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{{race
{{rewrite}}
|image=[[Image:Rob Alexander - Elven Cloak.jpg|250px]]
{{people infobox
|name=Nandor
| name=Nandor
|dominions=[[Ossiriand]], [[Edhellond]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Mirkwood]].
| image=[[File:Rob Alexander - Elven Cloak.jpg|250px]]
|languages=[[Nandorin]].
| caption="[[:File:Rob Alexander - Elven Cloak.jpg|Elven Cloak]]" by Rob Alexander
|height=Tall.
| pronun=[[Quenya|Q]], {{IPA|[ˈnandor]}}
|length=
| othernames=
|skincolor=White or olive.
| origin=[[Teleri]] who turned aside from the [[Great Journey]] east of the [[Misty Mountains]]
|haircolor=Usually dark.
| location=[[Ossiriand]], [[Lindon]], [[Eriador]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Greenwood the Great]], [[Belfalas]], [[Ithilien]], [[Mouths of Anduin]]
|feathers=
| affiliation=
|distinctions=Secretive, lovers of the forests and animals.
| rivalry=
|lifespan=Immortal.
| language=[[Nandorin]], [[Silvan Elvish]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
|members=[[Lenwë]], [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]], [[Nimrodel the Elf-maid|Nimrodel]].
| members=[[Lenwë]], [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]], [[Nimrodel the Elf-maid|Nimrodel]], [[Haldir]]
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=Secretive, lovers of the forests and animals
| height=Tall
| hair=Usually dark
| skin=White or olive
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
}}
The '''Nandor''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈnandor]}}; sg. ''Nando''), later known as the ''Silvan Elves'' or "Wood-elves", were one of the [[Teleri]]n races of [[Elves]].  The Nandor were the original elven inhabitants of [[Middle-earth]] east of [[Beleriand]], but eventually they also stretched out across the [[Ered Luin]] as well into [[Ossiriand]].  They were the "green elves", loving forests, and easily{{fact}} the most common kindred of elf by the [[Third Age]] in Middle-earth.
The '''Nandor''' (sg. ''Nando''), who included the ''[[Silvan Elves]]'' and ''[[Green-elves]]'', were one group of the [[Teleri]].  Like the [[Sindar]], they were [[Úmanyar]], [[Teleri]] who began the [[Great Journey]] but did not complete it. Some later came into [[Beleriand]] and dwelt in [[Ossiriand]], while those that remained founded realms of their own in the [[Vales of Anduin]]. The [[Elves of Lórien]] were of this kind, as were the [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves of Mirkwood]].
 
As other [[Teleri]], they loved water and dwelt most beside falls and running streams. But living wild in nature, they had greater knowledge of trees, plants, animals and birds, than all other Elves.<ref name=s3>{{S|3}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Origins===
Those who would become the Nandor were in the hosts of the Teleri under [[Elwë]] and [[Olwë]]. They stayed long in the [[Vales of Anduin]] upon the east bank of [[Anduin|the river]] while they waited for [[Oromë]], but while the [[Vanyar]] and the [[Noldor]] crossed the [[Misty Mountains|Hithaeglir]], some of the Teleri were afraid looking at their shadowy peaks. Then [[Lenwë]], from the host of [[Olwë]], decided to forsake the march as he was content to remain in the wide forested lands of the [[Vales of Anduin]]; others broke from the host and followed him southwards along the [[Great River]]. These [[Teleri]] became the Nandor.<ref name="ref3">{{S|Doriath}}</ref>


