Beleg befriended Turin during the latter's apprenticeship in arms and tried to aid him during his outlawry; together the Two Captains performed great deeds. He succeeded in freeing Turin from the Orcs who had captured him at Amon Rûdh, but Turin unknowingly slew him. Beleg was primarily a bowman, but in the last year of his life he bore the sword Anglachel, by which he was slain. His bow, Belthronding, was buried with him. He was known as Beleg Strongbow, Beleg Cuthalion (the Sindarin equivalent), and the Bow

Eventually the horrors of Sauron forced Beren to leave Dorthonion, and crossing Ered Gorgoroth and Nan Dungortheb (the only Man or Elf to do so) he came to Doriath Passing the Girdle of Melian, he saw Luthien dancing in Nel- doreth in the summer of FA 465, and he fell in love with her. She returned his love the following spring, but after a few months they were betrayed to Thingol, who demanded a Silmaril in return for his daughter's hand. Although Thingol thought he had found a clever way to rid himself of Beren, the hero went to Nargothrond, where Finrod was ready to fulfill his oath to aid the heirs of Barahir. Together with ten companions, Beren and Finrod traveled north. When they were captured by the forces of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, Finrod was defeated by Sauron and at length died saving Beren from the devouring werewolf of the dungeons.

But Luthien and Huan overcame Sauron, released Beren, and after a fight with Curufin and Celegorm, the three entered Angband. Luthien overcame Carcharoth and Morgoth and Beren took a Silmaril from the Iron Crown. During their retreat Carcharoth bit off and swallowed Beren's right hand and the Silmaril it held. Rescued by the eagles, Beren and Luthien came at last to Doriath, where they were reconciled with Thingol. Slain soon after by Carcharoth, the dying Beren gave the Silmaril to Thingol, thus fulfilling the Quest of the Silmaril.

Luthien died of grief soon after, but obtained from Mandos the grace that she and Beren might have a second life in Middle-earth. On their return, they lived in isolation on Tol Galen with their son, Dior. Beren left Tol Galen but once, to avenge the murder of Thingol on the Dwarves of Nogrod and recover the Silmaril. He and Luthien died sometime after this. Their deeds of valor were the noblest of the Children of Iluvatar and were inspired by their love, the greatest ever known. From their union (the first of Elda and Adan) and their deeds came Eärendil and the salvation of Middle-earth.

Beren was known as Beren One-hand - in Sindarin Erchamion; he called himself Camlost, the Empty-handed. after his return from Angband.

When Arvernien was ravaged by the sons of Fëanor, by the power of Ulrno Elwing flew to Eärendil at sea, and with her Silmaril they won through to Aman. There Eärendil gained the mercy of the Valar for the peoples of Beleriand, but he, a mortal who had walked in the Undying Lands, his ship, and the Silmaril were set in the sky as a sign of hope to those oppressed by evil. He slew Ancalagon in the Great Battle, and later guided the Edain to Numenor. Eärendil possessed the beauty, wisdom, and hardiness of his noble Eldarin and Adanic ancestry. He was known as Bright Eärendil, Eärendil the Mariner, and Eärendil the Blessed.

As a star, Eärendil seems to have corresponded to Venus, and was referred to as the Flammifer of Westernesse, as well as the Morning Star, the Evening Star, and Gil-Estel. He was the star most beloved of the Elves, and his light had great power.

Elros led the remnant of the Edain to Numenor and was appointed first King of the Dunedain (32-442) by the Valar. His heirs were the Kings of Numenor, Arnor, and Gondor. Elros took Tar-Minyatur as his regnal name; he built the royal tower and citadel at Armenelos.

In the Second Age Gil-galad remained in Middle-earth as Lord of Lindon, fighting off Sauron during the Dark Years with aid from Numenor. When Sauron arose again after the fall of Numenor and attacked Gondor, Gil-galad formed the Last Alliance of Men and Elves with Elendil, and with Elendil he led the army that in 3434 defeated Sauron in the Battle of Dagorlad and besieged the Barad-dur. In 3441 Gil-galad and Elendil overthrew Sauron but were themselves slain; Gil-galad was burned to death by Sauron's heat.

