Welcome back to A Couple of Silmarils! In this episode we cover Chapters 14–16 of The Silmarillion, beginning with the famously dense, map-heavy Chapter 14, “Of Beleriand and Its Realms,” where we chart Morgoth’s stronghold in Angband and trace the many lands, rivers, and kingdoms of the Elves—from Hithlum, Nevrast, and Dorthonion to Nargothrond, Doriath, Ossiriand, and the eastern marches ruled by the sons of Fëanor. In Chapter 15, “Of the Noldor in Beleriand,” we learn about Turgon, guided by Ulmo, who builds the hidden city of Gondolin, Finrod establishes Nargothrond, and Galadriel’s conversations with Melian finally bring the dark truths of the Noldor’s exile into the open, leading to Thingol’s anger, the banning of the Noldorin tongue, and grim warnings about the sons of Fëanor. We finish with Chapter 16, “Of Maeglin,” a tragic tale following Aredhel’s flight from Gondolin, her life with the dark elf Eöl, and the rise of their son Maeglin, whose talents, desires, and unspoken bitterness plant a dangerous seed within Gondolin.

Map of Beleriand

Welcome back to A Couple of Silmarils! In this episode, we cover Chapters 11–13 of The Silmarillion, where we learn about the creation of the Sun and Moon, Men awaken in Middle-earth, and the Noldor return. We reflect on the loss of the Two Trees and the new rhythm of days under Anar and Isil, the brief and mysterious fate of Men and their early friendship with the Elves, and the tragic deeds of Fëanor and his sons as the first great battles against Morgoth are fought. As kingdoms are founded, alliances tested, and old wounds both deepened and healed, hope rises beneath the new Sun and Moon—while a dark Shadow gathers in the North.

In this episode of A Couple of Silmarils, we dive into Chapters 9 and 10 of The Silmarillion, where the Noldor Elves leave Valinor. We follow Fëanor’s and the terrible Oath he makes, the first Kinslaying, and the tragic division of the Noldor as they flee Aman and pursue Morgoth into Middle-earth.

We also slow down to explore the Sindar Elves of Beleriand—their culture, their friendship with the Dwarves, the splendor of Menegroth, and the first battles of the War of Beleriand as evil stirs once again.

Beleriand Map: https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Map_of_Beleriand_and_the_Lands_to_the_North

Map of Arda: https://i.sstatic.net/gp24q.jpg