One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

ELDAR

"Also I now deeply regret having used Elves, though this is a word in ancestry and original meaning suitable enough. But the disastrous debasement of this word, in which Shakespeare played an unforgivable part, has really overloaded it with regrettable tones, which are too much to overcome."JRRT - Letters #151, September 1954

Elves

Elves Elves Eldar

Children of Ilúvatar

Elder KindredElder RaceTwo Kindreds Elven CharacteristicsElven CustomsElven Life cycleThe Wise Bëorians’ name for the Eldar.

Eldar • King of the EldarEldar of EressëaEldar of ValinorElves • East-elves • Fair Elves • Green-elves • Grey-elves • High Elves • High King of the Elves • Light-elves • Sea-elves • Silvan Elves • War of the Elves and Sauron • Wild Elves • Wood-elves

ELVES OF BELERIAND = NOLDOR OF BELERIAND.ELVES OF BELERIAND = TELERI OF BELERIAND. Elves of BeleriandELVES OF DARKNESS = MORIQUENDI. ELVES OF DORIATH. See TELERIElves of DoriathELVES OF EREGIONElves of EregionELVES OF ERESSEA. See TELERIElves of EressëaELVES OF GONDOLINElves of GondolinELVES OF LIGHT = CALAQUENDI. ELVES OF LINDONElves of LindonElves of Harlindon The people of Lindon south of the Gulf of Lhûn.ELVES OF LORIEN = SILVAN ELVES.Elves of LórienElves of LórinandELVES OF MIDDLE-EARTHElves of Middle-earth The Úmanyar and the Noldor who returned from Aman.ELVES OF MIRKWOODElves of MirkwoodELVES OF MITHRIMElves of Mithrim First of the Sindar to greet the returned Noldor.ELVES OF NARGOTHRONDElves of NargothrondELVES OF OSSIRIANDElves of OssiriandELVES OF SIRIONElves of SirionELVES OF THRANDUILElves of ThranduilELVES OF VALINORElves of ValinorELVES OF THE AIR = VANYARELVES OF THE DARK = MORIQUENDI. ---ELVES OF THE LIGHT = CALAQUENDI. ELVES OF THE DARKNESS = MORIQUENDI. Elves of the Darkness

ELVES OF THE EARTH = NOLDORELVES OF THE EAST = MORIQUENDI. ELVES OF THE FALAS = FALATHRIM. See TELERIElves of the FalasELVES OF THE FOREST = SINDAR OF DORIATH. See TELERI ELVES OF THE HAVENS = FALATHRIM. See TELERIElves of the HavensELVES OF THE LIGHT = CALAQUENDI. Elves of the Light---ELVES OF THE DARK = MORIQUENDI. ELVES OF THE SEA = FALMARI. See TELERIELVES OF THE SEA-MARGE = FALMARI. See TELERIELVES OF THE SEVEN RIVERS = NANDORELVES OF THE SHORE = FALATHRIM. See TELERIELVES OF THE TWILIGHT = TELERI (not of Aman).ELVES OF THE TWILIGHT = SINDAR. See TELERIElves of the TwilightELVES OF THE WEST = CALAQUENDI. ELVES OF THE WEST = NOLDORElves of the WestELVES OF THE WOOD = SLVAN ELVES. ELVES OF THE WOOD = SINDAR OF DORIATH. See TELERIElves of the WoodELVES OF THE WOODS (Danas) = SINDAR OF OSSIRIAND. See TELERI

See also VANYAR, NOLDOR, TELERI, NANDOR, HALFELVEN, ELDAR OF TOL ERESSËA

The THREE KINDREDS of the Eldar: VANYAR, NOLDOR, TELERI.The TWO KINDREDS (Children of God): ELDAR and MEN.

ELDA. (Q). "One of the Star-people". ELDAR. (Q). "Star-people". SI: "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor".There were three groups of Elves from the beginning that started on the Western Road:The NoldorThe VanyarThe TeleriThe Noldor did enter the West, and remained there until Melkor, with the aid of Ungoliant, killed the Two Trees, and stole Feanor's greatest treasure, the Silmarils. The Noldor were the greatest of the craftsmen of the Elves. It was Rumil who first created letters for recording the tales and legends, though Feanor later improved on them with the Feanorian Alphabet. It was Feanor who was the greatest of the craftsmen of all time. After the Silmarils were stolen, Feanor and his sons swore to regain them and left Valinor with the greatest part of the Noldorin Elves.They and all the Noldor who left with them came under the Ban of the Valar and the Doom of the Noldor:The Silmarillion, pages 103-104: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 moutains. On the House of Feanor 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 Disposessed 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 Ea, and no sickness may assail you, yet slain ye may be, and slain ye shall be: by weapon and by torment and 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.Those under this ban were forbidden to return into the West. The last of them was Galadriel, who was permitted to return after the War of the Ring, thanks to her not accepting the One Ring when it was offered to her.For more information on the history of the Noldor, see the Quenta Silmarillion, which is comprised mostly of the history of their deeds throughout the Elder Days. The Sindar are of the Teleri kindred. They were separated from the Teleri when their Lord, Elwe Singollo, was lost for many years in the woods of Nan Elmoth. When the rest of the Teleri followed Elwe's brother over the Sea into the West, they stayed and continued to search for Elwe. They never beheld the light of the Two Trees, and so are named among the Dark Elves. Sindarin Elves were often found as kings among other of the Dark Elves, such as the Silvan Elves. One example of this would be the King of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood and his son, Thranduil and Legolas Greenleaf (one of the Company of the Ring) and also Celeborn, lord of Lothlorien.