===Lenwë and Denethor===
Gradually, the Nandor spread out. While some remained in the woodlands of the [[Vales of Anduin]], others travelled to and dwelt at the [[Mouths of Anduin]], and many also passed by the [[White Mountains]] into the wilderness of [[Eriador]].<ref name=sindar>{{S|Sindar}}</ref>
<!--"Laiquendi" in Eriador#Earlier History links here-->
The Nandor were originally simply a group of the Teleri indistinct from the others who were afraid to cross the [[Misty Mountains|Hithaeglir]], and content to remain in the wide forested lands to the east, along the river [[Anduin]].  One of the Teleri, of the silver-haired kindred of [[Olwë]] that would later become the [[Falmari]], rose to lead them.  He was named [[Lenwë]], and led a great number of the Teleri south along the Great River, where they fell out of the histories for a long time.  They called themselves the Nandor, and they loved water and green things.  Under Lenwë they developed great knowledge and skill with herbs and living things, tree and beast alike.  Their culture became very distinct.<ref name="ref1">''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]''</ref>
 
Gradually, the Nandor spread out. They may have moved on to live in [[Eriador]], or by the mouth of the Sea at the outpouring of Anduin.  They were a simple folk, with no weapons of steel.  They made friends, too, with the [[Naugrim]], and were contented.  But evil beasts came from the north, and they had no defense against such terrible weapons.  They had been told by the Naugrim about King [[Thingol]] and the might of the [[Sindar]], therefore [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]], Lenwë's son, crossed over the [[Ered Luin]] into [[Beleriand]], the western lands of Middle-earth.  There they settled in the green and many-rivered [[Ossiriand]], welcomed by Thingol as long-lost relatives.  They were called the [[Laiquendi|Laegrim]].<ref name="ref2">''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Sindar]]''</ref>
 
===Wars of Beleriand===
 
Thingol took advantage of their friendship on the first opportunity, when he was in great need.  The Dark Lord [[Morgoth|Belegurth]] [[First Battle of Beleriand|invaded]] Beleriand, cutting Thingol off from his other strong allies, the [[Falathrim]].  But Ossiriand was wide and Morgoth could not sever that connection.  Thingol called Denethor to his aid, and the Laegrim came.  Thingol attacked the orc-host from the west, and the Laegrim from the east, creating a hammer-and-anvil technique that succeeded.  But this victory came at great cost.  The Laegrim were lightly-armed, and the orcs shod in iron.  Denethor was cut off at [[Amon Ereb]]; he and all those nearest about him were killed before Thingol could rescue him.  The Laegrim loved him and mourned his loss, and henceforth would take no king.  They became reclusive, pulling away from the many troubles of Beleriand, and fighting no longer against Belegurth.<ref name="ref2" />
 
When the [[Noldor]] returned from over the [[Belegaer|Sea]], they gave the Laegrim the name (in [[Quenya]]) ''[[Laiquendi]]''.  The Laiquendi did not participate in the great events of Belegaer throughout the First Age.  The Laiquendi accepted [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], who came to [[Tol Galen]] in the midst of their lands, and made it one of the most beautiful places in Beleriand.  After the dreadful sack of Doriath and death of Thingol, many of the Laiquendi joined Beren in the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad]].  The green elves later sent the news to King [[Dior Eluchíl]] news of the final deaths of Beren and Lúthien.<ref name="ref3">''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Ruin of Doriath]]''</ref>
 
After the [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]], the [[Sons of Fëanor]] wandered in the lands of the Laiquendi, bereft of lands, often mixing with them.<ref name="ref4">''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Of the Fifth Battle]]''</ref>


===Second Age===
===Laiquendi===
(''Henceforth see also [[Galadhrim]] and [[Elves of Mirkwood]]'')
{{main|Green-elves}}
After they had spread out, the evils of the North started to harass the Nandor for they were a simple woodland folk, with no weapons of steel. Hearing about King [[Thingol]] and the might of the [[Sindar]], [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]], [[Lenwë]]'s son, gathered as much of his scattered people as he could and crossed over the [[Ered Luin]] into [[Beleriand]], the western lands of Middle-earth. There, they settled in the green and many-rivered [[Ossiriand]], welcomed by Thingol as long-lost kin. They were called the [[Laiquendi|Laegrim]].<ref name=sindar/>


