The Eärendel Poems

Some of J.R.R. Tolkien's earliest writings (1914-1915) were poems centered on Eärendel. Christopher Tolkien publishes four of these poems in The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II. Poetry has never been a love of mine but reading enough of Tolkien's has made it much more bearable. The Eärendel poems (as I call them) are as follows:

• Éalá Éarendel Engla Beorhtast (Old English for The Last Voyage of Eärendel)
• The Bidding of the Minstrel, from the Lay of Eärendel
• The Shores of Faëry
• The Happy Mariners

I leave you with the opening stanza of the first poem:

"Éarendel arose where the shadow flows 

At Ocean's silent brim;

Through the mouth of night as a ray of light

Where the shores are sheer and dim

He launched his bark like a silver spark

From the last and lonely sand;

Then on sunlit breath of day's fiery death

He sailed from Westerland" (p. 267, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II).

The Unfinished Earendel Tale

It might be said that the mysterious Anglo Saxon word éarendel as Tolkien was struck by the beauty of the word when he first began the study of language. Given the form of the word and various uses in other Germaniac tongues Tolkien had a strong sense that it was a proper name: "To my mind the Anglo Saxon uses seem plainly to indicate that it was a star presaging the dawn (at any rate in English tradition): this is what we now call Venus: the morning star as it may be seen shining brilliantly in the dawn, before the actual rising of the Sun. That is at any rate how I took it...I adopted him into my mythology--in which he became a prime figure, as a mariner, and eventually as a herald star, and a sign of hope to men" (p. 266, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II).

The Tale of Eärendel was to be a long tale; itself half the length of all the Tales we've previously explored combined. But Tolkien never really finished it. Christopher Tolkien runs through a serious of outlines and scattered notes that piece together a skeleton of the Tale but it was quite unfinished. I will highlight the seven main points for our purposes:

1. The Tale of the Nauglafring. My post on that story is found here; so we learn that this was really the first part of Eärendel's story not meant to be a stand alone tale. This also explains the flight of Elwing. 
2. Dwelling at Sirion: including the love of Eärendel and Elwing; departure of Tuor. Eärendel's first sea journey's.
3. More sea journey's; departure of Idril and farewell to Elwing, building of the great ship Wingilot.
4. Eärendel's search for Valinor and years of adventure on the sea.
5. News of Gondolin's fall reaches Valinor, ruin of Sirion, captivity of Elwing, march of the Elves, vanishing of Valinor, capture of Melko, curse of the Nauglafring and death of Elwing.
6. Eärendel reaches Kôr and finds it empty, returns to find Sirion destroyed, searches the ruin of Gondolin, back to the sea and Tol Eressëa.
7. Eärendel sales to the firmament of the world.

There are extra tidbits here and there: such as Eärendel appears to have a run-in with Ungweliantë in one of his journeys, Ulmo has some encounters with the mariner, and mermaids were quite fond of him.  But perhaps the most interesting thing is Eärendel was not journeying to Valinor as desperate last plea for help on behalf of Elves and Men (for he carried the blood of both) in the desperate war against Melko. While reading the scant details on what could have been some very cool adventures the weight of the journey is simply not there early on in these outlines dated approximately 1914-1917. 

The Nauglafring

"We come now to the last of the original Lost Tales to be given consecutive narrative form" (p. 221, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II). So says Christopher Tolkien. The tale of The Nauglafring, The Necklace of the Dwarves. What is a complicated, sprawling, narrative that covers over 20 pages (with the Eriol element still present) is truncated to about 5 pages in The Silmarillion. It's easy to see why the story was simplified and yet I always find myself wanting more when reading Tolkien.

As the original Tale goes Úrin (Húrin) brought the treasure hoard of Glorund to King Tinwelint and left to die in grief. Immediately the dragon-sickness took hold of all who laid eyes on that treasure. Úrin's band of followers demanded a share of the gold but Tinwelint would only yield what each man could carry in his hands. This led to heated words and a bitter fight where all the men were killed and "...the king's hall ran with gore, and the gold that lay before his throne, scattered and spurned by trampling feet, was drenched with blood" (p. 222-223, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II). And from early in the story we see the ill-effects of dragon sickness--the same illness that would overtake Thorin in The Hobbit. Gwenniel (Gwendelin when we saw last, Melian in the published work) warned Tinwelint of the curse.

