Elves

The Elves were the first Children of Ilúvatar, so they are also the eldest. Of all the races of Arda, the beings of sapience (the ones with human-like brain capacity) always considered them the fairest and wisest. They used the name Quendi for themselves, but it was common for them to be called Eldar (adj. Eldarin). Vala Oromë first called them like this (they were rambling in the Cuiviénen’s starlight, and he found them). Eventually, only the West-elves used this name (the ones who began the Great Journey) even though at first it was meant for all of them. nThe Valar from Middle-earth brought a group of them known as Elves of Light (Calaquendi) to Valinor over the Sea. The Ainur taught them here. When Melkor stole the Silmarils (gems that had been crafted by Fëanor), a part of them came back to Middle-earth. It is where the elves stayed throughout the 3rd Age. The Silmaris were three gems, immensely mighty and beautiful. These bright and hard crystals are outstanding because they contain the light of the Two Trees. Elves never age, and they cannot get ill. Only violence can kill them, or the feeling of despair that is of high degree.​

Conceived by Eru, they were the Firstborn Children of Ilúvatar and the eldest. They were created alone. Of all the varieties of Middle-earth, they are the noblest and eldest. Elves aroused from sleep at Cuiviénen. They were created in the east far from Middle-earth, in the Yavanna’s sleep starlight. They had existed before the Moon, and the Sun started existing. Three couples awoke the first. Imin ("First"), together with Iminyë (his wife) did it before everyone else, then Tata ("Second"), together with his wife Tatië, was the second, and Enel ("Third"), with Enelyë (his wife), followed them. They all joined up to discover the forests. After encountering 6, 9, and 12 elven pairs, each "patriarch" accepted the couples as part of his folk. There were sixty of them, and they dwelt near the rivers, enjoying music and poetry, which they invented. The journey of the elves did not end here. They went further and discovered a band of Elves who watched the stars. Tata claimed this group as his own. They were the fathers of most of the Ñoldor, and they were dark-haired and tall. Suddenly, it was ninety-six of them. They came up with a lot of new words. They all continued their journey, and they added 24 elven pairs they came across to the group.

These elves were singing but they had no language. Enel was the one who claimed them. These elves were the Lindar’s (singers) ancestors, who were later named Teleri (in some editions, Celebrimbor was one of them). This was the last group added because they found no more. Imin's people were the tiniest group, and these elves were the Vanyar’s ancestors. There were 144 of them in total. Their base number was twelve because this is how all of them had been found. There were always 12 of them in one group. For a long time, 144 was their largest number, and there were no words for higher numbers in Elvish languages. They sang gracefully with merriment. The elves had no speech, but when they created words, they could sing using them. They could speak and make music using the concepts they came up with, which is why they were called Quendi (those who use voices). When they named themselves" the speakers," they still lived at Cuiviénen. At that time, they met no one else who had the ability to speak or create words.​

When they lived near Cuiviénen, in forests under the stars, they were happy and content. They lived in peace and harmony. When the Dark Lord discovered where they lived before the Valar, he sent his evil spirits to observe them. They were also sent to harm the elves. The evil spirits looked like great horse riders when they harassed the Elves because Melkor wanted them to fear Vala Oromë. The Dark Lord knew he would be the Vala who will discover the Elves the first. Oromë did come upon the Elves during a journey in the Middle-earth’s wilds. Malicious Melkor was gifted with foresight, and he managed to make some of the elves feel frightened. He and his agents took some elves when they were hiding and fleeing. They took them to Utumno.

No one saw them ever again. According to some beliefs, they mutilated and twisted these elves to make original Orcs. Those who stayed found out that Oromë was not evil at all. He loved them and started calling them the Eldar (this meant Stars People). He was with them for a while, before returning to Valinor and telling Manwë what he had discovered. He came back to dwell with them and know more about the captivating creatures. The Valar soon decided that Melkor had to be defeated because that was the only way the Elves stay safe. It came to war. The earth started shaking, and there was thunderous lightning. The war was long and grievous, but the Valar finally won.

They captured Melkor. When Oromë came back to the Elves, it was with the Valar’s summons to Aman. Elves were mostly afraid because of everything that had happened, and because of the war, which was gruesome. They heard many rumors, and they feared the Valar’s immense might. They started choosing the ambassadors from every kindred, who would have to go to Valinor. They wanted Elwë, Ingwë, and Finwë to explain to the kindred everything they saw. The three had only beautiful things to say about the Valinor, and they felt blissful after seeing it. The Great Journey started immediately after this, which is known as the Elven Sundering. Only Avari did not want to leave Middle-earth. Oromë led the kindreds, who moved out of Cuiviénen.

