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

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

In terms of a community of elves that isn't described in detail, that is fairly isolated (which leaves room for more invention), and that has fought against Morgoth (at various times in the First Age), the Green-elves are plausible. Not in the War of Wrath, but at other times.

Well, they were very scattered and the area was big. There was a community at Sirion, but they kinda got slaughtered, so they fled to the isle of Balar where the last remaining high king, Gil-Galad dwelled with Cirdan and it seems plausible Celeborn as well. The question remains however, Oropher, Sindar of nature took the Green-Elves into Middle-Earth and two realms, Silvan were established there: Mirkwood and Lothlorien. The question is when this happened. The answer lies with him :)

Re: First Age elves, Part One

[allie-meril.livejournal.com]

Sirion... They had Green-elves there? I thought that they were the remainder of the Doriathrim and Gondolindrim.

The question remains however, Oropher, Sindar of nature took the Green-Elves into Middle-Earth and two realms, Silvan were established there: Mirkwood and Lothlorien. The question is when this happened. The answer lies with him :)

Let's see, Oropher's in UT: "Oropher had come among [the Silvan elves of Lorien] with only a handful of Sindar, and they were soon merged with the Silvan Elves, adopting their language and taking names of Silvan form and style." He came from Doriath (with Thranduil) after its destruction, and he must've picked up the Green-elves along the way? (I'm just trying to figure this out in my head!)

Re: First Age elves, Part One

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

Let's see, Oropher's in UT: "Oropher had come among [the Silvan elves of Lorien] with only a handful of Sindar, and they were soon merged with the Silvan Elves, adopting their language and taking names of Silvan form and style." He came from Doriath (with Thranduil) after its destruction, and he must've picked up the Green-elves along the way? (I'm just trying to figure this out in my head!)

See my other comment, after the First Battle, a small part returned to Ossiriand and took no leader and no longer fought, the large part sought refuge in Doriath, thusly Oropher could have lead the Silvan host, even after the Kinslaying to Sirion, to Balar... or he sneaked out in between and crossed the mountains with them after Doriath fell. What does the UT say more?

Re: First Age elves, Part One

[allie-meril.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, yes! Thank you for clarifying.

Not too much, but there's an extra detail about the Green-elves according to this quote:

In Doriath [Galadriel] met Celeborn, grandson of Elmo the brother of Thingol. For love of Celeborn, who would not leave Middle-earth (and probably with some pride of her own, for she had been one of those eager to adventure there), she did not go West at the Downfall of Melkor, but crossed Ered Lindon with Celeborn and came into Eriador. When they entered that region there were many Noldor in their following, together with Grey-elves and Green-elves; and for a while they dwelt in the country about Lake Nenuial (Evendim, north of the Shire). Celeborn and Galadriel came to be regarded as Lord and Lady of the Eldar in Eriador, including the wandering companies of Nandorin origin who had never passed west of Ered Lindon and come down into Ossiriand.

Which doesn't deal with Oropher in the slightest, but it's a fascinating history all the same, and some of the Green-elves may have followed G & C and not all followed Oropher. Even more scattering! Poor Green-elves: all they wanted was to live in peace in Ossiriand. :(

Mostly I'm pointing this out because I'm knee-deep in UT looking up Green-elven details, and I thought you might find it interesting. :)

Re: First Age elves, Part One

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

there is an appendice D on the Silvan and Sindar Lords in the UT... in the chapter of Galadriel & Celeborn..

Yes I know... LOL it's scary that I actually know that ;) I need a new icon..