| Additional Silmarillion Images |
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| just click on the image for a larger view |
Earendil searches through Tirion,the main city of Eldamar, built in the Calacirya on the hill of Tuna. The highest Tower was the Mindon Eldalieva, at the base of which
grew the White Tree Galathilion. Earendil is granted audience to the Valar and obtains their mercy on behalf of the peoples of Beleriand. Thus begins the War of Wrath and the
subjugation of Morgoth and the ending of the First Age. |
 Turin returns to Menegroth to rest. Saeros, jealous of Turin, taunts him at the dinner table where Turin throws a goblet at him.
The following day, Saeros seeks revenge and attacks Turin, Saeros is overcome and falls over a cliff while fleeing. Presuming himself an outlaw,he gathers a band of desperate men on Amon Rudh |
 The First Dawn of the Sun - The Maia Arien
, a powerful spirit of fire(perhaps akin to the Valaraukar before there corruption by Melkor) is chosen by the Valar to guide the Sun (Anar) |
 Following Feanor's kinslaying of the Teleri, he
compounds his treachery by burning the ships at Losgar(at the mouth of Drengist), abandoning Fingolfin and the main Noldor host in Araman. Fingolfin leads the Noldor, at great hardship, across the Helcaraxe(Grinding Ice).They view the Moon's first appearance(Ithil)
as they set foot on Middle-Earth and greet it with silver trumpets. |
 After the First and Second Battles(beginning of the Solar Years)
Morgoth lures Maedhros into a conference at which he is seized by Balrogs and nailed by one hand to a cliff in Thangorodrim. His friend Fingon finds him and, lifted up by Thorondor, King of Eagles, frees him by cutting off his hand. Maedhros, grateful,
begs Fingolfin's pardon for the desertion in Araman. Also renounces in his favor the office of High King of the Noldor |
 The greatest and noblest of birds, created by Manwe (and Yavanna) before the
awakening of the Elves. They are the Lords of the kelvar. They protected Gondolin from the spies of Morgoth and here is depicted the oncoming wave during the War of Wrath and, with Earendil, defeat the winged dragons of Morgoth |
 During the 5th battle, the battle of Unnumbered Tears, the Hador of Dor-lomin,
captained by Huor and Hurin, fight to the last. Hurin is captured alive and taken to Angband. Morgoth, unable to break Hurin's will and force him to reveal the location of Gondolin, curses him and sits him, bound, on a high peak whence he
must watch evil overtake his wife and children |
 The Neldoreth Forest - Enclosed within the Girdle of Melian, it was here
Luthien was born and met Beren. The trees were mostly hemlock and beeches. Also called Taur-na-Neldor. |
 The Valar Orome, on his great steed Nahar, discovers the Elves at
Cuivienen after one of his hunting expeditions. He leads them back on the Great Journey to Aman |
 In 3319 Ar-Pharazon launched his vast navy. At first there was no
wind and the slaves rowed, probably making about two knots. At dusk an east wind picked up, and they were whisked out of sight by morning. For thirty-nine days they journeyed, and on the final day they surrounded Eressea at sunset and camped
that night at Tuna. The next day at midmorning the world was broken. The only Numenoreans who escaped were the settlers already on Middle-earth and some of the Faithful." Qn advice of Amandil, Elendil and his sons had prepared ships: four for
Elendil, three for Isildur, and two for Anarion." The ships were blown wildly east when the cataclysm occurred. Elendil was cast upon Lindon, and the brothers made their way to Pelargir. With them they bore the fruit of Nimloth, the palantiri,
and the stone that was set at Erech — all valuable in the establishment of the Realms in Exile.
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Eol is a Teleri elf, a kinsman to Elu Thingol. Being "uncomfortable" in Doriath when the Girdle of Melian was set he moved outside of it to dwell in Nan Elmoth. Thingol granted him permissiom
however, Eol had to relinquish the sword Anglachel. Eol became a smith and a friendship grew with the Dwarves. Around the year 300 of the First Age (Solar Years) he encounters Aredhel(Turgon's sister), seduces
and marries her.They have one child, Maeglin. When Maeglin and Aredhel flee to Gondolin, Eol tracks them there. Given by Turgon the choice of life in Gondolin or death, he chose the latter and tries to take
the life of his son with a poisoned dart. However, Aredhel steps into the dart's path and dies. Eol is cast over the precipice Caragdur, cursing Maeglin with his last words. Eol's greatest invention was the
metal galvorn, which was malleable but as hard as steel. |
 Sauron, as mentioned in Volume XI of The History of Middle-Earth.
It was here that Sauron captured Tol Sirion and re-named it Taur-nu-fuin (Isle of the werewolves). An excerpt from the Story of Beren and Luthien - ... and the towers of Sauron trembled, and he sent forth Draugluin the greatest of his werewolves. But Huan
slew Draugluin, and when Sauron himself came forth in wolf-hame he overthrew him. Thus Sauron was constrained to yield up Tol-sirion, ere bereft of his bodily form he passed away as a black shadow into Taur-nu-Fuin. Source: The War of the Jewels.
