The unrest of the Sindar...

While the Hidden City was being wrought in secret in the Encircling Mountains, Galadriel dwelt with Melian in the Kingdom of Doriath and at times Galadriel and Melian would talk of Valinor and of the hopelessness of the War; but she would say nothing of the manner of the departure of the Noldor from Valinor, and fell silent. And noting this silence Melian questioned her, and noted that a shadow lay on the high lords of the Noldor. But Galadriel said that she was content that past woes were indeed past, and that she would take what joy and peace was left in the world, ere Morgoth would burst forth from Angband and drive the Noldor into the sea. But looking into her eyes, Melian perceived more than Galadriel chose to reveal, and she questioned her still. Then Galadriel told her of the Silmarils, and of the slaying of Finwë at Formenos, but she said naught of the Kinslaying or of the burning of the ships at Losgar. And Melian said that she perceived much that she did not reveal, and counselled her to reveal to her the true intent of the Noldor, especially the perilous Sons of Fëanor. But Galadriel remained silent, and Melian questioned her no more.

Going to Thingol, Melian told her all that Galadriel had revealed (and the more that Melian perceived) and Thingol was troubled. And Melian counselled Thingol to be wary of the Sons of Fëanor, and they spoke no more.

It was not long in the reckoning of the new Sun years before tales began to be told among the Sindar of the coming of the Noldor into Beleriand. These tales were true in parts, and yet twisted by lies, and it is certain that Morgoth sent forth spies with fair and cunning forms among the Elves for this end. And Círdan, Lord of the Havens, was troubled by these tales, for true or false, he wisely judged that they were published by malice - although he deemed that it was the malice of the princes of the Noldor, because of the rivalry of their Houses. And he sent messengers to Thingol to tell all that he had heard.

It chanced that shortly after this, the sons of Finarfin were again the guests of Thingol; and Thingol questioned them concerning the tales. Finrod was greatly troubled, for he had withheld the matter of the Kinslaying from Thingol, but he would not betray the other Noldorin Houses and he remained silent in shame, but in anger Angrod told Thingol all the truth of the matter, and he spoke bitterly against the Sons of Fëanor, and he cried: ''Wherefore should we that endured the Grinding Ice bear the name of kinslayers and traitors?''

Melian told him that the shadow of Mandos lay on him also, but Thingol told them to be gone from Doriath and said that they may return later, if they would, but he forbade the use of the High Elven tongue in Beleriand, and commanded the Sindar to shun those that spoke it openly; for they would be accounted as kinslayers and traitors unrepentant. And the sons of Finarfin departed from Doriath with heavy hearts, perceiving how the prophecies of Mandos would ever be made true. After this time, the Noldor forsook (openly) the High Elven tongue and adopted the Sindarin tongue; but the High Elven tongue remained as a language of lore and ceremony.

When Nargothrond was full-wrought, the sons of Finarfin were gathered together for a feast, and thither came even Galadriel from Doriath. Finrod Felagund had no wife, and Galadriel asked him why this was so. But a foreboding came upon him in that hour of a time yet remote that was to come, and he said that he would one day swear an oath, and go into darkness; moreover, he said, nothing of his realm would endure for a son to inherit. But such dark thoughts had not ruled him before, and indeed, she whom he had loved was Amarië of the Vanyar, but she was not permitted to follow him into exile.

The above image is by Ted Nasmith, and depicts the crossing of Fingolfin's people over the Helcaraxë, or Grinding Ice, a stretch of narrow sea and ice in the far north of the world where the waters of the Ekkaia (or Outer Sea) and Belegaer (Great Sea) came together and blended, forming harsh icy straights and ridges. It is not as I imagined it; I just saw it as a perilous sea region with vortexes, strong currents and icebergs aplenty, but you can decide for yourselves I suppose.