They left the forest area, but soon there were black clouds that surrounded the north. It made some of the elves go back because they were frightened. Those who continued moved slowly, and they often stopped until Oromë came back. They were very curious about the things they were experiencing and seeing. The most eager were the Ñoldor and the Vanyar, which caused them to be the fastest to move because they were impatient to reach the Valinor. They came to the coasts first, and they took them to Valinor (they were on a beautiful island). The Teleri was the slowest group because they had to stop for everything to see all the things that attracted them about the south and west Middle-earth. Because of this, all of these elves separated and made many groups. There was the Nandor, and they became Wilderland’s Wood-elves (the Beleriand). A part of them decided to stay in the Region’s wooded areas and Neldoreth (Doriath). Some of them chose the shores of the west (the Falathrim, a part that was ruled by Círdan). But in the end, most of them placed themselves in the west.

Aman and Their Life

Those who were in Aman were able to receive all the Valar knowledge, just like these lands’ bliss. Each clan developed its own unique culture. Two of the preceding ambassadors became kings (Ingwë and Finwë), and Elwë did not return to Valinor, but Olwë (his brother) was the Teleri lord later. With their king Ingwë, the Valar particularly fascinated The Vanyar because of the Two Trees of Valinor and their light. They settled here, at Taniquetil. Ingwë became the elven king and all Elves from the mountain below Manwë had a dream about him. The Ñoldor built Tirion (a great city on Túna), and here Finwë lived. This group had a thing for arts and crafts, so Aulë the Smith loved them. The Teleri preferred the sea. Many never even left Tol Eressëa. When Olwë built Alqualondë, they moved, and the Ñoldor helped them. Thanks to these groups, building, metallurgy, crafts, arts, and shipbuilding were all developed. Because of them, poetry and high culture, as well as subtle things, have been valued up to this day. The elves wandered the lands, beautifying its glory, living in peace and harmony for three ages. But when three ages passed, Melkor completed the sentence he had been given.

He gave a false appearance of being good now, and he claimed he would be no threat to anyone anymore. He convinced Manwë. This was far from the truth because he was so enraged, and he even became more malicious. He wanted revenge, and he hated the elves. He desired to taint the peace of Valinor and bring destruction to these beings. He knew that first, he needed to gain their trust. The Teleri were useless to Melkor, while the Vanyar were happy about their life, so he had nothing to do with these clans. He decided to focus on the Ñoldor, who thirsty for knowledge, wanted to listen to him. They were creative and more useful than other clans. Melkor started teaching them, and he did nothing evil for a while, so everyone believed he was benevolent and eager to teach those who wanted knowledge. The elves thought they only benefited from him, and that he would help them with anything.

He did not need to show his true colors right away. However, his teachings were only half-truths, and he lied about the Valar intentions. From all the knowledge, the most dangerous information was that Men (the 2nd Illuvatar’s Children) would appear in Middle-earth in the future. The Valar never told it to the Elves, but there were soon rumors amongst the Ñoldor that Men may inherit Middle-earth. These rumors told that Men wanted to usurp the glory of the Elves. The Elves were discontented, and Fëanor (Finwë's firstborn) was their chief. He was beautiful, skillful, subtle, and crafty like no other elf. He developed the letter system that the Ñoldor clan used. He also made the Silmarils, his biggest achievement. These were 3 gems that looked like diamonds with the united light of the Valinor’s Two Trees. Fëanor was arrogant because of all these features, so he often made rashly conducted actions.

He provided Melkor's lies with the most prominent voice, but he feared and hated him. Because Melkor was dishonest and Fëanor was too vain, the latter attacked his half-brother Fingolfin with his sword. Before that, the Valar had been troubled because of the restless Ñoldor, but it had watched and waited. Now they could not ignore the issue anymore because the peace of Valinor was violated. Fëanor had to explain himself to Máhanaxar. Melkor’s lies were finally exposed, and he ran away. They also banished Fëanor from Tirion, but not forever. Twelve years later, Manwë wanted the Ñoldor clan to recover. A festival held in Valmar was his perfect chance for it. However, Melkor appeared, and together with the Great Spider Ungoliant, he destroyed the Two Trees. Valinor was darkened, Finwë was killed, and the three Silmarils of Fëanor were stolen. He then fled to Middle-earth.

The Ñoldor Revolt

Fëanor was furious because of his father's tragic death. He gathered the Tirion’s Ñoldor because he needed them to come back to Middle-earth. They promised to fight with Melkor, who became Morgoth. Since they had been rebellious, they had been banned from Middle-earth, but they returned to battle Melkor and establish new realms.

