The Coming of the Elves

It is really fascinating to read the Sketch followed by the Quenta and see the first hasty outlining of the mythology being fleshed out before your very eyes. I highly recommend it. The first time I read The Shaping of Middle-earth it was straight through, and I remember at points last year feeling the monotony of it all. (Could be why my blogging fell apart in 2014--I was struggling to actually read). But this way is much more fruitful (and for the most part I am skipping large parts of Christopher Tokien's commentary this go around).

The next couple of sections trace the coming of the Elves--both the Middle-earth and to Valinor. It is Oromë of the Valar who first finds the Elves and this spurs the Valar to action. Morgoth holds dominion over the Outer Lands which poses much danger for the Elves. Interestingly, in both the Sketch and Quenta the Orcs, known as the Glamhoth or people of hate by the Elves, are already in existence. Their creation is interesting: "The hordes of the Orcs he made of stone, but their hearts of hatred" (p. 82, The Shaping of Middle-earth). He being Morgoth. Later Tolkien decided Morgoth did not have the power to create on his own; only to corrupt.

Morgoth is chained and imprisoned in Valinor paving the way for the Elves to come to Valinor at the invitation of the Valar. "Of their own free will, yet in awe of the power and majesty of the Gods, the Elves obeyed" (p. 84, The Shaping of Middle-earth). Indeed, I think this hints at some of the troubles that befell the Elves. They were not forced but what choice did they seemingly have in view of the power of the Valar. I find that fascinating about the God of the Bible. All-knowing, All-powerful, All-present so He is declared and yet we are not faced with his immenseness rather His invitation. One can read of His power and believe but the choice to believe may not seem like it if we saw Him in his glory.

Along the way the Sketch and Quenta tell of the loss of Thingol on the road, the sundering of the Solosimpi from their kin, and how their languages began to differ. (I cannot overestimate the importance of this to Tolkien). We also get pictures of how the Elves settled in Valinar; whom followed whom (the Noldor followed Aulë), and some introductions to key characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finrod--among others.