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AINULINDALË
The Ainulindalë
tells about Eru (Ilúvatar), the One, who created
the Ainur. The Ainur were holy spirits, who were gathered
by Ilúvatar to complete a theme in a mighty song. While
singing this song, Melkor, the mightiest of the Ainur,
started to weave own thoughts, which were in disharmony with the
main theme, into the song. Three times Ilúvatar changed
the theme of the song. Finally, Ilúvatar brought their
music to life in a vision. In that vision, Arda, the world
that is, was shown. The Ainur saw the coming of the Children of
Ilúvatar, the Elves and Men. So great was their emotion
that Ilúvatar decided to bring the vision to life. With
one word "Eä", he created Arda, a world
of its own. Some of the Ainur decided to enter Arda, with the
restriction that they would forever be bound to the borders of
Arda. Of these, Manwë was the mightiest. The most
powerful Ainur are known as the Valar. They were the main
architects of Arda. Besides the Valar, Melkor also entered Arda,
to undo all the beautiful work of the Valar.
VALAQUENTA
The Valaquenta
is concerned with the 7 Valar and 7 Valier, the male and female
spirits, who shaped Arda. Manwë Súlimo, Lord
of the Winds, is the mightiest Valar and is considered by the
others to be the King of Arda. His wife is Varda, whom
the Elves call Elbereth, who is the Lady of the Stars.
Together they live on the Taniquetil, the highest mountain
on Arda. Ulmo is the Lord of the Waters and Aulë
considers all materials on Arda and the craftmanship of making
things from these matters. Aulë's wife is Yavanna,
the Giver of Fruits. Mandos (Námo) is the guardian
of the houses of the Dead and Lórien (Irmo) is a
master of Visions and Dreams. Their wives are Vairë
the Weaver and Estë the Friendly who heals all Wounds
and Sorrow. Nienna is the Lady of Mourning and the bravest
of the Valar is Tulkas the Brave. Tulkas' wife is Nessa,
who is the sister of Oromë, Lord of the Woods.
Melkor
(Morgoth) was the one who was given
the most power by Ilúvatar, but who used this power for
evil purposes. He desired to rule Arda and all its inhabitants.
His most important servant was Sauron, or Gorthaur the
Cruel, who used to be one of the Maiar of Aulë.
QUENTA
SILMARILLION
The Valar
fought for ages against Melkor, who destroyed everything the Valar
had been creating. When Tulkas came to Arda, Melkor flew for his
wrath and there was peace. During this peace, the Valar lived
in Almaren, which was situated in the East of Middle
Earth. All Valar shaped different parts of Arda. Aulë
created two mighty lamps which were lit by Yavanna. These Lamps
shed the first light on Arda. When the Valar were celebrating
their progress shaping Arda, Melkor entered Arda again and destroyed
the Lamps. Melkor started to build a giant fort, called Utumno.
From this fort, evil and pestilence spread over Arda. Because
Almaren was completely destroyed, the Valar left Middle Earth
to Aman, the most west of all lands. There, Melkor had
no power. The Valar lived in the city of Valinor, where
Yavanna created the Two Trees, Telperion and Stilpion,
which spread their golden and silver light on the surface of Arda.
Light was back again. But Middle Earth was still dark. Therefore,
with the aid of Aulë, Varda created the Stars to shine upon
Middle Earth.
Aulë
was occupied with the vision of the coming of the Firstborn,
the Elves. He created his own race, the 7 forefathers of the
Dwarves, whom he was eager to teach all about craftsmanship.
When Ilúvatar perceived his deeds, he was merciful and
spared the lives of the Dwarfs, although they were put to sleep
to awake after the Firstborn, the Elves had awoken on Arda.
The Elves
awoke at Lake Cuviénen in Middle Earth. Their first
perception was the light of the stars. Therefore, they worship
Varda (Elbereth) most of all Valar. Melkor captured many Elves
and he transformed them to awfull creatures, the Orks,
because he despized Ilúvatar and all the Valar. The Valar
started a war against Melkor and captured him, destroying Utumno,
but leaving his second fort, Angband, partially intact.
Melkor's servant, Sauron, escaped from the wrath of the Valar.
Because of
deception by Melkor, the Elves (or Quendi), were afraid
of the Valar when Oromë contacted them to invite them to
come live in the light of Aman. Three Elven leaders, Ingwë,
Finwë and Elwë were chosen to go to Aman first.
