Quenta 7 — Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor
Chapter 7 of the Quenta Silmarillion
Summary
In the years of the Trees, Fëanor at last achieved the work of his hands and made the three Silmarils, capturing the blended light of Telperion and Laurelin in jewels of wonderful hardness and shining, “the most renowned of all the works of the Elves”. Melkor, hearing of the jewels, lusted after them and, under veil, spread lies among the Noldor against the Valar and against Fëanor himself. Fëanor, in his pride, grew jealous of his half-brother Fingolfin, and before the Ring of Doom he drew his sword in the council of the Valar — by which deed he was banished from Tirion for twelve years. He withdrew with his father Finwë and his house to the northern fortress of Formenos, and many of the Noldor followed him. Melkor came disguised to Formenos seeking to win the Silmarils, but Fëanor shut him out with scorn, and Melkor went away the more enraged. The chapter closes with Melkor accused before the Valar of false dealing, and the reckoning of the unrest that was to follow.