Gil-galad's weapon was the famous spear Aeglos. He was the first bearer of Vilya, the greatest of the Three Rings. In another storyline he is the son of Felagund. Previous names include Findor.

In Eldamar he married Nerdanel, who bore him seven sons and restrained the excesses of his passion. During this time, the Noontide of Valinor, Fëanor, instructed by his father-in-law Mahtan and by Aulë, made his great inventions: the Tengwar, and the art of fabricating gems and crystals, especially the Silmarilli and perhaps also the Palantiri. But Melkor, coveting the Silmarils, sowed dissension between Fëanor and his half-brother Fingolfin, until at last Fëanor spoke against the Valar and drew a sword on Fingolfin. For this he was banished from Tirion for twelve years, although he was reconciled with Fingolfin. Even though he saw through the plots of Melkor, Fëanor remained distrustful of the Valar and grew excessively fond of the Silmarils; when the Two Trees were poisoned he refused to give up the Silmarils which preserved their light. But when he heard the further tragedy of Melkor's murder of Finwë and theft of the Silmarils, Fëanor resolved to return to Middle-earth in pursuit of Melkor, defying the Valar and swearing the terrible Oath of Fëanor (q.v.), by which he, his sons, and Beleriand were later doomed. Undeterred by the banishment of Manwë and the Doom of Mandos, the fey Fëanor led the Noldor forth, in his haste and pride instigating the Kinslaying at Alqualondë and the desertion of Fingolfin in Araman.

In Middle-earth Fëanor immediately won Dagor-nuin-Giliath, but in his wrath he recklessly pursued the fleeing Orcs into Dor Daedeloth, where he was overwhelmed by Balrogs and fatally wounded. Although rescued by his sons, he died near Eithel Sirion, he who brought to the Noldor their greatest renown and their most grievous woe.

His birth-name was CuruFinwë; he was called Fëanor (from the Quenya Feanaro, the name given him by Miriel) because of the burning spirit evident within him.

Noldorin prince, second son of Finwë; his mother was Indis. His children were Fingon, Turgon, and Aredhel. Although insulted and attacked by Fëanor in Eldamar, Fingolfin remained temperate and forgiving. He joined the revolt of the Noldor at the urging of his sons and to protect his people from the rashness of Fëanor; he also led the people of Finarfin. Deserted by Fëanor in Araman, Fingolfin led the dangerous crossing of the Helcaraxe. As he marched into Middle-earth the Moon rose, flowers sprang up at his feet, and the forces of Morgoth retreated. But Fingolfin prudently established himself in Hithlum, preparing for a long war. After the death of Fëanor he was named High King of the Noldor (1-455), and for hundreds of years he coordinated the Siege of Angband. When the Edain entered Beleriand, Fingolfin established ties with the Third House, which he allowed to settle in Dor-lomin.

During Dagor Bragollach Fingolfin and his forces were forced to retreat from Ard-galen to Eithel Sirion and the Ered Wethrin. At last, perceiving the defeat of the Noldor on all fronts, Fingolfin was overwhelmed by the rage of despair. He charged alone across Ard-galen to the Gate of Angband and challenged Morgoth to single combat. Fingolfin gave Morgoth seven wounds, but finally he was overborne and slain. His body was recovered by Thorondor and buried in the northern Echoriath. Fingolfin was the strongest and most valiant of the mighty sons of Finwë. His
banners were blue and silver, and he bore the sword Ringil. He was called the King of the North.

Finrod was the first of the Eldar to encounter the Edain, whom he instructed in Ossiriand. He fought in the Wars of Beleriand; during Dagor Bragollach he was surrounded by Orcs in the Fen of Serech but was rescued by Barahir, to whom he gave the ring of Barahir as a pledge of aid to his house. When Beren later came to Nargothrond for that aid, Finrod gallantly went forth to his doom in the Quest of the Silmaril. Overcome by Sauron in a duel of songs of power, Finrod was imprisoned with Beren in what had been his own dungeons of Minas Tirith. Finrod was slain by a wolf defending Beren and was buried on Tol Sirion.