CALAQUENDI. (Q). "Eldar of the Light". ---MORIQUENDI. (Q). "Eldar of the Dark".CALAQUENDI. CalaquendiThe Elves of the Light. 'Elves of the Light'; a name given to the Vanyar, the Noldor and that part of the Teleri who travelled to Aman in the youth of the world and saw the light of the Two Trees of Valinor; Elu Thingol of Doriath is also counted among their number. The Encyclopedia of ArdaKALAQENDI. See HIGH, etc., ELDAR OF THE LIGHT, ELVES OF THE LIGHT, KORELDAR, LIGHT-ELVES, TARELDAR, WEST-ELVES.See also -AMANYAR. Amanyar-ELDAR OF AMAN-ELDAR TOL ERESSËA-ELDAR OF VALINOR. Eldar of Valinor-FALMARI (OF THE TELERI). NOLDOR. See NOLDORVANYAR.. See VANYARCHILDREN OF ELFINESSE.

CALBEN.CalbenCalben (pl. Celbin) was a term used amongst Sindar that lived in Beleriand. It was used of all Elves other than Avari, and it included the Sindar. After the Nandor were recognized to be from Lindarin origin, they were included in Celbin.

MORIQUENDI. (Q). "Eldar of the Dark". ---CALAQUENDI. (Q). "Eldar of the Light".MORIQUENDI. MoriquendiThe Dark ElvesCalled the Dark Elves, those of the Elves who never saw the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, including the Avari, the Nandor and the Sindar. The Sindarin king Elu Thingol, however, was not accounted among the Moriquendi, as he had travelled to Valinor before returning to Middle-earth. The Encyclopedia of ArdaMORIQENDI. DARK-ELVES, EAST-ELVES, ELDAR OF THE DARK, ELVES OF THE DARK Elves of the DarknessHISILDI, HUMARNI, KALIONDI, LOMEARNI, MORELDAR, MORIMOR. WILD ELVES.See also -AVARI. MORWE (Morwë) and NURWE (Nurwë). Leaders of the Avari. Avari-ELDAR NOT OF AMAN.-FALATHRIM (OF THE TELERI).

-NANDOR. See NANDOR-SINDAR.-UMANYAR. Úmanyar

ELDAR OF AMAN = CALAQUENDI. ELDAR NOT OF AMAN = MORIQUENDI.

ELDAR OF THE LIGHT = CALAQUENDI. ELDAR OF THE DARK = MORIQUENDI.

EDHEL (sing), EDHIL (pl). EdhilA name among the Sindar for all the EldarA Sindarin word referring to the Elves who set out on the Great Journey, a direct equivalent of the common form, Eldar. The Encyclopedia of ArdaEDHELRIM. ELEDH (sing), ELEDHRIM (pl). ELEDH EDHEL "a Elf". ELEDHRIM. (S). EledhrimELDALIE. Eldalië. (Q). “The People of the Stars”. An equivalent term to Eldar, referring to the those of the Great Journey. EldaliëELDER KINDRED. Elder KindredElder Children of IlúvatarELDER PEOPLE.ELDER RACE.ELDAR-RULERS and WIZARDS = WISE THE.ELVEN-FOLK. Elven-folkFAIR FOLK = ELDAR. So called by Hobbits. FAIRIES = ELDAR. So called by Hobbits. FIRST KINDRED.FIRST ONES.FIRSTBORN THE. The Elder Children of Ilúvatar. A name for the Eldar, the Firstborn Children of Ilúvatar, who awoke in Middle-earth millennia before Men, the Aftercomers. FirstbornGOOD PEOPLE.HIGH FOLK OF THE WEST.HIGH KINDRED ESPECIALLY NOLDOR.MERRY PEOPLE (BY BILBO).PEOPLE OF THE ELVES.PEOPLE OF THE STARS. People of the StarsQUENDI. (Q). "The Speakers". -QENDI. QuendiTWO KINDREDS.TWO RACES.WANDERING COMPANIES THE.WHITE-FIENDS. White-fiendsSee also RINGS OF POWER and SHIPS > ELVENSHIPS.

FIRST PEOPLE = ELDAR. ---SECOND PEOPLE = MANKIND.

AMANYAR. (Q). "Those of Aman". AMANYAR = CALAQUENDI.The Eldar of the Three Kindreds (Vanyar, Noldor, Teleri) who completed the Great Journey. They reached Aaman. As opposed to the Umanyar.-AMANELDI.UMANYAR. (Q). "Those not of Aman". UMANYAR = MORIQUENDI.The Eldar who did not complete the Great Journey. (Sindar and Nandor). They did not reach Aman.As opposed to the Amanyar.

Úmanyar-ALAMANYAR. –ECELLI. –EKELLI. –THE FORSAKEN.

