 | |
| Event | |
| Great Journey | |
|---|---|
| Event Information | |
| Other names | Great March |
| Location | Middle-earth, Belegaer, Valinor |
| Date | Y.T. 1105 to 1132 (Minyar and Tatyar) and Y.T. 1151 (Nelyar) |
| Result | The Eldar reach Valinor and found Eldamar; separation of Calaquendi and Moriquendi; many Teleri remain in Rhovanion and Beleriand |
| Part of | Sundering of the Elves |
| Participants | Valar (and Osse), Eldar |
| Description | Oromë leads the three clans of Elves westwards through Middle-earth and Belegaer. |
The Great Journey, or the Great March, was the migration the Elves underwent from their birthplace at Cuiviénen to the blessed realm of Aman. This epic journey was initiated by the Valar in order to bring the Elves closer to their protection and wisdom, and for the Valar themselves to enjoy the beauty of the Elves.
The journey resulted in multiple sunderings among the Elves, dividing the initial three clans into various groups depending on if they completed the march (Amanyar: Vanyar, Noldor, Falmari), abandoned it part way (Úmanyar: Sindar, Nandor), or never departed Cuiviénen to begin with (Avari).
History
Background
In the Days before days, the Valar fought a titanic struggle against the malevolent Melkor over the shape of Arda. Eventually, following Melkor's destruction of the Two Lamps, the Valar retreated to Aman in the west, where they created the Two Trees, and left Melkor as the dominant power over Middle-earth. From his northern fortress of Utumno, Melkor laboured and the evil things he perverted walked abroad, haunting the woods with monsters and shapes of dread.[1] The Valar seldom came to Middle-earth, save only Yavanna and Oromë, the latter of whom as a mighty hunter pursued to the death Melkor's monsters and fell creatures. But even as Oromë passed the servants of Melkor would gather again; and the lands were filled with shadows and deceit.[2]
After many ages in the Years of the Trees, the Elves awoke in Cuiviénen. They were first found by Melkor, who was ever watchful, and his shadows and spirits waylaid them; further, as Melkor greatly hated and feared the riding of Oromë, he instilled into the Elves the fear of a dark Rider that would capture and devour any who strayed.[3]:§43 When Oromë eventually chanced upon the Elves while hunting, the noblest of them recognized that he was no shape of darkness and were drawn towards him, but others were filled with dread at his coming, and hid themselves or fled and were lost. Oromë named the Elves "Eldar", meaning "people of the stars" in their own tongue.[1]
After tarrying awhile among them, Oromë returned to Valinor with tidings, and spoke of the shadows that troubled Cuiviénen. The Valar rejoiced at the coming of the Elves, but were in doubt and debated long on how to guard them from the shadow of Melkor. Oromë soon returned to abide with the Elves, but Manwë sat long in thought and, after taking council with Ilúvatar, summoned the Valar to the Ring of Doom and declared that they would, at whatsoever cost, once again wage war on Melkor to retake mastery of Arda and deliver the Elves from his shadow.[1]
To protect the Elves, the Valar invited the them to reside in Aman. The Eldar, at first unwilling to hearken to the summons, sent Three Ambassadors on their behalf: Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë from the Minyar, Tatyar, and Nelyar clans respectively. The Ambassadors journeyed to Aman and there were filled with awe by the glory and majesty of the Valar and the Trees. On their return to Cuiviénen the Elves held a great debate where the Ambassadors persuaded the most part of their peoples, but not all, to depart. Thus was the First Sundering of the Elves with those who departed becoming known ever after as the Eldar and those who refused as the Avari ("Unwilling").[1]
Preparations
In preparation, the Eldar hoarded a great deal of food before they set out, and took light cultural tools.[4]:272 Further, the Eldar knew some metallurgy and, owing to the teachings of Oromë, fashioned weapons to defend themselves from prowling evils.[4]:272
General proceeding of the March
Following Oromë, the Eldar went forth in three hosts, one for each kindred. First came those of the Minyar (aka Vanyar), led by Ingwë, who were the smallest host and most eager for the road. Following them were the Eldar of the Tatyar clan, the Noldor,[5]:484 led by Finwë. Last came the Nelyar (aka Lindar), which was the largest and therefore had two lords, both Elwë and his younger brother Olwë.[6]:§58 During the March the Lindar were given the nickname Teleri ("those at the end of the line", "the hindmost") as they were the least eager to depart and often lagged far behind the Vanyar and Noldor;[5]:506 Olwë's host was ever the hindmost.[6]:§62
