Oromë Newsletter – The Silmarillion
– – “The Silmarilli were three perfect jewels, fashioned by Fëanor, most gifted of the Elves. When the first Dark Lord, Morgoth, stole the jewels for his own ends, Fëanor and his kindred took up arms and waged a long and terrible war to recover them. This is the story of their rebellion against the gods and the history of the heroic First Age of Middle-Earth.”
Ainulindalë
Of Ilúvatar and the Ainur
The One, Eru, created from His thought the Ainur, the Holy Ones. They were the offspring of His thought. He asked for them to sing for Him. They sang, some louder than others. In doing this, they created beautiful pictures to which Eru claimed they could create to be more than just images.
Valaquenta
Of the Valar and Maiar
Fifteen of the Ainur went down into Arda to create the vision that they had been shown by Ilúvatar that they had sang. They were called the Valar. With the help of the Maiar, they created the world. One of them, Melkor, decided that he was greater than the others and chose to make things difficult, destroying and recreating. The group of them slowly shaping Middle-earth in its beginning.
Quenta Silmarillion
Of the Elves and Men
This is mainly the history of the Elves and Men where the Silmarilli are concerned. It starts in the Years of the Trees and works its way through to the end of the Silmarils at the end of the First Age, including the Awakening of the Elves and the Coming of Men. Three beautiful jewels beyond anything ever made, other than the Two Trees themselves, and an Oath by their creator, completely change the world that the Valar built. This is the main section of the Silmarillion and tells the tale through the eyes of countless Elves and Men.
Akallabéth
Of the Downfall of Numenorë
Ever wonder where the Dunedain came from? This is a short section of the Silmarillion, but it tells the tale of the line of Elros and how Aragorn’s fore-fathers, Elendil and Isildur and his brother Anárion came to Middle-earth.
War of the Rings
Of Sauron vs. the Ringbearer
This is mostly a quick summary of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and how it ties to the history of the Silmarils.
– Don’t stress about the length and the pronunciation. Make it up as you go along. You can get details later.
– Go with your interests. You don’t have to read it in order. It’s not like you learn the history of your culture in order. 😉
– If you need help following it, just look around Council of Elrond. Lots of people have read it and can help explain details.
– Keep your eyes off my Glorfindel. I bite.
– Have fun! ^__^
~ How many sticky notes do you have in your copy?
Sources: The Silmarillion, obviously. ^__^