When they returned, only part of the Quendi was willing to follow
them to Aman. These Elves are known as the Eldar. The people
of Ingwë (the Vanyar) were the first to reach Aman,
and they are conidered to be the highest Elves and Ingwë
is considered the High King of the Elves. The Noldor were
the people of Finwë and they came second to Aman. Last came
the biggest host, the Teleri, which was leaded by Elwë
Singollo and Olwë, his brother. During the trip,
Elwë was lost is the western parts of Middle Earth, during
which he encountered Melian, a Maia (holy spirit of lesser
power than the Valar). They married and remained in Middle Earth.
Elwe is most known by his nickname Thingol and he was granted
great power by his wife. The Teleri reached Aman last, and because
they were most reluctant to leave Middle Earth, they lived at
the coast, just outside Aman, in Aqualondë, their
major city.
The Quenta
Silmarillion is mainly concerned with the Noldor, who learned
most from Aulë. The brightest of all Noldor was Feanor,
the son of Finwë. He was the first to create beautiful and
powerful gems.
Meanwhile,
Melkor was released from imprisonment after pleading guilty and
claiming to have changed his live. He was permitted to live as
the lowest servant in Valinor. But Melkor secretly started to
spread evil and rumours in Aman. By this time Feanor created his
master work, the Silmarils, which were 3 precious jewels,
in which shone the light of the trees of Valinor was captured.
Feanor was so proud that he would not allow any other to view
or touch the Silmarils. Most of Melkor's hate was directed against
Feanor.
Finally, Melkor
allied with Ungoliant, an evil spirit in the shape of a
giant spider. Together they killed and poisoned the Two Trees
of Valinor, killing all light in Aman. Feanor was asked to sacrifice
the Silmarils to rescue the Two Trees, but in pride and guided
by the lies of Melkor, he refused. While flying from Aman, Melkor,
from then known as Morgoth (a name given to him by Feanor),
and Ungoliant killed Finwë, the High King of the Noldor and
stole the three Silmarils. He returned to Middle Earth where he
rebuilt his residence at Angband.
Feanor was
furious and swore a terrible oath together with his seven sons:
To chase and destroy every living being who was in the possession
of one of the Silmarils. They lead most of the Noldor out of Aman.
While reaching Aqualondë, the Teleri were reluctant to provide
their beautiful ships to the Noldor. By force, Feanor and his
sons took the ships. This was thereafter known as the Kinslaying
of the Eldar. While there were not enough ships, Feanor and his
nearest allies left Aman by ship, leaving the major host, who
had not participated in the blood bath in Aqualondë and which
was leaded by Feanor's brother Fingolfin, behind. Bound by promise,
Fingolfin lead the host over the terrible icefields of Helcaraxë,
losing many Noldor. Finfarin, Feanors other brother, returned
to Valinor in regret. During their departure from Aman, the Prophecy
of the North was proclaimed by Mandos, predicting the Doom and
fall of the Noldor.
Not all Elves
had come to Aman. Of those who stayed in Middle Earth, the Sindar
were most renowned. They were the Teleri that did not cross the
ocean to Aman. Elu Thingol was their King and Beleriand
was the part in the North-West of Middle Earth in which they
lived. Their main city was Menegroth, the city of the thousand
caves in the woods of Doriath. Doriath was protected by
the powers of Melian (the Belt of Melian).
Meanwhile,
the Valar decided to hide Aman forever from Middle Earth. A large
girdle of mysterious islands was created in front of the coast
of Aman, through which only one passage existed ("The Straight
Path"). The mountains in the East of Aman were raised highly,
so that none could pass. Yavanna took the last fruits from the
Two Trees and created the Sun and the Moon. When
the Sun rose for the first time, the Youngest Children of Ilúvatar,
the Men, awoke in the land Hildórien. They
were greatly influenced by the lies of Morgoth.
When Feanor
arrived in Beleriand, he burned the ships of the Teleri. Morgoth,
perceiving the fires, attacked Feanor in the land Hithlum.
This was the Second War of Beleriand. Feanor and his sons quickly
countered the attack and in his fury, Feanor followed the flying
Orks all the way to Angband. There, he was surrounded by Morgoths
most vicious servants, the Balrogs, who were spirits of
fire. He was slain by Gothmog, the Lord of the Balrogs.
