The Elven Peoples of Arda

The elves are a mighty and beautiful race with a complex and intriguing history, that has captivated the imagination of many. The elves first awoke by Cuivienen, the Lake of Awakening, however it was not long before the valar decided to bring the elves to Aman for their own safety. Some decided to make the Great Journey while others refused and thus the sundering of elves began.

The Sundering of Elves

Sindar

Those of the Teleri who began the "Great Journey" but choose to settle in Beleriand were known as the Sindar. They were originally divided into two groups and a third group joined them. The Eglath were Thingol's people and lived in Doriath and Dorthonion. The Falathrim were Cirdans people and lived on the coast and spread northward, settling in Brithombar, Eglarest and Nevrast. The Laequendi (green elves) joined the rest of the sindar later and lived in Ossiriand and Doriath. Some of the Sindar also lived in Hithlum.

With the aid of Melian the Maia (wife of Thingol) and the dwarves the Sindar became skilled weavers, smiths, stonemasons, hunters and formidable warriors. They created Cirth, a grey fabric the helped the elves blend into the surroundings. The art of making Cirth was passed on to the elves of Lorien and the material was given to the fellowship of the ring as they passed through the ancient forest. The Falathrim, Cirdans people, also became particular skilled mariners.

The Sindar civilzation was one of the grandest in elven history. Thingols city of Menegroth was unequaled in splendour by any city of Middle-earth. At the end of the first age, the Sindar migrated east and established their civilization in Lindon and Eregion building towers and castles that remained standing for many long years after they had left.

At the end of the War of Elves and Sauron some of the sindar travelled to Greenwood the Great and the realm of the Silvan elves to live as one people with them, while others settled in Lindon. After this war the Sindar elves were no longer recognized as a seperate people, being mainly absorbed with the silvan elves.

Those elves that did not migrate east at the end of the first age, sailed over sea and lived in Tol Eressa, in the haven of Avolone. From there they enjoyed a friendship with the Numenoreans for some time, giving them gifts and acting as messengers for the Valar. After the War of the Last Alliance, many more Sindar left middle-earth to join those Sindar on Tol Eressa.

Silvan

Those of the Teleri that begun the "Great Journey" but ceased their travels east of Anduin were known as the Nandor. Some of the Nandor settled in Greenwood the Great (Mirkwood) while others spread southward along the Anduin where it appears many crossed the river Anduin at the undeeps. From there they travelled north and made homes in the forest now known as Lothlorien.

The penni tribe of Avari elves settled in the vales of Anduin and merged with the Nandor. The penni tribe were friendlier to the Eldar (in particular the sindar who later settled with them) than many of the other avari tribes, especially those of similar origins to the noldor. This mix of Penni and Nandor elves were known as the Silvan elves, or Wood-elves. They spoke their own language, though very little of it is used in the Lord of the Rings.

At the beginning of the second age the Sindar migrated east under Oropher lead and settled amongst the Silvan Elves. Two known kingdoms were established, that of Oropher's realm in Greenwood the Great and Amdirs in Lothlorien. Oropher first settled upon Amon Lanc, just east of Amdirs realm, seperated only by the Great Anduin. Later he moved north to the mountains of mirkwood where they lived until Amon Lanc was conquered by Sauron (roughly a thousand years into the third age) and a dark fortress was established known as Dol Guldur. Orophers son Thranduil took them to the north of Mirkwood the the forest river and build his halls there. Bilbo passed through these halls in the tale of The Hobbit.

Some of the Noldor also migrated east and merged with the Silvan Elves. The elves of Lothlorien learnt many of the crafts developed in Aman and Beleriand by the Eldar that settled with them. Such influences from an advanced civilization were not long lived. The Silvan warriors were not equipped or armoured nearly as well as the Eldar of Lindon duiring the War of elves and Sauron.

During peaceful times their populations increased, many cities were built and they generally prospered. They were a crafty people, enjoying the labour of building houses, boats, their own tools, weaving clothes, and growing their own food. They were a secretive and mysterious people, and little of their culture was revealed. They were protective of their land and ensured no evil creatures threatened it as best they could, keeping the forests strong and helthy.

