon passed over
Anfauglith and were raised before the walls of Angband. Ever in the forefront
of that battle went Gwindor and the Elves of Nargothrond, and even now they
could not be restrained; and they burst through the Gate and slew the guards
upon the very stairs of Angband, and Morgoth trembled upon his deep throne,
hearing them beat upon his doors. But they were trapped there, and all were
slain save Gwindor only, whom they took alive; for Fingon could not come to
their aid. By many secret doors in Thangorodrim Morgoth had let issue forth his
main host that he held in waiting, and Fingon was beaten back with great loss
from the walls.
Then in
the plain of Anfauglith, on the fourth day of the war, there began Nirnaeth
Arnoediad, Unnumbered Tears, for no song or tale can contain all its grief. The
host of Fingon retreated over the sands, and Haldir lord of the Haladin was
slain in the rearguard; with him fell most of the Men of Brethil, and came
never back to their woods. But on the fifth day as night fell, and they were
still far from Ered Wethrin, the Orcs surrounded the host of Hithlum, and they
fought until day, pressed ever closer. In the morning came hope, when the horns
of Turgon were heard as he marched up with the main host of Gondolin; for they
had been stationed southward guarding the Pass of Sirion, and Turgon restrained
most of his people from the rash onslaught. Now he hastened to the aid of his
brother; and the Gondolindrim were strong and clad in mail, and their ranks
shone like a river of steel in the sun.
Now the
phalanx of the guard of the King broke through the ranks of the Orcs, and
Turgon hewed his way to the side of his brother; and it is told that the
meeting of Turgon with Húrin, who stood beside Fingon, was glad in the midst of
battle. Then hope was renewed in the hearts of the Elves; and in that very
time, at the third hour of morning, the trumpets of Maedhros were heard at last
coming up from the east, and the banners of the sons of Fëanor assailed the
enemy in the rear. Some have said that even then the Eldar might have won the
day, had all their hosts proved faithful; for the Orcs wavered, and their
onslaught was stayed, and already some were turning to flight. But even as the
vanguard of Maedhros came upon the Orcs, Morgoth loosed his last strength, and
Angband was emptied. There came wolves, and wolfriders, and there came Balrogs,
and dragons, and Glaurung father of dragons. The strength and terror of the
Great Worm were now great indeed, and Elves and Men withered before him; and he
came between the hosts of Maedhros and Fingon and swept them apart.
Yet
neither by wolf, nor by Balrog, nor by Dragon, would Morgoth have achieved his
end, but for the treachery of Men. In this hour the plots of Ulfang were
revealed. Many of the Easterlings turned and fled, their hearts being filled
with lies and fear; but the sons of Ulfang went over suddenly to Morgoth and
drove in upon the rear of the sons of Fëanor, and in the confusion that they
wrought they came near to the standard of Maedhros. They reaped not the reward
that Morgoth promised them, for Maglor slew Uldor the accursed, the leader in
treason, and the sons of Bór slew Ulfast and Ulwarth ere they themselves were
slain. But new strength of evil Men came up that Uldor had summoned and kept
hidden in the eastern hills, and the host of Maedhros was assailed now on three
sides, and it broke, and was scattered, and fled this way and that. Yet fate
saved the sons of Fëanor, and though all were wounded none were slain, for they
drew together, and gathering a remnant of the Noldor and the Naugrim about them
they hewed a way out of the battle and escaped far away towards Mount Dolmed in
the east.
Last of
all the eastern force to stand firm were the Dwarves of Belegost, and thus they
won renown. For the Naugrim withstood fire more hardily than either Elves or
Men, and it was their custom moreover to wear great masks in battle hideous to
look upon; and those stood them in good stead against the dragons. And but for
them Glaurung and his brood would have withered all that was left of the
Noldor. But the Naugrim made a circle about him when he assailed them, and even
his mighty armour was not full proof against the blows of their great axes; and
when in his rage Glaurung turned and struck down Azaghâl, Lord of Belegost, and
crawled over him, with his last stroke Azaghâl drove a knife into his belly,
and so wounded him that he fled the field, and the beasts of Angband in dismay
followed after him. Then the Dwarves raised up the body of Azaghâl and bore it
away; and with slow steps they walked behind singing a dirge in deep voices, as
it were a funeral pomp in their country, and gave no heed more to their foes;
and none dared to stay them.
But now
in the western battle Fingon and Turgon were assailed by a tide of foes thrice
greater than all the force that was left to them. Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs,
high-captain of Angband, was come; and he drove a dark wedge between the
Elvenhosts, surrounding King Fingon, and thrusting Turgon and Húrin aside
towards the Fen of Serech. Then he turned upon Fingon. That was a grim meeting.
At last Fingon stood alone with his guard dead about him; and he fought with
Gothmog, until another Balrog came behind and cast a thong of fire about him.
Then Gothmog hewed him with his black axe, and a white flame sprang up from the
helm of Fingon as it was cloven. Thus fell the High King of the Noldor; and
they beat him into the dust with their maces, and his banner, blue and silver,
they trod into the mire of his blood.
The
field was lost; but still Húrin and Huor and the remnant of the house of Hador
stood firm with Turgon of Gondolin, and the hosts of Morgoth could not yet win
the Pass of Sirion. Then Húrin spoke to Turgon, saying: 'Go now, lord, while
time is! For in you lives the last hope of the Eldar, and while Gondolin stands
Morgoth shall still know fear in his heart.'
But
Turgon answered: 'Not long now can Gondolin be hidden; and being discovered it
must fall.'
Then
Huor spoke and said: 'Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your
house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the
eyes of death: though we part here forever, and I shall not look on your white
walls again, from you and from me a new star shall arise. Farewell!'
And
Maeglin, Turgon's sister-son, who stood by, heard these words, and did not
forget them; but he said nothing.
Then
Turgon took the counsel of Húrin and Huor, and summoning all that remained of
the host of Gondolin and such of Fingon's people as could be gathered he
retreated towards the Pass of Sirion; and his captains Ecthelion and Glorfindel
guarded the flanks to right and left, so that none of the enemy should pass
them by. But the Men of Dor-lómin held the rearguard, as Húrin and Huor
desired; for they did not wish in their hearts to leave the Northlands, and if
they could not win back to their homes, there they would stand to the end. Thus
was the treachery of Uldor redressed; and of all the deeds of war that the
fathers of Men wrought in behalf of the Eldar, the last stand of the Men of
Dor-lómin is most renowned.
So it
was that Turgon fought his way southward, until coming behind the guard of
Húrin and Huor he passed down Sirion and escaped; and he vanished into the
mountains and was hidden from the eyes of Morgoth. But the brothers drew the
remnant of the Men of the house of Hador about them, and foot by foot they
withdrew, until they came behind the Fen of Serech, and had the stream of Rivil
before them. There they stood and gave way no more.
Then all
the hosts of Angband swarmed against them, and they bridged the stream with
their dead, and encircled the remnant of Hithlum as a gathering tide about a
rock. There as the sun westered on the sixth day, and the shadow of Ered
Wethrin grew dark, Huor fell pierced with a venomed arrow in his eye, and all
the valiant Men of Hador were slain about him in a heap; and the Orcs hewed
their heads and piled them as a mound of gold in the sunset.
Last of
all Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe
two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the
troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin
cried: 'Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!' Seventy times he uttered that
cry; but they took him at last alive, by the command of Morgoth, for the Orcs
grappled him with their hands, which clung to him still though he hewed off
their arms; and ever their numbers were renewed, until at last he fell buried
beneath them. Then Gothmog bound him and dragged him to Angband with mockery.
Thus ended
Nirnaeth Arnoediad, as the sun went down beyond the sea. Night fell in Hithlum,
and there came a great storm of wind out of the West.
Great
was the triumph of Morgoth, and his design was accomplished in a manner after
his own heart; for Men took the lives of Men, and betrayed the Eldar, and fear
and hatred were aroused among those that should have been united against him.
From that day the hearts of the Elves were estranged from Men, save only those
of the Three Houses of the Edain.
The
realm of Fingon was no more; and the sons of Fëanor wandered as leaves before
the wind. Their arms were scattered, and their league broken; and they took to
a wild and woodland life beneath the feet of Ered Lindon, mingling with the
Green-elves of Ossiriand, bereft of their power and glory of old. In Brethil
some few of the Haladin yet dwelt in the protection of their woods, and Handir
son of Haldir was their lord; but to Hithlum came back never one of Fingon's
host, nor any of the Men of Hador's house, nor any tidings of the battle and
the fate of their lords. But Morgoth sent thither the Easterlings that had
served him, denying them the rich lands of Beleriand which they coveted; and he
shut them in Hithlum and forbade them to leave it. Such was the reward he gave
them for their treachery to Maedhros: to plunder and harass the old and the
women and the children of Hador's people. The remnant of the Eldar of Hithlum
were taken to the mines of the north and laboured there as thralls, save some
that eluded him and escaped into the wilds and the mountains.'
The Orcs
and the wolves went freely through all the North, and came ever further
southward into Beleriand, even as far as Nantathren, the Land of Willows, and
the borders of Ossiriand, and none were safe in field or wild. Doriath indeed
remained, and the halls of Nargothrond were hidden; but Morgoth gave small heed
to them, either because he knew little of them, or because their hour was not
yet come in the deep purposes of his malice. Many now fled to the Havens and
took refuge behind Círdan's walls, and the mariners passed up and down the
coast and harried the enemy with swift landings. But in the next year, ere the
winter was come, Morgoth sent great strength over Hithlum and Nevrast, and they
came down the rivers Brithon and Nenning and ravaged all the Falas, and
besieged the walls of Brithombar and Eglarest. Smiths and miners and makers of
fire they brought with them, and they set up great engines; and valiantly
though they were resisted they broke the walls at last. Then the Havens were
laid in ruin, and the tower of Barad Nimras cast down; and the most part of
Círdan's people were slain or enslaved. But some went aboard ship and escaped
by sea; and among them was Ereinion Gil-galad, the son of Fingon, whom his
father had sent to the Havens after the Dagor Bragollach. This remnant sailed
with Círdan south to the Isle of Balar, and they made a refuge for all that
could come thither; for they kept a foothold also at the Mouths of Sirion, and
there many light and swift ships lay hid in the creeks and waters where the
reeds were dense as a forest.
And when
Turgon heard of this he sent again his messengers to Sirion's mouths, and
besought the aid of Círdan the Shipwright. At the bidding of Turgon Círdan
built seven swift ships, and they sailed out into the West; but no tidings of
them came ever back to Balar, save of one, and the last. The mariners of that
ship toiled long in the sea, and returning at last in despair they foundered in
a great storm within sight of the coasts of Middle-earth; but one of them was
saved by Ulmo from the wrath of Ossë, and the waves bore him up, and cast him
ashore in Nevrast. His name was Voronwë; and he was one of those that Turgon
sent forth as messengers from Gondolin.
Now the
thought of Morgoth dwelt ever upon Turgon; for Turgon had escaped him, of ail
his foes that one whom he most desired to take or to destroy. And that thought
troubled him, and marred his victory, for Turgon of the mighty house of
Fingolfin was now by right King of all the Noldor; and Morgoth feared and hated
the house of Fingolfin, because they had the friendship of Ulmo his foe, and
because of the wounds that Fingolfin gave him with his sword. And most of all
his kin Morgoth feared Turgon; for of old in Valinor his eye had lighted upon
him, and whenever he drew near a shadow had fallen on his spirit, foreboding
that in some time that yet lay hidden, from Turgon ruin should come to him.
Therefore
Húrin was brought before Morgoth, for Morgoth knew that he had the friendship of
the King of Gondolin; but Húrin defied him, and mocked him. Then Morgoth cursed
Húrin and Morwen and their offspring, and set a doom upon them of darkness and
sorrow; and taking Húrin from prison he set him in a chair of stone upon a high
place of Thangorodrim. There he was bound by the power of Morgoth, and Morgoth
standing beside him cursed him again; and he said: 'Sit now there; and look out
upon the lands where evil and despair shall come upon those whom thou lovest.
Thou hast dared to mock me, and to question the power of Melkor, Master of the
fates of Arda. Therefore with my eyes thou shalt see, and with my ears thou
shalt hear; and never shalt thou move from this place until all is fulfilled
unto its bitter end.'
And even
so it came to pass; but it is not said that Húrin asked ever of Morgoth either
mercy or death, for himself or for any of his kin.
By the
command of Morgoth the Orcs with great labour gathered all the bodies of those
who had fallen in the great battle, and all their harness and weapons, and
piled them in a great mound in the midst of Anfauglith; and it was like a hill
that could be seen from afar. Haudh-en-Ndengin the Elves named it, the Hill of
Slain, and Haudh-en-Nirnaeth, the Hill of Tears. But grass came there and grew
again long and green upon that hill, alone in all the desert that Morgoth made;
and no creature of Morgoth trod thereafter upon the earth beneath which the
swords of the Eldar and the Edain crumbled into rust.
Rían,
daughter of Belegund, was the wife of Huor, son of Galdor; and she was wedded
to him two months before he went with Húrin his brother to the Nirnaeth
Arnoediad. When no tidings came of her lord she fled into the wild; but she was
aided by the Grey-elves of Mithrim, and when her son Tuor was born they
fostered him. Then Rían departed from Hithlum, and going to the
Haudh-en-Ndengin she laid herself down upon it and died.
Morwen,
daughter of Baragund, was the wife of Húrin, Lord of Dor-lómin; and their son
was Túrin, who was born in the year that Beren Erchamion came upon Lúthien in
the Forest of Neldoreth. A daughter they had also who was called Lalaith, which
is Laughter, and she was beloved by Túrin her brother; but when she was three
years old there came a pestilence to Hithlum, borne on an evil wind out of
Angband, and she died.
Now
after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad Morwen abode still in Dor-lómin, for Túrin was but
eight years old, and she was again with child. Those days were evil; for the
Easterlings that came into Hithlum despised the remnant of the people of Hador,
and they oppressed them, and took their lands and their goods, and enslaved
their children. But so great was the beauty and majesty of the Lady of
Dor-lómin that the Easterlings were afraid, and dared not to lay hands upon her
or her household; and they whispered among themselves, saying that she was
perilous, and a witch skilled in magic and in league with the Elves. Yet she
was now poor and without aid, save that she was succoured secretly by a
kinswoman of Húrin named Aerin, whom Brodda, an Easterling, had taken as his
wife; and Morwen feared greatly that Túrin would be taken from her and
enslaved. Therefore it came into her heart to send him away in secret, and to
beg King Thingol to harbour him, for Beren son of Barahir was her father's
kinsman, and he had been moreover a friend of Húrin, ere evil befell. Therefore
in the autumn of the Year of Lamentation Morwen sent Túrin forth over the
mountains with two aged servants, bidding them find entry, if they could, into
the kingdom of Doriath. Thus was the fate of Túrin woven, which is fulltold in
that lay that is called Narn i Hîn Húrin, the Tale of the Children of Húrin,
and is the longest of all the lays that speak of those days. Here that tale is
told in brief, for it is woven with the fate of the Silmarils and of the Elves;
and it is called the Tale of Grief, for it is sorrowful, and in it are revealed
most evil works of Morgoth Bauglir.
In the
first beginning of the year Morwen gave birth to her child, the daughter of
Húrin; and she named her Nienor, which is Mourning. But Túrin and his
companions passing through great perils came at last to the borders of Doriath;
and there they were found by Beleg Strongbow, chief of the marchwardens of King
Thingol, who led them to Menegroth. Then Thingol received Túrin, and took him
even to his own fostering, in honour of Húrin the Steadfast; for Thingol's mood
was changed towards the houses of the Elf-friends. Thereafter messengers went
north to Hithlum, bidding Morwen leave Dor-lómin and return with them to
Doriath; but still she would not leave the house in which she had dwelt with
Húrin. And when the Elves departed she sent with them the Dragon-helm of
Dor-lómin, greatest of the heirlooms of the house of Hador.
Túrin
grew fair and strong in Doriath, but he was marked with sorrow. For nine years
he dwelt in Thingol's halls, and during that time his grief grew less; for
messengers went at times to Hithlum, and returning they brought better tidings
of Morwen and Nienor.
But there
came a day when the messengers did not return out of die north, and Thingol
would send no more. Then Túrin was filled with fear for his mother and his
sister, and in grimness of heart he went before the King and asked for mail and
sword; and he put on the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin and went out to battle on the
marches of Doriath, and became the companion in arms of Beleg Cúthalion.
And when
three years had passed, Túrin returned again to Menegroth; but he came from the
wild, and was unkempt, and his gear and garments were way-worn. Now one there
was in Doriath, of the people of the Nandor, high in the counsels of the King;
Saeros was his name. He had long begrudged to Túrin the honour he received as
Thingol's fosterson; and seated opposite to him at the board he taunted him,
saying:
'If the
Men of Hithlum are so wild and fell, of what sort are the women of that land?
Do they run like deer clad only in their hair?' Then Túrin in great anger took
up a drinking-vessel, and cast it at Saeros; and he was grievously hurt.
On the
next day Saeros waylaid Túrin as he set out from Menegroth to return to the
marches; but Túrin overcame him, and set him to run naked as a hunted beast
through the woods. Then Saeros fleeing in terror before him fell into the chasm
of a stream, and his body was broken on a great rock in the water. But others
coming saw what was done, and Mablung was among them; and he bade Túrin return
with him to Menegroth and abide the judgement of the King, seeking his pardon.
But Túrin, deeming himself now an outlaw and fearing to be held captive,
refused Mablung's bidding, and turned swiftly away; and passing through the
Girdle of Melian he came into the woods west of Sirion. There he joined himself
to a band of such houseless and desperate men as could be found in those evil
days lurking in the wild; and their hands were turned against all who came in
their path Elves and Men and Orcs.
But when
all that had befallen was told and searched out before Thingol, the King
pardoned Túrin, holding him wronged. In that time Beleg Strongbow returned from
the north marches and came to Menegroth, seeking him; and Thingol spoke to
Beleg, saying: 'I grieve, Cúthalion; for I took Húrin's son as my son, and so
he shall remain, unless Húrin himself should return out of the shadows to claim
his own. I would not have any say that Túrin was driven forth unjustly into the
wild, and gladly would I welcome him back; for I loved him well.'
And
Beleg answered: 'I will seek Túrin until I find him, and I will bring him back
to Menegroth, if I can; for I love him also.'
Then
Beleg departed from Menegroth, and far across Beleriand he sought in vain for
tidings of Túrin through many perils.
But
Túrin abode long among the outlaws, and became their captain; and he named
himself Neithan, the Wronged. Very warily they dwelt in the wooded lands south
of Teiglin; but when a year had passed since Túrin fled from Doriath, Beleg
came upon their lair by night. It chanced that at that time Túrin was gone from
the camp; and the outlaws seized Beleg and bound him, and treated him cruelly,
for they feared him as a spy of the King of Doriath. But Túrin returning and
seeing what was done, was stricken with remorse for all their evil and lawless
deeds; and he released Beleg, and they renewed their friendship, and Túrin
foreswore thenceforward war or plunder against all save the servants of
Angband.
Then
Beleg told Túrin of King Thingol's pardon; and he sought to persuade him by all
means that he might to return with him to Doriath, saying that there was great
need of his strength and valour on the north marches of the realm. 'Of late the
Orcs have found a way down out of Taur-nu-Fuin,' he said; 'they have made a
road through the Pass of Anach.'
'I do
not remember it,' said Túrin.
'Never
did we go so far from the borders,' said Beleg. 'But you have seen the peaks of
the Crissaegrim far off, and to the east the dark walls of the Gorgoroth. Anach
lies between, above the high springs of Mindeb, a hard and dangerous road; yet
many come by it now, and Dimbar which used to be in peace is falling under the
Black Hand, and the Men of Brethil are troubled. We are needed there.'
But in
the pride of his heart Túrin refused the pardon of the King, and the words of
Beleg were of no avail to change his mood. And he for his part urged Beleg to
remain with him in the lands west of Sirion; but that Beleg would not do, and
he said: 'Hard you are, Túrin, and stubborn. Now the turn is mine. If you wish
indeed to have the Strongbow beside you, look for me in Dimbar; for thither I
shall return.'
On the
next day Beleg set out, and Túrin went with him a bowshot from the camp; but he
said nothing. 'Is it farewell, then, son of Húrin?' said Beleg. Then Túrin
looked out westward, and he saw far off the great height of Amon Rűdh; and
unwitting of what lay before him he answered: 'You have said, seek me in
Dimbar. But I say, seek for me on Amon Rűdh! Else, this is our last farewell.'
Then they parted, in friendship, yet in sadness.
Now
Beleg returned to the Thousand Caves, and coming before Thingol and Melian he
told them of all that had befallen, save only of his evil handling by Túrin's
companions. Then Thingol sighed, and he said:
'What
more would Túrin have me do?'
'Give me
leave, lord,' said Beleg, 'and I will guard him and guide him as I may; then no
man shall say that elven-words are lightly spoken. Nor would I wish to see so
great a good run to nothing in the wild.'
Then
Thingol gave Beleg leave to do as he would; and he said: 'Beleg Cúthalion! For
many deeds you have earned my thanks; but not the least is the finding of my
fosterson. At this parting ask for any gift, and I will not deny it to you.'
'I ask
then for a sword of worth,' said Beleg; 'for the Orcs come now too thick and
close for a bow only, and such blade as I have is no match for their armour.'
'Choose
from all that I have,' said Thingol, 'save only Aranrúth, my own.'
Then
Beleg chose Anglachel; and that was a sword of great worth, and it was so named
because it was made of iron that fell from heaven as a blazing star; it would
cleave all earth-delved iron. One other sword only in Middle-earth was like to
it. That sword does not enter into this tale, though it was made of the same
ore by the same smith; and that smith was Eöl the Dark Elf, who took Aredhel
Turgon's sister to wife. He gave Anglachel to Thingol as fee, which he
begrudged, for leave to dwell in Nan Elmoth; but its mate Anguirel he kept,
until it was stolen from him by Maeglin, his son.
But as
Thingol turned the hilt of Anglachel towards Beleg, Melian looked at the blade;
and she said: 'There is malice in this sword. The dark heart of the smith still
dwells in it. It will not love the hand it serves; neither will it abide with
you long.'
'Nonetheless
I will wield it while I may,' said Beleg.
'Another
gift I will give to you, Cúthalion,' said Melian, 'that shall be your help in
the wild, and the help also of those whom you choose.' And she gave him store
of lembas, the waybread of the Elves, wrapped in leaves of silver, and the
threads that bound it were sealed at the knots with the seal of the Queen, a
wafer of white wax shaped as a single flower of Telperion; for according to the
customs of the Eldalië the keeping and giving of lembas belonged to the Queen
alone. In nothing did Melian show greater favour to Túrin than in this gift;
for the Eldar had never before allowed Men to use this waybread, and seldom did
so again.
Then
Beleg departed with these gifts from Menegroth and went back to the north
marches, where he had his lodges, and many friends. Then in Dimbar the Orcs
were driven back, and Anglachel rejoiced to be unsheathed; but when the winter
came, and war was stilled, suddenly his companions missed Beleg, and he
returned to them no more.
Now when
Beleg parted from the outlaws and returned into Doriath, Túrin led them away
westward out of Sirion's vale; for they grew weary of their life without rest,
ever watchful and in fear of pursuit, and they sought for a safer lair. And it
chanced at a time of evening that they came upon three Dwarves, who fled before
them; but one that lagged behind was seized and thrown down, and a man of the
company took his bow and let fly an arrow at the others as they vanished in the
dusk. Now the dwarf that they had taken was named Mîm; and he pleaded for his
life before Túrin, and offered as ransom to lead them to his hidden halls which
none might find without his aid. Then Túrin pitied Mîm, and spared him; and he
said: 'Where is your house?'
Then Mîm
answered: 'High above the lands lies the house of Mîm, upon the great hill;
Amon Rűdh is that hill called now, since the Elves changed all the names.'
Then
Túrin was silent, and he looked long upon the dwarf; and at last he said: 'You
shall bring us to that place.'
On the
next day they set out thither, following Mîm to Amon Rűdh. Now that hill stood
upon the edge of the moorlands that rose between the vales of Sirion and Narog,
and high above the stony heath it reared its crown; but its steep grey head was
bare, save for the red seregon that mantled the stone. And as the men of
Túrin's band drew near, the sun westering broke through the clouds, and fell
upon the crown; and the seregon was all in flower. Then one among them said:
'There is blood on the hill-top.'
But Mîm
led them by secret paths up the steep slopes of Amon Rűdh; and at the mouth of
his cave he bowed to Túrin, saying: 'Enter into Bar-en-Danwedh, the House of
Ransom; for so it shall be called.'
And now
there came another dwarf bearing light to greet him, and they spoke together,
and passed swiftly down into the darkness of the cave; but Túrin followed
after, and came at length to a chamber far within, lit by dim lamps hanging
upon chains. There he found Mîm kneeling at a stone couch beside the wall, and
he tore his beard, and wailed, crying one name unceasingly; and on the couch
there lay a third. But Túrin entering stood beside Mîm, and offered him aid.
Then Mîm looked up at him, and said: 'You can give no aid. For this is Khîm, my
son; and he is dead, pierced by an arrow. He died at sunset. Ibun my son has
told me.'
Then
pity rose in Túrin's heart, and he said to Mîm: 'Alas! I would recall that
shaft, if I could. Now Bar-en-Danwedh this house shall be called in truth; and
if ever I come to any wealth, I will pay you a ransom of gold for your son, in
token of sorrow, though it gladden your heart no more.'
Then Mîm
rose, and looked long at Túrin. 'I hear you,' he said. 'You speak like a
dwarf-lord of old; and at that I marvel. Now my heart is cooled, though it is
not glad; and hi this house you may dwell, if you will; for I will pay my
ransom.'
So began
the abiding of Túrin in the hidden house of Mîm upon Amon Rűdh; and he walked
on the greensward before the mouth of the cave, and looked out east, and west,
and north. Northward he looked, and descried the Forest of Brethil climbing
green about Amon Obel in its midst, and thither his eyes were drawn ever and
again, he knew not why; for his heart was set rather to the north-west, where
league upon league away on the skirts of the sky it seemed to him that he could
glimpse the Mountains of Shadow, the walls of his home. But at evening Túrin
looked west into the sunset, as the sun rode down red into the hazes above the
distant coasts, and the Vale of Narog lay deep in the shadows between.
In the
time that followed Túrin spoke much with Mîm, and sitting with him alone he
listened to his lore and the tale of his life. For Mîm came of Dwarves that
were banished in ancient days from the great Dwarf-cities of the east, and long
before the return of Morgoth they wandered westward into Beleriand; but they
became diminished in stature and in smith-craft, and they took to lives of
stealth, walking with bowed shoulders and furtive steps. Before the Dwarves of
Nogrod and Belegost came west over the mountains the Elves of Beleriand knew
not what these others were, and they hunted them, and slew them; but afterwards
they let them alone, and they were called Noegyth Nibin, the Petty-Dwarves, in
the Sindarin tongue. They loved none but themselves, and if they feared and
hated the Orcs, they hated the Eldar no less, and the Exiles most of all; for
the Noldor, they said, had stolen their lands and their homes. Long ere King
Finrod Felagund came over the Sea, the caves of Nargothrond were discovered by
them, and by them its delving was begun; and beneath the crown of Amon Rűdh,
the Bald Hill, the slow hands of the Petty-Dwarves had bored and deepened the
caves through the long years that they dwelt there, untroubled by the
Grey-elves of the woods. But now at last they had dwindled and died out of
Middle-earth, all save Mîm and his two sons; and Mîm was old even in the
reckoning of Dwarves, old and forgotten. And in his halls the smithies were
idle, and the axes rusted, and their name was remembered only in ancient tales
of Doriath and Nargothrond.
But when
the year drew on to midwinter, snow came down from the north heavier than they
had known it in the river-vales, and Amon Rűdh was covered deep; and they said
that the winters worsened in Beleriand as the power of Angband grew. Then only
the hardiest dared stir abroad; and some fell sick, and all were pinched with
hunger. But in the dim dusk of a winter's day there appeared suddenly among
them a man, as it seemed, of great bulk and girth, cloaked and hooded in white;
and he walked up to the fire without a word. And when men sprang up in fear, he
laughed, and threw back his hood, and beneath his wide cloak he bore a great
pack; and in the light of the fire Túrin looked again on the face of Beleg
Cúthalion.
Thus
Beleg returned once more to Túrin, and their meeting was glad; and with him he
brought out of Dimbar the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin, thinking that it might lift
Túrin's thought again above his life in the wilderness as the leader of a petty
company. But still Túrin would not return to Doriath; and Beleg yielding to his
love against his wisdom remained with him, and did not depart, and in that time
he laboured much for the good of Túrin's company. Those that were hurt or sick
he tended, and gave to them the lembas of Melian; and they were quickly healed,
for though the Grey-elves were less in skill and knowledge than the Exiles from
Valinor, in the ways of the life of Middle-earth they had a wisdom beyond the
reach of Men. And because Beleg was strong and enduring, farsighted in mind as
in eye, he came to be held in honour among the outlaws; but the hatred of Mîm
for the Elf that had come into Bar-en-Danwedh grew ever greater, and he sat
with Ibun his son in the deepest shadows of his house, speaking to none. But
Túrin paid now little heed to the Dwarf; and when winter passed, and spring
came, they had sterner work to do.
Who
knows now the counsels of Morgoth? Who can measure the reach of his thought,
who had been Melkor, mighty among the Ainur of the Great Song, and sat now, a
dark lord upon a dark throne in the North, weighing in his malice all the
tidings that came to him, and perceiving more of the deeds and purposes of his
enemies than even the wisest of them feared, save only Melian the Queen? To her
often the thought of Morgoth reached out, and there was foiled.
And now
again the might of Angband was moved; and as the long fingers of a groping hand
the forerunners of his armies probed the ways into Beleriand. Through Anach
they came, and Dimbar was taken, and all the north marches of Doriath. Down the
ancient road they came that led through the long defile of Sirion, past the
isle where Minas Tirith of Finrod had stood, and so through the land between
Malduin and Sirion, and on through the eaves of Brethil to the Crossings of
Teiglin. Thence the road went on into the Guarded Plain; but the Orcs did not
go far upon it, as yet, for there dwelt now in the wild a terror that was
hidden, and upon the red hill were watchful eyes of which they had not been
warned. For Túrin put on again the Helm of Hador; and far and wide in Beleriand
the whisper went, under wood and over stream and through the passes of the
hills, saying that the Helm and Bow that had fallen in Dimbar had arisen again
beyond hope. Then many who went leaderless, dispossessed but undaunted, took
heart again, and came to seek the Two Captains. Dor-Cúarthol, the Land of Bow
and Helm, was in that time named all the region between Teiglin and the west
march of Doriath; and Túrin named himself anew, Gorthol, the Dread Helm, and
his heart was high again. In Menegroth, and in the deep halls of Nargothrond,
and even in the hidden realm of Gondolin, the fame of the deeds of the Two
Captains was heard; and in Angband also they were known. Then Morgoth laughed,
for now by the Dragon-helm was Húrin's son revealed to him again; and ere long
Amon Rűdh was ringed with spies.
In the
waning of the year Mîm the Dwarf and Ibun his son went out from Bar-en-Danwedh
to gather roots in the wild for their winter store; and they were taken captive
by Orcs. Then for a second time Mîm promised to guide his enemies by the secret
paths to his home on Amon Rűdh; but yet he sought to delay the fulfilment of
his promise, and demanded that Gorthol should not be slain. Then the
Orc-captain laughed, and he said to Mîm: 'Assuredly Túrin son of Húrin shall
not be slain.'
Thus was
Bar-en-Danwedh betrayed, for the Orcs came upon it by night at unawares, guided
by Mîm. There many of Túrin's company were slain as they slept; but some
fleeing by an inner stair came out upon the hill-top, and there they fought
until they fell, and their blood flowed out upon the seregon that mantled the
stone. But a net was cast over Túrin as he fought, and he was enmeshed in it,
and overcome, and led away.
And at
length when all was silent again Mîm crept out of the shadows of his house; and
as the sun rose over the mists of Sirion he stood beside the dead men on the
hill-top. But he perceived that not all those that lay there were dead; for by
one his gaze was returned, and he looked in the eyes of Beleg the Elf. Then
with hatred long-stored Mîm stepped up to Beleg, and drew forth the sword
Anglachel that lay beneath the body of one that had fallen beside him; but
Beleg stumbling up seized back the sword and thrust it at the Dwarf, and Mîm in
terror fled wailing from the hill-top. And Beleg cried after him: 'The
vengeance of the house of Hador will find you yet!'
Now
Beleg was sorely wounded, but he was mighty among the Elves of Middle-earth,
and he was moreover a master of healing. Therefore he did not die, and slowly
his strength returned; and he sought in vain among the dead for Túrin, to bury
him. But he found him not; and then he knew that Húrin's son was yet alive, and
taken to Angband.
With
little hope Beleg departed from Amon Rűdh and set out northward, towards the
Crossings of Teiglin, following in the track of the Orcs; and he crossed over
the Brithiach and journeyed through Dimbar towards the Pass of Anach. And now
he was not far behind them, for he went without sleeping, whereas they had
tarried on their road, hunting in the lands and fearing no pursuit as they came
northward; and not even in the dreadful woods of Taur-nu-Fuin did he swerve
from the trail, for the skill of Beleg was greater than any that have been in
Middle-earth. But as he passed by night through that evil land he came upon one
lying asleep at the foot of a great dead tree; and Beleg staying his steps
beside the sleeper saw that it was an Elf. Then he spoke to him, and gave him
lembas, and asked him what fate had brought him to that terrible place; and he
named himself Gwindor, son of Guilin.
Grieving
Beleg looked upon him; for Gwindor was now but a bent and fearful shadow of his
former shape and mood, when in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad that lord of Nargothrond
rode with rash courage to the very doors of Angband, and there was taken. For
few of the Noldor whom Morgoth captured were put to death, because of their
skill in forging and in mining for metals and gems; and Gwindor was not slain,
but put to labour in the mines of the North. By secret tunnels known only to
themselves the mining Elves might sometimes escape; and thus it came to pass
that Beleg found him, spent and bewildered in the mazes of Taur-nu-Fuin.'
And
Gwindor told him that as he lay and lurked among the trees he saw a great
company of Orcs passing northwards, and wolves went with them; and among them
was a Man, whose hands were chained, and they drove him onward with whips.
'Very tall he was', said Gwindor, 'as tall as are the Men from the misty hills
of Hithlum.' Then Beleg told him of his own errand in Taur-nu-Fuin; and Gwindor
sought to dissuade him from his quest, saying that he would but join Túrin in
the anguish that awaited him. But Beleg would not abandon Túrin, and despairing
himself he aroused hope again in Gwindor's heart; and together they went on,
following the Orcs until they came out of the forest on the high slopes that
ran down to the barren dunes of Anfauglith. There within sight of the peaks of
Thangorodrim the Orcs made their encampment in a bare dell as the light of day
was failing, and setting wolf-sentinels all about they fell to carousing. A
great storm rode up out of the west, and lightning glittered on the Shadowy
Mountains far away, as Beleg and Gwindor crept towards the dell.
When all
in the camp were sleeping Beleg took his bow, and in the darkness shot the
wolf-sentinels, one by one and silently. Then in great peril they entered in,
and they found Túrin fettered hand and foot and tied to a withered tree; and
all about him knives that had been cast at him were embedded in the trunk, and
he was senseless in a sleep of great weariness. But Beleg and Gwindor cut the
bonds that held him, and lifting him they carried him out of the dell; yet they
could bear him no further than to a thicket of thorn-trees a little way above.
There they laid him down; and now the storm drew very near. Beleg drew his
sword Anglachel, and with it he cut the fetters that bound Túrin; but fate was
that day more strong, for the blade slipped as he cut the shackles, and Túrin's
foot was pricked. Then he was aroused into a sudden wakefulness of rage and
fear, and seeing one bending over him with naked blade he leapt up with a great
cry, believing that Orcs were come again to torment him; and grappling with him
in the darkness he seized Anglachel, and slew Beleg Cúthalion thinking him a
foe.
But as
he stood, finding himself free, and ready to sell his life dearly against
imagined foes, there came a great flash of lightning above them; and in its light
he looked down on Beleg's face. Then Túrin stood stone-still and silent,
staring on that dreadful death, knowing what he had done; and so terrible was
his face, lit by the lightning that flickered all about them, that Gwindor
cowered down upon the ground and dared not raise his eyes.'
But now
in the dell beneath the Orcs were aroused, and all the camp was in a tumult;
for they feared the thunder that came out of the west, believing that it was
sent against them by the great Enemies beyond the Sea. Then a wind arose, and
great rains fell, and torrents swept down from the heights of Taur-nu-Fuin; and
though Gwindor cried out to Túrin, warning him of their utmost peril, he made
no answer, but sat unmoving and unweeping in the tempest beside the body of Beleg
Cúthalion.
When
morning came the storm was passed away eastward over Lothlann, and the sun of
autumn rose hot and bright; but believing that Túrin would have fled far away
from that place and all trace of his flight be washed away, the Orcs departed
in haste without longer search, and far off Gwindor saw them marching away over
the steaming sands of Anfauglith. Thus it came to pass that they returned to
Morgoth empty-handed, and left behind them the son of Húrin, who sat crazed and
unwitting on the slopes of Taur-nu-Fuin, bearing a burden heavier than their
bonds.
Then
Gwindor roused Túrin to aid him in the burial of Beleg, and he rose as one that
walked in sleep; and together they laid Beleg in a shallow grave, and placed
beside him Belthronding his great bow, that was made of black yew-wood. But the
dread sword Anglachel Gwindor took, saying that it were better that it should
take vengeance on the servants of Morgoth than lie useless in the earth; and he
took also the lembas of Melian to strengthen them in the wild.
Thus
ended Beleg Strongbow, truest of friends, greatest in skill of all that
harboured in the woods of Beleriand in the Elder Days, at the hand of him whom
he most loved; and that grief was graven on the face of Túrin and never faded.
But courage and strength were renewed in the Elf of Nargothrond, and departing
from Taur-nu-Fuin he led Túrin far away. Never once as they wandered together
on long and grievous paths did Túrin speak, and he walked as one without wish
or purpose, while the year waned and winter drew on over the northern lands.
But Gwindor was ever beside him to guard him and guide him; and thus they
passed westward over Sirion and came at length to Eithel Ivrin, the springs
whence Narog rose beneath the Mountains of Shadow. There Gwindor spoke to
Túrin, saying: 'Awake, Túrin son of Húrin Thalion! On Ivrin's lake is endless
laughter. She is fed from crystal fountains unfailing, and guarded from
defilement by Ulmo, Lord of Waters, who wrought her beauty in ancient days.'
Then Túrin knelt and drank from that water; and suddenly he cast himself down,
and his tears were unloosed at last, and he was healed of his madness.
There he
made a song for Beleg, and he named it Laer Cú Beleg, the Song of the Great
Bow, singing it aloud heedless of peril. And Gwindor gave the sword Anglachel
into his hands, and Túrin knew that it was heavy and strong and had great
power; but its blade was black and dull and its edges blunt. Then Gwindor said:
'This is a strange blade, and unlike any that I have seen in Middle-earth. It
mourns for Beleg even as you do. But be comforted; for I return to Nargothrond
of the house of Finarfin, and you shall come with me, and be healed and
renewed.'
'Who are
you?' said Túrin.
'A
wandering Elf, a thrall escaped, whom Beleg met and comforted,' said Gwindor.
'Yet once I was Gwindor son of Guilin, a lord of Nargothrond, until I went to
the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and was enslaved in Angband.'
'Then
have you seen Húrin son of Galdor, the warrior of Dor-lómin?' said Túrin.
'I have
not seen him,' said Gwindor. 'But rumour of him runs through Angband that he
still defies Morgoth; and Morgoth has laid a curse upon turn and all his kin.'
'That I
do believe,' said Túrin.
And now
they arose, and departing from Eithel Ivrin they journeyed southward along the
banks of Narog, until they were taken by scouts of the Elves and brought as
prisoners to the hidden stronghold. Thus did Túrin come to Nargothrond.
At first
his own people did not know Gwindor, who went out young and strong, and
returned now seeming as one of the aged among mortal Men, because of his
torments and his labours; but Finduilas daughter of Orodreth the King knew him
and welcomed him, for she had loved him before the Nirnaeth, and so greatly did
Gwindor love her beauty that he named her Faelivrin, which is the gleam of the
sun on the pools of Ivrin. For Gwindor's sake Túrin was admitted with him into
Nargothrond, and he dwelt there in honour. But when Gwindor would tell his
name, Túrin checked him, saying: 'I am Agarwaen the son of Úmarth (which is the
Bloodstained, son of Ill-fate), a hunter in the woods'; and the Elves of
Nargothrond questioned him no more.
In the
time that followed Túrin grew high in favour with Orodreth, and well-nigh all
hearts were turned to him in Nargothrond. For he was young, and only now
reached his full manhood; and he was in truth the son of Morwen Eledhwen to
look upon: dark-haired and pale-skinned, with grey eyes, and his face more
beautiful than any other among mortal Men, in the Elder Days. His speech and
bearing were that of the ancient kingdom of Doriath, and even among the Elves
he might be taken for one from the great houses of the Noldor; therefore many
called him Adanedhel, the Elf-Man. The sword Anglachel was forged anew for him
by cunning smiths of Nargothrond, and though ever black its edges shone with
pale fire; and he named it Gurthang, Iron of Death. So great was his prowess
and skill in warfare on the confines of the Guarded Plain that he himself
became known as Mormegil, the Black Sword; and the Elves said: 'The Mormegil
cannot be slain, save by mischance, or an evil arrow from afar.' Therefore they
gave him dwarf-mail, to guard him; and in a grim mood he found also in the
armouries a dwarf-mask all gilded, and he put it on before battle, and his
enemies fled before his face.
Then the
heart of Finduilas was turned from Gwindor and against her will her love was
given to Túrin; but Túrin did not perceive what had befallen. And being torn in
heart Finduilas became sorrowful; and she grew wan and silent. But Gwindor sat
in dark thought; and on a time he spoke to Finduilas, saying: 'Daughter of the
house of Finarfin, let no grief lie between us; for though Morgoth has laid my
life in ruin, you still I love. Go whither love leads you; yet beware! It is
not fitting that the Elder Children of Ilúvatar should wed with the Younger;
nor is it wise, for they are brief, and soon pass, to leave us in widowhood
while the world lasts. Neither will fate suffer it, unless it be once or twice
only, for some high cause of doom that we do not perceive. But this Man is not
Beren. A doom indeed lies on him, as seeing eyes may well read in him, but a
dark doom. Enter not into it! And if you will, your love shall betray you to
bitterness and death. For hearken to me! Though he be indeed agarwaen son of
úmarth, his right name is Túrin son of Húrin, whom Morgoth holds in Angband,
and whose kin he has cursed. Doubt not the power of Morgoth Bauglir! Is it not
written in me?'
Then
Finduilas sat long in thought; but at the last she said only: 'Túrin son of
Húrin loves me not; nor will.'
Now when
Túrin learnt from Finduilas of what had passed, he was wrathful, and he said to
Gwindor: 'In love I hold you for rescue and safe-keeping. But now you have done
ill to me, friend, to betray my right name, and call my doom upon me, from
which I would lie hid.'
But
Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name.'
When it became known to Orodreth that the Mormegil was in truth
the son of Húrin Thalion he gave him great honour, and Túrin became mighty
among the people of Nargothrond. But he had no liking for their manner of
warfare, of ambush and stealth and secret arrow, and he yearned for brave
strokes and battle in the open; and his counsels weighed with the King ever the
longer the more. In those days the Elves of Nargothrond forsook their secrecy
and went openly to battle, and great store of weapons were made; and by the
counsel of Túrin the Noldor built a mighty bridge over the Narog from the Doors
of Felagund, for the swifter passage of their arms. Then the servants of
Angband were driven out of all the land between Narog and Sirion eastward, and
westward to the Nenning and the desolate Falas; and though Gwindor spoke ever
against Túrin in the council of the King, holding it an ill policy, he fell
into dishonour and none heeded him, for his strength was small and he was no
longer forward in arms. Thus Nargothrond was revealed to the wrath and hatred
of Morgoth; but still at Túrin's prayer his true name was not spoken, and
though the fame of his deeds came into Doriath and to the ears of Thingol,
rumour spoke only of the Black Sword of Nargothrond.
In that time of respite and hope, when because of the deeds of the
Mormegil the power of Morgoth was stemmed west of Sirion, Morwen fled at last
from Dor-lómin with Nienor her daughter, and adventured the long journey to
Thingol's halls. There new grief awaited her, for she found Túrin gone, and to
Doriath there had come no tidings since the Dragon-helm had vanished from the
lands west of Sirion; but Morwen remained in Doriath with Nienor as guests of
Thingol and Melian, and were treated with honour.
Now it came to pass, when four hundred and ninety-five years had
passed since the rising of the Moon, in the spring of the year, there came to
Nargothrond two Elves, named Gelmir and Arminas; they were of Angrod's people,
but since the Dagor Bragollach they dwelt in the south with Círdan the
Shipwright. From their far journeys they brought tidings of a great mustering of
Orcs and evil creatures under the eaves of Ered Wethrin and in the Pass of
Sirion; and they told also that Ulmo had come to Círdan, giving warning that
great peril drew nigh to Nargothrond.
'Hear the words of the Lord of Waters!' said they to the King. 'Thus
he spoke to Círdan the Shipwright: 'The Evil of the North has defiled the
springs of Sirion, and my power withdraws from the fingers of the flowing
waters. But a worse thing is yet to come forth. Say therefore to the Lord of
Nargothrond: Shut the doors of the fortress and go not abroad. Cast the stones
of your pride into the loud river, that the creeping evil may not find the
gate."'
Orodreth was troubled by the dark words of the messengers, but
Túrin would by no means hearken to these counsels, and least of all would he
suffer the great bridge to be cast down; for he was become proud and stern, and
would order all things as he wished.
Soon afterwards Handir Lord of Brethil was slain, for the Orcs
invaded his land, and Handir gave them battle; but the Men of Brethil were
worsted, and driven back into their woods. And in the autumn of the year,
biding his hour, Morgoth loosed upon the people of Narog the great host that he
had long prepared; and Glaurung the Úrulóki passed over Anfauglith, and came
thence into the north vales of Sirion and there did great evil. Under the
shadows of Ered Wethrin he defiled the Eithel Ivrin, and thence he passed into
the realm of Nargothrond, and burned the Talath Dirnen, the Guarded Plain,
between Narog and Teiglin.
Then the warriors of Nargothrond went forth, and tall and terrible
on that day looked Túrin, and the heart of the host was upheld, as he rode on
the right hand of Orodreth. But greater far was the host of Morgoth than any
scouts had told, and none but Túrin defended by his dwarf-mask could withstand
the approach of Glaurung; and the Elves were driven back and pressed by the
Orcs into the field of Tumhalad, between Ginglith and Narog, and there they
were penned. On that day all the pride and host of Nargothrond withered away;
and Orodreth was slain in the forefront of the battle, and Gwindor son of
Guilin was wounded to the death. But Túrin came to his aid, and all fled before
him; and he bore Gwindor out of the rout, and escaping into a wood there laid
him on the grass.
Then Gwindor said to Túrin: 'Let bearing pay for bearing! But
ill-fated was mine, and vain is thine; for my body is marred beyond healing,
and I must leave Middle-earth. And though I love thee, son of Húrin, yet I rue
the day that I took thee from the Orcs. But for thy prowess and thy pride,
still I should have love and life, and Nargothrond should yet stand a while.'
Now if thou love me, leave me! Haste thee to Nargothrond, and save Finduilas.
And this last I say to thee: she alone stands between thee and thy doom. If
thou fail her, it shall not fail to find thee. Farewell!'
Then Túrin sped back to Nargothrond, mustering such of the rout as
he met with on the way; and the leaves fell from the trees in a great wind as
they went, for the autumn was passing to a dire winter. But the host of the
Orcs and Glaurung the Dragon were there before him, and they came suddenly, ere
those that were left on guard were aware of what had befallen on the field of
Tumhalad. In that day the bridge over Narog proved an evil; for it was great
and mightily made and could not swiftly be destroyed, and the enemy came
readily over the deep river, and Glaurung came in full fire against the Doors
of Felagund, and overthrew them, and passed within.