One Ufedhin, an exiled Noldoli living in Tinwelint's courts, had dealings with the Nauglath and Indrafngs (Dwarves). This is the first real appearance of the Dwarves and their intro is as such: "The Nauglath are a strange race and none know surely whence they be; and they serve not Melko nor Manwë and reck not for Elf or Man, and some say that they have not heard of Ilúvatar, or hearing disbelieve" (p. 223, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II). Perhaps they did not serve Melko but in Tolkien's earliest writings there was an evil bent to the Dwarves. Ufedhin offered to bring some Dwarves to Tinwelint so they could fashion the treasure hoard into things precious and of great value.  Yet Ufedhin's heart was pierced by the gold as well.

Ufedhin asked to take the gold to Nogrod for the Dwarves to fashion for seven months but Tinwelint disliked this plan and held Ufedhin hostage until the Dwarves returned with the treasure. Seven months later the Dwarves returned with many fair things and Tinwelint offered them a feast--in reality he was not letting them leave for he wanted more work from them. Crowns for Tinweling and Gwenniel were made and other fair things. At last Ufedhin asked for the Silarmil, won by Beren and Tinúviel, to be set in The Nauglafring. When this precious necklace was made with one of Fëanor's jewels set within the time for payment came. It had been another three months past.

Ufedhin scorned this request saying the kindness of Tinwelint's halls for 10 months was payment enough. But the Dwarves, coached by Ufedhin made the following request: 7 jewels of Valinor, 7 robes of magic weaved by Gwenniel, a sack of gold for each, 3 sacks of silver for each, and each a golden cup to drink to Tinwelint's health. Had this request not been enough they topped it off with a request to take with each a fair woodland Elf maiden. Tinwelint was wrathful--the dragon sickness would not permit him to give up any of the treasure at this point and "...never could he deliver maidens of the Elves unto illshapen Dwarves without undying shame" (p. 229, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II).

Tinwelint had the Dwarves and Ufedhin whipped and offered the following recompense essentially 9 pieces of gold, one piece of silver, and a small gem each. Ufedhin would receive in accordance of his scornful reply but his Dwarven friends were forced to pay back one piece of gold and two pieces of silver each for Ufedhin's time in Tinwelint's halls. With that they were given a great feast for their journey home and asked to drink to Tinwelint's health. Upon arriving back home the greed and wrath of the Dwarves were stoked. News of the treasure and the treatment reached the Indrafangs (another clan of Dwarves) and they came to aid their kin. Furthermore they formed an alliance with Orcs and wandering goblins to aid them. One problem remained: finding Tinwelint's halls for they were guarded by the magics of Gwenniel.

An Elf from Tinwelint's folk came to the Dwarves and offered to lead them through the magic for he too was bitten by the gold-lust. And so it was, while Tinwelint was on a hunt, the Dwarven-Orc alliance attacked. The halls were overtaken and Ufedhin sat mockingly on Tinwelint's throne. Gwendelin confronted him and her gaze would forever leave him in shame but as they spoke Naugladur (one of the Dwarves), wearing the Nauglafring, brought in Tinwelint's head. In grief Gwendelin left the halls and none could lay hand on her though they tried. In her wandering grief she found Huan and told him all that befell. Huan ran straightaway to i-Guilwarthon, the living-dead, where Beren and Tinúviel dwelt and told them all.

Tinúviel was in great grief and Beren rallied the mysterious green and brown Elves to himself for revenge. Cutting out many details (treachery on the road, in-fighting over the treasure hoard that left many Dwarves dead) Beren's party came upon Ufedhin (who did not reveal his identity) and he told them where the Dwarves were. Beren and his Elves ambushed the Dwarves at the crossing of the Aros River--as the Dwarves fell their gold rested at the bottom of the river. Beren fought valiantly for several hours, taking many wounds, against Naugladur eventually killing him and retrieving the Nauglafring with the Silmaril.