Finrod was very powerful, but also wise and just. He was a great traveler. He was called Felagund and Master of Caves by the Dwarves for his labors at Nargothrond, Nom by the Edain whom he instructed, and the Faithful and Friend-of-Men for giving his life for Beren. The original form of his name was Q. - Findarato. Tolkien used an earlier form - Inglor

The land far to the East of Palisor where the Secondborn Children of Ilúvatar (Men) awakened at the appointed time in the Slumbrous vale; Murmenalda. The place for the awakening of men were not known by the Valar until it occurred. During the shaping of Arda there were in the West of Hildórien the raised Mountains of Wind and in the East washed the waves of the East Sea along the shores. In the South-West the Yellow Mountains and in the North-West the Orocarni-The Red Mountains. After the first great battle with Melkor the shape of Middle-earth were changed and the Yellow Mountains disappeared in the Inner Sea and the Mountains of Wind were heavily flattened into high hills as far as it can be clarified from the old ( and never replaced ) stories and later maps.

In this storyline there was a darkelf named Nuin who, while climbing the high hills found the vale Murmenalda in Hildórien upon a journey into the far East. He returned to the vale several times looking upon the sleeping Humans and last he awoke two of them; Ermon and Elmir during the night when the stars were still the only light.

1. Dor-lómin in the west and
2. Mithrim in the east

Freed by Morgoth a year after the death of his son Turin, Hurin wandered through Beleriand, embittered by the lies of Morgoth. In Dimbar he called to Turgon to come to him, thus revealing to Morgoth the approximate location of Gondolin. At Cabed Naeramarth he came upon Morwen on the day of her death, and he buried her with Turin. In Nargothrond he slew Mim and recovered the Nauglamir, which he brought to Thingol in Menegroth. There Melian freed him from Morgoth's deceptions, and Hurin went away to die. Hurin was short but strong both in mind and body, a great warrior but also cautious and wise in strategy. He was called Hurin Thalion and Hurin the Steadfast, for his sacrifice to save Gondolin, his refusal to retreat from his homeland and his fortitude in bearing the torment of Morgoth and his doom, the greatest of undeserved ruins suffered by any among the Edain.

In FA 465 Luthien was seen by Beren in Neldoreth, and the next spring she gave her love to him and received his mortality and the anguish of his fate. Torn between love for Beren and obedience to her father, Luthien decided on the former, and she aided Beren during his Quest of the Silmaril. Despite being betrayed to Thingol by Daeron and kidnapped by Curufin, Luthien, accompanied by Huan, at length came to Tolin-Gaurhoth, defeated Sauron, and freed Beren. Later she insisted on accompanying Beren to Angband, where her spells overcame Carcharoth and Morgoth. Luthien healed Beren of the envenomed wound he received from Carcharoth and returned with him to Doriath.

When Beren was slain in the Hunting of the Wolf, Luthien's spirit broke, and she came to Mandos in the Houses of the Dead. There she sang to him and moved him to pity, and Manwë offered her a new life. She chose a mortal life with Beren, and for about forty years the two lovers lived in Tol Galen. There Luthien bore her only child, Dior, and there, wearing the Nauglamir containing the Silmaril, she was the greatest vision of beauty ever seen outside Valinor.

Luthien's beauty was so great that it impelled many beings to love or lust, and in that impulse the integrity of Beren and Huan may be distinguished from the baseness of Daeron, Curufin, and Morgoth. Yet her beauty was not merely of form, for her singing could charm even Morgoth and Mandos, great among the Ainur, and the nobility of her spirit and of her lineage strengthened her spells so that she could enchant Sauron and even Morgoth. Luthien was called Tinuviel for the beauty of her singing; the name was first used by Beren.In the Middle Earth histories she is noted as the ancestress to Beren (He is half-elven) rather than the grandmother to Elwing.

For many years Maedhros dwelt at Himring, guarding the March of Maedhros and curbing the arrogant pride of his brothers. A patient ruler and strong warrior, Maedhros led the eastern forces in the Wars of Beleriand, winning a great victory in Dagor Aglareb and regrouping the eastern Noldor at Himring after Dagor Bragollach. About 472 Maedhros, strengthened by the Easterlings of Bor and heartened by the triumphs of Beren and Luthien, formed the Union of Maedhros to assault Angband. But the Union was betrayed by the Easterlings of Ulfang, and after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad Maedhros fled to Ossiriand or Amon Ereb.

