Silmarillion - Chapter 10 - Of the Sindar

[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

It seems to me noteworthy that this entire section is a relatively late development. In the original Annals of Beleriand (HoME IV, ch. vii), the records begin with Morgoth's arrival after the darkening of Valinor, and begin to mention the Sindar only after they encounter the armies of the Gnomes. The later Annals of Beleriand incorporate into their preamble a brief mention of Thingol and Denithor's battles against Morgoth's forces, but say little more than that Denithor (later Denethor) was killed and that Thingol withdrew to Menegroth.

For the earlier developments of the stories that we find in Of the Sindar, we must look to the Annals of Valinor, which incorporate Thingol's meeting with Melian and abandonment of his host, and a very brief account of the wanderings of the Nandor under Dân (later Lenwë) and Denethor. Indeed, although these sets of annals are written from different perspectives, in HoME V Tolkien has Pengolod making marginal insertions into Rúmil's text to fill lacunae in his narrative with respect to the Sindar. Tolkien seems to have written the two sets of annals much as they are written in their narrative context: as two differing, but contemporary and sometimes convergent traditions.

The references to the culture and realms of the Sindar are scarce until the Grey Annals, and this chapter of the Silmarillion is clearly based heavily on this later writing. Sadly, the Grey Annals rise to greater narrative heights than the chapter under discussion, but the annalistic structure presumably could not be incorporated into The Silmarillion as envisaged. That so much material should appear not long after the publication of LR is scarcely surprising, considering that more than twenty years and a whole world of mythical development intervene.

Returning to the subject of architecture, it seems to me that the buildings of the Sindar are reactions to the realities of their situation. Safe in Valinor, the Noldor have been free to build prominent and beautiful cities without thought to their defence. In Beleriand, prompted by the prophetic warnings of Melian, Thingol has been thinking more defensively. The result is Menegroth, with its many halls and armouries, which itself forms the template for Finrod's stronghold of Nargothrond. It is interesting to note that while Finrod earns himself the by-name felagund in building his own fastness, Thingol's fortress and palace is built and armed by the labour of the Dwarves, for which, unsurprisingly, they demand payment.

He took thought therefore how he should make for himself a kingly dwelling, and a place that should be strong, if evil were to awake again in Middle-earth; and he sought aid and counsel of the Dwarves of Belegost. They gave it willingly, for they were unwearied in those days, and eager for new works; and though the Dwarves ever demanded a price for all they did, whether with delight or with toil, at this time they held themselves paid. For Melian taught them much that they were eager to learn, and Thingol rewarded them with many fair pearls. These Círdan gave to him, for they were got in great number in the shallow waters about the Isle of Balar; but the Naugrim had never seen their like, and they held them dear.

The Silmarillion, 1st ed. p. 92

From this we can see that relations between the Sindar of Doriath and the Dwarves were friendly, but essentially mercantile. In this passage, though, we can detect a certain amount of disapproval in the narrator's tone when describing the Dwarven desire for payment. This foreshadows the dispute and eventual war which will destroy Doriath in spite of the protections of Melian. It is interesting that the Sindar, untutored by the long association with Aulë enjoyed by the Noldor, must co-operate with their fellow rational creatures to build up their military power. Over many years they have established an equilibrium with the Dwarves that is beneficial to both. As we can see from this chapter, however, they are no safer from the aggression of Morgoth than were their cousins in Valinor. It is worth comparing Thingol's dealings with the Naugrim, which seem to be established on equal terms, and the relations between the Noldor and Edain, which at their very outset are decidedly feudal. Hence whereas the Dwarves' chieftain receives the huge pearl Nimphelos, Bëor receives a name meaning 'vassal', given because he remains a client and follower of Finrod; and Hador becomes a client lord in Hithlum.

This is another aspect of this chapter that I find very interesting. Many people declare that without the rebellion of Fëanor there would be no story, yet clearly there is another strand, no less noble or heroic, which is taking place out of sight among the unfallen Sindar and their allies. Thingol's marriage to Melian and their joint rule of the Grey Elves form a golden age for Beleriand similar to that of the Noldor in the Blessed Realm, but Thingol does not bring war to his country: the orcs of Morgoth bring it to him. The defence of Beleriand by Thingol, Denethor and Círdan is more heroic than Fëanor's headlong and destructive plunge, and the destruction of his retreating army by the Dwarves as hurtful to Morgoth as the Noldorin victory at the Dagor-nuin-Giliath; but the good sense and considered tactics of this campaign perhaps make for a less engaging story than the desperate and unconsidered onslaught of Fëanor.

Aside from the germ of a dispute between Thingol and the Dwarves of Belegost, we see also the beginnings of discord between the Noldor and Sindar. The Grey Elves have, after all, been living in Beleriand and establishing their own kingdoms for centuries. As we can see from the thoughts of Fingon and Galadriel in the previous chapter, the Noldor are not all concerned only with the recovery of the Silmarils, but also want to rule lands for themselves. For this to happen the Sindar must be dispossessed, and it is only because Círdan's defence has been overcome and the realm of Thingol divided that this can be done in battles against Morgoth and not by wresting them from the Sindar. Therefore although the reception of the Noldor by Thingol is similar to that of Lenwë's people, there is explicitly less warmth to it. Denethor and his followers are "welcomed by Thingol as kin long lost that return", whereas in the case of the Noldor, "King Thingol welcomed not with a full heart the coming of so many princes in might out of the West, eager for new realms". So he welcomes the newcomers, but not in the heart of his kingdom, and the Girdle of Melian is left in place. The arrival and reception of these two groups of Eldar by the king of Doriath is another significant dramatic contrast that presages many events in the wars of Beleriand.

Nevertheless, at this early point the arrival of the Noldor catches Morgoth on the back foot, and forces him back to Thangorodrim. The Sindar welcome the Noldor in spite of their reservations, and soon the armies of Fingolfin and Fëanor will be reconciled. At its outset, then, the arrival of the Noldor in Beleriand has resulted in a strong alliance of Noldor, Sindar and Dwarves, to which will soon be added the Three Houses of the Edain.

Overall, this chapter is a setting of the scene, describing the situation which Fëanor, Fingolfin and their peoples will find on their arrival in Beleriand. It introduces the vastly different political and military landscape which they will encounter and inevitably transform, and it establishes the power and wisdom of Thingol and Melian. It also hints at the various pressures which in the coming chapters will destroy the kingdoms it describes.