Progression on the March went very slowly, for the leagues were weary and pathless. The Eldar also did not desire to hasten as they were filled with wonder at all they saw, and by many lands and rivers they would fain abide. Not a few rather feared their journey's end than hoped for it.[6]:§59 Additionally, they had to provide food, clothing, and such en-route. It proceeded mainly between late spring to early autumn alternating between a period of marching, and then another of halting for resting and activities such as providing repairs, making clothes, and curing fur;[7]:57 they would also use these periods of halt to forge additional weapons if they could find metals.[4]:272
In the fragmentary survivals of the legends of the Great Journey there are mentions of several secessions from the march, either by accident (some small parties lost their way), deliberate abandonment of the journey through weariness and loss of hope,[8]:323 or where during a prolonged sojourn some simply remained content and stayed behind.[4]:272 For the most part these secessions were made by groups of the Lindar.[8]:323
Cuiviénen to the Sea of Rhûn
The Eldar began their long journey passing northward about the Sea of Helcar before they turned towards the west. Before them, effects of the War were visible, with great clouds hung black in the North, hiding the stars in that region. At this, not a few of the Eldar grew afraid and repented, and turned back, and are forgotten.[1]
At the end of the first löa (equivalent to a sun year) of travel, the Eldar covered a distance of approximately 450 miles and reached the shores of the Sea of Rhûn. At the time it was a very pleasant place, and many of the the Eldar were content and wished to beget children. The hosts resided there as their first settlement until the new generation of children were born and grew to an appropriate age for journeying of approximately ten olmendi (growth years).[7]:57 Here, the Teleri improved their boat-making, with their ships becoming larger and stronger.[9]:note 29
Sea of Rhûn to Atyamar
Once the children were able to journey, the Eldar travelled another 200 miles within a löa and camped in the wide grasslands, full of grain and food, which preceded the Great Forest. They were taught by Oromë how to sow and reap grain, and spent several löar doing so.[7]:58
After this prolonged halt, the Eldar resumed and marched another 200 miles to reach the Great Forest. While it looked lovely, it was found to contain some of Melkor's lurking evils. Some of the Eldar were lost and the rest, now afraid, retreated 50 miles back to the grasslands to await help from Oromë. He returned after several more löar and drove off the evils, encouraging the Eldar to resume.[7]:58
The Vanyar and Noldor then followed Oromë through the Great Forest, and emerged from the southern end into the Anduin Vale. At this point the Teleri began to straggle as not all had reached the east side of the Great Forest by the time the Vanyar and Noldor had gone through, and none had followed Oromë through it.[7]:58
The Vanyar and Noldor were delighted with the Anduin Vale and, in spite of the urging and discontent of Ingwë and Finwë, would not proceed any further. Their general thought was that this location, between wood and water, and rich in flowers and food, was where they should dwell and be guarded by the Valar. They thus settled on the east bank of the Anduin, in the region that would later become Lothlórien, and established Atyamar ("second home"). The Eldar enjoyed their life there, with the presence of the Maiar driving off evil, and they went through two periods of begetting children.[7]:58–9
Around the time of the second begetting the Teleri, who went around the Great Forest instead of through it, began to arrive and, also liking Atyamar as a new home, settled and begat children themselves. Oromë and the chieftains were disturbed by this as the hosts could not be made to move until the children were old enough to travel.[7]:59
Anduin and the Misty Mountains
Either by chance, machinations of Sauron, and/or because Oromë withdrew protection in the hopes of making the Eldar less content with Atyamar, the winters became hard and weather worsened. Though the host was burdened with many young children, with the youngest being many olmendi from maturation, the chiefs regardless ordered an advance across the Anduin, set for the spring after next. Over the course of the following loä, the Teleri, who already had a love of water and boats, completed a great boat-building and were ready with rafts and boats.[7]:59
In the winter before the crossing, many Teleri fought against it. The Anduin was the wider than any river they had yet seen,[1] and it was wild and flooded with great snowstorms from the Hithaeglir (Misty Mountains) which lasted far into the spring.[7]:59 From among the host of Olwë a numerous group of Teleri, led by Lenwë, forsook the westward march to remain at Atyamar, becoming known as the Nandor.[7]:59
The rest of the Eldar crossed though, and came to the feet of the Hithaeglir. These had been reared by Melkor to hinder the riding of Oromë, and were taller and more terrible than in later days, with sharp horns which seemed to pierce the realm of the stars.[1] Here, differing tales emerge.