After the death of Beren and Luthien, the Oath of Fëanor overcame Maedhros, and he participated in the sacks of Doriath and the Havens of Sirion. Although he repented of his cruelties, he remained driven by the Oath. Finally, after the Great Battle, Maedhros persuaded Maglor to join him in stealing the Silmarils, and claimed one jewel as his own. Tormented by the pain of the jewel, which burned his hand, and by the knowledge of his moral decay, which had deprived him of his right to the Silmaril, Maedhros cast himself and the Silmaril into a fiery chasm.

Maedhros was tall and, after Maglor, the most temperate of the sons of Fëanor. But his spirit was fierce, especially after his torment on Thangorodrim, and the sword he wielded with his left hand, deadly.

He was valiant, learned, perceptive and influential, but Maeglin was also reticent and sullen. He was also known as Lómion. He wore the sword Anguirel, which he stole from his father. Previously rejected names by Tolkien include Meglin, Morleg, Morlin, Targlin and Glindûr.

Melian and Thingol ruled in Doriath for many centuries, but when at last Thingol was slain by treacherous Dwarves, Melian departed from the halls of Menegroth and returned across the Great Sea to Valinor. Originally given the name Gwendelin

Melkor was one of the Ainur who entered into Ea, but there his eagerness turned to jealousy and he was excluded from the numbers of the Valar. Desiring to dominate created things and the wills of others, Melkor in his envy and malice claimed Arda as his own and, foiled in this by Manwë, hindered its completion and corrupted many of the Maiar into serving him. In these struggles, the First War, Melkor assumed a fana of majesty and terror, dark and huge. At last Melkor was defeated by Tulkas, but Arda was marred.

Soon after the Valar created the two Lamps (Illuin & Ormal), Melkor returned to Arda and secretly built the stronghold of Utumno in the far North. By now his desire had turned from Light to Darkness, and his ability to imagine and create new things had been reduced to deception and distortion, imitation and destruction. His chief weapons were cold and darkness. The Valar became aware of him by the blight that came over the Spring of Arda, but he forestalled their attack by destroying the Lamps. Melkor then retreated to Utumno, and while the Valar dwelt in the light of the Two Trees, he built Angband as a first defense against the Valar, forged weapons, bred monsters, and extended his dominion. When the Elves awoke he appeared among them as a dark Rider (seeking to make them fear Oromë and the Valar), capturimg Elves and from them breeding Ores. At last the Valar became concerned for the safety of the Elves they defeated Melkor carried him back to Valinor in chains. There he was imprisoned for three ages, but in Middle-earth his servants continued to labor. At the end of the third age of his Chaining, Melkor put a fair countenance and deceived Manwë into freeing him. oced to remain in Valimar, Melkor envied the Silmarils and the light of the Two Trees. Fiercely jealous of Elder Children of Iluvatar, he kindled dissension within House of Finwë, but he could not seduce Fëanor, although his lies did make the Noldor distrust the Valar. When Fëanor perceived his purposes Melkor fled from Valinor. Assuming permanently his old fana of the Dark Lord, Melkor came to Avathar, where he was aided by Ungoliant to obtain the Silmarils and deprive all others of their light. Melkor and Ungoliant poisoned the Two Trees, stole the Silmarils, and slew Finwë. They fled to Middle-earth, where they quarreled over the spoils which led to violence; Melkor's cry gave summoned his Balrogs, with whose aid he escaped Ungoliant and came to Angband. Now known as Morgoth (a name given him by Fëanor), Melkor defended the Silmarils against the Noldorin Exiles, although he also found time to corrupt the newly awakened Men. At first, dismayed by the light of the Moon and the Sun, as well as by the fiercness of the Noldor, Melkor was defeated, and for nearly four hundred years he was besieged in Angband. He spent this time strengthening his forces (created Glaurung), and he renewed the Wars of Beleriand with the assault of Dagor Bragollach, which marked the beginning of his conquest of Beleriand.

