Of the Coming of Men into the West: Difference between revisions
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After three hundred years had passed since the arrival of the [[Noldor]], [[Finrod]] went hunting with [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]]. Yet he would soon grew tired of hunting, and he continued eastward to [[Ossiriand]], where he spotted a strange light and heard unfamiliar songs. | After three hundred years had passed since the arrival of the [[Noldor]], [[Finrod]] went hunting with [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]]. Yet he would soon grew tired of hunting, and he continued eastward to [[Ossiriand]], where he spotted a strange light and heard unfamiliar songs. | ||
Finrod hid himself, for he feared that [[Orcs]] had come from [[Angband]]. Yet the strange beings were not Orcs, or [[Dwarves]], or even other [[Elves]]. They were Men come out of the east from [[Hildorien]] and | Finrod hid himself, for he feared that [[Orcs]] had come from [[Angband]]. Yet the strange beings were not Orcs, or [[Dwarves]], or even other [[Elves]]. They were [[Men]] who had come out of the east from [[Hildorien]] and werefollowing a [[Sun|light]] to the west. | ||
Waiting until they had fallen asleep, Finrod went among them, took up a harp, and began to sing. The newcomers awoke, but they did not speak, opting to listen to Finrod's songs of [[Aman]] and the [[Valar]] instead. | Waiting until they had fallen asleep, Finrod went among them, took up a harp, and began to sing. The newcomers awoke, but they did not speak, opting to listen to Finrod's songs of [[Aman]] and the [[Valar]] instead. | ||
Finrod would remain with the Men and taught them much of what the Noldor knew. Finrod could understand their tongue, for it was descended from the same language that all Elves had once known. Men had learned it from the [[Avari]] who remained east and did not go to Valinor, as they had also learned basic crafting skills and tools. | Finrod would remain with the Men and taught them much of what the Noldor knew. Finrod could understand their tongue, for it was descended from the same language that all Elves had once known. Men had learned it from the [[Avari]] who remained east and did not go to Valinor, as they had also learned basic crafting skills and tools. | ||
Finrod befriended [[Bëor]], but when | Among them, Finrod befriended [[Bëor]], but when Finrod asked of the origins of Men, Bëor would only say that they came west fleeing a darkness and following the light. The Eldar afterwards would say that Morgoth himself went eastwards to corrupt Men and turn them against the Eldar. They perceived a darkness in Men similar to [[Kinslaying|their]] [[Doom of Mandos|own]]. Yet Morgoth's plan was not fully successful, both due to the low numbers of Men and the threat of the Elves on Morgoth's border. | ||
The Eldar afterwards would say that Morgoth himself went eastwards to corrupt Men and turn them against the Eldar. They perceived a darkness in Men similar to [[Kinslaying|their]] [[Doom of Mandos|own]]. Yet Morgoth's plan was not fully successful, both due to the low numbers of Men and the threat of the Elves on Morgoth's border. | |||
Bëor told Finrod that other groups of men would follow: Men who were called the [[Haladin]] as well as those who followed a chief named [[Marach]]. These Men spoke a different language than that of Bëor. | Bëor told Finrod that other groups of men would follow: Men who were called the [[Haladin]] as well as those who followed a chief named [[Marach]]. These Men spoke a different language than that of Bëor. | ||
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When the [[Green-elves]] learned of Men, they asked Finrod to tell them to either move westward or return east. This compelled Finrod to have Bëor move his people west to [[Estolad]], an encampment on the borders of Doriath. When at last Finrod left to return to his own realm, Bëor followed him as a vassal. | When the [[Green-elves]] learned of Men, they asked Finrod to tell them to either move westward or return east. This compelled Finrod to have Bëor move his people west to [[Estolad]], an encampment on the borders of Doriath. When at last Finrod left to return to his own realm, Bëor followed him as a vassal. | ||
