Elves

Season 2 Episode 1 – Blood Tears

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Season 2 covers the Long Peace and the breaking of the Siege of Angband, from the beginning of the First Age to Year 456. There are a few time skips of several hundred years. This season sees the Dagor Aglareb, construction of Gondolin and Nargothrond, the coming of Men and the Dagor Bragollach.

Prologue – Eregion

  • Elrond and his sons meet with Maglor again. This time he is in Eregion, Celebrimbor’s old kingdom. Maglor is convinced to tell Elrond’s sons about how Beleriand was overtaken by Morgoth.

Angband

  • Maedhros hangs from Thangorodrim. Morgoth and Sauron both taunt and torment him. He refuses to give up secrets about the Noldor.
  • Both Maedhros and Sauron see Thorondor from afar.

Maedhros_upon_Thangorodrim_by_Gold_Seven (1)

Mithrim

  • Fingolfin begins building his kingdom, Hithlum.
  • Believing Maedhros dead, Maglor and the Sons of Feanor prepare to leave Mithrim and go east.
  • Fingolfin gives Fingon a domain in the west, Dor-lomin.
  • Turgon struggles to get over his wife’s death, becoming protective of Idril. He blames Feanor and his sons for Elenwe’s death.
  • Thorondor arrives to inform Feanor’s sons of Maedhros’ imprisonment.

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Doriath

  • Thingol welcomes Noldor ambassadors in his land, but refuses to give up land of Beleriand to them.
  • Thingol’s daughter, Luthien, is curious about the Noldor. Thingol refuses to let her leave Doriath.

First Appearances – Luthien, Nimloth

Adapted from chapters ‘Of the Return of the Noldor’ and ‘Of Beleriand and its Realms’ from The Silmarillion.

Pictures

  • Lake Mithrim – J.R.R. Tolkien
  • Maedhros Upon Thangorodrim – Jenny Dolfen
  • Prayer of Fingon – Tuuliky

Season 2 Episode 3 – Lord of the Seas

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Sirion

  • Finrod and Turgon leave to journey along Sirion
  • They are both sent dreams by Ulmo of hidden sanctuaries. Tumladen and High Faroth.
  • When they return to Vinyamar, Turgon goes to find Tumladen.

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Tumladen

  • Unable to find the place in his dreams, Turgon is visited directly by Ulmo, who guides him to Tumladen.
  • Turgon returns to Vinyamar as he sees orcs passing through the Pass of Sirion

Maglor’s Gap

  • Maedhros and his brothers hunt down the orcs that have penetrated Maglor’s Gap.

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Hithlum

  • Fingolfin prepares his army for war. He sends Finrod to Doriath once more to enlist the help of Thingol.

Doriath

  • Melian befriends Galadriel. Galadriel tells of the tale of the Noldor, but leaves out the Kinslaying.

Galadriel_and_Melian_by_yalanrei

  • Thingol hears rumours of Valinor. He asks Angrod about the events that led the Noldor to Middle-Earth. He learns of the Silmarils and of the Kinslaying at Aqualonde. Horrified, he bans Quenya in Beleriand and forbids any of the House of Feanor to enter Doriath.

Adapted from chapters ‘Of the Return of the Noldor’, ‘Of Beleriand and Its Realms’ and ‘Of The Noldor in Beleriand’ from The Silmarillion.

Pictures

  • The Rage of Ulmo – Ralph Damiani
  • The Coast of Mithrim – Tuuliky
  • Ossiriand – Jenny Dolfen
  • Galadriel and Melian – yalanrei

Season 2 Episode 7 – Bragollach

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Prologue – Eregion

Maglor tells of the Long Peace and the years of Elves and Men. A hundred years pass and both races have learned to live peacefully. He tells of the House of Haladin, saved by Haleth, who led her people in repelling an orc siege until Caranthir arrived with reinforcements.  He also tells of the settlements in Ladros and Dor-lomin, and the giving of the Dragon Helm to Hador from Fingon, and the arrival of the Easterlings over the Blue Mountains.

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Angband

  • Morgoth looks upon his forces gathered in the depths of Angband. He tells Gothmog it is time.

Ladros

  • Finrod and Aegnor visit Andreth of the House of Beor. Finrod talks to her for a time, but she leaves to see Aegnor, whom she loves. Aegnor however, despite reciprocating her affections, refuses her advances.
  • Finrod meets with Barahir, descendent of Beor about the Siege. He inspects Barahir’s soldiers and meets his son, Beren.

Ard-Galen

  • Fingon and his forces patrol Ard-Galen near Angband. Suddenly, rivers of flame spew forth from Thangorodrim. Forced to retreat, Fingon rides to warn his father.

