Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael  

Of the coming of the Elves and the captivity of Melkor 13

The march of the Eldar to the west was slow,
the Middle-Earth landscape marvelled with its vastness,
for the travel included pathless wilds and growth
of vegetation, hard to cross; besides, why hasteness?

The Elves were filled with wonder at what their eyes met,
at times they would desire to settle beside rivers, in the plains,
furthermore, certain fear in their sensitive hearts crept,
for though resolute, they had certain ultimate concerns.

Whenever Oromë temporarily left for unknown quests,
they would halt their journey, awaiting his return,
so the march had long periods of contemplation and rests,
the love for the gift of life and nature in them burned.

Eventually, the Eldar passed through a thick woodland,
and came out to discover the banks of a river, overwhelmed,
a vision they had never seen before, an expanse so grand,
and beyond it mountains so high they pierced the stars' realm.

Anduin the Great, the river was later named,
it would mark Middle-Earth's western borders,
even in those ancient days it flew there, chained
by Hithaeglir, Eriador's Misty Peaks, by the water.

In those days these mountauins were far more
fearsome to the sight, a menace, awe-provoking,
for Melkor had raised them to hinder Oromë,
to keep him at distance, while the battle was exploding.

The Teleri long abode upon those river banks,
with a yearning permanently to stay there,
yet the Vanyar and Noldor forgot not their plans,
and emabarked with Oromë on the future's affairs.

When the Hunter departed from the settlers,
the Teleri noticed the heights in solitude,
the obscure peaks filled them with cowardice,
so Elwë pushed them to chase the altitude.

Alas, from the host of Olwë an Elve separated,
he always strode in the rearmost ranks,
Lenwë his name; possibility to shine so waited;
so he led many others to follow their chance.

The group left the westward march,
they walked to the south along the River,
they got lost to their kin, in a search
of their own luck and faith downriver.

They'd be referred to as the Nandor, a unique clan,
a separate people with its own customs and ways,
dwelling by streams and flowing waters, they sang,
and among the Elves they knew best through the days

the nature of all living things; tree, grass and bird;
they had greatest knowledge of Yavanna's kingdom;
later Denethor, the Son of Lenwë, was given birth,
who set out westward again and abandoned his home.

His group of Elves reached bravely Beleriand,
across the mountains, even before the Moon
rose for the first time; yes, they reached that land,
that happened so early, so boldly, so soon.

The Vanyar and the Noldor crossed Ered Luin, in cohesion,
the Blue Mountains that divided Eriador's wide lands
from Beleriand, Middle-Earth's westernmost region,
reaching the Drengist and the Bay of Balar's sands.

When the Elves finally faced the Great Sea in person,
a lot of them turned back into the forests inland
and the highlands of Beleriand; so Oromë left them,
seeking Manwë's counsel, to make them understand.

The Teleri, led by Elwë Singollo (Thingol),
passed through the Misty Mountains,
their host crossed the vast Eriador; the goal -
to reach Valinor's Light and reigns.

For the leader of the host was ever eager
to return back to the Light once beheld;
he also felt a strong bond for the Noldor
and missed his friend Finwë; compelled.

After many years the Teleri too traversed
the Ered Luin into Beleriand's eastern lands,
they settled beside the river Gelion, enforced
a continuous break into their previous plans.