PALISOR = CUIVIENEN. Where the first Eldar awoke. See MIDDLE-EARTH PALISOR = HILDORIEN. Where the first Men awoke. See MIDDLE-EARTH

ELF-CHILDREN. Elf-childrenELF-KINDRED. ELF-KINGS. ELF-KINGS. Elf-kingsELFF-MAGIC = MAGIC. ELF-SIRES. ELF-WARDENS. ELF-WARRIORS. ELVEN-FOLK. ELVEN-KIN. ELVEN-KINGS. Elven-kingsELVENLORE. ELVENMAIDS.ELVENSKILL. ELVEN-MAIDS. ELVEN-WISE. (adjective). ELVENDOM. World or Being of the Eldar. ElvendomELVENEYES. ELVENFACES. ELVENFOLKELVENKIN. ELVENLORE. ELVENMAIDS. ELVENSKILL. ELVENWISE THE.ELVENSHIPS. See SHIPSELVES. (Sing. ELF). Tolkien's regret at use of word .

WOOD-ELVES.Wood-elves

-UNBODIED THE.-UNLIVING THE.

AWAKENING.Awakening of Elves. From Tolkien Gateway.The Awakening of the Elves is an event which took place long before the beginning of the First Age of Middle-earth. According to a legend of the Elves, the first Elves were awakened by Eru Ilúvatar near the bay of Cuiviénen. The first Elf to awake was called Imin ("First"). Next to him lay Iminyë, who would become his wife. Near where Imin woke, awoke Tata ("Second") and Tatië, and Enel ("Third") and Enelyë. Imin, Tata, and Enel and their wives joined up, and walked through the forests. They first came across six pairs of Elves, and Imin, as eldest, claimed them as his people, and woke them. After a short time Imin and his people, together with Tata and Enel, continued their journey. Next, they came across nine pairs of Elves, and Tata as second eldest, claimed them as his people. After a short time the now thirty-six Elves continued their journey. Then they found twelve pairs of Elves, and Enel, as third eldest, claimed them as his people. For many days the now sixty Elves dwelt by the rivers, and they began to invent poetry and music. Finally they set out again, but Imin thought to himself that since each time they had found more Elves, and his folk was least in size, he would now choose last. They came across eighteen pairs of Elves, who were watching the stars, and Tata and Enel waited for Imin to claim them for his people, but Imin told them he would wait, so Tata added them to his folk. They were tall and had dark hair, and they were the fathers of most of the Ñoldor of later times. The ninety-six Elves now spoke with eachother and invented many new words, but then they continued their journey. Next they found twenty-four pairs of Elves, who were singing without language, and again Imin was offered the choice, but refused. Therefore Enel chose them as his people, and from them came most of the Lindar or singers of later times. And the hundred and forty-four Elves now dwelt long together, until all had learned the same language, and they were glad. But then Imin said it was time to seek more companions for him, but most of the others were content and did not join him. So Imin and Iminyë and their twelve companions set out alone, and they searched long near Cuiviénen, but never found any more companions.

And because all Elves had been found in pairs of twelves twelve became the number they counted with ever after, and 144 was for long their highest number, and in none of their later tongues was there therefore any common name for a greater number. After the tale of the Awakening of the Elves the Companions of Imin or the Eldest Company (the later Vanyar) numbered fourteen, and they remained the smallest company. The Companions of Tata (half of whom became the Ñoldor) numbered fifty-six, and they remained the second-largest company. The Companions of Enel (the later Lindar or Teleri) were the largest company, numbering seventy-four. Melkor was the first to learn of the Awakening. He soon began sending evil spirits among the Elves, who planted seeds of doubt against the Valar. It is also rumoured that some of the Elves were being captured by a Rider if they strayed too far, and as later turned out these were brought to Utumno and twisted into Orcs. Oromë one day came across the Elves, and realized who they were. At first the Elves were suspicious of him, fearing he was the Rider who captured the Elves, and because of the lies of Melkor. Nevertheless, three lords of the Elves agreed to come with Oromë to Valinor. These were Ingwë of the Minyar (later Vanyar), Finwë of the Tatyar (later Ñoldor), and Elwë of the Lindar. In due time, Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë returned to Cuivienen, and told the Elves of the glory of Valinor, and there befell the Sundering of the Elves. All the Minyar and half of the Tatyar were persuaded, along with most of the Lindar, and followed Oromë into the west on the Great Journey. These have been known ever since by the name Eldar, or "Star-folk", which Oromë gave to them in their own language. The remainder of the Tatyar and Lindar remained suspicious, or simply refused to depart from their own lands, and spread gradually throughout the wide lands of Middle-earth. They were after known by the name Avari, meaning 'the Unwilling', because the refused the summons, in Quenya, the language of the Eldar that eventually reached Valinor. The tale of Imin, Tata and Enel, known as Cuivienyarna, was a very late writing by Tolkien, written as part of Quendi and Eldar. They replaced Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë as the eldest Elves, who now merely became the first ambassadors and the Kings of the Elves in exile.

ElvesThis article has been acquired from The Encyclopedia of Arda

Other Names: Eldalië, Eldar, The Elder Children of Ilúvatar, The Firstborn, People of the Stars, Quendi The first Elves awoke by Cuiviénen, the Water of Awakening in the far east of Middle-earth, long Ages before the Rising of the Sun or Moon. Unlike Men, the Elves were not subject to illness or death, and at the