Although not courageous in person, and although he was merely wounded by Fingolfin and Thorondor and lost a Silmaril to Beren and Luthien, at last Melkor produced in Angband enough fires, vapors, pestilences, and monsters (dragons, trolls. Orcs, wolves, and bats) to wear down his enemies, and the lies and treachery he fomented prevented the Eldar from fighting effectively or wisely. Even the loss of the Silmaril aided him, for the Oath of Maedhros and the Doom of the Noldor caused his enemies to slay each other. But when all seemed won, the Valar, moved by Eärendil and the Silmaril interceded once more, and in the War of Wrath Melkor's forces were destroyed. He was captured in the depths of Angband and cast out of Ea into the Void. Yet the Shadow of his malice and his lies remains on the hearts of Elves and Men and is mirrored in the broken patterns of Arda Marred. In later ages Melkor was worshipped by the Numenoreans and other Men deceived by Sauron.Also known as Bauglir. Earlier name of Melko.

Loved by Brandir and Turin, she married the latter in 500 and conceived a child the next spring. Soon after, Turin went to hunt Glaurung. Following him to Cabed-en-Aras, Nienor arrived in time to bind his wounds and hear the last words of Glaurung, which restored her memory. Realizing that she had married her brother and now carried his child, Nienor leaped to her death from Cabed-en-Aras. Her body was never recovered. Nienor possessed the courage and beauty of her line, but her life was blighted by the curse of Melkor on her family.

Thingol prospered for many hundreds of years. But at last, desiring to keep his beloved Luthien from Beren, he demanded a Silmaril as her bride-price, and thus was drawn into the Doom of the Noldor. After this time Thingol was more involved in the Wars of Beleriand. He was reconciled with Beren, who later saved his life during the Hunting of the Wolf, refused the demands of the sons of Fëanor for the Silmaril, succored homeless Edain, notably Turin, Morwen, and Nienor, and won the hatred and fear of Morgoth. After the fall of Nargothrond, Hurin gave Thingol the Nauglamir in gratitude for his kindness to his family, but when Thingol decided to set the Silmaril in the Necklace he was slain by the workmen - -Dwarves of Nogrod who coveted the treasures of their people and of Fëanor.

Thingol was the only Sindar to have seen the Two Trees, and thus was numbered among the Calaquendi. His inborn nobility was greatly enhanced by his journey to Valinor and his marriage to Melian; he had silver hair and was the tallest of the Children of Iluvatar. Usually cautious and discerning, he was quick to anger and pride when he encountered injustice. He bore the sword Aranruth.

Elwë was surnamed Greycloak, in Quenya Elwë Sindacollo or Singollo, in Sindarin Elu Thingol, whence his most common name, Thingol, in later histories. Also called King Greymantle, Thingol Greycloak, and the Hidden King.

Island located in Ossiriand on the Adurant river. Became the dwelling place of Beren and Luthien after their "return". Became known as the land of the dead - Dor Firn-i-Guinar S.

Ulmo had long ago chosen Tuor as his instrument, and in 496 the Vala prompted him to go in secret to Nevrast, where he found the sword and armor left there nearly 400 years earlier by Turgon, Ulrno then instructed Tuor to go to Gondolin, giving him a cloak of shadow and a companion of the Gondolindrim, Voronwë. Bearing the tokens of Ulrno, Tuor gained admittance to Gondolin, where he delivered the message of warning given him by Ulmo. But Turgon in his pride refused to flee from Gondolin, and Tuor also remained there, growing strong in body and wise in Elven-lore. In 503, in the second of the unions of Elda and Adan, Tuor married Idril, and the following spring their only child, Eärendil, was born.

When Gondolin was overrun by Morgoth, Tuor rescued Idril and Eärendil from Maeglin, whom he slew, and with Idril led the remnant of the Gondolindrim to the Havens of Sirion. Tuor had yearned for the Sea ever since being led to Nevrast by Ulmo, and in his old age he and Idril sailed to the West in his great ship Eärramë. Their fate is unknown, but it is said that Tuor was admitted to Eldamar, the only mortal Man to be numbered among the Eldar.

