I am just reading the 'Book of Lost Tales I' and came across this description in the coming of the Valar to Valinor:
Quote:
|
About them fared a great host who are the sprites of trees and woods, of dale and forest and mountain-side, or those that sing amid the grass at morning and chant among the standing corn at eve. These are the Nermir and the Tavari, Nandini and Orossi, brownies, fays, pixies, leprawns, and what else are they not called, for their number is very great: yet they must not be confused with the Eldar, for they were born before the world and are older than its oldest, and are not of it, but laugh at it much, for they had not somewhat to do with its making, so that it is for the most part a play for them; but the Eldar are of the world and love it with a great and burning love, and are wistful in all hteir happiness for that reason.
|
Are there any other references to these spirits in Tolkien's writings? What/Who was their origin? Do they come to inhabit Middle Earth? Was there any reference to contact between them and the Eldar. Any reference to them in contact with the eldest creatures - Tom Bombadil, the Ents, or anyone outside this reference?