In one, legends speak of a sojourn of many years and long debates before the Vanyar and Noldor, after long exploration, began crossing by the pass under the shadow of the Red Mountain,[8]:324 guided by Oromë.[1] With Oromë gone, the Teleri looked upon the shadowy heights and were afraid;[1] and many of them abandoned the march and settled in the dense forests between the river and mountain.[8]:324
In another, the Eldar found the Hithaeglir impassible, with some lost in the attempt. Eventually, over the course of four löar, they wandered south through woods into the plain of Calenardhon. The Vanyar and Noldor settled about the Isen and halted for a long period while the Teleri straggled in. They remained there for many years, going through two further rounds of begetting children. The Eldar waited until the youngest children were of age before setting out again, scheming to have no more until reaching Beleriand.[7]:60
Eriador and Beleriand
Eriador was crossed comparatively rapidly. In the span of four loär the Vanyar and the Noldor reached the Gwathló river; here they waited for the first of the lagging Teleri who upon arrival aided them to cross. Within another loä they progressed further to the Baranduin river, near the Blue Mountains.[7]:60
The Vanyar and Noldor came over the Blue Mountains and entered the land they would later name Beleriand. The foremost companies passed over the Vale of Sirion and came down to the shores of the Great Sea between Drengist and the Bay of Balar. When they beheld the sea though, a great fear come upon them, and many withdrew into the woods and highlands of Beleriand; at this, Oromë departed, and returned to Valinor to seek the counsel of Manwë.[1] Many of the Noldor dwelt in the forests that were afterwards named Neldoreth and Region.[10]
After several years, the host of the Teleri crossed over Eriador, coming at last to Beleriand, and dwelt in the eastward region between the Blue Mountains and the River Gelion. And they came unwillingly, being urged by Elwë their king; for he was eager to return to Valinor and wished not to be sundered from the Noldor or his great friendship with Finwë.[3]:§64 Elwë went often through the great woods to seek out Finwë, and during one such visit he came alone to the starlit wood of Nan Elmoth. There he heard the song of nightingales and the voice of Melian, which filled his heart with wonder and desire. Forgetting all his people and all the purposes of his mind, he followed the birds deep into Nam Elmoth and was lost.[10]
At some point the Eldar encountered the Petty-dwarves, who had settled in Beleriand before the Elves came there,[11] dwelling furtively in small groups west of Sirion.[12]:note 7 Relations were hostile as the Petty-dwarves at once attacked the Eldar in darkness and ambush[11] and the Elves, not recognizing them as Incarnates, but instead thinking them to be some kind of cunning animal, hunted them in response.[12]
Crossing the Great Sea
By the council of the Valar, Ulmo came to the shores of Middle-earth and spoke with the Eldar who waited there. Through his words and the music of his horns, their fear of the sea was turned instead to desire. Ulmo, with the aid of his servants, then uprooted an island which was far from either shore and moved it to the Bay of Balar where it was anchored. The Vanyar and Noldor embarked upon that isle and were drawn over the sea, eventually arriving at Aman. During this voyage part of the island broke off, becoming the Isle of Balar.[13]
As the Teleri were dwelling far from the sea in East Beleriand, they did not hear the summons of Ulmo until too late; and many were still searching for Elwë and unwilling to depart without him. On learning that the Vanyar and Noldor were gone though, the most part of the Teleri, in longing for their departed friends, pressed on to the shores of Beleriand and came to dwell near the mouths of Sirion and took Olwë to be their king. They remained there for a long time, and were befriended by Ossë and Uinen, with Ossë instructing them in all manner of sea-lore and sea-music.[13]
After much time had passed, Finwë and the Noldor, grieved by their long sundering from the Teleri, besought Ulmo to bring them to Aman; Ulmo hearkened to these prayers and returned to Beleriand with the floating isle. While most of the Teleri proved willing to depart, some were persuaded by Ossë to remain voluntarily, and became known as the Falathrim.[13] Others, who wished to go, continued seeking for Elwë and were left behind when Ulmo and Olwë, after tarrying a full Valian Year, departed; these then named themselves the Eglath ("the forsaken") and withdrew to the forests as the sea filled them with sorrow.[14]
