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and kinship of their princes may here be told; in that form which these names later bore in the tongue of the Elves of
Beleriand。
Finw? was King of the Noldor。 The sons of Finw? were F?anor; and Fingolfin; and Finarfin; but the mother of
F?anor was Míriel Serind?; whereas the mother of Fingolfin and Finarfin was Indis of the Vanyar。 F?anor was the
mightiest in skill of word and of hand; more learned than his brothers; his spirit burned as a flame。 Fingolfin was the
strongest; the most steadfast; and the most valiant。 Finarfin was the fairest; and the most wise of heart; and afterwards he
was a friend of the sons of Olw?; lord of the Teleri; and had to wife E?rwen; the swan…maiden of Alqualond?; Olw?'s
daughter。
The seven sons of F?anor were Maedhros the tall; Maglor the mighty singer; whose voice was heard far over land
and sea; Celegorm the fair; and Caranthir the dark; Curufin the crafty; who inherited most his father's skill of hand; and
the youngest Amrod and Amras; who were twin brothers; alike in mood and face。 In later days they were great hunters in
the woods of Middle…earth; and a hunter also was Celegorm; who in Valinor was a friend of Orom?; and often followed
the Vala's horn。
The sons of Fingolfin were Fingon; who was afterwards King of the Noldor in the north of the world; and
Turgon; lord of Gondolin; their sister was Aredhel the White。 She was younger in the years of the Eldar than her
brothers; and when she was grown to full stature and beauty she was tall and strong; and loved much to ride and hunt in
the forests。 There she was often in the pany of the sons of F?anor; her kin; but to none was her heart's love given。 Ar…
Feiniel she was called; the White Lady of the Noldor; for she was pale though her hair was dark; and she was never
arrayed but in silver and white。
The sons of Finarfin were Finrod the faithful (who was afterwards named Felagund; Lord of Caves); Orodreth;
Angrod; and Aegnor; these tour were as close in friendship with the sons of Fingolfin as though they were all brothers。 A
sister they had; Galadriel; most beautiful of all the house of Finw?; her hair was lit with gold as though it had caught in a
mesh the radiance of Laurelin。
Here must be told how the Teleri came at last to the land of Aman。 Through a long age they dwelt in Tol Eress?a;
but slowly their hearts were changed; and were drawn towards the light that flowed out over the sea to the Lonely Isle。
They were torn between the love of the music of the waves upon their shores; and the desire to see again their kindred
and to look upon the splendour of Valinor; but in the end desire of the light was the stronger。 Therefore Ulmo;
submitting to the will of the Valar; sent to them Oss?; their friend; and he though grieving taught them the craft of ship…
building; and when their ships were built he brought them as his parting gift many strong…winged swans。 Then the swans
drew the white ships of the Teleri over the windless sea; and thus at last and latest they came to Aman and the shores of
Eldamar。
There they dwelt; and if they wished they could see the light of the Trees; and could tread the golden streets of
Valmar and the crystal stairs of Tirion upon Túna; the green hill; but most of all they sailed in their swift ships on the
waters of the Bay of Elvenhome; or walked in the waves upon the shore with their hair gleaming in the light beyond the
hill。 Many jewels the Noldor gave them; opals and diamonds and pale crystals; which they strewed upon the shores and
scattered in the pools; marvellous were the beaches of Elend? in those days。 And many pearls they won for themselves
from the sea; and their halls were of pearl; and of pearl were the mansions of Olw? at Alqualond?; the Haven of the
Swans; lit with many lamps。 For that was their city; and the haven of their ships; and those were made in the likeness of
swans; with beaks of gold and eyes of gold and jet。 The gate of that harbour was an arch of living rock sea…carved; and it
lay upon the confines of Eldamar; north of the Calacirya; where the light of the stars was bright and clear。
As the ages passed the Vanyar grew to love the land of the Valar and the full light of the Trees; and they forsook
the city of Tirion upon Túna; and dwelt thereafter upon the mountain of Manw?; or about the plains and woods of
Valinor; and became sundered from the Noldor。 But the memory of Middle…earth under the stars remained in the hearts
of the Noldor; and they abode in the Calacirya; and in the hills and valleys within sound of the western sea; and though
many of them went often about the land of the Valar; making far journeys in search of the secrets of land and water and
all living things; yet the peoples of Túna and Alqualond? drew together in those days。 Finw? was king in Tirion and
Olw? in Alqualond?; but Ingw? was ever held the High King of all the Elves。 He abode thereafter at the feet of Manw?
