Guide to The Silmarillion: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië (Ch. 5)

Chapter Five: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië

Making the Journey to Aman

Oromë brought the Vanyar and Noldor through Beleriand. Ulmo uprooted an island and moved it as a boat to bring the Elves to Valinor. Part of the island broke off and was left behind. This is called the Isle of Balar.

The Teleri

The Teleri took Olwë as their king and dwelt near the shores of Beleriand. They befriended Ossë and Uinen and learned sea-lore and sea music from them. After a time, many of the Teleri agreed to go to Valinor and departed on Ulmo’s island. At Ossë’s request, Ulmo anchored the isle of the Teleri just off the shores of Valinor, and it was called Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle. In this time, the Teleri’s speech was sundered from that of the Vanyar and the Noldor.

Those of the Teleri who remained in Middle-earth were called the Falathrim, the Elves of the Falas. Círdan the Shipwright was their Lord. The friends of Elwë wouldn’t leave Middle-earth, and they were called the Eglath, the Forsaken People.

A Home In Valinor

In Valinor, the Vanyar and the Noldor were given a home. They missed the stars, so the Valar created a gap in between the Pelóri. There, they created a hill called Túna where the Elves would be able to see the stars. 

Upon the crown of Túna the city of the elves was built: Tirion. There, the Vanyar and Noldor dwelt in friendship. Manwë and Varda loved the Vanyar (called “the Fair Elves”) most; Aulë loved the Noldor most. In this time, the Noldor first discovered the gems of the earth and thus enriched all Valinor.

Finwë’s Family Tree

Finwë was King of the Noldor. The sons of Finwë were Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin. The mother of Fëanor was Míriel; the mother of Fingolfin and Finarfin was Indis, who Finwë wed after the death of Míriel.

Seven sons of Fëanor: Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras

Children of Fingolfin: Fingon, Turgon, Aredhel, and Argon

Children of Finarfin: Finrod, Angrod, Aegnor, and Galadriel

The Eldar in Aman

Eventually, the Teleri of Tol Eressëa desired to go all the way to Aman. Ulmo sent Ossë to them, and he taught them the craft of ship-building so they could travel all the way to the shores of Valinor. 

The Vanyar became sundered from the Noldor: the Vanyar left Tirion and dwelt upon the mountain of Manwë, or about the plains and woods of Valinor.

Finwë was king of Tirion; Olwë king in Alqualondë; Ingwë was High King of all the Elves.

At the end of this chapter, all but two groups of elves are now in Aman. The two groups left behind in Middle-earth are the Falathrim and the Eglath.