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 - Alqualonde 'Swans'-haven' (Q.) High-elven city ofEldamar, built during the
Elder Days by Olwe prince of the Telerin Elves, after the belated arrival on the shores of the Undying Lands of that remnant of his people which he led. The Haven was so named because the Teleri reached Aman with the aid of great swans;
these towed their enchanted ships the last stage of the Great Journey, from Eressea to Eldamar. It lay to the north of Tirion. The Kinslaying at Alqualonde - The two kindreds involved were the Noldor, led by Feanor and he Teleri, the
'Sea-elves' of Alqualonde - their city and haven on the northern shores of the Bay of Eldamar - whose King was Olwe. Feanor hastening north at the head ofthe fleeing Noldor,desired to use the ships of the Sea-elves to transport his host to
Middle-earth; also he desired to enro1l the Teleri in his rebellion. But 0lwe refused both, so Feanor attempted to take the ships by force from the quaysides of Alqualonde where they were moored. There followed a fight with the Sea-elves, and
before long the Noldor had drawn their new-forged swords, and had begun to kill. The Teleri, now reinforced from the city, still fought on, but Noldor of other Houses now rushed forward to join in the battle, for they were still unaware that it had
been Feanor who had opened the hostilities; and with their added strength Feanor prevailed over the mariners of Olwe. Many of these were slain; and not a few of the Noldor. Feanor then seized the ships - and shortly afterwards betrayed even
his own allies by sailing back to Middle-earth with his own host. He then destroyed the ships at Losgar. For this deed the Noldor were cursed by the Valar; and they forfeited whatever chance they might ever have had of gaining the friendship of Elwe
Thingol, King of Beleriand, for Thingol was the brother of Olwe. The Noldor themselves had been bitterly divided over the Kinslaying ever since the truth about its cause had become known. Thus were the Noldor sundered from the Sindar, and from
each other: to the clear profit of Morgoth. And the Kinslaying at Alqualonde was not the last time that Elves would slay Elves, though it was the last time in Aman.
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 Tuor, Gelmir and Arminas,heeding Ulmo's counsel, tarry forth to deliver their messages.
Arminas and Gelmir to warn Orodreth in Nargothrond and Tuor to Gondolin to give Turgon Ulmo's warning. From the 2000 Tolkien Calendar 'Then Tuor followed the Noldor down the steps and waded in the cold water, until they passed into
the shadow beyond the arch of stone. And then Gelmir brought forth one of those lamps for which the
Noldor were renowned; for they were made of old in Vallnor, and neither wind nor water could quench
them, and when they were unhooded they sent forth a clear blue light from a flame Imprisoned In white
crystal. Now by the light that Gelmir held above his head Tuor saw that the river began to go suddenly
down a smooth slope Into a great tunnel, but beside Its rock-hewn course there ran long flights of steps
leading on and downward Into a deep gloom beyond the beam of the lamp.' Ted Naismith print. |
'Guards were set at the haven of Morionde in the east of the land, where the rocks are dark, watching at the king's command
without ceasing for the ships' return. It was night, but there was a bright Moon. They descried ships far off, and they seemed to be
sailing west at a speed greater than the storm, though there was little wind. Suddenly the sea became unquiet; it rose until it
became like a mountain, and it rolled upon the land. The ships were lifted up, and cast far inland, and lay in the fields. Upon that
ship which was cast highest and stood dry upon a hill there was a man, or one in man's shape, but greater than any even of the race
of Numenor in stature. 'He stood upon the rock" and said: "This is done as a sign of power. For I am Sauron the mighty, servant of the Strong"
(wherein he spoke darkly). "I have come. Be glad, men of Numenor, for I will take thy king to be my king, and the world
shall be given into his hand." 'And it seemed to men that Sauron was great; though they feared the light of his eyes. To many he appeared fair, to others
terrible; but to some evil. But they led him to the king, and he was humble before Tarkalion.
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Glorfindel slays a Balrog in the Encircling Mountains, and is himself slain.Tuor leads Idril, Earendil, and the other survivors safely through perils to the Mouths of Sirion |
 Tuor, as instructed by Ulmo finds the armor left by Turgon and travels
on towards Gondolin with Ulmo's warning.Here Ted Naismith depicts him at Vinyamar(founded by Turgon and his followers after their return to Middle-earth.It lay beneath Mount Taras in Nevrast, and was inhabited for only
about a century, after which Turgon and his people deserted it for Gondolin.) |
 A huge legion of Orcs attacking Dorthonion is crushed between the forces of Fingolfin and Maedhros, who assail it simultaneously.
The Noldor leaders establish a tight siege of Angband which lasts nearly 400 years |
From the Tolkien 1995 Calendar (February) - John Howe's depiction of the Battle for Gondolin. Morgoth sends forth his armies led by the Balrogs and His Fire Drakes. |
 The White Tower of Elwing - from the Tolkien 1995 Calendar (May), John Howe - artist. Probable depiction of Elwing being born up from the sea by Ulmo
as a great white bird with the Silmaril on her breast. She flies over the water seeking her beloved Earendil |
 Under the spell of Glaurung, Turin watches the sack of Nargothrond as the captives including Finduilas are
taken away before his eyes. Turin heeds not the cries of Finduilas and the other captives until they were lost on the northward road Glaurung released Turin hearing those haunted voices hereafter. |
Then they lifted up Luthien and Beren from the earth, and bore them aloft into the clouds. Below
them suddenly thunder rolled, lightnings leaped upward, and the mountains quaked. Fire and smoke
belched forth from Thangorodrim, and flaming bolts were hurled far abroad, falling ruinous upon the
lands; and the Noldor in Hithlum trembled. But Thorondor took his way far above the earth, seeking the
high roads of heaven, where the sun daylong shines unveiled and the moon walks amid the cloudless
stars. Thus they passed swiftly over Dor-nu-Fauglith, and over Taur-nu-Fuin, and came above the
hidden valley ofTumladen. No cloud nor mist lay there, and looking down Luthien saw far below,
as a white light starting from a green jewel, the radiance of Gondolin the fair where Turgon dwelt.
