Imladris, known in the common tongue as Rivendell, was for those traveling out of Eriador the Last Homely House east of the Sea. It was a home for any in need of refuge, a land of calm and harmony, and yet this valley was not always a haven of peace as it later became. Imladris was founded in the middle of the Second Age during the War of the Elves and Sauron, when Elrond Peredhel led an army out of Lindon to the aid of besieged Eregion. He was joined by warriors of the Galadhrim with Celeborn at their head, but before either force could reach Ost-in-Edhil they were assailed by Sauron’s hordes and driven northward to the headwaters of the river Bruinen. Here Elrond established a stronghold, refusing to give any further ground to the Enemy. The valley was fortified and guarded, and while it, too, was now under siege, many refugees of the war fled northward to the protection of Elrond and Celeborn’s armies.          Among those who fled the downfall of Eregion was the renowned loremaster Pengolodh, whose records of the Elder Days was the most complete history of Beleriand. He was a survivor of the Fall of Gondolin and had rescued a few ancient writings from its destruction, and at the Havens of Sirion he collected the stories of his fellow refugees. In the Second Age, Pengolodh compiled his histories into the Annals of Beleriand (continued from Rúmil’s Annals of Aman), and further philosophized on elvish languages, gestures, number systems, and customs with his writings Dangweth Pengolodh and Eldarinwë Leperi arë Notessi and his revised version of Rúmil’s Lhammas. His work Ósanwë-kenta, while it only survives in summarized forms, was at the time of its writing the most detailed exploration of mind-speech, and his discussion of Quendi and Eldar was, while controversial, one of the most well-written documents discussing the Sundering of the Elves. His scholarly eminence as the leader of the Lambengolmor in Middle-earth was so great that he was even welcomed into Khazad-dûm, and he may even have been permitted to learn the highly secretive dwarvish language of Khuzdul.           Pengolodh rescued as much of his works as he could when he fled Eregion, but inevitably much of his writing was lost. He was deeply wearied by the destruction of yet another home, and upon his arrival in Elrond’s valley he was brought near to fading, but by Elrond’s skill in the healing arts he was saved. Still, he longed now as he never had before to sail to Valinor, and in his moments away from war duties Elrond aided him to set his works in order so there would be no lingering regrets about unfinished business when he departed. When the war came to a close, he bid Elrond farewell, then set sail to Tol Eressëa, where he dwells even now.           With Sauron driven from the land, Elrond found he did not want to leave this refuge he had built. Taking counsel with High King Gil-galad, he named his haven Imladris and officially became the King’s vice-regent and lord of the valley. Celeborn remained with him for a time, building the fortress into a place that could be called a home, until his wife Galadriel and their daughter Celebrían crossed the Hithaeglir seeking him. For some years they dwelt in Imladris together, and it was then that Elrond first saw Celebrían, and loved her, though he said nothing of it even as she departed with her parents for Lothlórien.           Taking Celeborn’s place as Elrond’s right hand was Glorfindel, a mighty captain whose loyalty had once been pledged to Elrond’s ancestor Turgon of Gondolin. Glorfindel had fallen battling a Balrog in the First Age, and his sudden reappearance in Middle-earth shortly after Annatar had been revealed as Sauron had created much suspicion from his long-sundered kindred. But Círdan the Shipwright remembered him and vouched for his identity, and eventually his tale of reembodiment in Aman came to be believed. He had been sent by the Valar on a mission to aid the elves of Middle-earth in the renewed fight against Sauron, he claimed, and with him traveled two Maiar of Oromë and an Avarin elf who, like him, now returned to the aid of her kin.           With Glorfindel as his captain, Elrond built Imladris into a beautiful city, small compared to other elven settlements but guarded with love and care. He dwelt in Imladris for the remainder of the Second Age, leaving only once, when Sauron’s treachery led to the sinking of his his brother’s island-kingdom of Númenor into the Sea. Elrond desperately searched for any survivors of the Akallabêth, and was glad to meet the Faithful who had escaped the destruction of their homeland, welcoming them to Middle-earth with mixed sorrow and joy. He proved a faithful ally as their leader, Elendil the Tall, established a new kingdom in Eriador: Arnor, the Realm of Kings.           Though now diminished and robbed of his fair form, Sauron was not defeated, and soon he attacked the Free-peoples of Middle-earth once more. A Last Alliance of Elves and Men arose to resist him, the mortals led by Elendil and his sons Isildur and Anárion and the Noldor by Gil-galad; joining them were Oropher and Amdír for the Sindar and the son of Durin V for the dwarves. Before the Alliance marched to meet Sauron’s forces in battle, Elrond delivered Isildur’s youngest son Valandil, who remained in Imladris while his father went to war. A long and brutal struggle led to the loss of nearly every leader of the Alliance, but in the end Sauron was thrown down and victory was won.           Elrond returned to Imladris in grief, mourning the death of Gil-galad, his dear friend and king. Before his final, fatal assault on Sauron, Gil-galad had passed to him Vilya, the Ring of Air, and with this magical asset Elrond strengthened the protections around his city, refusing to take up the title of High King and remaining only the Lord of Imladris. Isildur had survived the War, but perished soon afterward, leaving his young son fatherless. Elrond helped to raise Valandil and prepared him to assume the Kingship of Arnor, renewing the alliance between Imladris and the North-kingdom of the Dúnedain.           Only now did Elrond turn to thoughts of starting a family of his own, and he began once more to pine after fair Celebrían. He sought permission to court her, and after a century-long betrothal they were wed in the dawn of the Third Age. Their love was great and glad, and soon Celebrían bore Elrond twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir, who grew into skilled hunters and warriors. A daughter also was granted to them: Arwen Undómiel, the Evenstar of her people, for Elrond was granted foresight of the waning of the Eldar and knew that his daughter would be the last great star among them. But in her youth Arwen was a joyful child, knowing a peace Elrond had not been granted in his own childhood, and he was glad to encourage her pursuits in smithing and weaving.           