Chronicle of Ages Book I
From Library of the Randirim
- ~~by Esslar
Contents |
Chapter 1: The Awakening
It began with awareness, as though waking from a long and transient dream that one could no longer recall. First came the sounds around them, of breath and water and wind, and then they would open their eyes. Above them were pine branches, though they did not yet have words to name them, and beyond those, newly set and shimmering in the heavens, were the stars. They awoke in pairs, either on the shores of a great lake, or in the woods just beyond, and found themselves in the twilight of the world. It was the Year of the Trees, and the elves, first of the Children of Iluvatar, were finally arrived.
Of those that awoke beneath the stars, there was a pairing that awoke amongst twenty three other pairs and found such delight in the stars above. Though they had not yet words, the twenty four pairs began to sing and this was the first song sung on Arda by mortal voices. Others there were, pairs that had awoken in other areas along the lake below, who came to them then and the first of the elves sang a song to the stars as one.
In time they began to develop words for themselves, and with words came names. Among them was a tall male with silver hair and blue eyes who with one exception loved nothing more than to gaze for endless hours at the stars. To him the name of Tinnutiri was given and to the one he loved most, the dark-haired female he had awoken with, was given the name of Tuilinn. For she it was who found the most delight in the small birds that flitted through the trees and she would dance beneath them and mimic their songs even when she had words and sounds of her own to sing in.
At first the elves in their youth had no cause for fear, for they dwelt in the youth of the world and while all was as dusk, they feared no shadow. In time though it was marked that as a single or a pair would go off into the woods alone, oft times they would not return. Whispers were then made of the imagined hunter in the trees who stole the fair people away when they were alone.
As it happened, Tinnutiri and Tuilinn delighted much in running through the woods, laughing as their bare feet bounded over pine and nettle and stone, but ever they would run with others to ward off the hunter. But as they ran with another pair, their feet carried them faster and further and in their mirth they did not notice the other pair fell behind. And then, as a sudden, it occurred to them that the laughter behind them was gone. They turned and called called, but no sound was made and no call answered. Tinnutiri and Tuilinn grew afraid and as their ran back to the lake their feet were sped by fear rather than delight. Afterwards they were saddened and remorseful for the pair that they had left, for those two never again did emerge from the wood and their names were forgotten, and Tinnutiri and Tuilinn would not again run free through the pines besides Cuiviénen.
It was not too long after that when another came into the valley of Cuiviénen and at first many of the elves feared him and hid from him for he road a great horse and carried gear that was foreign to them, for they had not yet seen weapons or implements of hunt. For this was Oromë, Valar of the Hunt, and he it was who upon hunting in the far east of Middle Earth had found the elves by their singing and he named them the Eldar, People of the Stars, and when the elves emerged from from their hiding he welcomed them. They saw that in the Great Hunter's face was the light of Valinor and then they were not afraid of him for all shadows and dark things flee from that holy light. They welcomed him then and told them of their troubles and Oromë grew concerned. He departed at great speed to return to his home and the elves knew naught of him for some time.
Then Oromë returned with the sounding of his great horn which caused all the vale to tremble. He told them of a dark lord to the North that was set against Lords of Valinor and therefore against the Eldar and he it was who had taken them in the dark. And then he told them that his own Lords had marched forth against this dark lord and it seemed to the elves that they saw to the north great flashes of lights and at times the stars were dimmed there close to the horizon as though obscured by a veil. For that was all they could see of the Seige of Utumno from their Vale and aside from the words of Oromë they knew not of Melkor or the evils spawned from his pits. Oromë stayed with them for the time however and no more elves then disappeared into the shadows.
When the northern horizon had been silent for a time, Oromë bid them to choose among them some that would follow him to Valmar and there they would hear the words of the Valar and be heard by the same. And there was a great discussion among the elves and having divided into three kindred they selected from each an ambassador to go forth with Oromë into the West. The names of these ambassadors were: Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë, who was said to be the tallest and mightest of all elves who would ever live. These three alone did Oromë take into the West at that time and their return would harken a great change for the Eldar...
