Silmarillion - Chapter 10 - Of the Sindar

[Aiwendil]

Having witnessed the high drama and tragedy of the Darkening of the Valinor and the Flight of the Noldor, we now step back and get caught up on events in Middle-earth. The characters and settings we’re introduced to in this chapter at first seem rather disconnected from the drama that has unfolded in Aman, but the implicit promise here is that two threads – Noldorin and Sindarin – will soon be wound together.

Already in this chapter we get a glimpse of the contrast between Sindarin and Noldorin culture. The description of Menegroth given here should be compared with the description of Tirion in chapter 5. It is interesting that the Noldor build up – they put their city on a hill and built a city with a high tower – while the Sindar build down, making their city under the earth.

Here we also meet the Dwarves for the first time (apart from the account of their making in chapter 2). The Dwarves seem occupy an ambiguous place morally; they are nominally allies of the Sindar but we are told that they are ‘warlike’ and will at times ‘fight fiercely’ with the Eldar or the Avari, or even among themselves.

This chapter does not derive from the ‘Quenta Silmarillion’ as Tolkien wrote it (even the latest texts of which move immediately on to “Of the Sun and Moon”) but rather from the ‘Grey Annals’. We have already seen passages in the published Silmarillion that came from the ‘Annals of Aman’. While the earliest versions (pre-LotR) of these annalistic texts were mere chronologies, they became greatly expanded in their revisions so that the post-LotR versions are narratives in their own right, in some places giving the stories fuller treatment that the QS. Christopher Tolkien’s merging of the two traditions in the published Silmarillion does have some precedent in his father’s writings; Tolkien sometimes used text from the Annals as the basis for revisions to the Quenta Silmarillion; he seems to have eventually given up the idea that the two texts represented different literary traditions in Middle-earth.

Additional readings
HoMe IV, V – these trace the development of the idea of an Elvish culture in Beleriand prior to the return of the Noldor.
HoMe XI – Contains the ‘Grey Annals’
HoMe XII – Scattered among the writings here are late thoughts on the Sindar and the Dwarves.

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

It seems to me noteworthy that this entire section is a relatively late development. In the original Annals of Beleriand (HoME IV, ch. vii), the records begin with Morgoth's arrival after the darkening of Valinor, and begin to mention the Sindar only after they encounter the armies of the Gnomes. The later Annals of Beleriand incorporate into their preamble a brief mention of Thingol and Denithor's battles against Morgoth's forces, but say little more than that Denithor (later Denethor) was killed and that Thingol withdrew to Menegroth.

For the earlier developments of the stories that we find in Of the Sindar, we must look to the Annals of Valinor, which incorporate Thingol's meeting with Melian and abandonment of his host, and a very brief account of the wanderings of the Nandor under Dân (later Lenwë) and Denethor. Indeed, although these sets of annals are written from different perspectives, in HoME V Tolkien has Pengolod making marginal insertions into Rúmil's text to fill lacunae in his narrative with respect to the Sindar. Tolkien seems to have written the two sets of annals much as they are written in their narrative context: as two differing, but contemporary and sometimes convergent traditions.

The references to the culture and realms of the Sindar are scarce until the Grey Annals, and this chapter of the Silmarillion is clearly based heavily on this later writing. Sadly, the Grey Annals rise to greater narrative heights than the chapter under discussion, but the annalistic structure presumably could not be incorporated into The Silmarillion as envisaged. That so much material should appear not long after the publication of LR is scarcely surprising, considering that more than twenty years and a whole world of mythical development intervene.

Returning to the subject of architecture, it seems to me that the buildings of the Sindar are reactions to the realities of their situation. Safe in Valinor, the Noldor have been free to build prominent and beautiful cities without thought to their defence. In Beleriand, prompted by the prophetic warnings of Melian, Thingol has been thinking more defensively. The result is Menegroth, with its many halls and armouries, which itself forms the template for Finrod's stronghold of Nargothrond. It is interesting to note that while Finrod earns himself the by-name felagund in building his own fastness, Thingol's fortress and palace is built and armed by the labour of the Dwarves, for which, unsurprisingly, they demand payment.

He took thought therefore how he should make for himself a kingly dwelling, and a place that should be strong, if evil were to awake again in Middle-earth; and he sought aid and counsel of the Dwarves of Belegost. They gave it willingly, for they were unwearied in those days, and eager for new works; and though the Dwarves ever demanded a price for all they did, whether with delight or with toil, at this time they held themselves paid. For Melian taught them much that they were eager to learn, and Thingol rewarded them with many fair pearls. These Círdan gave to him, for they were got in great number in the shallow waters about the Isle of Balar; but the Naugrim had never seen their like, and they held them dear.