But peace would not last forever, and eventually a new darkness arose in the North: the Witch-king of Angmar, a fearsome necromancer, who devoted his kingdom’s strength to the destruction of Arnor. Elves he hated also, and during the reign of Arveleg I of Arnor, the Witch-king besieged Imladris. But he underestimated the might of Elrond and his Captain Glorfindel, and when the siege was broken the elves came to the aid of their mortal allies and subdued him. Yet Angmar was not defeated for long, and eventually succeeded in destroying the remnants of the North-kingdom, forcing its kings into exile. Elrond received many heirlooms of Arnor and guarded them in Imladris, and took the humbled Chieftains of the Dúnedain under his protection, fostering their heirs and lending them aid whenever he could.           In vengeance for Arnor’s fall, Glorfindel allied with Prince Eärnur of the South-kingdom to defeat Angmar once and for all. In the Battle of Fornost, the Witch-king was driven from his keep and fled to his master Sauron in Mordor; Eärnur purposed to chase him down, but Glorfindel was struck then with foresight, restraining him with a cryptic prophecy: ‘He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.’ Though his words were held in awe by many, Elrond’s friend and chief counsellor Erestor often teased him for the vagueness of his premonition, and though at first this rankled Glorfindel the two soon became fast friends and dear companions.           Some centuries prior, the had Istari arrived from Valinor, joining their kindred the Blue Wizards who had traveled with Glorfindel an Age earlier. Radagast settled in the Greenwood to keep watch on Sauron’s stronghold of Dol Guldur, but Saruman and Mithrandir remained among the Eldar for a time, taking counsel with the Wise among them. It was with the aid of the Istari that Sauron was driven out of Dol Guldur and the Watchful Peace began, and in the wake of this victory the White Council was formed with Saruman at its head. When this Council convened, they usually met in Imladris, where Elrond played host to the greatest minds that remained in Middle-earth.           Yet even amid the Watchful Peace, evil lurked in the shadows, waiting for a chance to strike. A band of orcs in the Misty Mountains seized their opportunity when Lady Celebrían traveled through the Redhorn Pass to visit her parents in Lothlórien; she was captured and tormented, receiving a poisoned wound and great damage to her spirit. Though her sons Elladan and Elrohir rescued her and slew the orcs, Celebrían was deeply injured, and despite Elrond’s gift for healing he could not soothe her mind and soul. Her physical wounds were healed, but after a year of suffering in the lands that brought such darkness upon her, Celebrían departed for Valinor where she and her family hoped healing could be found.           Just before her departure, she was visited by foresight and was moved to give her daughter Arwen the Elessar, an enchanted green stone worn by many powerful elves of the Elder Days, and gifted to her by her mother upon her wedding day. Arwen mourned Celebrían’s departure bitterly, for no stone could make up for the loss of her mother, and deep in their hearts they both knew they would never meet again, for like her father Arwen had been granted the Choice of the Peredhil and felt that she was only waiting for the right moment to declare her mortality. Yet she and Celebrían did not speak of Arwen’s fate, clinging to a sliver of hope that someday they would reunite; but in later years Arwen regretted this, and returned the Elessar to her grandmother Galadriel for it only reminded her of this deep and irreversible loss.           But despite Celebrían’s departure, Imladris was not forever plunged into mourning. A century after its Lady sailed, the valley became home to a talented young minstrel known as Lindir. He had dwelt with his parents in the Greenwood amid his youth, but when they chose to sail for Valinor themselves he found he was not yet ready to leave Middle-earth. Thus he came to Imladris seeking to train under its mysterious, anonymous bard, and from this master singer Lindir’s talent soared to new heights until he became the official minstrel of the valley, allowing his tutor to retreat further into comfortable retirement. Lindir’s songs were merry and bright, lightening the spirits of everyone around him, and though his ditties were often spontaneous and nonsensical they carried a joyful magic within.           As the Third Age continued, the Shadow began to lengthen again over Middle-earth. When Chieftain Arathorn II was slain by orcs while his son was only two years old, Elrond foresaw that this child would be the Dúnedain’s last hope at restoring their ancient glory, and determined to protect him, he and the boy’s mother Gilraen resolved to hide his true identity from him until he was old enough to understand the burden placed upon him. Thus little Estel grew up ignorant of his status, raised by Elrond and Gilraen and calling Elladan and Elrohir his elder brothers.           Estel was ten years old when Imladris was visited by a company of thirteen dwarves and one hobbit, guided of course by the wizard Mithrandir, and he delighted in these strange new visitors, who were amused in turn by his childish antics during their stay amid the valley. This same year, the White Council ruled that the darkness festering in Dol Guldur once more could no longer be ignored, and Elrond accompanied the others of his order to banish the Necromancer once and for all. But in truth this sorcerer was none other than Sauron himself, and though he fled the forest it was only to return to Mordor and begin preparations for the next great war.           When Estel came of age, Elrond at last revealed to him that he was none other than Aragorn II, son of Arathorn II and the heir of his ancestors Isildur and Elendil. Stunned by this revelation, Aragorn took the woods in contemplation, whereupon he saw for the first time Arwen Undómiel as she returned from a century-long visit to her grandparents in Lothlórien. He was immediately smitten by her, and was not dissuaded by Elrond’s demand that he take his rightful place as the King of both Gondor and Arnor before he would be permitted to wed his daughter, determining to fulfill his destiny and heading out into the wilds to prove himself. He adventured for many years before he met Arwen again, and this time she fell for him as well, and they plighted their troth in Lothlórien with hope in their hearts.           