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 It is told In the Lay of Leithian how she escaped from the house in Hirilorn;
for she put forth her arts of enchantment, and caused her hair to grow to great
length, and of it she wove a dark robe that wrapped her beauty like a shadow, and it
was laden with a spell of sleep. Of the strands that remained she twined a rope, and
she let it down from her window; and as the end swayed above the guards that sat
beneath the tree they fell into a deep slumber. Then Luthien climbed from her
prison, and shrouded in her shadowy cloak she escaped from all eyes,
and vanished out of Doriath. |
Now Tuor went on once more, seeking the gulls, high above the river; and as he went the
sides of the ravine drew together again, and he came to a narrow channel, and it was filled with
a great noise of water. And looking down Tuor saw a great marvel, as it seemed to him; for a wild
flood came up the narrows and strove with the river that would still press on, and a wave like a
wall rose up almost to the cliff-top, crowned with foam-crests flying in the wind. Then the river
was thrust back, and the incoming flood swept roaring up the channel, drowning it in deep
water, and the rolling of the boulders was like thunder as it passed. Thus Tuor was
saved by the call of the sea-birds from death in the rising tide. |
Beren and Luthien. 1981 calendar. Artist - Rowena Morrill |
John Howe's depiction of the slaying of Glaurung by Turin Turambar |
John Howe's depiction of Ulmo's appearance before Tuor " and out of that storm Ulmo Lord of Waters arose in majesty and spoke to Tuor as he stood
beside the sea. And Ulmo bade him depart from that place and seek out the hidden kingdom of Gondolin; and he gave Tuor a great cloak, to mantle him
in shadow from the eyes of his enemies." |
Turin filled with fear for the safety of his mother and sister goes before Thingol and Melian and asks for mail and sword. He puts on the Dragon-helm of Dor-lormin and goes to battle on the marches of Doriath.
He becomes the companion Of Beleg Cuthalion. |
The great underground fortress and Palace of king Elwe Thingol, excavated and built (with the aid of the Dwarves
of Belegost) early in the First Age (around 1250 FA). It lay underneath a stony hill in
the centre of Doriath, and its doors were guarded by the river Esgalduin. Menegroth was said to be the strongest and the fairest
of all kingly halls in Middle-earth, and long indeed it stood. But in the end, like all cities and palaces of the Eldar, it was sacked and
defiled: on the first occasion by Dwarves (though not of the kindred which had assisted in its building); and on the second by Elves. Both
groups of attackers were independently attempting to steal the Silmaril which was lodged there.
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Mim the dwarf is captured by Turin and his band of outlaws. Mim pleads for his life before Turin and offers as ransom to lead them to his hidden halls upon Amon Rudh which none may find without his aid. |
Finrod Felagund hastening from the south, was cut off from his people and surrounded with small company in the Fen of Serech; and he would have been
slain or taken, but Barahir came up with the bravest of his men and rescued him, and made a wall of spears about him; and they cut their
way out of the battle with great loss. Thus Felagund escaped, and returned to his deep fortress of Nargothrond; but he swore an oath
of abiding friendship and aid in every need to Barahir and all his kin and in token of his vow he gave to Barahir his ring Barahir was
now by right lord of the house of Beor, and he returned to Dorthonion; but most of his people fled from their homes and took refuge
in the fastness of Hithlum.
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Melian came back to Middle-earth far back in the Elder Days, at the time when the Eldar were setting out
on their Great Journey from Cuivienen into the West; and in Beleriand, in the secret woods of Nan Elmoth, the sound of her voice
sweetly singing was heard by a Lord of Elves, Elwe; and from that moment onwards his fate was linked with hers. It is not known
whether or not Melian and Elwe defied any prohibition against wedding with one of lesser race, but wed they were, and Elwe, who
had visited Aman by the Grace of the Valar - and who hitherto had sought only to return there - now lingered in Beleriand and, with
the aid of Melian, made himself the greatest King of Elves in mortal lands. After the departure of the remaining Eldar they dwelled
together in the land of Doriath, and Melian fenced the land with a Girdle of enchantment; and after a time she bore Elwe a daughter:
Luthien the Fair, who inherited her Mother's voice and beauty as well as her divine lineage.
Melian dwelled with Thingol for the remainder of the Age; but, as is told in The Silmarillion, the deeds of that time enmeshed her
husband at the last, though against her design; and he was murdered. Then Melian withdrew from Middle-earth, and passed into the West,
and never again left the Gardens ofLorien in Valinor.
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Elwing is said to have taken the likeness of a great sea-bird and flown out to Sea, bearing the Silmaril; to alight exhausted upon the prow ofEarendil's
ship Vingilot. He then used the Jewel to pass the Shadows and so come to the West. We are also told that, while the ship rested on the
strands of Valinor, Elwing wandered northward to the land of the Teleri in Aman, at Alqualonde (she was after all akin to the people of
Olwe, who was her great-grandsire's brother), but afterwards, together with Earendil, she came at last to Valimar. There she was
offered the choice of all the Half-elven: to be for everafter of Elven or Mankind. She chose the former, for both herself and for Earendil.
She afterwards dwelt in a white tower on the edge of Belegaer, the Great Sea, between the land of the Teleri and the region known as
Araman, and there she dwells still, the patroness of all sea-birds and bride of the Evening Star.
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Per Sjorgren's depiction of Gil-galad with his spear Aeglos.
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Earendil aboard his famous ship Vingilot |
Felix Sotomayor's depiction of Angband.
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Ecthelion and Gothmog Lord of the Balrogs fight to the death.
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Felix Sotomayor's depiction of Gondolin |
| Jenny Dolfen's artistic interpretation's of The Silmarillion |
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But as the host of Fingolfin marched into Mithrim the Sun rose flaming in the West, and Fingolfin unfurled his blue and silver banners, and blew his horns,
and flowers sprang beneath his marching feet, and the ages of the stars were ended.
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Amras and Amrod, the last two sons of Feanor.
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Maglor, second son of Feanor. The mighty singer, whose voice was heard far over land and sea.
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Thus fell the High King of the Noldor; and they beat him into the dust with their maces, and his banner, blue and silver, they trod into the mire of his blood.
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Amarie of the Vanyar was the beloved of King Finrod Felagund, but they did not marry. She remained in Valinor when Finrod departed for Middle-Earth.
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Then Fingon the Valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor... he dared a deed that is justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor; alone, without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros.
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Maedhros eagerly swears the Oath of Fëanor and thus the Doom of Mandos falls upon him with the Kinslaying at Alqualondë.
