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The Magic of the Minstrels - Page 3

© Michael Martinez

The Eldar of Lindon spread out through Eriador, and established the realm of Eregion, and some of the Sindar migrated east and possibly south to establish new kingdoms far beyond Gil-galad's reach. The Sindarin realms may not have achieved the same things as their Noldorin counterparts, in terms of building a great civilization, but they were still Elven realms, and all the Elves had a gift for song. Although a few reactionary factions like Oropher's may have wanted to divest themselves of Eldarin culture and become more like the Avari and Nandor of the east, they remained members of an ancient race with ancient traditions. They built their homes in the forests of the Vales of Anduin but they still lived in cities and engaged in trade or some form of contact with their neighbors. Elvish songs must have been heard throughout northern Middle-earth for much of the Second Age. One aspect of Elvish culture that remains largely obscure is the tradition of the Wandering Companies. Although Frodo, Sam, and Pippin encounter Gildor Inglorion and his people, they are Exiles, Noldor, who are returning from a sort of pilgrimage in Lindon to their homes in or near Rivendell. They are not greatly concerned with affairs in Middle-earth and keep to themselves. In the early Second Age there were many Wandering Companies in Eriador, and these appear to have been composed mostly of Nandor. Their concerns would have been very different from those of Gildor's folk, who were only "tarrying" for a while before finally taking ship over Sea. The Nandorin Wandering Companies must have been integrated with the Eldarin civilization of Lindon eventually, either because the Elves of Lindon increased in population and spread eastward, or because the Nandor would have been forced to take refuge with the Noldor and Sindar in Lindon during the War of the Elves and Sauron. The Wandering Companies may therefore have played a significant role in the greater culture of the Elves throughout much of the Second Age. They should have become conveyors of news and song. They could have become traveling entertainers. Although Tolkien never compares the Wandering Companies to gypsies or circus troupes, they must have shared some similarities to such cultures. Traveling families or clans develop their own customs and traditions. They may assimilate some aspects of the cultures they visit but they are often viewed as outsiders and their existence demands they maintain customs that a sedentary people don't possess.

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