By this time, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the one-time companion of Thorin Oakenshield’s dwarven company, had come to reside in Imladris in his retirement. He was eccentric by hobbitish standards, but a clever scholar by elvish ones, and soon befriended both Lindir and Erestor, who aided him in translating much of Pengolodh’s works from Sindarin to the common tongue. Aragorn was delighted to meet Mr. Baggins again, and they renewed their friendship of his childhood, writing many songs together.           As part of his duty as a Ranger of the Dúnedain, Aragorn would sometimes patrol the borders of the Shire. When Elrond received word from Mithrandir that the One Ring had been discovered and was in the possession of Bilbo’s nephew and heir, Frodo Baggins, Aragorn made haste to escort him and his companions to Imladris. Yet this task was not accomplished quickly, and soon Elrond began to fear that something evil had befallen his foster son and the Ringbearer, so he sent out several riders to look for them and lend them aid. Among these riders were his sons and Glorfindel, and it was the latter who discovered Frodo and his friends. The poor hobbit had been stabbed with a Morgul blade, and was fading quickly, so Glorfindel set him on his horse Asfaloth and sent him to Imladris while he faced down the attacking Nazgûl. Here he revealed his full power as an agent of the Valar, terrifying the Black Riders and driving them into the waters of Bruinen, which were now raised by the power of Elrond and Mithrandir to consume them in a mighty flood.           Elrond healed Frodo, and when he was well enough to tell his story, he called a council of the Free-peoples. Dark tidings came from all over Middle-earth, and many kingdoms had already sent messengers to Elrond seeking for aid. Among those present at this Council of Elrond were Mithrandir, who bore a tale of the treachery of Saruman; Bilbo and Frodo, who told of the One Ring’s discovery and keeping; Glorfindel and Erestor, Elrond’s closest counsellors; Glóin and his son Gimli from Erebor, bearing news of a Nazgûl’s treacherous demands from King Dáin II; Galdor of the Havens, who had been visiting on behalf of his lord Círdan; Legolas of the Woodland Realm, serving as his father’s messenger of the grim news that the creature Gollum had escaped their prisons; Aragorn, bearing the shards of Narsil and ready to proclaim his destiny; and Boromir, son of Steward Denethor II of Gondor, with a cryptic dream-riddle in need of deciphering.           At length, the Council decided that the Ring must be destroyed, and that Frodo Baggins must bear it to the fires of Orodruin where it had been forged. But he would not go alone: eight companions would accompany him, Nine Walkers to oppose the Nine Riders of the Enemy. Frodo’s dear friend Samwise Gamgee refused to part from him, and Mithrandir was needed as his guide; Aragorn and Boromir volunteered to represent the Dúnedain, and Legolas and Gimli for the elves and dwarves. For the two remaining Walkers, Elrond considered one or both of his twin sons, or Glorfindel, who had slain a Balrog, but Mithrandir insisted that Frodo’s cousins Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took instead take the perilous journey, for he believed friendship more than strength would be the Fellowship’s saving grace in the end.           Instead, Elladan and Elrohir were sent out to prepare the way for the Fellowship’s journey, scouting out a path and clearing out as many orcs as they could. In this time Arwen took up her smith’s hammer and reforged the shards of Narsil into a new blade: Andúril, the Flame of the West. Aragorn took this gift gladly, despite the heavy burden of its legacy and his position as the Heir of Isildur, and spent one last night with his beloved before the Fellowship departed Imladris at last.           Elrond’s sons would eventually reunite with Aragorn, riding with the Grey Company led by the Dúnadan Halbarad to join him in his trek through the Paths of the Dead. They delivered to him also another gift from Arwen their sister, a banner with the emblem of Aragorn’s house upon it, which he would unfurl at the gates of Minas Tirith when he claimed his rightful place as King of Gondor. Elrohir passed on his father’s advice to attack Mordor as a diversion to allow Frodo more time to complete his quest, and thus he and his twin were with the Armies of the West as they marched on the Morannon. Miraculously, they achieved victory when the One Ring was at last destroyed, and returned to Minas Tirith for Aragorn’s coronation.           Now that he had fulfilled the task set to him by Elrond, Aragorn and Arwen could be wed. Elrond escorted his daughter to her betrothed, Erestor and Glorfindel as part of her retinue and Lindir performing at the wedding. On this blessed occasion, Glorfindel met those who had fulfilled his prophecy concerning the Witch-king: Éowyn Shieldmaiden, a woman, and he was reacquainted with the hobbit Merry, congratulating them both on their achievement. But despite the gladness of Arwen’s marriage, Elrond was full of sorrow, for Arwen had at last made her Choice to become mortal, following in the footsteps of Lúthien her ancestress and Elros her uncle, and he would never see her again. Now knowing his time in Middle-earth was at a close, Elrond set sail for Valinor with many noble companions, including Frodo, Bilbo, Galadriel, and Erestor.           Celebrían awaited him in Aman, and their reunion was joyous, for she had indeed found the healing she sought and was eager to introduce him to many kinsfolk. The tidings of Arwen’s Choice brought much grief to Celebrían, though it was no surprise, and they clung to the hope that her brothers would someday sail and join them in Valinor. Indeed, after Arwen’s death, Elladan and Elrohir felt the call of the Sea and each Chose to be counted as elves like their father, and accompanied by Glorfindel they sailed to Aman to reunite with their parents. Glorfindel, too, had many waiting for him on the white shores of Alqualondë, not least his dear friend Erestor and his once-beloved Ecthelion, to whom he now at long, long last could wed.