And even as Túrin came up the dreadful sack of Nargothrond was
well nigh achieved. The Orcs had slain or driven off all that remained in arms,
and were even then ransacking the great halls and chambers, plundering and
destroying; but those of the women and maidens that were not burned or slain
they had herded on the terraces before the doors, as slaves to be taken into
Morgoth's thraldom. Upon this ruin and woe Túrin came, and none could withstand
him; or would not, though he struck down all before him, and passed over the
bridge, and hewed his way towards the captives.
And now he stood alone, for the few that followed him had fled.
But in that moment Glaurung issued from the gaping doors, and lay behind,
between Túrin and the bridge. Then suddenly he spoke, by the evil spirit that
was in him, saying: 'Hail, son of Húrin. Well met!'
Then Túrin sprang about, and strode against him, and the edges of
Gurthang shone as with flame; but Glaurung withheld his blast, and opened wide
his serpent-eyes and gazed upon Túrin. Without fear Túrin looked into them as
he raised up the sword; and straightway he fell under the binding spell of the
lidless eyes of the dragon, and was halted moveless. Then for a long time he
stood as one graven of stone; and they two were alone, silent before the doors
of Nargothrond. But Glaurung spoke again, taunting Túrin, and he said: 'Evil
have been all thy ways, son of Húrin. Thankless fosterling, outlaw, slayer of
thy friend, thief of love, usurper of Nargothrond, captain foolhardy, and
deserter of thy kin. As thralls thy mother and thy sister live in Dor-lómin, in
misery and want. Thou art arrayed as a prince, but they go in rags; and for
thee they yearn, but thou carest not for that. Glad may thy father be to learn
that he hath such a son; as learn he shall.' And Túrin being under the spell of
Glaurung hearkened to his words, and he saw himself as in a mirror misshapen by
malice, and loathed that which he saw.
And while he was yet held by the eyes of the dragon in torment of
mind, and could not stir, the Orcs drove away the herded captives, and they
passed nigh to Túrin and crossed over the bridge. Among them was Finduilas, and
she cried out to Túrin as she went; but not until her cries and the wailing of
the captives was lost upon the northward road did Claiming release Túrin, and
he might not stop his ears against that voice that haunted him after.
Then suddenly Glaurung withdrew his glance, and waited; and Túrin
stirred slowly, as one waking from a hideous dream. Then coming to himself he
sprang upon the dragon with a cry. But Glaurung laughed, saying: 'If thou wilt
be slain, I will slay thee gladly. But small help will that be to Morwen and
Nienor. No heed didst thou give to the cries of the Elf-woman. Wilt thou deny
also the bond of thy blood?'
But Túrin drawing back his sword stabbed at the dragon's eyes; and
Glaurung coiling back swiftly towered above him, and said: 'Nay! At least thou
art valiant; beyond all whom I have met And they lie who say that we of our
part do not honour the valour of foes. See now! I offer thee freedom. Go to thy
kin, if thou canst. Get thee gone! And if Elf or Man be left to make tale of
these days, then surely in scorn they will name thee, if thou spurnest this
gift.'
Then Túrin, being yet bemused by the eyes of the dragon, as were
he treating with a foe that could know pity, believed the words of Glaurung and
fuming away he sped over the bridge. But as he went Glaurung spoke behind him,
saying in a fell voice: 'Haste thee now, son of Húrin, to Dor-lómin! Or perhaps
the Orcs shall come before thee, once again. And if thou tarry for Finduilas,
then never shalt thou see Morwen again, and never at all shalt thou see Nienor
thy sister; and they will curse thee.'
But Túrin passed away on the northward road, and Claiming laughed
once more, for he had accomplished the errand of his Master. Then he turned to
his own pleasure, and sent forth his blast, and burned all about him. But all
the Orcs that were busy in the sack he routed forth, and drove them away, and
denied them their plunder even to the last thing of worth. The bridge then he
broke down and cast into the foam of Narog; and being thus secure he gathered
all the hoard and riches of Felagund and heaped them, and lay upon them in the
innermost hall, and rested a while.
And Túrin hastened along the ways to the north, through the lands
now desolate between Narog and Teiglin, and the Fell Winter came down to meet
him; for in that year snow fell ere autumn was passed, and spring came late and
cold. Ever it seemed to him as he went that he heard the cries of Finduilas,
calling his name by wood and hill, and great was his anguish; but his heart
being hot with the lies of Glaurung, and seeing ever in his mind the Orcs
burning the house of Húrin or putting Morwen and Nienor to torment, he held on
his way, and turned never aside.
At last worn by haste and the long road (for forty leagues and
more had he journeyed without rest) he came with the first ice of winter to the
pools of Ivrin, where before he had been healed. But they were now but a frozen
mire, and he could drink there no more.'
Thus he came hardly by the passes of Dor-lómin, through bitter
snows from the north, and found again the land of his childhood. Bare and bleak
it was; and Morwen was gone. Her house stood empty, broken and cold; and no
living thing dwelt nigh. Therefore Túrin departed, and came to the house of
Brodda the Easterling, he that had to wife Aerin, Húrin's kinswoman; and there
he learned of an old servant that Morwen was long gone, for she had fled with
Nienor out of Dor-Lómin, none but Aerin knew where.
Then Túrin strode to Brodda's table, and seizing him he drew his
sword, and demanded that he be told whither Morwen had gone; and Aerin declared
to him that she went to Doriath to seek her son. 'For the lands were freed then
from evil,' she said, 'by the Black Sword of the south, who now has fallen,
they say.' Then Túrin's eyes were opened, and the last threads of Glaurung's
spell were loosed; and for anguish, and wrath at the lies that had deluded him,
and hatred of the oppressors of Morwen, a black rage seized him, and he slew
Brodda in his hall, and other Easterlings that were his guests. Thereafter he
fled out into the winter, a hunted man; but he was aided by some that remained
of Hador's people and knew the ways of the wild, and with them he escaped
through the falling snow and came to an outlaws' refuge in the southern
mountains of Dor-lómin. Thence Túrin passed again from the land of his
childhood, and returned to Sirion's vale. His heart was bitter, for to
Dor-lómin he had brought only greater woe upon the remnant of his people, and
they were glad of his going; and this comfort alone he had: that by the prowess
of the Black Sword the ways to Doriath had been laid open to Morwen. And he
said in his thought: 'Then those deeds wrought not evil to all. And where else
might I have better bestowed my kin, even had I come sooner? For if the Girdle
of Melian be broken, then last hope is ended. Nay, it is better indeed as
things be; for a shadow I cast wheresoever I come. Let Melian keep them! And I
will leave them in peace unshadowed for a while.'
Now Túrin coming down from Ered Wethrin sought for Finduilas in
vain, roaming the woods beneath the mountains, wild and wary as a beast; and he
waylaid all the roads that went north to the Pass of Sirion. But he was too
late; for all the trails had grown old, or were washed away by the winter. Yet
thus it was that passing southwards down Teiglin Túrin came upon some of the
Men of Brethil that were surrounded by Orcs; and he delivered them, for the
Orcs fled from Gurthang. He named himself Wildman of the Woods, and they
besought him to come and dwell with them; but he said that he had an errand yet
unachieved, to seek Finduilas, Orodreth's daughter of Nargothrond. Then Dorlas,
the leader of those woodmen, told the grievous tidings of her death. For the
Men of Brethil had waylaid at the Crossings of Teiglin the Orc-host that led
the captives of Nargothrond, hoping to rescue them; but the Orcs had at once
cruelly slain their prisoners, and Finduilas they pinned to a tree with a
spear. So she died, saying at the last: 'Tell the Mormegil that Finduilas is
here.' Therefore they had laid her in a mound near that place, and named it
Haudh-en-Elleth, the Mound of the Elf-maid.
Túrin bade them lead him thither, and there he fell down into a
darkness of grief that was near death. Then Dorlas by his black sword, the fame
whereof had come even inter the deeps of Brethil, and by his quest of the
King's daughter, knew that this Wildman was indeed the Mormegil of Nargothrond,
whom rumour said was the son of Húrin of Dor-lómin. Therefore the woodmen
lifted him up, and bore him away to their homes. Now those were set in a
stockade upon a high place in the forest, Ephel Brandir upon Amon Obel; for the
People of Haleth were now dwindled by war, and Brandir son of Handir who ruled
them was a man of gentle mood, and lame also from childhood, and he trusted
rather in secrecy than in deeds of war to save them from the power of the
North. Therefore he feared the tidings that Dorlas brought, and when he beheld
the face of Túrin as he lay on the bier a cloud of foreboding lay on his heart
Nonetheless being moved by his woe he took him into his own house and tended
him, for he had skill in healing. And with the beginning of spring Túrin cast
off his darkness, and grew hale again; and he arose, and he thought that he
would remain in Brethil hidden, and put his shadow behind him, forsaking the
past. He took therefore a new name, Turambar, which in the High-elven speech
signified Master of Doom; and he besought the woodmen to forget that he was a
stranger among them or ever bore any other name. Nonetheless he would not
wholly leave deeds of war; for he could not endure that the Orcs should come to
the Crossings of Teiglin or draw nigh to Haudh-en-Elleth, and he made that a
place of dread for them, so that they shunned it. But he laid his black sword
by, and wielded rather the bow and the spear.
Now new tidings came to Doriath concerning Nargothrond, for some
that had escaped from the defeat and the sack, and had survived the Fell Winter
in the wild, came at last to Thingol seeking refuge; and the march-wardens
brought them to the King. And some said that all the enemy had withdrawn
northwards, and others that Glaurung abode still in the halls of Felagund; and
some said that the Mormegil was slain, and others that he was cast under a
spell by the dragon and dwelt there yet, as one changed to stone. But all
declared that it was known to many in Nargothrond ere the end that the Mormegil
was none other than Túrin son of Húrin of Dor-lómin.
Then Morwen was distraught, and refusing the counsel of Melian she
rode forth alone into the wild to seek her son, or some true tidings of him.
Thingol therefore sent Mablung after her, with many hardy march-wards, to find
her and guard her, and to learn what news they might; but Nienor was bidden to
remain behind. Yet the fearlessness of her house was hers; and in an evil hour,
in hope that Morwen would return when she saw that her daughter would go with her
into peril, Nienor disguised herself as one of Thingol's people, and went with
that ill-fated riding.
They came upon Morwen by the banks of Sirion, and Mablung besought
her to return to Menegroth; but she was fey, and would not be persuaded. Then
also the coming of Nienor was revealed, and despite Morwen's command she would
not go back; and Mablung perforce brought them to the hidden ferries at the
Meres of Twilight, and they passed over Sirion. And after three days'
journeying they came to Amon Ethir, the Hill of Spies, that long ago Felagund
had caused to be raised with great labour, a league before the doors of
Nargothrond. There Mablung set a guard of riders about Morwen and her daughter,
and forbade them to go further. But he, seeing from the hill no sign of any
enemy, went down with his scouts to the Narog, as stealthily as they could go.
But Glaurung was aware of all that they did, and he came forth in
heat of wrath, and lay into the river; and a vast vapour and foul reek went up,
in which Mablung and his company were blinded and lost Then Glaurung passed
east over Narog.
Seeing the onset of the dragon the guards upon Amon Ethir sought
to lead Morwen and Nienor away, and fly with them with all speed back
eastwards; but the wind bore the blank mists upon them, and their horses were
maddened by the dragon-stench, and were ungovernable, and ran this way and
that, so that some were dashed against trees and were slain, and others were
borne far away. Thus the ladies were lost, and of Morwen indeed no sure tidings
came ever to Doriath after. But Nienor, being thrown by her steed, yet unhurt,
made her way back to Amon Ethir, there to await Mablung, and came thus above
the reek into the sunlight; and looking westward she stared straight into the
eyes of Glaurung, whose head lay upon the hill-top.
Her will strove with him for a while, but he put forth his power,
and having learned who she was he constrained her to gaze into his eyes, and he
laid a spell of utter darkness and forgetfulness upon her, so that she could
remember nothing that had ever befallen her, nor her own name, nor the name of
any other thing; and for many days she could neither hear, nor see, nor stir by
her own will. Then Glaurung left her standing alone upon Amon Ethir, and went
back to Nargothrond.
Now Mablung, who greatly daring had explored the halls of Felagund
when Glaurung left them, fled from them at the approach of the dragon, and
returned to Amon Ethir. The sun sank and night fell as he climbed the hill, and
he found none there save Nienor, standing alone under the stars as an image of
stone. No word she spoke or heard, but would follow, if he took up her hand.
Therefore in great grief he led her away, though it seemed to him vain; for
they were both like to perish, succourless in the wild.
But they were found by three of Mablung's companions, and slowly
they journeyed northward and eastward towards the fences of the land of Doriath
beyond Sirion, and the guarded bridge nigh to the inflowing of Esgalduin.
Slowly the strength of Nienor returned as they drew nearer to Doriath; but
still she could not speak or hear, and walked blindly as she was led. But even
as they drew near the fences at last she closed her staring eyes, and would
sleep; and they laid her down, and rested also, unheedfully, for they were
utterly outworn. There they were assailed by an Orc-band, such as now roamed
often as nigh the fences of Doriath as they dared. But Nienor in that hour
recovered hearing and sight, and being awakened by the cries of the Orcs she
sprang up in terror, and fled ere they could come to her.
Then the Orcs gave chase, and the Elves after; and they overtook
the Orcs and slew them ere they could harm her, but Nienor escaped them. For
she fled as in a madness of fear, swifter than a deer, and tore off all her
clothing as she ran, until she was naked; and she passed out of their sight,
running northward, and though they sought her long they found her not, nor any
trace of her. And at last Mablung in despair returned to Menegroth and told the
tidings. Then Thingol and Melian were filled with grief; but Mablung went
forth, and sought long in vain for tidings of Morwen and Nienor.
But Nienor ran on into the woods until she was spent, and then
fell, and slept, and awoke; and it was a sunlit morning, and she rejoiced in
light as it were a new thing, and all things else that she saw seemed new and
strange, for she had no names for them. Nothing did she remember save a
darkness that lay behind her, and a shadow of fear; therefore she went warily
as a hunted beast, and became famished, for she had no food and knew not how to
seek it But coming at last to the Crossings of Teiglin she passed over, seeking
the shelter of the great trees of Brethil, for she was afraid, and it seemed to
her that the darkness was overtaking her again from which she had fled.
But it was a great storm of thunder that came up from the south,
and in terror she cast herself down upon the mound of Haudh-en-Elleth, stopping
her ears from the thunder; but the rain smote her and drenched her, and she lay
like a wild beast that is dying. There Turambar found her, as he came to the
Crossings of Teiglin, having heard rumour of Orcs that roamed near; and seeing
in a flare of lightning the body as it seemed of a slain maiden lying upon the
mound of Finduilas he was stricken to the heart. But the woodmen lifted her up,
and Turambar cast his cloak about her, and they took her to a lodge nearby, and
warmed her, and gave her food. And as soon as she looked upon Turambar she was
comforted, for it seemed to her that she had found at last something that she
had sought in her darkness; and she would not be parted from him. But when he
asked her concerning her name and her kin and her misadventure, then she became
troubled as a child that perceives that something is demanded but cannot
understand what it may be; and she wept. Therefore Turambar said: 'Do not be
troubled. The tale shall wait. But I will give you a name, and I will call you
Níniel, Tear-maiden.' And at that name she shook her head, but said: Níniel. That
was the first word she spoke after her darkness, and it remained her name among
the woodmen ever after.
On the next day they bore her towards Ephel Brandir; but when they
came to Dimrost, the Rainy Stair, where the tumbling stream of Celebros fell
towards Teiglin, a great shuddering came upon her, wherefore afterwards that
place was called Nen Girith, the Shuddering Water. Ere she came to the home of
the woodmen upon Amon Obel she was sick of a fever; and long she lay thus,
tended by the women of Brethil, and they taught her language as to an infant.
But ere the autumn came by the skill of Brandir she was healed of her sickness,
and she could speak; but nothing did she remember of the time before she was
found by Turambar on the mound of Haudh-en-Elleth. And Brandir loved her; but
all her heart was given to Turambar.
In that time the woodmen were not troubled by the Orcs, and
Turambar went not to war, and there was peace in Brethil. His heart turned to
Níniel, and he asked her in marriage; but for that time she delayed in spite of
her love. For Brandir foreboded he knew not what, and sought to restrain her,
rather for her sake than his own or rivalry with Turambar; and he revealed to
her that Turambar was Túrin son of Húrin, and though she knew not the name a
shadow fell upon her mind.
But when three years were passed since the sack of Nargothrond
Turambar asked Níniel again, and vowed that now he would wed her, or else go
back to war in the wild. And Níniel took him with joy, and they were wedded at
the midsummer, and the woodmen of Brethil made a great feast. But ere the end
of the year Glaurung sent Orcs of his dominion against Brethil; and Turambar
sat at home deedless, for he had promised to Níniel that he would go to battle
only if their homes were assailed. But the woodmen were worsted, and Dorlas
upbraided him that he would not aid the people that he had taken for his own.
Then Turambar arose and brought forth again his black sword, and he gathered a
great company of the Men of Brethil, and they defeated the Orcs utterly. But
Glaurung heard tidings that the Black Sword was in Brethil, and he pondered
what he heard, devising new evil.
In the spring of the year after Níniel conceived, and she became
wan and sad; and at the same time there came to Ephel Brandir the first rumours
that Glaurung had issued from Nargothrond. Then Turambar sent out scouts far
afield, for now he ordered things as he would, and few gave heed to Brandir. As
it drew near to summer Glaurung came to the borders of Brethil, and lay near
the west shores of Teiglin; and then there was great fear among the woodfolk,
for it was now plain that the Great Worm would assail them and ravage their
land, and not pass by, returning to Angband, as they had hoped. They sought
therefore the counsel of Turambar; and he counselled them that it was vain to
go against Glaurung with all their force, for only by cunning and good fortune
could they defeat him. He offered therefore himself to seek the dragon on the
borders of the land, and bade the rest of the people to remain at Ephel
Brandir, but to prepare for flight. For if Glaurung had the victory, he would
come first to the woodmen's homes to destroy them, and they could not hope to
withstand him; but if they then scattered far and wide, then many might escape,
for Glaurung would not take up his dwelling in Brethil, and would return soon
to Nargothrond.
Then Turambar asked for companions willing to aid him in his
peril; and Dorlas stood forth, but no others. Therefore Dorlas upbraided the
people, and spoke scorn of Brandir, who could not play the part of the heir of
the house of Haleth; and Brandir was shamed before his people, and was bitter
at heart. But Hunthor, kinsman of Brandir, asked his leave to go in his stead.
Then Turambar said farewell to Níniel, and she was filled with fear and
foreboding, and their parting was sorrowful; but Turambar set out with his two
companions and went to Nen Girith.
Then Níniel being unable to endure her fear, and unwilling to wait
in the Ephel tidings of Turambar's fortune, set forth after him, and a great
company went with her. At this Brandir was filled all the more with dread, and
he sought to dissuade her and the people that would go with her from this
rashness, but they heeded him not. Therefore he renounced his lordship, and all
love for the people that had scorned him, and having naught left but his love
for Níniel he girt himself with a sword and went after her; but being lame he
fell far behind.
Now Turambar came to Nen Girith at sundown, and there he learned
that Glaurung lay on the brink of the high shores of Teiglin, and was like to
move when night fell. Then he called those tidings good; for the dragon lay at
Cabed-en-Aras, where the river ran in a deep and narrow gorge that a hunted
deer might overleap, and Turambar thought that he would seek no further, but
would attempt to pass over the gorge. Therefore he purposed to creep down at
dusk, and descend into the ravine under night, and cross over the wild water;
and then to climb up the further cliff, and so come to the dragon beneath his
guard.
This counsel he took, but the heart of Dorlas failed when they
came to the races of Teiglin in the dark, and he dared not attempt the perilous
crossing, but drew back and lurked in the woods, burdened with shame. Turambar
and Hunthor, nonetheless, crossed over in safety, for the loud roaring of the
water drowned all other sounds, and Glaurung slept. But ere the middle-night
the dragon roused, and with a great noise and blast cast his forward part
across the chasm, and began to draw his bulk after. Turambar and Hunthor were
well-nigh overcome by the heat and the stench, as they sought in haste for a
way up to come at Glaurung; and Hunthor was slain by a great stone that was
dislodged from on high by the passage of the dragon, and smote him on the head
and cast him into the river. So he ended, of the house of Haleth not the least
valiant
Then Turambar summoned all his will and courage and climbed the
cliff alone, and came beneath the dragon. Then he drew Gurthang, and with all
the might of his arm, and of his hate, he thrust it into the soft belly of the
Worm, even up to the hilts. But when Glaurung felt his death-pang, he screamed,
and in his dreadful throe he heaved up his bulk and hurled himself across the
chasm, and there lay lashing and coiling in his agony. And he set all in a
blaze about him, and beat all to ruin, until at last his fires died, and he lay
still.
Now Gurthang had been wrested from Turambar's hand in the throe of
Glaurung, and it clave to the belly of the dragon. Turambar therefore crossed
the water once more, desiring to recover his sword and to look upon his foe;
and he found him stretched at his length, and rolled upon one side, and the
hilts of Gurthang stood in his belly. Then Turambar seized the hilts and set
his foot upon the belly, and cried in mockery of the dragon and his words at
Nargothrond: 'Hail, Worm of Morgoth! Well met again! Die now and the darkness
have thee! Thus is Túrin son of Húrin avenged.'
Then he wrenched out the sword, but a spout of black blood
followed it, and fell on his hand, and the venom burned it. And thereupon
Glaurung opened his eyes and looked upon Turambar with such malice that it
smote him as a blow; and by that stroke and the anguish of the venom he fell
into a dark swoon, and lay as one dead, and his sword was beneath him.
The screams of Glaurung rang in the woods, and came to the people
that waited at Nen Girith; and when those that looked forth heard them, and saw
afar the ruin and burning that the dragon made, they deemed that he had
triumphed and was destroying those that assailed him. And Níniel sat and
shuddered beside the falling water, and at the voice of Glaurung her darkness
crept upon her again, so that she could not stir from that place of her own
will.
Even so Brandir found her, for he came to Nen Girith at last,
limping wearily; and when he heard that the dragon had crossed the river and
had beaten down his foes, his heart yearned towards Níniel in pity. Yet he
thought also: 'Turambar is dead, but Níniel lives. Now it may be that she will
come with me, and I will lead her away, and so we shall escape from the dragon
together.' After a while therefore he stood by Níniel, and he said: 'Come! It
is time to go. If you will, I will lead you.' And he took her hand, and she
arose silently, and followed him; and in the darkness none saw them go.
But as they went down the path to the Crossings the moon rose, and
cast a grey light on the land, and Níniel said: 'Is this the way?' And Brandir
answered that he knew no way, save to flee as they might from Glaurung, and
escape into the wild. But Níniel said: 'The Black Sword was my beloved and my
husband. To seek him only do I go. What else could you think?' And she sped on
before him. Thus she came towards the Crossings of Teiglin and beheld
Haudh-en-Elleth in the white moonlight, and great dread came on her. Then with
a cry she turned away, casting off her cloak, and fled southward along the
river, and her white raiment shone in the moon.
Thus Brandir saw her from the hill-side, and turned to cross her
path, but he was still behind her when she came to the ruin of Glaurung nigh
the brink of Cabed-en-Aras. There she saw the dragon lying, but she heeded him
not, for a man lay beside him; and she ran to Turambar, and called his name in
vain. Then finding that his hand was burned she washed it with tears and bound
it about with a strip of her raiment, and she kissed him and cried on him again
to awake. Thereat Glaurung stirred for the last time ere he died, and he spoke
with his last breath, saying: 'Hail, Nienor, daughter of Húrin. We meet again
ere the end. I give thee joy that thou hast found thy brother at last. And now
thou shalt know him: a stabber in the dark, treacherous to foes, faithless to
friends, and a curse unto his kin, Túrin son of Húrin! But the worst of all his
deeds thou shalt feel in thyself.'
Then Glaurung died, and the veil of his malice was taken from her,
and she remembered all the days of her life. Looking down upon Túrin she cried:
'Farewell, O twice beloved! A Túrin Turambar turun ambartanen: master of doom
by doom mastered! O happy to be dead!' Then Brandir who had heard all, standing
stricken upon the edge of ruin, hastened towards her; but she ran from him
distraught with horror and anguish, and coming to the brink of Cabed-en-Aras
she cast herself over, and was lost in the wild water.
Then Brandir came and looked down, and turned away in horror; and
though he no longer desired life, he could not seek death in that roaring
water. And thereafter no man looked again upon Cabed-en-Aras, nor would any
beast or bird come there, nor any tree grow; and it was named Cabed Naeramarth,
the Leap of Dreadful Doom.
But Brandir made his way back to Nen Girith, to bring tidings to
the people; and he met Dorlas in the woods, and slew him: the first blood that
ever he had spilled, and the last. And he came to Nen Girith, and men cried to
him: 'Have you seen her? For Níniel is gone.'
And he answered: 'Níniel is gone for ever. The Dragon is dead, and
Turambar is dead; and those tidings are good.' The people murmured at these
words, saying that he was crazed; but Brandir said: 'Hear me to the end! Níniel
the beloved is also dead. She cast herself into Teiglin, desiring life no more;
for she learned that she was none other than Nienor daughter of Húrin of
Dor-lómin, ere her forgetfulness came upon her, and that Turambar was her
brother, Túrin son of Húrin. '
But even as he ceased, and the people wept, Túrin himself came
before them. For when the dragon died, his swoon left him, and he fell into a
deep sleep of weariness. But the cold of the night troubled him, and the hilts
of Gurthang drove into his side, and he awoke. Then he saw that one had tended
his hand, and he wondered much that he was left nonetheless to lie upon the cold
ground; and he called, and hearing no answer he went in search of aid, for he
was weary and sick.
But when the people saw him they drew back in fear, thinking that
it was his unquiet spirit; and he said: 'Nay, be glad; for the Dragon is dead,
and I live. But wherefore have you scorned my counsel, and come into peril? And
where is Níniel? For her I would see. And surely you did not bring her from her
home?'
Then Brandir told him that it was so, and Níniel was dead. But the
wife of Dorlas cried out: 'Nay, lord, he is crazed. For he came here saying
that you were dead, and he called it good tidings. But you live.'
Then Turambar was wrathful, and believed that all Brandir said or
did was done in malice towards himself and Níniel, begrudging their love; and
he spoke evilly to Brandir, calling him Club-foot. Then Brandir reported all
that he had heard, and named Níniel Nienor daughter of Húrin, and he cried out
upon Turambar with the last words of Glaurung, that he was a curse unto his kin
and to all that harboured him.
Then Turambar fell into a fury, for in those words he heard the
feet of his doom overtaking him; and he charged Brandir with leading Níniel to
her death, and publishing with delight the lies of Glaurung, if indeed be
devised them not himself. Then he cursed Brandir, and slew him; and he fled
from the people into the woods. But after a while his madness left him, and he
came to Haudh-en-Elleth, and there sat, and pondered all his deeds. And he
cried upon Finduilas to bring him counsel; for he knew not whether he would do
now more ill to go to Doriath to seek his kin, or to forsake them forever and
seek death in battle.
And even as he sat there Mablung with a company of Grey-elves came
over the Crossings of Teiglin, and he knew Túrin, and hailed him, and was glad
indeed to find him yet living; for he had learned of the coming forth of
Glaurung and that his path led to Brethil, and also he had heard report that
the Black Sword of Nargothrond now dwelt there. Therefore he came to give
warning to Túrin, and help if need be; but Túrin said: 'You come too late. The
Dragon is dead.'
Then they marvelled, and gave him great praise; but he cared
nothing for it, and said: 'This only I ask: give me news of my kin, for in
Dor-lómin I learned that they had gone to the Hidden Kingdom.'
Then Mablung was dismayed, but needs must tell to Túrin how Morwen
was lost, and Nienor cast into a spell of dumb forgetfulness, and how she
escaped them upon the borders of Doriath and fled northwards. Then at last
Túrin knew that doom had overtaken him, and that he had slain Brandir unjustly;
so that the words of Glaurung were fulfilled in him. And he laughed as one fey,
crying: 'This is a bitter jest indeed!' But he bade Mablung go, and return to
Doriath, with curses upon it. 'And a curse too upon your errand!' he cried.
'This only was wanting. Now comes the night.'
Then he fled from them like the wind, and they were amazed,
wondering what madness had seized him; and they followed after him. But Túrin
far out-ran them; and he came to Cabed-en-Aras, and heard the roaring of the
water, and saw that all the leaves fell sere from the trees, as though winter
had come. There he drew forth his sword, that now alone remained to him of all
his possessions, and he said: 'Hail Gurthang! No lord or loyalty dost thou
know, save the hand that wieldeth thee. From no blood wilt thou shrink. Wilt
thou therefore take Túrin Turambar, wilt thou slay me swiftly?'
And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yea, I will drink
thy blood gladly, that so I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the
blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly.'
Then Túrin set the hilts upon the ground, and cast himself upon
the point of Gurthang, and the black blade took his life. But Mablung and the
Elves came and looked on the shape of Glaurung lying dead, and upon the body of
Túrin, and they grieved; and when Men of Brethil came thither, and they learned
the reasons of Túrin's madness and death, they were aghast; and Mablung said
bitterly: 'I also have been meshed in the doom of the Children of Húrin, and
thus with my tidings have slain one that I loved.'
Then they lifted up Túrin, and found that Gurthang had broken
asunder. But Elves and Men gathered there great store of wood, and they made a
mighty burning, and the Dragon was consumed to ashes. Túrin they laid in a high
mound where he had fallen, and the shards of Gurthang were laid beside him. And
when all was done, the Elves sang a lament for the Children of Húrin, and a
great grey stone was set upon the mound, and thereon was carven in runes of
Doriath:
TÚRIN TURAMBAR DAGNIR GLAURUNGA
and beneath they wrote also:
NIENOR N1NIEL
But she was not there, nor was it ever known whither the cold
waters of Teiglin had taken her.
So ended
the tale of Túrin Turambar; but Morgoth did not sleep nor rest from evil, and
his dealings with the house of Hador were not yet ended. Against them his
malice was unsated, though Húrin was under his eye, and Morwen wandered
distraught in the wild.
Unhappy
was the lot of Húrin; for all that Morgoth knew of the working of his malice
Húrin knew also, but lies were mingled with the truth, and aught that was good
was hidden or distorted. In all ways Morgoth sought most to cast an evil light
on those things that Thingol and Melian had done, for he hated them, and feared
them. When therefore he judged the time to be ripe, he released Húrin from his
bondage, bidding him go whither he would; and he feigned that in this he was
moved by pity as for an enemy utterly defeated. But he lied, for his purpose
was that Húrin should still further his hatred for Elves and Men, ere he died.
Then
little though he trusted the words of Morgoth, knowing indeed that he was
without pity, Húrin took his freedom, and went forth in grief, embittered by
the words of the Dark Lord; and a year was now gone since the death of Túrin
his son. For twenty-eight years he had been captive in Angband, and he was
grown grim to look upon. His hair and beard were white and long, but he walked unbowed,
bearing a great black staff; and he was girt with a sword. Thus he passed into
Hithlum, and tidings came to the chieftains of the Easterlings that there was a
great riding of captains and black soldiers of Angband over the sands of
Anfauglith, and with them came an old man, as one that was held in high honour.
Therefore they did not lay hands on Húrin, but let him walk at will in those
lands; in which they were wise, for the remnant of his own people shunned him,
because of his coming from Angband as one in league and honour with Morgoth.
Thus his
freedom did but increase the bitterness of Húrin's heart; and he departed from
the land of Hithlum and went up into the mountains. Thence he descried far off.
amid the clouds the peaks of the Crissaegrim, and he remembered Turgon; and he
desired to come again to the hidden realm of Gondolin. He went down therefore
from Ered Wethrin, and he knew not that the creatures of Morgoth watched all
his steps; and crossing over the Brithiach he passed into Dimbar, and came to
the dark feet of the Echoriath. All the land was cold and desolate, and he
looked about him with little hope, standing at the foot of a great fall of
stones beneath a sheer rock-wall; and he knew not that this was all that was
now left to see of the old Way of Escape: the Dry River was blocked, and the
arched gate was buried. Then Húrin looked up to the grey sky, thinking that he
might once more descry the eagles, as he had done long ago in his youth; but he
saw only the shadows blown from the east, and clouds swirling about the
inaccessible peaks, and he heard only the wind hissing over the stones.
But the
watch of the great eagles was now redoubled, and they marked Húrin well, far
below, forlorn in the fading light; and straightway Thorondor himself, since
the tidings seemed great, brought word to Turgon. But Turgon said: 'Does
Morgoth sleep? You were mistaken.'
'Not
so,' said Thorondor. 'If the Eagles of Manwë were wont to err thus, then long
ago, lord, your hiding would have been in vain.'
'Then
your words bode ill,' said Turgon; 'for they can bear but one meaning. Even
Húrin Thalion has surrendered to the will of Morgoth. My heart is shut.'
But when
Thorondor was gone, Turgon sat long in thought, and he was troubled,
remembering the deeds of Húrin of Dor-lómin; and he opened his heart, and sent
to the eagles to seek for Húrin, and to bring him if they might to Gondolin.
But it was too late, and they never saw him again in light or in shadow.
For
Húrin stood in despair before the silent cliffs of the Echoriath, and the
westering sun, piercing the clouds, stained his white hair with red. Then he
cried aloud in the wilderness, heedless of any ears, and he cursed the pitiless
land; and standing at last upon a high rock he looked towards Gondolin and
called in a great voice: 'Turgon, Turgon, remember the Fen of Serech! O Turgon,
will you not hear in your hidden halls?' But there was no sound save the wind
in the dry grasses. 'Even so they hissed in Serech at the sunset,' he said; and
as he spoke the sun went behind the Mountains of Shadow, and a darkness fell
about him, and the wind ceased, and there was silence in the waste.
Yet
there were ears that heard the words that Húrin spoke, and report of all came
soon to the Dark Throne in the north; and Morgoth smiled, for he knew now
clearly in what region Turgon dwelt, though because of the eagles no spy of his
could yet come within sight of the land behind the Encircling Mountains. This
was the first evil that the freedom of Húrin achieved.
As
darkness fell Húrin stumbled from the rock, and fell into a heavy sleep of
grief. But in his sleep he heard the voice of Morwen lamenting, and often she
spoke his name; and it seemed to him that her voice came out of Brethil.
Therefore when he awoke with the coming of day he arose, and went back to the
Brithiach; and passing along the eaves of Brethil he came at a time of night to
the Crossings of Teiglin. The night-sentinels saw him, but they were filled
with dread, for they thought that they saw a ghost out of some ancient
battle-mound that walked with darkness about it; and therefore Húrin was not
stayed, and he came at last to the place of the burning of Glaurung, and saw
the tall stone standing near the brink of Cabed Naeramarth.
But
Húrin did not look at the stone, for he knew what was written there; and his
eyes had seen that he was not alone. Sitting in the shadow of the stone there
was a woman, bent over her knees; and as Húrin stood there silent she cast back
her tattered hood and lifted her face. Grey she was and old, but suddenly her
eyes looked into his, and he knew her; for though they were wild and full of
fear, that light still gleamed in them that long ago had earned for her the
name Eledhwen, proudest and most beautiful of mortal women in the days of old.
'You
come at last,' she said. 'I have waited too long.'
'It was
a dark road. I have come as I could,' he answered.
'But you
are too late,' said Morwen. 'They are lost.'
'I know
it,' he said. 'But you are not.'
But
Morwen said: 'Almost. I am spent I shall go with the sun. Now little time is
left: if you know, tell me! How did she find him?'
But
Húrin did not answer, and they sat beside the stone, and did not speak again;
and when the sun went down Morwen sighed and clasped his hand, and was still;
and Húrin knew that she had died. He looked down at her in the twilight and it
seemed to him that the lines of grief and cruel hardship were smoothed away.
'She was not conquered,' he said; and he closed her eyes, and sat unmoving
beside her as the night drew down. The waters of Cabed Naeramarth roared on,
but he heard no sound, and he saw nothing, and felt nothing, for his heart was
stone within him. But there came a chill wind that drove sharp rain into his
face; and he was roused, and anger rose in him like smoke, mastering reason, so
that all his desire was to seek vengeance for his wrongs and for the wrongs of
his kin, accusing in his anguish all those who ever had dealings with them.
Then he rose up, and he made a grave for Morwen above Cabed Naeramarth on the
west side of the stone; and upon it he cut these words: Here lies also Morwen
Eledhwen.
It is
told that a seer and harp-player of Brethil named Glirhuin made a song, saying
that the Stone of the Hapless should not be defiled by Morgoth nor ever thrown
down, not though the sea should drown all the land; as after indeed befell, and
still Tol Morwen stands alone in the water beyond the new coasts that were made
in the days of the wrath of the Valar. But Húrin does not lie there, for his
doom drove him on, and the Shadow still followed him.
Now
Húrin crossed over Teiglin and passed southwards down the ancient road that led
to Nargothrond; and he saw far off to the eastward the lonely height of Amon
Rűdh, and knew what had befallen there. At length he came to the banks of
Narog, and ventured the passage of the wild river upon the fallen stones of the
bridge, as Mablung of Doriath had ventured it before him; and he stood before
the broken Doors of Felagund, leaning upon his staff.
Here it
must be told that after the departure of Glaurung Mîm the Petty-Dwarf had found
his way to Nargothrond, and crept within the ruined halls; and he took
possession of them, and sat there fingering the gold and the gems, letting them
run ever through his hands, for none came nigh to despoil him, from dread of
the spirit of Glaurung and his very memory. But now one had come, and stood
upon the threshold; and Mîm came forth, and demanded to know his purpose. But
Húrin said: 'Who are you, that would hinder me from entering the house of
Finrod Felagund?'
Then the
Dwarf answered: 'I am Mîm; and before the proud ones came from over the Sea,
Dwarves delved the halls of Nulukkizdîn. I have but returned to take what is
mine; for I am the last of my people.'
'Then
you shall enjoy your inheritance no longer,' said Húrin; 'for I am Húrin son of
Galdor, returned out of Angband, and my son was Túrin Turambar, whom you have
not forgotten; and he it was that slew Glaurung the Dragon, who wasted these
halls where now you sit; and not unknown is it to me by whom the Dragon-helm of
Dor-lómin was betrayed.'
Then Mîm
in great fear besought Húrin to take what he would, but to spare his life; but
Húrin gave no heed to his prayer, and slew him there before the doors of
Nargothrond. Then he entered in, and stayed a while in that dreadful place,
where the treasures of Valinor lay strewn upon the floors in darkness and
decay; but it is told that when Húrin came forth from the wreck of Nargothrond
and stood again beneath the sky he bore with him out of all that great hoard
but one thing only.
Now
Húrin journeyed eastward, and he came to the Meres of Twilight above the Falls
of Sirion; and there he was taken by the Elves that guarded the western marches
of Doriath, and brought before King Thingol in the Thousand Caves. Then Thingol
was filled with wonder and grief when he looked on him, and knew that grim and
aged man for Húrin Thalion, the captive of Morgoth; but he greeted him fairly
and showed him honour. Húrin made no answer to the King, but drew forth from
beneath his cloak that one thing which he had taken with him out of
Nargothrond; and that was no lesser treasure than the Nauglamír, the Necklace
of the Dwarves, that was made for Finrod Felagund long years before by the
craftsmen of Nogrod and Belegost, most famed of all their works in the Elder
Days, and prized by Finrod while he lived above all the treasures of
Nargothrond. And Húrin cast it at the feet of Thingol with wild and bitter
words.
'Receive
thou thy fee,' he cried, 'for thy fair keeping of my children and my wife! For
this is the Nauglamír, whose name is known to many among Elves and Men; and I
bring it to thee out of the darkness of Nargothrond, where Finrod thy kinsman
left it behind him when he set forth with Beren son of Barahir to fulfil the
errand of Thingol of Doriath!'
Then
Thingol looked upon the great treasure, and knew it for the Nauglamír, and well
did he understand Húrin's intent; but being filled with pity he restrained his
wrath, and endured Húrin's scorn. And at the last Melian spoke, and said:
'Húrin Thalion, Morgoth hath bewitched thee; for he that seeth through
Morgoth's eyes, willing or unwilling, seeth all things crooked. Long was Túrin
thy son fostered in the halls of Menegroth, and shown love and honour as the
son of the King; and it was not by the King's will nor by mine that he came
never back to Doriath. And afterwards thy wife and thy daughter were harboured
here with honour and goodwill; and we sought by all means that we might to
dissuade Morwen from the road to Nargothrond. With the voice of Morgoth thou
dost now upbraid thy friends.'
And
hearing the words of Melian Húrin stood moveless, and he gazed long into the
eyes of the Queen; and there in Menegroth, defended still by the Girdle of
Melian from the darkness of the Enemy, he read the truth of all that was done,
and tasted at last the fullness of woe that was measured for him by Morgoth
Bauglir. And he spoke no more of what was past, but stooping lifted up the
Nauglamír from where it lay before Thingol's chair, and he gave it to him,
saying: 'Receive now, lord, the Necklace of the Dwarves, as a gift from one who
has nothing, and as a memorial of Húrin of Dor-lómin. For now my fate is
fulfilled, and the purpose of Morgoth achieved; but I am his thrall no longer.'
Then he
turned away, and passed out from the Thousand Caves, and all that saw him fell
back before his face; and none sought to withstand his going, nor did any know
whither he went. But it is said that Húrin would not live thereafter, being bereft
of all purpose and desire, and cast himself at last into the western sea; and
so ended the mightiest of the warriors of mortal Men.
But when
Húrin was gone from Menegroth, Thingol sat long in silence, gazing upon the
great treasure that lay upon his knees; and it came into his mind that it
should be remade, and in it should be set the Silmaril. For as the years passed
Thingol's thought turned unceasingly to the jewel of Fëanor, and became bound
to it, and he liked not to let it rest even behind the doors of his inmost
treasury; and he was minded now to bear it with him always, waking and
sleeping.
In those
days the Dwarves still came on their journeys into Beleriand from their
mansions in Ered Lindon, and passing over Gelion at Sam Athrad, the Ford of Stones,
they travelled the ancient road to Doriath; for their skill in the working of
metal and stone was very great, and there was much need of their craft in the
halls of Menegroth. But they came now no longer in small parties as aforetime,
but in great companies well armed for their protection in the perilous lands
between Aros and Gelion; and they dwelt in Menegroth at such times in chambers
and smithies set apart for them. At that very time great craftsmen of Nogrod
were lately come into Doriath; and the King therefore summoning them declared
his desire, that if their skill were great enough they should remake the
Nauglamír, and in it set the Silmaril. Then the Dwarves looked upon the work of
their fathers, and they beheld with wonder the shining jewel of Fëanor; and
they were filled with a great lust to possess them, and carry them off to their
far homes in the mountains. But they dissembled their mind, and consented to
the task.
Long was
their labour; and Thingol went down alone to their deep smithies, and sat ever
among them as they worked. In time his desire was achieved, and the greatest of
the works of Elves and Dwarves were brought together and made one; and its
beauty was very great, for now the countless jewels of the Nauglamír did
reflect and cast abroad in marvellous hues the light of the Silmaril amidmost.
Then Thingol, being alone among them, made to take it up and clasp it about his
neck; but the Dwarves in that moment withheld it from him, and demanded that he
yield it up to them, saying: 'By what right does the Elvenking lay claim to the
Nauglamír, that was made by our fathers for Finrod Felagund who is dead? It has
come to him but by the hand of Húrin the Man of Dor-lómin, who took it as a
thief out of the darkness of Nargothrond.' But Thingol perceived their hearts,
and saw well that desiring the Silmaril they sought but a pretext and fair
cloak for their true intent; and in his wrath and pride he gave no heed to his
peril, but spoke to them in scorn, saying: 'How do ye of uncouth race dare to
demand aught of me, Elu Thingol, Lord of Beleriand, whose life began by the
waters of Cuiviénen years uncounted ere the fathers of the stunted people
awoke?' And standing tall and proud among them he bade them with shameful words
be gone unrequited out of Doriath.
Then the
lust of the Dwarves was kindled to rage by the words of the King; and they rose
up about him, and laid hands on him, and slew him as he stood. So died in the
deep places of Menegroth Elwë Singollo, King of Doriath, who alone of all the
Children of Ilúvatar was joined with one of the Ainur; and he who, alone of the
Forsaken Elves, had seen the light of the Trees of Valinor, with his last sight
gazed upon the Silmaril.
Then the
Dwarves taking the Nauglamír passed out of Menegroth and fled eastwards through
Region. But tidings went swiftly through the forest, and few of that company
came over Aros, for they were pursued to the death as they sought the eastward
road; and the Nauglamír was retaken, and brought back in bitter grief to Melian
the Queen. Yet two there were of the slayers of Thingol who escaped from the
pursuit on the eastern marches, and returned at last to their city far off in
the Blue Mountains; and there in Nogrod they told somewhat of all that had
befallen, saying that the Dwarves were slain in Doriath by command of the
Elvenking, who thus would cheat them of their reward.
Then great was the wrath and lamentation of the Dwarves of Nogrod
for the death of their kin and their great craftsmen, and they tore their
beards, and wailed; and long they sat taking thought for vengeance. It is told
that they asked aid from Belegost, but it was denied them, and the Dwarves of
Belegost sought to dissuade them from their purpose; but their counsel was
unavailing, and ere long a great host came forth from Nogrod, and crossing over
Gelion marched westward through Beleriand.
Upon Doriath a heavy change had fallen. Melian sat long in silence
beside Thingol the King, and her thought passed back into the starlit years and
to their first meeting among the nightingales of Nan Elmoth in ages past; and
she knew that her parting from Thingol was the forerunner of a greater parting,
and that the doom of Doriath was drawing nigh. For Melian was of the divine
race of the Valar, and she was a Maia of great power and wisdom; but for love
of Elwë Singollo she took upon herself the form of the Elder Children of
Ilúvatar, and in that union she became bound by the chain and trammels of the
flesh of Arda. In that form she bore to him Lúthien Tinúviel; and in that form
she gained a power over the substance of Arda, and by the Girdle of Melian was
Doriath defended through long ages from the evils without. But now Thingol lay
dead, and his spirit had passed to the halls of Mandos; and with his death a
change came also upon Melian. Thus it came to pass that her power was withdrawn
in that time from the forests of Neldoreth and Region, and Esgalduin the
enchanted river spoke with a different voice, and Doriath lay open to its
enemies.
Thereafter Melian spoke to none save to Mablung only, bidding him
take heed to the Silmaril, and to send word speedily to Beren and Lúthien in
Ossiriand; and she vanished out of Middle-earth, and passed to the land of the
Valar beyond the western sea, to muse upon her sorrows in the gardens of
Lórien, whence she came, and this tale speaks of her no more.
Thus it was that the host of the Naugrim crossing over Aros passed
unhindered into the woods of Doriath; and none withstood them, for they were
many and fierce, and the captains of the Grey-elves were cast into doubt and
despair, and went hither and thither purposeless. But the Dwarves held on their
way, and passed over the great bridge, and entered into Menegroth; and there
befell a thing most grievous among the sorrowful deeds of the Elder Days. For
there was battle in the Thousand Caves, and many Elves and Dwarves were slain;
and it has not been forgotten. But the Dwarves were victorious, and the halls
of Thingol were ransacked and plundered. There fell Mablung of the Heavy Hand
before the doors of the treasury wherein lay the Nauglamír; and the Silmaril
was taken.
At that time Beren and Lúthien yet dwelt in Tol Galen, the Green
Isle, in the River Adurant, southernmost of the streams that falling from Ered
Lindon flowed down to join with Gelion; and their son Dior Eluchíl had to wife
Nimloth, kinswoman of Celeborn, prince of Doriath, who was wedded to the Lady
Galadriel. The sons of Dior and Nimloth were Eluréd and Elurín; and a daughter
also was born to them, and she was named Elwing, which is Star-spray, for she
was born on a night of stars, whose light glittered in the spray of the
waterfall of Lanthir Lamath beside her father's house.