The Jewels War

Melkor and rebellious Ñoldor started a war that would last for centuries. It involved all elves from Middle-earth, but other races were also a part of it. They fought five big battles, but it all ended disastrously for the elven kindreds. The Ñoldor clan was doomed because of the Alqualondë Kinslaying [1]. Thingol discovered it, and he was the Sindar clan’s high king and the King of Doriath. The discovery ruined the friendship between the Ñoldor and the Sindar.

Other races (Petty-dwarves) hated the Ñoldor that were exiled because they had usurped their place in Middle-earth, which was rightful. The Ñoldor fought Morgoth without military forces for centuries. Elves started mingling with mortals after the latter had come to the Beleriand. The Easterlings followed the Three Edain Houses, and some of them served Morgoth. The Ñoldor was the only clan who did not fear Men from the beginning, so Men served them, and after many years, the elves started respecting men. The Silmaril Quest was followed by the marriage of Lúthien and Beren.

This kind of bond enriched both of the kindreds. The Fëanor Oath was terrible and it created conflict between the kindreds of elves, and everyone became a part of it after the Silmaril was established again by Lúthien and Beren. After the loss of Finrod in the Pursuit for the Silmaril, two brothers named Curufin and Celegorm tried to usurp the Nargothrond' throne. They were immediately thwarted and expelled. The hound Orodreth and Huan were responsible for it.

However, the Nargothrond Ñoldor then helped the Maedhros Union when the Nirnaeth Arnoediad was going on. During the other half of the 1st Age, the Sons attempted to get the Silmaril from the ones who possessed it. These cruel and violent acts against their kin were followed by much death. Many died, but Maglor survived, and now he rambles the coasts of Middle-earth. He sings the Ñoldor suffering.

Decline and Later Days

When Beleriand was destroyed in the Wrath war, the Ñoldor repented their rebellious acts. Many of them came back to Eldamar together with a part of the Sindar clan. Those elves who did not leave Middle-earth managed to find beautiful and peaceful realms. The vast majority of the clan of Ñoldor dwelt with Gil-galad in Lindon, who was known as the Ñoldorn High King. Several centuries later, Celebrimbor, who was the last descendent of the Fëanor House, established another Ñoldorin realm, and he called it Eregion. The clan Sindar went to Lindon. They were with Gil-galad. Few of them went over the Misty Mountains, which was into Wilderland. They became the Silvan Elves leaders. It happened in Greenwood the Great [2] and Lothlórien.

Before 1200 SA, when Sauron showed up as Annatar, who was believed to have come to give knowledge to all elves, the realms of elves did nothing but flourish. Gil-galad never trusted Sauron, so he did not let him stay in his kingdom. Evil Sauron came to Celebrimbor and his Elves after this, and they let him in even though Gil-galad told them to do differently. They did not just accept him, but his knowledge as well. Annatar helped Celebrimbor to forge powerful rings, but the elf prince crated Three Rings in secret. Sauron never touched them directly with his power. Sauron also created the One Ring, which would help him rule all others. When Sauron's plan was revealed to the elves, they all took off the rings they had been wearing.

Nenya was sent to beautiful Galadriel. Narya and Vilya were sent to Gil-galad, who was in Lindon. That way, they would all be safe. Sauron was furious because his plans were foiled, and he specifically asked for the rings. The elves refused to give them, and it came to war. Sauron was ruining Middle-earth for eight years. He destroyed Eregion and murdered Celebrimbor after brutally torturing him. The Númenóreans helped Gil-galad and the elves to win. He decided to leave Eregion. He fled to Rivendell and made Elrond, his herald, the main person of this area. Lindon was the greatest elven kingdom in the whole Middle-earth. Surviving elves of Middle-earth moved there and kept living in the lands. They lived under caution because Sauron was still a considerable threat. During the other half of the 2nd Age, Men grew in the area of Middle-earth. Big mannish kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor were founded by The Faithful, who were from Númenór’s Downfall. [3] Men were supposed to supersede the Elves of Middle-earth, but they were too mighty, and they could join them one final time because they were numerous.

They joined their forces to destroy Sauron. Also, Gil-galad created the alliance of elves and men. It was with Elendil, who was Dúnedain’s High King, and who also managed to defeat Sauron in 3441 SA. Now the men were dominant, and there were fewer elves. They were also more secluded, and many of them were wary of the mortal lands. The domains of Lothlórien, Lindon, and Rivendell were the last havens of the bliss of elves. High Elves still dwelt in Lindon. However, most of them sailed towards the West. They did it after their king passed away. The last High Elf left went away from Middle-earth, which followed the ultimate defeat of Sauron, which happened when the Ring War ended. Those in Aman were quite happy and content.

