Alqualondë
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Alqualondë | |
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City | |
"Alqualonde" by Thomas Rouillard | |
General Information | |
Pronunciation | al-kwa-lon-deh |
Other names | "Swanhaven" |
Location | The shores of Valinor, beside Belegaer, between the Calacirya and Araman |
Type | City |
Description | Seaside city of pearl and mother-of-pearl |
People and History | |
Inhabitants | Falmari |
Created | Y.T. 1162 |
Events | First Kinslaying |
Gallery | Images of Alqualondë |
Alqualondë, the Swanhaven, was the chief city of the Falmari on the shores of Valinor. The city is said to be north and east of Tirion between the Calacirya and Araman in northern Eldamar.
Description
The city was built in a natural harbour made of rock, and was also walled. Its entrance was a natural arch. Other than the great harbours it also housed the Tower of Olwë. The city was covered with the pearls the Elves had found in the sea and jewels which they obtained from the Noldor. The famed swanships with golden beaks and eyes of jet were moored here.[1]
History
In the Year of the Trees 1162, the Falmari who abandoned Tol Eressëa began to built Alqualondë with the help of the Noldor.[2] Its lord was Olwë.
When Fëanor rebelled against the will of the Valar, he went to the shores of Aman seeking for a way to reach Middle-earth and demanded the use of the Telerin ships. The Teleri however refused and resisted when Feanor ordered the Noldor to take them by force. A battle broke out, the First Kinslaying, in which many Teleri were slain, for they were armed with mere hunting bows, against the fully armed Noldor. They also attempted to block the harbor. The battle was joined by Fingon and Fingolfin, only because they thought that the Teleri had attacked the Noldor.
In the later years of the First Age, Alqualonde was visited by Earendil and Elwing who had reached Valinor. Elwing stayed a little there and told stories to the Teleri about the griefs of Beleriand.[3]
Inhabitants
Etymology
Alqualondë means "Swanhaven" in Quenya, from alqua ("swan") + londë ("harbor, haven").[4]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "The Annals of Aman"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries alqua, londë
The Kinslayings |
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First Kinslaying (Alqualondë) · Second Kinslaying (Doriath) · Third Kinslaying (Havens of Sirion) |