Now word went swiftly among the Elves of Ossiriand that a great
host of Dwarves bearing gear of war had come down out of the mountains and
passed over Gelion at the Ford of Stones. These tidings came soon to Beren and
Lúthien; and in that time also a messenger came to them out of Doriath telling
of what had befallen there. Then Beren arose and left Tol Galen, and summoning
to him Dior his son they went north to the River Ascar; and with them went many
of the Green-elves of Ossiriand.
Thus it came to .pass that when the Dwarves of Nogrod, returning
from Menegroth with diminished host, came again to Sarn Athrad, they were
assailed by unseen enemies; for as they climbed up Gelion's banks burdened with
the spoils of Doriath, suddenly all the woods were filled with the sound of
elven-horns, and shafts sped upon them from every side. There very many of the
Dwarves were slain in the first onset; but some escaping from the ambush held
together, and fled eastwards towards the mountains. And as they climbed the
long slopes beneath Mount Dolmed there came forth the Shepherds of the Trees,
and they drove the Dwarves into the shadowy woods of Ered Lindon: whence, it is
said, came never one to climb the high passes that led to their homes.
In that battle by Sarn Athrad Beren fought his last fight, and
himself slew the Lord of Nogrod, and wrested from him the Necklace of the
Dwarves; but he dying laid his curse upon all the treasure. Then Beren gazed in
wonder on the selfsame jewel of Fëanor that he had cut from Morgoth's iron
crown, now shining set amid gold and gems by the cunning of the Dwarves; and he
washed it clean of blood in the waters of the river. And when all was finished
the treasure of Doriath was drowned in the River Ascar, and from that time the
river was named anew, Rathlóriel, the Goldenbed; but Beren took the Nauglamír
and returned to Tol Galen. Little did it ease the grief of Lúthien to learn
that the Lord of Nogrod was slain and many Dwarves beside; but it is said and
sung that Lúthien wearing that necklace and that immortal jewel was the vision
of greatest beauty and glory that has ever been outside the realm of Valinor;
and for a little while the Land of the Dead that Live became like a vision of
the land of the Valar, and no place has been since so fair, so fruitful, or so
filled with light.
Now Dior Thingol's heir bade farewell to Beren and Lúthien, and departing
from Lanthir Lamath with Nimloth his wife he came to Menegroth, and abode
there; and with them went their young sons Eluréd and Elurín, and Elwing their
daughter. Then the Sindar received them with joy, and they arose from the
darkness of their grief for fallen kin and King and for the departure of
Melian; and Dior Eluchíl set himself to raise anew the glory of the kingdom of
Doriath.
There came a night of autumn, and when it grew late, one came and
smote upon the doors of Menegroth, demanding admittance to the King. He was a
lord of the Green-elves hastening from Ossiriand, and the door-wards brought
him to where Dior sat alone in his chamber; and there in silence he gave to the
King a coffer, and took his leave. But in that coffer lay the Necklace of the
Dwarves, wherein was set the Silmaril; and Dior looking upon it knew it for a
sign that Beren Erchamion and Lúthien Tinúviel had died indeed, and gone where
go the race of Men to a fate beyond the world.
Long did Dior gaze upon the Silmaril, which his father and mother
had brought beyond hope out of the terror of Morgoth; and his grief was great
that death had come upon them so soon. But the wise have said that the Silmaril
hastened their end; for the flame of the beauty of Lúthien as she wore it was
too bright for mortal lands.
Then Dior arose, and about his neck he clasped the Nauglamír; and
now he appeared as the fairest of all the children of the world, of threefold
race: of the Edain, and of the Eldar, and of the Maiar of the Blessed Realm.
But now the rumour ran among the scattered Elves of Beleriand that
Dior Thingol's heir wore the Nauglamír, and they said: 'A Silmaril of Fëanor
burns again in the woods of Doriath'; and the oath of the sons of Fëanor was
waked again from sleep. For while Lúthien wore the Necklace of the Dwarves no
Elf would dare to assail her; but now hearing of the renewal of Doriath and of
Dior's pride the seven gathered again from wandering, and they sent to him to
claim their own.
But Dior returned no answer to the sons of Fëanor; and Celegorm
stirred up his brothers to prepare an assault upon Doriath. They came at
unawares in the middle of winter, and fought with Dior in the Thousand Caves;
and so befell the second slaying of Elf by Elf. There fell Celegorm by Dior's
hand, and there fell Curufin, and dark Caranthir; but Dior was slain also, and
Nimloth his wife, and the cruel servants of Celegorm seized his young sons and
left them to starve in the forest. Of this Maedhros indeed repented, and sought
for them long in the woods of Doriath; but his search was unavailing, and of
the fate of Eluréd and Elurín no tale tells.
Thus Doriath was destroyed, and never rose again.
But the sons of Fëanor gained not what they sought; for a remnant
of the people fled before them, and with them was Elwing Dior's daughter, and
they escaped, and bearing with them the Silmaril they came in time to the
mouths of the River Sirion by the sea.
It has
been told that Huor the brother of Húrin was slain in the Battle of Unnumbered
Tears; and in the winter of that year Rían his wife bore a child in the wilds
of Mithrim, and he was named Tuor, and was taken to foster by Annael of the
Grey-elves, who yet lived in those hills. Now when Tuor was sixteen years old the
Elves were minded to leave the caves of Androth where they dwelt, and to make
their way secretly to the Havens of Sirion in the distant south; but they were
assailed by Orcs and Easterlings before they made good their escape, and Tuor
was taken captive and enslaved by Lorgan, chief of the Easterlings of Hithlum.
For three years he endured that thraldom, but at the end of that time he
escaped; and returning to the caves of Androth he dwelt there alone, and did
such great hurt to the Easterlings that Lorgan set a price upon his head.
But when
Tuor had lived thus in solitude as an outlaw for four years, Ulmo set it in his
heart to depart from the land of his fathers, for he had chosen Tuor as the
instrument of his designs; and leaving once more the caves of Androth he went
westwards across Dor-lómin, and found Annon-in-Gelydh, the Gate of the Noldor,
which the people of Turgon built when they dwelt in Nevrast long years before.
Thence a dark tunnel led beneath the mountains, and issued into Cirith Ninniach,
the Rainbow Cleft, through which a turbulent water ran towards the western sea.
Thus it was that Tuor's flight from Hithlum was marked by neither Man nor Orc,
and no knowledge of it came to the ears of Morgoth.
And Tuor
came into Nevrast, and looking upon Belegaer the Great Sea he was enamoured of
it, and the sound of it and the longing for it were ever in his heart and ear,
and an unquiet was on him that took him at last into the depths of the realms
of Ulmo. Then he dwelt in Nevrast alone, and the summer of that year passed,
and the doom of Nargothrond drew near; but when the autumn came he saw seven
great swans flying south, and he knew them for a sign that he had tarried
overlong, and he followed their flight along the shores of the sea. Thus he
came at length to the deserted halls of Vinyamar beneath Mount Taras, and he
entered in, and found there the shield and hauberk, and the sword and helm,
that Turgon had left there by the command of Ulmo long before; and he arrayed
himself in those arms, and went down to the shore. But there came a great storm
out of the west, and out of that storm Ulmo the Lord of Waters arose in majesty
and spoke to Tuor as he stood beside the sea. And Ulmo bade him depart from
that place and seek out the hidden kingdom of Gondolin; and he gave Tuor a
great cloak, to mantle him in shadow from the eyes of his enemies.
But in
the morning when the storm was passed, Tuor came upon an Elf standing beside
the walls of Vinyamar; and he was Voronwë, son of Aranwë, of Gondolin, who
sailed in the last ship that Turgon sent into the West. But when that ship
returning at last out of the deep ocean foundered in the great storm within
sight of the coasts of Middle-earth, Ulmo took him up, alone of all its
mariners, and cast him onto the land near Vinyamar; and learning of the command
laid upon Tuor by the Lord of Waters Voronwë was filled with wonder, and did
not refuse him his guidance to the hidden door of Gondolin. Therefore they set
out together from that place, and as the Fell Winter of that year came down
upon them out of the north they went warily eastward under the eaves of the
Mountains of Shadow/
At
length they came in their journeying to the Pools of Ivrin, and looked with
grief on the defilement wrought there by the passage of Glaurung the Dragon;
but even as they gazed upon it they saw one going northward in haste, and he
was a tall Man, clad in black, and bearing a black sword. But they knew not who
he was, nor anything of what had befallen in the south; and he passed them by,
and they said no word.
And at
the last by the power that Ulmo set upon them they came to the hidden door of
Gondolin, and passing down the tunnel they reached the inner gate, and were
taken by the guard as prisoners. Then they were led up the mighty ravine of
Orfalch Echor, barred by seven gates, and brought before Ecthelion of the
Fountain, the warden of the great gate at the end of the climbing road; and
there Tuor cast aside his cloak, and from the arms that he bore from Vinyamar
it was seen that he was in truth one sent by Ulmo. Then Tuor looked down upon
the fair vale of Tumladen, set as a green jewel amid the encircling hills; and
he saw far off upon the rocky height of Amon Gwareth Gondolin the great, city
of seven names, whose fame and glory is mightiest in song of all dwellings of
the Elves in the Hither Lands. At the bidding of Ecthelion trumpets were blown
on the towers of the great gate, and they echoed in the hills; and far off but
clear there came a sound of answering trumpets blown upon the white walls of
the city, flushed with the rose of dawn upon the plain.
Thus it
was that the son of Huor rode across Tumladen, and came to the gate of
Gondolin; and passing up the wide stairways of the city he was brought at last
to the Tower of the King, and looked upon the images of the Trees of Valinor.
Then Tuor stood before Turgon son of Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, and
upon the King's right hand there stood Maeglin his sister-son, but upon his
left hand sat Idril Celebrindal his daughter; and all that heard the voice of
Tuor marvelled, doubting that this were in truth a Man of mortal race, for his
words were the words of the Lord of Waters that came to him in that hour. And
he gave warning to Turgon that the Curse of Mandos now hastened to its fulfilment,
when all the works of the Noldor should perish; and he bade him depart, and
abandon the fair and mighty city that he had built, and go down Sirion to the
sea.
Then
Turgon pondered long the counsel of Ulmo, and there came into his mind the
words that were spoken to him in Vinyamar: 'Love not too well the work of thy
hands and the devices of thy heart; and remember that the true hope of the
Noldor lieth in the West, and cometh from the Sea.' But Turgon was become
proud, and Gondolin as beautiful as a memory of Elven Tirion, and he trusted
still in its secret and impregnable strength, though even a Vala should gainsay
it; and after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad the people of that city desired never
again to mingle in the woes of Elves and Men without, nor to return through
dread and danger into the West. Shut behind their pathless and enchanted hills
they suffered none to enter, though he fled from Morgoth hate-pursued; and
tidings of the lands beyond came to them faint and far, and they heeded them
little. The spies of Angband sought for them in vain; and their dwelling was as
a rumour, and a secret that none could find. Maeglin spoke ever against Tuor in
the councils of the King, and his words seemed the more weighty in that they
went with Turgon's heart; and at the last he rejected the bidding of Ulmo and
refused his counsel. But in the warning of the Vala he heard again the words
that were spoken before the departing Noldor on the coast of Araman long ago;
and the fear of treason was wakened in Turgon's heart. Therefore in that time
the very entrance to the hidden door in the Encircling Mountains was caused to
be blocked up; and thereafter none went ever forth from Gondolin on any errand
of peace or war, while that city stood. Tidings were brought by Thorondor Lord
of Eagles of the fall of Nargothrond, and after of the slaying of Thingol and
of Dior his heir, and of the ruin of Doriath; but Turgon shut his ear to word
of the woes without, and vowed to march never at the side of any son of Fëanor;
and his people he forbade ever to pass the leaguer of the hills.
And Tuor
remained in Gondolin, for its bliss and its beauty and the wisdom of its people
held mm enthralled; and he became mighty in stature and in mind, and learned
deeply of the lore of the exiled Elves. Then the heart of Idril was turned to
him, and his to her; and Maeglin's secret hatred grew ever greater, for he
desired above all things to possess her, the only heir of the King of Gondolin.
But so high did Tuor stand in the favour of the King that when he had dwelt
there for seven years Turgon did not refuse him even the hand of his daughter;
for though he would not heed the bidding of Ulmo, he perceived that the fate of
the Noldor was wound with the one whom Ulmo had sent; and he did not forget the
words that Huor spoke to him before the host of Gondolin departed from the
Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
Then
there was made a great and joyful feast, for Tuor had won the hearts of all
that people, save only of Maeglin and his secret following; and thus there came
to pass the second union of Elves and Men.
In the
spring of the year after was born in Gondolin Eärendil Halfelven, the son of
Tuor and Idril Celebrindal; and that was five hundred years and three since the
coming of the Noldor to Middle-earth. Of surpassing beauty was Eärendil, for a
light was in his face as the light of heaven, and he had the beauty and the
wisdom of the Eldar and the strength and hardihood of the Men of old; and the
Sea spoke ever in his ear and heart, even as with Tuor his father.
Then the
days of Gondolin were yet full of joy and peace; and none knew that the region
wherein the Hidden Kingdom lay had been at last revealed to Morgoth by the
cries of Húrin, when standing in the wilderness beyond the Encircling Mountains
and finding no entrance he called on Turgon in despair. Thereafter the thought
of Morgoth was bent unceasing on the mountainous land between Anach and the
upper waters of Sirion, whither his servants had never passed; yet still no spy
or creature out of Angband could come there because of the vigilance of the
eagles, and Morgoth was thwarted in the fulfilment of his designs. But Idril
Celebrindal was wise and far-seeing, and her heart misgave her, and foreboding
crept upon her spirit as a cloud. Therefore in that time she let prepare a
secret way, that should lead down from the city and passing out beneath the
surface of the plain issue far beyond the walls, northward of Amon Gwareth; and
she contrived it that the work was known but to few, and no whisper of it came to
Maeglin's ears.
Now on a
time, when Eärendil was yet young, Maeglin was lost. For he, as has been told,
loved mining and quarrying after metals above all other craft; and he was
master and leader of the Elves who worked in the mountains distant from the city,
seeking after metals for their smithying of things both of peace and war. But
often Maeglin went with few of his folk beyond the leaguer of the hills, and
the King knew not that his bidding was defied; and thus it came to pass, as
fate willed, that Maeglin was taken prisoner by Orcs, and brought to Angband,
Maeglin was no weakling or craven, but the torment wherewith he was threatened
cowed his spirit, and he purchased his life and freedom by revealing to Morgoth
the very place of Gondolin and the ways whereby it might be found and assailed.
Great indeed was the Joy of Morgoth, and to Maeglin he promised the lordship of
Gondolin as his vassal, and the possession of Idril Celebrindal, when the city
should be taken; and indeed desire for Idril and hatred for Tuor led Maeglin
the easier to his treachery, most infamous in all the histories of the Elder
Days. But Morgoth sent him back to Gondolin, lest any should suspect the
betrayal, and so that Maeglin should aid the assault from within, when the hour
came; and he abode in the halls of the King with smiling face and evil in his
heart, while the darkness gathered ever deeper upon Idril.
At last,
in the year when Eärendil was seven years old, Morgoth was ready, and he loosed
upon Gondolin his Balrogs, and his Orcs, and his wolves; and with them came
dragons of the brood of Glaurung, and they were become now many and terrible.
The host of Morgoth came over the northern hills where the height was greatest
and the watch least vigilant, and it came at night upon a time of festival,
when all the people of Gondolin were upon the walls to await the rising sun,
and sing their songs at its uplifting; for the morrow was the great feast that
they named the Gates of Summer. But the red light mounted the hills in the north
and not in the east; and there was no stay in the advance of the foe until they
were beneath the very walls of Gondolin, and the city was beleaguered without
hope. Of the deeds of desperate valour there done, by the chieftains of the
noble houses and their warriors, and not least by Tuor, much is told in The
Fall of Gondolin: of the battle of Ecthelion of the Fountain with Gothmog Lord
of Balrogs in the very square of the King, where each slew the other, and of
the defence of the tower of Turgon by the people of his household, until the
tower was overthrown; and mighty was its fall and the fall of Turgon in its
ruin.
Tuor
sought to rescue Idril from the sack of the city, but Maeglin had laid hands on
her, and on Eärendil; and Tuor fought with Maeglin on the walls, and cast him
far out, and his body as it fell smote the rocky slopes of Amon Gwareth thrice
ere it pitched into the flames below. Then Tuor and Idril led such remnants of
the people of Gondolin as they could gather in the confusion of the burning down
the secret way which Idril had prepared; and of that passage the captains of
Angband knew nothing, and thought not that any fugitives would take a path
towards the north and the highest parts of the mountains and the nighest to
Angband. The fume of the burning, and the steam of the fair fountains of
Gondolin withering in the flame of the dragons of the north, fell upon the vale
of Tumladen in mournful mists; and thus was the escape of Tuor and his company
aided, for there was still a long and open road to follow from the tunnel's
mouth to the foothills of the mountains. Nonetheless they came thither, and
beyond hope they climbed, in woe and misery, for the high places were cold and
terrible, and they had among them many that were wounded, and women and children.
There
was a dreadful pass, Cirith Thoronath it was named, the Eagles' Cleft, where
beneath the shadow of the highest peaks a narrow path wound its way; on the
right hand it was walled by a precipice, and on the left a dreadful fall leapt
into emptiness. Along that narrow way their march was strung, when they were
ambushed by Orcs, for Morgoth had set watchers all about the encircling hills;
and a Balrog was with them. Then dreadful was their plight, and hardly would
they have been saved by the valour of yellow-haired Glorfindel, chief of the
House of the Golden Flower of Gondolin, had not Thorondor come timely to their
aid.
Many are
the songs that have been sung of the duel of Glorfindel with the Balrog upon a
pinnacle of rock in that high place; and both fell to ruin in the abyss. But
the eagles coming stooped upon the Orcs, and drove them shrieking back; and all
were slain or cast into the deeps, so that rumour of the escape from Gondolin
came not until long after to Morgoth's ears. Then Thorondor bore up
Glorfindel's body out of the abyss, and they buried him in a mound of stones
beside the pass; and a green turf came there, and yellow flowers bloomed upon
it amid the barrenness of stone, until the world was changed.
Thus led
by Tuor son of Huor the remnant of Gondolin passed over the mountains, and came
down into the Vale of Sirion; and fleeing southward by weary and dangerous
marches they came at length to Nan-tathren, the Land of Willows, for the power
of Ulmo yet ran in the great river, and it was about them. There they rested a
while, and were healed of their hurts and weariness; but their sorrow could not
be healed. And they made a feast in memory of Gondolin and of the Elves that
had perished there, the maidens, and the wives, and the warriors of the King;
and for Glorfindel the beloved many were the songs they sang, under the willows
of Nan-tathren in the waning of the year. There Tuor made a song for Eärendil
his son, concerning the coming of Ulmo the Lord of Waters to the shores of Nevrast
aforetime; and the sea-longing woke in his heart, and in his son's also.
Therefore Idril and Tuor departed from Nan-tathren, and went southwards down
the river to the sea; and they dwelt there by the mouths of Sirion, and joined
their people to the company of Elwing Dior's daughter, that had fled thither
but a little while before. And when the tidings came to Balar of the fall of
Gondolin and the death of Turgon, Ereinion Gil-galad son of Fingon was named
High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.
But Morgoth
thought that his triumph was fulfilled, recking little of the sons of Fëanor,
and of their oath, which had harmed him never and turned always to his
mightiest aid; and in his black thought he laughed, regretting not the one
Silmaril that he had lost, for by it as he deemed the last shred of the people
of the Eldar should vanish from Middle-earth and trouble it no more. If he knew
of the dwelling by the waters of Sirion, he gave no sign, biding his time, and
waiting upon the working of oath and lie. Yet by Sirion and the sea there grew
up an Elven-folk, the gleanings of Doriath and Gondolin; and from Balar the
mariners of Círdan came among them, and they took to the waves and the building
of ships, dwelling ever nigh to the coasts of Arvernien, under the shadow of
Ulmo's hand.
And it
is said that in that time Ulmo came to Valinor out of the deep waters, and
spoke there to the Valar of the need of the Elves; and he called on them to
forgive them, and rescue them from the overmastering might of Morgoth, and win
back the Silmarils, wherein alone now bloomed the light of the Days of Bliss
when the Two Trees still shone in Valinor. But Manwë moved not; and of the
counsels of his heart what tale shall tell?
The wise
have said that the hour was not yet come, and that only one speaking in person
for the cause of both Elves and Men, pleading for pardon on their misdeeds and
pity on their woes, might move the counsels of the Powers; and the oath of
Fëanor perhaps even Manwë could not loose, until it found its end, and the sons
of Fëanor relinquished the .Silmarils, upon which they had laid their ruthless
claim. For the light which lit the Silmarils the Valar themselves had made.
In those
days Tuor felt old age creep upon him, and ever a longing for the deeps of the
Sea grew stronger in his heart. Therefore he built a great ship, and he named
it Eärrámë, which is Sea-Wing; and with Idril Celebrindal he set sail into the
sunset and the West, and came no more into any tale or song. But in after days
it was sung that Tuor alone of mortal Men was numbered among the elder race,
and was joined with the Noldor, whom he loved; and his fate is sundered from
the fate of Men.
Bright
Eärendil was then lord of the people that dwelt nigh to Sirion's mouths; and he
took to wife Elwing the fair, and she bore to him Elrond and Elros, who are
called the Half-elven. Yet Eärendil could not rest, and his voyages about the
shores of the Hither Lands eased not his unquiet. Two purposes grew in his
heart, blended as one in longing for the wide Sea: he sought to sail thereon,
seeking after Tuor and Idril who returned not; and he thought to find perhaps
the last shore, and bring ere he died the message of Elves and Men to the Valar
in the West, that should move their hearts to pity for the sorrows of
Middle-earth.
Now
Eärendil became fast in friendship with Círdan the Shipwright, who dwelt on the
Isle of Balar with those of his people who escaped from the sack of the Havens
of Brithombar and Eglarest. With the aid of Círdan Eärendil built Vingilot, the
Foam-flower, fairest of the ships of song; golden were its oars and white its
timbers, hewn in the birchwoods of Nimbrethil, and its sails were as the argent
moon. In the Lay of Eärendil is many a thing sung of his adventures in the deep
and in lands untrodden, and in many seas and in many isles; but Elwing was not
with him, and she sat in sorrow by the mouths of Sirion.
Eärendil
found not Tuor nor Idril, nor came he ever on that journey to the shores of
Valinor, defeated by shadows and enchantment, driven by repelling winds, until
in longing for Elwing he turned homeward towards the coast of Beleriand. And
his heart bade him haste, for a sudden fear had fallen on him out of dreams;
and the winds that before he had striven with might not now bear him back as
swift as his desire.
Now when
first the tidings came to Maedhros that Elwing yet lived, and dwelt in
possession of the Silmaril by the mouths of Sirion, he repenting of the deeds
in Doriath withheld his hand. But in time the knowledge of their oath
unfulfilled returned to torment him and his brothers, and gathering from their
wandering hunting-paths they sent messages to the Havens of friendship and yet
of stern demand. Then Elwing and the people of Sirion would not yield the jewel
which Beren had won and Lúthien had worn, and for which Dior the fair was
slain; and least of all while Eärendil their lord was on the sea, for it seemed
to them that in the Silmaril lay the healing and the blessing that had come
upon their houses and their ships. And so there came to pass the last and
cruellest of the slayings of Elf by Elf; and that was the third of the great
wrongs achieved by the accursed oath.
For the
sons of Fëanor that yet lived came down suddenly upon the exiles of Gondolin
and the remnant of Doriath, and destroyed them. In that battle some of their
people stood aside, and some few rebelled and were slain upon the other part
aiding Elwing against their own lords (for such was the sorrow and confusion in
the hearts of the Eldar in those days); but Maedhros and Maglor won the day,
though they alone remained thereafter of the sons of Fëanor, for both Amrod and
Amras were slain. Too late the ships of Círdan and Gil-galad the High King came
hasting to the aid of the Elves of Sirion; and Elwing was gone, and her sons.
Then such few of that people as did not perish in the assault joined themselves
to Gil-galad, and went with him to Balar; and they told that Elros and Elrond
were taken captive, but Elwing with the Silmaril upon her breast had cast
herself into the sea.
Thus
Maedhros and Maglor gained not the jewel; but it was not lost. For Ulmo bore up
Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird,
and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the
water to seek Eärendil her beloved. On a time of night Eärendil at the helm of
his ship saw her come towards him, as a white cloud exceeding swift beneath the
moon, as a star over the sea moving in strange course, a pale flame on wings of
storm. And it is sung that she fell from the air upon the timbers of Vingilot,
in a swoon, nigh unto death for the urgency of her speed, and Eärendil took her
to his bosom; but in the morning with marvelling eyes he beheld his wife in her
own form beside him with her hair upon his face, and she slept.
Great
was the sorrow of Eärendil and Elwing for the ruin of the havens of Sirion, and
the captivity of their sons, and they feared that they would be slain; but it
was not so. For Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them,
and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor's
heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath.
Yet
Eärendil saw now no hope left in the lands of Middle-earth, and he turned again
in despair and came not home, but sought back once more to Valinor with Elwing
at his side. He stood now most often at the prow of Vingilot, and the Silmaril
was bound upon his brow; and ever its light grew greater as they drew into the
West. And the wise have said that it was by reason of the power of that holy
jewel that they came in time to waters that no vessels save those of the Teleri
had known; and they came to the Enchanted Isles and escaped their enchantment;
and they came into the Shadowy Seas and passed their shadows, and they looked
upon Tol Eressëa the Lonely Isle, but tarried not; and at the last they cast
anchor in the Bay of Eldamar, and the Teleri saw the coming of that ship out of
the East and they were amazed, gazing from afar upon the light of the Silmaril,
and it was very great. Then Eärendil, first of living Men, landed on the
immortal shores; and he spoke there to Elwing and to those that were with him,
and they were three mariners who had sailed all the seas besides him: Falathar,
Erellont, and Aerandir were their names. And Eärendil said to them: 'Here none
but myself shall set foot, lest you fall under the wrath of the Valar. But that
peril I will take on myself alone, for the sake of the Two Kindreds.'
But
Elwing answered: 'Then would our paths be sundered for ever; but all thy perils
I will take on myself also.' And she leaped into the white foam and ran towards
him; but Eärendil was sorrowful, for he feared the anger of the Lords of the West
upon any of Middle-earth that should dare to pass the leaguer of Aman. And
there they bade farewell to the companions of their voyage, and were taken from
them forever.
Then
Eärendil said to Elwing: 'Await me here; for one only may bring the message that
it is my fate to bear.' And he went up alone into the land, and came into the
Calacirya, and it seemed to him empty and silent; for even as Morgoth and
Ungoliant came in ages past, so now Eärendil had come at a time of festival,
and wellnigh all the Elvenfolk were gone to Valimar, or were gathered in the
halls of Manwë upon Taniquetil, and few were left to keep watch upon the walls
of Tirion.
But some
there were who saw him from afar, and the great light that he bore; and they
went in haste to Valimar. But Eärendil climbed the green hill of Túna and found
it bare; and he entered into the streets of Tirion, and they were empty; and
his heart was heavy, for he feared that some evil had come even to the Blessed
Realm. He walked in the deserted ways of Tirion, and the dust upon his raiment
and his shoes was a dust of diamonds, and he shone and glistened as he climbed
the long white stairs. And he called aloud in many tongues, both of Elves and
Men, but there were none to answer him. Therefore he turned back at last
towards the sea; but even as he took the shoreward road one stood upon the hill
and called to him in a great voice, crying:
'Hail
Eärendil, of mariners most renowned, the looked for that cometh at unawares,
the longed for that cometh beyond hope! Hail Eärendil, bearer of light before
the Sun and Moon! Splendour of the Children of Earth, star in the darkness,
jewel in the sunset, radiant in the morning!'
That
voice was the voice of Eönwë, herald of Manwë, and he came from Valimar, and
summoned Eärendil to come before the Powers of Arda. And Eärendil went into
Valinor and to the halls of Valimar, and never again set foot upon the lands of
Men. Then the Valar took counsel together, and they summoned Ulmo from the
deeps of the sea; and Eärendil stood before their faces, and delivered the
errand of the Two Kindreds. Pardon he asked for the Noldor and pity for their
great sorrows, and mercy upon Men and Elves and succour in their need. And his
prayer was granted.
It is
told among the Elves that after Eärendil had departed, seeking Elwing his wife,
Mandos spoke concerning his fate; and he said: 'Shall mortal Man step living
upon the undying lands, and yet live?' But Ulmo said: 'For this he was born
into the world. And say unto me: whether is he Eärendil Tuor's son of the line
of Hador, or the son of Idril, Turgon's daughter, of the Elven-house of Finwë?'
And Mandos answered: 'Equally the Noldor, who went wilfully into exile, may not
return hither.'
But when
all was spoken, Manwë gave judgement, and he said: 'In this matter the power of
doom is given to me. The peril that he ventured for love of the Two Kindreds
shall not fall upon Eärendil, nor shall it fall upon Elwing his wife, who
entered into peril for love of him; but they shall not walk again ever among
Elves or Men in the Outer Lands. And this is my decree concerning them: to
Eärendil and to Elwing, and to their sons, shall be given leave each to choose
freely to which kindred their fates shall be joined, and under which kindred
they shall be judged.'
Now when
Eärendil was long time gone Elwing became lonely and afraid; and wandering by
the margin of the sea she came near to Alqualondë, where lay the Telerin
fleets. There the Teleri befriended her, and they listened to her tales of
Doriath and Gondolin and the griefs of Beleriand, and they were filled with
pity and wonder; and there Eärendil returning found her, at the Haven of the
Swans. But ere long they were summoned to Valimar; and there the decree of the
Elder King was declared to them.
Then
Eärendil said to Elwing: 'Choose thou, for now I am weary of the world.' And
Elwing chose to be judged among the Firstborn Children of Ilúvatar, because of
Lúthien; and for her sake Eärendil chose alike, though his heart was rather
with the kindred of Men and the people of his father. Then at the bidding of
the Valar Eönwë went to the shore of Aman, where the companions of Eärendil
still remained, awaiting tidings; and he took a boat, and the three mariners
were set therein, and the Valar drove them away into the East with a great
wind. But they took Vingilot, and hallowed it, and bore it away through Valinor
to the uttermost rim of the world; and there it passed through the Door of
Night and was lifted up even into the oceans of heaven.
Now fair
and marvellous was that vessel made, and it was filled with a wavering flame,
pure and bright; and Eärendil the Mariner sat at the helm, glistening with dust
of elven-gems, and the Silmaril was bound upon his brow. Far he journeyed in
that ship, even into the starless voids; but most often was he seen at morning
or at evening, glimmering in sunrise or sunset, as he came back to Valinor from
voyages beyond the confines of the world.
On those
journeys Elwing did not go, for she might not endure the cold and the pathless
voids, and she loved rather the earth and the sweet winds that blow on sea and
hill. Therefore there was built for her a white tower northward upon the
borders of the Sundering Seas; and thither at times all the sea-birds of the
earth repaired. And it is said that Elwing learned the tongues of birds, who
herself had once worn their shape; and they taught her the craft of flight, and
her wings were of white and silver-grey. And at times, when Eärendil returning
drew near again to Arda, she would fly to meet him, even as she had flown long
ago, when she was rescued from the sea. Then the far-sighted among the Elves
that dwelt in the Lonely Isle would see her like a white bird, shining,
rose-stained in the sunset, as she soared in joy to greet the coming of Vingilot
to haven.
Now when
first Vingilot was set to sail in the seas of heaven, it rose unlocked for,
glittering and bright; and the people of Middle-earth beheld it from afar and
wondered, and they took it for a sign, and called it Gil-Estel, the Star of High
Hope. And when this new star was seen at evening, Maedhros spoke to Maglor his
brother, and he said: 'Surely that is a Silmaril that shines now in the West?'
And
Maglor answered: 'If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea
that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory
is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.' Then the Elves looked
up, and despaired no longer; but Morgoth was filled with doubt.
Yet it
is said that Morgoth looked not for the assault that came upon him from the
West; for so great was his pride become that he deemed that none would ever
again come with open war against him. Moreover he thought that he had for ever
estranged the Noldor from the Lords of the West, and that content in their
blissful realm the Valar would heed no more his kingdom in the world without;
for to him that is pitiless the deeds of pity are ever strange and beyond
reckoning. But the host of the Valar prepared for battle; and beneath their
white banners marched the Vanyar, the people of Ingwë, and those also of the
Noldor who never departed from Valinor, whose leader was Finarfin the son of
Finwë. Few of the Teleri were willing to go forth to war, for they remembered
the slaying at the Swan-haven, and the rape of their ships; but they hearkened
to Elwing, who was the daughter of Dior Eluchíl and come of their own kindred,
and they sent mariners enough to sail the ships that bore the host of Valinor
east over the sea. Yet they stayed aboard their vessels, and none of them set
foot upon the Hither Lands.
Of the
march of the host of the Valar to the north of Middle-earth little is said in
any tale; for among them went none of those Elves who had dwelt and suffered in
the Hither Lands, and who made the histories of those days that still are
known; and tidings of these things they only learned long afterwards from their
kinsfolk in Aman. But at the last the might of Valinor came up out of the West,
and the challenge of the trumpets of Eönwë filled the sky; and Beleriand was
ablaze with the glory of their arms, for the host of the Valar were arrayed in
forms young and fair and terrible, and the mountains rang beneath their feet.
The
meeting of the hosts of the West and of the North is named the Great Battle,
and the War of Wrath. There was marshalled the whole power of the Throne of
Morgoth, and it had become great beyond count, so that Anfauglith could not
contain it; and all the North was aflame with war.
But it
availed him not. The Balrogs were destroyed, save some few that fled and hid
themselves in caverns inaccessible at the roots of the earth; and the uncounted
legions of the Orcs perished like straw in a great fire, or were swept like
shrivelled leaves before a burning wind. Few remained to trouble the world for
long years after. And such few as were left of the three houses of the
Elf-friends, Fathers of Men, fought upon the part of the Valar; and they were
avenged in those days for Baragund and Barahir, Galdor and Gundor, Huor and
Húrin, and many others of their lords. But a great part of the sons of Men,
whether of the people of Uldor or others new-come out of the east, marched with
the Enemy; and the Elves do not forget it.
Then,
seeing that his hosts were overthrown and his power dispersed, Morgoth quailed,
and he dared not to come forth himself. But he loosed upon his foes the last
desperate assault that he had prepared, and out of the pits of Angband there
issued the winged dragons, that had not before been seen; and so sudden and
ruinous was the onset of that dreadful fleet that the host of the Valar was
driven back, for the coming of the dragons was with great thunder, and
lightning, and a tempest of fire.
But
Eärendil came, shining with white flame, and about Vingilot were gathered all
the great birds of heaven and Thorondor was their captain, and there was battle
in the air all the day and through a dark night of doubt. Before the rising of
the sun Eärendil slew Ancalagon the Black, the mightiest of the dragon-host,
and cast him from the sky; and he fell upon the towers of Thangorodrim, and
they were broken in his ruin. Then the sun rose, and the host of the Valar
prevailed, and well-nigh all the dragons were destroyed; and all the pits of
Morgoth were broken and unroofed, and the might of the Valar descended into the
deeps of the earth. There Morgoth stood at last at bay, and yet unvaliant. He
fled into the deepest of his mines, and sued for peace and pardon; but his feet
were hewn from under him, and he was hurled upon his face. Then he was bound
with the chain Angainor which he had worn aforetime, and his iron crown they
beat into a collar for his neck, and his head was bowed upon his knees. And the
two Silmarils which remained to Morgoth were taken from his crown, and they
shone unsullied beneath the sky; and Eönwë took them, and guarded them.
Thus an
end was made of the power of Angband in the North, and' the evil realm was
brought to naught; and out of the deep prisons a multitude of slaves came forth
beyond all hope into the light of day, and they looked upon a world that was
changed. For so great was the fury of those adversaries that the northern
regions of the western world were rent asunder, and the sea roared in through
many chasms, and there was confusion and great noise; and rivers perished or
found new paths, and the valleys were upheaved and the hills trod down; and
Sirion was no more.
Then
Eönwë as herald of the Elder King summoned the Elves of Beleriand to depart
from Middle-earth. But Maedhros and Maglor would not hearken, and they prepared,
though now with weariness and loathing, to attempt in despair the fulfilment of
their oath; for they would have given battle for the Silmarils, were they
withheld, even against the victorious host of Valinor, even though they stood
alone against all the world. And they sent a message therefore to Eönwë,
bidding him yield up now those jewels which of old Fëanor their father made and
Morgoth stole from him.
But
Eönwë answered that the right to the work of their father, which the sons of
Fëanor formerly possessed, had now perished, because of their many and
merciless deeds, being blinded by their oath, and most of all because of their
slaying of Dior and the assault upon the Havens. The light of the Silmarils
should go now into the West, whence it came in the beginning; and to Valinor
must Maedhros and Maglor return, and there abide the judgement of the Valar, by
whose decree alone would Eönwë yield the jewels from his charge. Then Maglor
desired indeed to submit, for his heart was sorrowful, and he said: The oath
says not that we may not bide our time, and it may be that in Valinor all shall
be forgiven and forgot, and we shall come into our own in peace.
But
Maedhros answered that if they returned to Aman but the favour of the Valar
were withheld from them, then their oath would still remain, but its fulfilment
be beyond all hope; and he said: 'Who can tell to what dreadful doom we shall
come, if we disobey the Powers in their own land, or purpose ever to bring war
again into their holy realm?'
Yet
Maglor still held back, saying: 'If Manwë and Varda themselves deny the
fulfilment of an oath to which we named them in witness, is it not made void?'
And
Maedhros answered: 'But how shall our voices reach to Ilúvatar beyond the
Circles of the World? And by Ilúvatar we swore in our madness, and called the
Everlasting Darkness upon us, if we kept not our word. Who shall release us?'
'If none
can release us,' said Maglor, 'then indeed the Everlasting Darkness shall be
our lot, whether we keep our oath or break it; but less evil shall we do in the
breaking.'
Yet he
yielded at last to the will of Maedhros, and they took counsel together how
they should lay hands on the Silmarils. And they disguised themselves, and came
in the night to the camp of Eönwë, and crept into the place where the Silmarils
were guarded; and they slew the guards, and laid hands on the jewels. Then all
the camp was raised against them, and they prepared to die, defending
themselves until the last. But Eönwë would not permit the slaying of the sons
of Fëanor; and departing unfought they fled far away. Each of them took to
himself a Silmaril, for they said: 'Since one is lost to us, and but two
remain, and we two alone of our brothers, so is it plain that fate would have
us share the heirlooms of our father.'
But the
jewel burned the hand of Maedhros in pain unbearable; and he perceived that it
was as Eönwë had said, and that his right thereto had become void, and that the
oath was vain. And being in anguish and despair he cast himself into a gaping
chasm filled with fire, and so ended; and the Silmaril that he bore was taken
into the bosom of the Earth,
And it
is told of Maglor that he could not endure the pain with which the Silmaril
tormented him; and he cast it at last into the Sea, and thereafter he wandered
ever upon the shores, singing in pain and regret beside the waves. For Maglor
was mighty among the singers of old, named only after Daeron of Doriath; but he
came never back among the people of the Elves. And thus it came to pass that the
Silmarils found their long homes: one in the airs of heaven, and one in the
fires of the heart of the world, and one in the deep waters.
In those
days there was a great building of ships upon the shores of the Western Sea;
and thence in many a fleet the Eldar set sail into the West, and came never
back to the lands of weeping and of war. And the Vanyar returned beneath their
white banners, and were borne in triumph to Valinor; but their joy in victory
was diminished, for they returned without the Silmarils from Morgoth's crown,
and they knew that those jewels could not be found or brought together again
unless the world be broken and remade.
And when
they came into the West the Elves of Beleriand dwelt upon Tol Eressëa, the
Lonely Isle, that looks both west and east; whence they might come even to
Valinor. They were admitted again to the love of Manwë and the pardon of the
Valar; and the Teleri forgave their ancient grief, and the curse was laid to
rest.
Yet not
all the Eldalië were willing to forsake the Hither Lands where they had long
suffered and long dwelt; and some lingered many an age in Middle-earth. Among
those were Círdan the Shipwright, and Celeborn of Doriath, with Galadriel his
wife, who alone remained of those who led the Noldor to exile in Beleriand. In
Middle-earth dwelt also Gil-galad the High King, and with him was Elrond
Half-elven, who chose, as was granted to him, to be numbered among the Eldar;
but Elros his brother chose to abide with Men. And from these brethren alone
has come among Men the blood of the Firstborn and a strain of the spirits
divine that were before Arda; for they were the sons of Elwing, Dior's
daughter, Lúthien's son, child of Thingol and Melian; and Eärendil their father
was the son of Idril Celebrindal, Turgon's daughter of Gondolin.
But
Morgoth himself the Valar thrust through the Door of Night beyond the Walls of
the World, into the Timeless Void; and a guard is set for ever on those walls,
and Eärendil keeps watch upon the ramparts of the sky. Yet the lies that Melkor,
the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate,
sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be
destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even
unto the latest days.
Here
ends the SILMARILLION. If it has passed from the high and the beautiful to
darkness and ruin, that was of old the fate of Arda Marred; and if any change
shall come and the Marring be amended, Manwë and Varda may know; but they have
not revealed it, and it is not declared in the dooms of Mandos.
It is
said by the Eldar that Men came into the world in the time of the Shadow of
Morgoth, and they fell swiftly under his dominion; for he sent his emissaries
among them, and they listened to his evil and cunning words, and they
worshipped the Darkness and yet feared it. But there were some that turned from
evil and left the lands of their kindred, and wandered ever westward; for they
had heard a rumour that in the West there was a light which the Shadow could
not dim. The servants of Morgoth pursued them with hatred, and their ways were
long and hard; yet they came at last to the lands that look upon the Sea, and
they entered Beleriand in the days of the War of the Jewels. The Edain these
were named in the Sindarin tongue; and they became friends and allies of the
Eldar, and did deeds of great valour in the war against Morgoth.
Of them
was sprung, upon the side of his fathers, Bright Eärendil; and in the Lay of
Eärendil it is told how at the last, when the victory of Morgoth was almost
complete, he built his ship Vingilot, that Men called Rothinzil, and voyaged
upon the unsailed seas, seeking ever for Valinor; for he desired to speak
before the Powers on behalf of the Two Kindreds, that the Valar might have pity
on them and send them help in their uttermost need. Therefore by Elves and Men
he is called Eärendil the Blessed, for he achieved his quest after long labours
and many perils, and from Valinor there came the host of the Lords of the West.
But Eärendil came never back to the lands that he had loved.
In the
Great Battle when at last Morgoth was overthrown and Thangorodrim was broken,
the Edain alone of the kindreds of Men fought for the Valar, whereas many
others fought for Morgoth. And after the victory of the Lords of the West those
of the evil Men who were not destroyed fled back into the east, where many of
their race were still wandering in the unharvested lands, wild and lawless,
refusing alike the summons of the Valar and of Morgoth. And the evil Men came
among them, and cast over them a shadow of fear, and they took them for kings.
Then the Valar forsook for a time the Men of Middle-earth who had refused their
summons and had taken the friends of Morgoth to be their masters; and Men dwelt
in darkness and were troubled by many evil things that Morgoth had devised in
the days of his dominion: demons, and dragons, and misshapen beasts, and the
unclean Orcs that are mockeries of the Children of Ilúvatar. And the lot of Men
was unhappy.
But
Manwë put forth Morgoth and shut him beyond the World in the Void that is
without; and he cannot himself return again into the World, present and
visible, while the Lords of the West are still enthroned. Yet the seeds that he
had planted still grew and sprouted, bearing evil fruit, if any would tend
them. For his will remained and guided his servants, moving them ever to thwart
the will of the Valar and to destroy those that obeyed them. This the Lords of
the West knew full well. When therefore Morgoth had been thrust forth, they
held council concerning the ages that should come after. The Eldar they
summoned to return into the West, and those that hearkened to the summons dwelt
in the Isle of Eressëa; and there is in that land a haven that is named
Avallónë, for it is of all cities the nearest to Valinor, and the tower of
Avallónë is the first sight that the mariner beholds when at last he draws nigh
to the Undying Lands over the leagues of the Sea. To the Fathers of Men of the
three faithful houses rich reward also was given. Eönwë came among them and
taught them; and they were given wisdom and power and life more enduring than
any others of mortal race have possessed. A land was made for the Edain to
dwell in, neither part of Middle-earth nor of Valinor, for it was sundered from
either by a wide sea; yet it was nearer to Valinor. It was raised by Ossë out
of the depths of the Great Water, and it was established by Aulë and enriched
by Yavanna; and the Eldar brought thither flowers and fountains out of Tol
Eressëa. That land the Valar called Andor, the Land of Gift; and the Star of
Eärendil shone bright in the West as a token that all was made ready, and as a
guide over the sea; and Men marvelled to see that silver flame in the paths of
the Sun.
Then the
Edain set sail upon the deep waters, following the Star; and the Valar laid a
peace upon the sea for many days, and sent sunlight and a sailing wind, so that
the waters glittered before the eyes of the Edain like rippling glass, and the
foam flew like snow before the stems of their ships. But so bright was
Rothinzil that even at morning Men could see it glimmering in the West, and in
the cloudless night it shone alone, for no other star could stand beside it.
And setting their course towards it the Edain came at last over leagues of sea
and saw afar the land that was prepared for them, Andor, the Land of Gift,
shimmering in a golden haze. Then they went up out of the sea and found a
country fair and fruitful, and they were glad. And they called that land
Elenna, which is Starwards; but also Anadűnë, which is Westernesse, Númenórë in
the High Eldarin tongue.
This was
the beginning of that people that in the Grey-elven speech are called the
Dúnedain: the Númenóreans, Kings among Men. But they did not thus escape from
the doom of death that Ilúvatar had set upon all Mankind, and they were mortal
still, though their years were long, and they knew no sickness, ere the shadow
fell upon them. Therefore they grew wise and glorious, and in all things more
like to the Firstborn than any other of the kindreds of Men; and they were
tall, taller than the tallest of the sons of Middle-earth; and the light of
their eyes was like the bright stars. But their numbers increased only slowly
in the land, for though daughters and sons were born to them, fairer than their
fathers, yet their children were few.
Of old
the chief city and haven of Númenor was in the midst of its western coasts, and
it was called Andúnië because it faced the sunset. But in the midst of the land
was a mountain tall and steep, and it was named the Meneltarma, the Pillar of
Heaven, and upon it was a high place that was hallowed to Eru Ilúvatar, and it
was open and unroofed, and no other temple or fane was there in the land of the
Númenóreans. At the feet of the mountain were built the tombs of the Kings, and
hard by upon a hill was Armenelos, fairest of cities, and there stood the tower
and the citadel that was raised by Elros son of Eärendil, whom the Valar
appointed to be the first King of the Dúnedain.
Now
Elros and Elrond his brother were descended from the Three Houses of the Edain,
but in part also both from the Eldar and the Maiar; for Idril of Gondolin and
Lúthien daughter of Melian were their fore-mothers. The Valar indeed may not
withdraw the gift of death, which comes to Men from Ilúvatar, but in the matter
of the Half-elven Ilúvatar gave to them the judgement; and they judged that to
the sons of Eärendil should be given choice of their own destiny. And Elrond
chose to remain with the Firstborn, and to him the life of the Firstborn was
granted. But to Elros, who chose to be a king of Men, still a great span of
years was allotted, many times that of the Men of Middle-earth; and all his
line, the kings and lords of the royal house, had long life even according to
the measure of the Númenóreans. But Elros lived five hundred years, and ruled
the Númenóreans four hundred years and ten.