Morgoth pretended
to surrender and by ambush he captured Maedhros, one of
Feanor's sons. His hand was captured in a band of steel and he
hung from a cliff of the Thangorodrim in Angband. Meanwhile,
Fingolfin's host had reached Middle earth with many losses. They
were almost in war with Feanors sons, when Fingon, Fingolfin's
son, went to Angband alone and released Maedhros to ease the tension
between the two groups of Elves. Maedhros, on behalf of the other
sons of Feanor, asked for forgiveness and gave up their claim
to the Kingship of the Noldor. Since then, the house of Fingolfin
is the House of the Kings of the Noldor. Despite these gestures,
lies of Morgoth and the deeds in the past always resulted in a
certain tension.
Thingol allowed
the Noldor to live in Beleriand, as long as they guarded the North
(which was closest to Angband). Many new realms were created.
The most important of them were Nargothrond, the realm
of Finrod, Finfarin's son. It was located at the falls
of the Narog. The other was Gondolin, the secret realm
of Turgon, Fingolfin's son, who left the other Noldor to
live in the city of Gondolin, which was situated in the hidden
valley of Tumladen. The sons of Feanor lived most North, guarding
the passes from Angband to Beleriand.
Morgoth attacked
Beleriand various times. The Third Battle of Beleriand was the
Dagor Agarleb, the Glorious Battle. Altough Morgoth attacked
suddenly, the Noldor managed to defend the borders and defeated
the host of Morgoth. Two more times Morgoth attacked, but each
time his Orks were defeated by the brave Noldor.
Turgon lived
in Gondolin isolated from the other Noldor. No one of his people
was allowed to leave the valley of Tumladen. His sister, Aredhel,
wanted to be free to roam through Middle Earth again. Eventually,
she left Gondolin and married Eöl, a dark Elf. She
bore a son, Maeglin. After a few years, against the will
of Eöl, she returned with Maeglin to Gondolin. Eöl followed
her, but was killed for revealing the secret location of Gondolin
without wanting to live there forever. Maeglin grew up in Gondolin.
Meanwhile,
Finrod Fegalund had contacted Men. He engaged a bond with the
House of Bëor, one of the most noble Men. The three
houses of Elvenfriends were called the Edain and they defended
Beleriand side by side with the Noldor against the forces of Morgoth
in many battles.
After some
years, Morgoth attacked Beleriand again in the Fourth Battle of
Beleriand, the Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of the Sudden
Flame. Morgoth used Dragons, of which Glaurung was the
greatest, to attack the Noldor. Many Elves, among which Fingolfin,
and many Men died in this battle. The North of Beleriand was destroyed
and many of the Noldor flew. Fingolfin was killed in a direct
battle with Morgoth. Fingon became the High King of the Noldor.
His son was Gil-Galad.
Two of the
bravest Men from the House of Bëor who fought in that war
were Huor and Húrin. They discovered the Hidden
city of Gondolin. They were allowed, after a long stay, to leave
Gondolin.
The greatest
story of that time was the story of Beren, the son of Barahir,
a Man. He encountered Lúthien, the beautiful daughter
of Thingol and Melian and they fell in love. Thingol was not reluctant
to agree with this relationship and demanded Beren to bring him
a Silmaril (an impossible task) to marry Lúthien. During
his quest, Beren was captured by Sauron, together with Finrod
Fegalund. Finrod killed a gaint werewolf, but died soon after.
With the aid of Lúthien, Beren escaped from the enprisonment
of Sauron. Húan, a large dog helped them both to
enter Angband, where Beren took one of the Silmarils from the
crown of Morgoth. His hand was wasted by the flame of the Silmaril.
Since then, he is called Beren Erchamion (Onehand). The
Silmaril was bitten from his body by the Wolf Carcharoth
while escaping from Angband. When returning empty-handed to Thingol,
he gained his sympathy and married Lúthien. This was the
first marriage between Elf and Men. Later Carcharoth was killed
by Húan, and although deadly wounded himself, Beren offered
the Silmaril to Thingol.
Next, Morgoth
attacked again in the Fifth Battle of Beleriand, the Nirnaeth
Arnoediad, the Battle of the Uncounted Tears. By treason of
Men, the Nolder were overthrown and although the Dwarves came
to help, the battle was lost. Fingon was killed by Gothmog the
Balrog. Turgon flew from the battle to Gondolin, leaving Hurin
and Huor behind.