When the floating isle reached the Bay of Eldamar, within sight of Aman, Ossë, who had been following, called to the people of Olwë. They knew his voice and begged Ulmo to stay their voyage. Ulmo, who understood the hearts of the Teleri and had spoken against the summons, granted this request and at his bidding Ossë rooted the island. Finwë was grieved that the Teleri came not, and yet more when he learned that Elwë was forsaken. The island, alone within the Bay of Eldamar, became known as Tol Eressëa (the Lonely Isle).[13]
Aftermath and later migrations
The Valar gave the Eldar a land and dwelling-place within Aman. In a deep valley east of the Two Trees, the Eldar raised a high green hill, Túna, upon which they built their city Tirion where the Vanyar and the Noldor dwelt long in fellowship.[13]
Elwë eventually awoke from his long trance and came forth from Nam Elmoth with Melian. His people gathered about him in joy, and they were amazed; for fair and noble as he had been, now he appeared as it were a lord of the Maiar, his hair as grey silver, tallest of all the Children of Ilúvatar; and a high doom was before him.[13] He and Melian would go on to establish the realm of Doriath.
The Teleri under Olwë dwelt on Tol Eressëa for a long age, but they were torn between the love of music of the waves, and the desire to see again their kindred and look upon the splendour of Valinor. In the end, their desire of the light was stronger, and Ulmo sent Ossë who taught them ship-building and gifted many strong-winged swans. The swans drew the white ships of the Teleri over the windless sea and they at last came to Aman.[13] Olwë, with the aid of Finwë and the Noldor, built the city Alqualondë on the coast.[6]:§76 These Elves became known as the Falmari ("wave-folk").
A further group of Elves eventually settled in Mithrim, in the north-west of Beleriand. While surviving traces of their language indicated that they must have been mainly Teleri in origin, a tradition lingered that some were in fact Noldor who had failed to embark; evidently because they had explored too far away from the shore, or had struck up friendships with the Teleri who came up behind.[15]:134
Many of the Nandor remained at Atyamar for thousands of years, but others migrated, with some eventually going south down the Anduin and settling on the shores south of the White Mountains near what would later be Belfalas. One group, led by Denethor, son of Lenwë, went along the coasts and eventually arrived in southeast Beleriand many years later;[16]:fn2 they became known as the Laegrim ("Green-elves").
The Avari evidently continued to call themselves by derivations of the Primitive Quendian term "kwendī" ("the People"), but their use of the term excluded the Eldar as they regarded those who went away as deserters.[12]:note 9
When the Elves eventually met the greater Dwarves of the Blue Mountains, they recognized them as Incarnates for their skill in craft and ability to learn the Elven speech. Though the Elves were initially in doubt of them, believing them to be related to Orcs and creatures of Morgoth, they found that though proud and unfriendly, they could be trusted to keep their treaties and did not molest those who left them in peace.[12] The greater Dwarves initially held grievance against the Elves for their hunting and slaying of their lesser, and despised, kin, but these were set aside through treaties and consideration of the lack of declaration on the part of the Petty-dwarves.[11]
Other notable Elves
Nōwë, the Elf later known as Círdan ("shipwright"), and kinsman of Elwë and Olwë, was present on the Great March. Even in Cuiviénen, he was ever foremost and most inventive and skilful among the Teleri in boat-making.[9]:note 29 After the departure of the Vanyar and Noldor to Aman, Nōwë turned his thoughts to the making of ships as he and the other Teleri became impatient during the long waiting for the return of the floating isle. Nonetheless, for love of his kin and allegiance, Nōwë was the leader of those who sought for Elwë. After the floating isle eventually returned, Nōwë did not reach the shores until nearly all of Olwë's following had departed. As the isle was still visible in the distance, he determined to sail his own almost complete ship out to follow it. He was stayed, however, by a message from the Valar warning him that his skill was not yet enough to build a ship capable of crossing the Great Sea, and that his work in Middle-earth would be of utmost worth. He further received a vision of the Vingilot, and from that night onward had foresight touching all matters of importance beyond the measure of all other Elves upon Middle-earth.[9]:477–479