Chapter 2: The Sundering
And so it came to pass that the ambassadors of the elves returned to Cuiviénen beside Oromë and told their peoples of many splendorous things. They spoke of great waters called seas and tall builds made with living hands, and of the Ring of Doom where sat the Lords of the West. The greatest thing of which they had to tell was light itself, and new words had to be conceived in their tongue to relay the thought of light and many were those who wished to go and see it. Others though did not wish to risk such a perilous and long traveling for they now knew fear or their love of the open spaces of Arda was greater than their desire to see the Trees of Valinor. And the latter felt that the larger portion of elves, whom wished to see light for themselves, were abandoning their purpose in Arda and they remained behind.
So it was that the elves were first Sundered, for many chose to follow the Three Kings and Oromë back to Aman to live in the light of the trees, and some felt that it was wrong to abandon the trees and stars and open places of middle-earth. These were named the Avari, or Unwilling in the tongue of those days, and seldom have they entered into stories ever again. Those that chose to leave were then re-affirmed as the Eldar and would be known as such forever more.
Among the Eldar there were three kindred. Ingwë was chosen as the King of the first peoples and they were known as the Vanyar or the Fair Folk. Swiftly they traveled forth beside Oromë to the west and so would eventually pass out of the knowledge of mortals. Only once again would they ever set foot on Arda but it would not be till the end of the Age.
Close to the Vanyar in stature were the Noldor, who had chosen Finwë as their king. These were a dark-haired folk who found much joy in crafting and deep thought as indeed they were known as Deep Elves. They went nearly as one with the Vanyar and they did not tarry along the Journey.
The third kindred were the Teleri, and amongst them they selected Elwë and Olwë his brother as their kings for they were by far the greatest host in number. The Teleri loved songs and the forests and it was painful for them to part with them and so they tarried along the road and in time fell behind the hosts of the Vanyar and the Noldor. Often they would settle along a place when Oromë departed from them and remain there until the return of the Great Hunter but the veil over the stars to the north and the uncertainty of the journey turned many of them away.
In time the Teleri host came to the Mountains that would eventually be known as the Misty Mountains. Many of them feared the immensity of the white-capped stones and they dared not to pass through them, for they were larger than they would be in later days and were marked as fangs that stabbed up at the stars themselves. Many then chose to abandon the Journey and remain in the woods they loved and these were known as the Nandor though they were later called Silvan or Green elves for their love of trees. The Nandor took Lenwë to be their king, for he was of Olwë's kin, and departed long from the knowledge of the Teleri. Of this parting Tinnutiri and Tuilinn grieved the most for they felt much affection for their woodland kin, but none the less they followed Elwë on the long road through the Mountains. The Journey through the Mountains was harsh and long but in time they came to the land beyond and passing through there to the Blue Mountains and thence to the Hither Lands.
Here they found that the Noldor and the Vanyar had dwelled for a time and there was a rejoining of the hosts and kindreds with much joy. Greatest, perhaps, of these reunions was that of Finwë and Elwë for both were fast friends and Elwë would often journey from his kindred to visit with Finwë. Yet it came to pass that on one such trip into the forest known as Nan Elmoth, Elwë did not return to either the Noldor nor the Teleri. Long they searched, and far, and Tinnutiri spent as much time as any calling for his King in the dark woods of the land of Beleriand.
In time the Valar Ulmo came with an island to ferry the Eldar unto Aman and he set it in the Bay of Balar and sent forth the summons to all who would come. With heavy heart the Vanyar and the Noldor boarded the island and were swept away to the West though the Teleri remained to search for the lost Elwë Singollo. And the Teleri then named themselves the Eglath, which meant "Forsaken Ones", for they held themselves a forsaken people though later they became known as Sindar or Grey Elves.
