The Eldar and the Edain

Finrod was hunting with Maglor and Maehdros when he stumbled upon a group of Men in Ossiriand. These were the first Men to come West over the mountains into Beleriand. These Men were learned by the Dark Elves in the wildlands East of the mountains. Finrod found that he could quickly understand their language since all Elvish speech had the same origin. Long he espied them making music by their fires and Finrod waited until they fell asleep. Finrod then made his way to the fire, picked up a harp, and made beautiful music. One by one the Men wake up and a friendship is born.

Finrod spent much time with them. Their chieftan was Beor and he told of other groups of Men migrating West. There were the Haladin who were waiting to hear the tidings of Beor's folk before crossing the mountains. Beor also told of the people of Malach whom they passed on the road for they were a numerous people. Finrod sought to learn of what led to their journey but little was said. "'A darkness lies behind us,' Beor said; 'and we have turned our backs upon it, and we do not desire to return thither even in thought. Westward our hearts have been turned, and we believe that there we shall find Light'" (p. 141, The Silmarillion).  Finrod stayed long with them and taught them many things. Edain he named them and it was later the name for the three houses of Men that were faithful to the Elves. It was perceived that a darkness was upon them (akin to the Doom of Mandos) and it was thought that Morgoth's purpose was to make Men and the Elves enemies.

The Green Elves were troubled by the coming of Men. They asked Finrod to bid them leave: "'And these folk are hewers of trees and hunters of beasts; therefore we are their unfriends, and if they will not depart we shall afflict them in all ways that we can'" (p. 142, The Silmarillion). So at Finrod's advice Beor's folk moved to a land after called Estolad where Amrod and Amros dwelt. Beor went to Nargothrond as a servant of Finrod for his remaining days which became a custom for the sons of the Edain. Eventually the other groups of Men came. The Haladin were waylaid by the Green Elves until they moved on and settled in the lands of Caranthir. The group lead by Malach were warriors and marched in companies. These men the Green Elves hid themselves from. Eventually though, Malach's people settled closer to Beor's folk for there was friendship between these two groups.

Middle-earth timeline: First Age, 310-312
Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 140-143