The Silmarillion

Oromë and Tulkas race north to try and capture Melkor; they fail, as do all attempts to locate Melkor, who has traveled secretly to Avathar, where the “shadows were deepest and thickest in the world” (33). Unknown to others, Ungoliant lives there, one of the first beings Melkor corrupted. Melkor appears to her as a dark Lord, promising that she will never go hungry again, and together they plot revenge. Ungoliant weaves a cloak of darkness around them, and they climb a tall mountain in a region where the Valar are not active. When he spots “the silver domes of Valmar” (33), Melkor laughs and they leap together down the mountain and head toward a festival in Valmar.

Manwë is hosting a giant feast in honor of Eru in an attempt to heal the evil that surrounds the Elves. While Fëanor agrees to attend, Finwë does not, as he refuses to meet his people while his son is banished. Fëanor meets Fingolfin, his half-brother, and is forgiven. As the feast continues, a dark cloud spreads “over the fields of Valinor” (34). Melkor arrives at the Trees and stabs at their roots, spilling their sap for the hungry Ungoliant to eat. She swells to “a shape so vast and hideous that Melkor was afraid” (34). Valinor is consumed by darkness and falls silent. Manwë looks out and understands what Melkor has done. The first light to return to Valinor is fire “stricken from the hooves of Nahar” (34) as Oromë rides out in pursuit. Oromë, like Tulkas, gets caught in the darkness and, when they finally break free, Melkor is gone and “his vengeance was achieved” (34).

A crowd gathers around Yavanna as she tries but fails to resuscitate the Trees. She tells the crowd that the light of the Trees now lives only in the Silmarils. She asks for some of this light to bring the Trees back to life, but Fëanor remains silent. When he finally speaks, he says that he cannot, as to risk breaking open the Silmarils would be to risk breaking open his heart, and he may never again be able to recreate them. If the Valar force him, he says, he will know that they are just like Melkor.

Messengers arrive and tell of a darkness that has fallen across Formenos. Melkor has slain Finwë and has stolen the Silmarils. Fëanor curses both Melkor and Manwë and runs away, stricken by grief. Melkor flees to the wastes of Araman and passes through the hostile region with Ungoliant until they come to the Helcaraxë, a giant glacier between Araman and Middle-earth. Melkor goes on, unable to lose Ungoliant, who senses that Melkor will break his promise to her. She demands the “great treasure” (36) that Melkor has stolen. He agrees and gives her everything except the Silmarils that he holds tightly in his right hand. Ungoliant demands the Silmarils and Melkor refuses. The feeding has swollen Ungoliant’s size again. She tries to envelope Melkor in her cloud and her webs, causing Melkor to cry out in pain, lending this land its name: Lammoth. So loud and horrible is the cry that it summons the long-lost Balrogs, who rise and come to the aid of their old master. Ungoliant flees under their attack, arriving in Nan Dungortheb, the Valley of Dreadful Death, where her horrible spiderlike children remain long after her departure. Melkor rebuilds his old fortresses and begins to breed more Orcs. He forges an iron crown, into which he sets the Silmarils.

While most mourn, Fëanor takes over as the King of the Noldor and lambasts the “jealous Valar” (37). He gives a rousing speech, encouraging the Noldor to return to Middle-earth; life there will be harder, but they will not be enslaved to the Valar, and they can protect the lands from the soon-to-arrive Men. Fëanor and his sons swear vengeance against anyone who keeps the Silmarils from their possession. The Noldor debate long and hard about whether to go: The “greater part” (37) chooses to go with Fëanor. The Valar are silent as Fëanor’s group hastily prepares to leave; even as they leave, the host splits into two. Fëanor is King of one group, while the others remain loyal to Fingolfin and his sons.

As they are about to leave, a message comes from Manwë advising the Noldor not to go: The Valar will offer neither help nor assistance to them, though Fëanor’s exile is reaffirmed. Fëanor laughs and tells the messenger that he will not sit “idle in grief” (38) while Melkor still has the Silmarils.

Fëanor leads his people north, intending to follow Melkor, to whom he has given the Elvish name Morgoth. He realizes that his large company might not survive the hard trek ahead so decides to ask the Teleri for help building ships. The Teleri are not convinced, and Fëanor argues with Olwë. When the answer remains no, Fëanor tries to take the ships by force but fails. Many Elves die on both sides until Fingolfin’s forces arrive and assist the Noldor without truly knowing the cause. The Noldor win the battle and take the ships, though many are wrecked by the violent waves as they try to sail away.

The Noldor reach the edge of the Guarded Realm, some by land, some by boat. They spot a large dark figure on a rock in the distance: It is Mandos, whose booming voice is heard by everyone. He recounts the Doom of the Noldor, a curse, which speaks of the “tears unnumbered ye shall shed” (39) following their exile from Valinor. The Noldor will be slain in return for the blood they have spilled and will become “shadows of regret” (39) once Men arrive. Fëanor rallies his people and leads them on, though Finarfin looks back at Valinor with regret and returns to rule over the Noldor who remained there.

The Noldor arrive at the north of Arda, an area filled with dangerous ice, vast fogs, and deadly mists. They debate long and hard about who will take the remaining ships to cross the deadly ice. Fëanor and his sons move fast, taking the ships before anyone else can act, leaving Fingolfin in Araman, and lands in Middle-earth. When Maedhros, Fëanor’s eldest son, asks his father who will return for the other Noldor, Fëanor laughs and says “none and none” (41), calling the other Elves “needless baggage” (41). Fëanor has the ships burned. Fingolfin sees the light of the fire in the distance and knows he has been betrayed. He determines to see Fëanor once again and leads his people on a long, dangerous march toward Middle-earth. They eventually make it, though lose many along the way.