Of Eöl the Dark Elf and his Son...

Aradhel Ar-Feiniel, daughter of Fingolfin, had dwelt with her brother Turgon in Nevrast, but when Gondolin was full-wrought, she removed with her people and dwelt there. But she tired of the guarded kingdom, desiring to ride in the Great Lands and moreover to meet with the Sons of Fëanor, her friends of old. And so she besought permission of the King to depart from Gondolin, but she was refused. But again, she approached the King, arguing that she was not as the servants of the King, and that she would go as seemed good to her, and so the King gave her leave to depart, although grudgingly. For wise with the wisdom of Ulmo, he desired none to dwell beyond the leaguer of the hills that knew the way hither. But departing with three lords of Gondolin, Aradhel went forth and Turgon was grieved at her going.

When she came to the Ford of Brithiach, she turned south and sought admittance into Doriath, but the march-wardens denied them, for none of the Noldor were admitted to that land (save the kin of Finarfin) and she went forth therefore into the perilous regions of Nan Dungortheb, seeking the land of Celegorm. Although not as dangerous as it later became, Nan Dungortheb was no place for the Eldar, and only the march-wardens of Doriath knew the land, and only close to the borders of Doriath. For there Ungoliant had dwelt and mated with other monsters of spider-shape, and there was only death and shadow. And straying from her companions, she was lost, and the lords sought for her in vain. But soon the foul creatures of the brood of Ungoliant were roused and pursued them, and they hardly escaped with their lives. And returning to Gondolin, they told Turgon of all that had come to pass; and he met the news with sullen silence.

But Aradhel escaped Nan Dungortheb, and eventually came into the realm of Celegorm. Celegorm was away with his brothers in Thargelion, but his people received her with joy, and she dwelt there in peace awaiting his return. But he returned not, and she grew weary again, and riding often alone far beyond the borders, she one day strayed into the fastness of the forest of Nan Elmoth. There dwelt Eöl the Dark Elf, he who when the Girdle of Melian was spun forth departed from Doriath, leaving his sword Anglachel to Thingol as fee to depart. He hated the Sun, and shunned the Noldor, and he had greater love for the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains than to those of Elven-kind. And in the shadows of Nan Elmoth he made his abode, and seeing Aradhel stray among the trees, he set his enchantment about her, so that she became lost and wandered ever deeper into the wood. At length he greeted her, and took her to wife by force, and she was not seen again for many years.

In the shadows of Nan Elmoth was born Maeglin. In looks he resembled the kindred of the Noldor, but he had the stern mood of his father. Often he went with his father to stay with the Dwarves, and of them he learned much craft, of the finding of ore in the mountains the chief among them. But in secret his mother told him of the greatness of the Noldor, and of Gondolin, and desire awoke in him to go himself to that city, and to wed Idril the King's daughter. Eöl became aware of these tales, and he commanded his son to have nothing to do with the Noldor, the usurpers of their lands and the bringers of war. But Maeglin gainsaid his father, and there was mistrust between them.

One day, when Eöl was away with the Dwarves, Maeglin besought his mother to depart from the darkness of Nan Elmoth, saying that there they would surely rot under the duress of Eöl, and that they should seek for Gondolin. And so they departed. But Maeglin erred in his reckoning, and coming back sooner than they had hoped, he discovered that they were but two days gone, and so great was his wrath that he pursued them, even by the light of Day.

As he entered Himlad, he mastered his anger and rode warily, for he was now within the realm of Curufin, son of Fëanor. But he was waylaid by the riders of Curufin, and he himself came to judge the matter. No love did Curufin have for Eöl, but according to the laws of the Eldar, he could not slay him as he desired, and he let him pass on his errand. But before departing, Eöl said: ''It is good, Lord Curufin, to find a kinsman thus kindly at need. I will remember it when I return.'' But Curufin looked darkly upon Eöl and said: ''Do not flaunt the title of your wife before me. For those who steal the daughters of the Noldor and wed them without gift or leave do not gain kinship with their kin.'' And he foretold that if he pursued those who loved him no more, then never would he return to his dark woods.