Chapter 6 - Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor - J.R.R. Tolkien
171The Silmarillion
The History of the Silmarils - Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor
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There was much glory and bliss during the days of the Noontide of Valinor. In those days the Noldor learned the great skill of craftsmanship, and Rúmil of Tirion first created signs for writing. The son of Finwë and Miriel was also born during this time. He was called Fëanor. However, after the birth of Fëanor, Míriel was consumed in body and spirit and longed for release from life. Finwë was troubled, and Míriel departed to Lórien, where it was hoped she would find healing and rest. But even as she lay down to sleep, her spirit left her body and came to the Halls of Mandos, and Finwë grieved the loss of his wife.
He afterwards devoted all of his love to his son Fëanor, who grew to be mightiest among the Noldor in body and mind. Fëanor became skilled in the making of gems and bright jewels. He was wedded to Nerdanel, whose father Mahtan taught him much of the working of metal and stone. To Fëanor Nerdanel bore seven sons.
Now Finwë the father of Fëanor wedded Indis, his second wife, and was happy again. But Fëanor cared little for Indis, or for her sons, Fingolfin and Finarfin, and there was a division between them. It came to pass that Melkor was granted pardon, and was released to dwell in Valmar, having served his term. For Manwë perceived not the evil that remained in Melkor's heart, though not all the Valar were deceived. And Melkor afterwards feigned friendship with the Noldor, teaching them much. Many were eager to learn what he taught, but Fëanor despised him most among the Eldalië.
Timeline of Arda:
Years of the Trees
4605: Great Journey of the Elves: The Elves depart towards Aman. (Not all answer the summons — see Sundering of the Elves.)
4615: The Elves reach the great river which would later be called Anduin.
* A group of Teleri under Lenwë (or Dan), wary of crossing the Misty Mountains, abandon the March near the Anduin and become the Nandor.
* Fathers of the Dwarves and first Ents awakened by Eru Ilúvatar;
* Elves discover the Ents and begin teaching them language.
4625: The Vanyar and Noldor arrive in Beleriand,
4628: The Teleri arrive in Beleriand after tarrying in the great forests of Eriador.
4630: Elwë meets Melian and is entranced.
4632: Ulmo is unwilling to wait until Elwë is found, and the Vanyar and Noldor are ferried across on the island of Tol Eressëa, while the Teleri stay behind, looking for their lord.
4633: The Vanyar and Noldor settle in Eldamar and begin building Tirion
4640: Tirion is finished,
* Mindon Eldaliéva is built.
* Ingwë and many of the Vanyar leave Tirion to dwell with Manwë in Valinor.
4642: Yavanna gives the White Tree, Galathilion, to the Noldor.
4649: Ulmo finally returns for the Teleri, but many stay behind because Elwë is not yet found, and become the Sindar. Another group remains behind at the request of Ossë, and together with those who came too late they become the Elves of the Falas under Círdan.
4651: The majority of the Teleri are ferried across on Tol Eressëa, which is anchored in the Bay of Eldamar. They take Elwë's brother, Olwë, as lord.
4652: Elwë awakes from slumber and reunites with the Sindar. He becomes known as Thingol, settling in Doriath.
4661: The Teleri of Tol Eressëa learn the art of shipbuilding, and ferry across the bay of Eldamar to Aman, where they found the city of Alqualondë.
4665: The last Vanyar abandon Tirion and settle in Valinor proper.
* The Noldor remain in Tirion under their lord, Finwë.
4669: Fëanor is born.
* Rúmil invents writing.
* Nogrod and Belegost were founded by Dwarves;
* Khazad-dûm was founded by Durin the Deathless.
4670: Míriel dies.
4672: The Valar issued the Statute of Finwë and Míriel
4685: Finwë and Indis are married.
4690: Fingolfin is born.
4700: Lúthien is born.
4730: Finarfin is born.
4750: Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost are met by the Sindar, establishing trade.
* Fëanor develops the Tengwar.
4780: Finarfin and Eärwen are married.
4800: Turgon and Finrod Felagund are born.
* Menegroth is built by the Dwarves of Belegost and the Sindar.
* Daeron devises the Cirth.
4830: Orcs begin to appear in Beleriand.
* The Dwarves of Belegost make weapons for the Sindar.
4850: The Nandor, under Denethor, arrive in Beleriand, becoming known as the Green Elves of Ossiriand.
* The Halls of Menegroth are finished.
4862: Aredhel and Galadriel are born.
4900: Melkor is freed from his sentence.