time of the Lord of the Rings, there were still at least two Elves in Aman who had awoken by Cuiviénen in the first days; Ingwë, Lord of the Vanyar, and Olwë, brother of King Elu Thingol. Origins and Early History In the far eastern land of Cuiviénen, on the shores of the Inland Sea of Helcar and beneath the mountains of the Orocarni, the Elves awoke under the starlight of the Years of the Trees. The Valar at first knew nothing of their coming, but they were soon discovered by the spies of Melkor, who sent his creatures to watch them and harass them. How long they existed in this perilous and unprotected state is not known, but the legends of those times, of the Hunter and of a dark Rider, were preserved in Valinor by the Eldar that came there. It is known that many of the ancient Elves were captured by Melkor and imprisoned in Utumno - it is generally thought that these hapless beings were the origins of the race of Orcs. The Valar discovered that the Elves had awoken when Oromë, hunting in the lands of Middle-earth, heard their singing voices. He named them Eldar, the People of the Stars, but the Elves' own name for their kind was Quendi, those who speak with voices. Because of the horrors of Melkor, many of the Elves were at first suspicious of the Vala, but (after briefly returning to Valinor to tell the other Valar of his discovery) he remained with them and protected them for a time. Concerned for the safety of the Elves in Middle-earth, which was at that time under the control of Melkor, the Valar left Valinor and made war against the Dark Lord: this was the Battle of the Powers, which saw Melkor taken as captive back to Valinor. The Great Journey After the defeat of Melkor, the Valar debated the fate of the Elves - whether they should be left to dwell in Middle-earth, or brought to Valinor to be kept under the direct protection of the Valar. It was decided to bring them to the land of the Valar, and Oromë was sent back to Cuiviénen to summon them. When he returned, though, he found that the Elves feared the Valar, and were reluctant to make the journey. Three ambassadors were chosen, Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë, to travel to Aman with Oromë, and help the Elves decide on their course. These three were filled with awe by what they saw there, and by the light of the Two Trees, and counselled their people to follow the summons. The followers of Ingwë, and most of the peoples of Finwë and Elwë agreed, and set out on the Great Journey westwards across the wide lands of Middle-earth. These were the peoples later known as the Three Kindreds, the Vanyar, the Noldor and the Teleri. Not all the Elves obeyed the summons; those who refused are known as Avari, the Unwilling. Oromë led the peoples of the Three Kindreds out of the east of Middle-earth. The Vanyar were the least numerous, and the most eager to reach Aman, and they came first on the Journey, followed by the Noldor of Finwë. The Teleri, led by Elwë and his brother Olwë, were the greatest host, and many were uncertain and doubtful. Not a few of these people left the Journey and remained in Middle-earth. The most notable of those who turned from the Journey were the Nandor, who were led away down the Vales of Anduin by Lenwë. At last, the Vanyar and the Noldor reached the shores of the Great Sea, in the regions between the Bay of Balar and the Firth of Drengist (regions later known, at least for the most part, as the Falas). Ulmo brought a great island to the shores, and on it transported the Elves to Aman. The Teleri were the hindcomers, though, and arrived in Beleriand too late to embark on Ulmo's island. They dwelt for a while on the banks of the Gelion in eastern Beleriand, but later spread to the shores. In this time, two events of historical importance occurred - their lord Elwë was lost for a time in Nan Elmoth, and they encountered Ossë, a Maia of the Sea. Many of the Teleri wished to remain in Beleriand, some to seek for their lost lord, and others because of desires stirred in their hearts by Ossë. When the time came for Ulmo to return to Beleriand to take the Teleri to Valinor, then, many of them remained behind. These people became known in after years as the Sindar, the Grey-elves, and those who dwelt by the shores under the lordship of Círdan became known as the Falathrim. Melkor Chained: Three Ages of Bliss Now came three ages of glory and bliss for the Elves, both east and west of the Great Sea. In Valinor, the Vanyar and the Noldor, and those of the Teleri who completed the Journey, dwelt with the Valar and learned from them. They dwelt in the jewelled city of Tirion in the Pass of Light, and at the Swanhaven of Alqualondë, and beneath the tower of Avallónë on the Lonely Isle of Tol Eressëa. While the Two Trees