Among those those who initially refused to pass the Hithaeglir was Eöl, though he too, along with a few others of like mood and averse to concourse of people, did eventually come to Beleriand.[17]:§9
Elmo, younger brother to Elwë and Olwë, and grandfather of Celeborn, was born during the March.[18]:132 He stayed in Middle-earth and was beloved of Elwë with whom he remained.[19]:307
Ratio of Elvish clans
According to Noldorin historians, the proportions (out of 144) of Elves who never undertook the Great Journey (Avari); of those who started but didn't complete it (Úmanyar); and of those who did complete it (Amanyar) were as follows:[5]:504
| Clan | Avari | Eldar | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Úmanyar | Amanyar | |||
| Minyar | 0 | 0 | 14 (Vanyar) | 14 |
| Tatyar | 28 | 0 | 28 (Noldor) | 56 |
| Nelyar | 28 | 26 (Sindar and Nandor) | 20 (Falmari) | 74 |
| Total | 56 | 26 | 62 | 144 |
Timelines
Tolkien's conceptions of how long the Great Journey lasted changed over time. The most detailed of these were provided in the The Annals of Aman (AAm) [c. 1958] and The March of the Quendi (MotQ) [c. 1959].
In the table below, the following legend is used:
- VY (AAm): Valian Year as per Annals of Aman, where provided
- VY (MotQ): Valian Year as per March of the Quendi, where provided
- AY (MotQ): Awakening Year, that is the number of coranari (solar years) since the Awakening of the Elves
- Distance: Number of miles travelled, as per MoTQ
- Population: Approximate population of the Elves, as per MoTQ
| VY (AAm) | VY (MotQ) | AY (MoTQ) | Event | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y.T. 1105 | 1129/29 | 18605 | The March begins and reaches the Sea of Rhûn; it does not move on as many are content and desire to beget children. The March halts until the new children are old enough to join | 450 | 20,000 |
| N/A | 1130/15 | 18735 | The March resumes and reaches the grasslands before the Great Forest. It halts here for a few löar to harvest grain. | 650 | 22,000 |
| N/A | 1130/20 | 18740 | The March advances another 200 miles and reaches the Great Forest. Lurking evils cause fear and the Eldar retire 50 miles, back to the grasslands, and await help from Oromë. | 800 | 22,000 |
| Y.T. 1115 | 1130/26 | 18746 | The Vanyar and the Noldor follow Oromë through the Great Forest and reach the Anduin Vale. The Elves, asides from their Chiefs, are delighted with the place and wish to stay. They establish it as Atyamar. The Teleri begin to straggle as not all had reached the east side of the Great Forest when the Vanyar and Noldor went through, and none followed. | 1050 | 22,000 |
| N/A | 1130/36 | 18756 | The Noldor and Vanyar complete a begetting of children at Atyamar. | 1050 | 24,000 |
| N/A | 1130/79 | 18799 | The Noldor and Vanyar complete another begetting of children at Atyamar. The Teleri begin to appear, having gone around the Great Forest instead of through it. They also like Atyamar, and are themselves eager for more children. | 1050 | 26,000 |
| N/A | 1130/89 | 18809 | The Teleri complete their begetting of children at Atyamar. | 1050 | 28,000 |
| Y.T. 1115 | 1130/90 | 18810 | Either by chance, machinations of Sauron, and/or because Oromë withdrew protection in the hopes of making the Eldar less content with Atyamar, winters become hard and weather worsens. Though the host is burdened with many young children, with the youngest not to reach maturation until 1131/65, the Chiefs regardless order an advance across the Anduin and the Teleri begin a great boat-building. 3000 of the Teleri refuse to leave Atyamar and become known as the Nandor. | 1050 | 28,000 |
| N/A | 1130/91 | 18811 | 25,000 of the host moved across the Anduin and encounter the Misty Mountains; they find it impassible so instead they wander south into the plains. The Teleri lag behind again. | 1150 | 25,000 |
| N/A | 1130/95 | 18815 | The Vanyar and Noldor settle around the Isen after wandering for four löar. The main host halts for a long while while the Teleri straggle in. | 1850 | 25,000 |
| N/A | 1130/109 | 18829 | A begetting of children is completed. | 1850 | 28,500 |
| N/A | 1131/5 | 18869 | Another begetting of children completed. The women are having difficulties with children, so the host waits until the youngest are old enough to join the March. | 1850 | 30,500 |
| N/A | 1132/9 | 19017 | The Eldar scheme to beget no more children until they reach Beleriand. The Vanyar and Noldor move west until they reach the Gwathló. | 2110 | 30,500 |
