Denethor, son of Lenwë, was one of the Nandorian elves who forsook the March of the Eldar and remained in Middle-earth.

When word came to him of the creatures of Morgoth that wandered the land, he gathered up a host of his scattered kinsmen and led them into Beleriand, to the realm of King Thingol of the Sindar. His people had no steel weapons with which to defend themselves and Denethor had heard of Thingol’s might. Denethor and his kin were welcomed in Beleriand, and settled in the region of Ossiriand (‘Land of Seven Rivers’).

During the first battle of the Wars of Beleriand, Thingol called on Denethor to aid him against the hordes of orcs that were attacking. Though he brought a great number of elves, they still had only light armor and were easily broken. Denethor and many of his kin were killed by the orcs upon Amon Ereb. Those who survived mourned the loss of Denethor and never again took a king.