still gave light to the realm of the Valar, three ages passed, and the Elves of Valinor became the wisest and noblest of all the Children of Ilúvatar. Meanwhile, in Beleriand, the Sindar dwelt beneath starlight. While most of Middle-earth still slept, awaiting the coming of the Sun and Moon, Melian the Maia brought life to the forests and plains of Beleriand under Thingol's rule, and Oromë would still ride at times across the darkling lands. The Nature of the Elves Both Elves and Men are the Children of Ilúvatar, and so have much in common, but there are also great differences between the two peoples. Of these, the most significant is that Elves are 'immortal', at least while the World lasts; they do not suffer ageing or disease, and if they are slain or wither with grief, they are reincarnated in the Halls of Mandos in Valinor. Although, unlike Men, the Elves must remain in the world until its ending, they are not bound to Middle-earth. They may if they wish take the straight road, and sail into the Uttermost West, a road that is barred to mortals. Elves also have far clearer sight and perception than Men; they are naturally aware of many things that are hidden from the Younger Children, but these gifts are not without limit. Religion The Elves never had any distinct 'religion' in the sense that Men would understand the word; indeed, the High Elves had travelled to Valinor and lived with the Valar (or 'gods') themselves for many ages before Men came into the world. Of all the Valar, they most revered Varda Elentári, the spouse of Manwë; and Lady of the Stars. In Middle-earth, they called her Elbereth, Star-Queen, and sang to her across the wide ocean Belegaer. Great respect was also given to Ulmo, especially during the First Age when he aided the Elves against Morgoth. Some of the more important divisions of the Elves: Eldar (Elves of the Great Journey)Meaning: 'People of the Stars'The name given to the Elves by the Vala Oromë when he first found them wandering in the starlight of Cuiviénen. At first, the name was applied to all Elves, but after the summons of the Valar, it came to be used only of the peoples who followed the summons and began the Great Journey. The Three Kindreds of the Eldar were the Vanyar, the Noldor and the Teleri. All of the Vanyar and Noldor went to Aman (though many of the Noldor later returned to Middle-earth with Fëanor). Many of the Teleri also journeyed to Valinor, but twice a host of this people turned away from the Journey in Middle-earth; these two kindreds are called Úmanyar, the Eldar not of Aman. The first of these were the Nandor, who turned aside east of the Misty Mountains, and travelled down the River Anduin. The second, the Sindar, tarried in Beleriand seeking their lord, Elwë Singollo. Avari (The Unwilling)Pronunciation: a'vareeMeaning: Usually given as 'The Unwilling', but in fact 'Those who refused the summons' appears to be a more literal translation'The Unwilling'; those of the Elves who refused the summons of the Valar to dwell in Valinor, and remained in the dark wilds of Middle-earth. Some of the Avari, it is said, were corrupted by Melkor in ancient days to become the progenitors of the race of Orcs. Vanyar (Light Elves) Meaning: 'The Fair (People)' (referring to the lightness of this people's hair)Other Names: Fair Elves, Light ElvesThe first of the Elves to make the great march westwards from Cuiviénen to Valinor, and accounted the highest of the High Elves. Their leader, Ingwë, bears the title High King of the Elves, and dwells on Taniquetil beneath the halls of Manwë. All of the Vanyar journeyed to Valinor long before the beginning of the First Age, and remained there. For this reason, they are not mentioned often in the histories of Middle-earth. Noldor (Deep-elves)Meaning: 'Those with Knowledge'Other Names: GolodhrimThe division of the Elves that followed Finwë as their lord. In the long march from Cuiviénen to the western shores of Middle-earth, they were second great host. When they reached Valinor, they learned much from Aulë the Smith, and were accounted the greatest of the Elves in matters of lore and craft.

They dwelt in Aman for many Ages, but after the Darkening of Valinor many of the Noldor forsook the Undying Lands and followed Melkor to Middle-earth. Melkor had slain Finwë and stolen the Silmarils, the work of Fëanor, the greatest craftsman of that people, and the Noldor returned to make war on him until he gave up the Great Jewels. Teleri (The Third Clan)Pronunciation: te'lereeMeaning: 'those who come last'The third and greatest of the three Elf-kindreds of the Great Journey, from whom the Nandor and the Sindar were descended. The Teleri came last to Aman, and dwelt in Alqualondë on the western shores of the Great Sea. Lindar (Teleri of Aman)'The Singers'; the name by which the Teleri of Valinor called themselves. Sindar (Grey-elves of Beleriand)Pronunciation: see'ndarrMeaning: 'Grey People' (from the name of their King, Elwë Singollo)Other Names: Edhel, Elves of the TwilightAn Elvish people of Telerin origin. Coming to the western shores of Middle-earth with the others of their kin, they did not pass across the sea, but remained in Beleriand. Some had tarried there searching for their lord, Elwë, while others were persuaded to remain by Ossë the Maia. Before the return of the Noldor to Middle-earth, the Sindar were found in most parts of Beleriand; all claimed Elwë (known as Thingol in the Sindarin tongue) as their high king. There were two main countries of the Sindar, however; in Doriath under the rule of Thingol and Melian, and in the Falas, under the lordship of Círdan the Shipwright. BEFORE THE RETURN OF THE NOLDORFor two ages, the Sindar dwelt in peace and plenty; they roamed throughout Beleriand, from the shorelands of the Falas in the west to the Blue Mountains in the east, and all owned Thingol as their lord and king. In the third age of the Captivity of Melkor (that is, the last age of the Years of the Trees), evil things that had dwelt east of the Blue Mountains began to trouble the Sindar. At this time, they first considered the need for weapons and armour, which they had not needed before. They traded with the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost, and learned smithcraft from them. Thus armed, they drove the invading wolves and Orcs and other foul things from their land and had peace again, for a time. Nandor (Followers of Lenwë)Telerin Elves who turned aside from the Great Journey east of the Misty Mountains, and journeyed down the River Anduin. Some few later came into Beleriand and dwelt in Ossiriand, while those that remained founded realms of their own. The people of Lórien were of this kind, as were the Wood-elves of Mirkwood. Silvan Elves (Others who left the Great Journey)Division: Mainly Teleri, but apparently also including a few NoldorMeaning: 'Silvan' is English, denoting 'Woodland' Elves of mainly Telerin origin who dwelt in Middle-earth east of the Blue Mountains; their greatest realms in the northwest of Middle-earth were the Wood-elven kingdom in northern Mirkwood, and the land of Lórien. Laiquendi (Green-elves of Ossiriand)The Green-elves of Ossiriand; those Elves of the Nandor who came at last over the Blue Mountains from the east and dwelt between them and the River Gelion.