          Ñolyo was an elf of the Tatyar who awoke upon the shores of Cuiviénen. He held no bonds in his heart, but awoke nearby the brothers Daurin and Tórin, who became very dear to him. Ñolyo wed Silindë of the Nelyar, and they were among the first Quendi to become parents: their daughter was born in the Waters of Awakening, and named Míriel by her father, while her mother gave her the name of Þerindë.           Yet their family was only happy for a short time. While out gathering food in the Wild Wood, Ñolyo and Silindë were attacked by a monstrous Shadow, and Ñolyo was slain defending his wife. His body was cast aside into the darkness, not to be discovered for some weeks, and Silindë was taken captive in the dungeons of Angamando where Lieutenant Mairon worked evil magics upon her, transforming her into an orc.            Upon her parents’ disappearance, Míriel Þerindë was cared for by her almost-uncles Tórin and Daurin and befriended the inventor Finwë, whom she later married. When her son Fëanáro was born, her spirit was utterly drained of energy, and she laid down her life in the Gardens of Lórien, passing into the Halls of Mandos willingly as no other elf had done before. There she reunited with the spirit of her father, and learned in great horror of her mother’s fate: but there was naught to be done for Silindë, who had forgotten herself amid her torment and knew love and mercy no longer.           In Angband, Silindë was given the name Maidros for her pale glitter of her silver hair, and was known for her viciousness in tormenting captive elves. The Lieutenant often let her play with his victims between his experiments upon them, and Maidros delighted in tormenting them, letting out her hurt and rage upon the innocent. She was so lost in her pain and fury that her twisted fëa did not recognize nor remember itself—not until she saw a fragment of it reflected in the soul of her latest victim.           Nelyafinwë Maitimo, grandson of Míriel, was captured in battle against the Shadow and taken to Angband as a special prisoner. As a reward for her victory in that same battle, Maidros was granted the privilege of torturing him, but even as she laid a hand upon him some long-buried part of her awoke. She remembered suddenly her life as Silindë, remembered holding her baby daughter in her arms—and as she had in the Waters of Cuiviénen, she saw a spark of Míriel’s fëa within this prisoner, her daughter’s grandson.           In that moment of elvishness returned, Nelyafinwë recognized the orcs for what they were: captive elves twisted into something dark and evil. Throughout his long captivity he would learn much more about these horrid reflections of elvenkind and how to avoid being turned himself, but he first saw their true nature in Maidros, and at that time was yet able to reach into his great-grandmother’s fëa and commune with her. In her brief moment of clarity, Silindë Maidros wept for what she had become and begged Nelyafinwë to kill her, a mercy he granted her with a heavy heart.           The Lieutenant was furious to discover the death of his prized captain, and took out his anger upon Nelyafinwë, but to him it was worth it to know Silindë’s spirit was free to seek healing in Mandos. Later, when taking his new Sindarin name, Nelyafinwë would remember Maidros, and inspired by her memory he crafted the name Maedhros out of fragments of his essi, honoring his great-grandmother in a quiet, secret way very few would understand.           Many Ages later, Silindë and Ñolyo would at last be reborn in Aman and reunite with their daughter Míriel—and not long after, Maedhros himself would walk free again, and meet Silindë Maidros as she was always meant to be.

        Quennar and Rúmil were elves of the Tatyar who awoke upon the shores of Cuiviénen. They befriended one another upon the Great Journey, and once they settled in Tirion they fell in love and married in a private ceremony, never ones for inviting the outside world into their lives. Yet they both became renowned scholars whose works were highly influential upon all the Eldar, and soon became esteemed teachers among the Lambengolmor, the society of loremasters. Among their many students were Pendelótë, Ailios, and Avamordo, each of whom earned distinction of their own in after years.           Rúmil was particularly interested in linguistics, and strove to create a visual representation of speech. It was he who created the first elvish alphabet, known as the Sarati, for which he earned the name Saratitamo. When the Teleri at last arrived in Valinórë, Rúmil was the first to note the divergence in their language from what was spoken among the Noldor, and set about to studying the different evolutions of Common Eldarin into Vanyarin Quendya, Noldorin Quenya, and Telerin.           The great works of Rúmil were many, for his interests were broad. He recorded the Ainulindalë, the story of the Music of the Ainur learned from the Valar themselves; the Lambessë, a study of the development of spoken language; the Ambarkanta, a treatise on the shaping of Arda; and the Annals of Aman, the history of the Eldar in Valinórë co-written with his husband Quennar. His wisdom was also recorded by his students and compiled into the collection i Equessi Rúmilo, “the Sayings of Rúmil.”           Rúmil always shied away from the attention of the academic community, and was glad when Prince Fëanáro took his place as the most interesting scholar in Tirion. He did not begrudge Fëanáro’s advancements and improvements of the Sarati into the Tengwar, and indeed was honored to advise Fëanáro in his many writings.           The work of Quennar was more focused upon timekeeping and measurement, earning the epessë i Onótimo, “the Reckoner,” though he dabbled in linguistics and indeed had been the one to coin the word menel, “heavens,” at Cuiviénen. He collaborated with his husband on the Annals of Aman, but his greatest work was a labor of many years, and would not be completed before the Darkening of Valinórë.           Amid this tragedy and chaos, both Rúmil and Quennar were compelled to follow the Princes of the Noldor into exile, but after the Doom of Mandos was proclaimed, Rúmil was overcome with grief and horror and turned back with Arafinwë. Yet Quennar did not, pressing onward with Ñolofinwë, and the parting between him and Rúmil was one of great sorrow. In Beleriand, Quennar was awed by the rising of the Moon and Sun and reinvigorated to complete his master-work, the Yénonótië or “Reckoning of Years,” a comprehensive analysis of chronology from the early days of the Valar in Arda and through the current Years of the Sun.           But once his work was published, Quennar found himself deeply unhappy and missing both the land of Aman and the husband he had left behind. He followed his former student Penlod to Gondolin, and hid away quietly among the House of the Pillar. Only a handful of people knew he lived in Gondolin, but two of his most faithful students cared for him in his grief and solitude: Ailios, a peer from Cuiviénen who had taken the name Gilfanon, and his dear friend Avamordo, who was now known as Evromord.           Gilfanon and Evromord had learned from Quennar and Rúmil in Aman, and now as full-fledged loremasters themselves they were responsible for the preservation of ancient writings, with students of their own—most notably young Pengolodh, who would go on to revise and continue much of Rúmil and Quennar’s work in later Ages. Evromord and Gilfanon ensured Quennar’s survival amid the Fall of Gondolin and the War of Wrath, protecting him through many dangers, and sailed with him back to Aman at the end of the First Age.           Rúmil had left Tirion for Tol Eressëa, looking west for Quennar’s return, and their reunion was great and glad. Quennar woke from his stupor and became active and joyful once more, and together he and his husband dwelt on Tol Eressëa for many Ages, founding the Cottage of Lost Play. Evromord and Gilfanon remained close by, and when they at last were wed to one another it was Quennar who officiated their marriage. By the end of the Third Age, Rúmil and Quennar returned to the mainland, passing down their responsibilities to Evromord and Gilfanon, and they settled in a small home outside of Tirion, where they yet dwell in peace.

