Introductory Post
At the Mahanaxar, the Ring of Doom, where the Valar held council about the great affairs of the world, there was slight unease.
"My lord, the Noldor, their hearts stirred by the impetuous Fëanor, are in full revolt," reported Ëonwë, commander of the Host of Valinor to Manwë Sulimo, High King of the Valar, "Shall I intervene?"
"No, Ëonwë, you must not, for the Elves have their own free will. If it is their choice to leave Valinor, we cannot hinder them."
The brooding silence was interrupted as everyone looked upon Mandos, whom rarely ever spoke, and when he did, it was to pronounce a fated doom about the future.
"Manwë is correct in his interpretation of our duties. However, if no physical intervention transpires, at the very least, I will punish these Noldor in another form."
_______________________________________________________________
As the Noldorin rebels marched onwards to the Helcaraxe, the ice which linked Valinor to Middle-earth, even the stoutest and bravest amongst them stopped, and shuddered in fright. Upon a looming peak ahead of them, stood a tall, ominous figure clothed entirely in black whom pronounced the following speech which chilled even the most courageous to the bone,
"Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains. On the House of Feanor the wrath of the Valar lieth from the West unto the uttermost East, and upon all that will follow them it shall be laid also. Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them,and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue. To evil end shall all things turn that they begin well; and by treason of kin unto kin, and the fear of treason, shall this come to pass. The Dispossessed shall they be for ever.
"Ye have spilled the blood of your kindred unrighteously and have stained the land of Aman. For blood ye shall render blood, and beyond Aman ye shall dwell in Death's shadow. For though Eru appointed to you to die not in Ea, and no sickness may assail you, yet slain ye may be, and slain ye shall be: by weapon and by torment and by grief; and your houseless spirits shall come then to Mandos. There long shall ye abide and yearn for your bodies, and find little pity though all whom ye have slain should entreat for you. And those that endure in Middle-earth and come not to Mandos shall grow weary of the world as with a great burden, and shall wane, and become as shadows of regret before the younger race that cometh after. The Valar have spoken."
__________________________________________________________________
Finarfin, third child of Finwë and half-brother of Fëanor was unable to bear this anymore and returned with those loyal to him to Valinor, there to seek the pardon of the Valar.
However, Fëanor pushed ahead, undaunted, and Fingolfin, ever the selfless brother, followed him.
Though many died during the passage of the treacherous grinding ice, at last, the Noldor arrived in Beleriand.
As the Host of Fingolfin marched, bright banners of glorious and noble kings, princes and captains fluttering in the gentle breeze, flowers sprang beneath their feet and birds gave song to accompany their march, whilst behind them, for the first time, the Sun rose and lent a magnificent brilliance to all the World and kindled the clouds of Middle-earth and in the distance, it seemed as if the sound of many gentle waterfalls could be heard. The Elder Days had ended.
The First Age had begun.