Dorthonion

  • Glaurung leads an army of balrogs and orcs over the plains. Angrod and Aegnor ride before them with Bregolas and his men, but they are slain with their forces.

Glaurung

Hithlum

  • Fingon’s riders reach Fingolfin in Barad Eithel. Fingolfin sends out riders to call his armies to battle.
  • Gil-Galad is sent by his mother to Cirdan in the Falas.
  • Soon after, Barad Eithel is besieged.

Ladros

  • Barahir commands his men to take their people and retreat south. He takes his best men and rides East.

Maglor’s Gap

  • Maglor’s horsemen are burned alive. Maglor retreats to Himring. Morgoth’s forces enter Beleriand.

Pass of Aglon

  • The other sons of Feanor are defeated and driven back south of Doriath.
  • Morgoth’s orcs control the north. They prepare further attacks and march on Minas Tirith.

First Appearances – Barahir, Beren, Bregolas, Belegund, Baragund, Hador, Gildor, Radhruin, Gorlim, Dairuin, Urthel, Gil-Galad, Emeldir, Haleth

Deaths – Aegnor, Angrod, Bregolas

Adapted from chapters ‘Of Beleriand and Its Realms’, ‘Of the Coming of Men Into the West’ and ‘The Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin’ from The Silmarillion and ‘The Grey Annals’ from The War of the Jewels.

Pictures

  • Angrod and Aegnor in Dagor Bragollach – lilithran
  • The Dragon Helm of Dor-lomin – Alan Lee
  • Glaurung, the Black Wyrm – vaejoun

Season 2 Episode 9 – The Elven King

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Eithel Sirion

  • Fingolfin and Fingon drive off the orcs besieging the fortress and plan a counter-attack on Dorthonion.
  • His army is joined by Hador, who volunteers to lead the vanguard.

Fen of Serech

  • Finrod and his army hurry north to join Fingolfin, but are ambushed at Serech. Finrod is cut off from the bulk of his army and vastly outnumbered.
  • Barahir comes across Finrod’s army and destroys the orc ambush.
  • Finrod thanks Barahir. He swears an oath of friendship between families, giving him his ring. The ring is forever known as the Ring of Barahir.

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Dorthonion

  • Hador rides on the massive army of orcs occupying Dorthonion, but he is set upon by balrogs.
  • Fingon and Fingolfin come to his aid, but tens of thousands of men and elves are slain or captured.
  • Fingolfin gives the order to retreat.

Eithel Sirion

  • Hador’s son Gundor is killed while retreating. Hador stands against the army alone covering his son’s body in a suicidal last stand.
  • Fingon’s archers destroy the orcs attacking Hador. The orcs retreat back to Dorthonion.
  • At Barad Eithel, Fingon recounts the losses of men and territory to Fingolfin. Fingolfin tells Fingon he will end the war alone.

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Angband

  • Fingolfin rides through the orc host in Ard-Galen, moonlight glowing off his armour. The orcs flee before him.
  • Fingolfin challenges Morgoth at the Gates of Angband. Morgoth accepts. Fingolfin wounds Morgoth seven times, but he is cast down by Grond. Fingolfin delivers a final blow to Morgoth’s foot, before being crushed by it. Watching the duel from afar, Thorondor flew down and stole Fingolfin’s body before it could be desecrated.

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Deaths – Fingolfin, Hador, Gundor

Adapted from chapters ‘Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin’ from The Silmarillion.

Pictures

  • The Siege of Angband – John Howe
  • The Oath of Finrod to Barahir – Anke Eissman
  • Fingolfin’s Wrath – Ted Nasmith
  • Fingolfin’s Challenge – John Howe

Season 2 Episode 10 – Outlaws

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Gondolin

  • Thorondor brings Fingolfn’s body to a peak above Gondolin. Turgon sees this and hurries up there. He builds a cairn over his father’s body, before sending word to Fingon at Barad Eithel.

Eithel Sirion

  • Finrod and Barahir meet with Fingon. They receive word of the King’s death from Thorondor. Fingon is named High King of the Noldor.
  • Finrod asks Barahir to return with him to Nargothrond, but Barahir instead returns to Dorthonion to help any of his people who remain

The_Oath_of_Felagund_by_aautio

Angband

  • Glaurung returns to Thangorodrim with ten thousand Noldorian prisoners. Sauron tells Morgoth of the lands and people they now control.

Dorthonion

  • Barahir manages to save many families who flee East. Refusing to leave behind his lands, he and 11 others form an outlaw band who remain in Dorthonion, contesting Morgoth’s rule.

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Himring

  • Maedhros and Maglor remained unharmed in the fortress. Maedhros tells Maglor they will continue to honour the oath and they will find their brothers.