The Tale comes to a close with Gwendelin wandering and finding Tinúviel. She is healed of her grief and returns to Valinor but not before rebuking Beren for adorning her daughter with the accursed Nauglafring. A son is born to Beren and Tinúviel, Dior, who grows to manhood and after his parents fade the curse of the Nauglafring follows him. The sons of Fëanor, seeking to fulfill their oath, attack Dior and many are killed on both sides. In the old tale this coincides with the fall of Gondolin bringing the Elves to the brink of utter defeat and ruin.

Christopher Tolkien notes that huge differences between the the published version and the earliest story and how difficult it was to arrive at the Silmarillion version. "My father never again wrote any part of this story on a remotely comparable scale..." (p. 245, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II). One day, someday, I will try my hand at integrating the texts together. I wonder what I will come up with.

Fall of Gondolin

In 2014 I decided I would read and blog my way though the History of Middle-earth series. It was a foolhardy attempt. I did not anticipate the, at times, academic nature of the books, nor the difficulties in sorting out early versions of the stories with the later stories I knew so much better. I've now reached the exact point where I petered out on the blogging portion. After the Fall of Gondolin I dove headfirst into the readings which ended up being a profitable pursuit; I was better able to absorb all that I was reading without trying to think about what to share on the blog.

However, I will refer you to my two posts concerning the Fall of Gondolin since I did spend much time on them. You can find part one here and part two here. If I had to pick one Tolkien Tale to follow it would be the history (and fall) of Gondolin. I'm not sure why but it has always captured my imagination and of all the dreams of seeing The Silmarillion on screen this is what I would most look forward too.

Christopher Tolkien noted how his father would recycle names from The Silmarillion into later writings (perhaps he had given up the notion of publishing these early tales) and a prime example if found in The Fall of Gondolin where a keen sighted Elf by the name of Legolas Greenleaf appears.

Turambar and the Foalókë

The next tale in The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II is that of Turambar and the Foalókë. This is another very long tale and a central legend in the mythology. It was rewritten many times and most recently in 2007 as The Children of Húrin. As with the Tale of Tinúviel this earliest writing is impressive and the major plot points are (for the most part) present while the little details (names, place, transitions) that would undergo many re-writings. I'll highlight some interesting points based on Christopher Tolkien's commentary on the tale:

• The teller of Tale, Eltas, appears to be a man who tread Olórë Mallë
• In the earliest tale Túrin's sister was born before he departed for Thingol's court
• The character of Beleg (one of my favorites) was present in the beginning
• The slaying of Túrin's oppressor takes place within the halls of the King in the earliest draft
• Túrin's capture by Orcs, rescue by Beleg, and the death of Beleg appear virtually the same as the "finished" story (It should continually be noted that nothing outside of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings was ever finished.)
• The forerunner of Nargathrond is found in this Tale and Orodreth was there before Finrod Felegund.
• Essential elements remain: The secrecy of Orodreth's Elves and Túrin's change of that policy leading to their destruction.
• "Of great interest is the passage in which the nature of the dragons of Melko is defined: their evil wisdom, their love of lies and gold (which 'they many not use or enjoy'), and the knowledge of tongues that Men would say come from eating a dragon's heart (with evident reference to the legend in the Norse Edda of Sigurd Fafnisbane, who was enabled to understand, to his own great profit, the speech of birds when he ate the heart of the dragon Fafnir, roasting it on a spit)" (p. 125, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II). 
• The oldest story declares suicide a sin (interesting a several fronts but particularly with how this Tale ends)
• Interesting that in the old tale Tinwelint (Thingol) sends a party to Nargothrond not out of love and hope for finding Túrin but rather he wants to gather the sacked gold for himself if possible. Characters and their motives definitely shift in Tolkien's many re-writings. 
• The dragon spell on Túrin's sister is not as explicit as in later versions (for example, no indication that she needed to learn how to speak again is in the Tale)
• In the final confrontation with the dragon Túrin had six (fainthearted) companions--later this would brome only two. 
• Mîm the Dwarf appears in the Tale. He is captain of the guard of Glorund (the dragon's) treasure hoard while the dragon is away.
• Perhaps the most eye-opening difference between the Tale and later writings is the fact that it is not written that Túrin and his sister conceived a child together being ignorant of their identities by the dragon's spell.
• Various notes after the Tale show that Tolkien was pondering how to link this Tale with another: 'The Necklace of the Dwarves'.