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Ecthelion, Lord of the Fountain and Glorfindel, Lord of the House of Golden Flowers along with the rest of Gondolin, muster their forces to defend the Hidden city against all hope from the forces of Morgoth.
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But in the midst of the war a spirit of great strength and hardihood came to the aid of the Valar, hearing in the far heaven that there was a war in the Little Kingdom; and Arda was filled with the sound of his laughter.
So came Tulkas the Strong, whose anger passes like a mightly wind, scattering clouds and darkness before it, and Melkor fled before his wrath and his laughter. |
Celegorm and Curufin. They carry their curse into the realm of Nargothrond. A joint effort between Jenny Dolfen and Anke Eißmann |
 Maedhros - The Shadow of Pain after being rescued by Fingon
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But when they were landed, Maedhros the eldest of his sons, and on a time the friend of Fingon ere Morgoth's lies came between, spoke to Fëanor, saying: 'Now what ships and rowers will you spare to return, and whom shall they bring hither first? Fingon the Valiant?'
Then Fëanor laughed as one fey, and he cried: 'None and none! What I have left behind I count no loss; needless baggage on the road it has proved. Let those that curse my name, curse me still, and whine their way back to the cages of the Valar! Let the ships burn!'
Then Maedhros alone stood aside, but Fëanor caused fire to be set to the white ships of the Teleri."
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 Maedhros is chained at Thangorodrim and Fingon pledges a rescue
to end the Kinstrife. A joint effort between Jenny Dolfen and Peter Xavier Price |
| Ted Nasmith's pictures of The Silmarillion - 2004 edition |
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But Feanor only laughed at Eonwe and led the Noldor on to the Kinslaying of the Teleri Elves at Alqualonde in
order to seize their ships for transport across the Great Sea. By this grievous crime he compounded his guilt and fueled
the wrath of Iluvatar against him and his followers. So the next and last message was delivered to the Noldor by Mandos, the grimmest of the Valar and the one most closely
associated with death. |
In the days that ensued Hurin traced the voice back, over the Crossings of Teiglin, where
the march-wardens feared him as a revenant1 from some grave-mound, and onward to the stone erected by Mablung's Elves over the corpse of Turin. At its foot lay
Morwen, dying now, old and grieving. She did not understand the inscriptions on the stones, not having witnessed
the events that led up to their writing. But she did know that she and Hurin had come too late to save their children.
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Orc Host is ambushed in the Forest of Brethil
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The Gates of Sirion - The cavernous mouth(underground caves) in the southern hills of the Andram (The Long Wall) where the River Sirion emerged from its underground course. |
The White Ships of Valinor in the Bay of Eldamar with Taniquetil shown at the top of the Mountain |
Beren's father Barahir and his companions, reduced to twelve, fought on in Dorthonion as a band of outlaws. A
small lake, Tarn Aeluin, whose clear waters had been hallowed by Melian the Maia in days gone by, became their
headquarters. And from that base they performed such feats of valor against Morgoth's servants as resounded
among the peoples still free.
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The burning of the ships of the Teleri by Fëanor at Losgar near the mouth of the Firth of Drengist - Let those that cursed my name, curse me still, and
whine their way back to the cages of the Valar! Let the ships burn!
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Beren was rescued in turn by Huan, who leaped on Carcharoth's back. Thereupon ensued a battle so deadly and
clamorous that the very rocks split and fell into the river from the heights above it. They killed each other, those
two, one armed with the wrath of the Valar, the other with the hate of Morgoth. Mablung and Beleg, running up, wept to see Beren lying
there so still
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The Teleri Ships being drawn by Swans at Alqualondë |
Iluvatar,being all knowing, poses the question of why to try to do something that was forbidden and beyond Aule's ability to achieve. Only Iluvatar can bestow through the Imperishable Flame. The dwarves would be nothing but automatons, without will, thinking Aule's thoughts, moving only when he moves, etc. Is this what Aule truly desires for? This strikes at the core to show that independence and free will were central to all intelligent creatures who have life. This was the premise that Iluvatar used in creating the Ainur and the elves. By having free will, one can serve willingly, be able to love and be loved in return and capable of judging the beauty and majesty of Iluvatar and his works for themselves.
Aule realizes his error and is quick to offer to destroy the dwarves. Iluvatar however, has bestowed "Being" on them and the dwarves beg for their lives. Iluvatar further tells Aule that he will not have them come before the elves and that they must sleep and will awaken following the elves birth. |
In the courts of Minas Anor the White Tree flowered again, for a seedling was found by
Mithrandir in the snows of Mindolluin that rose tall and white above the City of Gondor; and while it grew there the
Elder Days were not wholly forgotten in the hearts of the Kings. From a fruit from Nimloth - The White tree
of Numenor taken by Isildur before it was felled |
Turgon now spoke with the sternness proper to a King. His judgments, he declared, were law in Gondolin. Eol
and Maeglin also, had only two choices, "to abide here or to die here." Crying out that Turgon should not have his
son, Eol suddenly drew a spear hidden under his cloak and hurled it at Maeglin. But Aredhel sprang to guard her son
with her own body and received the spear in her shoulder while Eol was overpowered. That night she died of her
wound. Turgon therefore had Eol thrown down from the precipice of Caragdur. With his last breath he cursed Maeglin,
predicting that he would fail in all his designs in Gondolin and, in the end, die the same death as Eol's.
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But it was a great storm of thunder that came up from the south, and in terror she cast herself down upon the mound of Haudh-en-
Elleth, stopping her ears from the thunder; but the rain smote her and drenched her, and she lay like a wild beast that is dying. There
Turambar found her, as he came to the Crossings of Teiglin, having heard rumour of Orcs that roamed near; and seeing in a flare of
lightning the body as it seemed of a slain maiden lying upon the mound of Finduilas he was stricken to the heart.