When much time passed and still Elwë was not found, Olwë his brother took those as would go and settled the land about the Bay of Belar and these then became the Falathrim, People of the Shores, and ever did they love the sea and learned the art of going upon it from the Maia Ossë. Also there were those who stretched forth to the northwest and there settled near to the Grinding Ice and they named themselves the Mithrim and afterwards that name was used for the land thereabouts.
But many still were those who remained in the woods of Nan Elmoth and Region and sought ever for their lost King though no sign of Elwë could ever be found. In time Ulmo returned with the isle of Tol Eressëa to ferry the Teleri to Aman and many of Olwë's people departed such. Olwë however persuaded some of the Falathrim to remain behind and he named Cirdan, who would be known as Cirdan the Shipwright, as chief of those peoples. Great was the sorrow of the sundering of the Teleri by the Great Sea, but many like Tinnutiri and Tuilinn could not bring themselves to abandon the great Elwë Singollo. In time he would return to them and one of the greatest countries of Elven-kind would be founded under his leadership, but at the time the Sindar felt it a sorrow.
Chapter 3: The Return of the King and the Founding of Eglador
While the sorrow of the Sundering was still fresh among the Sindar it happened that Elwë did return, nearly unlooked for, from the depths of Nan Elmoth and with him came the Maia Melian. Then it was revealed that Elwë had come across Melian singing in the depts of the wood and had become enchanted of her song and so stood frozen with her for all the time of his absence and now it was marked that Elwë was fair and tall and mighty and he was named Elu Thingol. There was grief among the Sindar for they could not now go forth to Valinor but in the face of Melian was found the light of Aman and in this many were content. Tuilinn especially became enraptured of her new queen for Melian ever went with nightingales about her and strong still was Tuilinn's love of the small birds of song.
Eagerly was Elu Thingol affirmed then as the Overlord of all Beleriand, from the people of the Mithrim in the north to those of the Falathrim along the southern coast. Thingol then established a kingdom in the midst of Beleriand and it was known then as Eglador which meant Land of the Forsaken. In the woods there, in the midst of Beleriand, gathered many of the Sindar and they dwelled long in the peace beneath the stars. All those that dwelt there were awed by Thingol's high doom and enlightened of Melian's wisdom and became both wise and skilled.
In time the Loremaster Daeron, greatest of all the singers of the Eldar, did create the Cirth alphabet. This proved a great boon in the days to come for near this time the Sindar encountered a new peoples making roads through Beleriand. At first they did not know what to make of the creatures which were short and wore long hair on their faces. It was long before they realized that the creatures spoke with words for the sounds of that language were uncouth and harsh to their ears. These they named the naugrim, the Stunted People, once they found that they did indeed speak and in time they would be more commonly known as Dwarves.
Though relations between Sindar and Naugrim was ever cool there was much trade made between them and both profited much from the other. Of the Dwarves they carved two great holds from the stone of the Blue Mountains named Nogrod and Belegost. Often they would venture into Beleriand for there they had much trade as their craft was much desired. The Dwarves traveled much making their trade and from them Thingol learned much of the world beyond. He learned some of the Nandor, the lost woodland kin who still lived far to the East and this made him glad. He heard also of dark and foul creatures that the Dwarves did not know of, but had seen at times in the wild. The Dwarves had thought them a lost portion of the Eldar, though twisted by some unknown shadow and had fought with them at many encounters.
Melian, who was wise and possessed of the foresight of the Maia, then counseled Thingol to see to the protection of his people and Thingol contracted the Dwarf's aid in this. In trade for many teachings, such as the use of the Cirth runes which Dwarves use still, and for pearls which the Dwarves had not yet known, Thingol purchased great stores of weapons and also the founding of Menegroth, City of a Thousand Caves. It is said of Menegroth that it was the fairest of dwellings that had ever been seen on Arda or ever would be seen. Vast were its halls and splendid were the walls whose carvings depicted the scenes of Aman and of the history of the world as they learned of it from Melian. Places were made for the dwarves as well so that they might ply their trade without needing to venture along the long paths to the Blue Mountains. Much of crafts the Sindar then learned of the dwarves though their own crafts never surpassed those of the Noldor and the Dwarves ever remained the greatest at the crafting of steel. This skill they put to use creating armories for the Elvenking and vast stores of arms and armor were laid aside.