Vale of Sirion

  • Ulmo speaks to Thorondor the Eagle, who is flying back to Gondolin. He convinces him to take Hurin and Huor to Gondolin.
  • Hurin and Huor remain in the mist. Thorondor and his eagles come to them. Hurin is hesitant at first, but realises he has no other option.

Gondolin

  • Thorondor flies Hurin and Huor to Gondolin, where he speaks with Turin about Ulmo’s words. Ulmo had said that the children of Hador will aid Gondolin in its darkest hour. Turgon welcomes the brothers.

Húrin_and_Huor_are_Carried_to_Gondolin

Adapted from chapters ‘Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin’ and ‘Of Beren and Luthien’ from The Silmarillion.

Pictures

  • Death of Fingolfin – Abe Papakhian
  • The Oath of Felagund – aautio
  • At Tarn Aeluin – Ted Nasmith
  • Hurin and Huor are Carried to Gondolin – Alan Lee

Season 1 Episode 1 – The Minstrel

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The series is framed by meetings between Elrond and Maglor in the Third Age. Maglor recounts the events of the First Age to Elrond and the viewer.

Season 1 covers the Fall of the Noldor, including the birth of Feanor and his brothers, the creation of the Silmarils, the Kinslaying, the journey to Middle-earth, the First Battle and the Battle-under-stars.

Here now is Season 1, Episode 1: The Minstrel

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Prologue – Rivendell/Lindon

  • Elrond receives a message from Cirdan, saying he has spotted the person Elrond has been searching for.
  • Elrond rides to Lindon, where Cirdan directs him onwards.
  • Elrond finds the elf on the shores of the sea, Maglor, son of Feanor.
  • Elrond wishes to bring Maglor to Rivendell, but Maglor cannot come. Maglor begins his story, the story of the Noldor, beginning in Valinor.

Valinor/Tirion

  • His father, Feanor, is born to Finwe and Miriel. Miriel dies during childbirth. Finwe remarries and has two more sons – Fingolfin and Finarfin.
  • Feanor opposes his father’s remarriage.
  • Feanor is close to Mahtan, Miriel’s father. Mahtan teaches Feanor craftsmanship and writing.
  • Feanor devises Tengwar. He weds Nerdanel and has seven sons, one of them Maglor.
  • Feanor turns his mind towards making gems. He is approached by a Valar, Melkor, but sees through his lies.
  • The lives of the elves beneath the light of the Two Trees in Valinor are detailed. Feanor’s relationship with his brothers and sons and Finwe’s meetings with the Valar.
  • Melkor and Manwe discuss the elves. Manwe warns Melkor not to interfere, reminding him of his past.
  • Feanor creates the Silmarils.

feanor

First Appearances – Elrond, Cirdan, Maglor, Feanor, Finwe, Miriel, Indis, Nerdanel, Fingolfin, Finarfin, Maedhros, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, Amras, Manwe, Ulmo, Mandos, Aule, Irmo, Orome, Tulkas, Varda, Yavanna, Nienna, Vaire, Este, Vana, Nessa, Melkor, Rumil, Mahtan, Findis, Ingwe

Deaths – Miriel

Adapted from chapters ‘Of Eldamar and the Princes of Eldalie’ and ‘Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor’ of The Silmarillion.

Pictures

  • Tirion – Ted Nasmith
  • Maglor – Jenny Dolfen
  • Lord of the Gems – Mami02

Season 1 Episode 3 – Formenos

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Prologue – Valinor (Y.T. 1)

Aule is about to destroy the dwarves, but receives a message from the One to let them live, but not to awaken them before the elves.

TN-Aule_the_Destroyer

Formenos (Y.T. 1492-1495)

  • Feanor and his family settle in to their new home.
  • The Valar send Tulkas to imprison Melkor again, but he cannot be found.
  • Melkor arrives at Formenos and speaks to Feanor and Finwe.
  • Finwe sends messengers to Manwe.
  • Feanor sees through Melkor’s lies and kicks him out of Formenos.

Alqualonde

  • Galadriel meets an elf, Celeborn.

Valinor

  • Melkor flees south and meets with Ungoliant.

Ungoliant_and_melkor

First Appearance – Celeborn, Ungoliant

Adapted from chapters ‘Of Aule and Yavanna’, ‘Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor’ and ‘Of the Darkening of Valinor’ from The Silmarillion, and ‘The History of Galadriel and Celeborn’ from Unfinished Tales.

Pictures

  • Formenos – Luis F. Bejarano
  • Aule the Destroyer – Ted Nasmith
  • Ungoliant and Morgoth – John Howe

Season 1 Episode 4 – Nightfall

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Prologue – Valinor (Y.T. 1)

The Creation of the Two Trees. Maglor recounts to Elrond the names of the Valar.

