Quenta 10 — Of the Sindar
Chapter 10 of the Quenta Silmarillion
Summary
While Melkor lay long in the captivity of the Valar, the Sindar of Beleriand prospered under the rule of Thingol, and the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost delved for him the Thousand Caves of Menegroth. About all Doriath Melian cast the Girdle of enchantment that none could pass against her will, and in that guarded realm was born Lúthien, whose beauty was a wonder among all the Shining People. Daeron the minstrel made his alphabet of runes, and Círdan the Shipwright built ships and the havens of the Falas under the teaching of Ossë. Yet shadow came at last: the Orcs of Morgoth, in the darkness before the return of the Noldor, poured into the lands of Beleriand and the first onslaught fell upon the Green-elves of Ossiriand. Denethor their king was caught on Amon Ereb and slain, the first death of an Elf in the long wars of the realm. The chapter ends with the passing of peril for a while and the uneasy peace that lay until the Noldor should come again out of the West.