The Tale of Tinúviel

This is, arguably, Tolkien's dearest story in his mythology and one of his earliest as it was originally penned in 1917. It's the Tale of Tinúviel what we've come to know as Beren and Lúthien's story: the beautiful story of the forbidden love of an Elf and Man. One wonders how much of this story was inspired by true life: on his wife's tombstone (other than names and dates) all that is written is: Lúthien and for the professor; Beren. In fact, when first interested in Edith Tolkien was instructed to not pursue her because of religious differences: another forbidden love story.

Christopher Tolkien notes that the arrangement of these tales is quite difficult. Tinúviel is given in The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II because of his father's shifting ideas of the order of the stories. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien felt the tale of the Sun and Moon should come before the current tale. Tinúviel is one of the longest and most complete Tales so far (Christopher Tolkien notes it's likely the last completed element of the Tales before this approach was abandoned). It's 37 pages and I will not be giving play by play notes. Rather my impressions:

I was quite impressed to see this very early story hold so many similarities to the published work: forbidden love is still present, a suicide mission to retrieve a Silmaril is central, some of the key adventures and characters are fully present (although names differ significantly). Overall it was very easy to see how the published story evolved from Tinúviel. Now for some of the key differences

• As mentioned names are different: Melian = Gwendeling, Thingol = Tinwelint
• Beren is an Elf not a Man. He is one of the exiled Noldoli and still not accepted by Tinwelint
• Dairon (Daeron) was the brother of Tinúviel
• Beren does not enlist the help of Felagund
• Beren is captured by the cats (yes, cats) of Melko sentenced to slave work in the Evil One's kitchen's much to the chagrin of Tevildo Prince of Cats (yes, cats)
• Tevildo is the earliest forerunner of Sauron yet the only similarity he's one of Melko's chief servants. 
• Huan and many of his exploits are present but the sons of Fëanor are not.

I am probably missing some other details but this was a fun read as you can really see how the story evolved from this point. 

In my failed attempt to blog through the History of Middle-earth series last year (as I read it for the first time) one of my few extended blog posts dealt with the idea of Tolkien's clear affection for dogs over cats in light of this tale. You can go here for a look; bear in mind it's a little tongue-in-cheek.

Eriol's Backstory

I began the second volume of The History of Middle-earth today. The first Tale from the book is extremely long and I did not have time to re-read it and do it justice. However, the first few pages caught my attention. We pick up with Eriol residing in Tol Eressëa with the Elves. He had been there for some months and winter was come. A lass, Vëannë begged Eriol to tell stories; a sharp role reversal for him. And he proceeded to tell about his journeys. We learn the following about him (from two versions of the story):

• He remembered a tall tower as a boy
• His father whetted his appetite for the seas as he ad descended from coastal folk
• His boyhood town was sieged and his mother and father were both killed
• In one version Eriol escaped and in another he became a slave
• He had participated in battle in his day but did not wish to tell much of it
• Eriol told of his sea-wanderings and in each he shipwrecked and met an old mysterious sailor on an island who told Eriol of strange tidings in the Western seas
• This set Eriol's heart toward the West until he finally, by the grace of the Valar, reached Tol Eressëa.

I found this background interesting, albeit brief. Their are snippets of Eriol and the characters he meets that are colorful but integrating them into published works would be a daunting task indeed. What I found most interesting about Eriol's backstory came at the end of the second version when a lad named Ausir spoke up: "'For knowest thou not, O Eriol, that that ancient mariner beside the lonely sea was none other than Ulmo's self, who appeareth not seldom thus to those voyagers whom he loves..." (p. 7, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume II). Could Eriol have indeed encountered one of the great Valar? If not, I do not know how he would have found Tol Eressëa.