          The Cottage of Lost Play was a house upon Tol Eressëa where grand stories of the Elder Days were preserved and shared among those who came to listen. It was founded by Rúmil and Quennar in the Second Age, after Quennar returned from exile and reunited with his husband. The two loremasters spent many years compiling tales of Cuiviénen, the Great Journey, the Days of Bliss, the Flight of the Noldor, and the Lays of Beleriand, and when their work was completed they welcomed others to their cottage to share in these stories of the past.           These tales were not only recorded in writing, but shared through music and mind-pictures and theatrical productions. In the mainland of Aman, much of this history was swept aside as exiles attempted to make new lives for themselves and forget the horrors of the past, but Quennar and Rúmil believed in the preservation of history and in sharing the stories of hope and woe their people endured. Thus the Cottage earned its name, for it truly was a place where Lost Play thrived, where elsewhere it would be forgotten.            By the end of the Third Age, Rúmil and Quennar were satisfied with their role in the Cottage’s purpose and thus they retired to the mainland, turning over their responsibilities to their apprentices and friends Gilfanon and Evromord. Though they yet dwelt in Gilfanon’s nearby House of a Hundred Chimneys, under their care, the Cottage expanded into a school as well as a museum, and drew in more visitors than ever before. To this end, Evromord invited his nephew Lindo to become the Cottage’s keeper, while he took up the position of door-ward. With Lindo came his wife Vairilmë, and the two couples worked together in harmony to fulfill their duties as lore-keepers and teachers.           In time, Evromord bore his husband a son, Ausir, and Vairilmë and Lindo had a child of their own, Vëannë. The two children were cousins, fast friends and just as firmly rivals, and their presence brought much joy to the Cottage and its inhabitants. Vëannë and Ausir’s favorite teacher was Ilverion, foster-son of Voronwë and a master storyteller in his own right.           Of all the Cottage’s guests, none was more remarkable than Eriol, a mortal who was guided by Ulmo to Tol Eressëa to learn the history of the elves. Eriol learned eagerly from anyone who had aught to teach him, from Unbegotten Gilfanon to his impetuous son Ausir, from young Vëannë to Meril-i-Turiqi herself, Queen of the Isle and a personal patron of the Cottage. Eriol delighted in the company of the elves, even taking Vairilmë’s niece Naimi to wife and with her bringing forth a half-elven child, Vorindo Heorrenda, who would grow up admiring his elder cousins Vëannë and Ausir.           In his old age, Eriol departed, returning to his homelands and bringing his son with him, and once more only Firstborn dwelt upon the Isle, but his mortal life left a great impact on those elves who had known him, especially his wife Naimi, who now dedicated herself to incorporating more Mannish tales into the Cottage’s programs in honor of Eriol’s heritage.