| N/A | 1132/11 | 19019 | The Vanyar and Noldor wait for the Teleri, the first of which come up in 1132/10 and then help the Vanyar and Noldor across. The Vanyar and Noldor reach the Baranduin and are now near the southern end of the Blue Mountains. | 2310 | 30,500 |
| Y.T. 1125 | 1132/17 | 19025 | The Vanyar and Noldor are led to Eastern Beleriand, which is safe, in 1132/12. Over the next few years they migrate about 800 miles by drawing about Western Doriath. At about 1132/17 they reach the coast of Beleriand. | 3111 | 30,500 |
| Y.T. 1128 | 1132/20 | 19028 | The Teleri are eager for the Sea and push west to the Falas or Nevrast; the Vanyar and Noldor chiefly inhabit about Sirion. By this time all the Eldar are in Beleriand. | 3111 | 30,000 |
| Y.T. 1130 | N/A | N/A | Elwë is lost | N/A | N/A |
| Y.T. 1132 | 1133/17 | 19169 | Vanyar and Noldor depart across the Great Sea | 3111 | N/A |
| Y.T. 1133 | 1133/29 | 19181 | Vanyar and Noldor complete transit across the Great Sea. Teleri go to the shores and are befriended by Ossë. | N/A | N/A |
| Y.T. 1150 | 1134/? | N/A | Olwë and part of the Teleri are taken off | N/A | N/A |
A duration comparison, using dates converted into approximate number of coranari elapsed since the beginning of the March, is as follows:
| Event | AAm | MotQ |
|---|---|---|
| Great Journey begins | 0 | 0 |
| Elves reach Anduin Vale | 96 | 141 |
| Elves leave Anduin Vale; Nandor are sundered | 96 | 205 |
| Elves reach coast of Beleriand | 192 | 420 |
| Vanyar and Noldor depart | 259 | 576 |
| Olwë's Teleri depart | 431 | 691 - 834 |
Other versions of the legendarium
Sequence of events
In the published Silmarillion, the Elves were invited to join the Valar in Aman after the Battle of the Powers. Even though Melkor had been captured, many evil things still lingered under the fortresses of Angband and Utumno, and others dispersed and fled into the dark and roamed in the waste, and Sauron had not been found.[1]
In later writings, Tolkien reconsidered this. Before the Awakening of the Elves, the Valar had avoided confronting Melkor as they feared that such a war would be ruinous, with Melkor possibly being able to so greatly damage Arda that the Children could not come or could not inhabit it.[20]:487 The war against Utumno was only undertaken by the Valar with reluctance, and without hope of real victory, but rather as a covering action or diversion, to enable them to get the Quendi out of his sphere of influence.[21]:521 This "rescue of the Quendi" was therefore secret (as far as possible) and behind a screen of investment before the violent assault upon Utumno had begun.[22]:44–45
Rather than the Elves fashioning their own weapons, an earlier idea of Tolkien's was for them to be initially made by Aulë and sent as gifts by the hand of Oromë. These came in at least two batches, with one being for their defence against prowling evils while they still dwelt at Cuiviénen, and still more sent to aid them while undertaking the Great March.[23]:§52a
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Second section of the Annals of Aman"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: V. Note on Elvish Economy"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: C. The Clan-names, with notes on other names for divisions of the Eldar"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Third section of the Annals of Aman"
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: VII. The March of the Quendi"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XVII. Silvan Elves and Silvan Elvish"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XIII. Last Writings"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Thingol and Melian"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix B. Elvish names for the Dwarves"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Author's Notes to Quendi and Eldar"
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 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.), The War of the Jewels, "Part One. The Grey Annals": §15
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson)
- ↑ , VII The March of the Quendi
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XVII. Generational Schemes"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Four. Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth", "Appendix: 'The Converse of Manwë and Eru' and later conceptions of Elvish reincarnation"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] VI"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: VI. The Awaking of the Quendi"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"