Guide to The Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor (Ch. 9)
Chapter Nine: Of the Flight of the Noldor
The Valar asked Fëanor to give them the Silmarils so they could heal the Trees. However, Fëanor refused. Shortly after, messengers came from Formenos with news that Melkor had killed Finwë and stolen the Silmarils. Fëanor cursed Melkor, naming him Morgoth, the Black Foe of the World. After this, Fëanor ran and disappeared into the night.
All grieved for the loss of Finwë and the Silmarils and the light of the Trees of Valinor. Meanwhile, Morgoth and Ungoliant came to the wastes of Araman.
Ungoliant demanded more from Morgoth, attempting to take even the Silmarils. At this, Morgoth cried aloud, and the Balrogs came to his aid. Ungoliant fled. Morgoth forged for himself an iron crown in which he placed the Silmarils, and his power grew in the North.
The Oath of Fëanor
Fëanor came back to Tirion, against his banishment, and began a great speech before the Noldor. In this speech he claimed kingship of the Noldor and urged them to leave Valinor and take dominion of Middle-earth before the coming of Men. Fëanor had believed the lies of Morgoth: that the Valar held the Eldar captive in Valinor so that Men might rule Middle-earth. He then swore an oath to reclaim the Silmarils at any cost, and his sons joined him in this. Galadriel swore no oath but did go to Middle-earth with her family.
The greater part of the Noldor agreed to leave Aman, but not all agreed to take Fëanor as their king. Many preferred Fingolfin for king, so two divided hosts departed. Before they could leave, a messenger from Manwë came and urged them not to go. Fëanor laughed and brushed off this warning.
The Kinslaying at Alqualondë
Fëanor tried to persuade the Teleri to join them, but they would not join Fëanor, nor would they aid him. Fëanor tried to take the ships of the Teleri by force, but they withstood him, and a bitter battle followed. This was called the Kinslaying of Alqualondë (the first kinslaying). The Noldor took the ships and continued.
The Doom of Mandos
The Noldor were met by a figure who cursed those who would not stay or seek the pardon of the Valar, but Fëanor was not dissuaded. The Doom of Mandos was pronounced upon them: “Ye have spilled the blood of your kindred unrighteously and have stained the land of Aman. For blood ye shall render blood, and beyond Aman ye shall dwell in Death's shadow.”
Finarfin forsook the march at this time; he turned back and received the pardon of the Valar. He ruled the remaining Noldor in the Blessed Realm.
The Betrayal of Fëanor
Fëanor abandoned Fingolfin in Araman, bringing with him only those he deemed worthy, and set foot in Middle-earth. The host of Fingolfin was left in Araman and had no choice but to endure the Helcaraxë, the hills of ice.