          Curulaer was a Noldo of Fëanor’s host who crossed the Sea upon the swan-ships. When her lord died, she attached herself to his sons and Maedhros in particular, following him to Himring. She was a talented archer, one of the few who matched Fingon’s followers in her skill with a bow, but her greatest strength lay in Songcraft. In Valinor, Curulaer (then known as Curulírë) studied under Maglor, learning Songs of Power, and it was he who recommended her service to his elder brother. Her voice was mighty, calling up intricate illusions and stirring the world around her, and her fellow soldiers greatly respected her musical abilities.           In Himring, Curulaer met the warrior Lagrieth, a Sinda of Mithrim who admired the Noldor’s dedication to waging war upon Morgoth and joined the Fëanorian host when they departed for the east. Lagrieth served as a captain in Maedhros’ army, and saw firsthand the power of Curulaer’s magic. She even saved the Singer’s life in battle, defending her from assailants as Curulaer Sang the earth to tremble around them and open up to swallow a band of orcs into the depths of Arda. Lagrieth and Curulaer became fast friends, and in time a greater love grew between them, and they were wed with their lord’s blessing.           After two centuries of marriage, Lagrieth and Curulaer began a family, retiring from the frontlines for a time. Curulaer bore her wife a son, Erestor, whom they greatly cherished. But Erestor’s youth would be marred by tragedy, for suddenly the Siege of Angband broke and dragonfire burst forth upon the Noldor and their allies. Curulaer and Lagrieth returned to Himring to defend their keep with Erestor in tow, and in the ensuing siege they both were slain. Maedhros honored all his fallen warriors, but these two especially, and learning that their son yet lived he took Erestor under his wing and promised to provide for him ever after.            Erestor grew to adulthood in Himring, fiercely devoted to his lord. Maglor told him stories of Curulírë in Valinor, and his mothers’ comrades affirmed to him their bravery and might in battle. Though his own skills lay not in fighting, Erestor showed promise in organization and management, apprenticing under Himring’s steward Ferior. When the fortress fell after the Fifth Battle, and Ferior with it, Erestor led many survivors east to what safety remained in Beleriand, settling in Amon Ereb long before his Fëanorian lords returned to the castle. Grateful for his skill in restoring Amon Ereb to a greater glory than it had before possessed, Maedhros appointed Erestor his new steward and gave to him the responsibility of caring for the fortress and its inhabitants.            Thus Erestor remained behind whenever his lords went to war, maintaining a home base for the sons of Fëanor throughout the end of the First Age. After the Third Kinslaying at the Havens of Sirion, Maedhros and Maglor returned as the last of their brothers with twin hostages in tow. It was Erestor who aided Elrond and Elros in settling into Amon Ereb, for he was a friendly face who had not been present amid the carnage, and they trusted him more easily than their captors. In time, the twins would come to love Maedhros and Maglor as their foster parents, but Erestor was always a dear companion to them.           As the War of Wrath descended upon the remnants of Beleriand, it was only a matter of time before Amon Ereb fell and what was left of the Fëanorian host were forced to flee. Maglor and Maedhros sent the twins away from the war zone with Erestor as their guardian, first dwelling in Belegost among the dwarves, and then when they insisted they were old enough to fight, among the Noldor under High King Gil-galad’s banner. Erestor and Gil-galad bonded over their mutual care of Elrond and Elros, and became closer than brothers by the end of the War.           When Maglor disappeared and Maedhros cast himself into flame, Erestor deeply grieved his lords’ deaths despite their ill deeds. He, Elrond, and Elros mourned them together, as few others could understand their loss. Erestor now swore loyalty to Gil-galad and Elrond both, and dwelt with them in Lindon throughout much of the Second Age, learning to be a counselor and administrator in the Noldorin court. He was instrumental to Elrond’s founding of Imladris, though he remained mostly by Gil-galad’s side until the War of the Last Alliance, where he took over leadership of the hidden valley while his friends were away.            Erestor was devastated by Gil-galad’s death in this War and retreated into himself as soon as Elrond could take over his duties as Imladris’ lord. It took many years for him to recover his quick wit and joy in life, and it was Elrond’s steadfast kindness—and a new friend’s bright presence—that taught him to hope and laugh again.

          Tulkastor was a Noldo of Aman, born during the Years of the Trees. In his youth he married Ñandellë of the Falmari, and dwelt among her people on the shores of Alqualondë. After the Darkening and the Kinslaying, Tulkastor and Ñandellë fled to Tol Eressëa seeking a new life, and from their new home upon the isle they watched the rising of the Moon and Sun.           In later Ages, Ñandellë bore her husband two children, Maryalassë and Vairilmë. Maryalassë was a pensieve elda, learning the art of music from their mother, though they preferred the lute over Ñandellë’s harp. They wed the weaver Lanyaro, son of Sindarin emigrants from Beleriand, and together they had one child of their own: Naimi, who would marry the mortal Eriol when he found his way to the Lonely Isle.           Vairilmë was a student of lore, and devoted her days to learning lays and legends of the past and of the outer lands. She found love with another historian and storyteller, Lindo, whose father Valwë had woken at Cuiviénen and made the Great Journey to Aman. Valwë took his wife Culdiel and his son Lindo into exile upon the Darkening of Valinórë, and though Culdiel fell in the Battle of the Lammoth, he and Lindo survived to dwell in Gondolin, where they joined the House of the Harp.           Valwë was slain in the Fall of Gondolin, but Lindo survived, and returned to Valinórë after the War of Wrath was won. Vairilmë greatly admired him for his survival and his first-hand knowledge of the outer lands, and her faith and love in him gave Lindo the confidence to begin recording his experiences to share with others. Eventually, Lindo and Vairilmë became the keepers of the Cottage of Lost Play, sharing ancient tales with any who would listen and breaking bread with renowned loremasters such as Ailios and Evromord, the brother of Lindo’s mother Culdiel. It was at the Cottage that they brought their daughter Vëannë into the world, teaching her the history of her peoples and a deep love of learning.