Thus the
years passed, and while Middle-earth went backward and light and wisdom faded,
the Dúnedain dwelt under the protection of the Valar and in the friendship of
the Eldar, and they increased in stature both of mind and body. For though this
people used still their own speech, their kings and lords knew and spoke also
the Elven tongue, which they had learned in the days of their alliance, and
thus they held converse still with the Eldar, whether of Eressëa or of the
west-lands of Middle-earth. And the loremasters among them learned also the
High Eldarin tongue of the Blessed Realm, in which much story and song was
preserved from the beginning of the world; and they made letters and scrolls
and books, and wrote in them many things of wisdom and wonder in the high tide
of their realm, of which all is now forgot. So it came to pass that, beside
their own names, all the lords of the Númenóreans had also Eldarin names; and
the like with the cities and fair places that they founded in Númenor and on
the shores of the Hither Lands.
For the
Dúnedain became mighty in crafts, so that if they had had the mind they could
easily have surpassed the evil kings of Middle-earth in the making of war and
the forging of weapons; but they were become men of peace. Above all arts they
nourished shipbuilding and sea-craft, and they became mariners whose like shall
never be again since the world was diminished; and voyaging upon the wide seas
was the chief feat and adventure of their hardy men in the gallant days of
their youth.
But the
Lords of Valinor forbade them to sail so far westward that the coasts of
Númenor could no longer be seen; and for long the Dúnedain were content, though
they did not fully understand the purpose of this ban. But the design of Manwë
was that the Númenóreans should not be tempted to seek for the Blessed Realm,
nor desire to overpass the limits set to their bliss, becoming enamoured of the
immortality of the Valar and the Eldar and the lands where all things endure.
For in
those days Valinor still remained in the world visible, and there Ilúvatar
permitted the Valar to maintain upon Earth an abiding place, a memorial of that
which might have been if Morgoth had not cast his shadow on the world. This the
Númenóreans knew full well; and at times, when all the air was clear and the
sun was in the east, they would look out and descry far off in the west a city
white-shining on a distant shore, and a great harbour and a tower. For in those
days the Númenóreans were far-sighted; yet even so it was only the keenest eyes
among them that could see this vision, from the Meneltarma, maybe, or from some
tall ship that lay off their western coast as far as it was lawful for them to
go. For they did not dare to break the Ban of the Lords of the West. But the
wise among them knew that this distant land was not indeed the Blessed Realm of
Valinor, but was Avallónë, the haven of the Eldar upon Eressëa, easternmost of
the Undying Lands. And thence at times the Firstborn still would come sailing
to Númenor in oarless boats, as white birds flying from the sunset. And they
brought to Númenor many gifts: birds of song, and fragrant flowers, and herbs
of great virtue. And a seedling they brought of Celeborn, the White Tree that
grew in the midst of Eressëa; and that was in its turn a seedling of
Galathilion the Tree of Túna, the image of Telperion that Yavanna gave to the Eldar
in the Blessed Realm. And the tree grew and blossomed in the courts of the King
in Armenelos; Nimloth it was named, and flowered in the evening, and the
shadows of night it filled with its fragrance.
Thus it
was that because of the Ban of the Valar the voyages of the Dúnedain in those
days went ever eastward and not westward, from the darkness of the North to the
heats of the South, and beyond the South to the Nether Darkness; and they came
even into the inner seas, and sailed about Middle-earth and glimpsed from their
high prows the Gates of Morning in the East. And the Dúnedain came at times to
the shores of the Great Lands, and they took pity on the forsaken world of
Middle-earth; and the Lords of Númenor set foot again upon the western shores
in the Dark Years of Men, and none yet dared to withstand them. For most of the
Men of that age that sat under the Shadow were now grown weak and fearful. And
coming among them the Númenóreans taught them many things. Corn and wine they
brought, and they instructed Men in the sowing of seed and the grinding of
grain, in the hewing of wood and the shaping of stone, and in the ordering of
their life, such as it might be in the lands of swift death and little bliss.
Then the
Men of Middle-earth were comforted, and here and there upon the western shores
the houseless woods drew back, and Men shook off the yoke of the offspring of
Morgoth, and unlearned their terror of the dark. And they revered the memory of
the tall Sea-kings, and when they had departed they called them gods, hoping
for their return; for at that time the Númenóreans dwelt never long in
Middle-earth, nor made there as yet any habitation of their own. Eastward they
must sail, but ever west their hearts returned.
Now this
yearning grew ever greater with the years; and the Númenóreans began to hunger
for the undying city that they saw from afar, and the desire of everlasting
life, to escape from death and the ending of delight, grew strong upon them;
and ever as their power and glory grew greater their unquiet increased. For
though the Valar had rewarded the Dúnedain with long life, they could not take
from them the weariness of the world that comes at last, and they died, even
their kings of the seed of Eärendil; and the span of their lives was brief in
the eyes of the Eldar. Thus it was that a shadow fell upon them: in which maybe
the will of Morgoth was at work that still moved in the world. And the
Númenóreans began to murmur, at first in their hearts, and then in open words,
against the doom of Men, and most of all against the Ban which forbade them to
sail into the West.
And they
said among themselves: 'Why do the Lords of the West sit there in peace
unending, while we must die and go we know not whither, leaving our home and
all that we have made? And the Eldar die not, even those that rebelled against
the Lords. And since we have mastered all seas, and no water is so wild or so
wide that our ships cannot overcome it, why should we not go to Avallónë and
greet there our friends?'
And some
there were who said: 'Why should we not go even to Aman, and taste there, were
it but for a day, the bliss of the Powers? Have we not become mighty among the
people of Arda?'
The
Eldar reported these words to the Valar, and Manwë was grieved, seeing a cloud
gather on the noontide of Númenor. And he sent messengers to the Dúnedain, who
spoke earnestly to the King, and to all who would listen, concerning the fate
and fashion of the world.
'The
Doom of the World,' they said, 'One alone can change who made it. And were you
so to voyage that escaping all deceits and snares you came indeed to Aman, the
Blessed Realm, little would it profit you. For it is not the land of Manwë that
makes its people deathless, but the Deathless that dwell therein have hallowed
the land; and there you would but wither and grow weary the sooner, as moths in
a light too strong and steadfast.'
But the
King said: 'And does not Eärendil, my forefather, live? Or is he not in the
land of Aman?'
To which
they answered: 'You know that he has a fate apart, and was adjudged to the
Firstborn who die not; yet this also is his doom that he can never return again
to mortal lands. Whereas you and your people are not of the Firstborn, but are
mortal Men as Ilúvatar made you. Yet it seems that you desire now to have the
good of both kindreds, to sail to Valinor when you will, and to return when you
please to your homes. That cannot be. Nor can the Valar take away the gifts of
Ilúvatar. The Eldar, you say, are unpunished, and even those who rebelled do
not die. Yet that is to them neither reward nor punishment, but the fulfilment
of their being. They cannot escape, and are bound to this world, never to leave
it so long as it lasts, for its life is theirs. And you are punished for the
rebellion of Men, you say, in which you had small part, and so it is that you
die. But that was not at first appointed for a punishment. Thus you escape, and
leave the world, and are not bound to it, in hope or in weariness. Which of us
therefore should envy the others?"
And the
Númenóreans answered: 'Why should we not envy the Valar, or even the least of
the Deathless? For of us is required a blind trust, and a hope without
assurance, knowing not what lies before us in a little while. And yet we also
love the Earth and would not lose it.'
Then the
Messengers said: 'Indeed the mind of Ilúvatar concerning you is not known to
the Valar, and he has not revealed all things that are to come. But this we
hold to be true, that your home is not here, neither in the Land of Aman nor
anywhere within the Circles of the World. And the Doom of Men, that they should
depart, was at first a gift of Ilúvatar. It became a grief to them only because
coming under the shadow of Morgoth it seemed to them that they were surrounded
by a great darkness, of which they were afraid; and some grew wilful and proud
and would not yield, until life was reft from them. We who bear the
ever-mounting burden of the years do not clearly understand this; but if that
grief has returned to trouble you, as you say, then we fear that the Shadow
arises once more and grows again in your hearts. Therefore, though you be the
Dúnedain, fairest of Men, who escaped from the Shadow of old and fought
valiantly against it, we say to you: Beware! The will of Eru may not be
gainsaid; and the Valar bid you earnestly not to withhold the trust to which
you are called, lest soon it become again a bond by which you are constrained.
Hope rather that in the end even the least of your desires shall have fruit.
The love of Arda was set in your hearts by Ilúvatar, and he does not plant to
no purpose. Nonetheless, many ages of Men unborn may pass ere that purpose is
made known; and to you it will be revealed and not to the Valar.'
These
things took place in the days of Tar-Ciryatan the Shipbuilder, and of
Tar-Atanamir his son; and they were proud men, eager for wealth, and they laid
the men of Middle-earth under tribute, taking now rather than giving. It was to
Tar-Atanamir that the Messengers came; and he was the thirteenth King, and in
his day the Realm of Númenor had endured for more than two thousand years, and
was come to the zenith of its bliss, if not yet of its power. But Atanamir was
ill pleased with the counsel of the Messengers and gave little heed to it, and
the greater part of his people followed him; for they wished still to escape
death in their own day, not waiting upon hope. And Atanamir lived to a great
age, clinging to his life beyond the end of all joy; and he was the first of
the Númenóreans to do this, refusing to depart until he was witless and
unmanned, and denying to his son the kingship at the height of his days. For
the Lords of Númenor had been wont to wed late in their long lives and to
depart and leave the mastery to their sons when these were come to full stature
of body and mind.
Then
Tar-Ancalimon, son of Atanamir, became King, and he was of like mind; and in
his day the people of Númenor became divided. On the one hand was the greater
party, and they were called the King's Men, and they grew proud and were
estranged from the Eldar and the Valar. And on the other hand was the lesser
party, and they were called the Elendili, the Elf-friends; for though they
remained loyal indeed to the King and the House of Elros, they wished to keep
the friendship of the Eldar, and they hearkened to the counsel of the Lords of
the West. Nonetheless even they, who named themselves the Faithful, did not
wholly escape from the affliction of their people, and they were troubled by
the thought of death.
Thus the
bliss of Westernesse became diminished; but still its might and splendour
increased. For the kings and their people had not yet abandoned wisdom, and if
they loved the Valar no longer at least they still feared them. They did not
dare openly to break the Ban or to sail beyond the limits that had been
appointed. Eastwards still they steered their tall ships. But the fear of death
grew ever darker upon them, and they delayed it by all means that they could;
and they began to build great houses for their dead, while their wise men
laboured unceasingly to discover if they might the secret of recalling life, or
at the least of the prolonging of Men's days. Yet they achieved only the art of
preserving incorrupt the dead flesh of Men, and they filled all the land with
silent tombs in which the thought of death was enshrined in the darkness. But
those that lived turned the more eagerly to pleasure and revelry, desiring ever
more goods and more riches; and after the days of Tar-Ancalimon the offering of
the first fruits to Eru was neglected, and men went seldom any more to the
Hallow upon the heights of Meneltarma in the midst of the land.
Thus it
came to pass in that time that the Númenóreans first made great settlements
upon the west shores of the ancient lands; for their own land seemed to them shrunken,
and they had no rest or content therein, and they desired now wealth and
dominion in Middle-earth, since the West was denied. Great harbours and strong
towers they made, and there many of them took up their abode; but they appeared
now rather as lords and masters and gatherers of tribute than as helpers and
teachers. And the great ships of the Númenóreans were borne east on the winds
and returned ever laden, and the power and majesty of their kings were
increased; and they drank and they feasted and they clad themselves in silver
and gold.
In all
this the Elf-friends had small part They alone came now ever to the north and
the land of Gil-galad, keeping their friendship with the Elves and lending them
aid against Sauron; and their haven was Pelargir above the mouths of Anduin the
Great. But the King's Men sailed far away to the south; and the lordships and
strongholds that they made have left many rumours in the legends of Men.
In this
Age, as is elsewhere told, Sauron arose again in Middle-earth, and grew, and
turned back to the evil in which he was nurtured by Morgoth, becoming mighty in
his service. Already in the days of Tar-Minastir, the eleventh King of Númenor,
he had fortified the land of Mordor and had built there the Tower of Barad-dűr,
and thereafter he strove ever for the dominion of Middle-earth, to become a
king over all kings and as a god unto Men. And Sauron hated the Númenóreans,
because of the deeds of their fathers and their ancient alliance with the Elves
and allegiance to the Valar; nor did he forget the aid that Tar-Minastir had
rendered to Gil-galad of old, in that time when the One Ring was forged and
there was war between Sauron and the Elves in Eriador. Now he learned that the
kings of Númenor had increased in power and splendour, and he hated them the
more; and he feared them, lest they should invade his lands and wrest from him
the dominion of the East. But for a long time he did not dare to challenge the
Lords of the Sea, and he withdrew from the coasts.
Yet
Sauron was ever guileful, and it is said that among those whom he ensnared with
the Nine Rings three were great lords of Númenórean race. And when the Úlairi
arose that were the Ring-wraiths, his servants, and the strength of his terror
and mastery over Men had grown exceedingly great, he began to assail the strong
places of the Númenóreans upon the shores of the sea.
In those
days the Shadow grew deeper upon Númenor; and the lives of the Kings of the
House of Elros waned because of their rebellion, but they hardened their hearts
the more against the Valar. And the nineteenth king took the sceptre of his
fathers, and he ascended the throne in the name of Adűnakhôr, Lord of the West,
forsaking the Elven-tongues and forbidding their use in his hearing. Yet hi the
Scroll of Kings the name Herunúmen was inscribed in the High-elven speech,
because of ancient custom, which the kings feared to break utterly, lest evil
befall Now this title seemed to the Faithful over-proud, being the title of the
Valar; and their hearts were sorely tried between their loyalty to the House of
Elros and their reverence of the appointed Powers. But worse was yet to come.
For Ar-Gimilzôr the twenty-second king was the greatest enemy of the Faithful.
In his day the White Tree was untended and began to decline; and he forbade
utterly the use of the Elven-tongues, and punished those that welcomed the
ships of Eressëa, that still came secretly to the west-shores of the land.
Now the
Elendili dwelt mostly in the western regions of Númenor; but Ar-Gimilzôr
commanded all that he could discover to be of this party to remove from the
west and dwell in the east of the land; and there they were watched. And the
chief dwelling of the Faithful in the later days was thus nigh to the harbour
of Rómenna; thence many set sail to Middle-earth, seeking the northern coasts
where they might speak still with the Eldar in the kingdom of Gil-galad. This
was known to the kings, but they hindered it not, so long as the Elendili
departed from their land and did not return; for they desired to end all
friendship between then: people and the Eldar of Eressëa, whom they named the
Spies of the Valar, hoping to keep their deeds and their counsels hidden from
the Lords of the West. But all that they did was known to Manwë, and the Valar
were wroth with the Kings of Númenor, and gave them counsel and protection no
more; and the ships of Eressëa came never again out of the sunset, and the
havens of Andúnië were forlorn.
Highest
in honour after the house of the kings were the Lords of Andúnië; for they were
of the line of Elros, being descended from Silmarien, daughter of Tar-Elendil
the fourth king of Númenor. And these lords were loyal to the kings, and
revered them; and the Lord of Andúnië was ever among the chief councillors of
the Sceptre. Yet also from the beginning they bore especial love to the Eldar
and reverence for the Valar; and as the Shadow grew they aided the Faithful as
they could. But for long they did not declare themselves openly, and sought
rather to amend the hearts of the lords of the Sceptre with wiser counsels.
There
was a lady Inzilbęth, renowned for her beauty, and her mother was Lindórië,
sister of Eärendur, the Lord of Andúnië in the days of Ar-Sakalthôr father of
Ar-Gimilzôr. Gimilzôr took her to wife, though this was little to her liking,
for she was in heart one of the Faithful, being taught by her mother; but the
kings and their sons were grown proud and not to be gainsaid in their wishes.
No love was there between Ar-Gimilzôr and his queen, or between their sons.
Inziladűn, the elder, was like his mother in mind as in body; but Gimilkhâd,
the younger, went with his father, unless he were yet prouder and more wilful.
To him Ar-Gimilzôr would have yielded the sceptre rather than to the elder son,
if the laws had allowed.
But when
Inziladűn acceded to the sceptre, he took again a title in the Elven-tongue as
of old, calling himself Tar-Palantir, for he was far-sighted both in eye and in
mind, and even those that hated him feared his words as those of a true-seer.
He gave peace for a while to the Faithful; and he went once more at due seasons
to the Hallow of Eru upon the Meneltarma, which Ar-Gimilzôr had forsaken. The
White Tree he tended again with honour; and he prophesied, saying that when the
Tree perished, then also would the line of the Kings come to its end. But his
repentance was too late to appease the anger of the Valar with the insolence of
his fathers, of which the greater part of his people did not repent. And
Gimilkhâd was strong and ungentle, and he took the leadership of those that had
been called the King's Men and opposed the will of his brother as openly as he
dared, and yet more in secret. Thus the days of Tar-Palantir became darkened
with grief; and he would spend much of his time in the west, and there ascended
often the ancient tower of King Minastir upon the hill of Oromet nigh to
Andúnië, whence he gazed westward in yearning, hoping to see, maybe, some sail
upon the sea. But no ship came ever again from the West to Númenor, and
Avallónë was veiled in cloud.
Now
Gimilkhâd died two years before his two hundredth year (which was accounted an
early death for one of Elros' line even in its waning), but this brought no
peace to the King. For Pharazôn son of Gimilkhâd had become a man yet more
restless and eager for wealth and power than his father. He had fared often
abroad, as a leader in the wars that the Númenóreans made then in the
coastlands of Middle-earth, seeking to extend their dominion over Men; and thus
he had won great renown as a captain both by land and by sea. Therefore when he
came back to Númenor, hearing of his father's death, the hearts of the people
were turned to him; for he brought with him great wealth, and was for the time
free in his giving.
And it
came to pass that Tar-Palantir grew weary of grief and died. He had no son, but
a daughter only, whom he named Míriel in the Elven-tongue; and to her now by
right and the laws of the Númenóreans came the sceptre. But Pharazôn took her
to wife against her will, doing evil in this and evil also in that the laws of
Númenor did not permit the marriage, even in the royal house, of those more
nearly akin than cousins in the second degree. And when they were wedded, he
seized the sceptre into his own hand, taking the title of Ar-Pharazôn (Tar-Calion
in the Elven-tongue); and the name of his queen he changed to Ar-Zimraphel.
The
mightiest and proudest was Ar-Pharazôn the Golden of all those that had wielded
the Sceptre of the Sea-Kings since the foundation of Númenor; and three and
twenty Kings and Queens had ruled the Númenóreans before, and slept now in
their deep tombs under the mount of Meneltarma, lying upon beds of gold.
And
sitting upon his carven throne in the city of Armenelos in the glory of his
power, he brooded darkly, thinking of war. For he had learned in Middle-earth
of the strength of the realm of Sauron, and of his hatred of Westernesse. And
now there came to him the masters of ships and captains returning out of the
East, and they reported that Sauron was putting forth his might, since
Ar-Pharazôn had gone back from Middle-earth, and he was pressing down upon the
cities by the coasts; and he had taken now the title of King of Men, and
declared his purpose to drive the Númenóreans into the sea, and destroy even
Númenor, if that might be.
Great
was the anger of Ar-Pharazôn at these tidings, and as he pondered long in
secret, his heart was filled with the desire of power unbounded and the sole
dominion of his will. And he determined without counsel of the Valar, or the
aid of any wisdom but his own, that the title of King of Men he would himself
claim, and would compel Sauron to become his vassal and his servant; for in his
pride he deemed that no king should ever arise so mighty as to vie with the
Heir of Eärendil. Therefore he began in that time to smithy great hoard of
weapons, and many ships of war he built and stored them with his arms; and when
all was made ready he himself set sail with his host into the East.
And men
saw his sails coming up out of the sunset, dyed as with scarlet and gleaming
with red and gold, and fear fell upon the dwellers by the coasts, and they fled
far away. But the fleet came at last to that place that was called Umbar, where
was the mighty haven of the Númenóreans that no hand had wrought. Empty and
silent were all the lands about when the King of the Sea marched upon
Middle-earth. For seven days he journeyed with banner and trumpet, and he came
to a hill, and he went up, and he set there his pavilion and his throne; and he
sat him down in the midst of the land, and the tents of his host were ranged
all about him, blue, golden, and white, as a field of tall flowers. Then he
sent forth heralds, and he commanded Sauron to come before him and swear to him
fealty.
And
Sauron came. Even from his mighty tower of Barad-dűr he came, and made no offer
of battle. For he perceived that the power and majesty of the Kings of the Sea
surpassed all rumour of them, so that he could not trust even the greatest of
his servants to withstand them; and he saw not his time yet to work his will
with the Dúnedain. And he was crafty, well skilled to gain what he would by
subtlety when force might not avail. Therefore he humbled himself before
Ar-Pharazôn and smoothed his tongue; and men wondered, for all that he said
seemed fair and wise.
But
Ar-Pharazôn was not yet deceived, and it came into his mind that, for the
better keeping of Sauron and of his oaths of fealty, he should be brought to
Númenor, there to dwell as a hostage for himself and all his servants in
Middle-earth. To this Sauron assented as one constrained, yet in his secret
thought he received it gladly, for it chimed indeed with his desire. And Sauron
passed over the sea and looked upon the land of Númenor, and on the city of
Armenelos in the days of its glory, and he was astounded; but his heart within
was filled the more with envy and hate.
Yet such
was the cunning of his mind and mouth, and the strength of his hidden will,
that ere three years had passed he had become closest to the secret counsels of
the King; for flattery sweet as honey was ever on his tongue, and knowledge he
had of many things yet unrevealed to Men. And seeing the favour that he had of
their lord all the councillors began to fawn upon him, save one alone, Amandil
lord of Andúnië. Then slowly a change came over the land, and the hearts of the
Elf-friends were sorely troubled, and many fell away out of fear; and although
those that remained still called themselves the Faithful, their enemies named
them rebels. For now, having the ears of men, Sauron with many arguments
gainsaid all that the Valar had taught; and he bade men think that in the
world, in the east and even hi the west, there lay yet many seas and many lands
for their winning, wherein was wealth uncounted. And still, if they should at
the last come to the end of those lands and seas, beyond all lay the Ancient
Darkness. 'And out of it the world was made. For Darkness alone is worshipful,
and the Lord thereof may yet make other worlds to be gifts to those that serve
him, so that the increase of their power shall find no end.'
And
Ar-Pharazôn said: 'Who is the Lord of the Darkness?'
Then
behind locked doors Sauron spoke to the King, and he lied, saying: 'It is he
whose name is not now spoken; for the Valar have deceived you concerning him,
putting forward the name of Eru, a phantom devised in the folly of their
hearts, seeking to enchain Men in servitude to themselves. For they are the
oracle of this Eru, which speaks only what they will. But he that is their
master shall yet prevail, and he will deliver you from this phantom; and his
name is Melkor, Lord of All, Giver of Freedom, and he shall make you stronger
than they.'
Then
Ar-Pharazôn the King turned back to the worship of the Dark, and of Melkor the
Lord thereof, at first in secret, but ere long openly and in the face of his
people; and they for the most part followed him. Yet there dwelt still a
remnant of the Faithful, as has been told, at Rómenna and in the country near,
and other few there were here and there in the land. The chief among them, to
whom they looked for leading and courage in evil days, was Amandil, councillor
of the King, and his son Elendil, whose sons were Isildur and Anárion, then
young men by the reckoning of Númenor. Amandil and Elendil were great ship-captains;
and they were of the line of Elros Tar-Minyatur, though not of the ruling house
to whom belonged the crown and the throne in the city of Armenelos. In the days
of their youth together Amandil had been dear to Pharazôn, and though he was of
the Elf-friends he remained in his council until the coming of Sauron. Now he
was dismissed, for Sauron hated him above all others in Númenor. But he was so
noble, and had been so mighty a captain of the sea, that he was still held in
honour by many of the people, and neither the King nor Sauron dared to lay
hands on him as yet.
Therefore
Amandil withdrew to Rómenna, and all that he trusted still to be faithful he
summoned to come thither in secret; for he feared that evil would now grow
apace, and all the Elf-friends were in peril. And so it soon came to pass. For
the Meneltarma was utterly deserted in those days; and though not even Sauron
dared to defile the high place, yet the King would let no man, upon pain of
death, ascend to it, not even those of the Faithful who kept Ilúvatar in their
hearts. And Sauron urged the King to cut down the White Tree, Nimloth the Fair,
that grew in his courts, for it was a memorial of the Eldar and of the light of
Valinor.
At the
first the King would not assent to this, since be believed that the fortunes of
his house were bound up with the Tree, as was forespoken by Tar-Palantir. Thus
in his folly he who now hated the Eldar and the Valar vainly clung to the
shadow of the old allegiance of Númenor. But when Amandil heard rumour of the
evil purpose of Sauron he was grieved to the heart, knowing that in the end
Sauron would surely have his will. Then he spoke to Elendil and the sons of
Elendil, recalling the tale of the Trees of Valinor; and Isildur said no word,
but went out by night and did a deed for which he was afterwards renowned. For
he passed alone in disguise to Armenelos and to the courts of the King, which
were now forbidden to the Faithful; and he came to the place of the Tree, which
was forbidden to all by the orders of Sauron, and the Tree was watched day and
night by guards in his service. At that time Nimloth was dark and bore no
bloom, for it was late in the autumn, and its winter was nigh; and Isildur
passed through the guards and took from the Tree a fruit that hung upon it, and
turned to go. But the guard was aroused, and he was assailed, and fought his
way out, receiving many wounds; and he escaped, and because he was disguised it
was not discovered who had laid hands on the Tree. But Isildur came at last
hardly back to Rómenna and delivered the fruit to the hands of Amandil, ere his
strength failed him. Then the fruit was planted in secret, and it was blessed
by Amandil; and a shoot arose from it and sprouted in the spring. But when its
first leaf opened then Isildur, who had lain long and come near to death, arose
and was troubled no more by his wounds.
None too
soon was this done; for after the assault the King yielded to Sauron and felled
the White Tree, and turned then wholly away from the allegiance of his fathers.
But Sauron caused to be built upon the hill in the midst of the city of the
Númenóreans, Armenelos the Golden, a mighty temple; and it was in the form of a
circle at the base, and there the walls were fifty feet in thickness, and the
width of the base was five hundred feet across the centre, and the walls rose
from the ground five hundred feet, and they were crowned with a mighty dome.
And that dome was roofed all with silver, and rose glittering in the sun, so
that the light of it could be seen afar off; but soon the light was darkened,
and the silver became black. For there was an altar of fire in the midst of the
temple, and in the topmost of the dome there was a louver, whence there issued
a great smoke. And the first fire upon the altar Sauron kindled with the hewn
wood of Nimloth, and it crackled and was consumed; but men marvelled at the
reek that went up from it, so that the land lay under a cloud for seven days,
until slowly it passed into the west.
Thereafter
the fire and smoke went up without ceasing; for the power of Sauron daily
increased, and in that temple, with spilling of blood and torment and great
wickedness, men made sacrifice to Melkor that he should release them from
Death. And most often from among the Faithful they chose their victims; yet
never openly on the charge that they would not worship Melkor, the Giver of
Freedom, rather was cause sought against them that they hated the King and were
his rebels, or that they plotted against their kin, devising lies and poisons.
These charges were for the most part false; yet those were bitter days, and
hate brings forth hate.
But for
all this Death did not depart from the land, rather it came sooner and more
often, and in many dreadful guises. For whereas aforetime men had grown slowly
old, and had laid them down in the end to sleep, when they were weary at last
of the world, now madness and sickness assailed them; and yet they were afraid
to die and go out into the dark, the realm of the lord that they had taken; and
they cursed themselves in their agony. And men took weapons in those days and
slew one another for little cause; for they were become quick to anger, and
Sauron, or those whom he had bound to himself, went about the land setting man
against man, so that the people murmured against the King and the lords, or
against any that had aught that they had not; and the men of power took cruel
revenge.
Nonetheless
for long it seemed to the Númenóreans that they prospered, and if they were not
increased in happiness, yet they grew more strong, and their rich men ever
richer. For with the aid and counsel of Sauron they multiplied then:
possessions, and they devised engines, and they built ever greater ships. And
they sailed now with power and armoury to Middle-earth, and they came no longer
as bringers of gifts, nor even as rulers, but as fierce men of war. And they
hunted the men of Middle-earth and took their goods and enslaved them, and many
they slew cruelly upon their altars. For they built in their fortresses temples
and great tombs in those days; and men feared them, and the memory of the
kindly kings of the ancient days faded from the world and was darkened by many
a tale of dread.
Thus
Ar-Pharazôn, King of the Land of the Star, grew to the mightiest tyrant that
had yet been in the world since the reign of Morgoth, though in truth Sauron
ruled all from behind the throne. But the years passed, and the King felt the
shadow of death approach, as his days lengthened; and he was filled with fear
and wrath. Now came the hour that Sauron had prepared and long had awaited. And
Sauron spoke to the King, saying that his strength was now so great that he
might think to have his will in all things, and be subject to no command or
ban.
And he
said: 'The Valar have possessed themselves of the land where there is no death;
and they lie to you concerning it, hiding it as best they may, because of their
avarice, and their fear lest the Kings of Men should wrest from them the
deathless realm and rule the world in their stead. And though, doubtless, the gift
of life unending is not for all, but only for such as are worthy, being men of
might and pride and great lineage, yet against all Justice is it done that this
gift, which is his due, should be withheld from the King of Bangs, Ar-Pharazôn,
mightiest of the sons of Earth, to whom Manwë alone can be compared, if even
he. But great kings do not brook denials, and take what is their due.'
Then
Ar-Pharazôn, being besotted, and walking under the shadow of death, for his
span was drawing towards its end, hearkened to Sauron; and he began to ponder
in his heart how he might make war upon the Valar. He was long preparing this
design, and he spoke not openly of it, yet it could not be hidden from all. And
Amandil, becoming aware of the purposes of the King, was dismayed and filled
with a great dread, for he knew that Men could not vanquish the Valar in war,
and that ruin must come upon the world, if this war were not stayed. Therefore
he called his son, Elendil, and he said to him:
'The
days are dark, and there is no hope for Men, for the Faithful are few.
Therefore I am minded to try that counsel which our forefather Eärendil took of
old, to sail into the West, be there ban or no, and to speak to the Valar, even
to Manwë himself, if may be, and beseech his aid ere all is lost.'
'Would
you then betray the King?' said Elendil. 'For you know well the charge that
they make against us, that we are traitors and spies, and that until this day
it has been false.'
'If I
thought that Manwë needed such a messenger,' said Amandil, I would betray the
King. For there is but one loyalty from which no man can be absolved in heart
for any cause. But it is for mercy upon Men and their deliverance from Sauron
the Deceiver that I would plead, since some at least have remained faithful.
And as for the Ban, I will suffer in myself the penalty, lest all my people
should become guilty.'
'But
what think you, my father, is like to befall those of your house whom you leave
behind, when your deed becomes known?'
'It must
not become known,' said Amandil. 'I will prepare my going in secret, and I will
set sail into the east, whither daily the ships depart from our havens; and
thereafter, as wind and chance may allow, I will go about, through south or
north, back into the west, and seek what I may find. But for you and your folk,
my son, I counsel that you should prepare yourselves other ships, and put
aboard all such things as your hearts cannot bear to part with; and when the
ships are ready, you should lie in the haven of Rómenna, and give out among men
that you purpose, when you see your time, to follow me into the east. Amandil
is no longer so dear to our kinsman upon the throne that he will grieve over
much, if we seek to depart, for a season or for good. But let it not be seen
that you intend to take many men, or he will be troubled, because of the war
that he now plots, for which he will need all the force that he may gather.
Seek out the Faithful that are known still to be true, and let them join you in
secret, if they are willing to go with you, and share in your design.'
'And
what shall that design be?' said Elendil.
'To
meddle not in the war, and to watch,' answered Amandil. 'Until I return I can
say no more. But it is most like that you shall fly from the Land of the Star
with no star to guide you; for that land is defiled. Then you shall lose all
that you have loved, foretasting death in life, seeking a land of exile
elsewhere. But east or west the Valar alone can say.'
Then
Amandil said farewell to all his household, as one that is about to die. 'For,'
said he, 'it may well prove that you will see me never again; and that I shall
show you no such sign as Eärendil showed long ago. But hold you ever in
readiness, for the end of the world that we have known is now at hand.'
It is
said that Amandil set sail in a small ship at night, and steered first
eastward, and then went about and passed into the west. And he took with him
three servants, dear to his heart, and never again were they heard of by word
or sign in this world, nor is there any tale or guess of their fate. Men could
not a second time be saved by any such embassy, and for the treason of Númenor
there was no easy absolving.
But
Elendil did all that his father had bidden, and his ships lay off the east
coast of the land; and the Faithful put aboard their wives and their children,
and their heirlooms, and great store of goods. Many things there were of beauty
and power, such as the Númenóreans had contrived in the days of their wisdom,
vessels and jewels, and scrolls of lore written in scarlet and black. And Seven
Stones they had, the gift of the Eldar; but in the ship of Isildur was guarded
the young tree, the scion of Nimloth the Fair. Thus Elendil held himself in
readiness, and did not meddle in the evil deeds of those days; and ever he
looked for a sign that did not come. Then he journeyed in secret to the western
shores and gazed out over the sea, for sorrow and yearning were upon him, and
he greatly loved his father. But naught could he descry save the fleets of
Ar-Pharazôn gathering in the havens of the west.
Now
aforetime in the isle of Númenor the weather was ever apt to the needs and
liking of Men: rain in due season and ever in measure; and sunshine, now
warmer, now cooler, and winds from the sea. And when the wind was in the west,
it seemed to many that it was filled with a fragrance, fleeting but sweet,
heart-stirring, as of flowers that bloom for ever in undying meads and have no
names on mortal shores. But all this was now changed; for the sky itself was
darkened, and there were storms of rain and hail in those days, and violent
winds; and ever and anon a great ship of the Númenóreans would founder and
return not to haven, though such a grief had not till then befallen them since
the rising of the Star. And out of the west there would come at times a great
cloud in the evening, shaped as it were an eagle, with pinions spread to the
north and the south; and slowly it would loom up, blotting out the sunset, and
then uttermost night would fall upon Númenor. And some of the eagles bore
lightning beneath their wings, and thunder echoed between sea and cloud.
Then men
grew afraid. 'Behold the Eagles of the Lords of the West!' they cried. 'The
Eagles of Manwë are come upon Númenor!' And they fell upon their faces.
Then some
few would repent for a season, but others hardened their hearts, and they shook
their fists at heaven, saying: 'The Lords of the West have plotted against us.
They strike first. The next blow shall be ours!' These words the King himself
spoke, but they were devised by Sauron.
Now the
lightnings increased and slew men upon the hills, and in the fields, and in the
streets of the city; and a fiery bolt smote the dome of the Temple and shore it
asunder, and it was wreathed in flame. But the Temple itself was unshaken, and
Sauron stood there upon the pinnacle and defied the lightning and was unharmed;
and in that hour men called him a god and did all that he would. When therefore
the last portent came they heeded it little. For the land shook under them, and
a groaning as of thunder underground was mingled with the roaring of the sea,
and smoke issued from the peak of the Meneltarma. But all the more did
Ar-Pharazôn press on with his armament.
In that
time the fleets of the Númenóreans darkened the sea upon the west of the land,
and they were like an archipelago of a thousand isles; their masts were as a
forest upon the mountains, and their sails like a brooding cloud; and their
banners were golden and black. And all things waited upon the word of
Ar-Pharazôn; and Sauron withdrew into the inmost circle of the Temple, and men
brought him victims to be burned.
Then the
Eagles of the Lords of the West came up out of the dayfall, and they were
arrayed as for battle, advancing in a line the end of which diminished beyond
sight; and as they came their wings spread ever wider, grasping the sky. But
the West burned red behind them, and they glowed beneath, as though they were
lit with a flame of great anger, so that all Númenor was illumined as with a
smouldering fire; and men looked upon the faces of their fellows, and it seemed
to them that they were red with wrath.
Then
Ar-Pharazôn hardened his heart, and he went aboard his mighty ship, Alcarondas,
Castle of the Sea. Many-oared it was and many-masted, golden and sable; and
upon it the throne of Ar-Pharazôn was set. Then he did on his panoply and his
crown, and let raise his standard, and he gave the signal for the raising of
the anchors; and in that hour the trumpets of Númenor outrang the thunder.
Thus the
fleets of the Númenóreans moved against the menace of the West; and there was
little wind, but they had many oars and many strong slaves to row beneath the
lash. The sun went down, and there came a great silence. Darkness fell upon the
land, and the sea was still, while the world waited for what should betide.
Slowly the fleets passed out of the sight of the watchers in the havens, and
their lights faded, and night took them; and in the morning they were gone. For
a wind arose in the east and it wafted them away; and they broke the Ban of the
Valar, and sailed into forbidden seas, going up with war against the Deathless,
to wrest from them everlasting life within the Circles of the World.
But the
fleets of Ar-Pharazôn came up out of the deeps of the sea and encompassed
Avallónë and all the isle of Eressëa, and the Eldar mourned, for the light of
the setting sun was cut off by the cloud of the Númenóreans. And at last
Ar-Pharazôn came even to Aman, the Blessed Realm, and the coasts of Valinor;
and still all was silent, and doom hung by a thread. For Ar-Pharazôn wavered at
the end, and almost he turned back. His heart misgave him when he looked upon
the soundless shores and saw Taniquetil shining, whiter than snow, colder than
death, silent, immutable, terrible as the shadow of the light of Ilúvatar. But
pride was now his master, and at last he left his ship and strode upon the
shore, claiming the land for his own, if none should do battle for it. And a
host of the Númenóreans encamped in might about Túna, whence all the Eldar had
fled.
Then
Manwë upon the Mountain called upon Ilúvatar, and for that time the Valar laid
down their government of Arda. But Ilúvatar showed forth his power, and he
changed the fashion of the world; and a great chasm opened in the sea between Númenor
and the Deathless Lands, and the waters flowed down into it, and the noise and
smoke of the cataracts went up to heaven, and the world was shaken. And all the
fleets of the Númenóreans were drawn down into the abyss, and they were drowned
and swallowed up for ever. But Ar-Pharazôn the King and the mortal warriors
that had set foot upon the land of Aman were buried under falling hills: there
it is said that they lie imprisoned in the Caves of the Forgotten, until the
Last Battle and the Day of Doom.
But the
land of Aman and Eressëa of the Eldar were taken away and removed beyond the
reach of Men for ever. And Andor, the Land of Gift, Númenor of the Kings,
Elenna of the Star of Eärendil, was utterly destroyed. For it was nigh to the
east of the great rift, and its foundations were overturned, and it fell and
went down into darkness, and is no more. And there is not now upon Earth any
place abiding where the memory of a time without evil is preserved. For
Ilúvatar cast back the Great Seas west of Middle-earth, and the Empty Lands
east of it, and new lands and new seas were made; and the world was diminished,
for Valinor and Eressëa were taken from it into the realm of hidden things.
In an
hour unlocked for by Men this doom befell, on the nine and thirtieth day since
the passing of the fleets. Then suddenly fire burst from the Meneltarma, and
there came a mighty wind and a tumult of the earth, and the sky reeled, and the
hills slid, and Númenor went down into the sea, with all its children and its
wives and its maidens and its ladies proud; and all its gardens and its balls
and its towers, its tombs and its riches, and its jewels and its webs and its
things painted and carven, and its lore: they vanished for ever. And last of
all the mounting wave, green and cold and plumed with foam, climbing over the
land, took to its bosom Tar-Míriel the Queen, fairer than silver or ivory or
pearls. Too late she strove to ascend the steep ways of the Meneltarma to the
holy place; for the waters overtook her, and her cry was lost in the roaring of
the wind.
But
whether or no it were that Amandil came indeed to Valinor and Manwë hearkened
to his prayer, by grace of the Valar Elendil and his sons and their people were
spared from the ruin of that day. For Elendil had remained in Romenna, refusing
the summons of the King when he set forth to war; and avoiding the soldiers of
Sauron that came to seize him and drag him to the fires of the Temple, he went
aboard his ship and stood off from the shore, waiting on the time. There he was
protected by the land from the great draught of the sea that drew all towards
the abyss, and afterwards he was sheltered from the first fury of the storm.
But when the devouring wave rolled over the land and Númenor toppled to its
fall, then he would have been overwhelmed and would have deemed it the lesser
grief to perish, for no wrench of death could be more bitter than the loss and
agony of that day; but the great wind took him, wilder than any wind that Men
had known, roaring from the west, and it swept his ships far away; and it rent
their sails and snapped their masts, hunting the unhappy men like straws upon
the water.
Nine
ships there were: four for Elendil, and for Isildur three, and for Anárion two;
and they fled before the black gale out of the twilight of doom into the
darkness of the world. And the deeps rose beneath them in towering anger, and
waves like unto mountains moving with great caps of writhen snow bore them up
amid the wreckage of the clouds, and after many days cast them away upon the
shores of Middle-earth. And all the coasts and seaward regions of the western
world suffered great change and ruin in that time; for the seas invaded the
lands, and shores foundered, and ancient isles were drowned, and new isles were
uplifted; and hills crumbled and rivers were turned into strange courses.
Elendil
and his sons after founded kingdoms in Middle-earth; and though their lore and
craft was but an echo of that which had been ere Sauron came to Númenor, yet
very great it seemed to the wild men of the world. And much is said in other
lore of the deeds of the heirs of Elendil in the age that came after, and of
their strife with Sauron that not yet was ended.
For
Sauron himself was filled with great fear at the wrath of the Valar, and the
doom that Eru laid upon sea and land. It was greater far than aught he had
looked for, hoping only for the death of the Númenóreans and the defeat of
their proud king. And Sauron, sitting in his black seat in the midst of the
Temple, had laughed when he heard the trumpets of Ar-Pharazôn sounding for
battle; and again he had laughed when he heard the thunder of the storm; and a
third time, even as he laughed at his own thought, thinking what he would do
now in the world, being rid of the Edain for ever, he was taken in the midst of
his mirth, and his seat and his temple fell into the abyss. But Sauron was not
of mortal flesh, and though he was robbed now of that shape in which he had
wrought so great an evil, so that he could never again appear fair to the eyes of
Men, yet his spirit arose out of the deep and passed as a shadow and a black
wind over the sea, and came back to Middle-earth and to Mordor that was his
home. There he took up again his great Ring in Barad-dűr, and dwelt there, dark
and silent, until he wrought himself a new guise, an image of malice and hatred
made visible; and the Eye of Sauron the Terrible few could endure.
But
these things come not into the tale of the Drowning of Númenor, of which now
all is told. And even the name of that land perished, and Men spoke thereafter
not of Elenna, nor of Andor the Gift that was taken away, nor of Númenórë on
the confines of the world; but the exiles on the shores of the sea, if they
turned towards the West in the desire of their hearts, spoke of Mar-nu-Falmar
that was whelmed in the waves, Akallabęth the Downfallen, Atalantë in the
Eldarin tongue.
Among
the Exiles many believed that the summit of the Meneltarma, the Pillar of
Heaven, was not drowned for ever, but rose again above the waves, a lonely island
lost in the great waters; for it had been a hallowed place, and even in the
days of Sauron none had defiled it And some there were of the seed of Eärendil
that afterwards sought for it, because it was said among loremasters that the
far-sighted men of old could see from the Meneltarma a glimmer of the Deathless
Land. For even after the ruin the hearts of the Dúnedain were still set
westwards; and though they knew indeed that the world was changed, they said:
'Avallónë is vanished from the Earth and the Land of Aman is taken away, and in
the world of this present darkness they cannot be found. Yet once they were,
and therefore they still are, in true being and in the whole shape of the world
as at first it was devised.'
For the
Dúnedain held that even mortal Men, if so blessed, might look upon other times
than those of their bodies' life; and they longed ever to escape from the
shadows of their exile and to see in some fashion fee light that dies not; for
the sorrow of the thought of death had pursued them over the deeps of the sea.
Thus it was that great mariners among them would still search the empty seas,
hoping to come upon the Isle of Meneltarma, and there to see a vision of things
that were. But they found it not. And those that sailed far came only to the
new lands, and found them like to the old lands, and subject to death. And
those that sailed furthest set but a girdle about the Earth and returned weary
at last to the place of their beginning; and they said:
'All
roads are now bent.'
Thus in after
days, what by the voyages of ships, what by lore and star-craft, the kings of
Men knew that the world was indeed made round, and yet the Eldar were permitted
still to depart and to come to the Ancient West and to Avallónë, if they would.
Therefore the loremasters of Men said that a Straight Road must still be, for
those that were permitted to find it. And they taught that, while the new world
fell away, the old road and the path of the memory of the West still went on,
as it were a mighty bridge invisible that passed through the air of breath and
of flight (which were bent now as the world was bent), and traversed Ilmen
which flesh unaided cannot endure, until it came to Tol Eressëa, the Lonely
Isle, and maybe even beyond, to Valinor, where the Valar still dwell and watch
the unfolding of the story of the world. And tales and rumours arose along the
shores of the sea concerning mariners and men forlorn upon the water who, by
some fate or grace or favour of the Valar, had entered in upon the Straight Way
and seen the face of the world sink below them, and so had come to the lamplit
quays of Avallónë, or verily to the last beaches on the margin of Aman, and
there had looked upon the White Mountain, dreadful and beautiful, before they
died.
Of old
there was Sauron the Maia, whom the Sindar in Beleriand named Gorthaur. In the
beginning of Arda Melkor seduced him to his allegiance, and he became the
greatest and most trusted of the servants of the Enemy, and the most perilous,
for he could assume many forms, and for long if he willed he could still appear
noble and beautiful, so as to deceive all but the most wary.
When
Thangorodrim was broken and Morgoth overthrown, Sauron put on his fair hue
again and did obeisance to Eönwë the herald of Manwë, and abjured all his evil
deeds. And some hold that this was not at first falsely done, but that Sauron
in truth repented, if only out of fear, being dismayed by the fall of Morgoth
and the great wrath of the Lords of the West. But it was not within the power
of Eönwë to pardon those of his own order, and he commanded Sauron to return to
Aman and there receive the judgement of Manwë. Then Sauron was ashamed, and he
was unwilling to return in humiliation and to receive from the Valar a
sentence, it might be, of long servitude in proof of his good faith; for under
Morgoth his power had been great. Therefore when Eönwë departed he hid himself
in Middle-earth; and he fell back into evil, for the bonds that Morgoth bad
laid upon him were very strong.
In the
Great Battle and the tumults of the fall of Thangorodrim there were mighty
convulsions in the earth, and Beleriand was broken and laid waste; and
northward and westward many lands sank beneath the waters of the Great Sea. In
the east, in Ossiriand, the walls of Ered Luin were broken, and a great gap was
made in them towards the south, and a gulf of the sea flowed in. Into that gulf
the River Lhűn fell by a new course, and it was called therefore the Gulf of
Lhűn. That country had of old been named Lindon by the Noldor, and this name it
bore thereafter; and many of the Eldar still dwelt there, lingering, unwilling
yet to forsake Beleriand where they had fought and laboured long. Gil-galad son
of Fingon was their king, and with him was Elrond Half-elven, son of Eärendil
the Mariner and brother of Elros first king of Númenor.
Upon the
shores of the Gulf of Lhűn the Elves built their havens, and named them
Mithlond; and there they held many ships, for the harbourage was good. From the
Grey Havens the Eldar ever and anon set sail, fleeing from the darkness of the
days of Earth; for by the mercy of the Valar the Firstborn could still follow
the Straight Road and return, if they would, to their kindred in Eressëa and
Valinor beyond the encircling seas.
Others
of the Eldar there were who crossed the mountains of Ered Luin in that age and
passed into the inner lands. Many of these were Teleri, survivors of Doriath
and Ossiriand; and they established realms among the Silvan Elves in woods and
mountains far from the sea, for which nonetheless they ever yearned in their
hearts. Only in Eregion, which Men called Hollin, did Elves of Noldorin race
establish a lasting realm beyond the Ered Luin. Eregion was nigh to the great
mansions of the Dwarves that were named Khazad-dűm, but by the Elves
Hadhodrond, and afterwards Moria. From Ost-in-Edhil, the city of the Elves, the
highroad ran to the west gate of Khazad-dűm, for a friendship arose between
Dwarves and Elves, such as has never elsewhere been, to the enrichment of both
those peoples. In Eregion the craftsmen of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, the People of
the Jewel-smiths, surpassed in cunning all that have ever wrought, save only
Fëanor himself; and indeed greatest in skill among them was Celebrimbor, son of
Curufin, who was estranged from his father and remained in Nargothrond when
Celegorm and Curufin were driven forth, as is told in the Quenta Silmarillion.
