[edit] Middle-earth

[edit] Quick Facts

[edit] The Mortal Lands

The great continent to the east of the Great Sea. Little is known of the East and South of Middle-earth, or of the far north, but the geography and history of its Western lands are chronicled in great detail.

[edit] Ancient Times

The foundations of Middle-earth were laid by Aulë in times ancient beyond reckoning, and the Valar lit the new lands with two great lamps: one in the far north, and one in the distant south. At this time, the first Dark Lord had fled from the World, and Middle-earth was a place of peace and beauty. The Valar themselves dwelt in its central regions, on a green island.

Unknown to the Valar, though, the Dark Lord secretly returned, and delved his first great fortress of Udûn in the mountains of the far distant north. When he judged the time was right, he attacked and, surprising the Valar, destroyed their habitation in Middle-earth. Fleeing back to Udûn, he saved himself from the wrath of the Valar. This is one of the great disasters of Middle-earth's history: the Valar departed forever, and left Middle-earth under the sole control of the Dark Lord, who claimed it as his own.

Though the Valar made a new home for themselves in Aman, and lit their new land of Valinor with the light of the Two Trees, Middle-earth was now left in darkness for many Ages. The Valar did not completely forget their ancient home, though, and came there from time to time to try and mend its hurts if they could.

It was at this time, too, that Aulë returned, and secretly fashioned a hall beneath the mountains of Middle-earth⁴. It was there that he wrought the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, who were given life, but set to sleep until the awakening of the Firstborn.

Despite these brief visits from the Valar, though, Middle-earth was effectively controlled by the Dark Lord, who was free to act as he would. Slowly, his polluted realm spread southwards over Middle-earth.

[edit] The Coming of the Elves

The Awakening of the Elves brought about profound changes in Middle-earth. At first they lived in darkness, prey to the creatures of the night, but Oromë found them, and the Valar decided to act: they went to war.

There followed an immense battle in the north and west of Middle-earth. That war rent and twisted the lands, giving them the shape they were to keep until the end of the First Age. Dorthonion and the highlands north of Beleriand were raised up at that time, and many bays were created.

The Dark Lord was ultimately defeated, and taken as a prisoner back to Valinor. After much debate, the Valar also offered the Elves a home in Aman, and many accepted. Led by Oromë, the Elves travelled westward across Middle-earth from the far east where they had awakened.

Many of these departed Middle-earth across the Sea, but some remained, of which the major groups were the Sindar of Beleriand and the Elves that remained in the Anduin valley. Other groups had also left the westward journey: these were the people who were to become known as the Silvan Elves. Also, in the far east, remained the Elves who had refused the summons of the Valar.

[edit] Footnotes