          Poldo was an elf of the Tatyar who awoke upon the shores of Cuiviénen. He was remarkably strong, and much like Mahtan he was drawn to the secrets of earth and flame. Poldo and Rōka were among the first of Mahtan’s students, but though they were friends, the two elves did not always work together in harmony. Indeed, when the Tatyar set out to make the Great Journey under the guidance of Finwë, Poldo scorned Rōka’s reluctance to leave Cuiviénen, and their friendship ended in bitterness when Rōka refused to follow.           Early in the Journey, Poldo took a new name and asserted herself as a nís rather than the nér her companions had first assumed her to be. Now called Poldamaitë, she was harsh in her words to any who expressed doubt about the nature of her fëa. Though this was her right, it won her little friendship among her kin, and even when they reached Aman, Poldamaitë preferred to work alone rather than in the great forges of Tirion.           Yet there was one to whom Poldamaitë opened her heart. This was the huntress Cútasar, a daughter of Unbegotten parents and another elf who found the city stifling. Cútasar preferred to hunt alone, shying away from the great company of Oromë, and her lone wanderings led her to Poldamaitë’s secluded forge. The two níssi fell in love and were wed in a private ceremony, and vowed to one another that they would never stand in the way of one another’s craft. Indeed, Cútasar and Poldamaitë spent less time together than other married couples, preferring their solitary pursuits.           Still their love was deep, and in time Cútasar bore her wife a daughter: Ezellë Tecnyarindë. Ezellë was a writer and a poet, and though she was raised far from the bustle of Tirion, when she was grown she was eager to fling herself into city life. The wonders of Tirion’s artistic community enlivened her, especially the music of Kánafinwë Makalaurë, a supremely talented minstrel and a prince of Finwë’s line. Makalaurë’s songs inspired Ezellë to write grand poems, and she was astonished when her work caught his eye. He complimented her skills, and the two swiftly became friends, then sweethearts, and in no time at all they were betrothed.           Makalaurë was the first of Finwë’s grandchildren to marry, and thus his wedding was a spectacular affair. Poldamaitë and Cútasar were glad their daughter had found love, but they did not appreciate Ezellë’s law-father Fëanáro, who was obsessive over every small detail and refused to refer to Cútasar by her proper name, instead calling her Cútaþar. Ever after there was unfriendship between them, and though Fëanáro adored his first law-daughter, Ezellë always carried a slight resentment toward him for his mistreatment of her mother.           Ezellë and Makalaurë had a happy marriage in the Days of Bliss, collaborating together on many stunning compositions. But Ezellë never wished for offspring of her own, and so they remained childless, to Makalaurë’s quiet sorrow. Still, he loved his wife dearly and never asked more of her than she was willing to give, and thus they were glad together. When Makalaurë followed his father into exile at Formenos, Ezellë did not accompany him, but they remained on good terms and corresponded frequently. She spent much of her time in Tirion writing in support of Fëanáro, building his following in his absence and ensuring that he was not forgotten in his exile.           When the Darkening fell upon Valinórë and Fëanáro’s wild fervor was cast to the forefront of everyone’s lives, Ezellë realized—too late—that she was in part responsible for the discontent of the Noldor. She spoke out against Fëanáro in vain, and when Makalaurë confronted her, she spurned her husband and refused to follow him to Endórë. Yet her mothers were swayed by Fëanáro’s rhetoric despite the animosity between them, and so Poldamaitë and Cútasar joined the host of Arafinwë in the eastward march while their daughter remained behind.           But Ezellë still held love for Makalaurë in her heart, and it did not take much time for her mind to change. She rushed after her husband, but before reaching the shores of the sea she heard news of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë and was so horrified that she turned back and fled to Tirion once more. She repudiated her husband’s deeds and dedicate her writing to righting her wrongs and speaking bitterly against the Fëanárions, including and especially Makalaurë.           Cútasar and Poldamaitë pressed on to Endórë, joining the host of Ñolofinwë when Arafinwë turned back. While crossing the Helcaraxë, Cútasar befriended another hunter, Tuilindo, and in Middle-earth she followed him to Ondolindë and joined his House of the Swallow. For her wife’s sake, Poldamaitë tagged along, but she never fit in to this house of archers and hunters and was uncomfortable confined within such a large city. Over the years, conflict grew between them, eventually resulting in their separation and Poldamaitë’s defection to the the House of the Mole when King Turukáno granted a lordship to his nephew Maeglin.           Poldamaitë was much better suited to the solitary smithwork in the Mole’s forges, and respected her young lord for his understanding of her boundaries. She followed him to the Fifth Battle and survived, quietly glad to know that Cútasar also returned home, but she and her estranged wife did not speak to one another until the Fall of Gondolin. There they joined in battle, Cútasar assuming Poldamaitë had betrayed the city along with her lord, but in truth Poldamaitë was among those who rebuked the traitor and fought to save Gondolin.           They clashed together with blades as they had with words for so many years, but through the din of battle Poldamaitë managed to communicate that she still fought for Gondolin and the King. At long last they put their feud aside, fighting back to back against a common enemy up until the moment of their deaths when Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, broke into the Square of the King and consumed them both in a blaze of fire. Poldamaitë and Cútasar spent many years in the Halls of Mandos, but eventually they were reborn in Aman and fully reconciled with one another. Tuilindo and Ezellë were both present for the rededication of their vows, and all was glad and joyful among their family.          Yet Ezellë’s own marriage would remain broken for many Ages. Following the Darkening, she had comforted her law-sister Quildalótië, wife of Curufinwë Atarinkë, but though Quildalótië’s anger with her husband never waned, Ezellë’s own heart softened toward Makalaurë. Still, when he at last arrived upon the shores of Aman, she did not meet his ship, and for years she avoided him while he sought healing and penance, for she had learned of Elrond Peredhel that her husband had married another in Middle-earth.           When at last Makalaurë, now known as Maglor, sought her ought, Ezellë searched her heart and found forgiveness for her husband. Remembering the kind words Elrond had spoken of his foster-father, she chose to give Maglor another chance, and over time they slowly rebuilt their marriage. Ezellë even grew fond of Daeron, Maglor’s husband, and let him into her heart as well, and the three found peace and happiness together at long last.