Elsewhere
in Middle-earth there was peace for many years; yet the lands were for the most
part savage and desolate, save only where the people of Beleriand came. Many
Elves dwelt there indeed, as they had dwelt through the countless years,
wandering free in the wide lands far from the Sea; but they were Avari, to whom
the deeds of Beleriand were but a rumour and Valinor only a distant name. And
in the south and in the further east Men multiplied; and most of them turned to
evil, for Sauron was at work.
Seeing
the desolation of the world, Sauron said in his heart that the Valar, having
overthrown Morgoth, had again forgotten Middle-earth; and his pride grew apace.
He looked with hatred on the Eldar, and he feared the Men of Númenor who came
back at whiles in their ships to the shores of Middle-earth; but for long he
dissembled his mind and concealed the dark designs that he shaped in his heart.
Men he
found the easiest to sway of all the peoples of the Earth; but long he sought
to persuade the Elves to his service, for he knew that the Firstborn had the
greater power; and he went far and wide among them, and his hue was still that
of one both fair and wise. Only to Lindon he did not come, for Gil-galad and
Elrond doubted him and his fair-seeming, and though they knew not who in truth
he was they would not admit him to that land. But elsewhere the Elves received
him gladly, and few among them hearkened to the messengers from Lindon bidding
them beware; for Sauron took to himself the name of Annatar, the Lord of Gifts,
and they had at first much profit from his friendship. And he said to them:
"Alas, for the weakness of the great! For a mighty king is Gil-galad, and
wise in all lore is Master Elrond, and yet they will not aid me in my labours.
Can it be that they do not desire to see other lands become as blissful as
their own? But wherefore should Middle-earth remain for ever desolate and dark,
whereas the Elves could make it as fair as Eressëa, nay even as Valinor? And
since you have not returned thither, as you might, I perceive that you love
this Middle-earth, as do I. Is it not then our task to labour together for its
enrichment, and for the raising of all the Elven-kindreds that wander here
untaught to the height of that power and knowledge which those have who are
beyond the Sea?'
It was
in Eregion that the counsels of Sauron were most gladly received, for in that
land the Noldor desired ever to increase the skill and subtlety of their works.
Moreover they were not at peace in their hearts, since they had refused to
return into the West, and they desired both to stay in Middle-earth, which
indeed they loved, and yet to enjoy the bliss of those that had departed.
Therefore they hearkened to Sauron, and they learned of him many things, for
his knowledge was great. In those days the smiths of Ost-in-Edhil surpassed all
that they had contrived before; and they took thought, and they made Rings of
Power. But Sauron guided their labours, and he was aware of all that they did;
for his desire was to set a bond upon the Elves and to bring them under his
vigilance.
Now the
Elves made many rings; but secretly Sauron made One Ring to rule all the
others, and their power was bound up with it, to be subject wholly to it and to
last only so long as it too should last. And much of the strength and will of
Sauron passed into that One Ring; for the power of the Elven-rings was very
great, and that which should govern them must be a thing of surpassing potency;
and Sauron forged it in the Mountain of Fire in the Land of Shadow. And while
he wore the One Ring he could perceive all the things that were done by means
of the lesser rings, and he could see and govern the very thoughts of those
that wore them.
But the
Elves were not so lightly to be caught. As soon as Sauron set the One Ring upon
his finger they were aware of him; and they knew him, and perceived that he
would be master of them, and of an that they wrought. Then in anger and fear
they took off their rings. But he, finding that he was betrayed and that the
Elves were not deceived, was filled with wrath; and he came against them with
open war, demanding that all the rings should be delivered to him, since the
Elven-smiths could not have attained to their making without his lore and
counsel. But the Elves fled from him; and three of their rings they saved, and
bore them away, and hid them.
Now
these were the Three that had last been made, and they possessed the greatest
powers. Narya, Nenya, and Vilya, they were named, the Rings of Fire, and of
Water, and of Air, set with ruby and adamant and sapphire; and of all the
Elven-rings Sauron most desired to possess them, for those who had them in
their keeping could ward off the decays of time and postpone the weariness of
the world. But Sauron could not discover them, for they were given into the
hands of the Wise, who concealed them and never again used them openly while
Sauron kept the Ruling Ring. Therefore the Three remained unsullied, for they
were forged by Celebrimbor alone, and the hand of Sauron had never touched
them; yet they also were subject to the One.
From
that time war never ceased between Sauron and the Elves; and Eregion was laid
waste, and Celebrimbor slain, and the doors of Moria were shut. In that time
the stronghold and refuge of Imladris, that Men called Rivendell, was founded
by Elrond Half-elven; and long it endured. But Sauron gathered into his hands
all the remaining Rings of Power; and he dealt them out to the other peoples of
Middle-earth, hoping thus to bring under his sway all those that desired secret
power beyond the measure of their kind. Seven Rings he gave to the Dwarves; but
to Men he gave nine, for Men proved in this matter as in others the readiest to
his will. And all those rings that he governed he perverted, the more easily
since he had a part in their making, and they were accursed, and they betrayed
in the end all those that used them. The Dwarves indeed proved tough and hard
to tame; they ill endure the domination of others, and the thoughts of their
hearts are hard to fathom, nor can they be turned to shadows. They used their
rings only for the getting of wealth; but wrath and an over-mastering greed of
gold were kindled in their hearts, of which evil enough after came to the
profit of Sauron. It is said that the foundation of each of the Seven Hoards of
the Dwarf-kings of old was a golden ring; but all those hoards long ago were
plundered and the Dragons devoured them, and of the Seven Rings some were
consumed in fire and some Sauron recovered.
Men
proved easier to ensnare. Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their
day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great
wealth, yet it turned to their undoing. They had, as it seemed, unending life,
yet life became unendurable to them. They could walk, if they would, unseen by
all eyes in this world beneath the sun, and they could see things in worlds
invisible to mortal men; but too often they beheld only the phantoms and
delusions of Sauron. And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native
strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell
under the thraldom of the ring that they bore and under the domination of the
One, which was Sauron's. And they became for ever invisible save to him that
wore the Ruling Ring, and they entered into the realm of shadows. The Nazgűl
were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went
with them, and they cried with the voices of death.
Now
Sauron's lust and pride increased, until he knew no bounds, and he determined
to make himself master of all things in Middle-earth, and to destroy the Elves,
and to compass, if he might, the downfall of Númenor. He brooked no freedom nor
any rivalry, and he named himself Lord of the Earth. A mask he still could wear
so that if he wished he might deceive the eyes of Men, seeming to them wise and
fair. But he ruled rather by force and fear, if they might avail; and those who
perceived his shadow spreading over the world called him the Dark Lord and
named him the Enemy; and he gathered again under his government all the evil
things of the days of Morgoth that remained on earth or beneath it, and the
Orcs were at his command and multiplied like flies. Thus the Black Years began,
which the Elves call the Days of Flight. In that time many of the Elves of
Middle-earth fled to Lindon and thence over the seas never to return; and many
were destroyed by Sauron and his servants. But in Lindon Gil-galad still
maintained his power, and Sauron dared not as yet to pass the Mountains of Ered
Luin nor to assail the Havens; and Gil-galad was aided by the Númenóreans.
Elsewhere Sauron reigned, and those who would be free took refuge in the
fastnesses of wood and mountain, and ever fear pursued them. In the east and
south well nigh all Men were under his dominion, and they grew strong in those
days and built many towns and walls of stone, and they were numerous and fierce
in war and aimed with iron. To them Sauron was both king and god; and they
feared him exceedingly, for he surrounded his abode with fire.
Yet
there came at length a stay in the onslaught of Sauron upon the westlands. For,
as is told in tile Akallabęth, he was challenged by the might of Númenor. So
great was the power and splendour of the Númenóreans in the noontide of their
realm that the servants of Sauron would not withstand them, and hoping to
accomplish by cunning what he could not achieve by force, he left Middle-earth
for a while and went to Númenor as a hostage of Tar-Calion the King. And there
he abode, until at the last by his craft he had corrupted the hearts of most of
that people, and set them at war with the Valar, and so compassed their ruin,
as he had long desired. But that ruin was more terrible than Sauron had
foreseen, for he had forgotten the might of the Lords of the West in their
anger. The world was broken, and the land was swallowed up, and the seas rose
over it, and Sauron himself went down into the abyss. But his spirit arose and
fled back on a dark wind to Middle-earth, seeking a home. There he found that
the power of Gil-galad had grown great in the years of his absence, and it was
spread now over wide regions of the north and west, and had passed beyond the
Misty Mountains and the Great River even to the borders of Greenwood the Great,
and was drawing nigh to the strong places where once he had dwelt secure. Then
Sauron withdrew to his fortress in the Black Land and meditated war.
In that
time those of the Númenóreans who were saved from destruction fled eastward, as
is told in the Akallabęth. The chief of these were Elendil the Tall and his
sons, Isildur and Anárion. Kinsmen of the King they were, descendants of Elros,
but they had been unwilling to listen to Sauron, and had refused to make war on
the Lords of the West. Manning their ships with all who remained faithful they
forsook the land of Númenor ere ruin came upon it. They were mighty men and
their ships were strong and tall, but the tempests overtook them, and they were
borne aloft on hills of water even to the clouds, and they descended upon
Middle-earth like birds of the storm.
Elendil
was cast up by the waves in the land of Lindon, and he was befriended by
Gil-galad. Thence he passed up the River Lhűn, and beyond Ered Luin he
established his realm, and his people dwelt in many places in Eriador about the
courses of the Lhűn and the Baranduin; but his chief city was at Annúminas
beside the water of Lake Nenuial. At Fornost upon the North Downs also the
Númenóreans dwelt, and in Cardolan, and in the hills of Rhudaur; and towers
they raised upon Emyn Beraid and upon Amon Sűl; and there remain many barrows
and ruined works in those places, but the towers of Emyn Beraid still look
towards the sea.
Isildur
and Anárion were borne away southwards, and at the last they brought their
ships up the Great River Anduin, that flows out of Rhovanion into the western
sea in the Bay of Belfalas; and they established a realm in those lands that
were after called Gondor, whereas the Northern Kingdom was named Arnor. Long
before in the days of their power the mariners of Númenor had established a
haven and strong places about the mouths of Anduin, in despite of Sauron in the
Black Land that lay nigh upon the east. In the later days to this haven came
only the Faithful of Númenor, and many therefore of the folk of the coastlands
in that region were in whole or in part akin to the Elf-friends and the people
of Elendil, and they welcomed his sons. The chief city of this southern realm
was Osgiliath, through the midst of which the Great River flowed; and the
Númenóreans built there a great bridge, upon which there were towers and houses
of stone wonderful to behold, and tall ships came up out of the sea to the
quays of the city. Other strong places they built also upon either hand: Minas
Ithil, the Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountains
of Shadow as a threat to Mordor; and to the westward Minas Anor, the Tower of
the Setting Sun, at the feet of Mount Mindolluin, as a shield against the wild
men of the dales. In Minas Ithil was the house of Isildur, and in Minas Anor
the house of Anárion, but they shared the realm between them and their thrones
were set side by side in the Great Hall of Osgiliath. These were the chief
dwellings of the Númenóreans in Gondor, but other works marvellous and strong
they built in the land in the days of their power, at the Argonath, and at
Aglarond, and at Erech; and in the circle of Angrenost, which Men called
Isengard, they made the Pinnacle of Orthanc of unbreakable stone.
Many
treasures and great heirlooms of virtue and wonder the Exiles had brought from
Númenor; and of these the most renowned were the Seven Stones and the White
Tree. The White Tree was grown from the fruit of Nimloth the Fair that stood in
the courts of the Bang at Armenelos in Númenor, ere Sauron burned it; and
Nimloth was in its turn descended from the Tree of Tirion, that was an image of
the Eldest of Trees, White Telperion which Yavanna caused to grow in the land
of the Valar. The Tree, memorial of the Eldar and of the light of Valinor, was
planted in Minas Ithil before the house of Isildur, since he it was that had
saved the fruit from destruction; but the Stones were divided.
Three
Elendil took, and his sons each two. Those of Elendil were set in towers upon
Emyn Beraid, and upon Amon Sűl, and in the city of Annúminas. But those of his
sons were at Minas Ithil and Minas Anor, and at Orthanc and in Osgiliath. Now
these Stones had this virtue that those who looked therein might perceive in
them things far off, whether in place or in time. For the most part they
revealed only things near to another kindred Stone, for the Stones each called
to each; but those who possessed great strength of will and of mind might learn
to direct their gaze whither they would. Thus the Númenóreans were aware of
many things that their enemies wished to conceal, and little escaped their vigilance
in the days of their might.
It is
said that the towers of Emyn Beraid were not built indeed by the Exiles of
Númenor, but were raised by Gil-galad for Elendil, his friend; and the Seeing
Stone of Emyn Beraid was set in Elostirion, the tallest of the towers. Thither
Elendil would repair, and thence he would gaze out over the sundering seas,
when the yearning of exile was upon him; and it is believed that thus he would
at whiles see far away even the Tower of Avallónë upon Eressëa, where the Masterstone
abode, and yet abides. These stones were gifts of the Eldar to Amandil, father
of Elendil, for the comfort of the Faithful of Númenor in their dark days, when
the Elves might come no longer to that land under the shadow of Sauron. They
were called the Palantíri, those that watch from afar; but all those that were
brought to Middle-earth long ago were lost.
Thus the
Exiles of Númenor established their realms in Arnor and in Gondor; but ere many
years had passed it became manifest that their enemy, Sauron, had also
returned. He came in secret, as has been told, to his ancient kingdom of Mordor
beyond the Ephel Dúath, the Mountains of Shadow, and that country marched with
Gondor upon the east. There above the valley of Gorgoroth was built his
fortress vast and strong, Barad-dűr, the Dark Tower; and there was a fiery
mountain in that land that the Elves named Orodruin. Indeed for that reason
Sauron had set there his dwelling long before, for he used the fire that welled
there from the heart of the earth in his sorceries and in his forging; and in
the midst of the Land of Mordor he had fashioned the Ruling Ring. There now he
brooded in the dark, until he had wrought for himself a new shape; and it was
terrible, for his fair semblance had departed forever when he was cast into the
abyss at the drowning of Númenor. He took up again the great Ring and clothed
himself in power; and the malice of the Eye of Sauron few even of the great
among Elves and Men could endure.
Now
Sauron prepared war against the Eldar and the Men of Westernesse, and the fires
of the Mountain were wakened again. Wherefore seeing the smoke of Orodruin from
afar, and perceiving that Sauron had returned, the Númenóreans named that
mountain anew Amon Amarth, which is Mount Doom. And Sauron gathered to him
great strength of his servants out of the east and the south; and among them
were not a few of the high race of Númenor. For in the days of the sojourn of
Sauron in that land the hearts of well nigh all its people had been turned
towards darkness. Therefore many of those who sailed east in that time and made
fortresses and dwellings upon the coasts were already bent to his will, and
they served him still gladly in Middle-earth. But because of the power of
Gil-galad these renegades, lords both mighty and evil, for the most part took
up their abodes in the southlands far away; yet two there were, Herumor and
Fuinur, who rose to power among the Haradrim, a great and cruel people that
dwelt in the wide lands south of Mordor beyond the mouths of Anduin.
When
therefore Sauron saw his time he came with great force against the new realm of
Gondor, and he took Minas Ithil, and he destroyed the White Tree of Isildur
that grew there. But Isildur escaped, and taking with him a seedling of the
Tree he went with his wife and his sons by ship down the River, and they sailed
from the mouths of Anduin seeking Elendil. Meanwhile Anárion held Osgiliath
against the Enemy, and for that time drove him back to the mountains; but
Sauron gathered his strength again, and Anárion knew that unless help should
come his kingdom would not long stand.
Now
Elendil and Gil-galad took counsel together, for they perceived that Sauron
would grow too strong and would overcome all his enemies one by one, if they
did not unite against him. Therefore they made that League which is called the
Last Alliance, and they marched east into Middle-earth gathering a great host
of Elves and Men; and they halted for a while at Imladris. It is said that the
host that was there assembled was fairer and more splendid in arms than any
that has since been seen in Middle-earth, and none greater has been mustered
since the host of the Valar went against Thangorodrim.
From
Imladris they crossed the Misty Mountains by many passes and marched down the
River Anduin, and so came at last upon the host of Sauron on Dagorlad, the
Battle Plain, which lies before the gate of the Black Land. All living things
were divided in that day, and some of every kind, even of beasts and birds,
were found in either host, save the Elves only. They alone were undivided and
followed Gil-galad. Of the Dwarves few fought upon either side; but the kindred
of Durin of Moria fought against Sauron.
The host
of Gil-galad and Elendil had the victory, for the might of the Elves was still
great in those days, and the Númenóreans were strong and tall, and terrible in
their wrath. Against Aeglos the spear of Gil-galad none could stand; and the
sword of Elendil filled Orcs and Men with fear, for it shone with the light of
the sun and of the moon, and it was named Narsil.
Then
Gil-galad and Elendil passed into Mordor and encompassed the stronghold of
Sauron; and they laid siege to it for seven years, and suffered grievous loss
by fire and by the darts and bolts of the Enemy, and Sauron sent many sorties
against them. There in the valley of Gorgoroth Anárion son of Elendil was
slain, and many others. But at the last the siege was so strait that Sauron
himself came forth; and he wrestled with Gil-galad and Elendil, and they both
were slain, and the sword of Elendil broke under him as he fell. But Sauron
also was thrown down, and with the hilt-shard of Narsil Isildur cut the Ruling
Ring from the hand of Sauron and took it for his own. Then Sauron was for that
time vanquished, and he forsook his body, and his spirit fled far away and hid
in waste places; and he took no visible shape again for many long years.
Thus
began the Third Age of the World, after the Eldest Days and the Black Years;
and there was still hope in that time and the memory of mirth, and for long the
White Tree of the Eldar flowered in the courts of the Kings of Men, for the
seedling which he had saved Isildur planted in the citadel of Anor in memory of
his brother, ere he departed from Gondor. The servants of Sauron were routed
and dispersed, yet they were not wholly destroyed; and though many Men turned
now from evil and became subject to the heirs of Elendil, yet many more
remembered Sauron in their hearts and hated the kingdoms of the West. The Dark
Tower was levelled to the ground, yet its foundations remained, and it was not
forgotten. The Númenóreans indeed set a guard upon the land of Mordor, but none
dared dwell there because of the terror of the memory of Sauron, and because of
the Mountain of Fire that stood nigh to Barad-dűr; and the valley of Gorgoroth
was filled with ash. Many of the Elves and many of the Númenóreans and of Men
who were their allies had perished in the Battle and the Siege; and Elendil the
Tall and Gil-galad the High King were no more. Never again was such a host
assembled, nor was there any such league of Elves and Men; for after Elendil's
day the two kindreds became estranged.
The
Ruling Ring passed out of the knowledge even of the Wise in that age; yet it
was not unmade. For Isildur would not surrender it to Elrond and Círdan who
stood by. They counselled him to cast it into the fire of Orodruin nigh at
hand, in which it had been forged, so that it should perish, and the power of
Sauron be for ever diminished, and he should remain only as a shadow of malice
in the wilderness. But Isildur refused this counsel, saying: 'This I will have
as were-gild for my father's death, and my brothers. Was it not I that dealt
the Enemy his death-blow?' And the Ring that he held seemed to him exceedingly
fair to look on; and he would not suffer it to be destroyed. Taking it
therefore he returned at first to Minas Anor, and there planted the White Tree
in memory of his brother Anárion. But soon he departed, and after he had given
counsel to Meneldil, his brother's son, and had committed to him the realm of
the south, he bore away the Ring, to be an heirloom of his house, and marched
north from Gondor by the way that Elendil had come; and he forsook the South
Kingdom, for he purposed to take up his father's realm in Eriador, far from the
shadow of the Black Land.
But
Isildur was overwhelmed by a host of Orcs that lay in wait in the Misty
Mountains; and they descended upon him at unawares in his camp between the
Greenwood and the Great River, nigh to Loeg Ningloron, the Gladden Fields, for
he was heedless and set no guard, deeming that all his foes were overthrown.
There well nigh all his people were slain, and among them were his three elder
sons, Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon; but his wife and his youngest son, Valandil,
he had left in Imladris when he went to the war. Isildur himself escaped by
means of the Ring, for when he wore it he was invisible to all eyes; but the
Orcs hunted him by scent and slot, until he came to the River and plunged in.
There the Ring betrayed him and avenged its maker, for it slipped from his
finger as he swam, and it was lost in the water. Then the Orcs saw him as he
laboured in the stream, and they shot him with many arrows, and that was his
end. Only three of his people came ever back over the mountains after long
wandering; and of these one was Ohtar his esquire, to whose keeping he had
given the shards of the sword of Elendil.
Thus
Narsil came in due time to the hand of Valandil, Isildur's heir, in Imladris;
but the blade was broken and its light was extinguished, and it was not forged
anew. And Master Elrond foretold that this would not be done until the Ruling
Ring should be found again and Sauron should return; but the hope of Elves and
Men was that these things might never come to pass.
Valandil
took up his abode in Annúminas, but his folk were diminished, and of the
Númenóreans and of the Men of Eriador there remained now too few to people the
land or to maintain all the places that Elendil had built; in Dagorlad, and in
Mordor, and upon the Gladden Fields many had fallen. And it came to pass after
the days of Eärendur, the seventh king that followed Valandil, that the Men of
Westernesse, the Dúnedain of the North, became divided into petty realms and
lordships, and their foes devoured them one by one. Ever they dwindled with the
years, until their glory passed, leaving only green mounds in the grass. At
length naught was left of them but a strange people wandering secretly in the
wild, and other men knew not their homes nor the purpose of their journeys, and
save in Imladris, in the house of Elrond, their ancestry was forgotten. Yet the
shards of the sword were cherished during many lives of Men by the heirs of
Isildur; and their line, from father to son, remained unbroken.
In the
south the realm of Gondor endured, and for a time its splendour grew, until it
recalled the wealth and majesty of Númenor ere it fell High towers the people
of Gondor built, and strong places, and havens of many ships; and the Winged
Crown of the Kings of Men was held in awe by people of many lands and tongues.
For many a year the White Tree grew before the King's house in Minas Anor, the
seed of that tree which Isildur brought out of the deeps of the sea from
Númenor; and the seed before that came from Avallónë, and before that from
Valinor in the Day before days when the world was young.
Yet at
the last, in the wearing of the swift years of Middle-earth, Gondor waned, and
the line of Meneldil son of Anárion failed. For the blood of the Númenóreans
became much mingled with that of other men, and their power and wisdom was
diminished, and their life-span was shortened, and the watch upon Mordor
slumbered. And in the days of Telemnar, the third and twentieth of the line of
Meneldil, a plague came upon dark winds out of the east, and it smote the King
and his children, and many of the people of Gondor perished. Then the forts on
the borders of Mordor were deserted, and Minas Ithil was emptied of its people;
and evil entered again into the Black Land secretly, and the ashes of Gorgoroth
were stirred as by a cold wind, for dark shapes gathered there. It is said that
these were indeed the Úlairi, whom Sauron called the Nazgűl, the Nine
Ringwraiths that had long remained hidden, but returned now to prepare the ways
of their Master, for he had begun to grow again.
And in
the days of Eärnil they made their first stroke, and they came by night out of
Mordor over the passes of the Mountains of Shadow, and took Minas Ithil for
their abode; and they made it a place of such dread that none dared to look
upon it. Thereafter it was called Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery; and Minas
Morgul was ever at war with Minas Anor in the west. Then Osgiliath, which in
the waning of the people had long been deserted, became a place of ruins and a city
of ghosts. But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the
Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel a white
tower, very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and
strong was that city, and in it the White Tree still flowered for a while
before the house of the Kings; and there the remnant of the Númenóreans still
defended the passage of the River against the terrors of Minas Morgul and
against all the enemies of the West, Orcs and monsters and evil Men; and thus
the lands behind them, west of Anduin, were protected from war and destruction.
Still
Minas Tirith endured after the days of Eärnur, son of Eärnil, and the last King
of Gondor. He it was that rode alone to the gates of Minas Morgul to meet the
challenge of the Morgul-lord; and he met him in single combat, but he was
betrayed by the Nazgűl and taken alive into the city of torment, and no living
man saw him ever again. Now Eärnur left no heir, but when the line of the Kings
failed the Stewards of the house of Mardil the Faithful ruled the city and its
ever-shrinking realm; and the Rohirrim, the Horsemen of the North, came and
dwelt in the green land of Rohan, which before was named Calenardhon and was a
part of the kingdom of Condor; and the Rohirrim aided the Lords of the City in
their wars. And northward, beyond the Falls of Rauros and the Gates of
Argonath, there were as yet other defences, powers more ancient of which Men
knew little, against whom the things of evil did not dare to move, until in the
ripening of time their dark lord, Sauron, should come forth again. And until
that time was come, never again after the days of Eärnil did the Nazgűl dare to
cross the River or to come forth from their city in shape visible to Men.
In all
the days of the Third Age, after the fall of Gil-galad, Master Elrond abode in
Imladris, and he gathered there many Elves, and other folk of wisdom and power
from among all the kindreds of Middle-earth, and he preserved through many
lives of Men the memory of all that had been fair; and the house of Elrond was
a refuge for the weary and the oppressed, and a treasury of good counsel and
wise lore. In that house were harboured the Heirs of Isildur, in childhood and
old age, because of the kinship of their blood with Elrond himself, and because
he knew in his wisdom that one should come of their line to whom a great part
was appointed in the last deeds of that Age. And until that time came the
shards of Elendil's sword were given into the keeping of Elrond, when the days
of the Dúnedain darkened and they became a wandering people.
In
Eriador Imladris was the chief dwelling of the High Elves; but at the Grey
Havens of Lindon there abode also a remnant of the people of Gil-galad the
Elvenking. At times they would wander into the lands of Eriador, but for the
most part they dwelt near the shores of the sea, building and tending the
elven-ships wherein those of the Firstborn who grew weary of the world set sail
into the uttermost West Círdan the Shipwright was lord of the Havens and mighty
among the Wise.
Of the
Three Rings that the Elves had preserved unsullied no open word was ever spoken
among the Wise, and few even of the Eldar knew where they were bestowed. Yet
after the fall of Sauron their power was ever at work, and where they abode
there mirth also dwelt and all things were unstained by the griefs of time.
Therefore ere the Third Age was ended the Elves perceived that the Ring of
Sapphire was with Elrond, in the fair valley of Rivendell, upon whose house the
stars of heaven most brightly shone; whereas the Ring of Adamant was in the
Land of Lórien where dwelt the Lady Galadriel. A queen she was of the woodland
Elves, the wife of Celeborn of Doriath, yet she herself was of the Noldor and
remembered the Day before days in Valinor, and she was the mightiest and
fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth. But the Red Ring
remained hidden until the end, and none save Elrond and Galadriel and Círdan
knew to whom it had been committed.
Thus it
was that in two domains the bliss and beauty of the Elves remained still
undiminished while that Age endured: in Imladris; and in Lothlórien, the hidden
land between Celebrant and Anduin, where the trees bore flowers of gold and no
Orc or evil thing dared ever come. Yet many voices were heard among the Elves
foreboding that, if Sauron should come again, then either he would find the
Ruling Ring that was lost, or at the best his enemies would discover it and
destroy it; but in either chance the powers of the Three must then fail and all
things maintained by them must fade, and so the Elves should pass into the
twilight and the Dominion of Men begin.
And so
indeed it has since befallen: the One and the Seven and the Nine are destroyed;
and the Three have passed away, and with them the Third Age is ended, and the
Tales of the Eldar in Middle-earth draw to then-close. Those were the Fading
Years, and in them the last flowering of the Elves east of the Sea came to its
winter. In that time the Noldor walked still in the Hither Lands, mightiest and
fairest of the children of the world, and their tongues were still heard by
mortal ears. Many things of beauty and wonder remained on earth in that time,
and many things also of evil and dread: Orcs there were and trolls and dragons
and fell beasts, and strange creatures old and wise in the woods whose names
are forgotten; Dwarves still laboured in the hills and wrought with patient
craft works of metal and stone that none now can rival. But the Dominion of Men
was preparing and all things were changing, until at last the Dark Lord arose
in Mirkwood again.
Now of
old the name of that forest was Greenwood the Great, and its wide halls and
aisles were the haunt of many beasts and of birds of bright song; and there was
the realm of King Thranduil under the oak and the beech. But after many years,
when well nigh a third of that age of the world had passed, a darkness crept
slowly through the wood from the southward, and fear walked there in shadowy
glades; fell beasts came hunting, and cruel and evil creatures laid there their
snares.
Then the
name of the forest was changed and Mirkwood it was called, for the nightshade
lay deep there, and few dared to pass through, save only in the north where
Thranduil's people still held the evil at bay. Whence it came few could tell,
and it was long ere even the Wise could discover it. It was the Shadow of
Sauron and the sign of his return. For coming out of the wastes of the East he
took up his abode in the south of the forest, and slowly he grew and took shape
there again; in a dark hill he made his dwelling and wrought there his sorcery,
and all folk feared the Sorcerer of Dol Guldur, and yet they knew not at first
how great was their peril.
Even as
the first shadows were felt in Mirkwood there appeared in the west of
Middle-earth the Istari, whom Men called the Wizards. None knew at that time
whence they were, save Círdan of the Havens, and only to Elrond and to
Galadriel did he reveal that they came over the Sea. But afterwards it was said
among the Elves that they were messengers sent by the Lords of the West to
contest the power of Sauron, if he should arise again, and to move Elves and
Men and all living things of good will to valiant deeds. In the likeness of Men
they appeared, old but vigorous, and they changed little with the years, and
aged but slowly, though great cares lay on them; great wisdom they had, and
many powers of mind and hand. Long they journeyed far and wide among Elves and
Men, and held converse also with beasts and with birds; and the peoples of
Middle-earth gave to them many names, for their true names they did not reveal.
Chief among them were those whom the Elves called Mithrandir and Curunír, but
Men in the North named Gandalf and Saruman. Of these Curunír was the eldest and
came first, and after him came Mithrandir and Radagast, and others of the
Istari who went into the east of Middle-earth, and do not come into these
tales. Radagast was the friend of all beasts and birds; but Curunír went most
among Men, and he was subtle in speech and skilled in all the devices of
smith-craft. Mithrandir was closest in counsel with Elrond and the Elves. He
wandered far in the North and West and made never in any land any lasting
abode; but Curunír journeyed into the East, and when he returned he dwelt at
Orthanc in the Ring of Isengard, which the Númenóreans made in the days of
their power.
Ever
most vigilant was Mithrandir, and he it was that most doubted the darkness in
Mirkwood, for though many deemed that it was wrought by the Ringwraiths, he
feared that it was indeed the first shadow of Sauron returning; and he went to
Dol Guldur, and the Sorcerer fled from him, and there was a watchful peace for
a long while. But at length the Shadow returned and its power increased; and in
that time was first made the Council of the Wise that is called the White
Council, and therein were Elrond and Galadriel and Círdan, and other lords of
the Eldar, and with them were Mithrandir and Curunír. And Curunír (that was
Saruman the White) was chosen to be their chief, for he had most studied the
devices of Sauron of old. Galadriel indeed had wished that Mithrandir should be
the Lead of the Council, and Saruman begrudged them that, for his pride and
desire of mastery was grown great; but Mithrandir refused the office, since he
would have no ties and no allegiance, save to those who sent him, and he would
abide in no place nor be subject to any summons. But Saruman now began to study
the lore of the Rings of Power, their making and their history.
Now the
Shadow grew ever greater, and the hearts of Elrond and Mithrandir darkened.
Therefore on a time Mithrandir at great peril went again to Dol Guldur and the
pits of the Sorcerer, and he discovered the truth of his fears, and escaped.
And returning to Elrond he said:
'True,
alas, is our guess. This is not one of the Úlairi, as many have long supposed.
It is Sauron himself who has taken shape again and now grows apace; and he is
gathering again all the Rings to his hand; and he seeks ever for news of the
One, and of the Heirs of Isildur, if they live still on earth.'
And
Elrond answered: 'In the hour that Isildur took the Ring and would not
surrender it, this doom was wrought, that Sauron should return.'
'Yet the
One was lost,' said Mithrandir, 'and while it still lies hid, we can master the
Enemy, if we gather our strength and tarry not too long.'
Then the
White Council was summoned; and Mithrandir urged them to swift deeds, but
Curunír spoke against him, and counselled them to wait yet and to watch.
'For I
believe not,' said he, 'that the One will ever be found again in Middle-earth.
Into Anduin it fell, and long ago, I deem, it was rolled to the Sea. There it
shall lie until the end, when all this world is broken and the deeps are
removed.'
Therefore
naught was done at that time, though Elrond's heart misgave him, and he said to
Mithrandir:
'Nonetheless
I forbode that the One will yet be found, and then war will arise again, and in
that war this Age will be ended. Indeed in a second darkness it will end, unless
some strange chance deliver us that my eyes cannot see.'
'Many
are the strange chances of fee world,' said Mithrandir, 'and help oft shall
come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.'
Thus the
Wise were troubled, but none as yet perceived that Curunír had turned to dark
thoughts and was already a traitor in heart: for he desired that he and no
other should find the Great Ring, so that he might wield it himself and order
all the world to his will. Too long he had studied the ways of. Sauron in hope
to defeat him, and now he envied him as a rival rather than hated his works.
And he deemed that the Ring, which was Sauron's, would seek for its master as
he became manifest once more; but if he were driven out again, then it would
lie hid. Therefore he was willing to play with peril and let Sauron be for a
time, hoping by his craft to forestall both his friends and the Enemy, when the
Ring should appear.
He set a
watch upon the Gladden Fields; but soon he discovered that the servants of Dol
Guldur were searching all the ways of the River in that region. Then he
perceived that Sauron also had learned of the manner of Isildur's end, and he
grew afraid and withdrew to Isengard and fortified it; and ever he probed
deeper into the lore of the Rings of Power and the art of their forging. But he
spoke of none of this to the Council, hoping still that he might be the first
to hear news of the Ring. He gathered a great host of spies, and many of these
were birds; for Radagast lent him his aid, divining naught of his treachery,
and deeming that this was but part of the watch upon the Enemy.
But ever
the shadow in Mirkwood grew deeper, and to Dol Guldur evil things repaired out
of all the dark places of the world; and they were united again under one will,
and their malice was directed against the Elves and the survivors of Númenor.
Therefore at last the Council was again summoned and the lore of the Rings was
much debated; but Mithrandir spoke to the Council, saying:
'It is
not needed that the Ring should be found, for while it abides on earth and is
not unmade, still the power that it holds will live, and Sauron will grow and
have hope. The might of the Elves and the Elf-friends is less now than of old.
Soon he will be too strong for you, even without the Great Ring; for he rules
the Nine, and of the Seven he has recovered three. We must strike.'
To this
Curunír now assented, desiring that Sauron should be thrust from Dol Guldur,
which was nigh to the River, and should have leisure to search there no longer.
Therefore, for the last time, he aided the Council, and they put forth their
strength; and they assailed Dol Guldur, and drove Sauron from his hold, and
Mirkwood for a brief while was made wholesome again.
But
their stroke was too late. For the Dark Lord had foreseen it, and he had long
prepared all his movements; and the Úlairi, his Nine Servants, had gone before
him to make ready for his coming. Therefore his flight was but a feint, and he
soon returned, and ere the Wise could prevent him he re-entered his kingdom in
Mordor and reared once again the dark towers of Barad-dűr. And in that year the
White Council met for the last time, and Curunír withdrew to Isengard, and took
counsel with none save himself.
Orcs
were mustering, and far to the east and the south the wild peoples were arming.
Then in the midst of gathering fear and the rumour of war the foreboding of
Elrond was proved true, and the One Ring was indeed found again, by a chance
more strange than even Mithrandir had foreseen; and it was hidden from Curunír
and from Sauron. For it had been taken from Anduin long ere they sought for it,
being found by one of the small fisher-folk that dwelt by the River, ere the
Kings failed in Condor; and by its finder it was brought beyond search into
dark hiding under the roots of the mountains. There it dwelt, until even in the
year of the assault upon Dol Guldur it was found again, by a wayfarer, fleeing
into the depths of the earth from the pursuit of the Orcs, and passed into a
far distant country, even to the land of the Periannath, the Little People, the
Halflings, who dwelt in the west of Eriador. And ere that day they had been
held of small account by Elves and by Men, and neither Sauron nor any of the
Wise save Mithrandir had in all their counsels given thought to them.
Now by
fortune and his vigilance Mithrandir first learned of the Ring, ere Sauron had
news of it; yet he was dismayed and in doubt. For too great was the evil power
of this thing for any of the Wise to wield, unless like Curunír he wished himself
to become a tyrant and a dark lord in his turn; but neither could it be
concealed from Sauron for ever, nor could it be unmade by the craft of the
Elves. Therefore with the help of the Dúnedain of the North Mithrandir set a
watch upon the land of the Periannath and bided his time. But Sauron had many
ears, and soon he heard rumour of the One Ring, which above all things he
desired, and he sent forth the Nazgűl to take it. Then war was kindled, and in
battle with Sauron the Third Age ended even as it had begun.
But
those who saw the things that were done in that time, deeds of valour and
wonder, have elsewhere told the tale of the War of the Ring, and how it ended
both in victory unlocked for and in sorrow long foreseen. Here let it be said
that in those days the Heir of Isildur arose in the North, and he took the
shards of the sword of Elendil, and in Imladris they were reforged; and he went
then to war, a great captain of Men. He was Aragorn son of Arathorn, the nine
and thirtieth heir in the right line from Isildur, and yet more like to Elendil
than any before him. Battle there was in Rohan, and Curunír the traitor was
thrown down and Isengard broken; and before the City of Gondor a great field
was fought, and the Lord of Morgul, Captain of Sauron, there passed into
darkness; and the Heir of Isildur led the host of the West to the Black Gates
of Mordor.
In that
last battle were Mithrandir, and the sons of Elrond, and the King of Rohan, and
lords of Gondor, and the Heir of Isildur with the Dúnedain of the North. There
at the last they looked upon death and defeat, and all their valour was in
vain; for Sauron was too strong. Yet in that hour was put to the proof that
which Mithrandir had spoken, and help came from the hands of the weak when the
Wise faltered. For, as many songs have since sung, it was the Periannath, the
Little People, dwellers in hillsides and meadows, that brought them
deliverance.
For
Frodo the Halfling, it is said, at the bidding of Mithrandir took on himself
the burden, and alone with his servant he passed through peril and darkness and
came at last in Sauron's despite even to Mount Doom; and there into the Fire
where it was wrought he cast the Great Ring of Power, and so at last it was
unmade and its evil consumed.
Then
Sauron failed, and he was utterly vanquished and passed away like a shadow of
malice; and the towers of Barad-dűr crumbled in ruin, and at the rumour of
their fall many lands trembled. Thus peace came again, and a new Spring opened
on earth; and the Heir of Isildur was crowned King of Gondor and Arnor, and the
might of the Dúnedain was lifted up and their glory renewed. In the courts of
Minas Anor the White Tree flowered again, for a seedling was found by
Mithrandir in the snows of Mindolluin that rose tall and white above the City
of Gondor; and while it still grew there the Elder Days were not wholly
forgotten in the hearts of the Kings.
Now all
these things were achieved for the most part by the counsel and vigilance of
Mithrandir, and in the last few days he was revealed as a lord of great
reverence, and clad in white he rode into battle; but not until the time came
for him to depart was it known that he had long guarded the Red Ring of Fire.
At the first that Ring had been entrusted to Círdan, Lord of the Havens; but he
had surrendered it to Mithrandir, for he knew whence he came and whither at
last he would return.
'Take
now this Ring,' he said; 'for thy labours and thy cares will be heavy, but in
all it will support thee and defend thee from weariness. For this is the Ring
of Fire, and herewith, maybe, thou shalt rekindle hearts to the valour of old
in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I
will dwell by the grey shores, guarding the Havens until the last ship sails.
Then I shall await thee.'
White
was that ship and long was it a-building, and long it awaited the end of which
Círdan had spoken. But when all these things were done, and the Heir of Isildur
had taken up the lordship of Men, and the dominion of the West had passed to
him, then it was made plain that the power of the Three Rings also was ended,
and to the Firstborn the world grew old and grey. In that time the last of the
Noldor set sail from the Havens and left Middle-earth for ever. And latest of
all the Keepers of the Three Rings rode to the Sea, and Master Elrond took
there the ship that Círdan had made ready. In the twilight of autumn it sailed
out of Mithlond, until the seas of the Bent World fell away beneath it, and the
winds of the round sky troubled it no more, and borne upon the high airs above
the mists of the world it passed into the Ancient West, and an end was come for
the Eldar of story and of song.
The
following note is intended simply to clarify a few main features in the pronunciation
of names in the Elvish languages, and is by no means exhaustive. For full
information on the subject see The Lord of the Rings Appendix E.
C always has the value of k, never of s; thus
Celeborn is 'Keleborn' not 'Seleborn'. In a few cases, as Tulkas, Kementári a k
has been used in the spelling in this book.
CH always has the value of ch in Scotch loch or
German buch, never that of ch in English church. Examples are Carcharoth.
Erchamion.
DH is always used to represent the sound of a voiced
('soft') th in English, that is the th in then, not the th in thin. Examples
are Maedhros, Aredhel, Haudh-en-Arwen.
G always has the sound of English g in get;
thus Region, Eregion are not pronounced like English region, and the first
syllable of Ginglith is as in English begin not as in gin.
Consonants
written twice are pronounced long; thus Yavanna has the long n heard in English
unnamed, penknife, not the short n in unaimed, penny.
AI has the sound of English eye; thus the
second syllable of Edain is like English dine, not Dane.
AU has the value of English ow in town; thus
the first syllable of Aulë is like English owl, and the first syllable of
Sauron is like English sour, not sore.
EI as in Teiglin has the sound of English grey.
IE should not be pronounced as in English
piece, but with both the vowels i and e sounded, and run together; thus
Ni-enna, not 'Neena'.
UI as in Uinen has the sound of English ruin.
AE as in Aegnor, Nirnaeth, and OE as in
Noegyth, Loeg, are combinations of the individual vowels, a-e, o-e, but ae may
be pronounced in the same way as ai, and oe as in English toy
EA and
EO are not run together, but constitute
two syllables; these combinations are written ea and eo (or, when they begin
names, Eä and Eo: Eärendil, Eönwë).
U in names like Húrin, Túrin, Túna should be
pronounced oo; thus 'Toorin' not 'Tyoorin'.
ER, IR,
UR before a consonant (as in Nerdanel,
Círdan, Gurthang) or at the end of a word (as in Ainur) should not be
pronounced as in English fern, fir, fur, but as in English air, eer, oor.
E at the end of words is always pronounced as
a distinct vowel, and in this position is written e. It is likewise always
pronounced in the middle of words like Celeborn, Menegroth.
A
circumflex accent in stressed monosyllables in Sindarin denotes the
particularly long vowel heard in such words (thus Hîn Húrin); but in Adűnaic
(Númenórean) and Khuzdul (Dwarvish) names the circumflex is simply used to
denote long vowels.
Since
the number of names in the book is very large, this index provides, in addition
to page-references, a short statement concerning each person and place. These
statements are not epitomes of all that is said in the text, and for most of
the central figures in the narrative are kept extremely brief; but such an
index is inevitably bulky, and I have reduced its size in various ways.
The
chief of these concerns the fact that very often the English translation of an
Elvish name is also used as the name independently; thus for example the dwelling
of King Thingol is called both Menegroth and 'The Thousand Caves' (and also
both together). In most such cases I have combined the Elvish name and its
translated meaning under one entry, with the result that the page-references
are not restricted to the name that appears as the heading (e.g., those under
Echoriath include those to 'Encircling Mountains'). The English renderings are
given separate headings, but only with a simple direction to the main entry,
and only if they occur independently. Words in inverted commas are
translations; many of these occur in the text (as Tol Eressëa 'the Lonely
Isle'), but I have added a great many others. Information about some names that
are not translated is contained in the Appendix.
With the
many titles and formal expressions in English whose Elvish originals are not
given, such as 'the Elder King' and 'the Two Kindreds', I have been selective,
but the great majority are registered. The references are in intention complete
(and sometimes include pages where the subject of the entry occurs but is not
actually mentioned by name) except in a very few cases where the name occurs
very frequently indeed, as Beleriand, Valar. Here the word passim is used, but
selected references are given to important passages; and in the entries for
some of the Noldorin princes the many occurrences of the name that relate only
to their sons or their houses have been eliminated.
References
to The Lord of the Rings are by title of the volume, book, and chapter.
Adanedhel 'Elf-Man', name given to Túrin in
Nargothrond. 258
Adunakhôr 'Lord of the West', name taken by the
nineteenth King of Númenor, the first to do so in the Adűnaic (Númenórean)
tongue; his name in Quenya was Herunúmen. 330
Adurant The sixth and most southerly of the
tributaries of Gelion in Ossiriand. The name means 'double stream', referring
to its divided course about the island of Tol Galen. 147, 229, 290
Aeglos 'Snow-point', the spear of
Gil-galad. 364
Aegnor The fourth son of Finarfin, who with
his brother Angrod held the northern slopes of Dorthonion; slain in the Dagor
Bragollach. The name means 'Fell Fire', 64,94, 141, 180-82
Aelin-uial 'Meres of Twilight', where Aros flowed into
Sirion. 133,145, 203, 267, 285
Aerandir 'Sea-wanderer', one of the three mariners
who accompanied Eärendil on his voyages. 307
Aerin A kinswoman of Húrin in Dor-lómin; taken
as wife by Brodda the Easterling; aided Morwen after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
243, 264
Aftercomers The Younger Children of Ilúvatar, Men;
translation of Hildor, 92-3, 114
Agarwaen 'Blood-stained', name given to himself by
Túrin when he came to Nargothrond. 257
Aglarond 'The Glittering Cavern' of Helm's Deep in
Ered Nimrais (see The Two Towers III 8). 361
Aglon 'The Narrow Pass', between Dorthonion and
the heights to the west of Himring. 147, 161, 183-4
Ainulindalë 'The Music of the Ainur', also called The
(Great) Music, The (Great) Song. 3-9, 18, 21, 37-8, 43-4, 50, 74, 121, 251.
Also the name of the account of Creation said to have been composed by Rúmil of
Tirion in the Elder Days. 82
Ainur 'The Holy Ones' (singular Ainu)', the
first beings created by Ilúvatar, the 'order' of the Valar and Maiar, made
before Eä. 3-9, 18, 21, 41, 44, 58, 121, 251, 288
Akallabęth
'The Downfallen', Adűnaic (Númenórean)
word equivalent in meaning to Quenya Atalantë. 347 Also the title of the
account of the Downfall of Númenor. 359,360
Alcarinquë 'The Glorious', name of a star. 48
Alcarondas The great ship of Ar-Pharazôn in which he
sailed to Aman. 343
Aldaron 'Lord of Trees', a Quenya name of the
Vala Oromë; cf. Tauron. 22
Aldudénië 'Lament for the Two Trees', made by a
Vanyarin Elf named Elemmírë. 84
Almaren The first abode of the Valar in Arda,
before the second onslaught of Melkor: an isle in a great lake in the midst of
Middle-earth. 30-1, 117
Alqualondë 'Haven of the Swans', the chief city and haven
of the Teleri on the shores of Aman. 63-5, 79, 97, 100, 120, 130, 154, 188,
309, 311
Aman 'Blessed, free from evil', the name of
the land in the West, beyond the Great Sea, in which the Valar dwelt after they
had left the Isle of Almaren. Often referred to as the Blessed Realm. Passim;
see especially 32, 66, 326
Amandil 'Lover of Aman'; the last lord of Andúnië
in Númenor, descendant of Elros and father of Elendil; set out on a voyage to
Valinor and did not return. 335-7, 340-1, 346, 362
Amarië Vanyarin Elf, beloved of Finrod
Felagund, who remained in Valinor. 155
Amlach Son of Imlach son of Marach; a
leader of dissension among the Men of Estolad who, repenting, took service with
Maedhros. 173-4
Amon
Amarth 'Mount Doom', the name given to
Orodruin when its fires awoke again after Sauron's return from Númenor. 363,
377
Amon
Ereb 'The Lonely Hill' (also simply
Ereb), between Ramdal and the river Gelion in East Beleriand. 110, 146, 184
Amon
Ethir 'The Hill of Spies', raised by
Finrod Felagund to the east of the doors of Nargothrond. 267-8
Amon
Gwareth The hill upon which Gondolin
was built, in the midst of the plain of Tumladen. 151, 163, 296, 299
Amon
Obel A hill in the midst of the Forest
of Brethil, on which was built Ephel Brandir. 249, 266, 270
Amon
Rűdh 'The Bald Hill', a lonely height in
the lands south of Brethil; abode of Mîm, and lair of Túrin's outlaw band.