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. On that day all the pride and host of Nargothrond withered away; and Orodreth was slain in the forefront of the battle, and
Gwindor son of Guilin was wounded to the death. But Turin came to his aid, and all fled before him; and he bore Gwindor out of the
rout, and escaping into a wood there laid him on the grass.
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Earendil searches through Tirion,the main city of Eldamar, built in the Calacirya on the hill of Tuna. The highest Tower was the Mindon Eldalieva, at the base of which
grew the White Tree Galathilion. Earendil is granted audience to the Valar and obtains their mercy on behalf of the peoples of Beleriand. Thus begins the War of Wrath and the
subjugation of Morgoth and the ending of the First Age. 
Turin returns to Menegroth to rest. Saeros, jealous of Turin, taunts him at the dinner table where Turin throws a goblet at him.
The following day, Saeros seeks revenge and attacks Turin, Saeros is overcome and falls over a cliff while fleeing. Presuming himself an outlaw,he gathers a band of desperate men on Amon Rudh
The First Dawn of the Sun - The Maia Arien
, a powerful spirit of fire(perhaps akin to the Valaraukar before there corruption by Melkor) is chosen by the Valar to guide the Sun (Anar)
Following Feanor's kinslaying of the Teleri, he
compounds his treachery by burning the ships at Losgar(at the mouth of Drengist), abandoning Fingolfin and the main Noldor host in Araman. Fingolfin leads the Noldor, at great hardship, across the Helcaraxe(Grinding Ice).They view the Moon's first appearance(Ithil)
as they set foot on Middle-Earth and greet it with silver trumpets.
After the First and Second Battles(beginning of the Solar Years)
Morgoth lures Maedhros into a conference at which he is seized by Balrogs and nailed by one hand to a cliff in Thangorodrim. His friend Fingon finds him and, lifted up by Thorondor, King of Eagles, frees him by cutting off his hand. Maedhros, grateful,
begs Fingolfin's pardon for the desertion in Araman. Also renounces in his favor the office of High King of the Noldor
The greatest and noblest of birds, created by Manwe (and Yavanna) before the
awakening of the Elves. They are the Lords of the kelvar. They protected Gondolin from the spies of Morgoth and here is depicted the oncoming wave during the War of Wrath and, with Earendil, defeat the winged dragons of Morgoth
During the 5th battle, the battle of Unnumbered Tears, the Hador of Dor-lomin,
captained by Huor and Hurin, fight to the last. Hurin is captured alive and taken to Angband. Morgoth, unable to break Hurin's will and force him to reveal the location of Gondolin, curses him and sits him, bound, on a high peak whence he
must watch evil overtake his wife and children
The Neldoreth Forest - Enclosed within the Girdle of Melian, it was here
Luthien was born and met Beren. The trees were mostly hemlock and beeches. Also called Taur-na-Neldor.
The Valar Orome, on his great steed Nahar, discovers the Elves at
Cuivienen after one of his hunting expeditions. He leads them back on the Great Journey to Aman
In 3319 Ar-Pharazon launched his vast navy. At first there was no
wind and the slaves rowed, probably making about two knots. At dusk an east wind picked up, and they were whisked out of sight by morning. For thirty-nine days they journeyed, and on the final day they surrounded Eressea at sunset and camped
that night at Tuna. The next day at midmorning the world was broken. The only Numenoreans who escaped were the settlers already on Middle-earth and some of the Faithful." Qn advice of Amandil, Elendil and his sons had prepared ships: four for
Elendil, three for Isildur, and two for Anarion." The ships were blown wildly east when the cataclysm occurred. Elendil was cast upon Lindon, and the brothers made their way to Pelargir. With them they bore the fruit of Nimloth, the palantiri,
and the stone that was set at Erech — all valuable in the establishment of the Realms in Exile.
Eol is a Teleri elf, a kinsman to Elu Thingol. Being "uncomfortable" in Doriath when the Girdle of Melian was set he moved outside of it to dwell in Nan Elmoth. Thingol granted him permissiom
however, Eol had to relinquish the sword Anglachel. Eol became a smith and a friendship grew with the Dwarves. Around the year 300 of the First Age (Solar Years) he encounters Aredhel(Turgon's sister), seduces
and marries her.They have one child, Maeglin. When Maeglin and Aredhel flee to Gondolin, Eol tracks them there. Given by Turgon the choice of life in Gondolin or death, he chose the latter and tries to take
the life of his son with a poisoned dart. However, Aredhel steps into the dart's path and dies. Eol is cast over the precipice Caragdur, cursing Maeglin with his last words. Eol's greatest invention was the
metal galvorn, which was malleable but as hard as steel.
Sauron, as mentioned in Volume XI of The History of Middle-Earth.
It was here that Sauron captured Tol Sirion and re-named it Taur-nu-fuin (Isle of the werewolves). An excerpt from the Story of Beren and Luthien - ... and the towers of Sauron trembled, and he sent forth Draugluin the greatest of his werewolves. But Huan
slew Draugluin, and when Sauron himself came forth in wolf-hame he overthrew him. Thus Sauron was constrained to yield up Tol-sirion, ere bereft of his bodily form he passed away as a black shadow into Taur-nu-Fuin. Source: The War of the Jewels.