Abandoning the Lost Tales

I've come to the last chapter of the first book of The History of Middle-earth series by Christopher Tolkien. The Tale being told was that of the trials of the Noldoli and the Coming of Men by a new character, Gilfanon. "It was here that my father abandoned the Lost Tales - or more accurately, abandoned those that still waited to be written; and the effects of this withdrawal never ceased to be felt throughout the history of 'The Silmarillion'. The major stories to follow Gilfanon's, those of Beren and Tinúviel, Túrin Turambar, the Fall of Gondolin, and the Necklace of the Dwarves, had been written (in the first three cases) rewritten; and the last of these was to lead on to the 'great tale of Eärendel'. But that was not even begun. Thus the Lost Tales lack their middle, and their end" (p. 231, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume I). I so admire and enjoy all of Tolkien's writings on Middle-earth but the stories from the Silmarillion are by far my favorite. I grieve the fact that they were never truly completed by Tolkien.

Gilfanon's Tale, in its brief few pages, highlights the spoke of the Elves in the Great Lands. There are a few mysterious characters such as Tû the wizard (who, in one outline, was in league with Melko) and Nuin the Dark Elf. Nuin, being a wanderer, stumbled upon Murmenalda (the Vale of Sleep), and discovered sleeping children of Men. Christopher Tolkien notes the tale essentially breaks off at this point. However several outlines (A, B, C, and D) project the story further.  I will highlight some of the points in the outlines:

•   Tû explained to Nuin these were the younger Children of Ilúvatar and forbade any Elves from going to Murmenalda

•   Nuin still went eventually waking two (Ermon and Elmir) and teaching the language. They were the first Men to see the Sun rise

•   Úvanimor (monsters, giants, and ogres of Melko) appear and Tû protects Elves and Men

•   A great battle is fought and some Men are corrupted by Melko

•   A later outline explains that Tû faded with the coming Sun

•   As for the Noldoli: their movements and camps are highlighted

•   The Noldoli meet Ilkorins (Elves who did not go to Valinor)

•   The death Fëanor and the birth of Turgon (with prophecies)

•   For the first time Maidros appears along with the Oath of Fëanor's seven sons against any and all who withheld a Silmaril

•   A great gathering of Noldoli, Men (Ermon's folk), and Ilkorins fought Melko's forces

•   The Battle of Unnumbered Tears, the last stand of the Children of Úrin, Turgon's escape (and rescue of women and children) and disappearance, aided by Mablon the Ilkorin's sacrifice

•   The wrath of Melko

Many of these points mirror what remained in the published work. It never ceases to impress me how Tolkien's meta ideas remained throughout his writings. Names, locations, small details changed many times over but the big ideas rarely moved. Not to say there weren't differences. Christopher Tolkien points out some big ones: What takes centuries in The Silmarillion seems to be condensed in a very short amount of time in these early Tales. Another big change was that Gondolin was founded after the Battle of Unnumbered Tears not long before it. Of this Christopher Tolkien writes: "After the story was changed, and the founding of Gondolin was placed far earlier, the concluding part of The Silmarillion was never brought into harmony; and this was a main source of difficulty in the preparation of the published work" (p. 245, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume I). 

There are some who do not feel the published Silmarillion is J.R.R. Tolkien's work as his son, Christopher, sought to publish the work posthumously and was required to make editorial decision for a deceased author. I can appreciate the validity of this perspective. I do not agree with it however. I'd much rather have additional writings, as many as possible, from Professor Tolkien even if some editorial decisions were made without him. And given the relationship between father and son and how integral Christopher was in his father's writings (as will be seen) I feel the best possible person available made those decisions. Unlike myself if you've read this blog. My ultimate goal would be to integrate as much into the published works from materials like The Book of Lost Tales or Unfinished Tales which will involve editorial decisions I have no qualifications to make. Which is why, of course, that little project will be for my eyes only. 