Elves Overviewby Eonwe-(Valar) January 6, 2011IntroductionThe purpose of this article is to chronicle knowledge of Elves in general. For this reason, events or facts which focus on a specific group of Elves will not be in great focus, and some may not be mentioned.Information from the Silmarillion and Lord of the RingsElves are the firstborn of the Children of Eru. They call themselves Quendi, meaning “those who speak with voices.” The Vala Oromë named them Eldar in their own tongue, which means “People of the Stars,” though this name later only applied to those who accepted the summons to Aman. Characteristics/Nature

Elves are immortal, in that their bodies are designed to last until the end of Arda. They do not die physically unless they are slain, or their grief is great enough that they wish to die. Sickness and pestilence can’t kill them. Their bodies in the beginning were similar to that of mortals and were more easily destroyed. Men and Elves were originally of similar stature and body strength, but Elves had greater wisdom, skill, and beauty. The Calaquendi surpassed the Moriquendi in these as the Moriquendi did Men, though the Sindar came closest to the Calaquendi.Of the Noldor and Sindar, the Noldor had the greater power of mind and body, were greater warriors and sages, built with stone, and loved hill slopes and open lands. The Sindar had fairer voices, were more skilled in music, loved woods and riversides, and some still wandered without a settled abode. The Nandor were also known to wander, as were the Avari. These differences would set them apart from other Elves as well.Upon physical death, Elves go to the Halls of Mandos, to reflect on their life and await a time when they may be restored to a body, if they wish. Once restored to a body, they are free to live in Aman.Elves are similar in nature to the Ainur, though less in might and stature. Their presence affects the land where they live. For example, the land of Eregion at the end of the Third Age still remembers the Noldor who had lived there in the Second. Enhanced forms of this can be seen in Rivendell and Lothlorien, where the lands are preserved by Elven rings.Hair color among Elves is generally divided by their house. The Vanyar had blonde hair, while the Noldor had dark hair. Some Teleri had silver hair (Celeborn and Elwë are mentioned to have silver hair). Some Silvan Elves, who were Teleri, appear to have had blonde hair as well.5 Union between the Elf groups would naturally allow for deviations from the norm (Finarfin’s house being such, as the son of a Noldo and a Vanya).Elves have some level of perception that allows them to understand the minds of others. When Finrod first came across Men, he found “he could read in (their) minds such thoughts as they wished to reveal in speech.”6 Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel also spent nights communicating without word. AwakeningThe Elves awoke beside the shores of Cuiviénen “as Varda ended her labours (of creating new stars and constellations),... when first Menelmacar strode up the sky and the blue fire of Helluin flickered in the mists above the borders of the world.”8 The first sound they heard was water flowing and falling over stone. They dwelt by those waters for a long time, naming everything they perceived, before Oromë came upon them.Relationship with the ValarSince the stars were the first thing they saw, all Elves share a reverence for Varda above any other Vala or Valie.Oromë was the first of the Valar to come upon the Elves, though it’s believed that Melkor was first aware of them.Upon Oromë’s return to Aman, the Valar were convinced to make war upon Melkor so that Arda could be safe for the Children of Eru. The Valar then summoned the Elves to live with them in Aman. The Elves, having only seen the Valar in their wrath, were concerned. Therefore, three emissaries were chosen from among them to go to Aman, and then return to tell about it to the others. These three were Ingwë, Elwë, and Finwë.Relationship with Melkor and his minionsMelkor sought to estrange Elves and the Valar, and when he was aware of them sent spies among them, sending some as dark riders to cause the Elves to fear Oromë’s riding. Thus, when Oromë did come among them, many hid, and many ran in fear and were lost. Melkor hated the Eldar, and saw them as the reason for his downfall. Of the Calaquendi, the Vanyar were suspicious of him, and he didn’t bother with the Teleri. Only the Noldor listened to him.The wise among the Elves of Eressea believe that Orcs have their origin in those Elves who ran into the wild at Oromë’s coming, that Melkor imprisoned them, corrupting them and enslaving them. The Sindar took them to be Avari who had become evil and savage in the wild.During the Wars of Beleriand, Morgoth captured and enslaved many Elves, including Noldor, whom he put to work in his mines. Some of these he feigned to free, though they were still enthralled to him, and thus sowed distrust among the Eldar for those who did escape in truth. Relationship with Men