- Alqualonde 'Swans'-haven' (Q.) High-elven city ofEldamar, built during the
Elder Days by Olwe prince of the Telerin Elves, after the belated arrival on the shores of the Undying Lands of that remnant of his people which he led. The Haven was so named because the Teleri reached Aman with the aid of great swans;
these towed their enchanted ships the last stage of the Great Journey, from Eressea to Eldamar. It lay to the north of Tirion. The Kinslaying at Alqualonde - The two kindreds involved were the Noldor, led by Feanor and he Teleri, the
'Sea-elves' of Alqualonde - their city and haven on the northern shores of the Bay of Eldamar - whose King was Olwe. Feanor hastening north at the head ofthe fleeing Noldor,desired to use the ships of the Sea-elves to transport his host to
Middle-earth; also he desired to enro1l the Teleri in his rebellion. But 0lwe refused both, so Feanor attempted to take the ships by force from the quaysides of Alqualonde where they were moored. There followed a fight with the Sea-elves, and
before long the Noldor had drawn their new-forged swords, and had begun to kill. The Teleri, now reinforced from the city, still fought on, but Noldor of other Houses now rushed forward to join in the battle, for they were still unaware that it had
been Feanor who had opened the hostilities; and with their added strength Feanor prevailed over the mariners of Olwe. Many of these were slain; and not a few of the Noldor. Feanor then seized the ships - and shortly afterwards betrayed even
his own allies by sailing back to Middle-earth with his own host. He then destroyed the ships at Losgar. For this deed the Noldor were cursed by the Valar; and they forfeited whatever chance they might ever have had of gaining the friendship of Elwe
Thingol, King of Beleriand, for Thingol was the brother of Olwe. The Noldor themselves had been bitterly divided over the Kinslaying ever since the truth about its cause had become known. Thus were the Noldor sundered from the Sindar, and from
each other: to the clear profit of Morgoth. And the Kinslaying at Alqualonde was not the last time that Elves would slay Elves, though it was the last time in Aman.
Tuor, Gelmir and Arminas,heeding Ulmo's counsel, tarry forth to deliver their messages.
Arminas and Gelmir to warn Orodreth in Nargothrond and Tuor to Gondolin to give Turgon Ulmo's warning. From the 2000 Tolkien Calendar 'Then Tuor followed the Noldor down the steps and waded in the cold water, until they passed into
the shadow beyond the arch of stone. And then Gelmir brought forth one of those lamps for which the
Noldor were renowned; for they were made of old in Vallnor, and neither wind nor water could quench
them, and when they were unhooded they sent forth a clear blue light from a flame Imprisoned In white
crystal. Now by the light that Gelmir held above his head Tuor saw that the river began to go suddenly
down a smooth slope Into a great tunnel, but beside Its rock-hewn course there ran long flights of steps
leading on and downward Into a deep gloom beyond the beam of the lamp.' Ted Naismith print.
'Guards were set at the haven of Morionde in the east of the land, where the rocks are dark, watching at the king's command
without ceasing for the ships' return. It was night, but there was a bright Moon. They descried ships far off, and they seemed to be
sailing west at a speed greater than the storm, though there was little wind. Suddenly the sea became unquiet; it rose until it
became like a mountain, and it rolled upon the land. The ships were lifted up, and cast far inland, and lay in the fields. Upon that
ship which was cast highest and stood dry upon a hill there was a man, or one in man's shape, but greater than any even of the race
of Numenor in stature. 'He stood upon the rock" and said: "This is done as a sign of power. For I am Sauron the mighty, servant of the Strong"
(wherein he spoke darkly). "I have come. Be glad, men of Numenor, for I will take thy king to be my king, and the world
shall be given into his hand." 'And it seemed to men that Sauron was great; though they feared the light of his eyes. To many he appeared fair, to others
terrible; but to some evil. But they led him to the king, and he was humble before Tarkalion.
Glorfindel slays a Balrog in the Encircling Mountains, and is himself slain.Tuor leads Idril, Earendil, and the other survivors safely through perils to the Mouths of Sirion
Tuor, as instructed by Ulmo finds the armor left by Turgon and travels
on towards Gondolin with Ulmo's warning.Here Ted Naismith depicts him at Vinyamar(founded by Turgon and his followers after their return to Middle-earth.It lay beneath Mount Taras in Nevrast, and was inhabited for only
about a century, after which Turgon and his people deserted it for Gondolin.)
A huge legion of Orcs attacking Dorthonion is crushed between the forces of Fingolfin and Maedhros, who assail it simultaneously.
The Noldor leaders establish a tight siege of Angband which lasts nearly 400 years 
From the Tolkien 1995 Calendar (February) - John Howe's depiction of the Battle for Gondolin. Morgoth sends forth his armies led by the Balrogs and His Fire Drakes.
The White Tower of Elwing - from the Tolkien 1995 Calendar (May), John Howe - artist. Probable depiction of Elwing being born up from the sea by Ulmo
as a great white bird with the Silmaril on her breast. She flies over the water seeking her beloved Earendil
Under the spell of Glaurung, Turin watches the sack of Nargothrond as the captives including Finduilas are
taken away before his eyes. Turin heeds not the cries of Finduilas and the other captives until they were lost on the northward road Glaurung released Turin hearing those haunted voices hereafter. 
Then they lifted up Luthien and Beren from the earth, and bore them aloft into the clouds. Below
them suddenly thunder rolled, lightnings leaped upward, and the mountains quaked. Fire and smoke
belched forth from Thangorodrim, and flaming bolts were hurled far abroad, falling ruinous upon the
lands; and the Noldor in Hithlum trembled. But Thorondor took his way far above the earth, seeking the
high roads of heaven, where the sun daylong shines unveiled and the moon walks amid the cloudless
stars. Thus they passed swiftly over Dor-nu-Fauglith, and over Taur-nu-Fuin, and came above the
hidden valley ofTumladen. No cloud nor mist lay there, and looking down Luthien saw far below,
as a white light starting from a green jewel, the radiance of Gondolin the fair where Turgon dwelt.
It is told In the Lay of Leithian how she escaped from the house in Hirilorn;
for she put forth her arts of enchantment, and caused her hair to grow to great
length, and of it she wove a dark robe that wrapped her beauty like a shadow, and it
was laden with a spell of sleep. Of the strands that remained she twined a rope, and
she let it down from her window; and as the end swayed above the guards that sat
beneath the tree they fell into a deep slumber. Then Luthien climbed from her
prison, and shrouded in her shadowy cloak she escaped from all eyes,
and vanished out of Doriath.