246-52, 284
Amon
Sűl 'Hill of the Wind', in the Kingdom
of Arnor ('Weathertop' in The Lord of the Rings). 362
Amon
Uilos Sindarin name of Oiolossë. 32
Amras Twin-brother of Amrod, youngest of the
sons of Fëanor; slain with Amrod in the attack on Eärendil's people at the
Mouths of Sirion. 63, 93, 148, 170, 184, 305
Amrod See Amras.
Anach Pass leading down from Taur-nu-Fuin
(Dorthonion) at the western end of Ered Gorgoroth. 245-6, 251-2, 299
Anadűnë 'Westernesse': name of Númenor in the
Adűnaic (Númenórean) tongue (see Númenor). 322
Anar Quenya name of the Sun. 114-6
Anárion Younger son of Elendil, who with his
father and his brother Isildur escaped from the Drowning of Númenor and founded
in Middle-earth the Númenórean realms in exile; lord of Minas Anor; slain in
the siege of Barad-dűr. 336, 346, 360-8
Anarríma Name of a constellation. 48
Ancalagon Greatest of the winged dragons of Morgoth,
destroyed by Eärendil. 312
Andor 'The Land of Gift': Númenor. 321, 345,
347
Andram 'The Long Wall', name of the
dividing fall running across Beleriand. 109, 146
Androth Caves in the bills of Mithrim where
Tuor was fostered by the Grey-elves. 294
Anduin 'The Long River', east of the Misty
Mountains; referred to also as the Great River and the River. 55,107, 329,
360-1, 364, 366, 369, 374-5
Andúnië City and haven on the west coast of
Númenor. 322, 331-2, 335. For the Lords of Andúnië see 331
Anfauglir A name of the wolf Carcharoth, translated in
the text as 'Jaws of Thirst'. 218
Anfauglith Name of the plain of Ard-galen after its
desolation by Morgoth in the Battle of Sudden Flame; translated in the text as
'the Gasping Dust'. Cf. Dor-nu-Fauglith. 181, 194, 215, 232-4, 241, 254-5, 261,
280, 311
Angainor The chain wrought by Aulë with which Melkor
was twice bound. 52, 312
Angband 'Iron Prison, Hell of Iron', the great
dungeon-fortress of Morgoth in the Northwest of Middle-earth. Passim; see
especially 47, 90, 109, 139, 217. The Siege of Angband 36, 139-40, 144, 148,
158, 182, 192, 202
Anghabar 'Iron-delvings', a mine in the Encircling
Mountains about the plain of Gondolin. 166
Anglachel The sword made from meteoric iron that
Thingol received from Eöl and which he gave to Beleg; after its reforging for
Túrin named Gurthang. 247, 253-57
Angrenost 'Iron Fortress', Númenórean fortress on the
west borders of Gondor, afterwards inhabited by the wizard Curunír (Saruman);
see Isengard. 361
Angrim Father of Gorlim the Unhappy. 195
Angrist 'Iron-cleaver', the knife made by
Telchar of Nogrod, taken from Curufin by Beren and used by him to cut the Silmaril
from Morgoth's crown. 215, 219
Angrod The third son of Finarfin, who with
his brother Aegnor held the northern slopes of Dorthonion; slain in the Dagor
Bragollach. 64, 94, 130-1, 141, 154, 180-2, 260
Anguirel Eöl's sword, made of the same metal as
Anglachel. 247
Annael Grey-elf of Mithrim, fosterfather of
Tuor. 294
Annatar 'Lord of Gifts', name given to
himself by Sauron in the Second Age, in that time when he appeared in a fair
form among the Eldar who remained in Middle-earth. 355
Annon-in-Gelydh 'Gate of the Noldor', entrance to a
subterranean watercourse in the western hills of Dor-lómin, leading to Cirith
Ninniach. 294
Annúminas
'Tower of the West' (i.e. of
Westernesse, Númenor); city of the Kings of Arnor beside Lake Nenuial. 360,
362, 367
Anor See Minas Anor.
Apanónar 'The Afterborn', an Elvish name for Men. 119
Aradan Sindarin name of Malach, son of
Marach. 172, 177
Aragorn The thirty-ninth Heir of Isildur in the
direct line; King of the reunited realms of Arnor and Gondor after the War of
the Ring; wedded Arwen, daughter of Elrond. 377. Called the Heir of Isildur 377
Araman Barren wasteland on the coast of
Aman, between the Pelóri and the Sea, extending northward to the Helcaraxë. 79,
88, 97,101, 116-7,123, 129, 297
Aranel Name of Dior Thingol's Heir. 229
Aranrúth 'King's Ire', the name of Thingol's sword.
Aranrúth survived the ruin of Doriath and was possessed by the Kings of
Númenor. 247
Aranwë Elf of Gondolin, father of Voronwë.
295
Aratan Second son of Isildur, slain with
him at the Gladden Fields. 366
Aratar 'The Exalted', the eight Valar of
greatest power. 23
Arathorn Father of Aragorn. 377
Arda 'The Realm', name of the Earth as the
Kingdom of Manwë. Passim; see especially 8, 12
Ard-galen The great grassy plain north of Dorthonion,
called after its desolation Anfauglith and Dor-nu-Fauglith. The name means 'the
Green Region'; cf. Calenardhon (Rohan). 124, 135-6, 144, 181
Aredhel 'Noble Elf', the sister of Turgon of
Gondolin, who was ensnared by Eöl in Nan Elmoth and bore to him Maeglin; called
also Ar-Feiniel, the White Lady of the Noldor, the White Lady of Gondolin. 64,
156-65, 247
Ar-Feiniel See Aredhel.
Ar-Gimilzôr Twenty-second King of Númenor, persecutor of
the Elendili. 331-2
Argonath 'King-stones', the Pillars of the Kings,
great carvings of Isildur and Anárion on the Anduin at the entrance to the
northern bounds of Gondor (see The Fellowship of the Ring II 9). 361, 369
Arien A Maia, chosen by the Valar to guide the
vessel of the Sun. 114-7
Armenelos City of the Kings in Númenor. 322, 324,
333-7, 361
Arminas See Gelmir (2).
Arnor 'Land of the King', the northern realm of
the Númenóreans in Middle-earth, established by Elendil after his escape from
the Drowning of Númenor. 361-2, 377
Aros The southern river of Doriath. 109, 131,
145, 147-8, 157, 158, 176, 287-9
Arossiach The Fords of Aros, near the north-eastern
edge of Doriath. 145, 158, 162
Ar-Pharazôn 'The Golden', twenty-fourth and last King of
Númenor; named in Quenya Tar-Calion; captor of Sauron, by whom he was seduced;
commander of the great fleet that went against Aman. 333-47
Ar-Sakalthôr Father of Ar-Gimilzôr. 331
Arthad One of the twelve companions of
Barahir on Dorthonion. 187
Arvernien The coastlands of Middle-earth west of Sirion's
mouths. Cf. Bilbo's song at Rivendell: 'Eärendil was a mariner that tarried in
Arvernien...' (The Fellowship of the Ring II 1). 302
Ar-Zimraphel See Míriel (2).
Ascar The most northerly of the tributaries of
Gelion in Ossiriand (afterwards called Rathlóriel). The name means 'rushing,
impetuous'. 104, 146-8, 167, 174, 291
Astaldo 'The Valiant', name of the Vala
Tulkas. 22
Atalantë 'The Downfallen'. Quenya word equivalent in
meaning to Akallabęth, 347
Atanamir See Tar-Atanamir.
Atanatári 'Fathers of Men'; see Atani. 120, 232
Atani 'The Second People', Men (singular Atan).
For the origin of the name see 171; since in Beleriand for a long time the only
Men known to the Noldor and Sindar were those of the Three Houses of the
Elf-friends, this name (in the Sindarin form Adan, plural Edain) became
specially associated with them, so that it was seldom applied to other Men who
came later to Beleriand, or who were reported to be dwelling beyond the
Mountains. But in the speech of Ilúvatar (41) the meaning is 'Men (in
general)'. 38, 119, 171; Edain, 171-2, 176-9, 189-90, 238, 241, 292, 319-21,
347
Aulë A Vala, one of the Aratar, the smith and
master of crafts, spouse of Yavanna; see especially 20, 23, and for his making
of the Dwarves 40 ff., 8-9, 18, 20, 23-4, 26, 30, 35, 37, 40-5, 51, 54, 62, 65,
69, 75, 87, 95, 104, 113, 321
Avallónë Haven and city of the Eldar on Tol Eressëa,
so named, according to the Akallabęth, 'for it is of all cities the nearest to
Valinor'. 320, 325, 332, 344, 348-9, 362, 368
Avari 'The Unwilling, the Refusers', the name
given to all those Elves who refused to join the westward march from Cuiviénen.
See Eldar and Dark Elves. 53, 107, 113,355
Avathar 'The Shadows', the forsaken land on
the coast of Aman south of the Bay of Eldamar, between the Pelóri and the Sea,
where Melkor met Ungoliant 80-1, 88,116
Azaghâl Lord of the Dwarves of Belegost;
wounded Glaurung in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and was killed by him. 236
Balan The name of Bëor the Old before he took
service with Finrod. 170
Balar The great bay to the south of Beleriand
into which the river Sirion flowed. 52, 56, 59, 60, 142. Also the isle in the
bay, said to have been the eastern horn of Tol Eressëa that broke away, where
Círdan and Gil-galad dwelt after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 59, 105, 144, 192,
239, 302, 304-5
Balrog 'Demon of Might', Sindarin form
(Quenya Valarauko) of the name of the demons of fire that served Morgoth. 26,
46, 90, 125, 144, 182, 202, 235, 300-1
Barad-dűr 'The Dark Tower' of Sauron in Mordor. 329,
334, 347, 363, 365, 375, 377
Barad
Eithel 'Tower of the Well', the
fortress of the Noldor at Eithel Sirion. 233
Barad
Nimras 'White Horn Tower', raised by
Finrod Felagund on the cape west of Eglarest, 142, 239
Baragund Father of Morwen the wife of Húrin; nephew
of Barahir and one of his twelve companions on Dorthonion. 177, 187, 194, 242,
311
Barahir Father of Beren; rescued Finrod
Felagund in the Dagor Bragollach, and received from him his ring; slain on
Dorthonion. For the later history of the ring of Barahir, which became an
heirloom of the House of Isildur, see The Lord of the Rings Appendix A (I,
iii). 121, 177, 182-3, 186-7, 194-7, 201-5, 226, 229, 243. 285, 311
Baran Elder son of Bëor the Old. 170-1
Baranduin 'The Brown River' in Eriador, flowing into
the Sea south of the Blue Mountains; the Brandywine of the Shire in The Lord of
the Rings. 360
Bar-en-Danwedh 'House of Ransom', the name that Mîm the
Dwarf gave to his dwelling on Amon Rűdh when he yielded it to Túrin. 248, 252
Battles
of Beleriand The first battle: 96. The
second battle (the Battle-under-Stars): see Dagor-nuin-Giliath. The third
battle (the Glorious Battle): see Dagor Aglareb. The fourth battle (the Battle
of Sudden Flame): see Dagor Bragollach. The fifth battle (Unnumbered Tears):
see Nirnaeth Arnoediad. The Great Battle: 311-2
Bauglir A name of Morgoth: 'the Constrainer'.
120, 243, 259, 286, 315
Beleg A great archer and chief of the
marchwardens of Doriath; called Cúthalion 'Strongbow'; friend and companion of
Túrin, by whom he was slain. 190, 225-6, 230, 243-8, 251-7, 278
Belegaer 'The Great Sea' of the West, between
Middle-earth and Aman. Named Belegaer 32, 100, 295; but very frequently called
the (Great) Sea, also the Western Sea and the Great Water.
Belegost 'Great Fortress', one of the two cities of
the Dwarves in the Blue Mountains; translation into Sindarin of Dwarvish
Gabilgathol. See Mickleburg. 104, 107, 132, 158, 231, 236, 250, 285, 288
Belegund Father of Rían the wife of Huor; nephew of
Barahir and one of his twelve companions on Dorthonion. 177, 187, 194, 242
Beleriand The name was said to have signified 'the
country of Balar', and to have been given at first to the lands about the
mouths of Sirion that faced the Isle of Balar. Later the name spread to include
all the ancient coast of the Northwest of Middle-earth south of the Firth of
Drengist, and all the inner lands south of Hithlum and eastwards to the feet of
the Blue Mountains, divided by the river Sirion into East and West Beleriand.
Beleriand was broken in the turmoils at the end of the First Age, and invaded
by the sea, so that only Ossiriand (Lindon) remained. Passim; see especially
142-8, 313, 354-5
Belfalas Region on the southern coast of Gondor
looking on to the great bay of the same name; Bay of Belfalas 361
Belthil 'Divine radiance', the image of
Telperion made by Turgon in Gondolin. 151
Belthronding The bow of Beleg Cúthalion, which was
buried with him. 256
Bëor Called the Old; leader of the first Men
to enter Beleriand; vassal of Finrod Felagund; progenitor of the House of Bëor
(called also the Eldest House of Men and the First House of the Edain); see
Balan. 167-72, 177-80, 204. House of, People of, Bëor 172-4, 177, 183, 189-90,
194
Bereg Grandson of Baran son of Bëor the Old
(this is not stated in the text); a leader of dissension among the Men of
Estolad; went back over the mountains into Eriador. 173-4
Beren Son of Barahir; cut a Silmaril from
Morgoth's crown to be the bride-price of Lúthien Thingol's daughter, and was
slain by Carcharoth the wolf of Angband; but returning from the dead, alone of
mortal Men, lived afterwards with Lúthien on Tol Galen in Ossiriand, and fought
with the Dwarves at Sarn Athrad. Great-grandfather of Elrond and Elros and
ancestor of the Númenórean Kings. Called also Camlost, Erchamion, and One-hand.
121, 147, 177, 187, 194-206, 208-30, 242, 258, 285, 290-1, 305
Black
Land See Mordor.
Black
Sword See Mormegil.
Black
Years See 359, 365
Blessed
Realm See Aman.
Blue
Mountains See Ered Luin and Ered Lindon.
Bor A chieftain of the Easterlings,
follower with his three sons of Maedhros and Maglor. 189, 231. Sons of Bor 235
Borlach One of the three sons of Bor; slain
with his brothers in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 189
Borlad One of the three sons of Bor; see
Borlach.
Boromir Great-grandson of Bëor the Old,
grandfather of Barahir father of Beren; first lord of Ladros. 177
Boron Father of Boromir. 177
Borthand One of the three sons of Bor; see Borlach.
Bragollach See Dagor Bragollach.
Brandir Called the Lame; ruler of the People
of Haleth after the death of Handir his father; enamoured of Nienor; slain by
Túrin. 266, 271-7
Bregolas Father of Baragund and Belegund; slain in
the Dagor Bragollach. 177,182, 187
Bregor Father of Barahir and Bregolas. 177
Brethil The forest between the rivers Teiglin
and Sirion, dwelling-place of the Haladin (the People of Haleth). 142, 176,
187, 190-2, 214, 231, 234, 238, 246, 249, 251, 260, 266, 269-72, 277-8, 282-3
Bridge
of Esgalduin See Iant Iaur.
Brilthor 'Glittering Torrent', the fourth of
the tributaries of Gelion in Ossiriand. 147
Brithiach The ford over Sirion north of the Forest of
Brethil. 157, 163, 176, 190, 253, 281, 282
Brithombar The northern of the Havens of the Falas on the
coast of Beleriand. 60, 125, 142, 239, 304
Brithon The river that flowed into the Great
Sea at Brithombar. 239
Brodda An Easterling in Hithlum after the
Nirnaeth Arnoediad who took as wife Aerin, kinswoman of Húrin; slain by Túrin.
243, 264
Cabed-en-Aras Deep gorge in the river Teiglin, where
Túrin slew Glaurung, and where Nienor leapt to her death; see Cabed Naeramarth.
272, 275, 278
Cabed
Naeramarth 'Leap of Dreadful Doom', name
given to Cabed-en-Aras after Nienor leapt from its cliffs. 276, 282
Calacirya 'Cleft of Light', the pass made in the
mountains of the Pelóri, in which was raised the green hill of Túna. 62, 65,
79, 101, 117-8, 307
Calaquendi 'Elves of the Light', those Elves who lived or
had lived in Aman (the High Elves). See Moriquendi and Dark Elves, 54, 58, 121,
125
Calenardhon 'The Green Province', name of Rohan when it was
the northern part of Gondor; cf. Ard-galen. 369
Camlost 'Empty-handed', name taken by Beren
after his return to King Thingol without the Silmaril. 221, 226
Caragdűr The precipice on the north side of Amon
Gwareth (the hill of Gondolin) from which Eöl was cast to his death. 165
Caranthir The fourth son of Fëanor, called the Dark;
'the harshest of the brothers and the most quick to anger'; ruled in
Thargelion; slain in the assault on Doriath. 63, 93, 131-2, 148, 154, 158, 171,
184, 189, 292
Carcharoth The great wolf of Angband that bit off the
hand of Beren bearing the Silmaril; slain by Huan in Doriath. The name is
translated in the text as 'the Red Maw'. Called also Anfauglir. 218-20, 223-6
Cardolan Region in the south of Eriador, a part of
the Kingdom of Arnor. 360
Carnil Name of a (red) star. 48
Celeborn
(1) 'Tree of Silver', name of the
Tree of Tol Eressëa, a scion of Galathilion. 62, 324
Celeborn
(2) Elf of Doriath, kinsman of Thingol;
wedded Galadriel and with her remained in Middle-earth after the end of the
First Age. 134-5, 290, 315, 370
Celebrant 'Silver Lode', river running from Mirrormere
through Lothlórien to join the Anduin. 370
Celebrimbor 'Hand of Silver', son of Curufin, who remained
in Nargothrond when his father was expelled. In the Second Age greatest of the
smiths of Eregion; maker of the Three Rings of the Elves; slain by Sauron. 214,
355, 357
Celebrindal 'Silverfoof'; see Idril.
Celebros 'Silver Foam' or 'Silver Rain', a stream in
Brethil falling down to Teiglin near the Crossings. 270
Celegorm The third son of Fëanor, called the Fair;
until the Dagor Bragollach lord of the region of Himlad with Curufin his
brother; dwelt in Nargothrond and imprisoned Lúthien; master of Huan the
wolfhound; slain by Dior in Menegroth. 63, 65-6, 93, 124, 147, 157-8, 161, 183,
204-6, 208-9, 213-5, 223, 230, 292, 355
Celon River flowing southwest from the Hill of
Himring, a tributary of Aros. The name means 'stream flowing down from
heights'. 109, 148, 158, 161, 170, 176, 188
Children
of Ilúvatar Also Children of Eru:
translations of Hini Ilúvataro, Eruhini; the Firstborn and the Followers, Elves
and Men. Also The Children, Children of the Earth, Children of the World.
Passim; see especially 7-8, 37-8
Círdan 'The Shipwright'; Telerin Elf, lord
of the Falas (coasts of West Beleriand); at the destruction of the Havens after
the Nirnaeth Arnoediad escaped with Gil-galad to the Isle of Balar; during the
Second and Third Ages keeper of the Grey Havens in the Gulf of Lhűn; at the
coming of Mithrandir entrusted to him Narya, the Ring of Fire. 60, 103-4, 110,
124, 133, 142, 153, 194, 239-40, 260, 302, 304-5, 315, 366, 370-3, 378
Cirith
Ninniach 'Rainbow Cleft', by which Tuor
came to the Western Sea; see Annon-in-Gelydh. 294
Cirith
Thoronath 'Eagles' Cleft', a high pass in
the mountains north of Gondolin, where Glorfindel fought with a Balrog and fell
into the abyss. 301
Cirth The Runes, first devised by Daeron of
Doriath. 108
Ciryon Third son of Isildur, slain with him
at the Gladden Fields. 366
Corollaírë 'The Green Mound' of the Two Trees in Valinor;
also called Ezellohar. 33
Crissaegrim The mountain-peaks south of Gondolin, where
were the eyries of Thorondor. 144, 186, 191, 221, 246, 281
Crossings
of Teiglin In the southwest of the
Forest of Brethil, where the old road southward from the Pass of Sirion crossed
the Teiglin. 176, 252, 267, 269, 275, 277, 282
Cuiviénen 'Water of Awakening', the lake in
Middle-earth where the first Elves awoke, and where they were found by Oromë.
48, 50-4, 57, 92, 114, 288
Culúrien A name of Laurelin. 33
Curufin The fifth son of Fëanor, called the
Crafty; father of Celebrimbor. For the origin of his name see Fëanor; and for
his history see Celegorm. 63, 93, 147, 157, 161-2, 183, 204-5, 208-9, 213-5,
222-3, 230,292, 355
Curufinwë See Fëanor. 67, 75
Curunír 'The one of cunning devices'. Elvish
name of Saruman, one of the Istari (Wizards). 372-7
Cúthalion 'Strongbow'; see Beleg.
Daeron Minstrel and chief loremaster of
King Thingol; deviser of the Cirth (Runes); enamoured of Lúthien and twice
betrayed her. 108, 133, 200, 208, 222, 314
Dagnir One of the twelve companions of
Barahir on Dorthonion. 187
Dagnir
Glaurunga 'Glaurung's Bane', Túrin. 177,
278
Dagor
Aglareb 'The Glorious Battle', third
of the great battles in the Wars of Beleriand. 135-6, 139, 149
Dagor
Bragollach 'The Battle of Sudden Flame'
(also simply the Bragollach), fourth of the great battles in the Wars of
Beleriand. 181, 187, 190, 193, 230, 233, 239, 260
Dagorlad 'Battle Plain', the place of the great
battle north of Mordor between Sauron and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men at
the end of the Second Age. 364, 367
Dagor-nuin-Giliath 'The Battle-under-Stars', the second battle
in the Wars of Beleriand, fought in Mithrim after the coming of Fëanor to
Middle-earth. 124
Dairuin One of the twelve companions of
Barahir on Dorthonion. 187
Dark
Elves In the language of Aman all Elves
that did not cross the Great Sea were Dark Elves (Moriquendi), and the term is
sometimes used thus, 121, 131; when Caranthir called Thingol a Dark Elf it was
intended opprobriously, and was especially so, since Thingol had been to Aman
'and was not accounted among the Moriquendi' (56). But in the period of the
Exile of the Noldor it was often used of the Elves of Middle-earth other than
the Noldor and the Sindar, and is then virtually equivalent to Avari (120, 146,
168). Different again is the title Dark Elf of the Sindarin Elf Eöl, 158, 162,
247; but at 164 Turgon no doubt meant that Eöl was of the Moriquendi.
Dark
Lord, The The term is used of Morgoth,
280, and of Sauron, 359, 371, 375
Day of
Flight See 359
Deathless
Lands See Undying Lands.
Deldúwath One of the later names of Dorthonion
(Taur-nu-Fuin), meaning 'Horror of Night-shadow'. 186
Denethor Son of Lenwë; leader of the Nandorin Elves
that came at last over the Blue Mountains and dwelt in Ossiriand; slain on Amon
Ereb in the First Battle of Beleriand. 56, 108-9,146
Dimbar The land between the rivers Sirion
and Mindeb. 144, 157, 191, 214, 246-7, 251-3, 281
Dimrost The falls of Celebros in the Forest
of Brethil; translated in the text as 'the Rainy Stair'. Afterwards called Nen
Girith. 270
Dior Called Aranel, and also Eluchíl
'Thingol's Heir'; son of Beren and Lúthien and father of Elwing, Elrond's
mother; came to Doriath from Ossiriand after the death of Thingol, and received
the Silmaril after the death of Beren and Lúthien; slain in Menegroth by the
sons of Fëanor. 229, 290-3, 297, 302, 305, 310, 314
Dispossessed,
The The House of Fëanor. 99, 130
Del
Guldur 'Hill of Sorcery', fastness of the
Necromancer (Sauron) in southern Mirkwood in the Third Age. 372-5
Dolmed 'Wet Head' a great mountain in the
Ered Luin, near the Dwarf-cities of Nogrod and Belegost 104, 110, 236, 290
Dor
Caranthir 'Land of Caranthir'; see
Thargelion. 148, 174, 184
Dor-Cúarthol 'Land of Bow and Helm', name of the
country defended by Beleg and Túrin from their lair on Amon Rűdh. 252
Dor
Daedeloth 'Land of the Shadow of
Horror', the land of Morgoth in the north. 124, 127, 130
Dor
Dínen 'The Silent Land', where nothing
dwelt, between the upper waters of Esgalduin and Aros. 145
Dor
Firn-i-Guinar 'Land of the Dead that
Live', name of that region in Ossiriand where Beren and Lúthien dwelt after
their return. 229, 291
Doriath 'Land of the Pence' (Dor Iath),
referring to the Girdle of Melian, earlier called Eglador; the kingdom of
Thingol and Melian in the forests of Neldoreth and Region, ruled from Menegroth
on the river Esgalduin. Also called the Hidden Kingdom. Passim; see especially
111, 144-5
Dorlas A Man of the Haladin in Brethil;
went with Túrin and Hunthor to the attack on Glaurung, but withdrew in fear;
slain by Brandir the Lame. 266, 271-2, 276. The wife of Dorlas, not named, 276.
Dor-lómin Region in the south of Hithlum, the territory
of Fingon, given as a fief to the House of Hador; the home of Húrin and Morwen.
101, 140-2, 177, 187, 191-3, 232, 237, 242-4, 251, 257, 260, 263-7, 276-7, 282,
284, 286, 294. The Lady of Dor-lómin: Morwen. 242
Dor-nu-Fauglith 'Land under Choking Ash'; see Anfauglith.
184, 221
Dorthonion 'Land of Pines', the great forested highlands
on the northern borders of Beleriand, afterwards called Taur-nu-Fuin. Cf.
Tree-beard's song in The Two Towers III 4: 'To the pine-trees upon the highland
of Dorthonion I climbed in the Winter...' 52, 109, 124, 130, 135-7, 141-4,
146-8, 172, 177, 181-4, 186, 194-7, 231
Dragon-helm
of Dor-lómin Heirloom of the House of
Hador, worn by Túrin; also called the Helm of Hador. 114, 251, 260, 284
Dragons 235, 300, 312, 320, 358, 371
Draugluin The great werewolf slain by Huan at
Tol-in-Gaurhoth, and in whose form Beren entered Angband. 211, 216-18
Drengist The long firth that pierced Ered Lómin, the
west-fence of Hithlum. 56, 89, 101, 111, 115, 136, 140, 194
Dry
River The river that once flowed out
under the Encircling Mountains from the primeval lake where was afterwards
Tumladen, the plain of Gondolin. 163, 281
Duilwen The fifth of the tributaries of Gelion in
Ossiriand. 147
Dúnedain 'The Edain of the West'; see Númenóreans.
Dungartheb See Nan Dungortheb.
Durin Lord of the Dwarves of Khazad-dűm
(Moria), 42, 364
Dwarf-road Road leading down into Beleriand from the
cities of Nogrod and Belegost, and crossing Gelion at the ford of Sarn Athrad.
167, 171, 174
Dwarrowdelf 'Delving of the Dwarves': translation of
Khazad-dűm (Hadhodrond). 104
Dwarves 40-2, 103-7, 132-4, 148, 158-61, 167, 189,
231, 236, 250, 258, 287-91, 354, 357-8, 364, 371. Referring to the
Petty-Dwarves: 248-53, 261, 284. Seven Fathers of the Dwarves: 40-2, 104. For
the Necklace of the Dwarves see Nauglamír. For the Seven Rings of the Dwarves
see Rings of Power. See also Naugrim.
Eä The World, the material
Universe; Eä, meaning in Elvish 'It is' or 'Let it be', was the word of
Ilúvatar when the World began its existence. 10, 17-8, 23, 30, 34, 40, 48-9,
58, 78, 82, 86, 95, 99, 112
Eagles 44-5, 129, 144, 149, 221, 281, 299,
343
Eärendil Called 'Halfelven', 'the Blessed', 'the
Bright', and 'the Mariner'; son of Tuor and Idril Turgon's daughter; escaped
from the sack of Gondolin and wedded Elwing daughter of Dior at the Mouths of
Sirion; sailed with her to Aman and pleaded for help against Morgoth; set to
sail the skies in his ship Vingilot bearing the Silmaril that Beren and Lúthien
brought out of Angband. The name means 'Lover of the Sea'. 122, 177, 298-300,
302, 304-9, 312, 315, 319-22, 325, 334, 341, 345, 348, 354. Lay of Eärendil
304, 319
Eärendur
(1) A lord of Andúnië in Númenor. 331
Eärendur
(2) Tenth King of Arnor. 367
Eärnil Thirty-second King of Gondor. 369
Eärnur Son of Eärnil; last King of Gondor,
in whom the line of Anárion came to its end. 369
Eärrámë 'Sea-wing', the name of Tuor's ship. 303
Eärwen Daughter of Olwë of Alqualondë,
Thingol's brother; wedded Finarfin of the Noldor. From Eärwen Finrod, Orodreth,
Angrod, Aegnor and Galadriel had Telerin blood and were therefore allowed entry
into Doriath. 63, 130, 154
Easterlings Also called Swarthy Men; entered Beleriand from
the East in the time after the Dagor Bragollach, and fought on both sides in
the Nirnaeth Arnoediad; given Hithlum as a dwelling-place by Morgoth, where
they oppressed the remnant of the People of Hador. 189, 235, 239, 242, 264,
265, 280, 294
Echoing
Mountains See Ered Lómin.
Echoriath 'The Encircling Mountains' about the plain of
Gondolin. 135, 166, 191, 281, 297-8
Echtelion Elf-lord of Gondolin, who in the sack of the
city slew and was slain by Gothmog Lord of Balrogs. 125, 237, 296, 300
Edain See
Atani.
Edrahil Chief of the Elves of Nargothrond who
accompanied Finrod and Beren on their quest, and died in the dungeons of
Tol-in-Gaurhoth. 206
Eglador The former name of Doriath, before it
was encompassed by the Girdle of Melian; probably connected with the name
Eglath. 111
Eglarest The southern of the Havens of the Falas on
the coast of Beleriand. 60, 109, 125, 142, 145, 239, 304
Eglath 'The Forsaken People', name given to
themselves by the Telerin Elves who remained in Beleriand seeking for Elwë
(Thingol) when the main host of the Teleri departed to Aman. 60, 288
Eilinel The wife of Gorlim the Unhappy. 165-6
Eithel
Ivrin 'Ivrin's Well', the source of
the river Narog beneath Ered Wethrin. 256, 261
Eithel
Sirion 'Sirion's Well', in the eastern
face of Ered Wethrin, where was the great fortress of Fingolfin and Fingon (see
Barad Eithel). 124, 140-1, 183, 193, 232-3
Ekkaia Elvish name of the Outer Sea,
encircling Arda; referred to also as the Outer Ocean and the Encircling Sea.
32,40, 51, 65, 115-6, 121, 227
Elbereth The usual name of Varda in Sindarin,
'Star-Queen'; cf. Elentári. 19, 36
Eldalië 'The Elven-folk', used as equivalent
to Eldar. 12, 54, 59, 71,150, 200, 222, 227-8, 232, 247, 315
Eldamar 'Elvenhome', the region of Aman in which
the Elves dwelt; also the great Bay of the same name. 61, 65, 67, 75-6, 79-80,
97, 160, 213, 306
Eldar According to Elvish legend the name Eldar
'People of the Stars' was given to all the Elves by the Vala Oromë (49). It
came however to be used to refer only to the Elves of the Three Kindreds
(Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri) who set out on the great westward march from
Cuiviénen (whether or not they remained in Middle-earth), and to exclude the
Avari. The Elves of Aman, and all Elves who ever dwelt in Aman, were called the
High Elves (Tareldar) and Elves of the Light (Calaquendi); see Dark Elves,
Úmanyar. Passim; see entry Elves.
Eldarin Of the Eldar; used in reference to
the language(s) of the Eldar. The occurrences of the term in fact refer to
Quenya, also called High Eldarin and High-elven; see Quenya.
Elder
Days The First Age; also called the
Eldest Days. 24, 33, 119, 134, 256, 258, 285, 289, 299, 365, 377-8
Elder
King Manwë. 309, 312
Eledhwen See Morwen.
Elemmírë
(1) Name of a star. 48
Elemmírë
(2) Vanyarin Elf, maker of the
Aldudénië, the Lament for the Two Trees. 84
Elendë A name of Eldamar. 65, 96, 130
Elendil Called the Tall; son of Amandil, last
lord of Andúnië in Númenor, descended from Eärendil and Elwing but not of the
direct line of the Kings; escaped with his sons Isildur and Anárion from the
Drowning of Númenor and founded the Númenórean realms in Middle-earth; slain
with Gil-galad in the overthrow of Sauron at the end of the Second Age. The
name may be interpreted either as 'Elf-friend' (cf. Elendili) or as
'Star-lover'. 337, 340-2, 360-7, 370, 377. Heirs of Elendil 365
Elendili 'Elf-friends', name given to those
Númenóreans who were not estranged from the Eldar in the days of Tar-Ancalimon
and later kings; also called the Faithful. 328-32, 335-7, 340-1, 361-2
Elendur Eldest son of Isildur, slain with him
at the Gladden Fields. 366
Elenna A (Quenya) name of Númenor,
'Starwards', from the guidance of the Edain by Eärendil on their voyage to
Númenor at the beginning of the Second Age. 321, 345, 347
Elentári 'Star-Queen', a name of Varda as maker
of the Stars. She is called thus in Galadriel's lament in Lórien, The
Fellowship of the Ring II 8. Cf. Elbereth, Tintallë. 48
Elenwë Wife of Turgon; perished in the
crossing of the Helcaraxë. 102, 160
Elerrína 'Crowned with Stars', a name of Taniquetil.
32
Elf-friends The Men of the Three Houses of Bëor, Haleth,
and Hador, the Edain. 169, 172-4, 231, 243, 311. In the Akallabęth and in Of
the Rings of Power used of those Númenóreans who were not estranged from the
Eldar; see Elendili. At 375 the reference is no doubt to the Men of Gondor and
the Dúnedain of the North.
Elostirion Tallest of the towers upon Emyn Beraid, in
which the palantir was placed. 362
Elrond Son of Eärendil and Elwing, who at
the end of the First Age chose to belong to the Firstborn, and remained in
Middle-earth until the end of the Third Age; master of Imladris (Rivendell) and
keeper of Vilya, the Ring of Air, which he had received from Gil-galad. Called
Master Elrond and Elrond Half-elven. The name means 'Star-dome'. 122, 306, 315,
322, 354-6, 366-75, 37S, Sons of Elrond 377
Elros Son of Eärendil and Elwing, who at the
end of the First Age chose to be numbered among Men, and became the first King
of Númenor (called Tar-Minyatur), living to a very great age. The name means
'Star-foam'. 305, 315, 322, 328-32, 336, 354, 360
Elu Sindarin form of Elwë. 58,103, 125, 288
Eluchíl 'Heir of Elu (Thingol)', name of
Dior, son of Beren and Lúthien. See Dior.
Eluréd Elder son of Dior; perished in the
attack on Doriath by the sons of Fëanor. The name means the same as Eluchíl.
290, 292
Elurín Younger son of Dior; perished with
his brother Eluréd. The name means 'Remembrance of Elu (Thingol)'. 290,292
Elvenhome See Eldamar.
Elves See especially 37-9, 48-51, 53, 99, 121,
326-7; and see also Children of Ilúvatar, Eldar; Dark Elves. Elves of the
Light: see Calaquendi.
Elwë Surnamed Singollo 'Greymantle'; leader
with his brother Olwë of the hosts of the Teleri on the westward journey from
Cuiviénen, until he was lost in Nan Elmoth; afterwards Lord of the Sindar,
ruling in Doriath with Melian; received the Silmaril from Beren; slain in
Menegroth by the Dwarves. Called (Elu) Thingol in Sindarin. See Dark Elves,
Thingol. 53-8, 60-1, 103, 289
Elwing Daughter of Dior, who escaping from
Doriath with the Silmaril wedded Eärendil at the Mouths of Sirion and went with
him to Valinor; mother of Elrond and Elros. The name means 'Star-spray'; see
Lanlhir Lamath. 122, 178, 291-3, 302, 304-10, 315
Emeldir Called the Man-hearted; wife of
Barahir and mother of Beren; led the women and children of the House of Bëor
from Dorthonion after the Dagor Bragollach. (She was herself also a descendant
of Bëor the Old, and her father's name was Beren; this is not stated in the
text.) 187, 194
Emyn
Beraid The Tower Hills' in the west of
Eriador; see Elostirion. 360-2
Enchanted
Isles The islands set by the Valar in
the Great Sea eastwards of Tol Eressëa at the time of the Hiding of Valinor.
118, 306
Encircling
Mountains See Echoriath.
Encircling
Sea See Ekkaia.
Endor 'Middle Land', Middle-earth. 101
Engwar 'The Sickly', one of the Elvish
names for Men, 119
Eöl Called the Dark Elf; the great smith
who dwelt in Nan Elmoth, and took Aredhel Turgon's sister to wife; friend of
the Dwarves; maker of the sword Anglachel (Gurthang); father of Maeglin; put to
death in Gondolin. 104,158-65, 247
Eönwë One of the mightiest of the Maiar; called
the Herald of Manwë; leader of the host of the Valar in the attack on Morgoth
at the end of the First Age. 24, 309-14, 321, 353
Ephel
Brandir 'The encircling fence of
Brandir', dwellings of the Men of Brethil upon Amon Obel; also called the
Ephel. 266, 270-2
Ephel
Dúath 'Fence of Shadow', the
mountain-range between Gondor and Mordor; also called the Mountains of Shadow.
361-2, 368
Erchamion 'One-handed', the name of Beren after his
escape from Angband. 222, 225, 242, 292
Erech A hill in the west of Gondor, where was
the Stone of Isildur (see The Return of the King V 2). 361
Ered
Engrin 'The Iron Mountains' in the far
north. 128, 135-6, 139, 181, 193
Ered
Gorgoroth 'The Mountains of Terror',
northward of Nan Dungortheb; also called the Gorgoroth. 90, 109, 144, 157, 176,
198, 214, 246
Ered
Lindon 'The Mountains of Linden', another
name for Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains. 147-8, 160, 167, 174, 238, 287, 290
Ered
Lómin 'The Echoing Mountains', forming
the west-fence of Hithlum. 123, 140
Ered
Luin 'The Blue Mountains', also called
Ered Lindon. After the destruction at the end of the First Age Ered Luin formed
the north-western coastal range of Middle-earth. 56, 103, 107, 132-5, 147, 159,
167, 288, 354, 359
Ered
Nimrais The White Mountains (nimrais
'white horns'), the great range from east to west south of the Misty Mountains.
107
Ered
Wethrin 'The Mountains of Shadow',
'The Shadowy Mountains', the great curving range bordering Dor-nu-Fauglith
(Ard-galen) on the west and forming the barrier between Hithlum and West
Beleriand. 123-5, 127, 133, 137, 140-1, 150, 171, 182-3, 193, 206, 212, 232,
234, 238, 249, 254, 256, 261, 278, 281, 295
Eregion 'Land of Holly' (called by Men
Hollin); Noldorin realm in the Second Age at the western feet of the Misty
Mountains, where the Elven Rings were made. 355-7
Ereinion 'Scion of Kings', the son of Fingon, known
always by his surname Gil-galad. 186, 239, 302
Erellont One of the three mariners who
accompanied Eärendil on his voyages. 307
Eressëa See Tol Eressëa.
Eriador The land between the Misty Mountains
and the Blue, in which lay the Kingdom of Arnor (and also the Shire of the
Hobbits). 55, 56, 104, 174, 330, 360, 366-7, 370, 376
Eru 'The One', 'He that is Alone':
Ilúvatar. 3, 4, 17-9, 23, 41-4, 82, 95, 99, 102, 112-3, 322, 327-8, 332, 335,
347; also in Children of Eru.
Esgalduin The river of Doriath, dividing the forests of
Neldoreth and Region, and flowing into Sirion. The name means 'River under
Veil'. 105, 144, 157, 199, 225, 269, 289
Estë One of the Valier, the spouse of Irmo
(Lórien); her name means 'Rest'. 18, 21,24, 68, 114
Estolad The land south of Nan Elmoth where
the Men of the followings of Bëor and Marach dwelt after they crossed the Blue
Mountains into Beleriand; translated in the text as 'the Encampment'. 171-5
Ezellohar The Green Mound of the Two Trees of Valinor;
also called Corollairë. 33,44, 84, 86
Faelivrin Name given to Finduilas by Gwindor. 257
Faithful,
The See Elendili.
Falas The western coasts of Beleriand, south of
Nevrast. 60, 106, 111, 124, 142, 194, 232, 239, 259
Falathar One of the three mariners who accompanied
Eärendil on his voyages. 307
Falathrim The Telerin Elves of the Falas, whose lord
was Círdan. 60
Falmari The Sea-elves; name of the Teleri who
departed from Middle-earth and went into the West. 54
Fëanor Eldest son of Finwë (the only child
of Finwë and Míriel), half-brother of Fingolfin and Finarfin; greatest of the
Noldor, and leader in their rebellion; deviser of the Fëanorian script; maker
of the Silmarils; slain in Mithrim in the Dagor-nuin-Giliath. His name was Curufinwë
(curu 'skill'), and he gave this name to his fifth son, Curufin; but he was
himself known always by his mother's name for him, Fëanáro 'Spirit of Fire',
which was given the Sindarin form Fëanor Chapters V-IX and XIII passim; see
especially 63, 67-9, 71, 112. Elsewhere his name occurs chiefly in the sons of
Fëanor.
Fëanturi 'Masters of Spirits', the Valar Námo
(Mandos) and Irmo (Lórien). 21
Felagund The name by which King Finrod was known
after the establishment of Nargothrond; it was Dwarvish in origin (felak-gundu
'cave-hewer', but translated in the text as 'Lord of Caves', 61). For
references see Finrod.
Finarfin The third son of Finwë, the younger of
Fëanor's half-brothers; remained in Aman after the Exile of the Noldor and
ruled the remnant of his people in Tirion. Alone among the Noldorin princes he
and his descendants had golden hair, derived from his mother Indis, who was a
Vanyarin Elf (see Vanyar). 63, 69, 75. 93-6, 100, 117, 202, 213, 310. Many
other occurrences of the name of Finarfin relate to his sons or his people.
Finduilas Daughter of Orodreth, loved by Gwindor;
captured in the sack of Nargothrond, and killed by Orcs at the Crossings of
Teiglin. 257-9, 261-6,277
Fingolfin The second son of Finwë, the elder of
Fëanor's half-brothers; High King of the Noldor in Beleriand, dwelling in
Hithlum; slain by Morgoth in single combat, 63, 69, 74-7, 83, 93-5,v100-2, 115,
123, 126-8, 129, 133, 135-6, 140, 144, 154, 171, 177, 180-1, 183-7, 240. Many
other occurrences of the name of Fingolfin relate to his sons or his people.
Fingon The eldest son of Fingolfin, called
the Valiant; rescued Maedhros from Thangorodrim; High King of the Noldor after
the death of his father; slain by Gothmog in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 64, 94-6,
98, 101, 128-9, 137, 140, 144, 156, 166, 183, 186, 194, 198, 231-9, 302, 354
Finrod The eldest son of Finarfin, called
'the Faithful' and 'the Friend of Men'. Founder and King of Nargothrond, whence
his name Felagund; encountered in. Ossiriand the first Men to cross the Blue Mountains;
rescued by Barahir in the Dagor Bragollach; redeemed his oath to Barahir by
accompanying Beren on his quest; slain in defence of Beren in the dungeons of
Tol-in-Gaurhoth. The following references include those to Felagund used alone:
64, 93, 96, 102, 127, 130, 133-4, 142-6, 148, 151, 154-5, 167-72, 176, 178,
182-3, 193, 197, 201-13, 223, 250, 259, 261, 264, 267-8, 284-5, 287
Finwë Leader of the Noldor on the westward
journey from Cuiviénen; King of the Noldor in Aman; father of Fëanor,
Fingolfin, and Finarfin, slain by Morgoth at Formenos. 53-6, 60-71, 75-8, 83,
87, 92, 152; other references are to his sons or his house.
Fírimar 'Mortals', one of the Elvish names
for Men. 119
Firstborn,
The The Elder Children of Ilúvatar, the
Elves. 7, 9, 13, 34, 37-8, 41-2, 44, 48, 309, 315, 321, 325, 355, 370, 378
Followers,
The The Younger Children of Ilúvatar,
Men; translation of Hildor. 7
Ford of
Stones See Sarn Athrad.
Fords
of Aros See Arossiach.
Formenos 'Northern Fortress', the stronghold of
Fëanor and his sons in the north of Valinor, built after the banishment of
Fëanor from Tirion. 79, 83, 88, 152
Fornost 'Northern Fortress'. Númenórean city
on the North Downs in Eriador. 361
Forsaken
Elves See Eglath.
Frodo The Ringbearer. 377
Fuinur A renegade Númenórean who became
mighty among the Haradrim at the end of the Second Age, 363
Gabilgathol See Belegost. 104
Galadriel Daughter of Finarfin and sister of Finrod
Felagund; one of the leaders of the Noldorin rebellion against the Valar;
wedded Celeborn of Doriath and with him remained in Middle-earth after the end
of the First Age; keeper of Nenya, the Ring of Water, in Lothlórien. 64, 93-4,
102, 134-5, 151-3, 155, 172, 204, 290, 315, 370-3
Galathilion 'The White Tree of Tirion, the image of Telperion
made by Yavanna for the Vanyar and the Noldor' 62, 324, 361
Galdor Called the Tall; son of Hador
Lórindol and lord of Dor-lómin after him; father of Húrin and Huor; slain at
Eithel Sirion. 177, 183, 187, 190-3, 242, 257, 284, 311
galvorn The metal devised by Eöl. 159
Gandalf The name among Men of Mithrandir,
(the of the Istari (Wizards); see Olórin. 372
Gates
of Summer A great festival of Gondolin,
on the eve of which the city was assaulted 'by the forces of Morgoth. 300
Gelion The great river of East Beleriand,
rising in Himring and Mount Rerir and fed by the rivers of Ossiriand flowing
down from the Blue Mountains. 56-7, 103-4, 109, 132, 144-8, 167, 170, 174, 184,
229, 287-90
Gelmir
(I) Elf of Nargothrond, brother of
Gwindor, captured in the Dagor Bragollach and afterwards put to death in front
of Eithel Sirion, as a provocation to its defenders, before the Nirnaeth
Arnoediad. 230, 233
Gelmir
(2) Elf of the people of Angrod, who with
Arminas came to Nargothrond to warn Orodreth of its peril. 260
Gildor One of the twelve companions of
Barahir on Dorthonion. 187
Gil-Estel 'Star of Hope', Sindarin name for Eärendil
bearing the Silmaril in his ship Vingilot. 310
Gil-galad 'Star of Radiance', the name by which
Ereinion son of Fingon was afterwards known. After the death of Turgon he
became the last High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth, and remained in Lindon
after the end of the First Age; leader with Elendil of the Last Alliance of Men
and Elves and slain with him in combat with Sauron. 186, 239, 302, 305, 315,
330-1, 335, 359-60, 362-5, 369-70
Gimilkhâd Younger son of Ar-Gimilzôr and Inzilbęth and
father of Ar-Pharazôn, the last King of Númenor. 332
Gimilzôr See Ar-Gimilzôr.