The Silvan elve fought in all the major wars of the second in third ages, including the War of Elves and Sauron, Last Alliance of Elves and Man, Battle of Five Armies adn the War of the Ring. By the end of third age the Silvan realm was the greatest of the remaining elven realms. In the fourth age, the silvan elves of Lothlorien were east by Celeborn over the Anduin to build their homes in east Lorien. Only a few remained in Lothlorien. Legolas led some of his people south to Gondor, where some may have remained after Legolas sailed west across the sea.

The Avari, Nandor, Sindar and some Noldor all merged together to produce the inriguing race of Silvan Elves whose culture we only get a small glimpse at.

Vanyar

The first elves to awake by the lake of Cuivienen were divided into three groups. The Minyar (firsts) were led by Ingwe to Valinor and were known thereafter as the Vanyar. The name was given to them by the Noldor and was a reference to the colour and beauty of their hair.

The Vanyar aided in the construction of the city of Tirion but did not stay longer to enjoy their toils. They soon moved to Valinor making home in the Valar's city Valimar, the mountainous slopes of Taniquetil or settled in the distant woodland areas of Valinor.

The Vanyar were remarkable poets and musicians but also proved themselves valliant warriors in the War of Wrath, in which they set forth under white banners. It is believed they enjoyed a healthy relationship with the Valar, in particular Manwe, Orome and Yavanna.

Noldor

Of the three original groups of elves, the Tatyar (seconds) were led by Finwe to Valinor and were called the Noldor (Wise/Learned Ones). They were by nature a very diverse group. Even in Aman they seemed to seperate from each other, though most of them lived in Tirion or hte nearby hills. Feanor led a group of them to live in lands closer to Aule, the valar in whom they took a liking to and learnt much from. Many of the Noldor who migrated to middle-earth took a liking to dwarves (who were a creation of Aule) more then other elves. Those in middle-earth also seemed more then eager to go their seperate ways, under the different sons of Feanor.

The Noldor play a prominent role in many of the stories regarding the histories of the elves. The tragic events surrounding their houses have been well documented. Under the tutelage of Aule and through exploration of their own desires, the Noldor became master craftsmen whose creative achievements are unrivalled by all save the valar and their own creator. They produced tengwar, the silmarils,the palantri and the rings of power.

A great host of Noldor decided to leave Aman for middle-earth. Feanor led some of the Noldor across the sea by the stolen boats of the Teleri whom the slaughtered. Some of the Noldor were led by Fingolfin across the Helcaraxe and the cruel hills of ice (a path that none had dare take before save for the valar and ungoliant) into middle-earth.

In Beleriand the Noldor established kingdoms in Hithlum, Nargothron and the March of Maedhros all of which played significant roles in the wars against Morgoth, though eventually failed and were destroyed by the Dark Lord. The Noldor also had a kingdom in Nevrast that did not play such a prominent role in the wars but was magnificent nonetheless.

Noldor survivors from the war againt Morgoth took refuge in Ossiriand and the Isle of Balar. During the second age the Noldor of Ossiriand migrated east to Eregion while those of Balar most likely stayed with Gil-Galad and settled in Lindon.

Gil-Galads kingdom lived long through the second age and extended through most of Eriador and Lindon. Gil-Galad assembled the greatest Noldor army (save that for the host of valinor) in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Gil-Galad fell during this battle and the Noldor that survived lived thereafter in Lindon, Imladris and some in Lothlorien. The Noldor againt went to battle in the War of the Ring under Cirdan and Elrond.

During the fourth age, what few Noldor remained lived in Imladris, Mithlond and Lindon.

Teleri (Falmari)

Of the three original groups of elves the Nelyar (thirds) were great singsers and thus also called themselves lindar (singers). Those of the Nelyar who went on the "Great journey" to Aman became known as the Teleri (those at the end of the line), however fewer then half of the Teleri made it to Aman to become the Falmari.