In 51 and 52, Turgon was instructed by Ulmo to prepare a secret kingdom and was shown the hidden valley of Tumladen. After 52 years of secret labor, Turgon led his people into Gondolin, where he ruled for over 500 years, largely ignoring the events of the Wars of Beleriand. Aside from the misadventure of Eol, the splendor of Turgon's reign in Gondolin was undisturbed until Dagor Bragollach, when Turgon was brought his father's body by Thorondor. Two years later Thorondor brought him Hurin and Huor, whom he fostered for a year and then allowed to return to Dor-lomin. At this time Turgon foresaw the doom of the Noldor, and he secretly sent mariners to try to obtain the mercy of the Valar. None of these missions was successful and only one of the mariners, Voronwe, survived the Shadowy Seas.

For some reason Turgon joined the Union of Maedhros and fought alongside Fingon in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, but the sacrifice of Hurin, Huor, and the Third House of the Edain enabled him to retreat without revealing the location of Gondolin. When Tuor came to Gondolin in 496, Turgon welcomed him, but in his pride he refused to follow the advice of Uimo to flee to the Havens of Sirion. But now the full malice of Morgoth was directed toward Turgon, last of the House of Finwë to control a realm in Middle-earth. At last, aided by the despair of Hurin and the treachery of Maeglin, Morgoth discovered the location of Gondolin, and Turgon was slain defending his Tower.

A wise and cautious ruler, aware of the Doom of the Noldor and the ultimate futility of direct opposition to Melkor, Turgon nonetheless fell into the pride of his kindred. But from his caution, and the friendship of Ulmo, came the extra years of survival that allowed the union of Tuor and Idril and the birth of Eärendil, Turgon's grandson, who at length obtained the aid by which Morgoth was defeated Turgon wrought Glingal and Belthil, the splendid images of the Two Trees. His sword was Glamdring, which was made for him.

With Gwindor, Turin entered Nargothrond, where he named himself Agarwaen, son of Umarth—the Bloodstained, son of Ill-fate. But he reached his full manhood in Nargothrond, and between 488 and 496 he became a great warrior and trusted counsellor, inducing King Orodreth to oppose the Orcs openly in Talath Dirnen. During these years the Elves of Nargothrond named him Adanedhel, for his beauty and noble bearing, and the Mormegil, the Black Sword of Nargothrond, for the sword Gurthang (the reforged Anglachel of Beleg) which he bore. During these years Finduilas came to love him, but he did not return her love. Turin fought valiantly in the disastrous Battle of Tumhalad, but returning to Nargothrond, whose ruin his counsels of open war had ensured, he was ensnared by Glaurung. Released by the dragon, he went to Dor-lomin to seek his mother and unknown sister instead of following the Orcs who had captured Finduilas. When he discovered in Hithlum that he had been tricked, Turin fell into a rage and slaughtered many Easterlings.

Returning toward Nargothrond, Turin, naming himself Wildman of the Woods, learned of the death of Finduilas in Brethil. Again he sickened with grief, but being healed by Brandir he settled among the Haladin, renaming himself Turambar. For several years (497-501) Turin lived obscurely, keeping the Crossings of Teiglin and Haudh-en-Elleth free from Orcs but using neither the Dragon-helm nor Gurthang. In 500 he married the maiden Niniel, who was actually his sister Nienor. The next year Glaurung menaced Brethil and Turin slew him, but the dying dragon's malice caused Turin to slay Brandir (-who he thought was lying about Niniel's true identity) and then himself. He was buried beneath the Stone of the Hapless.

Turin had the grey eyes and dark hair of his mother's people. A mighty warrior (probably with Hurin the mightiest of his line) and a noble man, Turin was marred by the griefs of his life (not the least of which was his lifelong uncertainty about his mother's welfare) and the curse of Morgoth, and he tended to be excessive in anger and sorrow.

Original derivations of his name include Turumarth, Agarwaen, Iarwaeth, hurin and Thuringud

After fleeing the Balrogs whips from Melkor's scream, she stayed for a time beneath Ered Gorgoroth which became known as Nan Dungortheb - The Valley of Dreadful Death. It was so named because of the fear and horror that she bred there. Once she was healed of her wounds and spawned her brood(Shelob being one of them) she went into the South of the World and was never heard of again. Also spelled Ungoliantë