Nandor

The Nandor (Quenya; IPA: [ˈnandor]; singular Nando; [ˈnandorin]) were Elves of Telerin descent, who left the Great Journey from Cuiviénen to Valinor as the Elves reached the Misty Mountains.

History

The Nandor began under the Teleri Elf Lenwë or Dan in their language, who led a group that turned south along the river Anduin, and disappeared from written history. Nandor eventually became their term for themselves, and meant people of Dan in their own language.^[1] Many years later a group of Nandor under Denethor, son of Lenwë, hearing of a great Elven realm crossed the Blue Mountains into the Ossiriand, which was after named Lindon, or Land of the singers, after these elves. After their settlement, they became known as the Laiquendi, the Green Elves.^[2]

In later years, the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood and Lothlórien were descended from the Nandor (but most of their lords were not), as were the elves which dwelt at Edhellond near Dol Amroth during the early days of Gondor.^[3]

Language

The original Nandorin language gradually disappeared from Middle-earth after the end of the First Age, when Sindarin Elves merged with the Silvan folk and were taken as their lords. Nandorin/Silvan gradually became extinct, surviving only in placenames such as "Laurelindórinan/Lindórinand" (old names for the land of Lórien) and proper names such as Amroth. The daily tongue of the Silvan elves became Sindarin, or Sindarin with some Silvan influences.^[4]

Etymology

Nandor is likely a Quenya meaning 'those who turn back'.^[5]

Translations

References

1. ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter III: "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
2. ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter X: "Of the Sindar"
3. ↑ The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
4. ↑ Parma Eldalamberon, "Tengwesta Qenderinwa and Pre-Fëanorian Alphabets Part 2 by J.R.R. Tolkien"
5. ↑ The Complete Guide to Middle-earth