Writing the Elves

[remix17.livejournal.com]

I'm still pretty new to Tolkien, even though I've learned a lot about the mythos, but I am having trouble with a project I want to write--specifically, having trouble with some of the Elven details.

My story will take place on a timeline of about 20 years, and two of the main characters will be Elves. Can I create a special village or place for their Elven community, or did the Elves only dwell in listed ME places like Mirkwood and such, especially since they were fewer in number in Middle-Earth and many went to Valinor? Since the story will be set against the backdrop of the second big war against Morgoth, is there a specific way I must potray this community's involvement in that? My idea is for the community to be beseiged by the enemy's forces at present.

Any help would be appreciated.
 

Comments

Re: First Age elves, Part One

[remix17.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, this is so helpful!

The Elves are my weakest spot, because it really is like learning a whole new, real history, with dates and classes and families. I've actually started taking NOTES on the Silmarillion stuff (I don't have a book yet but Wiki and other sources have made me fairly learned so far). So thanks a ton for this.

Re: First Age elves, Part One

[allie-meril.livejournal.com]

OK, so after conversing with the far-more-learned rhapsody11, I was on target with explaining the divisions of the elves and who was in Beleriand in the First Age, but I failed to take into account the long history of the elves and the events that would impact where they lived.

The Green-elves would not work for the War of Wrath because they were very decimated/scattered by that point, but would work much earlier in the Age, when they were collaborating with the Doriathrim.

See Rhapsody's comments below for a more detailed explanation. Sorry I misled you! :)

Re: First Age elves, Part One

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

LOL Far-more-learned? Nah. A while ago I gave a brief rundown of languages and elven races... let me see if it's still up, yeps it is. Remix, maybe this is of use to you as well.

About the division of Elven races and the impact it had on language (http://gentlehobbit.livejournal.com/157004.html?thread=1680204#t1680204) (A rundown in Rhapsy-rambling style, ;))

Explanantion on Languages of the elves:
Comment 1 (http://gentlehobbit.livejournal.com/157004.html?thread=1675596#t1675596)
Comment 2 (http://gentlehobbit.livejournal.com/157004.html?thread=1675852#t1675852)

On Tol Eressëa, languages spoken there and who lived there (http://gentlehobbit.livejournal.com/157004.html?thread=1676364#t1676364)