The first dealings of Elves and Men were with the Moriquendi in the east. They taught Men many things, among them their speech. This proved helpful when the first Edain came over the Ered Luin and were found by Finrod, as Finrod was able to recognize parts of their speech.In Beleriand, many Noldor welcomed what they saw as a new ally in the war against Morgoth, and Men were greeted by both Noldor and Sindar, but Thingol would not allow them in Doriath. The Green-Elves of Ossiriand were not as friendly toward Men, declaring them unfriends for hewing wood and killing animals.Other men came out of the east later, under the leadership of Bor and Ulfang. Those who followed the former proved faithful, while those following the latter were in Morgoth’s service, or came to be in his service.The three houses of Edain continued to have a friendly a relationship with the Elves, except for the King’s Men of Numenor in the Second Age, as that people fell into fear of death and jealousy of Valar and Elves, and the Black Numenoreans of the Third Age who continued to serve Sauron after Numenor was sunk.Relationship with DwarvesHow long the Dwarves had been trafficking east of the Ered Luin is unknown, but they had already come into contact with the Nandor by the third age of Melkor’s captivity, and trade with them is likely.The Sindar were the first Elves in Beleriand to deal with Dwarves. They first came across the Petty-dwarves, and not know what they were, hunted and killed them. When the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains came into Beleriand during the second age of Morgoth’s captivity, the Sindar realized they were a speaking people like themselves, and both parties benefited from trade. Tension arose between the Sindar and the Dwarves when Thingol had a Silmaril set into the Nauglamír, and the Dwarves who did the work coveted the Silmaril. They slew Thingol and then returned to their halls, rallying their armies to invade Doriath.The greatest friendship between Elf and Dwarf was between the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm and the Noldor of Eregion in the Second Age of the Sun.2 Divisions of the ElvesThe first sundering of the Elves came about with the summons to Aman. All those who accepted the summons were called by the name Oromë had given all Elves: Eldar. Those who refused were called Avari: The Unwilling.The Eldar included all of Ingwë’s people, and most of Finwë’s and Elwë’s peoples. Ingwë’s group became known as the Vanyar, the Fair Elves. The Noldor (Deep Elves) Finwë’s group. The largest group was the Teleri, who due to their size were led by Elwë and his brother Olwë. They tarried often because they were not wholly of a mind to leave Middle-earth. The Teleri delighted in the Sea, and those who reached Aman were also known as the Falmari (Sea-Elves).Those of the Eldar who reached Aman were called Calaquendi (Light-Elves) and Tareldar (High-Elves). The Eldar who did not come to Aman were called Úmanyar by the Calaquendi. The Úmanyar and the Avari were classified together as Moriquendi (Dark-Elves).A large group of Teleri led by Lenwë left the march when the host of the Eldar reached the Anduin River. He led them southward, and his people became known as the Nandor (“Those who turn back”).Later during the ages of Melkor’s imprisonment, upon hearing of the might of Elwë (aka Elu Thingol) and his realm, a group of Nandor were led into Beleriand by Lenwë’s son Denethor. With the loss of Denethor in the first battle of the Wars of Beleriand, those of this group who did not merge themselves with the Sindar turned to secrecy and became known as the Laiquendi (Green-Elves) for the color of their clothing.Silvan Elves (also called the Woodland Elves), based on their geographical location, appear to be the Nandor of the First Age who did not follow Denethor into Beleriand, and thus should be Eldar. However, Appendix F of Return of the King doesn’t recognize them as Eldar.14The Maia Ossë convinced a group of Teleri to remain on the shores of Middle-earth. These became the Falathrim, and Cirdan was their lord. They were the first mariners and shipmakers in Middle-earth.Of those Eldar who remained in Middle-earth, those who took Elwë as their king (which was the majority of the Eldar of Beleriand) became known as the Sindar (Grey-elves), and were the fairest, wisest, and most skilful of the Elves of Middle-earth.WeaponryIn Aman, the first weapons were made by the Noldor at the instigation of Melkor. Swords, axes, and spears are specifically named, and others are hinted at. Shields are also mentioned.When Menegroth began storing weapons to defend itself from Melkor’s minions, Thingol had the aid of the Dwarves. Axes, spears, and swords were the weapons of choice in this case as well.

The majority of Teleri outside of Thingol’s forces, both in Middle-earth and Aman, were lightly armed. The Teleri of Aman were mostly armed with slender bows during their battle with the Noldor 15. The Nandor had no steel weapons 16 Fading Once the dominion of Man began, Elves were fated to dwindle and fade from Middle-earth. The end of the Third Age of the Sun marked the end of the Elves’ time in Middle-earth. The only option for avoiding this fate was sailing West to Aman.topInformation beyond the Silmarillion and Lord of the RingsThe terms “Eldar” and “Quendi” (or Qendi) changed meanings a few times throughout the writing, sometimes either one referring to all Elves, and others to specific groups. Unless otherwise noted, information in this section is included only if there is certainty it would apply to all Elves.AwakeningBook of Lost Tales 1 gives some commentary on the Elves’ knowledge prior to their awakening. Nolemë (-> Finwë) says, “For meseems I awoke but now from a sleep eternally profound, whose vast dreams already are forgotten.” Tinwë (-> Elwë) comments that “his heart told him that he was new-come from illimitable regions, yet he might not recollect by what dark and strange paths he had been brought.” Inwë (-> Ingwë) knew nothing of from where (outside of Arda) they came or how they got to Arda.17AppearanceThe physical “beauty “of Elves can best be described by a quote from Book of Lost Tales part 2, in which Tolkien “wrathfully” comments on a “’pretty’ or ‘ladylike’” depiction of Legolas:“He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazgul, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship.”This should be evidence that the physical beauty of Elves is gender appropriate: male Elves have attractive masculine qualities, and females attractive feminine qualities.Hair color among Elves was generally related to clan. Nearly all Minyar (Vanyar) had yellow or deep golden hair.19 Noldor were mostly dark-haired (brown or black), though there were those among the Noldor with red hair.20 The Teleri also had dark hair primarily, but silver hair was a trait that appeared occasionally, particularly among those sharing near or remote kinship with Elwë.Birth and Growth“Laws and Customs Among the Eldar” in Morgoth’s Ring contains much information on this subject, and is the source of the information in this section.Elves are born one year after conception. Their bodies grow slower than Man’s but their mind grows more swiftly. They learned to speak, walk, and dance within this year, as “their wills came soon to the mastery of their bodies.” Elves reach adulthood at fifty years, though some would continue to grow until their hundredth year. Children were few, but dear to the parents, seldom having more than four.The bodies and spirits of Elves are coherent, and as time passes and the thoughts and desires of an Elf changes, so do the impulses and moods of their bodies. Children are usually born in a space of time shortly after marriage (short as the Eldar measure time).Elves believe that in begetting and bearing children, a greater share of their strength and being goes into it than for mortals. Elves are not easily deceived by other Elves, and are seldom swayed by desires of the body only, “but are by nature continent and steadfast.”Outside of biological differences and natural inclinations of gender, men and women among Elves are equal. “There are no matters which among the Eldar only a ner (man) can think or do, or others with which only a nis (woman) is concerned.” For example, the arts of healing were typically practiced by the nissi, while the neri bore arms when necessary. The ability of the nissi in healing, however, was considered due to their abstaining from hunting and war, not from being a woman. Likewise, “in dire straights or desperate defense, the nissi fought valiantly, and there was less difference in strength and speed between elven-men and elven-women that had not borne child than is seen among mortals.”Elves and Men“The Cottage of Lost Play” says Elves and Men in Tolkien’s early notes were “of a size” in former days, and that the “smallness, filminess, and transparency” were an aspect of their fading. It’s likely Tolkien was coming to reject a diminutive statue being tied to fading by the time he was rewriting “The History of Eriol or Aelfwine.”

