Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor

           NowtheThreeKindredsoftheEldarweregatheredatlastinValinor,andMelkorwaschained.ThiswastheNoontideoftheBlessedRealm,thefullnessofitsgloryanditsbliss,longintaleofyears,butinmemorytoobrief.InthosedaystheEldarbecamefull-growninstatureofbodyandofmind,andtheNoldoradvancedeverinskillandknowledge;andthelongyearswerefilledwiththeirjoyfullabours,inwhichmanynewthingsfairandwonderfulweredevised.ThenitwasthattheNoldorfirstbethoughtthemofletters,andRumilofTirionwasthenameoftheloremasterwhofirstachievedfittingsignsfortherecordingofspeechandsong,someforgravinguponmetalorinstone,othersfordrawingwithbrushorwithpen.

           InthattimewasborninEldamar,inthehouseoftheKinginTirionuponthecrownofTuna,theeldestofthesonsofFinwe,andthemostbeloved.Curufinwewashisname,butbyhismotherhewascalledFeanor,SpiritofFire;andthusheisrememberedinallthetalesoftheNoldor.

           Mirielwasthenameofhismother,whowascalledSerinde,becauseofhersurpassingskillinweavingandneedlework;forherhandsweremoreskilledtofinenessthananyhandsevenamongtheNoldor.TheloveofFinweandMirielwasgreatandglad,foritbeganintheBlessedRealmintheDaysofBliss.ButinthebearingofhersonMirielwasconsumedinspiritandbody;andafterhisbirthsheyearnedforreleasefromthelaboursofliving.Anawhenshehadnamedmm,shesaidtoFinwe:’NeveragainshallIbearchild;forstrengththatwouldhavenourishedthelifeofmanyhasgoneforthintoFeanor.’

           ThenFinwewasgrieved,fortheNoldorwereinmeyouthoftheirdays,andhedesiredtobringforthmanychildrenintotheMissofAman;andhesaid:’SurelythereishealinginAman?Hereallwearinesscanfindrest.’