“Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to use from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures. And of these histories most fair still in the ears of the Elves is the tale of Beren and Lúthien."
JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are widely regarded as two of the greatest works of fiction of modern time. Over 150 million copies of The Lord of the Rings, and 100 million copies of The Hobbit have been sold worldwide (and this statistic hasn’t been updated in years, so it’s even been far more than this!). Tolkien's Middle-Earth is epic in every sense. He breathes life into Middle-Earth, writing as if he were recounting both history and legend, and draws us into a world that feels more real than our own. Millions have fallen in love with Tolkien's work and with good reason.
““And it is said that his hate overcame his counsel, so that if he had endured to wait longer, until his designs were full, then the Noldor would have perished utterly. But on his part he esteemed too lightly the valour of the Elves, and of Men he took yet no account.”
“All this is but Elvish lore, tales to beguile newcomers that are unwary. The Sea has no shore. There is no Light in the West. You have followed a fool-fire of the Elves to the end of the world! Which of you has seen the least of the Gods? Who has beheld the Dark King in the North? Those who seek the dominion of Middle-earth are the Eldar…”
"Therefore he said to Aredhel: "Lady, let us depart while there is still time! What hope is there in this wood for you or for me? Here we are held in bondage, and no profit shall I find here; for I have learned all that my father has to teach, or that the Naugrim will reveal to me. Shall we not seek for Gondolin? You shall be my guide, and I will be your guard!"
In this chapter, we witness the beginning of two great hidden kingdoms: Gondolin (Turgon / House of Fingolfin) and Nargothrond (Finrod Felagund / House of Finarfin). We also watch as the shadow of Fëanor’s actions follow the rest of the Noldor and the damage that is caused, specifically in their relationship with the Sindar.
This chapter is essentially a description of a map which details how the Eldar divided up Beleriand. I would not recommend trying to read this chapter without looking at the map. I’ve tried to summarize the various regions as simply as I can, but it is still quite thorough! This chapter would’ve served best as an appendix, so don’t spend too much time dwelling on every minor detail.
"Yet cause he had for great joy, though it was hidden from him for a while. For Fëanor, in his wrath against the Enemy, would not halt... and he laughed aloud as he wielded his sword, rejoicing that he had dared the wrath of the Valar and the evils of the road, that he might see the hour of his vengeance."
“The fate of Men after death, maybe, is not in the hands of the Valar, nor was all foretold in the Music of the Ainur.”
“But the flower and the fruit Yavanna gave to Aulë, and Manwë hallowed them, and Aulë and his people made vessels to hold them and preserve their radiance: as is said in the Narsilion, the Song of the Sun and Moon. These vessels the Valar gave to Varda, that they might become lamps of heaven, outshining the ancient stars, being nearer to Arda; and she gave them power to traverse the lower regions of Ilmen, and set them to voyage upon appointed courses above the girdle of the Earth from the West unto the East and to return.” - Of the Sun and the Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
“But of bliss and glad life there is little to be said, before it ends: as works fair and wonderful, while still they endure for eyes to see, are their own record, and only when they are in peril or broken for ever do they pass into song.” - Of the Sindar
“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.” - The Silmarillion, Of the Flight of the Noldor