Ginglith River in West Beleriand flowing into the
Narog above Nargothrond. 204, 261
Gladden
Fields Partial translation of Loeg
Ningloron; the great stretches of reeds and iris (gladden) in and about the
Anduin, where Isildur was slain and the One Ring lost 367, 374
Glaurung The first of the Dragons of Morgoth, called
the Father of Dragons; in the Dagor Bragollach, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and the
Sack of Nargothrond; cast his spell upon Túrin and upon Nienor; slain by Túrin
at Cabed-en-Aras. Called also the Great Worm and the Worm of Morgoth. 137, 177,
181-2, 184, 235-6, 261-5, 268, 271-9, 283-4, 296, 300
Glingal 'Hanging Flame', the image of
Laurelin made by Turgon in Gondolin. 151
Glirhuin A minstrel of Brethil. 283-4
Glóredhel Daughter of Hador Lórindol of Dor-lómin and
sister of Galdor; wedded Haldir of Brethil. 190
Glorfindel Elf of Gondolin, who fell to his death in
Cirith Thoronath in combat with a Balrog after the escape from the sack of the
city. The name means 'Golden-haired'. 237, 301-2
Golodhrim The Noldor. Golodh was the Sindarin form of
Quenya Noldo, and -rim a collective plural ending; cf. Annon-in-Gelydh, the
Gate of the Noldor. 160
Gondolin 'The Hidden Rock' (see Ondolindë), secret
city of King Turgon surrounded by the Encircling Mountains (Echoriath). 64,
125, 150-1, 157, 186, 191-3, 221, 231-2, 234, 237, 240, 252, 281-2, 295-302,
305, 315, 322
Gondolindrim The people of Gondolin. 166, 192, 234
Gondor 'Land of Stone', name of the
southern Númenórean kingdom in Middle-earth, established by Isildur and
Anárion. 361-9, 376-7. City of Gondor: Minas Tirith. 377
Gonnhirrim 'Masters of Stone', a Sindarin name for the
Dwarves. 103
Gorgoroth
(1) See Ered Gorgoroth.
Gorgoroth
(2) A plateau in Mordor, between the
converging Mountains of Shadow and Mountains of Ash. 363, 365, 368
Gorlim Called the Unhappy; one of the
twelve companions of Barahir on Dorthonion, who was ensnared by a phantom of
his wife Eilinel and revealed to Sauron the hiding-place of Barahir. 187, 195-7
Gorthaur The name of Sauron in Sindarin. 26,187, 353
Gorthol 'Dread Helm', the name that Túrin
took as one of the Two Captains in the land of Dor-Cúarthol. 252
Gothmog Lord of Balrogs, high-captain of Angband,
slayer of Fëanor, Fingon, and Ecthelion. (The same name was borne in the Third
Age by the Lieutenant of Minas Morgul, The Return of the King V 6.) 125, 236,
238, 300
Greater
Gelion One of the two tributary
branches of the river Gelion in the north, rising in Mount Rerir. 146
Great
Lands Middle-earth. 324
Great
River See Anduin.
Green-elves Translation of Laiquendi; the Nandorin Elves of
Ossiriand. For their origin see 107, and for the name 110, 133, 147-8, 167,170,
184, 238, 291
Greenwood
the Great The great forest east of the
Misty Mountains, afterwards named Mirkwood. 360, 366, 371-2, 375
Grey-elven
tongue See Sindarin.
Grey-elves See Sindar.
Grey
Havens See (The) Havens, Mithlond.
Greymantle See Singollo, Thingol.
Grinding
Ice See Helcaraxë.
Grond The great mace of Morgoth, with
which he fought Fingolfin; called the Hammer of the Underworld. The
battering-ram used against the Gate of Minas Tirith was named after it (The
Return of the King V 4). 185
Guarded
Plain See Talath Dirnen.
Guarded
Realm See Valinor. 82, 98
Guilin Father of Gelmir and Gwindor, Elves
of Nargothrond. 230, 233, 253, 256, 261
Gundor Younger son of Hador Lórindol, lord
of Dor-lómin; slain with his father at Eithel Sirion in the Dagor Bragollach.
177, 183, 311
Gurthang 'Iron of Death', name of Beleg's sword
Anglachel after it was reforged for Túrin in Nargothrond, and from which he was
named Mormegil. 258, 262, 265-6, 273, 276-8
Gwaith-i-Mírdain
'People of the Jewel-smiths', name of the fellowship of craftsmen in Eregion,
greatest of whom was Celebrimbor son of Curufin. 354-5
Gwindor Elf of Nargothrond, brother of Gelmir;
enslaved in Angband, but escaped and aided Beleg in the rescue of Túrin;
brought Túrin to Nargothrond; loved Finduilas Orodreth's daughter; slain in the
Battle or Tumhalad. 230, 232-4, 254-61
Hadhodrond The Sindarin name of Khazad-dűm (Moria).
104,354
Hador Called Lórindol 'Goldenhead', also Hador
the Golden-haired; lord of Dor-lómin, vassal of Fingolfin; father of Galdor
father of Húrin; slain at Eithel Sirion in the Dagor Bragollach. The House of
Hador was called the Third House of the Edain. 177-8, 183, 187, 190, 193. House
of, People of, Hador 177, 189-90, 194, 231, 237-9, 243, 253, 265, 280, 308.
Helm of Hador: see Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin.
Haladin The second people of Men to enter
Beleriand; afterwards called the People of Haleth, dwelling in the Forest of
Brethil, also the Men of Brethil. 171, 174-5, 187, 190, 194, 234,238
Haldad Leader of the Haladin in their
defence against the attack on them by Orcs in Thargelion, and slain there;
father of the Lady Haleth. 174-6
Haldan Son of Haldar; leader of the Haladin
after the death of the Lady Haleth. 175
Haldar Son of Haldad of the Haladin, and
brother of the Lady Haleth; slain with his father in the Orc-raid on
Thargelion. 175-6
Haldir Son of Halmir of Brethil; wedded
Gidredhel, daughter of Hador of Dor-lómin; slain in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
190, 231-2, 234, 238
Haleth Called the Lady Haleth; leader of
the Haladin (who were named from her the People of Haleth) from Thargelion to
the lands west of Sirion. 175-6. House of, People of, Haleth 175-8, 190, 231,
266, 272-3
Half-elven Translation of Sindarin Peredhel, plural
Peredhil, applied to Elrond and Elros, 304, 315, 322, 354, 357; and to
Eärendil, 298
Halflings Translation of Periannath (Hobbits). 377
Halls
of Awaiting The Halls of Mandos. 72
Halmir Lord of the Haladin, son of Haldan;
with Beleg of Doriath defeated the Orcs that came south from the Pass of Sirion
after the Dagor Bragollach. 190, 231
Handir Son of Haldir and Glóredhel, father
of Brandir the Lame; lord of the Haladin after Haldir's death; slain in Brethil
in battle with Orcs. 238, 260, 266
Haradrim The Men of Harad ('the South'), the lands
south of Mordor. 363
Hareth Daughter of Helmir of Brethil;
wedded Galdor of Dor-lómin; mother of Húrin and Huor. 190, 194
Hathaldir Called the Young; one of the twelve
companions of Barahir on Dorthonion. 187
Hathol Father of Hador Lórindol. 177
Haudh-en-Arwen 'The Ladybarrow', the burial-mound of Haleth
in the Forest of Brethil. 176
Haudh-en-Elleth The mound in which Finduilas was buried, near
the Crossings of Teiglin. 267, 270-1, 275, 277
Haudh-en-Ndengin 'The Mound of Slain' in the desert of
Anfauglith, where were piled the bodies of the Elves and Men that died in the
Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 241-2
Haudh-en-Nirnaeth 'The Mound of Tears', another name of
Haudh-en-Ndengin. 241
Havens,
The Brithombar and Eglarest on the coast
of Beleriand: 124, 133, 144, 186, 239. The Havens of Sirion at the end of the
First Age: 294, 305, 313. The Grey Havens (Mithlond) in the Gulf of Lhűn: 359,
370-1, 378. Alqualondë, the Haven of the Swans or Swanhaven, is also called
simply The Haven: 97, 101
Helcar The Inland Sea in the northeast of
Middle-earth, where once stood the mountain of the lamp of Illuin; the mere of
Cuiviénen where the first Elves awoke is described as a bay in this sea. 48, 54
Helcaraxë The strait between Araman and Middle-earth;
also referred to as the Grinding Ice. 51-2, 60, 88, 100-1, 126, 136, 154, 160
Helevorn 'Black Glass', a lake in the north of
Thargelion, below Mount Rerir, where Caranthir dwelt. 132, 148, 184
Helluin The star Sirius. 48, 69
Herumor A renegade Númenórean who became mighty
among the Haradrim at the end of the Second Age. 363
Herunúmen 'Lord of the West', Quenya name of
Ar-Adunakhôr. 330
Hidden
Kingdom Name given both to Doriath,
135, 198, 200,277, and to Gondolin, 156,298
High-elven See Quenya.
High
Elves See Eldar. 370
High
Faroth See Taur-en-Faroth.
Hildor 'The Followers', 'The Aftercomers',
Elvish name for Men, as the Younger Children of Ilúvatar. 114, 119
Hildórien The land in the east of Middle-earth where
the first Men (Hildor) awoke. 120, 169
Himlad 'Cool Plain', the region where
Celegorm and Curufin dwelt south of the Pass of Aglon. 147, 158, 161
Himring The great hill west of Maglor's Gap on
which was the stronghold of Maedhros; translated in the text as 'Ever-cold'.
131,147-8,157, 183-4, 214, 223, 231
Hírilorn The great beech-tree in Doriath with three
trunks, in which Lúthien was imprisoned. The name means 'Tree of the Lady'.
208, 226
Hísilómë 'Land of Mist', Quenya name of Hithlum. 140
Hithaeglir 'Line of Misty Peaks': the Misty Mountains, or
Mountains of Mist. (The form Hithaeglin on the map to The Lord of the Rings is
an error.) 55, 104, 107, 360, 364, 366
Hither
Lands Middle-earth (also called the
Outer Lands). 57, 59-61, 296, 304, 311, 315, 323, 371
Hithlum 'Land of Mist' (see 140), the region
bounded on the east and south by Ered Wethrin and on the west by Ered Lómin;
see Hísilómë. 52, 90, 123, 126-8, 130, 137, 140-1, 144, 146, 157, 171, 181-9,
193, 221, 231-4, 238-9, 242-4,254, 280, 281, 294-5
Hollin See Eregion. 354
Hollowbold Translation of Nogrod: 'hollow dwelling'
(early English bold, noun related to the verb build). 104
Huan The great wolfhound of Valinor that
Oromë gave to Celegorm; friend and helper of Beren and Lúthien; slew and slain
by Carcharoth. The name means 'great dog, hound'. 209-18, 222, 225-6
Hunthor A Man of the Haladin in Brethil who
accompanied Túrin in his attack on Glaurung at Cabed-en-Aras and was killed
there by a falling stone. 273
Huor Son of Galdor of Dor-lómin, husband of
Rían and father of Tuor; went to Gondolin with Húrin his brother; slain in the
Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 150, 177, 190, 232, 236, 237, 242, 294, 296, 298, 301, 311
Húrin Called Thalion 'the Steadfast', 'the
Strong'; son of Galdor of Dor-lómin, husband of Morwen and father of Túrin and
Nienor; lord of Dor-lómin, vassal of Fingon. Went with Huor his brother to
Gondolin; captured by Morgoth in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and set upon
Thangorodrim for many years; after his release slew Mîm in Nargothrond and
brought the Nauglamír to King Thingol. 150, 177, 191-4, 232-46, 252, 255-9,
261-7, 271, 274-6, 278-87, 294, 298, 311
Hyarmentir The highest mountain in the regions south of
Valinor. 81
Iant
Iaur 'The Old Bridge' over the Esgalduin
on the northern borders of Doriath; also called the Bridge of Esgalduin, 144-5,
157
Ibun One of the sons of Mîm the Petty-dwarf.
249, 251-2
Idril Called Celebrindal 'Silverfoot'; the
daughter (and only child) of Turgon and Elenwë; wife of Tuor, mother of
Eärendil, with whom she escaped from Gondolin to the Mouths of Sirion; departed
thence with Tuor into the West 151, 160, 163, 165-6, 296-300, 303-4, 308,
315,322
Illuin One of the Lamps of the Valar made
by Aulë. Illuin stood in the northern part of Middle-earth, and after the
overthrow of the mountain by Melkor the Inland Sea of Helcar was formed there.
30-1, 48, 59
Ilmarë A Maia, the handmaid of Varda, 24
Ilmen The region above the air where the stars
are. 116-9, 349
Ilúvatar 'Father of All, Eru. 3-11, 17-8, 23,
25, 34-42, 46-50, 58, 70, 73, 74, 86, 93, 102, 121, 227, 313, 322-3, 326-7,
336, 344-5
Imlach Father of Amlach. 173
Imladris 'Rivendell' (literally, 'Deep Dale of the
Cleft'), Elrond's dwelling in a valley of the Misty Mountains. 282, 364,
367-70, 377
Indis Vanyarin Elf, close kin of Ingwë; second
wife of Finwë, mother of Fingolfin and Finarfin. 63, 69-70, 75
Ingwë Leader of the Vanyar, the first of the
three hosts of the Eldar on the westward journey from Cuiviénen. In Aman he
dwelt upon Taniquetil, and was held High King of all the Elves. 53-4, 60, 62,
65, 69, 117, 310
Inziladűn Elder son of Ar-Gimilzôr and Inzilbęth;
afterwards named Tar-Palantir. 332
Inzilbęth Queen of Ar-Gimilzôr; of the house of the
lords of Andúnië. 331
Irmo The Vala usually named Lórien, the place
of his dwelling. Irmo means 'Desirer' or 'Master of Desire'. 21, 24, 68
Iron
Mountains See Ered Engrin.
Isengard Translation (to represent the language of
Rohan) of the Elvish name Angrenost. 361, 373-7
Isil Quenya name of the Moon. 114-5
Isildur Elder son of Elendil, who with his
father and his brother Anárion escaped from the Drowning of Númenor and founded
in Middle-earth the Númenórean realms in exile; lord of Minas Ithil; cut the
Ruling Ring from Sauron's hand; slain by Orcs in the Anduin when the Ring
slipped from his finger. 337, 342, 346, 360-8, 374. Heirs of Isildur 369, 373.
Heir of Isildur=Aragorn 377
Istari The Wizards. See Curunír, Saruman;
Mithrandir, Gandalf, Olórin; Radagast. 372
Ivrin The lake and falls beneath Ered Wethrin
where the river Narog rose. 140, 257. Pools of Ivrin 132, 257, 264, 296. Falls
of Ivrin 142, 206. See Eithel Ivrin.
kelvar An Elvish word retained in the
speeches of Yavanna and Manwë in Chapter II: 'animals, living things that
move'. 43-4
Kementári 'Queen of the Earth', a title of Yavanna. 21,
33-5, 44
Khazâd The name of the Dwarves in their own
language (Khuzdul). 103
Khazad-dűm The great mansions of the Dwarves of Durin's
race in the Misty Mountains (Hadhodrond, Moria). See Khazâd; dűm is probably a
plural or collective, meaning 'excavations, halls, mansions'. 42, 104, 354
Khîm Son of Mîm the Petty-dwarf, slam by one
of Túrin's outlaw band. 249
King's
Men Númenóreans hostile to the Eldar and
the Elendili. 328-9, 332
Kinslaying,
The The slaying of the Teleri by the
Noldor at Alqualondë. 98, 100-1, 120, 130, 152, 154, 166, 169, 188
Ladros The lands to the northeast of
Dorthonion that were granted by the Noldorin Kings to the Men of the House of
Bëor. 177
Laer Cú
Beleg 'The Song of the Great Bow',
made by Túrin at Eithel Ivrin in memory of Beleg Cúthalion. 256
Laiquendi 'The Green-elves' of Ossiriand. 110
Lalaith 'Laughter', daughter of Húrin and
Morwen who died in childhood. 242
Lammoth 'The Great Echo', region north of the Firth
of Drengist, named from the echoes of Morgoth's cry in his struggle with
Ungoliant. 89-90, 123
Land of
Shadow See Mordor.
Land of
the Dead that Live See Dor
Firn-i-Guinar.
Land of
the Star Númenor. 339, 341
Lanthir
Lamath 'Waterfall of Echoing Voices',
where Dior had his house in Ossiriand, and after which his daughter Elwing
('Star-spray') was named. 289
Last
Alliance The league made at the end of
the Second Age between Elendil and Gil-galad to defeat Sauron. 364
Laurelin 'Song of Gold', the younger of the Two
Trees of Valinor. 34, 64, 82, 114-6, 151
Lay of
Leithian The long poem concerning the
lives of Beren and Lúthien from which the prose account in The Silmarillion was
derived. Leithian is translated 'Release from Bondage'. 195, 198, 203, 206-8,
226
Legolin The third of the tributaries of
Gelion in Ossiriand. 147
lembas Sindarin name of the waybread of the
Eldar (from earlier lennmbass 'journey-bread'; in Quenya coimas 'life-bread').
247, 251, 256
Lenwë The leader of the Elves from the host of
the Teleri who refused to cross the Misty Mountains on the west-ward journey
from Cuiviénen (the Nandor); father of Denethor. 56, 108
Lhűn River in Eriador flowing into the sea in
the Gulf of Lhűn.354, 360
Linaewen 'Lake of birds', the great mere in Nevrast.
141
Lindon A name of Ossiriand in the First
Age; see 147. After the tumults at the end of the First Age the name Lindon was
retained for the lands west of the Blue Mountains that still remained above the
Sea: 354, 355, 359, 370
Lindórië Mother of Inzilbęth. 331
Little
Gelion One of the two tributary
branches of the river Gelion in the north, rising in the Hill of Himring. 146
Loeg
Ningloron 'Pools of the golden
water-flowers'; see Gladden Fields.
lómelindi Quenya word meaning 'dusk-singers',
nightingales. 57
Lómion 'Son of Twilight', the Quenya name
that Aredhel gave to Maeglin. 159
Lonely
Isle See Tol Eressëa.
Lord of
Waters See Ulmo.
Lords
of the West See Valar.
Lorellin The lake in Lórien in Valinor where
the Vala Estë sleeps by day. 21
Lorgan Chief of the Easterling Men in
Hithlum after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, by whom Tuor was enslaved. 294
Lórien
(1) The name of the gardens and
dwelling-place of the Vala Irmo, who was himself usually called Lórien. 18, 21,
24, 57, 68, 106, 114, 289
Lórien
(2) The land ruled by Celeborn and
Galadriel between the rivers Celebrant and Anduin. Probably the original name
of this land was altered to the form of the Quenya name Lórien of the gardens
of the Vala Irmo in Valinor. In Lothlórien the Sindarin word loth 'flower' is
prefixed. 370
Lórindol 'Goldenhead'; see Hador.
Losgar The place of the burning of the
ships of the Teleri by Fëanor, at the mouth of the Firth of Drengist, 101, 111,
123, 127, 140, 152, 154
Lothlann 'The wide and empty', the great plain north
of the March of Maedhros. 147, 184, 255
Lothlórien 'Lórien of the Blossom'; see Lórien (2). 370
Luinil Name of a star (one shining with a
blue light). 48
Lumbar Name of a star. 48
Lúthien The daughter of King Thingol and
Melian the Maia, who after the fulfilment of the Quest of the Silmaril and the
death of Beren chose to become mortal and to share his fate. See Tinúviel. 103,
108, 147, 177, 195, 199-203, 208-30, 242, 290-2, 305, 309, 315, 322
Mablung Elf of Doriath, chief captain of Thingol,
friend of Túrin; called 'of the Heavy Hand' (which is the meaning of the name
Mablung); slain in Menegroth by the Dwarves. 133, 224-6, 230, 244, 267-9,
277-8, 284, 289-90
Maedhros The eldest son of Fëanor, called the Tall;
rescued by Fingon from Thangorodrim; held the Hill of Himring and the lands
about; formed the Union of Maedhros that ended in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad; bore
one of the Silmarils with him to his death at the end of the First Age. 63, 93,
126-32, 135-6, 140, 144-8, 167, 171, 184, 189, 214, 229-35, 239, 292, 305, 310,
313-4
Maeglin 'Sharp Glance', son of Eöl and Aredhel
Turgon's sister, born in Nan Elmoth; became mighty in Gondolin, and betrayed it
to Morgoth; slain in the sack of the city by Tuor. See Lómion. 104, 159-66,
192, 237, 247, 297-9
Maglor The second son of Fëanor, a great
singer and minstrel; held the lands called Maglor's Gap; at the end of the
First Age seized with Maedhros the two Silmarils that remained in Middle-earth,
and cast the one that he took into the Sea. 63, 93, 98, 133, 135, 138, 148,
167, 184, 222, 236, 305-6, 310, 313-4
Maglor's
Gap The region between the northern
arms of Gelion where there were no hills of defence against the North.
135,148,184
Magor Son of Malach Aradan; leader of the Men
of the following of Marach who entered West Beleriand. 172, 177
Mahal The name given to Aulë by the Dwarves. 42
Máhanaxar The Ring of Doom outside the gates of Valmar,
in which were set the thrones of the Valar where they sat in council. 33, 50,
52, 77, 86-8, 91, 95, 112
Mahtan A great smith of the Noldor, father
of Nerdanel the wife of Fëanor. 69, 75
Maiar Ainur of lesser degree than the Valar
(singular Maia). 11, 23-6, 30, 57, 61, 83, 91, 105, 108, 111, 114, 229, 289,
292, 322, 353
Malach Son of Marach; given the Elvish name
Aradan. 171, 177
Malduin A tributary of the Teiglin; the name
probably means 'Yellow River'. 251
Malinalda 'Tree of Gold', a name of Laurelin. 33
Mandos The place of the dwelling in Aman of
the Vala properly called Námo, the Judge, though this name was seldom used, and
he himself was usually referred to as Mandos. Named as Vala: 18, 21-3,47, 52,
70, 73, 77-8, 87, 98, 113, 118, 121, 129-30, 154, 227, 308, 316. Named as the
place of his dwelling (including Halls of Mandos; also Halls of Awaiting,
Houses of the Dead): 22, 38, 42, 52, 61, 68-9, 73, 99, 121, 125, 227, 289. With
reference to the Doom of the Noldor and the Curse of Mandos: 150, 154-5, 166,
169, 201, 205, 213, 297
Manwë The chief of the Valar, called also
Súlimo, the Elder King, the Ruler of Arda. Passim; see especially 11, 18-9, 35,
70, 129
Marach Leader of the third host of Men to
enter Beleriand, ancestor of Hador Lórindol. 171-2, 180
March
of Maedhros The open lands to the north of
the headwaters of the river Gelion, held by Maedhros and his brothers against
attack on East Beleriand; also called the eastern March. 131-2, 147
Mardil Called the Faithful; the first
Ruling Steward of Gondor. 369
Mar-nu-Falmar 'The Land under the Waves', name of Númenor
after the Downfall. 347
Melian A Maia, who left Valinor and came to
Middle-earth; afterwards the Queen of King Thingol in Doriath, about which she
set a girdle of enchantment, the Girdle of Melian; mother of Lúthien, and
foremother of Elrond and Elros. 24-5, 57-8, 61, 103-6, 109, 110-1, 121, 130,
135, 144-5, 151-4, 158, 172, 176, 182, Chapter XIX passim, 229-30, Chapters
XXI, XXII passim, 315, 322
Melkor The Quenya name for the great
rebellious Vala, the beginning of evil, in his origin the mightiest of the
Ainur; afterwards named Morgoth, Bauglir, the Dark Lord, the Enemy, etc. The
meaning of Melkor was 'He who arises in Might'; the Sindarin form was Belegur,
but it was never used, save in a deliberately altered form Belegurth 'Great
Death'. Passim (after the rape of the Silmarils usually called Morgoth); see
especially 4-5, 8, 25, 50, 51, 70-1, 90-2, 117, 251, 320
Men See especially 37-8, 74,119-21,167-70,
178, 319-20, 326-7; and see also Atani, Children of Ilúvatar, Easterlings.
Menegroth 'The Thousand Caves', the hidden halls of
Thingol and Melian on the river Esgalduin in Doriath; see especially 58, 106-8,
111-2, 125, 130, 134, 145, 155, 200, 203, 208, 217, 222-6, 229, 243-7, 252,
267, 269, 286-91
Meneldil Son of Anárion, King of Gondor. 368
Menelmacar 'Swordsman of the Sky', the constellation
Orion. 48
Meneltarma 'Pillar of Heaven', the mountain in the midst
of Númenor, upon whose summit was the Hallow of Eru Ilúvatar. 322-4, 329,
332-3, 336, 343, 345, 348
Meres
of Twilight See Aelin-uial.
Mereth
Aderthad The 'Feast of Reuniting' held
by Fingolfin near the Pools of Ivrin. 132-3
Mickleburg Translation of Belegost: 'great fortress'. 104
Middle-earth The lands to the east of the Great Sea;
also called the Hither Lands, the Outer Lands, the Great Lands, and Endor.
Passim.
Mîm The Petty-dwarf, in whose house
(Bar-en-Danwedh) on Amon Rűdh Túrin dwelt with the outlaw band, and by whom
their lair was betrayed to the Orcs; slain by Húrin in Nargothrond. 248-53, 284
Minas
Anor 'Tower of the Sun' (also simply
Anor), afterwards called Minas Tirith; the city of Anárion, at the feet of
Mount Mindolluin. 361-2, 365-8, 377
Minas
Ithil 'Tower of the Moon' afterwards
called Minas Morgul; the city of Isildur, built on a shoulder of the Ephel
Dúath. 361-2, 368
Minas
Morgul 'Tower of Sorcery' (also
simply Morgul), name of Minas Ithil after its capture by the Ringwraiths.
368-9, 377
Minastir See Tar-Minastir.
Minas
Tirith (1) 'Tower of Watch', built by
Finrod Felagund on Tol Sirion; see Tol-in-Gaurhoth. 142, 187-9, 251
Minas
Tirith (2) Later name of Minas Anor. 297.
Called the City of Gondor. 377
Mindeb A tributary of Sirion, between
Dimbar and the Forest of Neldoreth. 144, 246
Mindolluin 'Towering Blue-head', the great mountain
behind Minas Anor. 361, 377
Mindon
Eldalieva 'Lofty Tower of the
Eldalië', the tower of Ingwë in the city of Tirion; also simply the Mindon.
62,76,91,96,100
Míriel
(1) The first wife of Finwë, mother of
Fëanor; died after Fëanor's birth. Called Serindë 'the Broideress', 63, 67-8,
75
Míriel
(2) Daughter of Tar-Palantir, forced into
marriage by Ar-Pharazôn, and as his queen named Ar-Zimraphel; also called
Tar-Míriel. 345-6
Mirkwood See Greenwood the Great.
Misty
Mountains See Hithaeglir.
Mithlond The Grey Havens', harbours of the Elves on
the Gulf of Lhűn; also referred to as the Havens. 354, 359, 371, 378
Mithrandir 'The Grey Pilgrim', Elvish name of Gandalf
(Olórin), one of the Istari (Wizards). 373-7
Mithrim The name of the great lake in the
east of Hithlum, and also of the region about it and of the mountains to the
west, separating Mithrim from Dor-lómin. The name was originally that of the
Sindarin Elves who dwelt there. 124-8, 131, 242, 294
Mordor The Black Land', also called the Land
of Shadow; Sauron's realm east of the mountains of the Ephel Dúath. 330, 347,
357, 360-8, 376
Morgoth The Black Enemy', name of Melkor,
first given to him by Fëanor after the rape of the Silmarils. 26, 71, 88 and
thereafter passim. See Melkor.
Morgul See Minas Morgul
Moria 'The
Black Chasm', later name for Khazad-dűm (Hadhodrond). 104, 354, 357, 364
Moriquendi 'Elves of the Darkness'; see Dark Elves. 54,
58, 103, 125
Mormegil 'The Black Sword', name given to Túrin as
captain of the host of Nargothrond; see Gurthang. 258-9, 265-7, 271, 275, 278
Morwen Daughter of Baragund (nephew of
Barahir, the father of Beren); wife of Húrin and mother of Túrin and Nienor;
called Eledhwen (translated in the text as 'Elfsheen') and the Lady of
Dor-lómin. 178, 187, 194, 241-3, 258-60, 264-5, 267-9, 277, 280, 283, 285
Mountain
of Fire See Orodruin.
Mountains: of Aman, of Defence, see Pelóri; of the East,
see Orocarni; of Iron, see Ered Engrin; of Mist, see Hithaeglir; of Mithrim,
see Mithrim; of Shadow, see Ered Wethrin and Ephel Dúath; of Terror, see Ered
Gorgoroth.
Mount
Doom See Amon Amarth.
Music
of the Ainur See Ainulindalë.
Nahar The horse of the Vala Oromë, said by the
Eldar to be so named on account of his voice. 22, 37, 49-50, 54, 85, 108
Námo A Vala, one of the Aratar; usually named
Mandos, the place of his dwelling. Námo means 'Ordainer, Judge'. 21
Nandor Said to mean 'Those who turn back':
the Nandor were those Elves from the host of the Teleri who refused to cross
the Misty Mountains on the westward journey from Cuiviénen, but of whom a part,
led by Denethor, came long afterwards over the Blue Mountains and dwelt in
Ossiriand (the Green-elves). 55, 107, 146, 244
Nan
Dungortheb Also Dungortheb; translated
in the text as 'Valley of Dreadful Death'. The valley between the precipices of
Ered Gorgoroth and the Girdle of Melian. 90, 144, 157, 198, 214
Nan
Elmoth The forest east of the river Celon
where Elwë (Thingol) was enchanted by Melian and lost; afterwards the
dwelling-place of Eöl. 58, 61, 104, 158-62, 170, 247,289
Nan-tathren 'Willow-vale', translated as 'the Land of
Willows', where the river Narog flowed into Sirion. In Treebeard's song in The
Two Towers III 4 Quenya forms of the name are used: in the willow-meads of
Tasarinan; Nan-tasarion. 142, 239, 301-2
Nargothrond 'The great underground fortress on the river
Narog', founded by Finrod Felagund and destroyed by Glaurung; also the realm of
Nargothrond extending east and west of the Narog. 134-5, 142-6, 151, 155, 167,
170, 176, 182-3, 188-9, 193, 203-7, 210, 214, 223, 230, 232-4, 239, Chapter XXI
passim, 284-5, 287, 295, 297, 354
Narn i
Hîn Húrin 'The Tale of the Children of
Húrin', the long lay from which Chapter XXI was derived; ascribed to the poet
Dirhavel, a Man who lived at the Havens of Sirion in the days of Eärendil and
perished in the attack of the sons of Fëanor. Narn signifies a tale made in
verse, but to be spoken and not sung, 243
Narog The chief river of West Beleriand, rising
at Ivrin under Ered Wethrin and flowing into Sirion in Nan-tathren. 109, 133-4,
142, 145, 203-6, 268, 284
Narsil The sword of Elendil, made by
Telchar of Nogrod, that was broken when Elendil died in combat with Sauron;
from the shards it was reforged for Aragorn and named Anduril. 364-5
Narsilion The Song of the Sun and Moon. 113
Narya One of the Three Rings of the Elves, the
Ring of Fire or the Red Ring; borne by Círdan and afterwards by Mithrandir.
357, 370, 378
Nauglamír 'The Necklace of the Dwarves', made for
Finrod Felagund by the Dwarves, brought by Húrin out of Nargothrond to Thingol,
and the cause of his death. 134, 285-7, 291
Naugrim 'The Stunted People', Sindarin name for the
Dwarves. 103-5, 107-9, 132, 159, 161, 231, 236, 289
Nazgűl See Ring-wraiths.
Necklace
of the Dwarves See Nauglamír.
Neithan Name given to himself by Túrin among
the outlaws, translated as 'The Wronged' (literally 'one who is deprived'). 245
Neldoreth The great beech-forest forming the northern
part of Doriath; called Taur-na-Neldor in Treebeard's song in The Two Towers HI
4. 57, 103, 105, 109, 145, 199, 208, 242, 289
Nénar Name of a star. 48
Nen
Girith 'Shuddering Water', name given to
Dimrost, the falls of Celebros in the Forest of Brethil. 270-4, 276
Nenning River in West Beleriand, reaching the sea
at the Haven of Eglarest. 142, 239, 259
Nenuial 'Lake of Twilight', in Eriador, where
the river Baranduin rose, and beside which the city of Annúminas was built. 361
Nenya One of the Three Rings of the Elves, the
Ring of Water, borne by Galadriel; also called the Ring of Adamant, 357, 370
Nerdanel Called the Wise; daughter of Mahtan the
smith, wife of Fëanor. 69, 71, 75
Nessa One of the Valier, the sister of Oromë
and spouse of Tulkas. 18, 22, 31
Nevrast The region west of Dor-lómin, beyond
Ered Lómin, where Turgon dwelt before his departure to Gondolin. The name,
meaning 'Hither Shore', was originally that of all the northwestern coast of
Middle-earth (the opposite being Haerast 'the Far Shore', the coast of Aman).
133-5, 141, 149-50, 156, 239, 240, 295, 302
Nienna One of the Valier, numbered among
the Aratar; Lady of pity and mourning, the sister of Mandos and Lórien; see
especially 21-2. 18, 21-2, 25, 33, 70, 87, 113
Nienor 'Mourning', the daughter of Húrin
and Morwen and sister of Túrin; spell-bound by Glaurung at Nargothrond and in
ignorance of her past wedded Túrin in Brethil in her name Níniel; cast herself
into the Teiglin. 243, 260, 263-4, 267-79
Nimbrethil Birch-woods in Arvernien in the south of
Beleriand. Cf. Bilbo's song at Rivendell: 'He built a boat of timber felled in
Nimbrethil to journey in ...' (The Fellowship of the Ring II 1). 304
Nimloth
(1) The White Tree of Númenor, of which a
fruit taken by Isildur before it was felled grew into the White Tree of Minas
Ithil. Nimloth 'White Blossom' is the Sindarin form of Quenya Ninquelótë, one
of the names of Telperion. 62, 324, 331-2, 336-8, 342, 361-2
Nimloth
(2) Elf of Doriath who wedded Dior
Thingol's Heir; mother of Elwing; slain in Menegroth in the attack by the sons
of Fëanor. 290-1
Nimphelos The great pearl given by Thingol to the lord
of the Dwarves of Belegost. 105
Níniel 'Tear-maiden', the name that Túrin,
ignorant of their relationship, gave to his sister; see Nienor.
Ninquelótë 'White Blossom', a name of Telperion; see
Nimloth (1). 33
niphredil A white flower that bloomed in Doriath in
starlight when Lúthien was born. It grew also on Cerin Amroth in Lothlórien
(The Fellowship of the Ring II 6, 8). 103
Nirnaeth
Arnoediad 'Tears Unnumbered' (also
simply the Nirnaeth), the name given to the ruinous fifth battle in the Wars of
Beleriand. 166, 234-8, 242, 254, 257, 294, 297-8
Nivrim That part of Doriath that lay on the
west bank of Sirion. 145
Noegyth
Nibin 'Petty-dwarves' (see also under
Dwarves). 250, 284
Nogrod One of the two cities of the Dwarves
in the Blue Mountains; translation into Sindarin of Dwarvish Tumunzahar. See
Hollowbold. 104, 107, 132, 158, 161, 215, 231, 250, 285-8, 291
Noldolantë 'The Fall of the Noldor', a lament made by
Maglor son of Fëanor. 98
Noldor The Deep Elves, the second host of
the Eldar on the westward journey from Cuiviénen, led by Finwë. The name
(Quenya Noldo, Sindarin Golodh) meant 'the Wise' (but wise in the sense of
possessing knowledge, not in the sense of possessing sagacity, sound judgement).
For the language of the Noldor see Quenya, Passim; see especially 35, 54, 63-8,
137, 356
Nóm,
Nómin 'Wisdom' and 'the Wise', the names
that the Men of Bëor's following gave to Finrod and his people in their own
tongue. 168
North
Downs In Eriador, where was built the
Númenórean city of Fornost 360
Nulukkizdîn Dwarvish name of Nargothrond. 284
Númenor (In full Quenya form Númenórë, 321-2, 347.)
'Westernesse', 'Westland', the great island prepared by the Valar as a
dwelling-place for the Edain after the ending of the First Age. Called also
Anadűnë, Andor, Elenna, the Land of the Star, and after its downfall
Akallabęth, Atalantë, and Mar-nu-Falmar. 62, 177, 321-37, 341-7, 354, 358-63,
368, 375
Númenóreans The Men of Númenor, called also Dúnedain. 24,
321-35, 337-9, 342-7, 355, 359-65,367-70,372,376-7
Nurtalë
Valinóreva 'The Hiding of Valinor'.
118
Ohtar 'Warrior', esquire of Isildur, who
brought the shards of Elendil's sword to Imladris. 367
Oiolossë 'Ever-snow-white', the most common name
among the Eldar for Taniquetil, rendered into Sindarin as Amon Uilos; but
according to the Valaquenta it was the uttermost tower of Taniquetil.. 19, 32
Oiomúrë A region of mists near to the Helcaraxë. 88
Olórin A Maia, one of the Istari (Wizards);
see Mithrandir, Gandalf, and cf. The Two Towers IV 5: 'Olórin I was in my youth
in the West that is forgotten'. 25-6
olvar An Elvish word retained in the speeches
of Yavanna and Manwë in Chapter II, meaning 'growing things with roots in the
earth', 43-4
Olwë Leader together with his brother Elwë
(Thingol) of the hosts of the Teleri on the westward journey from Cuiviénen;
lord of the Teleri of Alqualondë in Aman. 54-8, 60-1, 63-5, 97-100, 107, 130,
152
Ondolindë 'Stone Song', the original Quenya name of
Gondolin. 149
Orcs Creatures of Morgoth. Passim; for their
origin see 50, 106
Orfalch
Echor The great ravine through the
Encircling Mountains by which Gondolin was approached. 296
Ormal One of the Lamps of the Valar made by
Aulë, Ormal stood in the south of Middle-earth. 29-30
Orocarni The Mountains of the East of Middle-earth
(the name means "the Red Mountains'). 49
Orodreth The second son of Finarfin; warden of the
tower of Minas Tirith on Tol Sirion; King of Nargothrond after the death of
Finrod his brother; father of Finduilas; slain in the Battle of Tumhalad. 64,
93, 142, 187-8, 206, 209, 213, 230, 257-61, 266
Orodruin 'Mountain of Blazing Fire' in Mordor, in
which Sauron forged the Ruling Ring; called also Amon Amarth 'Mount Doom'. 357,
363-6
Oromë A Vala, one of the Aratar; the great
hunter, leader of the Elves from Cuiviénen, spouse of Vana. The name means
'Horn-blowing' or 'Sound of Horns', cf. Valaróma; in The Lord of the Rings it
appears in the Sindarin form Araw. See especially 22-3. 18, 22-3, 31. 37, 47,
49-51, 53-5, 59, 63, 65, 79-82, 85, 93, 106, 108, 114, 184, 209, 225
Oromët A hill pear the haven of Andúnië in
the west of Númenor, on which was built the tower of Tar-Minastir. 332
Orthanc 'Forked Height', the Númenórean tower
in the Circle of Isengard. 361-2, 372
Osgiliath 'Fortress of the Stars', the chief city of
ancient Gondor, on either side of the river Anduin. 361-4, 368
Ossë A Maia, vassal of Ulmo, with whom he
entered the waters of Arda; lover and instructor of the Teleri. 24, 36, 60-1,
64, 98, 141, 240, 321
Ossiriand 'Land of Seven Rivers' (these being Gelion
and its tributaries flowing down from the Blue Mountains), the land of the
Green-elves. Cf. Treebeard's song in The Two Towers III 4: 'I wandered in
Summer in the elm-woods of Ossiriand. Ah! the light and the music in the Summer
by the Seven Rivers of Ossir!' See Lindon. 108, 110, 133, 144-8, 167, 170-1,
182, 184, 229, 239, 289-91, 354
Ost-in-Edhil 'Fortress of the Eldar', the city of the
Elves in Eregion. 354-6
Outer
Lands Middle-earth (also called the Hither
Lands). 35, 36, 47, 88, 102, 115, 308
Outer
Sea See Ekkaia.
Palantíri 'Those that watch from afar', the seven
Seeing Stones brought by Elendil and his sons from Númenor; made by Fëanor in
Aman (see 69, and The Two Towers III 11). 342, 362
Pelargir 'Garth of Royal Ships,' the Númenórean haven
above the delta of Anduin. 329
Pelóri 'The fencing or defensive heights',
called also the Mountains of Aman and the Mountains of Defence, raised by the
Valar after the destruction of their dwelling on Almaren; ranging in a crescent
from north to south, close to the eastern shores of Aman. 32, 34, 46, 59, 62,
80-1, 88, 115-7, 210
People
of Haleth See Haladin and Haleth.
Periannath The Halflings (Hobbits). 316
Petty-dwarves Translation of Noegyth Nibin. See also
under Dwarves.
Pharazôn See Ar-Pharazôn.
Prophecy
of the North The Doom of the Noldor,
uttered by Mandos on the coast of Araman. 98
Quendi Original Elvish name for Elves (of
every kind, including the Avari), meaning 'Those that speak with voices'. 37-8,
48-53, 57, 61, 73, 76, 114, 121-2, 169
Quenta
Silmarillion 'The History of the
Silmarils.' 355
Quenya The ancient tongue, common to all
Elves, in the form that it took in Valinor; brought to Middle-earth by the
Noldorin exiles, but abandoned by them as a daily speech, especially after the
edict of King Thingol against its use; see especially 133, 155. Not named as
such in this book, but referred to as Eldarin, 21, 323, 347; High Eldarin,
322-3; High-elven, 266, 330; the tongue of Valinor, 133; the speech of the
Elves of Valinor, 149; the tongue of the Noldor, 155, 159; the High Speech of
the West, 155
Radagast One of the Istari (Wizards). 372, 375
Radhruin One of the twelve companions of Barahir on
Dorthonion. 187
Ragnor One of the twelve companions of
Barahir on Dorthonion. 187
Ramdal 'Wall's End' (see Andram), where the
dividing fall across Beleriand ceased' 146,184
Rána 'The Wanderer', a name of the Moon among
the Noldor. 114
Rathlóriel 'Golden-bed', later name for the river Ascar,
after the treasure of Doriath was sunk in it 147, 291
Rauros 'Roaring Spray', the great falls in
the river Anduin. 369
Red
Ring, The See Narya.
Region The dense forest forming the
southern part of Doriath. 57, 105, 110, 145, 158, 288-9
Rerir Mountain to the north of Lake Helevorn,
where rose the greater of the two tributary branches of Gelion. 132,146-8,184
Rhovanion 'Wilderland', the wide region east of the
Misty Mountains. 360-1
Rhudaur Region in the north-east of Eriador. 360
Rían Daughter of Belegund (nephew of Barahir,
the father of Beren); wife of Huor and mother of Tuor; after Huor's death died
of grief on the Haudh-en-Ndengin. 177, 187, 194, 242, 294
Ringil The sword of Fingolfin. 185
Ring of
Doom See Máhanaxar.
Rings
of Power 356-7, 373-5; The One Ring,
Great Ring, or Ruling Ring: 330, 347, 356-8, 363, 365-6, 370-1, 374-7; Three
Rings of the Elves: 357, 370-1, 378 (see also Narya, the Ring of Fire, Nenya,
the Ring of Adamant, and Vilya, the Ring of Sapphire). Seven Rings of the
Dwarves 357-8, 371, 375. Nine Rings of Men 330, 357-8, 371, 375
Ringwil The stream that flowed into the river
Narog at Nargothrond. 146
Ring-wraiths The slaves of the Nine Rings of Men and
chief servants of Sauron; also called Nazgűl and Úlairi. 330, 361, 368, 372,
376
Rivendell Translation of Imladris.
Rivil Stream falling northwards from Dorthonion
and flowing into Sirion in the Fen of Serech. 233, 237. Rivil's Well 197
Rochallor The horse of Fingolfin. 184
Rohan 'The Horse-country', later name in Condor
for the great grassy plain formerly called Calenardhon. 369, 377
Rohirrim 'The Horse-lords' of Rohan. 369
Romenna 'Haven on the east coast of Númenor. 331,
336-7, 341, 346
Rothinzil Adűnaic (Númenórean) name of Eärendil's ship
Vingilot, with the same meaning, 'Foam-flower'. 319-21
Rúmil A Noldorin sage of Tirion, the first
deviser of written characters (cf. The Lord of the Rings Appendix E II); to him
is attributed the Ainulindalë. 67-8
Saeros Nandorin Elf, one of the chief
counsellors of Thingol in Doriath; insulted Túrin in Menegroth, and by him
pursued to his death. 244
Salmar A Maia who entered Arda with Ulmo;
maker of Ulmo's great horns, the Ulumúri. 36
Sarn
Athrad 'Ford of Stones', where the
Dwarf-road from Nogrod and Belegost crossed the river Gelion. 104, 167, 287,
291
Saruman 'Man of Skill', the name among Men of
Curunír (which it translates), one of the Istari (Wizards). 372-3
Sauron 'The Abhorred' (in Sindarin called
Gorthaur); greatest of the servants of Melkor, in his origin a Maia of Aulë.
26, 47, 52, 169, 187-8, 195-8, 206-8, 210-3, 216, 330, 333-40, 343, 346-8,
353-77
Secondborn,
The The Younger Children of Ilúvatar,
Men. 44
Seeing
Stones See Palantíri.
Serech The great fen north of the Pass of
Sirion, where the river Rivil flowed in from Dorthonion. 124, 182, 197, 233,
236, 282
seregon 'Blood of Stone', a plant with deep
red flowers that grew on Amon Rűdh. 248, 252
Serindë 'The Broideress'; see Míriel (I).
Seven
Fathers of the Dwarves See Dwarves.
Seven
Stones See Palantíri.
Shadowy
Mountains See Ered Wethrin.
Shepherds
of the Trees Ents. 45, 290
Sickle
of the Valor See Valacirca.
Silmarien Daughter of Tar-Elendil, the fourth King of
Númenor; mother of the first lord of Andúnië and ancestress of Elendil and his
sons Isildur and Anárion. 331
Silmarils The three jewels made by Fëanor before the
destruction of the Two Trees of Valinor, and filled with their light; see
especially 72-3. 35, 72-5, 78, 83, 86-93, 116. 121-2, 126, 130, 136, 152, 202-5,
209, 219-21, 224-6, 230, 243, 286-93, 302-3, 305-6, 310, 313-4
Silpion A name of Telperion. 33
Silvan
Elves Also called Woodland Elves.
They appear to have been in origin those Nandorin Elves who never passed west
of the Misty Mountains, but remained in the Vale of Anduin and in Greenwood the
Great; see Nandor 354, 370
Sindar The Grey-elves. The name was applied
to all the Elves of Telerin origin whom the returning Noldor found in
Beleriand, save for the Green-elves of Ossiriand. The Noldor may have devised
this name because the first Elves of this origin whom they met with were in the
north, under the grey skies and mists about Lake Mithrim (see Mithrim); or
perhaps because the Grey-elves were not of the Light (of Valinor) nor yet of
the Dark (Avari), but were Elves of the Twilight (58). But it was held to refer
to Elwë's name Thingol (Quenya Sindacollo, Singollo 'Grey-cloak'), since he was
acknowledged high king of all the land and its peoples. The Sindar called
themselves Edhil, plural Edhel. 22, 32, 58, 103, 108, 120, 125, 133, 137-42,
148, 150, 153-5, 164, 171, 182,188-90, 242, 277, 289, 291, 294, 353
Sindarin The Elvish tongue of Beleriand, derived from
the common Elvish speech but greatly changed through long ages from Quenya of
Valinor; acquired by the Noldorin exiles in Beleriand (see 133, 155). Called
also the Grey-elven tongue, the tongue of the Elves of Beleriand, etc. 36,
62-3, 133, 140, 149, 155, 177, 187, 199, 250, 319, 322
Singollo 'Grey-cloak', 'Grey-mantle'; see Sindar,
Thingol,
Sirion 'The Great River' flowing from north
to south and dividing West from East Beleriand. Passim; see especially 52,
141-2, 145. Falls of Sirion 203, 285. Fens of Sirion 203. Gates of Sirion 146.