The groups that Bëor spoke of would soon enter into Beleriand: the Haladin who would be known as the [[House of Haleth]], and the house of Marach that would be later known as the [[House of Hador]]. These two houses, as well as the [[House of Bëor]], would form the basis of the [[Edain]] | The groups that Bëor spoke of would soon enter into Beleriand: the Haladin who would be known as the [[House of Haleth]], and the house of Marach that would be later known as the [[House of Hador]]. These two houses, as well as the [[House of Bëor]], would form the basis of the [[Edain]], or the Elf-friends. | ||
Many Elves such as Fingolfin gladly received Men, taking them into their lands as allies. Thus Men continued to spread across Beleriand. They would enter in via Estolad, but spread out across the realms of the Eldar. [[Thingol]] forbade Men to enter Doriath, mistrusting them. Unfortunately, it was at this time that the first division in the houses of Men began to appear, for while Morgoth was besieged, he was not idle. | |||
Whispers would enter into the councils of Men, and in one meeting in particular, [[Bereg]] of the House of Bëor rose up and spoke against the Elves, saying that Men could go elsewhere and leave Beleriand. One who appeared to be [[Amlach]] stood up as well, saying that the light in the West was merely an Elvish story. He even suggested that the Valar did not exist except for Morgoth. Yet Amlach himself entered into the tent and denied ever being present at the meeting. This created enough of a disturbance that the followers of Bereg followed him back east, while Amlach changed his mind and went to fight against Morgoth under Maedhros. | Whispers would enter into the councils of Men, and in one meeting in particular, [[Bereg]] of the House of Bëor rose up and spoke against the Elves, saying that Men could go elsewhere and leave Beleriand. One who appeared to be [[Amlach]] stood up as well, saying that the light in the West was merely an Elvish story. He even suggested that the Valar did not exist except for Morgoth. Yet Amlach himself entered into the tent and denied ever being present at the meeting. This created enough of a disturbance that the followers of Bereg followed him back east, while Amlach changed his mind and went to fight against Morgoth under Maedhros. | ||
His subtle designs failing, Morgoth assailed Men with force. His orcs attacked the Haladin in the lands of Caranthir. | His subtle designs failing, Morgoth assailed Men with force. His orcs attacked the Haladin in the lands of Caranthir. Led by [[Haleth]], daughter of the chieften [[Halad]] who was killed by the orcs, they survived for seven days following her father's death, when [[Caranthir]] came forth and destroyed the Orcs. He was moved by the valour of Men and offered Haleth an alliance. She rejected him, however, and compelled her people to move westward to Estolad. She would remain chieftain of her people, and soon they would even be known to others as the People of Haleth. Eventually, she compelled many of her people to move westward again, settling in the forest of [[Brethil]], where they eked out a hard living. Thingol grudgingly permitted this as long as they would defend the [[Crossings of Teiglin]]. | ||
Thus it was that Men would live in Beleriand beside the Elves. Men would learn much from the Elves, and many would even learn [[Sindarin]]. In their turn, many Men would also become servants in the household of elven kings, such as [[Hador]], who served Fingolfin and was given the lordship of [[Dor-lómin]]. Many great heroes would come from the Elf-friends, such as [[Beren]] and [[Túrin]]. | |||
Yet, in the end, Elves were immortal, and Men were not. Though Beleriand seemed to lengthen their lives, the first generation of Men would pass away. Bëor the Old died at ninety three years of age. This was a grievous blow to the Eldar, who did not understand the [[Gift of Men]], or their final destination after death. | Yet, in the end, Elves were immortal, and Men were not. Though Beleriand seemed to lengthen their lives, the first generation of Men would pass away. Bëor the Old died at ninety three years of age. This was a grievous blow to the Eldar, who did not understand the [[Gift of Men]], or their final destination after death. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== |
Revision as of 23:53, 11 October 2021
Of the Coming of Men into the West is the seventeenth chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion section within The Silmarillion.
Synopsis
After three hundred years had passed since the arrival of the Noldor, Finrod went hunting with Maedhros and Maglor. Yet he would soon grew tired of hunting, and he continued eastward to Ossiriand, where he spotted a strange light and heard unfamiliar songs.