upon Taniquetil。
F?anor and his sons abode seldom in one place for long; but travelled far and wide upon the confines of Valinor;
going even to the borders of the Dark and the cold shores of the Outer Sea; seeking the unknown。 Often they were guests
in the halls of Aul?; but Celegorm went rather to the house of Orom?; and there he got great knowledge of birds and
beasts; and all their tongues he knew。 For all living things that are or have been in the Kingdom of Arda; save only the
fell and evil creatures of Melkor; lived then in the land of Aman; and there also were many other creatures that have not
been seen upon Middle…earth; and perhaps never now shall be; since the fashion of the world was changed。
Chapter 6
Of F?anor and the Unchaining of Melkor
Now the Three Kindreds of the Eldar were gathered at last in Valinor; and Melkor was chained。 This was the Noontide
of the Blessed Realm; the fullness of its glory and its bliss; long in tale of years; but in memory too brief。 In those days
the Eldar became full…grown in stature of body and of mind; and the Noldor advanced ever in skill and knowledge; and
the long years were filled with their joyful labours; in which many new things fair and wonderful were devised。 Then it
was that the Noldor first bethought them of letters; and Rúmil of Tirion was the name of the loremaster who first
achieved fitting signs for the recording of speech and song; some for graving upon metal or in stone; others for drawing
with brush or with pen。
In that time was born in Eldamar; in the house of the King in Tirion upon the crown of Túna; the eldest of the
sons of Finw?; and the most beloved。 Curufinw? was his name; but by his mother he was called F?anor; Spirit of Fire;
and thus he is remembered in all the tales of the Noldor。
Míriel was the name of his mother; who was called Serind?; because of her surpassing skill in weaving and
needlework; for her hands were more skilled to fineness than any hands even among the Noldor。 The love of Finw? and
Míriel was great and glad; for it began in the Blessed Realm in the Days of Bliss。 But in the bearing of her son Míriel
was consumed in spirit and body; and after his birth she yearned for release from the labours of living。 Ana when she
had named mm; she said to Finw?: 'Never again shall I bear child; for strength that would have nourished the life of
many has gone forth into F?anor。'
Then Finw? was grieved; for the Noldor were in me youth of their days; and he desired to bring forth many
children into the Miss of Aman; and he said: 'Surely there is healing in Aman? Here all weariness can find rest。' But
when Míriel languished still; Finw? sought the counsel of Manw?; and Manw? delivered her to the care of Irmo in
Lórien。 At their parting (for a little while as he thought) Finw? was sad; for it seemed an unhappy chance that the mother
should depart and miss the beginning at least of the childhood days of her son。
'It is indeed unhappy;' said Míriel; 'and I would weep; if I were not so weary。 But hold me blameless in this; and
in all that may e after。'
She went then to the gardens of Lórien and lay down to sleep; but though she seemed to sleep; her spirit indeed
departed from her body; and passed in silence to the halls of Mandos。 The maidens of Est? tended the body of Míriel;
and it remained unwithered; but she did not return。 Then Finw? lived in sorrow; and he went often to the gardens of
Lórien; and sitting beneath the silver willows beside the body of his wife he called her by her names。 But it was
unavailing; and alone in all the Blessed Realm he was deprived of joy。 After a while he went to Lórien no more。
An his love he gave thereafter to his son; and F?anor grew swiftly; as if a secret fire were kindled within him。 He
was tall; and fair of face; and masterful; his eyes piercingly bright and his hair raven…dark; in the pursuit of all his
purposes eager and steadfast。 Few ever changed his courses by counsel; none by force。 He became of all the Noldor;
then or after; the most subtle in mind and the most skilled in hand。 In his youth; bettering the work of Rúmil; he devised
thos