The Origins of Elves

The Beginning

The Elves were the first and eldest Children of Iluvatar. Elves were not vulnerable to weakness nor would they age after reaching their prime. They could only be killed from violence or extreme despair.

The Firstborn, the Elder Children of Ilúvatar, were conceived by Eru Ilúvatar alone in the third theme of Ainulindalë. They are the oldest and noblest of the speaking races of Middle-earth. They awoke at Cuiviénen, the Water of Awakening, in the far east of Middle-earth, in the starlight of the Long Night, as the Sun and Moon had yet to be created. The first Elves to awake were three pairs: Imin (“First”) and his wife Iminyë, Tata (“Second”) and Tatië, and Enel (“Third”) and Enelyë.

Imin, Tata, and Enel and their wives walked through the forests. It was here they would meet more of their kind. They came across six, nine and twelve pairs of Elves. Imin claimed the six pairs, Tata claimed the nine pairs and Enel claimed the twelve pairs. As they dwelt by the rivers they created music and poetry in Middle-Earth. As they carried on their journey they came across another band of Elves who were watching the stars, Tata claimed these Elves. They were tall and dark-haired and would become the fathers of most of the Ñoldor. As they continued their journey they found a further twenty-four pairs of Elves, Enel added them to his people and they became the ancestors of the Teleri.

They found no other Elves, they totalled 144. As the Elves had all been found in groups of twelve, twelve became their base number and 144 their highest. Imin’s Elves became the ancestors of the Vanyar.

The Great Journey & The Sundering of the Elves

As the Elves dwelt in Middle-Earth they settled near woods near Cuiviénen. It was here that Melkor, the fallen Valar became aware of them and he sent evil spirits to spy and cause them harm. He sent most of these spirits in the form of horsemen to replicate the vision of the Valar Oromë so as to cause the Elves to fear him.

Melkor foresaw correctly that it would be Oromë who first discovered the Elves from the Valar and when Oromë came across the Elves many hid from him and some even fled. The ones who fled were captured by Melkor and his agents and were taken to Utumno, it was here that they were tortured, twisted and mutilated to become the first Orcs. The Elves who stayed learnt that Oromë was different from the other spirits that had harassed them. Oromë came to love the Elves and gave them the name the Eldar.     

After spending time with the Elves, Oromë returned to Valinor, the place where the Valar dwelt in Aman, to tell Manwë of his discovery. He then returned to the Elves. After a short while the Valar decided that for the good of the Elves the time had come to overthrow Melkor. They set a guard around Cuiviénen and made their war with Melkor. After a long and grave war the Valar were victorious and imprisoned Melkor. The Elves did not have a knowledge or understanding of the war save for the earth shaking and the thunderous lightning which took place to the north. After the war Oromë returned to the Elves with an invitation from the Valar which invited them to come to the land of Aman where they could live in peace without fear. After seeing the power of the Valar many were afraid so they chose representatives from each kindred to go. These representatives were Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë.

When the three returned, they spoke to their people of peace and beauty of what they had seen and urged them to travel to Aman and abide there. The majority of the Elves agreed and began the Great Journey. The ones who stayed behind in Middle-Earth became known as the Avari. This was also known as the Sundering of the Elves. 

Led by Oromë, the Elves began their march from Cuiviénen. It took a slow pace as they would often stop being curious about what they saw. The Vanyar and the Ñoldor were the first to reach the coasts as they were the most eager to reach Aman. It was here that Ulmo moved an island across the sea to ferry them to Aman. The Teleri were the slowest to move across Middle-Earth, they became separated into various groups. Due to the disappearance of their leader Elwë in Nan Elmoth, some drew back to the wooded region of Neldoreth, which would later become known as Doriath. Other Teleri settled onto the coast and the area became known as Falathrim which was ruled by Círdan, once known as Nowë, kin of Elwë. Eventually the majority of the Teleri followed Olwë, Elwë’s brother on the island ferry across to Aman.    

Living in Aman with the Valar

The Elves that came to Aman were happy with the peace and beauty of their lands, they gained knowledge from the Valar and the three clans developed their own cultures and had three kings. Ingwë became the King of the Vanyar. Finwë became the King of the Ñoldor.  Elwë never returned to Aman, his brother Olwë became King of the Teleri   

The Vanyar settled at the foot of Taniquetil, living in the mountain below Manwë. They were drawn to the Valar and the full light of the Two Trees of Valinor. Ingwë, became the High King of the Elves.

The Ñoldor built the great city of Tirion on Túna. They loved arts and crafting new things, therefore they were drawn to Aulë the Smith, who passed on much of his knowledge. Finwë, the High King of the Ñoldor dwelt here, with his son Fëanor becoming the most gifted craftsman of the Elves. 

The Teleri were drawn to the sea and some stayed on the island ferry which became known as Tol Eressëa. After a time with the help of the Ñoldor, Olwë built the city of Alqualondë.

For three ages the Elves lived in complete peace and bliss. The developed skills in building, metallurgy, shipbuilding, poetry and music which would be lasting skills for all Elven kindreds. It was here that things would begin to change, the release of Melkor from his imprisonment would lead to a series of tragic events for the Elves which would change the course of their kind forever. 

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