Havens of Sirion 294, 304-5, 313. Mouths of Sirion 60, 142, 190, 192, 239, 293,
302, 304. Pass of Sirion 135, 141, 182, 193, 215, 234, 237, 260, 265. Vale of
Sirion 56, 124, 135, 140, 149, 248, 265, 301
Sons of
Fëanor See Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm,
Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, Amras, Often referred to as a group, especially
after the death of their father: 69, 74-5, 77, 93, 126-7, 131-3, 144, 147-8,
152-4, 157, 159-61, 180, 183-4, 204, 213-4, 223, 230-1, 235, 238-9, 292-3,
302,305,313-4
Soronúmë Name of a constellation. 48
Stone
of the Hapless Memorial stone of Túrin
and Nienor by Cabed Naeramarth in the river Teiglin. 283-4
Straight
Road, Straight Way The path over the Sea
into the Ancient or True West, on which the ships of the Elves might still sail
after the Downfall of Númenor and the Changing of the World. 348-9
Strongbow Translation of Cúthalion, name of Beleg.
Súlimo Name of Manwë, rendered in the
Valaquenta as 'Lord of the Breath of Arda' (literally 'the Breather'). 18, 35,
95
Swanhaven See Alqualondë.
Swarthy
Men See Easterlings. 189
Talath
Dirnen The Guarded Plain, north of
Nargothrond. 176, 203, 208, 252, 258, 261
Talath
Rhunen 'The East Vale', earlier name
of Thargelion. 148
Taniquetil 'High White Peak', highest of the mountains of
the Pelóri and the highest mountain of Arda, upon whose summit are Ilmarin, the
mansions of Manwë and Varda; also called the White Mountain, the Holy Mountain,
and the Mountain of Manwë. See Oiolossë, 19, 32, 35, 47, 51, 65, 81-4, 88, 93,
96, 129, 307, 344, 348
Tar-Ancalimon Fourteenth King of Númenor, in whose time the
Númenóreans became divided into opposed parties. 328
Taras Mountain on a promontory of Nevrast;
beneath it was Vinyamar, the dwelling of Turgon before he went to Gondolin.
140, 295
Tar-Atanamir Thirteenth King of Númenor, to whom the
Messengers of the Valar came. 327-8
Tar-Calion Quenya name of Ar-Pharazôn. 333, 359
Tar-Ciryatan Twelfth King of Númenor 'the Shipbuilder'.
327
Tar-Elendil Fourth King of Númenor, father of Silmarien,
from whom Elendil was descended. 331
Tar-Minastir Eleventh King of Númenor, who aided
Gil-galad against Sauron. 329-30, 332
Tar-Minyatur Name of Elros Half-elven as first King of
Númenor. 336
Tar-Míriel See Míriel (2).
Tarn
Aeluin The lake on Dorthonion where
Barahir and his companions made their lair, and where they were slain. 195-6
Tar-Palantir Twenty-third King of Númenor, who repented
of the ways of the Kings, and took his name in Quenya: 'He who looks afar'. See
Inziladűn. 332, 337
Taur-en-Faroth The wooded highlands to the west of the
river Narog above Nargothrond; also called the High Faroth. 134, 145, 203
Taur-im-Duinath 'The Forest between Rivers', name of the wild
country south of the Andram between Sirion and Gelion. 147, 184
Taur-nu-Fuin Later name of Dorthonion: 'the Forest
under Night'. Cf. Deldúwath. 186, 206, 212, 215-6, 221, 223, 245, 253-6
Tauron 'The Forester' (translated in the
Valaquenta 'Lord of Forests'), a name of Oromë among the Sindar. Cf. Aldaron.
22
Teiglin A tributary of Sirion, rising in Ered
Wethrin and bounding the Forest of Brethil on the south; see also Crossings of
Teiglin. 142, 145, 176, 190, 245, 251, 261, 265, 271, 273,279, 284
Telchar The most renowned of the smiths of
Nogrod, the maker of Angrist and (according to Aragorn in The Two Towers III 6)
of Narsil. 107, 215
Telemnar Twenty-sixth King of Gondor. 368
Teleri The third and greatest of the three
hosts of the Eldar on the westward journey from Cuiviénen, led by Elwë
(Thingol) and Olwë. Their own name for themselves was Lindar the Singers; the
name Teleri the Last-comers, the Hindmost, was given to them by those before
them on the march. Many of the Teleri did not leave Middle-earth; the Sindar
and the Nandor were Telerin Elves in origin. 36, 54-7, 60-4, 71, 79-80, 83,
96-8, 101, 107, 111,117, 159-60, 164, 306-9, 310, 315, 354
Telperion The elder of the Two Trees of Valinor. 34,
47, 62, 82, 114-5, 247, 324, 361-2. Called the White Tree 62
Telumendil Name of a constellation. 48
Thalion 'Steadfast, Strong'; see Húrin.
Thalos The second of the tributaries of
Gelion in Ossiriand. 147, 167
Thangorodrim 'Mountains of Tyranny', reared by Morgoth
above Angband; broken down in the Great Battle at the end of the First Age. 90,
109, 125-8, 136,139-40, 180-3, 215, 221, 232, 234, 240, 254, 312, 320, 353-4,
364
Thargelion 'The Land beyond Gelion', between Mount Rerir
and the river Ascar, where Caranthir dwelt; called also Dor Caranthir and
Talath Rhunen. 148, 158, 171, 174, 184
Thingol 'Grey-cloak', 'Grey-mantle' (in
Quenya Sindacollo, Singollo), the name by which Elwë, leader with his brother
Olwë of the host of the Teleri from Cuiviénen and afterwards King of Doriath,
was known in Beleriand; also called the Hidden King. See Elwë. 58, 103-10, 125,
130-1, 134, 145, 151-5, 157, 172, 176-7, 182, 190, 199-204, 208-9, 217, 222-7, 229-30,
243-7, 260, 267,269,280, 285-92, 297, 315
Thorondor 'King of Eagles'. Cf. The Return of the King
VI 4: 'Old Thorondor, who built his eyries in the inaccessible peaks of the
Encircling Mountains when Middle-earth was young'. See Crissaegrim. 129, 149,
186, 191, 221, 281, 297, 301, 312
Thousand
Caves See Menegroth.
Thranduil Sindarin Elf, King of the Silvan Elves in the
north of Greenwood the Great (Mirkwood); father of Legolas, who was of the
Fellowship of the Ring. 371
ThurIngwëthil 'Woman of Secret Shadow', the messenger of
Sauron from Tol-in-Gaurhoth who took the form of a great bat, and in whose
shape Lúthien entered Angband. 216
Tilion A Maia, steersman of the Moon. 114-7
Tintallë 'The Kindler', a name of Varda as
maker of the Stars. She is called thus in Galadriel's lament in Lórien, The
Fellowship of the Ring II 8. Cf. Elbereth, Elentári. 48
Tinúviel The name that Beren gave to Lúthien: a
poetic word for the nightingale, 'Daughter of Twilight'. See Lúthien.
Tirion 'Great Watch-tower', the city of the
Elves on the hill of Túna in Aman. 62, 65-7, 74-5, 77-8, 83, 91, 94-6, 117,
134-5, 149-52, 205, 297, 307, 361
Tol
Eressëa 'The Lonely Isle' (also simply
Eressëa), on which the Vanyar and the Noldor and afterwards the Teleri were
drawn across the ocean by Ulmo, and which was at last rooted in the Bay of
Eldamar near to the coasts of Aman. On Eressëa the Teleri long remained before
they went to Alqualondë; and there dwelt many of the Noldor and the Sindar
after the ending of the First Age. 50, 60-2, 64, 118, 306, 310, 315, 321, 324,
331, 345, 349, 355, 362
Tol
Galen 'The Green Isle' in the river
Adurant in Ossiriand, where Beren and Lúthien dwelt after their return. 147,
229, 290
Tol-in-Gaurhoth 'Isle of Werewolves', name of Tol Sirion after
its capture by Sauron. 188, 208, 210
Tol
Morwen Island in the sea after the
drowning of Beleriand on which stood the memorial stone of Túrin, Nienor, and
Morwen. 284
Tol
Sirion Island in the river in the Pass of
Sirion on which Finrod built the tower of Minas Tirith; after its capture by
Sauron named Tol-in-Gaurhoth. 133, 142, 188
Tulkas A Vala, the 'greatest in strength
and deeds of prowess', who came last to Arda; also called Astaldo. 18, 22,
29-31, 47, 51, 52, 70-1, 77-80, 85-7
Tumhalad Valley in the land between the rivers
Ginglith and Narog, where the host of Nargothrond was defeated. 261
Tumladen 'The Wide Valley', the hidden vale in the
Encircling Mountains in the midst of which stood the city of Gondolin.
(Tumladen was afterwards the name of a valley in Gondor: The Return of the King
V 1). 135, 149, 160, 191, 221, 296, 301
Tumunzahar See Nogrod. 104
Túna The green hill in the Calacirya on which
Tirion, the city of the Elves, was built. 62, 65-7, 75, 79, 91, 96, 100,117,
135, 149, 307, 324, 344
Tuor Son of Huor and Rían, fostered by the
Grey-elves of Mithrim; entered Gondolin bearing the message of Ulmo; wedded
Idril Turgon's daughter, and with her and their son Eärendil escaped from the
destruction of the City; in his ship Eärrámë set sail into the West. 177, 242,
294-304, 308
Turambar 'Master of Doom', the last name taken by
Túrin, during his days in the Forest of Brethil. 266, 270-80, 284
Turgon Called the Wise; the second son of
Fingolfin; dwelt at Vinyamar in Nevrast before he departed in secret to
Gondolin, which he ruled until his death in the sack of the city; father of
Idril the mother of Eärendil 64, 93, 100-2, 133, 135, 140-1, 149-51,155-7, 160,
163-5, 186, 191-3, 221, 231-2, 234-7, 240, 247, 281-2, 294-300, 302, 308, 315
Tűr
Haretha The burial-mound of the Lady
Haleth in the Forest of Brethil (see Haudh-en-Arwen). 176
Túrin Son of Húrin and Morwen; chief subject of
the lay named Narn i Hîn Húrin from which Chapter XXI was derived. For his
other names see Neithan, Gorthol, Agarwaen, Mormegil, Wildman of the Woods,
Turambar. 177, 178, 205, 242-66, 271, 274-80, 284
Twilight
Meres See Aelin-uial.
Two
Kindreds Elves and Men. 307-8, 319,
366
Two
Trees of Valinor 33-4, 45-6, 53-4, 58,
61-2, 65, 71-2, 78, 83-4, 86, 109, 111-6, 119, 151, 288, 296, 302, 336-7
Uinen A Maia, the Lady of the Seas, spouse of
Ossë. 24, 36, 60, 98
Úlairi See Ring-wraiths.
Uldor Called the Accursed; son of Ulfang the
Black; slain by Maglor in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 189, 232, 235-7, 311
Ulfang Called the Black; a chieftain of the
Easterlings, who with his three sons followed Caranthir, and proved faithless
in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 189, 231, 235
Ulfast Son of Ulfang the Black, slain by
the sons of Bor in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 189, 235
Ulmo A Vala, one of the Aratar, called Lord
of Waters and King of the Sea, The name was interpreted by the Eldar to mean
'The Pourer' or 'The Rainer'. See especially 19-20, 36. 8-10, 18-24, 36, 44,
51, 52, 59-61, 64, 70, 97, 116, 120, 133-5, 141, 146, 149-52, 187, 190, 240,
256, 260, 294-8, 301-2, 305-6, 308
Ulumúri The great horns of Ulmo made by the Maia
Salmar. 19, 36, 59
Ulwarth Son of Ulfang the Black, slain by the
sons of Bor in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. 189, 235
Úmanyar Name given to those Elves who went on the
westward Journey from Cuiviénen but did not reach Aman: 'Those not of Aman',
beside Amanyar 'Those of Aman'. 54, 58
Úmarth 'Ill-fate', a fictitious name for
his father given out by Túrin in Nargothrond. 257
Umbar Great natural haven and fortress of the
Númenóreans south of the Bay of Belfalas. 334
Undying
Lands Aman and Eressëa; also called
the Deathless Lands. 308, 320, 324, 345, 348
Ungoliant The great spider, destroyer with Melkor of
the Trees of Valinor. Shelob in The Lord of the Rings was 'the last child of
Ungoliant to trouble the unhappy world' (The Two Towers IV 9). 79-80, 84, 85,
88-90, 100, 109, 116, 144, 157,198,307
Union
of Maedhros The league formed by Maedhros
to defeat Morgoth that ended in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad 230
Urthel One of the twelve companions of
Barahir on Dorthonion. 187
Urulóki Quenya word meaning 'fire-serpent',
dragon. 137, 294-304, 308
Utumno The first great stronghold of
Melkor, in the north of Middle-earth, destroyed by the Valar. 31, 37, 46, 51-2,
81, 91, 114, 139
Vairë 'The Weaver', one of the Valier, the
spouse of Námo Mandos. 18, 21
Valacirca 'The Sickle of the Valar', name of the
constellation of the Great Bear. 48, 211
Valandil Youngest son of Isildur; third King of
Arnor. 367
Valaquenta 'Account of the Valar', a short work treated
as a separate entity from The Silmarillion proper.
Valar 'Those with Power', 'The Powers'
(singular Vala); name given to those great Ainur who entered into Eä at the
beginning of Time, and assumed the function of guarding and governing Arda.
Called also the Great Ones, the Rulers of Arda, the Lords of the West, the
Lords of Valinor. Passim; see especially 10-12, 37, 81-2, and see also Ainur,
Aratar.
Valaraukar 'Demons of Might' (singular Valarauko), Quenya
form corresponding to Sindarin Balrog. 26
Valaróma The horn of the Vala Oromë. 22, 37, 85,
108-9
Valier 'The Queens of the Valar' (singular
Valie); a term used only in the Valaquenta. 18, 20, 23
Valimar See Valmar.
Valinor The land of the Valar in Aman, beyond
the mountains of the Pelóri; also called the Guarded Realm. Passim; see
especially 32-3, 117
Valmar The city of the Valar in Valinor;
the name also occurs in the form Valimar. In Galadriel's lament in Lórien (The
Fellowship of the Ring II 8) Valimar is made equivalent to Valinor. 21-3, 33,
51, 57, 64, 70, 76-9, 82-4, 94, 117, 227-8, 307-8
Vána One of the Valier, the sister of Yavanna
and spouse of Oromë; called the Ever-young. 18, 23, 114
Vanyar The first host of the Eldar on the
westward journey from Cuiviénen, led by Ingwë. The name (singular Vanya) means
'the Fair', referring to the golden hair of the Vanyar; see Finarfin. 35, 55,
59, 62-5, 69, 71, 83-4, 91, 112-4, 117, 155, 163, 310,315
Varda 'The Exalted', 'The Lofty'; also called
the Lady of the Stars. Greatest of the Valier, the spouse of Manwë, dwelling
with him on Taniquetil. Other names of Varda, as maker of the Stars, were
Elbereth, Elentári, Tintallë. See especially 18-9, 18-9, 23-4, 29, 32, 34-6,
47-8, 54, 62, 73, 83-4, 86, 93, 113-6, 211, 313-6
Vása 'The Consumer', a name of the Sun among
the Noldor. 114
Vilya One of the Three Rings of the Elves, the
Ring of Air, borne by Gil-galad and afterwards by Elrond; also called The Ring
of Sapphire. 357, 370
Vingilot (In full Quenya form Vingilótë).
'Foam-flower', the name of Eärendil's ship; see Rothinzil. 305, 310, 312, 319
Vinyamar The house of Turgon in Nevrast under Mount
Taras. The meaning is probably 'New Dwelling'. 135, 141, 150, 155, 295-7
Voronwë 'The Steadfast', Elf of Gondolin, the only
mariner to survive from the seven ships sent into the West after the Nirnaeth
Arnoediad; met with Tuor at Vinyamar and guided him to Gondolin. 240, 295
Westernesse See Anadűnë, Númenor.
White
Council The Council of the Wise in the
Third Age formed to oppose Sauron. 373-5
White
Mountain See Taniquetil.
White
Tree See Telperion, Galathilion, Nimhth
(1). The White Trees of Minas Ithil and Minas Anor: 337, 342, 361, 364-8, 378
Wildman
of the Woods Name adopted by Túrin when
he first came among the Men of Brethil. 265
Wilwarin Name of a constellation. The word meant
'butterfly' in Quenya, and the constellation was perhaps Cassiopeia. 48
Wizards See Istari. 372
Woodland
Elves See Silvan Elves.
Yavanna 'Giver of fruits'; one of the Valier,
numbered among the Aratar; the spouse of Aulë; called also Kementári See
especially 20-1. 18, 20-3, 29-30, 33-5, 43-7, 57, 62, 82, 86-8, 90, 103, 113-4,
120, 321, 324, 362
Year of
Lamentation The year of the Nirnaeth
Arnoediad. 151, 243
These
notes have been compiled for those who take an interest in the Eldarin
languages, and The Lord of the Rings is extensively drawn upon for
illustration. They are necessarily very compressed, giving an air of certainty
and finality that is not altogether justified; and they are very selective,
this depending both on considerations of length and the limitations of the
editor's knowledge. The headings are not arranged systematically by roots or in
Quenya or Sindarin forms, but somewhat arbitrarily, the aim being to make the
component elements of names as readily identifiable as possible.
adan (plural Edain) in Adanedhel, Aradan,
Dúnedain. For its meaning and history see Atani in the Index.
aelin 'lake, pool' in Aelin-uial; cf. lin (2).
aglar 'glory, brilliance' in Dagor Aglareb,
Aglarond. The form in Quenya, alkar, has transposition of the consonants: to
Sindarin aglareb corresponds Alkarinquë. The root is kal- 'shine', q.v.
aina 'holy' in Ainur, Ainulindalë.
alda 'tree' (Quenya) in Aldaron, Aldudénië,
Malinalda, corresponding to Sindarin galadh (seen in Caras Galadon and the
Galadrim of Lothlórien).
alqua 'swan' (Sindarin alph) in Alqualondë;
from a root alak- 'rushing' occurring also in Ancalagon.
amarth 'doom' in Amon Amarth, Cabed
Naeramarth, Úmarth, and in the Sindarin form of Túrin's name 'Master of Doom',
Turamarth. The Quenya form of the word appears in Turambar.
amon 'hill', a Sindarin word occurring as the
first element of many names; plural emyn in Emyn Beraid. 445
anca 'jaws' in Ancalagon (for the second
element in this name see alqua).
an(d) 'long' in Andram, Anduin; also in Anfalas
('Lang-strand') in Gondor, Cair Andros ('ship of long-foam') an island in
Anduin, and Angerthas 'long rune-rows'.
andúnë 'sunset, west' in Andúnië, to which
corresponds in Sindarin annun, cf. Annúminas, and Henneth Annun 'window of the
sunset' in Ithilien. The ancient root of these words, ndu, meaning 'down, from
on high', appears also in Quenya numen 'the way of the sunset, west' and in
Sindarin dun 'west', cf. Dúnedain, Adűnaic adun in Adunakhôr, Anadűnë was a
loan from Eldarin speech.
anga 'iron', Sindarin ang, in Angainor,
Angband, Anghabar, Anglachel, Angrist, Angrod, Anguirel, Gurthang; angren 'of
iron' in Angrenost, plural engrin in Ered Engrin.
anna 'gift' in Annatar, Melian, Yavanna; the
same stem in Andor 'Land of Gift'.
annon 'great door or gate', plural ennyn, in
Annon-in-Gelydh; cf. Morannon the 'Black Gate' of Mordor and Sirannon the
'Gate-stream' of Moria.
ar- 'beside, outside' (whence Quenya
ar 'and', Sindarin a), probably in Araman 'outside Aman'; cf. also (Nirnaeth)
Arnoediad '(Tears) without reckoning'.
ar(a)- 'high, noble, royal' appears in a
great many names, as Aradan, Aredhel, Argonath, Arnor, etc.; extended stem
arat- appearing in Aratar, and in arato 'champion, eminent man', e.g. Angrod
from Angaráto and Finrod from Findaráto; also aran 'king' in Aranrúth. Ereinion
'scion of kings' (name of Gil-galad) has the plural of aran; cf. Fornost Erain
'Norbury of the Kings' in Arnor. The prefix Ar- of the Adűnaic names of the
Kings of Númenor was derived from this.
arien (the Maia of the Sun) is derived from a
root as- seen also in Quenya árë 'sunlight'.
atar 'father' in Atanatári (see Atani in Index),
Ilúvatar.
band 'prison, duress' in Angband; from
original mbando, of which the Quenya form appears in Mandos (Sindarin
Angband=Quenya Angamando).
bar 'dwelling' in Bar-en-Danwedh. The
ancient word mbar (Quenya mar, Sindarin bar) meant the 'home' both of persons
and of peoples, and thus appears in many place-names, as Brithombar, Dimbar
(the first element of which means 'sad, gloomy'), Eldamar, Val(i)mar, Vinyamar,
Mar-nu-Falmar. Mardil, name of the first of the Ruling Stewards of Gondor,
means 'devoted to the house' (i.e. of the Kings).
barad 'tower' in Barad-dűr, Barad Either Barad
Nimras; the plural in Emyn Beraid.
beleg 'mighty' in Beleg, Belegaer, Belegost,
Laer Cú Beleg.
brago 'sudden' in Dagor Bragollach.
brethil probably means 'silver birch'; cf.
Nimbrethil the birchwoods in Arvernien, and Fimbrethil, one of the Entwives.
brith 'gravel' in Brithiach, Brithombar,
Brithon.
(For
many names beginning with C see entries under K)
calen
(galen) the usual Sindarin word for
'green', in Ard-galen, Tol Galen, Calenardhon; also in Parth Galen ('Green
Sward') beside Anduin and Pinnath Gelin ('Green Ridges') in Gondor. See kal-.
cam (from kamba) 'hand', but specifically
of the hand held cupped in the attitude of receiving or holding, in Camlost,
Erchamion.
carak- This root is seen in Quenya carca
'fang', of which the Sindarin form carch occurs in Carcharoth, and also in
Carchost ('Fang Fort', one of the Towers of the Teeth at the entrance to
Mordor). Cf. Caragdűr, Carach Angren ('Iron Jaws', the rampart and dike
guarding the entrance to Udun in Mordor), and Helcaraxë.
caran 'red', Quenya carnë, in Caranthir,
Carnil, Orocarni; also in Caradhras, from caran-rass, the 'Red-horn' in the
Misty Mountains, and Carnimirie 'red-jewelled', the rowan-tree in Treebeard's
song. The translation of Carcharoth in the text as 'Red Maw' must depend on
association with this word; see carak-.
celeb 'silver' (Quenya telep, telpë, as in
Telperion) in Celeborn, Celebrant, Celebros. Celebrimbor means 'silver-fist',
from the adjective celebrin 'silver' (meaning not 'made of silver' but 'like
silver, in hue or worth') and paur (Quenya quare) 'fist' often used to mean
'hand'; the Quenya form of the name was Telperinquar. Celebrindal has celebrin
and tal, dal 'foot'.
coron 'mound' in Corollairë (also called Coron
Oiolairë, which latter word appears to mean 'Ever-summer', cf. Oiolossë); cf.
Cerin Amroth, the great mound in Lothlórien.
cú 'bow' in Cúthalion, Dor
Cúarthol, Laer Cú Beleg.
cuivië 'awakening' in Cuiviénen (Sindarin
Nen Echui). Other derivatives of the same root are Dor Firn-i-Guinar; coire,
the first beginning of Spring, Sindarin echuir. The Lord of the Rings Appendix
D; and coimas 'life-bread', Quenya name of lembas.
cul- 'golden-red' in Culúrien.
curu 'skill' in Curuftn(we), Curunír.
dae 'shadow' in Dor Daedeloth, and perhaps
in Daeron.
dagor 'battle'; the root is ndak-, cf.
Haudh-en-Ndengin. Another derivative is Dagnir (Dagnir Glaurunga 'Glaurung's
Bane').
del 'horror* in Deldúwath; deloth
'abhorrence' in Dor Daedeloth.
dîn 'silent' in Dor Dínen; cf. Rath Dínen,
the Silent Street in Minas Tirith, and Amon Dîn, one of the beacon-hills of
Gondor.
dol 'head' in Lórindol; often applied to
hills and mountains, as in Dol Guldur, Dolmed, Mindolluin (also Nardol, one of
the beacon-hills of Gondor, and Fanuidhol, one of the Mountains of Moria).
dôr 'land' (i.e. dry land as opposed to
sea) was derived from ndor; it occurs in many Sindarin names, as Doriath,
Dorthonion, Eriador, Gondor, Mordor, etc. In Quenya the stem was blended and
confused with a quite distinct word nórë meaning 'people'; in origin Valinórë
was strictly 'the people of the Valar', but Valandor 'the land of the Valar',
and similarly Númen(n)órë 'people of the West', but Númendor 'land of the
West'. Quenya Endor 'Middle-earth' was from ened 'middle' and ndor; this in
Sindarin became Ennor (cf. ennorath 'middle lands' in the chant A Elbereth
Gilthoniel).
draug 'wolf' in Draugluin.
dú 'night, dimness' in Deldúwath,
Ephel Dúath. Derived from earlier dömë, whence Quenya lómë; thus Sindarin dúlin
'nightingale' corresponds to lómelindë.
duin '(long) river' in Anduin, Baranduin,
Esgalduin, Malduin, Taur-im-Duinath.
dűr 'dark' in Barad-dűr, Caragdűr, Dol
Guldur; also in Durthang (a castle in Mordor).
ëar 'sea' (Quenya) in Eärendil, Eärrámë,
and many other names. The Sindarin word gaer (in Belegaer) is apparently
derived from the same original stem.
echor in Echoriath 'Encircling Mountains' and
Orfalch Echor; cf. Rammas Echor 'the great wall of the outer circle' about the
Pelennor Fields at Minas Tirith.
edhel 'elf (Sindarin) in Adanedhel, Aredhel,
Glóredhel, Ost-in-Edhil; also in Peredhil 'Half-elven'.
eithel 'well' in Eithel Ivrin, Eithel
Sirion, Barad Eithel; also in Mitheithel, the river Hoarwell in Eriador (named
from its source). See kel-.
ęl,
elen 'star'. According to Elvish
legend, ele was a primitive exclamation 'behold!' made by the Elves when they
first saw the stars. From this origin derived the ancient words ęl and elen,
meaning 'star', and the adjectives elda and elena, meaning 'of the stars'.
These elements appear in a great many names. For the later use of the name
Eldar see the Index. The Sindarin equivalent of Elda was Edhel (plural Edhil),
q.v.; 'but the strictly corresponding form was Eledh, which occurs in Eledhwen.
er 'one, alone', in Amon Ereb (cf,
Erebor, the Lonely Mountain), Erchamion, Eressëa, Eru.
ereg 'thorn, holly' in Eregion, Region.
esgal 'screen, hiding' in Esgalduin.
falas 'shore, line of surf' (Quenya falassë) in
Falas, Belfalas; also Anfalas in Gondor. Cf. Falathar, Falathrim. Another
derivative from the root was Quenya falma '(crested) wave', whence Falmari,
Mar-nu-Falmar.
faroth is derived from a root meaning
'hunt, pursue'; in the Lay of Leithian the Taur-en-Faroth above Nargothrond are
called 'the Hills of the Hunters'.
faug- 'gape' in Anfauglir, Anfauglith,
Dor-nu-Fauglith.
fea 'spirit' in Fëanor, Fëanturi.
fin- 'hair' in Finduilas, Fingon, Finrod,
Glorftndel.
formen 'north' (Quenya) in Formenos;
Sindarin forn (also for, forod) in Fornost.
fuin 'gloom, darkness' (Quenya huine) in
Fuinur, Taur-nu-Fuin.
gaer 'sea' in Belegaer (and in Gaerys,
Sindarin name of Ossë). Said to derive from the stem gaya 'awe, dread', and to
have been the name made for the vast and terrifying Great Sea when the Eldar
first came to its shores.
gaur 'werewolf (from a root ngwaw- 'howl') in
Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
gil 'star' in Dagor-nuin-Giliath,
Osgiliath (giliath 'host of stars'); Gil-Estel, Gil-galad.
girith 'shuddering' in Nen Girith; cf. also
Girithron, name of the last month of the year in Sindarin (The Lord of the
Rings Appendix D).
glin 'gleam' (particularly applied to the
eyes) in Maeglin.
golodh is the Sindarin form of Quenya Noldo;
see gul Plural Golodhrim, and Gelydh (in Annon-in-Gelydh).
gond 'stone' in Gondolin, Gondor, Gonnhirrim,
Argonath, seregon. The name of the hidden city of King Turgon was devised by
him in Quenya as Ondolindë (Quenya ondo= Sindarin gond, and lindë 'singing,
song'); but it was known always in legend in the Sindarin form Gondolin, which
was probably interpreted as gond-dolen 'Hidden Rock'.
gor 'horror, dread' in Gorthaur, Gorthol;
goroth of the same meaning, with reduplicated gor, in Gorgoroth, Ered Gorgoroth.
groth
(grod) 'delving, underground
dwelling' in Menegroth, Nogrod (probably also in Nimrodel, 'lady of the white
cave'). Nogrod was originally Novrod 'hollow delving' (hence the translation
Hollowbold), but was altered under the influence of naug 'dwarf'.
gul 'sorcery' in Dol Guldur, Minas
Morgul. This word was derived from the same ancient stem ngol- that appears in
Noldor; cf. Quenya nólë 'long study, lore, knowledge'. But the Sindarin word
was darkened in sense by its frequent use in the compound morgul 'black arts'.
gurth 'death' in Gurthang (see also Melkor in
the Index).
gwaith 'people' in Gwaith-i-Mírdain; cf.
Enedwaith 'Middle-folk', name of the land between the Greyflood and the Isen.
gwalh,
wath 'shadow' in Deldúwath, Ephel Dúath;
also in Gwathlo, the river Greyflood in Eriador. Related forms in Ered Wethrin,
ThurIngwëthil. (This Sindarin word referred to dim light, not to the shadows of
objects cast by light: these were called morchaint 'dark shapes'.)
hadhod in Hadhodrond (translation of
Khazad-dűm) was a rendering of Khazâd into Sindarin sounds.
haudh 'mound' in Haudh-en-Arwen,
Haudh-en-Elleth, etc.
heru 'lord' in Herumor, Herunúmen; Sindarin
hir in Gonnhirrim, Rohirrim, Barahir; híril 'lady' in Hírilorn.
him 'cool' in Himlad (and Himring?).
hîn 'children' in Eruhini 'Children of
Eru'; Narn i Hîn Húrin.
hith 'mist' in Hithaeglir, Hithlum (also in
Nen Hithoel, a lake in Anduin). Hithlum is Sindarin in form, adapted from the
Quenya name Hísilómë given by the Noldorin exiles (Quenya hísië 'mist', cf.
Hísimë, the name of the eleventh month of the year. The Lord of the Rings
Appendix D).
hoth 'host, horde' (nearly always in a bad
sense) in Tol-in-Gaurhoth; also in Loss(h)oth, the Snowmen of Forochel (The
Lord of the Rings Appendix A [I, iii]) and Glamhoth 'din-horde', a name for
Orcs.
hyarmen 'south' (Quenya) in Hyarmentir; Sindarin
har-, harn, harad.
ia 'void, abyss' in Moria.
iant 'bridge' in Iant Iaur.
iâth 'fence' in Doriath.
iaur 'old' in Iant Iaur; cf. the Elvish name
of Bombadil, Iarwain.
ilm- This stem appears in Ilmen, Ilmarë, and
also in Ilmarin ('mansion of the high airs', the dwelling of Manwë and Varda
upon Oiolossë).
ilúvë 'the whole, the all' in Ilúvatar.
kal'
(gal-) This root, meaning 'shine', appears
in Calacirya, Calaquendi, Tar-Calion; galvorn, Gil-galad, Galadriel. The last
two names have no connexion with Sindarin galadh tree', although in the case of
Galadriel such a connexion was often made, and the name altered to Galadhriel.
In the High-elven speech her name was Al(a)táriel, derived from alata
'radiance' (Sindarin galad) and riel 'garlanded maiden' (from a root rig-
'twine, wreathe'): the whole meaning 'maiden crowned with a radiant garland',
referring to her hair. calen (galen) 'green' is etymologically 'bright', and
derives from this root; see also aglar.
káno 'commander': this Quenya word is the
origin of the second element in Fingon and Turgon.
kel- 'go away', of water 'flow away, flow
down', in Celon; from et-kele 'issue of water, spring' was derived, with
transposition of the consonants, Quenya ehtele, Sindarin eithel.
kemen 'earth' in Kementári; a Quenya word
referring to the earth as a flat floor beneath menel, the heavens.
kheliek- 'ice' in Helcar, Helcaraxë (Quenya
helka 'icy, ice-cold'). But in Helevorn the first element is Sindarin heledh
'glass', taken from Khuzdul kheled (cf. Kheled-zaram 'Mirrormere'); Helevorn
means 'black glass' (cf. galvorn).
khil- 'follow' in Hildor, Hildórien, Eluchíl.
kir- 'cut, cleave' in Calacirya, Cirth,
Angerthas, Cirith (Ninniach, Thoronath). From the sense 'pass swiftly through'
was derived Quenya círya 'sharp-prowed ship' (cf. English cutter), and this
meaning appears also in Círdan, Tar-Ciryatan, and no doubt in the name of
Isildur's son Círyon.
lad 'plain, valley' in Dagorlad, Himlad;
imlad a narrow valley with steep sides, in Imladris (cf. also Imlad Morgul in
the Ephel Dúath).
laure 'gold' (but of light and colour, not of
the metal) in Laurelin; the Sindarin forms in Glóredhel, Glorfindel, Loeg
Ningloron, Lórindol, Rathlóriel.
lhach 'leaping flame' in Dagor Bragollach, and
probably in Anglachel (the sword made by Eöl of meteoric iron).
lin (1) 'pool, mere' in Linaewen (which
contains aew [Quenya aiwe] 'small bird'), Teiglin; cf. aelin.
lin-
(2) This root, meaning 'sing,
make a musical sound', occurs in Ainulindalë, Laurelin, Lindar, Lindon, Ered
Lindon, lómelindi.
lith 'ash' in Anfauglith, Dor-nu-Fauglith;
also in Ered Lithui, the Ashen Mountains, forming the northern border of
Mordor, and Lithlad 'Plain of Ashes' at the feet of Ered Lithui.
lok- 'bend, loop' in Urulóki (Quenya [h]lókë
'snake, serpent', Sindarin Ihűg).
lóm 'echo' in Dor-lómin, Ered Lómin;
related are Lammoth, Lanthir Lamath.
lómë 'dusk' in Lómion, lómelindi; see dú.
londë 'land-locked haven' in Alqualondë; the
Sindarin form lond (lonn) in Mithlond.
los 'snow' in Oiolossë (Quenya oio
'ever' and losse 'snow, snow-white'); Sindarin loss in Amon Uilos and Aeglos.
loth 'flower' in Lothlórien, Nimloth; Quenya
lótë in Ninquelótë, Vingilótë.
luin 'blue' in Ered Luin, Helluin, Luinil,
Mindolluin.
maeg 'sharp, piercing' (Quenya maika) in
Maeglin.
mal- 'gold' in Malduin, Malinalda; also in
mallorn, and in the Field of Cormallen, which means 'golden circle' and was
named from the culumalda trees that grew there (see cul-).
man- 'good, blessed, unmarred' in Aman,
Manwë; derivatives of Aman in Amandil, Araman, Úmanyar.
mel- 'love' in Melian (from Melyanna 'dear
gift'); this stem is seen also in the Sindarin word mellon 'friend' in the
inscription on the West-gate of Moria.
men 'way' in Númen, Hyarmen, Rómen, Formen.
menel 'the heavens' in Meneldil, Menelmacar,
Meneltarma.
mereth 'feast' in Mereth Aderthad; also in
Merethrond, the Hall of Feasts in Minas Tirith.
minas 'tower' in Annúminas, Minas Anor, Minas
Tirith, etc. The same stem. occurs in other words referring to isolated,
prominent, things, e.g. Mindolluin, Mindon; probably related is Quenya minya
'first' (cf. Tar-Minyatur, the name of Elros as first King of Númenor).
mîr 'jewel' (Quenya mîrë) in Elemmírë,
Gwaith-i-Mírdain, Míriel, Nauglamír, Tar-Atanamir.
mith 'grey' in Mithlond, Mithrandir, Mithrim;
also hi Mitheithel, the river Hoarwell in Eriador.
mor 'dark' in Mordor, Morgoth, Moria,
Moriquendi, Mormegil, Morwen, etc.
moth 'dusk' in Nan Elmoth.
nan(d) 'valley' in Nan Dungortheb, Nan
Elmoth, Nan Tathren.
nár 'fire' in Narsil, Narya; present also
in the original forms of Aegnor (Aikanáro 'Sharp Flame' or 'Fell Fire') and
Fëanor (Feanaro 'Spirit of Fire'). The Sindarin form was naur, as in Sammath
Naur, the Chambers of Fire in Orodruin. Derived from the same ancient root
(a)nar was the name of the Sun, Quenya Anar (also in Anárion), Sindarin Anor
(cf. Minas Anor, Anorien).
naug 'dwarf' in Naugrim; see also Nogrod in
entry groth. Related is another Sindarin word for 'dwarf', nogoth, plural
noegyth (Noegyth Nibin 'Petty-dwarves') and nogothrim.
-(n)dil is a very frequent ending of personal
names, Amandil, Eärendil (shortened Eärnil), Elendil, Mardil, etc.; it implies
'devotion', 'disinterested love' (see Mardil in entry bar).
-{n)dur in names such as Eärendur (shortened
Eärnur) is similar in meaning to -(n)dil.
neldor 'beech' in Neldoreth; but it seems
that this was properly the name of Hírilorn, the great beech-tree with three
trunks (nelde 'three' and orn).
nen 'water', used of lakes, pools, and
lesser rivers, in Nen Girith, Nenning, Nenuial, Nenya; Cuiviénen, Uinen; also
in many names in The Lord of the Rings, as Nen Hithoel, Bruinen, Emyn Arnen,
Núrnen. Nîn 'wet' in Loeg Ningloron; also in Nindalf.
nim 'white' (from earlier nimf, nimp) in
Nimbrethil, Nimloth, Nimphelos, niphredil (niphred 'pallor'), Barad Nimras,
Ered Nimrais. The Quenya form was ninque; thus Ninquelótë=Nimloth. Cf. also
Taniquetil.
orn 'tree' in Celeborn, Hírilorn; cf.
Fangorn 'Treebeard' and mallorn, plural mellyrn, the trees of Lothlórien.
orod 'mountain' in Orodruin, Thangorodrim;
Orocarni, Oromët. Plural ered in Ered Engrin, Ered Linden, etc.
os(t) 'fortress' in Angrenost, Belegost,
Formenos, Fornost, Mandos, Nargothrond (from Narog-ost-rond), Os(t)giliaih,
Ost-in-Edhil.
palan (Quenya) 'far and wide' in Palantíri,
Tar-Palantir.
pel- 'go round, encircle' in Pelargir,
Pelóri, and in the Pelennor, the 'fenced land' of Minas Tirith; also in Ephel
Brandir, Ephel Dúath (ephel from et-pel 'outer fence').
quen-
(quet-) 'say, speak' in Quendi
(Calaquendi, Laiquendi, Moriquendi), Quenya, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion.
The Sindarin forms have p (or b) for qu; e.g. pedo 'speak' in the inscription
on the West-gate of Moria, corresponding to the Quenya stem quet; and Gandalf's
words before the gate, lasto beth lammen 'listen to the words of my tongue',
where beth 'word' corresponds to Quenya quetta.
ram 'wall' (Quenya ramba) in Andram,
Ramdal; also in Rammas Echor, the wall about the Pelennor Fields at Minas
Tirith.
ran- 'wander, stray' in Rána, the Moon, and
in Mithrandir, Aerandir; also in the river Gilraen in Gondor.
rant 'course' in the river-names Adurant
(with adu 'double') and Celebrant ('Silverlode').
ras 'horn' in Barad Nimras, also in
Caradhras ('Redhorn') and Methedras ('Last Peak') in the Misty Mountains;
plural rais in Ered Nimrais.
rauko 'demon' in Valaraukar; Sindarin raug, rog
in Balrog.
ril 'brilliance' in Idril, Silmaril;
also in Anduril (the sword of Aragorn) and in mithril (Moria-silver). Idril's
name in Quenya form was Itarillë (or Itarildë), from a stem ita- 'sparkle'.
rim 'great number, host' (Quenya
rimbe) was commonly used to form collective plurals, as Golodhrim, Mithrim (see
the Index), Naugrim, Thangorodrim, etc.
ring 'cold, chill' in Ringil, Ringwil,
Himring; also in the river Ringló in Gondor, and in Ringarë, Quenya name of the
last month of the year (The Lord of the Rings Appendix D).
ris 'cleave' appears to have blended
with the stem kris- of similar meaning (a derivative of the root kir- 'cleave,
cut', q.v.); hence Angrist (also Orcrist 'Orc-cleaver', the sword of Thorin
Oakenshield), Crissaegrim, Imladris.
roch 'horse' (Quenya rokko) in Rochallor,
Rohan (from Rochand 'land of horses'), Rohirrim; also in Roheryn 'horse of the
lady' (cf. heru), Aragorn's horse, which was so called because given to him by
Arwen (The Return of the King V 2).
rom- A stem used of the sound of trumpets and
horns which appears in Oromë and Valaróma; cf. Bema, the name of this Vala in
the language of Rohan as translated into Anglo-Saxon in The Lord of the Rings
Appendix A (II): Anglo-Saxon bëme 'trumpet'.
romen 'uprising, sunrise, east' (Quenya) in
Romenna. The Sindarin words for 'east', rhűn (in Talath Rhunen) and amrűn, were
of the same origin.
rond meant a vaulted or arched roof, or a
large hall or chamber so roofed; so Nargothrond (see ost), Hadhodrond,
Aglarond. It could be applied to the heavens, hence the name Elrond
'star-dome'.
ros 'foam, spindrift, spray' in
Celebros, Elros, Rauros; also in Cair Andros, an island in the river Anduin.
ruin 'red flame' (Quenya runya) in Orodruin.
ruth 'anger' in Aranrúth.
sarn '(small) stone' in Sarn Athrad (Sarn
Ford on the Brandywine is a half-translation of this); also in Sarn Gebir
('stone-spikes': ceber, plural cebir 'stakes'), rapids in the river Anduin. A
derivative is Serni, a river in Gondor.
sereg 'blood' (Quenya serke) in seregon.
sil- (and variant thil-) 'shine (with white
or silver light)' in Belthil, Galathilion, Silpion, and in Quenya Isil,
Sindarin Ithil, the Moon (whence Isildur, Narsil; Minas Ithil, Ithilien). The
Quenya word Silmarilli is said to derive from the name silima that Fëanor gave
to the substance from which they were made.
sîr 'river', from root sir- 'flow',
in Ossiriand (the first element is from the stem of the numeral 'seven', Quenya
otso, Sindarin odo), Sirion; also in Sirannon (the 'Gate-stream' of Moria) and
Sirith ('a flowing', as tirith 'watching' from tir), a river in Gondor. With
change of s to h in the middle of words it is present in Minhiriath 'between
the rivers', the region between the Brandywine and the Greyflood; in Nanduhirion
'vale of dim streams', the Dimrill Dale (see nan[d] and dú), and in Ethir
Anduin, the outflow or delta of Anduin (from et-sir).
sűl 'wind' in Amon Sűl, Súlimo; cf.
súlimë, Quenya name of the third month of the year (The Lord of the Rings
Appendix D).
tal
(dal) 'foot' in Celebrindal, and
with the meaning 'end' in Ramdal.
talath 'flat lands, plain' in Talath
Dirnen, Talath Rhunen.
tar- 'high' (Quenya tara 'lofty'), prefix of
the Quenya names of the Númenórean Kings; also in Annatar. Feminine tari 'she
that is high, Queen' in Elentári, Kementári. Cf. tarma 'pillar' in Meneltarma.
tathar 'willow'; adjective tathren in
Nan-tathren; Quenya tasare in Tasarinan, Nan-tasarion (see Nan-tathren in the
Index).
taur 'wood, forest' (Quenya taure) in Tauron,
Taur-im-Duinath, Taur-nu-Fuin.
tel- 'finish, end, be last' in Teleri.
thalion 'strong, dauntless' in Cúthalion,
Thalion.
thong 'oppression' in Thangorodrim, also in
Durthang (a castle in Mordor). Quenya sanga meant 'press, throng', whence
Sangahyando 'Throng-cleaver', name of a man in Gondor (The Lord of the Rings
Appendix A [I, iv]).
thar- 'athwart, across' in Sarn Athrad,
Thargelion; also in Tharbad (from thara-pata 'crossway*) where the ancient road
from Arnor and Gondor crossed the Grey-flood.
thaur 'abominable, abhorrent' in Sauron (from
Thauron), Gorthaur.
thin(d) 'grey' in Thingol; Quenya sinda in
Sindar, Singollo (Sindacollo: collo 'cloak').
thôl 'helm' in Dor Cúarthol, Gorthol.
thon 'pine-tree' in Dorthonion.
thoron 'eagle' in Thorondor (Quenya
Sorontar), Cirith Thoronath. The Quenya form is perhaps present in the
constellation-name Soronúmë.
til 'point, horn' in Taniquetil,
Tilion ('the Horned'); also in Celebdil 'Silvertine', one of the Mountains of
Moria.
tin- 'sparkle' (Quenya tinta 'cause to
sparkle', tinwe 'spark') in Tintallë; also in tindómë 'starry twilight' (The
Lord of the Rings Appendix D), whence tindómerel 'daughter of the twilight', a
poetic name for the nightingale (Sindarin Tinúviel). It appears also in Sindarin
ithildin 'starmoon', the substance of which the devices on the West-gate of
Moria were made.
tir 'watch, watch over' in Minas
Tirith, palantíri, Tar-Palantir, Tirion.
tol 'isle' (rising with sheer sides
from the sea or from a river) in Tol Eressëa, Tol Galen, etc.
turn 'valley' in Tumhalad, Tumladen; Quenya
tumbo (cf. Treebeard's tumbalemorna 'lack deep valley'. The Two Towers III 4).
Cf. Utumno, Sindarin Udűn (Gandalf in Mordor named the Balrog 'Flame of Udűn'),
a name afterwards used of the deep dale in Moria between the Morannon and the
Isenmouths.
tur 'power, mastery' in Turambar,
Turgon, Túrin, Fëanturi, Tar-'Minyatur.
uial 'twilight' in Aelin-uial, Nenuial.
ur- 'heat, be hot' in Urulóki; cf.
Urimë and Urui, Quenya and Sindarin names of the eighth month of the year (The
Lord of the Rings Appendix D). Related is the Quenya word aure 'sunlight, day'
(cf. Fingon's cry 'before the Nirnaeth Arnoediad), Sindarin aur, which in the
form Or- is prefixed to the names of the days of the week.
val- 'power' in Valar, Valacirca, Valaquenta,
Valaraukar, Val(i)mar, Valinor. The original stem was bal-, preserved in
Sindarin Balan, plural Belain, the Valar, and in Balrog.
wen 'maiden' is a frequent ending, as in
Eärwen, Morwen.
wing 'foam, spray' in Elwing, Vingilot (and
only in these two names).
yave 'fruit' (Quenya) in Yavanna; cf.
Yavannie, Quenya name of the ninth month of the year, and yavie 'autumn' (The
Lord of the Rings Appendix D).