After the [[War of Wrath]], Ossiriand survived no longer, and the survivors of the Laiquendi once more merged back into the main Nandorin population, who now were spread over the face of Middle-earth.  The Nandor on both sides of the mountain range were of a somewhat less pure strain, those in Ossiriand having mixed blood with some [[Sindar]], and those in the east having mixed blood with the [[Avari]] who came westwards. As the Second Age went on, the blood became even more mixed.  Even their language changed from [[Nandorin]] to [[Sindarin]].  Gradually, the Nandor were changing into what became known as ''Silvan Elves'' or ''Tawarwaith'', meaning "Forest People"<ref name="ref5">''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', ''[[The History of Galadriel and Celeborn]]'', Appendices A & B</ref>.
The Laegrim took little part in the [[Wars of Beleriand]]; in the [[First Battle]] against [[Morgoth]], they took heavy losses including their king Denethor. Afterwards, they became reclusive, pulling away from the many troubles of Beleriand, and fighting no longer against Morgoth.<ref name=sindar />


The Nandor, now known in their impure state as Tawarwaith, were soon pushed into refuge when [[Sauron]] rose to challenge elven power in Middle-earth.  Some were forced to take refuge with the [[Noldor]], who although weakened were still very powerful, in [[Lindon]] and [[Imladris]].  Others dwelt with [[Círdan]] the Sinda in [[Mithlond]], and still others hid in their ancient forest homes [[Lórinand]] and [[Mirkwood|Eryn Galen]].  They took leaders from the pure-blood clans of Noldor and Sindar; in the case of the latter two refuges, the Sindarin lords [[Amdír]] and [[Oropher]] respectively.
Even after the [[Elder Days]] passed, after they were joined by other [[Elves of Beleriand]], the [[Laiquendi]] remained west of the [[Blue Mountains]]; some of them removed to [[Eriador]] (where many of their kin still wandered)<ref name=concerning>{{UT|Concerning}}</ref> and others went east to live among the [[Silvan Elves]].<ref name=rings/>


The Tawarwaith of Lórinand (the ''[[Galadhrim]]'') and Eryn Galen played mostly a small role in the events of the [[Second Age]], as they had in the First.  Amdír and Oropher built up their kingdoms as the shadow of Sauron grew longer and longer, and evil more powerful.  Both Amdír and Oropher took great hosts to join the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], and fought in the [[War of the Last Alliance|war that followed]]. Both hosts suffered immense losses; Amdír was cut off and killed in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] with many of his followers, while Oropher rashly disobeyed King [[Gil-galad]] in [[Mordor]] and fell beside two thirds of the entire company<ref name="ref5" />.  The Tawarwaith entered the [[Third Age]] greatly weakened and disheartened, despite the seemingly final defeat of Sauron.
===Silvan Elves===
{{main|Silvan Elves}}
The Silvan Elves were descendants of the Nandor who had lingered in the [[Vales of Anduin]] during the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Eldar]] in the [[Elder Days]]. They hid themselves in the woodlands beyond the [[Misty Mountains]] and became a scattered folk hardly distinguishable from [[Avari]].<ref name="SE-UTa">{{UT|6a}}</ref>


===Third Age===
In the early [[Second Age]], many [[Teleri]], survivors of [[Doriath]] and [[Ossiriand]], left [[Lindon]] to establish realms among these Silvan Elves.<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> Among them was [[Oropher]] and [[Thranduil]] of [[Doriath]] who established the [[Woodland Realm]] in {{SA|750}}.<ref>{{PM|Second}}, p. 174</ref><ref name="Sindarin Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>