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Valinor (Y.T. 1495)

  • The Valar try and reconcile Feanor and Fingolfin
  • Feanor is invited to Valinor
  • Fingolfin offers his hand to Feanor, recognising his place as eldest and heir of Finwe.
  • Melkor and Ungoliant travel to Valinor.
  • As Feanor and Fingolfin are being reconciled, Ungoliant destroys the two trees.

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  • Yavanna examines the Two Trees and finds only the light of the Silmarils can restore them.
  • Orome and Tulkas go after Melkor with the Vanyar.
  • Manwe asks Feanor to give them up, but he refuses.
  • Messengers come from Formenos with news for Feanor

First Appearances – Glorfindel, Orodreth, Eonwe

Adapted from chapters ‘Valaquenta’, ‘Of the Beginning of Days’ and ‘Of the Darkening of Valinor’ from The Silmarillion.

Pictures

  • Two Trees of Valinor – MattBurton
  • Yavanna’s Trees – Jacek Kopalski
  • The Killing of the Trees – John Howe

Season 1 Episode 5 – Morgoth

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Prologue – Valinor (Y.T. 1000)

Yavanna asks Manwe for protection, as she fears Elves, Men and Dwarves will destroy her plants and animals. Manwe gives her a vision of the Ents, who will protect them.

Formenos (Y.T. 1495)

  • An impenetrable black fog falls over Formenos.
  • Finwe alone goes out to face it. He is killed by Melkor.
  • Melkor and Ungoliant force their way in and steal the Silmarils.

Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Oath_of_Fëanor

Valinor

  • Feanor names Melkor ‘Morgoth’
  • Feanor gives an impassioned speech to the Noldor. He rebels against the Valar and leads the Noldor to Middle-Earth.
  • The Noldor are convinced to go. Finrod and Fingon are among Feanor’s supporters, while Turgon and Glorfindel advise against it, but follow their families.
  • Feanor gathers his sons and swears the Oath of Feanor, despite Fingolfin and Glorfindel’s objections. The Oath states they will fight anyone who withholds the Silmarils from the descendents of Feanor.
  • Nerdanel refuses to follow Feanor. She begs for Amras and Amrod to be left with her. Feanor refuses.
  • Finrod is forced to choose between his kin and his beloved Amarie of the Vanyar. He chooses to follow the Noldor.

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  • Against the Valar, the Noldor set out for Middle-Earth

First Appearance – Treebeard

Deaths – Finwe

Adapted from chapters ‘Of Aule and Yavanna’ and ‘Of the Flight of the Noldor’ from The Silmarillion and ‘The Grey Annals’ from The War of the Jewels.

Pictures

  • The Oath of Feanor – Jenny Dolfen
  • The Oath of Feanor – Ted Nasmith
  • The Parting of Lovers 2 – aautio

Season 1 Episode 6 – Kinslaying

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Prologue – Utumno (Y.T. 1099-1100)

Tulkas and the Valar wage war on Melkor. Utumno is destroyed and Melkor is imprisoned.

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Valinor (Y.T. 1496)

  • Aule begins work on the Sun and Moon.

Alqualonde

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  • Feanor and the first host head to Aqualonde
  • Fingon and his host go second, while Fingolfin and his sons are the last to leave Tirion
  • From afar, a great Eagle follows them.
  • Feanor and his sons try and persuade the Teleri to give him their ships. The Teleri refuse to go against the Valar.
  • The Noldor steal some ships, but the Teleri throw them off into the harbour. The Noldor and Teleri join in battle.
  • Galadriel tries to intervene. When her pleas are ignored, she fights for the Teleri.
  • Fingon and his host come to Alqualonde and join the fight under assumption that the Teleri attacked Feanor.
  • Finarfin and Fingolfin arrive and Feanor lies to them about the Kinslaying.

Aman

  • Feanor and his men take the ships. Fingolfin and Finarfin travel north along the coast on foot.
  • Mandos appears on the mountains and proclaims the Doom of the Noldor.
  • Hearing the truth, Finarfin takes his host and turns back to Valinor. His children remain with Fingolfin.

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Helcaraxe

  • Morgoth and Ungoliant cross the Helcaraxe into Middle Earth

First Appearances – Sauron, Gothmog, Olwe, Thorondor

Adapted from chapters ‘Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor’, ‘Of the Sun and Moon’ and ‘Of the Flight of the Noldor’ from The Silmarillion and ‘The History of Galadriel and Celeborn’ from Unfinished Tales.

Pictures

  • The First Kinslaying – Ted Nasmith
  • The Valiant Incoming – Ninni-V
  • Alqualonde – Thomas Rouillard
  • Helcaraxe – Andrew Mockett