All in Reading Tolkien
"Therefore he said to Aredhel: "Lady, let us depart while there is still 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!"
In this chapter, we witness the beginning of two great hidden kingdoms: Gondolin (Turgon / House of Fingolfin) and Nargothrond (Finrod Felagund / House of Finarfin). We also watch as the shadow of Fëanor’s actions follow the rest of the Noldor and the damage that is caused, specifically in their relationship with the Sindar.
This chapter is essentially a description of a map which details how the Eldar divided up Beleriand. I would not recommend trying to read this chapter without looking at the map. I’ve tried to summarize the various regions as simply as I can, but it is still quite thorough! This chapter would’ve served best as an appendix, so don’t spend too much time dwelling on every minor detail.
"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... 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."
“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.”
“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.” - Of the Sun and the Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
“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.” - Of the Sindar
“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.” - The Silmarillion, Of the Flight of the Noldor
"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." - The Silmarillion, Of the Darkening of Valinor
"For Fëanor began to love the Silmarils with a greedy love, and grudged the sight of them to all save his father and his seven sons; he seldom remembered now that the light within them was not his own." - The Silmarillion, Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor
“Fëanor grew swiftly, as if a secret fire were kindled within him… 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… 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 Silmarillion, Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor
In this chapter, we follow the majority of the Eldar as they make the journey from Middle-earth to the Blessed Realm. We also get to know a lot about Finwë’s Family, which is important because they're about to get themselves in a lot of trouble. At the end of this chapter, all but two groups of elves have completed this journey! The two groups left behind are the Falathrim and the Eglath, the Forsaken People (the kindred and friends of Elwë).