Lórinand, now known as [[Lothlórien]], and Eryn Galen, now known as [[Mirkwood]], continued to host the larger populations of Tawarwaith.  [[Amroth]] took over in Lothlórien, later passing the rulership on to [[Galadriel]] and [[Celeborn]], while [[Thranduil]] became king in Mirkwood.  Under these rulers the Tawarwaith prospered and became numerous once more, while the Noldor and Sindar were in slow but steady decline.  Yet though mostly inactive, they were watchful of the growing of [[men]] and the ominous change the Third Age would bring<ref name="ref5" />.
But the elves of both Lothlórien and Mirkwood were threatened by a new evil growing in south Mirkwood.  The [[Necromancer]] was building [[Dol Guldur]].  As the Third Age continued and Sauron rose, the [[White Council]] was formed.  Sauron was driven from Dol Guldur several times, but the Tawarwaith were still for the most part impassive.  Eventually the [[War of the Ring]] came.  [[Legolas]], Thranduil’s son, became a hero of that war, while both Lothlórien and Mirkwood were invaded by Dol Guldur in the [[Rhovanion Campaign (WotR)|Rhovanion Campaign]].  All attacks were repulsed, and Dol Guldur was [[Fall of Dol Guldur|thrown down]] at last in a grand counterattack by Celeborn and his forces<ref name="ref6">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[Appendix B]]''</ref>.  Mirkwood was renamed ''[[Eryn Lasgalen]]''.  Yet the Silvan population was again diminished.  Galadriel and Celeborn passed west, and the light of Lórien faded.
Throughout the [[Fourth Age]] they aided the rising [[Reunited Kingdom]], making [[Ithilien]] green, for instance<ref name="ref7">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[Appendix A]]''</ref>.  Their eventual fate was to pass west to the land they had never seen, or else to remain in Middle-earth Changed and fade into forgetfulness.
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
''Nandor'' is a [[Quenya]] name, meaning "Those who go back",<ref>{{WJ|C}}, p. 384</ref> apparently containing the element ''[[nan-]]''.


''Nandor'' is a [[Quenya]] name, meaning "Those who go back",<ref>{{WJ|C}}, p. 384</ref> apparently containing the element ''[[nan-]]''.{{or}}
In early [[Qenya]], '''''nandor''''' meant "farmer"<ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, p. 261</ref> containing the Elvish element ''[[Nan_(Sindarin_noun)|nan]]'' "field, valley".
 
*''See also: [[Nandor (Qenya)‎]]''
 
==Names==


==Other names==
The Nandor were also known by many other names: the Host of Dân, the Wood-elves, the Wanderers, the Axe-elves, the [[Green-elves|Green Elves]], the Brown Elves, the Hidden People.<ref>{{MR|P3I3}}, p. 164</ref>
The Nandor were also known by many other names: the Host of Dân, the Wood-elves, the Wanderers, the Axe-elves, the [[Green-elves|Green Elves]], the Brown Elves, the Hidden People.<ref>{{MR|P3I3}}, p. 164</ref>


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Revision as of 02:49, 5 September 2021

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Nandor
People
Rob Alexander - Elven Cloak.jpg
"Elven Cloak" by Rob Alexander
General Information
PronunciationQ, [ˈnandor]
OriginsTeleri who turned aside from the Great Journey east of the Misty Mountains
LocationsOssiriand, Lindon, Eriador, Lothlórien, Greenwood the Great, Belfalas, Ithilien, Mouths of Anduin
LanguagesNandorin, Silvan Elvish, Sindarin, Westron
MembersLenwë, Denethor, Nimrodel, Haldir
Physical Description
LifespanImmortal
DistinctionsSecretive, lovers of the forests and animals
Average heightTall
Hair colorUsually dark
Skin colorWhite or olive
GalleryImages of Nandor

The Nandor (sg. Nando), who included the Silvan Elves and Green-elves, were one group of the Teleri. Like the Sindar, they were Úmanyar, Teleri who began the Great Journey but did not complete it. Some later came into Beleriand and dwelt in Ossiriand, while those that remained founded realms of their own in the Vales of Anduin. The Elves of Lórien were of this kind, as were the Wood-elves of Mirkwood.

