Elvish realms of the 1st and 2nd age vs 3rd age

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Well, on this I can say only two words: not canonical

Well, the Finrod bit may lie with a less canonical text, but the marring of Arda's spring is referred in the Silmarillion too. My general take on "canonicity" is that if an information is not refuted somewhere else, implicitly or explicitly, then it remains valid.

But seriously now, of course you have a point. But still, you have to agree that there is big difference between the kingdoms ruled by Elves, full of Elves, cared of by Elves who came from Valinor and the memory of the Light was still in them, and the fading, barren, empty lands without Elves (who parted to the West, mostly) in the latter Ages (2nd, 3rd).

Indeed. Even the marring I mentioned has a progressive effect in time, and the last paragraph of the Silmarillion reflects your idea also - the passing "from the high and beautiful to darkness and ruin".