That is how they had felt when the Ñoldorn Revolt still did not happen. Those were the ones who came back from Middle-earth during the 3rd and 4th Age. Some Elves never sailed to the Utter West, but they remained in the area of the Middle-earth instead. They dwelt in places like the Woodland Realm [4]. It was where Mirkwood used to be. With time, these groups became more secretive, but they were also less numerous. They wanted to stay hidden. After a certain period, they started fading away entirely. Their more powerful spirits consumed their bodies.

Elven groups

Elves were divided into two groups when The Valar summoned them to Aman for the first time. The first one was the Eldar, and these elves responded to the Valar’s summons well. They started the Great Journey. The second clan was Avari, and this group did not accept these summons. After this, they turned into the lesser and inferior elves. All the realms the Eldar (Beleriand) were ruined by Morgoth, but before that, they flourished in the First Age. Elven power waned during later ages. During the 2nd and 3rd Age, some of them still dwelt in companies that wandered. They traveled through the ample lands, which they adored, and many of them enjoyed gathering in Elven-realms. They were also gathered in Rivendell, Lindon, Lorien, and the Woodland Realm. The Ñoldor and the Sindar lords reigned over their populations in these places. Men were dominant at the end of the 3rd Age, which made some remaining elves of Middle-earth dwindling. They secretly became people. Three unions of the Edain (people) and the Eldar were established. The first elf-man couple who united in marriage was Lúthien and Beren. Idril and Tuor followed them, and Arwen and Aragorn were the third pair to unite. In Eldamar, the elves of the Eldar still live near the Valar. This will remain the same until the world ends.

Characteristics and Traits

Elves and Men are similar because they are both Eru Ilúvatar’s Children. A difference is that elves never age, and they were gifted with immortality. After they reach maturity, they never become elderly, and they cannot die of being old. However, they die if they are severely physically injured, and they may die if they do not feel like living after eons of existing. There were elves in the 1st Age that lived near Angband, who died from a disease of wasting. Presumably, it was issued from Morgoth's fortress, Thangorodrim, more precisely. These beings existed before people and before the Sun and Moon. Their death means passing to the Halls of Mandos, which is in Valinor. They wait for a long time, but after it, they can return to exist, or reincarnate.

To them, marriage and making love are the same, which means making love is the bodily union achieving marriage. When they get children, they are no more interested in sex. That day a child is born is not the moment it began existing, but the day of the procreation is celebrated. They reach the reach adult status when they turn fifty, and usually, they get married at this age. Those who choose to never unite in sacred matrimony have peculiar fates. Their eyes and voice tell others if they are in matrimony or not, and they take no one by force. It does not get along with their nature to do it.

Those who get forced can even reject their body, which means they can die. They never get divorced or have multiple marriages, because, to them, marriage is a sacred union of two souls that chose to become one. It is a part of their eternal nature to think so. To them, incestuous relationships are a taboo, but second cousins are allowed to be together and get married. These divine beings are immensely beautiful in both body and face.

There is only one difference between elven men and women when it comes to their appearance, and these are the parts required for the reproduction process. Compared to Men, their hearing and vision are far better. They can create magical objects, and they have skills, traits, and abilities that Men could only dream of having. The Ainur are their closest kindred (this is written in The Silmarillion), which means they are blessed with ethereal grace and numerous powers. With a light and springy step, these beings can travel for many miles. They never leave tracks. Where Men’s boots would become engulfed in the snow, that cannot happen to elves because of their light walk across this white mass. They need no sleep ever, but they can meditate. This way, they regain strength when they feel exhausted. They require subsistence, but compared to Men, they can easily handle different environments, or when they do not have food.

They were always slender, durable, and could easily handle extremes of illness, disease, and nature, even though they were very graceful beings. There are no implications that they had ears that were pointed. When Tolkien wrote about the Quendian ears, he used the words more pointed and leaf-shaped. Some of them were golden-haired, but this depends on the clan. Most of them had atypical hair color, which was probably due to the intermarriage between clans. They appreciated the beauty of nature like nothing else, and they particularly enjoyed being near water. Because of their desire to always learn and create beautiful things, they were very wise, and they knew things Men never did. Since they despised evil, it made them impenetrable to corruption compared to Men and other beings and creatures.​