Finrod hid himself, for he feared that Orcs had come from Angband. Yet the strange beings were not Orcs, or Dwarves, or even other Elves. They were Men who had come out of the east from Hildorien and werefollowing a light to the west.
Waiting until they had fallen asleep, Finrod went among them, took up a harp, and began to sing. The newcomers awoke, but they did not speak, opting to listen to Finrod's songs of Aman and the Valar instead.
Finrod would remain with the Men and taught them much of what the Noldor knew. Finrod could understand their tongue, for it was descended from the same language that all Elves had once known. Men had learned it from the Avari who remained east and did not go to Valinor, as they had also learned basic crafting skills and tools.
Among them, Finrod befriended Bëor, but when Finrod asked of the origins of Men, Bëor would only say that they came west fleeing a darkness and following the light. The Eldar afterwards would say that Morgoth himself went eastwards to corrupt Men and turn them against the Eldar. They perceived a darkness in Men similar to their own. Yet Morgoth's plan was not fully successful, both due to the low numbers of Men and the threat of the Elves on Morgoth's border.
Bëor told Finrod that other groups of men would follow: Men who were called the Haladin as well as those who followed a chief named Marach. These Men spoke a different language than that of Bëor.
When the Green-elves learned of Men, they asked Finrod to tell them to either move westward or return east. This compelled Finrod to have Bëor move his people west to Estolad, an encampment on the borders of Doriath. When at last Finrod left to return to his own realm, Bëor followed him as a vassal.
The groups that Bëor spoke of would soon enter into Beleriand: the Haladin who would be known as the House of Haleth, and the house of Marach that would be later known as the House of Hador. These two houses, as well as the House of Bëor, would form the basis of the Edain, or the Elf-friends.
Many Elves such as Fingolfin gladly received Men, taking them into their lands as allies. Thus Men continued to spread across Beleriand. They would enter in via Estolad, but spread out across the realms of the Eldar. Thingol forbade Men to enter Doriath, mistrusting them. Unfortunately, it was at this time that the first division in the houses of Men began to appear, for while Morgoth was besieged, he was not idle.
Whispers would enter into the councils of Men, and in one meeting in particular, Bereg of the House of Bëor rose up and spoke against the Elves, saying that Men could go elsewhere and leave Beleriand. One who appeared to be Amlach stood up as well, saying that the light in the West was merely an Elvish story. He even suggested that the Valar did not exist except for Morgoth. Yet Amlach himself entered into the tent and denied ever being present at the meeting. This created enough of a disturbance that the followers of Bereg followed him back east, while Amlach changed his mind and went to fight against Morgoth under Maedhros.
His subtle designs failing, Morgoth assailed Men with force. His orcs attacked the Haladin in the lands of Caranthir. Led by Haleth, daughter of the chieften Halad who was killed by the orcs, they survived for seven days following her father's death, when Caranthir came forth and destroyed the Orcs. He was moved by the valour of Men and offered Haleth an alliance. She rejected him, however, and compelled her people to move westward to Estolad. She would remain chieftain of her people, and soon they would even be known to others as the People of Haleth. Eventually, she compelled many of her people to move westward again, settling in the forest of Brethil, where they eked out a hard living. Thingol grudgingly permitted this as long as they would defend the Crossings of Teiglin.
Thus it was that Men would live in Beleriand beside the Elves. Men would learn much from the Elves, and many would even learn Sindarin. In their turn, many Men would also become servants in the household of elven kings, such as Hador, who served Fingolfin and was given the lordship of Dor-lómin. Many great heroes would come from the Elf-friends, such as Beren and Túrin.
Yet, in the end, Elves were immortal, and Men were not. Though Beleriand seemed to lengthen their lives, the first generation of Men would pass away. Bëor the Old died at ninety three years of age. This was a grievous blow to the Eldar, who did not understand the Gift of Men, or their final destination after death.