Everyone knows Legolas. Far fewer will remember much, if anything, about an Elf of Gondolin also named Legolas.

Lalaith, the second child of Húrin and Morwen, stands out within the narrative threads woven together into the lengthy tale of the children of Húrin as a singular bright light, though, sadly, swiftly and tragically extinguished.

Alatar and Pallando of the Ithryn Luin passed into the east of Middle-earth and are subject to much speculation as to their intentions and fate.

Irmo is the Vala who is the master of visions and dreams.

The youngest of Finwë's daughters, Írimë (like her sister) did not make it into the published text.

Indis is remarkable in that, as far as is written in any of the published works of Tolkien, she is the only second wife named for any major figure within the Eldar. Her story ensnares her, for better or worse, with the dramatic tale of the Finwean Noldor.

The famed hound, Huan is one of the most if not the most truly noble beasts in The Silmarillion and a hero by the standards of almost any reader.

On the surface, Hareth of the Haladin is yet another woman defined primarily by her [male] relations but who, with a closer look at the details of the text, begins to come to life and ask for a story of her own.

Among the women of the legendarium, Haleth is heroic and a leader of her people, the Haladin.

The first known leader of the Haladin, Haldad was succeeded by his heroic daughter Haleth, the best-known person from his house.

What we know of Guilin of Nargothrond occurs only through inference, as his personal history is never described in any of Tolkien's writings.

Glorfindel is one of several among Tolkien’s notable heroes who have provoked a substantial amount of controversy, most notably in the appearance of two essential Glorfindels and the ensuing debate over whether they are the same character.

Known as the Father of Dragons, Glaurung is the first of these mighty monsters to emerge in the legendarium.

Gil-galad is first met by most reader in The Lord of the Rings, but his story is deepened and expanded in The Silmarillion.

Gildor Inglorion is one of the many links between The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, providing a final glimpse in the Third Age of the exiled Noldor.

Gethron is an aged man of the people of the House of Hagor who plays small but a not insignificant role of tragic story of Húrin Thalion and his family.

Whether in the guise of Gandalf the Grey or Gandalf the White, Tolkien’s most famous wizard plays the role of the nearly perfect guide, instigator, and mentor for the heroes of both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Galadriel is a rare example of a character added to The Silmarillion after and because of The Lord of the Rings. The complexity of her character development post-LotR largely comes from trying to fit her character into the existing myth. Part 1 explores her life in the Years of the Trees and the First Age; Part 2 continues with the significant influence she wields over the legendarium in the Second and Third Ages.

Finwë, the first King of the Noldor, the unchallenged and beloved patriarch of his people, is written with shoulders figuratively broad enough to bear the weight of leadership of the most contentious family and people within Tolkien's history of the Elves.

The considerable virtues of Finrod Felagund are tempered with enough flaws to leave him an intruiging character.