At last, the Noldor and the Vanyar arrive at the shores of Middle-earth, where they first meet Ulmo and develop their love for the sea. It is also Ulmo who devices the means to transport them: He uproots and island and draws it across the sea to Aman with the Eldar upon it.
Unfortunately, though, the Teleri had dawdled too long in eastern Beleriand, searching for Elwë. When they heard that Finwë and Ingwë had departed, many continued to the shore, where they befriended Ossë and Uinen and learned sea-music and sea-lore and fell in love with the sea. Others of the Teleri, however, remained in eastern Beleriand, searching still for Elwë.
To the grief of Ossë, Ulmo returned to bear the Teleri over the sea, also on an island. Some of the Teleri were persuaded to remain behind: the Falathrim, of whom Círdan was lord. Those left searching for Elwë also wished to travel to Valinor, but Ulmo and Olwë would not wait, and they were left behind as the Eglath—the Forsaken People—and when Elwë awoke from his long trance, they settled in the forests as his people.
Ossë, meanwhile, followed Olwë’s people upon their island, and he begged Ulmo to stay their passage. Having believed from the beginning that the Elves should remain in Middle-earth and also knowing the hearts of the Teleri and their love of the sea, Ulmo heeded the request, and anchored the island off the shores of Valinor, much to the displeasure of the other Valar and the dismay of Finwë. This island came to be known as Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle.
The Valar shaped the land of Valinor for the Noldor and Vanyar, breaking a gap in the Pelóri mountains to form the Calacirya, the Pass of Light, through which the Light of the Trees reached the shores of Aman and the western shore of Tol Eressëa. They raised a green hill called Túna, where the city of Tirion was built and the Vanyar and Noldor dwelt together in fellowship.
The Vanyar were the beloved of Manwë and Varda, but Aulë and his people loved most the Noldor, who loved speech and craft. It was the Noldor—the House of Finwë—who first found gemstones and learned to shape them, giving them freely to others, enriching Valinor.
Finwë’s house is summarized: his three sons, Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin, and their children. Fëanor was known for his skill with craft and words; Fingolfin was strongest and most valiant; and Finarfin was wisest and known also for bringing together the House of Finwë and the House of Olwë through his marriage to Olwë’s daughter Eärwen.
After many ages upon Tol Eressëa, the Teleri began to feel conflicted by their love of the sea and their love of the light that came through Calacirya, and at last, desired the light of Valinor and to see their kinsmen again enough to leave Tol Eressëa. Ossë was grieved but obeyed their wishes and taught them the art of shipbuilding, giving them also a gift of swans by which their ships were drawn over the sea. In Valinor, they dwelt on the shores where they could meet their friends in Valmar and Tirion, if they desired, but also walk in the waves, beneath the stars. They scattered the beach with gemstones and found the first pearls; in their harbor were their famous ships, shaped as swans.
The Vanyar, also, felt their hearts change and desired the full light of Valinor and moved to dwell with Manwë or in the forests surrounding Valinor. The kings, then, were Finwë in Tirion, Olwë in Alqualondë, and Ingwë of the Vanyar was King of all the Eldar.
The Noldor shared a love of knowledge and exploration, not least of all Fëanor son of Finwë, and he and his seven sons explored the lands of Aman and were often guests of Aulë and Celegorm—third son of Fëanor—of Oromë.
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