The Hiding of Valinor

In our next Tale Vairë takes over the telling. Essentially she tells Eriol of how Valinor became sundered from the world. It's much different than I can remember from what ultimately became the published story and this particular story left me with many "what's going on" moments. I will highlight different moments:

• The paths of the Sun and the Moon were hard to govern
• The Elves remaining in Valinor were questioning the Valar and angry with the Noldoli
• Manwë, grieved to know the lies of Melko were at work, called a council and it was decided Valinor must be hidden.
• It's noted that Manwë, Varda, and Ulmo played no role in this. 
• Seas were made treacherous by mist, fog, and eddies making travel by sea nearly impossible
• Still the Eldar called for the Valar to destroy the ice paths in the North travelled by the Noldoli and Aulë and Tulkas obliged.
• Manwë called Lórien and Oromë to himself to do his bidding wishing not to undue the work of the other Valar
• "...Lórien wove a way of delicate magic, and it fared by winding roads most secret from the Eastern lands and all the great wildernesses of the world even to Kôr, and it ran past the Cottage of the Children of the Earth and thence down 'the lane of whispering elms' until it reached the sea" (p. 211, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume I). 
• This was Olóre Mallë or the Path of Dreams
• Oromë crafted a rope from the hair of another Valar (Vána) and calling Valar and Eldar to himself the thrust his rope across the seas and lassoed a mountain of the Great Lands and affixing his end to Taniquetil (the Mountain of Valinor) he ran across his slender bridge, uncoiled the rope, and ran back as he coiled it. 
• Of Oromë's rope it is said: "Now because it glistens most marvellously in the slanting rays of the Sun, and when the rains of heaven moisten it it shines most magically therein and the gold light breaks upon its dripping cords to many hues of purple, green, and red, so do men most often name it the Rainbow, but many other names have they fashioned also, and the fairies call it Ilweran the Bridge of Heaven" (p. 212, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume I).
• Two paths were made, though treacherous and long, by Manwë's will as he did not wish to cut Valinor off completely from the Great Lands. 
• One other path, the quickest route, was there to Valinor: "Qalvanda is it called, the Road of Death, and it leads only to the halls of Mandos and Fui" (p. 213, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume I).
• With Eldar at peace the Valar turned their attention to the Great Lands for they knew the time of Men was nigh; they sought to govern the paths of the Sun and Moon. 
• Their first great work was in the West: the Door of Night with gates unbreakable and carved dragons with black smoke issuing ever from their jaws. Urwendi speaks the magic word to open the Door and passes through. She speaks the same word in the East and the Gates of Morn open for her. To somewhat oversimplify think of the early mythological land Tolkien is creating as flat--these doors allow the Sun to pass out of the world and under it, in a sense, and enter back in on the other side. It does give an explanation to why the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. 
• The Moon also travels under the world but remains in it--for it does not have enough light to enter and survive the void. 
• Vairë ends her Tale (or begins a new Tale) concerning the making of time. 
• As the Valar pondered the Sun and Moon three aged men stood before them: Danuin, Ranuin, and Fanuin (Day, Month, and Year) and, cutting out the last couple of pages, they introduce time into the world.

I've saved the reading of Christopher Tolkien's commentary to just now as I type and I'm pleased to see some of the things I highlighted (for genuine peculiarity or fascination) were included for good reason. He noted that in The Silmarillion there is no great council and disagreement among the Valar. Indeed the hiding of Valinor in the published work was spurred by Melko's assault on the Moon not the anger of the Eldar and some Valar towards the Noldoli. 

The three roads to Valinor after it's hiding are completely absent in the published works but Christopher Tolkien notes it's difficult to understand what was figurative in these ideas. Also, in terms of the paths of the Sun and Moon and introduction of time Christopher Tolkien asserts that in his father's earliest writings the astronomical myth was central to his writing and this would continue to diminish as J.R.R. Tolkien wrote. 

