Quote:
Originally Posted by Urwen
Hmm, I think the first stanza refers to the coming of Noldor to Beleriand, and Noldor are one of the 'seconds'. The other 'second' are Edain, and the only one who is the last of both of those races is Elrond...who was also raised by the Second.
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The Noldor are the Second. They came "in second's turn", just before Feanor died. The Edain didn't even wake yet, so they are not the "second". Besides, there is more to that series than just 2. "Last" is not "last of the Second/second", but: there was a first, a second, some more, and a last.
Since with team effort you have made a fair bit of progress with the first stanza, think about what the initial lines could mean as well. The second line is not random. Neither is the third.
If you are getting stuck with the first stanza though, try looking at the end of the second one. That is another place where you can get an element or two sorted to help orient yourself to the time and place: "Breaking resistance, kindling dread, Incinerating every shred Of estel in the lord now dead Whose line was estel to beget". Who is the lord (now dead)?