Quenta 5 — Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië
Chapter 5 of the Quenta Silmarillion
Summary
Having crossed the Great Sea, the Vanyar and the Noldor took the land of Aman and dwelt in the light of the Trees, while the Teleri, last to come, lingered in Tol Eressëa and at Alqualondë under the leading of Olwë. The chapter describes the bays and shores of Eldamar, “the Elvenhome”, and the cleft of the Calacirya, the Pass of Light, wherein stood the great city of Tirion on the hill of Túna, looking down upon the shore. It then names the princes of the Eldalië — Ingwë the eldest, king of all the Elves upon Valinor; Finwë, lord of the Noldor; and Olwë of the Teleri. Of Finwë it tells that he had two wives, Míriel mother of Fëanor and Indis mother of Fingolfin and Finarfin, and that the Noldor grew in strength and crafts under the Two Trees while the great city of Valmar lay near. The joy of that age was cloudless, and the sea lay ever in the memory of the West.