Most of the Nelyar wanted to say in middle-earth. However they were a close knit race of elves, so when a large portion of nelyar looked set to leave Cuivienen, many more among the Nelyar decided to come with them rather then be seperated.

Those of the Teleri who reached Aman were called the Falmari and lived on the isle of Tol Eressea. They were stuck here to a certain degree (unable to cross the sea or make contact with the other Eldar) until the Valar Osse taught them how to build ships. They soon set sail to the shores of Eldamar and made their homes there.

The Noldor were the first of the Eldar to befriend them and it is said they helped the Teleri build Alqualonde (the haven of swans). They were called the Falmari (foam riders) from that point onwards and the Noldor became good friends of the Falmari.

The Falmari had little to do with their other kindred, the Vanyar. They had no interest in attending the feast of Valimar and spent their time on the shores. The Falmari became very skilled ship builders and there oarless ships indicated they were capable of building true sailing vessels.

Nandor

Those of the Teleri that stopped the 'Great Journey' in the Vales of Anduin were known as the Nandor (those who go back / turn aside). Some of the Nandor stayed near the Anduin and settled in the forests of Lorien and Greenwood the Great (Mirkwood) became known as the Silvan Elves. Others passed through Rohan and settled Eriador and the Bay of Belfalas. Denethor led a large host of these elves across the blue mountains into Beleriand, where they settled in Ossiriand and became known as the Laiquendi (Green Elves).

Laiquendi

A host of the Teleri led by Lenwe abandoned the 'Great Journey' before entering Beleriand, settling for a small time in the lands of Eriador. They were a woodland people with no steel weapons or armour. Thus news of foul creatures coming from the north greeted their ears they were filled with fear. Upon hearing of the realm of Thingol and the peace that endured there, Denethor, son of Lenwe gathered a host of his scattered people west into Beleriand. Thingol and the Sindar elves greeted them warmly as long lost kin returned. They dwelt in the land of seven rivers known as the forest of Ossiriand.

During the first war of Beleriand, Thingol army was cut off from the elves of Cirdan at Eglarest, by large armies of orcs and was forced to call upon Denethor for aid. The elves of Ossiriand came in force, slaughtering the orcs who were now taken from both sides by the elves of Denthor and Thingol. Victory came at a cost though. The Laiquendi were lightly armoured in comparison to the orcs in iron armour, carry iron shields, great spears and large blades. Denethor found himself cut off and surrounded by the foul beasts upon the hill of amon Ereb. There he was slain along with his closest kin. This shaped the future of what was to become of the Laiquendi.

The Green Elves mourned with great sorror for their fallen king and choose not to take a king again. Some of the Laiquendi followed Thingol and lived in Doriath while those that returned to Ossiriand with tragic tidings filled the rest of their people with fear. Never again did they come out into open war, prefering a life of secrecy and wariness and wre thus called the Laiquendi or Green-elves because of the colour of leaves they used to conceal themselves.

Though they chose not to fight in open war again they were still very deadly in their own realm. The dwarves that left Thingols realm with loot from the battle in the thousand caves returned home through Ossiriand. There the Laiquendi slew them in great numbers, angered that Thingol and their fellow Sindar elves had been slain by the dwarves. It is also believed that the Laiquendi had a good relationship with the Ents as they borrowed their help to kill what dwarves escaped the onslaught of the Laiquendi.

Avari

Those elves that refused to take the 'Great Journey' are known as the Avari. There are six avari tribes, the kindi, cuind, hwent, windan, kinn-lai and penni. The Noldor were a diversive people and it may be that those of the Avari whose origins were the same (Tatyarin) as the Noldor may be the reason for the development of so many different tribes. The Tatyarin Avari were not as welcoming of the Eldar elves as the other avari and thought the Noldor were arrogant.

Little is known about these tribes but its believed the Penni tribe settled by the river Anduin and merged with the Nandor there to become the Silvan elves. Some of the Avari passed into Beleriand and may have ended up living with the Laiquendi or Sindar.

The Avari were teachers of the Edain and from them men learnt language and music.