The Sun and the Moon

The next chapter in my quest of The History of Middle-earth recounts the creation of the Sun and the Moon. Christopher Tolkien noted that this was a very long tale, one in which he shortened in a couple places, that his father marked for revision.

Only star light gave illumination to the world after the death of the Two Trees. Despite this and other sorrows of the Elves Eriol still craved to hear more tales. He wished to know more of their deeds after the departure from Valinor and to know of how the Sun and Moon came to be. Lindo told Eriol that his desires would be better fulfilled by Gilfanon, of the House of the Hundred Chimneys, who happened to be visiting that night. But for the moment Lindo gladly told the tale of the Sun and Moon.

There was still much sorrow in Valinor when Sorontur, King of Eagles, returned. He brought tidings of Melko and the Noldoli. How Melko and his servants were establishing strongholds in the North and how the Noldoli completed the journey to the Great Lands. But this news brought little comfort to the Valar and remaining Eldar. Their attention was turned toward the Trees.

Manwë felt the death of the Trees was not outside Ilúvatar's design for the Valar had little heed for the lands outside of Valinor. And with the coming of Men soon light must be contrived for those outside, as well as inside, Valinor. But little light had they saved from the Two Trees and the Valar knew not how to bring them back. And much of that was wasted in trying to revive the Trees.

"'Behold,' said Manwë, 'this is now the third essay of the Gods to bring light into dark places, and both the Lamps of the North and South, and the Trees of the plain, Melko hath brought to ruin. Now in the air only hath Melko no power for ill...'" (p. 182, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume 1). Melko proceeded to tell of his plan of setting great lights in mighty ships in the air. It was decreed that the path of the lights run East and West for Melko controlled the North and Ungweliant the South.

Aulë and Varda sought to make the ships but did not succeed (this was an abbreviated portion of the original text). Manwë charged Yavanna to set her powers on the Trees and she was given one small phial of light from each Tree to aid her. "Then going she cast each phial upon its proper Tree and sang the songs of unfading growth and a song of resurrection after death and withering; and suddenly she sang no more" (p. 183, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume 1). Her power was utterly spent.

And yet (and now I am abbreviating quite a bit) the Golden Tree yielded one last fruit and now Aulë now had the resources he needed to make a ship of light. The ship was filled with the remaining golden light which was very hot and sought to rise immediately had it not been anchored with chords. The Valar named the ship Sári (sun) and the Elves Ûr (fire). Manwë called for one to steer the ship. "But a great thought came into the heart of Urwendi, and she said that she was not a dread, and begged leave to become the mistress of the Sun and to make herself ready for that office as Ilúvatar set it in her heart to do" (p. 187, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume 1).

Urwendi and her maidens bathed themselves in Tanyasalpë, the bowl of fire, and their bodies grew lucent and no clothing could cover them. Once ready they boarded the Sun and it rose higher and higher spreading it's heat and light farther than the Valar anticipated. This upset some of them as the Sun hid the stars, wilted gardens, and drove away sleep. The Valar realized another light was needed for it was the change and mingling of the Two Trees that they had so loved.

Lórien sang upon Silpion in lament of the harsh light and heat and lo!, one last flower bloomed on the Tree. At first Lórien would not let anyone touch the flower, the Rose of Silpion, as he coveted its beauty and light for himself. But the deadened branches could not support it's weight and the flower fell to the ground. Aulë fashioned another ship which the Valar named Rána, the Moon, and the Eldar Sil, the Rose.

Manwë appointed a spirit to pilot the Moonship; "...but an aged Elf with hoary locks stepped upon the Moon unseen and hid him in the Rose, and there dwells he ever since and tends that flower, and a little white turret has he builded on the Moon where often he climbs and watches the heavens, or the world beneath..." (p. 192-93, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume 1). And thus Tolkien's explanation of the folklore character the Man in the Moon. In Tolkien's earliest writings he sought to make connections to what we know or fairy tales that we know today. Another plain of thought of this talented author.