As ever, Melian's foresight proved true for the foul creatures ventured into Beleriand in time and there the Sindar came upon them. Such was the first meetings of elves and orcs but as the elves were grander and clad in steel to match that of the orc, the skirmishes that were fought in those days were often won by the Sindar. Tinnutiri and Tuilinn often ventured forth as hunting parties were formed then. Together they slew many of the early orc, or yrch as the elves knew them, as they were seen as servants of an unseen and unmarked enemy. In that time, and through the battles beneath the trees and stars, they both became proficient in spear and sword and shield. The orcs grew to fear the parties of Sindar that patrolled Beleriand and in this way was the safety of Menegroth secured in those days.
As it happened at that time, quite unlooked for, a portion of the Nandor returned from the East and they were greeted warmly by the Sindar. They were lead by Denethor, who was the son of Linwë and Thingol gave to them the area of Ossiriand far to the east of Beleriand where they could reside in peace amid the trees and the rivers that they loved. And guarded by the Sindar to the north the Green Elves did not think of warfare or of arms and this proved foul in the days soon to come.
Chapter 4: The First Battle of Beleriand
Tinnutiri and Tuilinn ventured together beneath the long spinning of the stars in Beleriand and earned some acclaim for their defense of Menegroth. Of Tinnutiri it was said that the stars themselves were caught in his eyes and in that spark and his wit would all yrch find their doom on his spear. Tuilinn was marked to move with a grace and certainty about her foe and the flash of a storm's fire was in her eyes. They were given armor and arms befitting wardens of Eslador from the armories of Menegroth and their names were not among the least known. In those days they were the Star and the Sparrow and they took sigils which graced their shields with the height of elven and dwarven craft. Tinnutiri's shield bore twelve clear jewels set as stars in an azure field and over them was set the outline of an eye. Tuilinn's device bore the image of an indigo song bird in flight through a thunderstorm.
Long did Beleriand prosper in those days of peace and scholars have counted the time between the arrival of the Nandor and the return of the Noldor as numbering some a hundred and fifty years of the sun. Yet the sun had not yet risen over Arda and time to the Eldar was as yet unmarked, nor did they know of the doom that was soon to befall them.
It began at a festival beneath the trees. The Sindar had gathered in a celebration and spread a feast of fruits upon the grass. There songs were sung and poems recited and all were stunned by the beauty and music of Melian and her daughter Lúthien, and swayed by the power of Daeron's poetry and verse. But as the fabled loremaster and creator of runes began a verse on the turning of leaves in fall, there came a cry and all sound ceased. It came from far off, but was not lessened for distance but instead carried its message of fear and pain unto the Void itself. All revelry ceased at the sound and Melian's face looked as if stricken and she hastened to claim Thingol and lead him away to a private place for some secret council. None else there knew what the cry had been that of Morgoth, in fear of the hunger of Ungoliant as he fled forth from Valinor after darkening the Trees. And none among the Sindar but Melian could have a glimmer of what it heralded.
Things for a time after remained still, and the world seemed dimmed somehow, though none could mark the reason. Melian sunk into a sorrow and few could stir her from her grief though she would speak to none of its cause. In this time, Thingol saw foremost to the protection of his people. He appointed captains to lead his wardens into battle and among them were named Beleg Strongbow and Mablung of the Heavy Hand, of whom many songs are song. Also was named Tinnutiri as a captain but not Tuilinn, for Tuilinn was given a different duty, and one perhaps closer to Thingol's heart. He was sure of Menegroth's design but as one ever fears for what one loves, he was concerned for the safety of Melian and Lúthien. And so he selected twelve of the lady warriors of the Sindar and these he named Ainitirith, which is Westron means Goddess Guard, and set them to guard his wife and child. Tuilinn was proud to be of those twelve, though she feared to be parted from her love in battle.