In a section titled “Miscellaneous Matters” of the chapter “Turambar and the Foalokë”, there is a mention that Elves were “conceived to be of slighter build and stature than Men.”24“The History of Eriol or Aelfwine” mentions a prophecy that one day Elves will fight a war against Melko(r)’s forces. If Men join them, the Two Trees will be rekindled and their light will spread over Arda. If Men oppose them, it will be the end of the Elves. It is also mentioned that Elves couldn’t breathe the same air as Men of equal or greater number.“The Fall of Numenor” in The Lost Road says that Elves hastened their fading by warring with Thu (Sauron) at the end of the Second Age, and that this was the last service of the Firstborn to Men.Death, Reincarnation, FadingElvish reincarnation into their children is first mentioned in “The Music of the Ainur” as the fate of those Elves who are slain or die of grief. By this means, the Elf population stayed constant.Chapter 2 of The Shaping of Middle-earth says Elves would have to wait in Mandos for a thousand years, or the pleasure of the Gods (Valar), before they could be “recalled to free life.”28The “Quenta Silmarillion” version in The Lost Road says that once they are able to leave Mandos, they are either leave as spirits, “taking form according to their own thought, as the lesser folk of the divine race,” or reborn into their children.“Laws and Customs Among the Eldar” tells of the greater dominance of the Elven spirit over its body than Man’s over his. This dominance increased as time passed, consuming the body, the end result being what is called “Elven fading.” At the last, the body is merely a memory held by the spirit, and thus they became deathless. This group of Lingerers in Middle-earth is not to be confused with the Houseless.Upon death, Elven spirits are summoned to Mandos, that they are free to refuse. Doing so, however, leaves them weaker to the counter-summons from Morgoth. Refusal most commonly came from Avari. In the time after Morgoth’s removal from Arda, many Elves who died in Middle-earth refused the summons, choosing to wander Arda “Houseless.” These bodiless Elves desire to deal with the living, though it is forbidden by the Valar. Some of them desire bodies, though they aren’t willing to attain them lawfully, and thus are dangerous to commune with.The Appendix of Part IV of Morgoth’s Ring mentions a manuscript titled “Reincarnation of Elves” where Tolkien discusses at length the issue. In this paper, he decides that rebirth as a child is impossible for Elves. Since the fëa (spirit) and hroa (body) are fitted to each other, and the body has a physical descent, making it different from the spirit’s original body, it would have to be a condition of pain for the spirit thus reborn.A note in The Peoples of Middle-earth says that Elvish bodies quickly disintegrate and vanish after their spirits leave them.WeaponryThe Elves were armed during the Great Journey, but only with spears and bows and arrows, “weapons of the chase.”Elf Population ProportionsThe information in this section can be found in The War of the Jewels, Part IV “Quendi and Eldar.”According to legend preserved (almost identically) by the Amanyar and the Sindar, there were originally three Elf Clans derived from the three Elf-fathers (and their followers): Imin, Tata, and Enel, meaning One, Two, and Three. The clan names thus became Minyar (“Firsts”), Tatyar (“Seconds”), and Nelyar (“Thirds”). Of the original 144 Elves that awoke, they were divided among the three clans: 14, 56, and 74, respectively. The proportions based on these numbers were maintained (more or less) until the Separation (the Sundering of the Eldar and the Avari).Of the Minyar it is said that none were Avari (thus all were Vanyar). The Tatyar were evenly divided (the half that chose to go to Aman becoming Noldor). The Nelyar were the most reluctant, but had a greater sense of unity with their clan, and so many who had originally chosen to be Avari became Eldar when it was clear Elwë and Olwë, their chieftains, were leaving (and thus, were the Teleri).Part C offers this chart displaying Proportions of Eldar and Avari among the Elf clans. Remember these are relative proportions based on the original 144 Elves.Minyar 14: Avari 0 Eldar 14Tatyar 56: Avari 28Eldar 28Nenyar 74: Avari 28Eldar 46 < Amanyar Teleri 20; Sindar and Nandor 26Gesture SystemsIn addition to their spoken languages, Elves had gesture systems for when speech was unwise. Unlike Dwarven Iglishmek, however, which was designed to be used close at hand to discuss matters amongst

themselves without being understood by outsiders, Elven gesture-systems were primarily used to communicate at a distance.