Leafing through Christopher Tolkien's commentary I realized that many of the points I highlighted in this blog post are absent or greatly reduced in The Silmarillion. While in some cases there are outright contradictions in the early and published stories. Christopher Tolkien notes that the published story seems to be almost of cliff notes version of the earlier tales, whether that was his father's intention or further detailed was never added in before his death we don't know. All the latter seems more probable since there were notes marking this particular tale for revision.

Tolkien makes me smarter

I was reflecting on this the other day. One reason why I love reading is that it expands my vocabulary. I see words I've never seen before and see them used in a context that exemplifies how I might use them. 

Tolkien routinely uses many words I cannot ever remember hearing before (although in writing almost 100 years ago--many of those words are almost obsolete now. A quick example from the last post: 

• lief: This was a new word for me. After doing some quick searching it seems to mean happily/gladly.
• liever: This also was new and took a little more research. Best I came up with was: preferably or rather.
• untrammeled: this seemed vaguely familiar--not being deprived of freedom or action. I must plan to use this sometime in the next week. 

So one sentence: "'What is Valinor to us,' they say, 'now that its light is come to little--as lief and liever would we have the untrammeled world'" (p. 163, The Book of Lost Tales - Volume I), that seemed exceedingly difficult was made much more simple by applying myself. 

I think reading Tolkien makes me smarter. 

The Flight of the Noldoli

This next tale is, in actuality, the conclusion of one long tale that Christopher Tolkien broke into several parts for his purposes of The Book of Lost Takes - Volume I. It picks up the aftermath of Melko's attack on Valinor.

In the darkness after the death of the Two Trees Fëanor gathers about him many Eldar and speaks strong words urging them to leave Valinor and the Valar. One Nólemë tries to speak against this but Fëanor and others would not stand for it: "'What is Valinor to us," say they, 'now that its light is come to little--as lief and liever would we have the untrammeled world'" (p. 163, The Book of Lost Takes - Volume I). Plans were made for departure and Nólemë, not wishing to be parted from his kin, aided them.

It seems that Tolkien was inspired after the completing the tale as a rider was inserted that chronicled the Battle of Kópas Alqalunten or the Kinslaughter. Needing ships the Noldoli went to the Solosimpi, their kindred shipbuilders, to ask for ships. The Solosimpi would not oblige yet the Noldoli took the ships anyhow. The Solosimpi ran atop a stone archway where the ships must cross and shouting for the Noldoli to stop. They even strung their bows and picked up rocks in threat.

The Noldoli who had to go on foot came upon the scene and thinking battle had broken out rushed the Solosimpi killing many. The Noldoli too lost many in this Kinslaughter.

After the rider the tale continues by explaining the dangers of the journey from Valinor to the Great Lands (or Middle-earth as it will eventually be called). The chief danger being Qerkaringa, the Chill Gulf, and Helkaraksë and the grinding ice. It was at this point in the tale as well that Lindo turned over the telling to Rúmil.

Rúmil told of the awful journey and how many were lost. Some were said to go to Mandos, others rumored to still be wandering that awful land unknowing of all that since befell their kin. When they eventually reached their destination camps were set up and folks began to murmur against Fëanor and his leadership.

Perhaps most interesting in Rúmil's tale was the prophecies given by Véfantur (Mandos). He warned them of many grim adventures and the wiles of Melko and ended with one great prophecy: "'Great is the fall of Gondolin,' and none there understood, for Turondo son of Nólemë was not yet upon the Earth" (p. 167, The Book of Lost Takes - Volume I).

Once again it's very interesting to see what survived from the earliest writings and what evolved into the story that I've come to enjoy so much. The Kinslaughter, in the earliest recollection, while tragic seems less heinous that what it would come to be.

Christopher Tolkien notes that the published Silmarillion account of the prophecy is much different in "…its gravity, indeed its centrality in the mythology, is far greater" (p. 172, The Book of Lost Takes - Volume I). Even still with it's lesser warnings I love the fact that the Fall of Gondolin is referenced (I think I've decided the Gondolin arc is my favorite in Middle-earth)--Turgon himself uttered the same words at the great city's sack.