And so it was that the two devised how they might guard the other so that they were far apart. It has ever been the custom of elves to exchange a token to mark marriage and this these two, who had awoken together so long ago, had never done. So beseeching the greatest of weaponsmiths within Menegroth they each created a weapon for the other. In a ritual then, beneath the stars above Menegroth, they swore their oath to one another, in the company of the Captains and Ainitirith, to love each other and guard all Sindar until they were called unto Valinor for this was what was in their hearts and this they swore on the stars above. To her husband Tuilinn gifted a spear worthy of a great elven warrior. Its blade glinted and sparked in the starlight and a line of runes ran around the haft bearing an inscription. Accepting this with gratitude, Tinnutiri gave to his wife a sword, slim and sure, and in its edge could be seen the sparkle of the starlit sky and along the blade could be read its own inscription in Cirth runes.
The newlyweds delighted with each other then for a short time, ignoring the troubles of the world beyond their chamber, until word came to Menegroth. Orcs had come from the north and were marching forth for the first time in great numbers. Much confusion there was among the Sindar then but Thingol strode among them as a king resolute and his Captains followed him and the wardens and soldiers of Eglador followed after them. Among them was Tinnutiri and though Tuilinn donned her armor and stood near to Melian as was her duty, it brought her heart sorrow to be parted so. Melian and her ladies gave their guardians kind words, for Tuilinn was not the only Ainitirith split from their love by war, and this served to salve some of her heart.
The forces of the Sindar marched forth for the first time in their full strength and heading east they arrived at Amon Ereb. There, on the slopes of that great hill, they met with the Nandor forces from Ossiriath. Though the Nandor were well skilled with bows and woodcraft, they were lightly armed and ill prepared for battle. When the orcs closed the Sindar wreaked doom upon them. Thingol's sword and Beleg's bow caused the foul yrch to cower before them and Mablung, Tinnutiri, and other captains lead their wardens into war beneath the stars. This was the first battle ever fought on Arda by mortals and would be named by history as the First Battle of Beleriand. For Morgoth had arrived in his fortress of Angband and sent forth his armies of orcs to try and capture Beleriand before the arrival of the Noldor.
The battle of Sindar and Nandor against the orcs was long and savage, for great were the orcs' numbers. Few of the Sindar fell under the leadership of Thingol and the Captains but the Nandor took heavy losses. Among them was Denethor their king, who fell with his company before Thingol could reach him. This stirred the wrath of the Eldar even higher and it was smote in the black blood of the orc upon Amon Ereb. Greatest of the battles that day was that between Elu Thingol and the Orc Chieftain Boldog. Then was the full measure of Thingol's strength uncovered for all to see and the orcs fled from his wrath. The Sindar gave chase while the Nandor wept for their fallen king and many more orcs were killed in that pursuit. What few orcs survived Amon Ereb were then killed by the dwarves that had come down from Mount Dolmed.
In the aftermath, Thingol learned of another host of orcs that had besieged the haven of the Falathrim but these had fled away North before the Sindar arrived. As the Sindar would soon learn, another battle occurred there between the Noldor coming down from the icy north and the orcs, but for now the Eldar resolved to cure themselves of their hurts. The Nandor swore to never again take a king or to wage open war and the Falathrim set to rebuilding their high towers and great vessels. The bounds of Eglador however were set under an enchantment known as the Girdle of Melian and by the Queen's power all would lose their way and be turned from that realm unless they came at the wish of Melian or Thingol. Then after Eglador was ever known as Doriath, the Fenced In Land. Behind the Girdle and with the wardens patrolling the marshes to the North, Doriath would not again be directly involved in the Wars of Beleriand between the Noldor and Angband.