As other Teleri, they loved water and dwelt most beside falls and running streams. But living wild in nature, they had greater knowledge of trees, plants, animals and birds, than all other Elves.[1]

History

Origins

Those who would become the Nandor were in the hosts of the Teleri under Elwë and Olwë. They stayed long in the Vales of Anduin upon the east bank of the river while they waited for Oromë, but while the Vanyar and the Noldor crossed the Hithaeglir, some of the Teleri were afraid looking at their shadowy peaks. Then Lenwë, from the host of Olwë, decided to forsake the march as he was content to remain in the wide forested lands of the Vales of Anduin; others broke from the host and followed him southwards along the Great River. These Teleri became the Nandor.[2]

Gradually, the Nandor spread out. While some remained in the woodlands of the Vales of Anduin, others travelled to and dwelt at the Mouths of Anduin, and many also passed by the White Mountains into the wilderness of Eriador.[3]

Laiquendi

Main article: Green-elves

After they had spread out, the evils of the North started to harass the Nandor for they were a simple woodland folk, with no weapons of steel. Hearing about King Thingol and the might of the Sindar, Denethor, Lenwë's son, gathered as much of his scattered people as he could and crossed over the Ered Luin into Beleriand, the western lands of Middle-earth. There, they settled in the green and many-rivered Ossiriand, welcomed by Thingol as long-lost kin. They were called the Laegrim.[3]

The Laegrim took little part in the Wars of Beleriand; in the First Battle against Morgoth, they took heavy losses including their king Denethor. Afterwards, they became reclusive, pulling away from the many troubles of Beleriand, and fighting no longer against Morgoth.[3]

Even after the Elder Days passed, after they were joined by other Elves of Beleriand, the Laiquendi remained west of the Blue Mountains; some of them removed to Eriador (where many of their kin still wandered)[4] and others went east to live among the Silvan Elves.[5]

Silvan Elves

Main article: Silvan Elves

The Silvan Elves were descendants of the Nandor who had lingered in the Vales of Anduin during the Great Journey of the Eldar in the Elder Days. They hid themselves in the woodlands beyond the Misty Mountains and became a scattered folk hardly distinguishable from Avari.[6]

In the early Second Age, many Teleri, survivors of Doriath and Ossiriand, left Lindon to establish realms among these Silvan Elves.[5] Among them was Oropher and Thranduil of Doriath who established the Woodland Realm in S.A. 750.[7][8]

Etymology

Nandor is a Quenya name, meaning "Those who go back",[9] apparently containing the element nan-.

In early Qenya, nandor meant "farmer"[10] containing the Elvish element nan "field, valley".

Other names

The Nandor were also known by many other names: the Host of Dân, the Wood-elves, the Wanderers, the Axe-elves, the Green Elves, the Brown Elves, the Hidden People.[11]

Elves
(Quendi · People of the Stars · Firstborn · Elder Kindred)
Three Kindreds:
(Eldar · Eldalië · Edhil)
 Vanyar (Fair-elves · Minyar) · Noldor (Deep-elves · Tatyar) · Teleri (Lindar · Nelyar)
Calaquendi:
(High-elves · Amanyar)
 Vanyar · Noldor · Falmari
Úmanyar:  Sindar (Grey-elves · Eglath · Falathrim) · Nandor (Green-elves · Silvan Elves)
 Moriquendi:  Úmanyar · Avari (Cuind · Hwenti · Kindi · Kinn-lai · Penni · Windan)
See also:  Awakening of the Elves · Sundering of the Elves · Great Journey

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Doriath"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
  5. 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix A: The Silvan Elves and their Speech"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VI. The Tale of Years of the Second Age", p. 174
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: C. The Clan-names, with notes on other names for divisions of the Eldar", p. 384
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, p. 261
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (I) The First Phase: 3. Of the Coming of the Elves", p. 164