[Mithadan]

As one of the relatively few here who first read LoTR before the Silmarillion was published, in addition to the reasons cited above, the thing which captured me was the sense of vistas unrevealed. The tale communicates an immense sense of history lurking in the background which is frequently mentioned in passing without great detail but nonetheless feels real. Examples: the Gil-Galad poem; the Earendil poem; references to Feanor; references to the history of Eregion and Moria; references to the Silmarils; references to Numenor, etc.