The son of
Húrin was Túrin, of whom the complete story
is told in "Unfinished Tales" in the Narn i Hîn
Húrin. When Húrin was eventually killed, Glaudrung
the dragon conquered Nargothrond, Túrin roamed through
Beleriand, becoming friends with Beleg, the Hunter of King
Thingol. Túrin became the leader of a band of men who lived
in the house of Mîm, a Dwarf. After Túrin
was captured by Orks, Beleg came to his rescue. In a sudden move,
Túrin killed his liberator, thinking he was an enemy. Túrin
went to Nargothrond, where he encountered Glaurung. Being guided
by Glaurungs lies, many evil things were started. Finally, Túrin
killed Glaurung, but he killed himself afterwards after perceiving
the results of the lies of Glaurung.
The Silmaril
in Doriath was the basis for a dispute between the Elves and Dwarves.
Thingol wanted to make a beautifull necklace of it. The Dwarves,
by his request, did so, but refused to hand over the final result.
While protesting, Thingol was killed by the Dwarves. The Dwarves
who returned to their relatives, lied about what happened and
a large army of Dwarves attacked Doriath. Beren, raised from the
dead by the sacrifice of Lúthien, took the Silmaril. Their
son, Dior, came in the possession of the Silmaril when
Beren died eventually. The remaining sons of Feanor attacked Doriath,
and so, by treason, lies and oaths, Doriath was destroyed. Dior's
daughter, Elwing, took the Silmaril and flew south.
Tuor,
the son of Húor, was guided by Ulmo the Valar to
Gondolin. There, he married Idril, Turgon's daughter. This
was the second marriage between Elf and Men. This to the anger
of Maeglin, who was in love with Idril. Maeglin betrayed Gondolin
by revealing its location to Morgoth. In a furious battle, the
last realm of the Elves in Beleriand was lost. Gondolin was destroyed
by many Orks and Balrogs, although Tuor and Idril escaped. Turgon
was slain. Gil-Galad, son of Fingon, became the high King of the
Noldor.
The son of
Tuor and Idril was Eärendil, who married Elwing, the
daughter of Dior. Seeing all was lost, Eärendil built a mighty
ship, Vingilot, with the aid of Círdan, a
Sindarin Elf who ruled the Havens at the mounds of the Sirion.
Carrying a Silmaril to guide him, Eärendil reached Aman and,
as a descent from the two marriages of Elf and Men, he pleaded
their case for Manwë. Manwë granted the request for
help and a large army moved to Middle earth and Morgoth was captured
forever and cast into the Emptyness. In this battle, the shape
of Middle Earth changed and Beleriand was lost in sea.
The sons of
Eärendil, Elrond and Elros, were to choose to become
Men or Elf. Elrond chose to become an Elf; later he founded the
Elven settlement at Rivendell. Elros chose to be Human.
He was the first King of Númenor (or Westernesse),
an island within the sight of Aman, granted from the Valar to
the human descents of Eärendil.
AKALLABÊTH
Akallabêth
is the story of the downfall of Numenor.
This Island was inhabited by the remaining Edain (descents from
the House of Bëor). The island was located in the sight of
Aman. During many ages, they respected and worshipped the Valar
and it became a mighty Kingdom. They were friendly engaged with
the Teleri, living at the coast of Aman. After a few ages, the
Numenorian Realm had grown with such force, that parts of Middle
Earth were conquered. Even Sauron, Morgoth's servant, who escaped
the final battle, was captured by them. By the lies of Sauron,
Ar-Pharazôn, the last and greatest King of Numenor
raised in pride against the Valar. Numenor was destroyed, and
only a few ships, leaded by Elendil, managed to escape.
Elendil, father of Isildur, founded the Kingdom of the
Numenoreans in Middle Earth, later divided in Gondor and
Arnor.
Later, the
Last Alliance of Elves and Men was raised by Elendil and
Gil-Galad, the King of the Noldor. United, they attacked Sauron
in Mordor. It was The Sword of Elendil and the Spear of
Gil-Galad that overthrew Sauron. Isildur took Sauron's One
Ring, of which more is told in "The
Lord of the Rings"
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