Now Tuor went on once more, seeking the gulls, high above the river; and as he went the
sides of the ravine drew together again, and he came to a narrow channel, and it was filled with
a great noise of water. And looking down Tuor saw a great marvel, as it seemed to him; for a wild
flood came up the narrows and strove with the river that would still press on, and a wave like a
wall rose up almost to the cliff-top, crowned with foam-crests flying in the wind. Then the river
was thrust back, and the incoming flood swept roaring up the channel, drowning it in deep
water, and the rolling of the boulders was like thunder as it passed. Thus Tuor was
saved by the call of the sea-birds from death in the rising tide.
Beren and Luthien. 1981 calendar. Artist - Rowena Morrill
John Howe's depiction of the slaying of Glaurung by Turin Turambar
John Howe's depiction of Ulmo's appearance before Tuor " and out of that storm Ulmo Lord of Waters arose in majesty and spoke to Tuor as he stood
beside the sea. And Ulmo bade him depart from that place and seek out the hidden kingdom of Gondolin; and he gave Tuor a great cloak, to mantle him
in shadow from the eyes of his enemies."
Turin filled with fear for the safety of his mother and sister goes before Thingol and Melian and asks for mail and sword. He puts on the Dragon-helm of Dor-lormin and goes to battle on the marches of Doriath.
He becomes the companion Of Beleg Cuthalion.
The great underground fortress and Palace of king Elwe Thingol, excavated and built (with the aid of the Dwarves
of Belegost) early in the First Age (around 1250 FA). It lay underneath a stony hill in
the centre of Doriath, and its doors were guarded by the river Esgalduin. Menegroth was said to be the strongest and the fairest
of all kingly halls in Middle-earth, and long indeed it stood. But in the end, like all cities and palaces of the Eldar, it was sacked and
defiled: on the first occasion by Dwarves (though not of the kindred which had assisted in its building); and on the second by Elves. Both
groups of attackers were independently attempting to steal the Silmaril which was lodged there.
Mim the dwarf is captured by Turin and his band of outlaws. Mim pleads for his life before Turin and offers as ransom to lead them to his hidden halls upon Amon Rudh which none may find without his aid. 
Finrod Felagund hastening from the south, was cut off from his people and surrounded with small company in the Fen of Serech; and he would have been
slain or taken, but Barahir came up with the bravest of his men and rescued him, and made a wall of spears about him; and they cut their
way out of the battle with great loss. Thus Felagund escaped, and returned to his deep fortress of Nargothrond; but he swore an oath
of abiding friendship and aid in every need to Barahir and all his kin and in token of his vow he gave to Barahir his ring Barahir was
now by right lord of the house of Beor, and he returned to Dorthonion; but most of his people fled from their homes and took refuge
in the fastness of Hithlum.
Melian came back to Middle-earth far back in the Elder Days, at the time when the Eldar were setting out
on their Great Journey from Cuivienen into the West; and in Beleriand, in the secret woods of Nan Elmoth, the sound of her voice
sweetly singing was heard by a Lord of Elves, Elwe; and from that moment onwards his fate was linked with hers. It is not known
whether or not Melian and Elwe defied any prohibition against wedding with one of lesser race, but wed they were, and Elwe, who
had visited Aman by the Grace of the Valar - and who hitherto had sought only to return there - now lingered in Beleriand and, with
the aid of Melian, made himself the greatest King of Elves in mortal lands. After the departure of the remaining Eldar they dwelled
together in the land of Doriath, and Melian fenced the land with a Girdle of enchantment; and after a time she bore Elwe a daughter:
Luthien the Fair, who inherited her Mother's voice and beauty as well as her divine lineage.
Melian dwelled with Thingol for the remainder of the Age; but, as is told in The Silmarillion, the deeds of that time enmeshed her
husband at the last, though against her design; and he was murdered. Then Melian withdrew from Middle-earth, and passed into the West,
and never again left the Gardens ofLorien in Valinor.
Elwing is said to have taken the likeness of a great sea-bird and flown out to Sea, bearing the Silmaril; to alight exhausted upon the prow ofEarendil's
ship Vingilot. He then used the Jewel to pass the Shadows and so come to the West. We are also told that, while the ship rested on the
strands of Valinor, Elwing wandered northward to the land of the Teleri in Aman, at Alqualonde (she was after all akin to the people of
Olwe, who was her great-grandsire's brother), but afterwards, together with Earendil, she came at last to Valimar. There she was
offered the choice of all the Half-elven: to be for everafter of Elven or Mankind. She chose the former, for both herself and for Earendil.
She afterwards dwelt in a white tower on the edge of Belegaer, the Great Sea, between the land of the Teleri and the region known as
Araman, and there she dwells still, the patroness of all sea-birds and bride of the Evening Star.
Per Sjorgren's depiction of Gil-galad with his spear Aeglos.
Earendil aboard his famous ship Vingilot
Felix Sotomayor's depiction of Angband.
Ecthelion and Gothmog Lord of the Balrogs fight to the death.
Felix Sotomayor's depiction of Gondolin
But as the host of Fingolfin marched into Mithrim the Sun rose flaming in the West, and Fingolfin unfurled his blue and silver banners, and blew his horns,
and flowers sprang beneath his marching feet, and the ages of the stars were ended.
Amras and Amrod, the last two sons of Feanor.
Maglor, second son of Feanor. The mighty singer, whose voice was heard far over land and sea.
Thus fell the High King of the Noldor; and they beat him into the dust with their maces, and his banner, blue and silver, they trod into the mire of his blood.
Amarie of the Vanyar was the beloved of King Finrod Felagund, but they did not marry. She remained in Valinor when Finrod departed for Middle-Earth.
Then Fingon the Valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor... he dared a deed that is justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor; alone, without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros.
Maedhros eagerly swears the Oath of Fëanor and thus the Doom of Mandos falls upon him with the Kinslaying at Alqualondë.