The Silmarillion, 1st ed. p. 92

From this we can see that relations between the Sindar of Doriath and the Dwarves were friendly, but essentially mercantile. In this passage, though, we can detect a certain amount of disapproval in the narrator's tone when describing the Dwarven desire for payment. This foreshadows the dispute and eventual war which will destroy Doriath in spite of the protections of Melian. It is interesting that the Sindar, untutored by the long association with Aulë enjoyed by the Noldor, must co-operate with their fellow rational creatures to build up their military power. Over many years they have established an equilibrium with the Dwarves that is beneficial to both. As we can see from this chapter, however, they are no safer from the aggression of Morgoth than were their cousins in Valinor. It is worth comparing Thingol's dealings with the Naugrim, which seem to be established on equal terms, and the relations between the Noldor and Edain, which at their very outset are decidedly feudal. Hence whereas the Dwarves' chieftain receives the huge pearl Nimphelos, Bëor receives a name meaning 'vassal', given because he remains a client and follower of Finrod; and Hador becomes a client lord in Hithlum.

This is another aspect of this chapter that I find very interesting. Many people declare that without the rebellion of Fëanor there would be no story, yet clearly there is another strand, no less noble or heroic, which is taking place out of sight among the unfallen Sindar and their allies. Thingol's marriage to Melian and their joint rule of the Grey Elves form a golden age for Beleriand similar to that of the Noldor in the Blessed Realm, but Thingol does not bring war to his country: the orcs of Morgoth bring it to him. The defence of Beleriand by Thingol, Denethor and Círdan is more heroic than Fëanor's headlong and destructive plunge, and the destruction of his retreating army by the Dwarves as hurtful to Morgoth as the Noldorin victory at the Dagor-nuin-Giliath; but the good sense and considered tactics of this campaign perhaps make for a less engaging story than the desperate and unconsidered onslaught of Fëanor.

Aside from the germ of a dispute between Thingol and the Dwarves of Belegost, we see also the beginnings of discord between the Noldor and Sindar. The Grey Elves have, after all, been living in Beleriand and establishing their own kingdoms for centuries. As we can see from the thoughts of Fingon and Galadriel in the previous chapter, the Noldor are not all concerned only with the recovery of the Silmarils, but also want to rule lands for themselves. For this to happen the Sindar must be dispossessed, and it is only because Círdan's defence has been overcome and the realm of Thingol divided that this can be done in battles against Morgoth and not by wresting them from the Sindar. Therefore although the reception of the Noldor by Thingol is similar to that of Lenwë's people, there is explicitly less warmth to it. Denethor and his followers are "welcomed by Thingol as kin long lost that return", whereas in the case of the Noldor, "King Thingol welcomed not with a full heart the coming of so many princes in might out of the West, eager for new realms". So he welcomes the newcomers, but not in the heart of his kingdom, and the Girdle of Melian is left in place. The arrival and reception of these two groups of Eldar by the king of Doriath is another significant dramatic contrast that presages many events in the wars of Beleriand.

Nevertheless, at this early point the arrival of the Noldor catches Morgoth on the back foot, and forces him back to Thangorodrim. The Sindar welcome the Noldor in spite of their reservations, and soon the armies of Fingolfin and Fëanor will be reconciled. At its outset, then, the arrival of the Noldor in Beleriand has resulted in a strong alliance of Noldor, Sindar and Dwarves, to which will soon be added the Three Houses of the Edain.

Overall, this chapter is a setting of the scene, describing the situation which Fëanor, Fingolfin and their peoples will find on their arrival in Beleriand. It introduces the vastly different political and military landscape which they will encounter and inevitably transform, and it establishes the power and wisdom of Thingol and Melian. It also hints at the various pressures which in the coming chapters will destroy the kingdoms it describes.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Squatter

For this to happen the Sindar must be dispossessed

Well, even from Thingol's words we can see that he acknowledges the presence of "empty and wild" lands. The only dispossession that occurs would be a theoretical one. That is, in case any Sinda thought that all the land was rightfully theirs to begin with, regardless whether occupied or not, which would seem quite against the respect of Nature that the elves seem to inspire. If Thingol claims any rights, it is mostly concerning his people and where they actually dwell.

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

But Thingol describes those lands as "empty and wild" after the disruption of this chapter. Certainly in terms of the lands east of Doriath, primarily Ossiriand, the Nandorin population has been decimated and largely driven out, as Chapter 10 describes. The situation before the attack of the Orc hosts after Morgoth's return is less clear in Hithlum and Dorthonion, but Thingol clearly thinks of these as his provinces, so that he grants the Noldor "leave to dwell" there.

The question is what the situation would have been had the Nandor remained in possession of Ossiriand under Thingol's lordship, and had Thingol himself been in a stronger position.

1200-50

§18 In this time the power of Elwë and Melian reached over all Beleriand. Elu Thingol he was called in the tongue of his people, King Greymantle, and all the Elves of Beleriand from the mariners of Círdan to the wandering huntsmen of the Blue Mountains took him for lord.

