按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Chapter 17
Of the ing of Men into the West
When three hundred years and more were gone since the Noldor came to Beleriand； in the days of the Long Peace；
Finrod Felagund lord of Nargothrond journeyed east of Sirion and went hunting with Maglor and Maedhros； sons of
F？anor。 But he wearied of the chase and passed cm alone towards the mountains of Ered Lindon that he saw shining
afar； and taking the Dwarf…road he crossed Gelion at the ford of Sarn Athrad； and taming south over the upper streams of
Ascar； he came into the north of Ossiriand。
In a valley among the foothills of the mountains； below the springs of Thalos； he saw lights in the evening； and
far off he heard the sound of song。 At this he wondered much； for the Green…elves of that land lit no fires； nor did they
sing by night At first he feared that a raid of Orcs had passed the leaguer of the North； but as he drew near he perceived
that it was not so； for the singers used a tongue that he had not heard before； neither that of Dwarves nor of Orcs。 Then
Felagund； standing silent hi the night…shadow of the trees； looked down into the camp； and there he beheld a strange
people。
Now these were a part of the kindred and following of B？or the Old； as he was afterwards called； a chieftain
among Men。 After many lives of wandering out of the East he had led them at last over the Blue Mountains； the first of
the race of Men to enter Beleriand； and they sang because they were glad； and believed that they had escaped from all
perils and had e at last to a land without fear。
Long Felagund watched them； and love for them stirred in his heart； but he remained hidden in the trees until they
had all fallen asleep。 Then he went among the sleeping people； and sat beside their dying fire where none kept watch；
and he took up a rude harp which B？or had laid aside； and he played music upon it such as the ears of Men had not
heard； for they had as yet no teachers in the art； save only the Dark Elves in the wild lands。
Now men awoke and listened to Felagund as he harped and sang； and each thought that he was in some fair
dream； until he saw that his fellows were awake also beside him； but they did not speak or stir while Felagund still
played； because of the beauty of the music and the wonder of the song。 Wisdom was in the words of the Elven…king； and
the hearts grew wiser that hearkened to him； for the things of which he sang； of the making of Arda； and the bliss of
Aman beyond the shadows of the Sea； came as clear visions before their eyes； and his Elvish speech was interpreted in
each mind according to its measure。
Thus it was that Men called King Felagund； whom they first met of all the Eldar； Nóm； that is Wisdom； in the
language of that people； and after him they named his folk Nómin； the Wise。 Indeed they believed at first that Felagund
was one of the Valar； of whom they had heard rumour that they dwelt far in the West； and this was （some say） the cause
of their journeying。 But Felagund dwelt among them and taught them true knowledge； and they loved him； and took him
for their lord； and were ever after loyal to the house of Finarfin。
Now the Eldar were beyond all other peoples skilled in tongues； and Felagund discovered also that he could read
in the minds of Men such thoughts as they wished to reveal in speech； so that their words were easily interpreted。 It is
said also that these Men had long had dealings with the Dark Elves east of the mountains； and from them had learned
much of their speech； and since all the languages of the Quendi were of one origin； the language of B？or and his folk
resembled the Elven…tongue in many words and devices。 It was not long therefore before Felagund could hold converse
with B？or； and while he dwelt with him they spoke much together。 But when he questioned him concerning the arising of
Men and their journeys； B？or would say little； and indeed he knew little； for the fathers of his people had told few tales
of their past and a silence had fallen upon their memory。 'A darkness lies behind us；' B？or said； 'and we have turned our
backs upon it； and we do not desire to return thither even in thought。 Westwards our hearts have been turned； and we
believe that there we shall find Light。'
But it was said afterwards among the Eldar that when Men awoke in Hildórien at the rising of the Sun the spies of
Morgoth were watchful； and tidings were soon brought to him； and this seemed to him so great a matter that secretly
under shadow he himself departed from Angband； and went forth into Middle…earth； leaving to Sauron the mand of
the War。 Of his dealings with Men the Eldar indeed knew nothing； at that time； and learnt but little afterwards； but that a
darkness lay upon the hearts of Men （as the shadow of the Kinslaying and the Doom of Mandos lay upon the Noldor）
they perceived clearly even in the people of the Elf…friends whom they first knew。 To corrupt or destroy whatsoever
arose new and fair was ever the chief desire of Morgoth； and doubtless he had this purpose also in his errand： by fear
and lies to make Men the foes of the Eldar； and bring them up out of the east against Beleriand。 But this design was slow
to ripen； and was never wholly achieved； for Men （it is said） were at first very few in number； whereas Morgoth grew
afraid of the growing power and union of the Eldar and came back to Angband； leaving behind at that time but few
servants； and those of less might and cunning。
Now Felagund learned from B？or that there were many other Men of like mind who were also journeying
westward。 'Others of my own kin have crossed the Mountains；' he said； 'and they are wandering not far away； and the
Haladin； a people from whom we are sundered in speech； are still in the valleys on the eastern slopes； awaiting tidings
before they venture further。 There are yet other Men； whose tongue is more like to ours； with whom we have had
dealings at times。 They were before us on the westward march； but we passed them； for they are a numerous people； and
yet keep together and move slowly； being all ruled by one chieftain whom they call Marach。'
Now the Green…elves of Ossiriand were troubled by the ing of Men； and when they heard that a lord of the
Eldar from over the Sea was among them they sent messengers to Felagund。 'Lord；' they said； 'if you have power over
these newers； bid them return by the ways that they came； or else to go forward。 For we desire no strangers in this
land to break the peace m which we live。 And these folk are hewers of trees and hunters of beasts； therefore we are their
unfriends； and if they will not depart we shall afflict them in all ways that we can。'
Then by the advice of Felagund B？or gathered all the wandering families and kindreds of his people； and they
removed over Gelion； and took up their abode in the lands of Amrod and Amras； upon the east banks of the Celon south
of Nan Elmoth； near to the borders of Doriath； and the name of that land thereafter was Estolad； the Encampment。 But
when after a year had passed Felagund wished to return to his own country； B