          Daurin and Tórin were elves of the Tatyar who awoke upon the shores of Cuiviénen. They were soul-brothers, possessing a sibling bond between them, and were inseparable while they remained by the Waters of Awakening. Not far from the site where they awoke, another nér opened his eyes for the first time: this was Ñolyo, who befriended the brothers and was as dear to them as they were to each other.           Ñolyo had no bonds until he wed the Nelyarin elf Silindë, and their child Míriel Þerindë was among the first children born among the Quendi. Tórin and Daurin loved Míriel like she was their own family, and indeed they wished to forge a brother-bond with Ñolyo should he also be willing—but before they could take that step together, Ñolyo and Silindë both vanished into the Wild Wood, leaving their young daughter behind. Ñolyo’s body was discovered some weeks later, but Silindë was never found, and the Quendi whispered that she had been taken by the being they had begun to call the Shadow.           Distraught at losing their almost-brother, Daurin and Tórin turned to one another for comfort. They looked after Míriel as best they could, and as she gravitated toward her friend Finwë they began to look to him as their leader. Thus when Finwë led the Tatyar upon the Great Journey to Aman, Tórin and Daurin were among his staunchest supporters, and hoped to see Ñolyo and Silindë reborn again when they arrived in the Blessed Realm.           As they traveled, shadow-shapes lurked in the darkness of unfamiliar forests. The Great Hunter Oromë protected the Eldar as best he could, but still some elves disappeared into the grip of the unknown. One such elf was Tórin, who was there one moment and gone the next, and though Daurin lingered, waiting for his brother to reappear, when the Nelyar caught up to him he was forced to accept his brother as dead, and hastened to rejoin the Tatyar.            Daurin attached himself to Míriel as her staunch protector, the last of what he could call his family. He remained at her side when she married Finwë, and grieved her when she wearied of life, and devoted himself all the more fiercely to her son Fëanáro. As Fëanáro grew into a skilled and beautiful young nér and began to sire children of his own, Daurin’s heart at last found another companion in the form of Liatamë, a seamstress who had once served Míriel Þerindë and whose family now served the House of Nolofinwë.            Liatamë and Daurin wed, and she moved to the Daurin’s estate near Fëanáro’s halls, where she bore her husband four children, three daughters and a son. The eldest was Calarië, who became a smith under Fëanáro’s tutelage; then Quildalótië Ñillendil, who would wed Fëanáro’s favorite son, Curufinwë II Atarinkë and bear his only grandchild; then Sinwatië, a dancer whose skills later turned to the blade; and lastly young Nasarion, who had not yet found his craft when Darkness fell upon Aman.           When Fëanáro went into exile at Formenos, Daurin took his family with his lord. Liatamë his wife and Quildalótië his daughter held private concerns about Daurin’s fanatic loyalty to his lord, but accompanied him with grace; not until Fëanáro urged the Noldor into Flight from Aman did they speak out against him. Then Quildalótië refused her husband’s command to follow and begged to keep her son with him, but this Curufinwë refused, and forsook their marriage bond. Liatamë was less extreme in parting from her husband, but she chose to march with her birth family among the host of Ñolofinwë while Daurin and their other daughters remained steadfast by Fëanáro’s side. Nasarion, barely older than Quildalótië’s son, remained in Aman with his sister at Liatamë’s bidding, and counted Daurin’s silence on the matter a blessing, for at least he was not openly forsaken as others were.            Daurin rushed headfirst into tragedy in the bloodshed at Alqualondë, slaying Telerin soldiers without remorse, his daughters at his side. In the aftermath of the Kinslaying, Calarië was the captain of the first ship to set out into the sea, and she and her crew were drowned by Uinen’s wrath against the murderers of her beloved people. But not every ship was lost, and in the end Daurin and Sinwatië made it to Endórë at Fëanáro’s side, setting alight the swan-ships and dooming Liatamë to walk the Grinding Ice should she wish to follow. This she attempted, but perished before the end, one among many lives claimed by the Helcaraxë. In the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Daurin took his rightful place in the vanguard of Fëanáro. He remained with his lord to the very end, the last of his friends to fall when Balrogs surrounded them, and knew not that he had come close to reunion with his long-lost brother.           For Tórin had not died in the darkness of the Great Journey. Instead he was taken captive and made a thrall in Angband, forced to work in the mines alongside other unfortunate slaves. There he met Rôg, another Tatya from Cuiviénen, and they began to scheme up a revolt against their cruel masters. When word came of another captive’s miraculous rescue from the cliffs of Thangorodrim, Rôg and Tórin stirred their thrall-kin to rebellion, and though many were lost amid the bloodshed, they and twenty-two others escaped into the light of the newborn Sun.           They escapees sought refuge in Doriath, but Elu Thingol refused them entry, and so they turned instead to the land of Mithrim where their Noldorin kin now dwelt. There Ñolofinwë agreed to shelter the ex-thralls, and Tórin faced the dreadful news that Daurin his brother had come nearly to the gates of Angband, but died before they could meet again. Amid his grief he took the name Tauren, feeling kingly no longer, and turned to the forests for comfort. In time, he followed his friend Rôg to Gondolin under the banner of the House of the Hammer of Wrath, and dwelt there for the rest of his days until he fell in the Fall of Gondolin.            Last of Daurin’s kin, Sinwatië pledged her service to Curufinwë her law-brother, husband of the sister who remained in Aman. Under the Quenya ban, she altered her name to Sinneth, and served as Curufin’s right-hand nís in Himlad. When the Sudden Flame descended upon the Noldor, Sinneth was separated from her lord and took a small group of refugees to Himring, where she served under Curufin’s brother Maedhros until he fled there in exile from Nargothrond. Sinneth fought in the Second Kinslaying, though her heart grew sick and weary of death, and in the Third Kinslaying at the Havens of Sirion she could stand such atrocities no longer. With Curufin dead and no end to bloodshed in sight, Sinneth turned on her Fëanorian lords at long last and was slain by Maglor as she defended the tower of Elwing.           Many years would pass before Daurin, Tórin, and their kin were reunited: but in time their grievous wounds would heal, and their lost spirits would be released from Mandos, and even Ñolyo and Silindë would walk among the living once more to thank Daurin and his family for their service to their daughter and her descendants.