Ecthelion, Lord of the Fountain and Glorfindel, Lord of the House of Golden Flowers along with the rest of Gondolin, muster their forces to defend the Hidden city against all hope from the forces of Morgoth.
But in the midst of the war a spirit of great strength and hardihood came to the aid of the Valar, hearing in the far heaven that there was a war in the Little Kingdom; and Arda was filled with the sound of his laughter.
So came Tulkas the Strong, whose anger passes like a mightly wind, scattering clouds and darkness before it, and Melkor fled before his wrath and his laughter.
Celegorm and Curufin. They carry their curse into the realm of Nargothrond. A joint effort between Jenny Dolfen and Anke Eißmann
Maedhros - The Shadow of Pain after being rescued by Fingon
But when they were landed, Maedhros the eldest of his sons, and on a time the friend of Fingon ere Morgoth's lies came between, spoke to Fëanor, saying: 'Now what ships and rowers will you spare to return, and whom shall they bring hither first? Fingon the Valiant?'
Then Fëanor laughed as one fey, and he cried: 'None and none! What I have left behind I count no loss; needless baggage on the road it has proved. Let those that curse my name, curse me still, and whine their way back to the cages of the Valar! Let the ships burn!'
Then Maedhros alone stood aside, but Fëanor caused fire to be set to the white ships of the Teleri."
Maedhros is chained at Thangorodrim and Fingon pledges a rescue
to end the Kinstrife. A joint effort between Jenny Dolfen and Peter Xavier Price
But Feanor only laughed at Eonwe and led the Noldor on to the Kinslaying of the Teleri Elves at Alqualonde in
order to seize their ships for transport across the Great Sea. By this grievous crime he compounded his guilt and fueled
the wrath of Iluvatar against him and his followers. So the next and last message was delivered to the Noldor by Mandos, the grimmest of the Valar and the one most closely
associated with death.
In the days that ensued Hurin traced the voice back, over the Crossings of Teiglin, where
the march-wardens feared him as a revenant1 from some grave-mound, and onward to the stone erected by Mablung's Elves over the corpse of Turin. At its foot lay
Morwen, dying now, old and grieving. She did not understand the inscriptions on the stones, not having witnessed
the events that led up to their writing. But she did know that she and Hurin had come too late to save their children.
Orc Host is ambushed in the Forest of Brethil
The Gates of Sirion - The cavernous mouth(underground caves) in the southern hills of the Andram (The Long Wall) where the River Sirion emerged from its underground course.
The White Ships of Valinor in the Bay of Eldamar with Taniquetil shown at the top of the Mountain
Beren's father Barahir and his companions, reduced to twelve, fought on in Dorthonion as a band of outlaws. A
small lake, Tarn Aeluin, whose clear waters had been hallowed by Melian the Maia in days gone by, became their
headquarters. And from that base they performed such feats of valor against Morgoth's servants as resounded
among the peoples still free.
The burning of the ships of the Teleri by Fëanor at Losgar near the mouth of the Firth of Drengist - Let those that cursed my name, curse me still, and
whine their way back to the cages of the Valar! Let the ships burn!
Beren was rescued in turn by Huan, who leaped on Carcharoth's back. Thereupon ensued a battle so deadly and
clamorous that the very rocks split and fell into the river from the heights above it. They killed each other, those
two, one armed with the wrath of the Valar, the other with the hate of Morgoth. Mablung and Beleg, running up, wept to see Beren lying
there so still
The Teleri Ships being drawn by Swans at Alqualondë
Iluvatar,being all knowing, poses the question of why to try to do something that was forbidden and beyond Aule's ability to achieve. Only Iluvatar can bestow through the Imperishable Flame. The dwarves would be nothing but automatons, without will, thinking Aule's thoughts, moving only when he moves, etc. Is this what Aule truly desires for? This strikes at the core to show that independence and free will were central to all intelligent creatures who have life. This was the premise that Iluvatar used in creating the Ainur and the elves. By having free will, one can serve willingly, be able to love and be loved in return and capable of judging the beauty and majesty of Iluvatar and his works for themselves.
Aule realizes his error and is quick to offer to destroy the dwarves. Iluvatar however, has bestowed "Being" on them and the dwarves beg for their lives. Iluvatar further tells Aule that he will not have them come before the elves and that they must sleep and will awaken following the elves birth. 
In the courts of Minas Anor the White Tree flowered again, for a seedling was found by
Mithrandir in the snows of Mindolluin that rose tall and white above the City of Gondor; and while it grew there the
Elder Days were not wholly forgotten in the hearts of the Kings. From a fruit from Nimloth - The White tree
of Numenor taken by Isildur before it was felled
Turgon now spoke with the sternness proper to a King. His judgments, he declared, were law in Gondolin. Eol
and Maeglin also, had only two choices, "to abide here or to die here." Crying out that Turgon should not have his
son, Eol suddenly drew a spear hidden under his cloak and hurled it at Maeglin. But Aredhel sprang to guard her son
with her own body and received the spear in her shoulder while Eol was overpowered. That night she died of her
wound. Turgon therefore had Eol thrown down from the precipice of Caragdur. With his last breath he cursed Maeglin,
predicting that he would fail in all his designs in Gondolin and, in the end, die the same death as Eol's.
But it was a great storm of thunder that came up from the south, and in terror she cast herself down upon the mound of Haudh-en-
Elleth, stopping her ears from the thunder; but the rain smote her and drenched her, and she lay like a wild beast that is dying. There
Turambar found her, as he came to the Crossings of Teiglin, having heard rumour of Orcs that roamed near; and seeing in a flare of
lightning the body as it seemed of a slain maiden lying upon the mound of Finduilas he was stricken to the heart.
. On that day all the pride and host of Nargothrond withered away; and Orodreth was slain in the forefront of the battle, and
Gwindor son of Guilin was wounded to the death. But Turin came to his aid, and all fled before him; and he bore Gwindor out of the
rout, and escaping into a wood there laid him on the grass.