The Grey Annals. HME VII p. 9.

The Grey Annals also contain a passage not included in The Silmarillion as published, which makes more explicit Thingol's position concerning Beleriand as a whole.

For it entered into the heart of King Thingol to regret the days of peace when he was high lord of all the land and its peoples. Wide were the countries of Beleriand and many empty and wild, and yet he welcomed not with a full heart the coming of so many princes in might out of the West, eager for new realms.

§48 Thus was there from the first a coolness between him and the sons of Fëanor, whereas the closest friendship was needed if Morgoth was to be withstood; for the sons of Fëanor were ever unwilling to accept the overlordship of Thingol, and would ask for no leave where they might dwell or might pass. When, therefore, ere long (by treachery and ill will as later is told) the full tale of the deeds in Valinor became known in Beleriand, there was rather enmity than alliance between Doriath and the House of Fëanor; and this bitterness Morgoth eagerly inflamed by all means that he could find.

Ibid., p.19.

This provides further explanation of his message to the Noldor in Chapter 13, in which he grants them Hithlum and Dorthonion as though these are lands over which his rule extends, and presages more explicitly how the respective positions of Thingol and the Fëanoreans will deteriorate as events unfold. Although it's getting somewhat ahead of the situation, I note that Maedhros responds to Thingol's message by saying "A king is he that can hold his own, or else his title is vain. Thingol does but grant us lands where his power does not run." There is more than a hint in this passage that the Fëanorians would have been quite prepared to take lands by force, and I doubt that Thingol would have taken such a move lying down.

It was probably overstating the case to say that the Sindar would have to be dispossessed had they not already been driven out by Morgoth; but I think that there is plenty in these two chapters to suggest that Thingol and the Noldor could easily have become embroiled in a war over this territory had not the orcs severely curtailed his power. Certainly there is enough here to demonstrate how unrealistic was the Noldorin scheme: they presumed that lands in Beleriand would simply be there for the taking, but instead discovered on their arrival that Elwë had become a powerful king, who regarded himself as the rightful ruler of the very lands that they would have as realms. This is one of the many tensions that will cause defeat at the hands of Morgoth to become a still greater tragedy. This was the point I was trying to make, rather than that the Noldor would naturally themselves dispossess all the Sindar.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Squatter

But Thingol describes those lands as "empty and wild" after the disruption of this chapter.

Imo, I don't think we can argue that the elves had such a density of population that they could claim all Beleriand as Lebensraum, a necessary space for their living, nor did Beleriand cover all of Middle Earth. Even if Thingol's power would have been intact, there still would have been lands outside his 'rightful' political claim where the noldor could have settled; they may have taken all eastern lands, for all he cared.

There is more than a hint in this passage that the Fëanorians would have been quite prepared to take lands by force

I would say that any hostility on behalf of the noldor would stem from the coolness of Thingol, his air of superiority, and perhaps a tint of disrespect.

This was the point I was trying to make, rather than that the Noldor would naturally themselves dispossess all the Sindar.

I know, I certainly didn't believe you would argue for total war. I could see the inevitability of war if all the space was confined to Beleriand, if living resources were scarce and if an insufficient amount of them would have been left for the Noldor; but there were plenty of lands up for grabs even before the rising of the sun. Some of Feanor's sons may have started a war for the heck of it, but I doubt even they fell that low

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Christopher Tolkien’s merging of the two traditions in the published Silmarillion does have some precedent in his father’s writings

An even more dramatic precedent is found in the Akallabeth, which JRRT constructed by interleaving passages from the latest versions of The Fall of Numenor and The Drowning of Anadune, togethger with new writing. Underlined on the page, it looks startlingly like a similar breakdown of Christopher's work on most of The Silmarillion.

[The Sixth Wizard]

Hello! This is possibly my first Chapter-by-Chapter post. I have read the Silmarillion, the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, am in a mind to buy the Children of Hurin, but haven't got stuck into Histories of Middle Earth or Letters of J.R.R Tolkien yet...

Anyways...

I think that we have a point in pointing out differences in Noldorian/Sindar culture. Noldor cities, even in Beleriand, were often high and powerful, though doubtlessly strongholds. Maedhros dwelt upon Himring, ’after the great defeat’, so even when Morgoth was at strength he refused to go into hiding. Nargothrond was indeed underground, and the Elves defended it by secrecy and woodsmanship, but … (searches unavailingly through the Silmarillion index) … I think the phrase used was: ’fell from the valour of the Elves of old’, or something very similar. Other fortresses belonging to the Noldor include those in the Ered Wethrin, Tol Sirion, etc. which are certainly not underground fastnesses.

Have we mentioned that this is the first chapter Luthien is mentioned?
‘The bright stars shone as silver fires, and there in the forest of Neldoreth Luthien was born, and the white flowers of niphredil came forth to greet her as stars from the earth’.