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Gil-galad was an Elven-king... - Page 6

© Michael Martinez

Elrond, in choosing to remain with the Elves, became a counsellor and apparently close friend to Gil-galad. His pedigree all but ensured Elrond a high place in the new Elven realm. Born amid the survivors of Gondolin and Doriath, a descendant of Turgon and Thingol, Elrond was captured while still a child by the Fëanorians, and he and his brother Elros were fostered by Maglor. Elrond thus developed a special relationship with the Fëanorians. Gil-galad's realm at first must have included Elves from every part of the former Beleriand: survivors from the Falas and Hithlum, survivors from Nargothrond, survivors from Gondolin and Doriath, Fëanorians, and probably even a few Laegrim from Ossiriand and whatever remained of the Avari who had reached Beleriand. Although all was supposed to be forgiven among the Elves, it doesn't seem they could really set aside ancient griefs. The Doriathrim seem to have accepted Gil-galad's rule at first but it was they (apparently) who led the great migration of Sindar away from Lindon. Sindar began migrating eastward early in the Second Age, but we don't know how early. And their first movements may have been only to settle in western Eriador. Population pressure may have been part of the reason for why they left Lindon. The Elves continued to have families throughout the Second and Third Ages. But it may also be that Gil-galad was influenced by Noldorin policies enough that the Sindar may have felt his realm wasn't for them. Cirdan and the Falathrim had always been friendly with the Noldor, and were in some ways Noldorinized in Beleriand (Finrod had helped to rebuild their cities, for example). The Sindar of Hithlum and Nargorthrond would also have been Noldorinized. It was the Sindar of Doriath who would be most reluctant to adopt Noldorin customs and culture. And they would also have the hardest time overlooking past griefs, having fought the Fëanorians directly not once but twice. Virtually all the grievances of the Sindar over what they had lost could have been laid at the feet of the Noldor, if it were in them to place blame. So their eastward migration was probably also the result of some antipathy toward the Fëanorians. The first phase of Sindarin migration had probably been completed by the time Numenoreans reached Middle-earth and began visiting Lindon. By this time the haven of Edhellond had been established far to the south and many Sindar had settled among the Nandor and Avari of Eriador. Gil-galad's people retained contact with the Elves of Eriador, and had come into contact with the Edainic peoples still living there as well. These Men sent twelve of their leaders to meet with Vëantur and his Numenoreans after asking Gil-galad to arrange the meeting.

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