Lindon: Mithlond

Lindon (S/N. “Land of Music”; Q. Lindónë) was a coastal realm which encompassed all the Elvish lands west and east of the Blue Mountains. The main regions included Forlindon, Harlindon, and East Lindon, as well as the island remnants of the sunken lands of Beleriand. An Elvish realm on the western edge of the continent of Endor, home to the survivors of the Noldor, Sindar, and Laiquendi (Silvan Elves) who dwelt in Beleriand in the First Age. Beleriand was broken in the War of Wrath by the magical powers of Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the Elves, and sank beneath the sea. Lindon was the Quenya name for Ossiriand, the easternmost part of Beleriand, and the two peninsulas that made up the realm were all that was left of the subcontinent. Lindon was a closed land, for the most part, and was held in superstitious awe by many Men of Eriador. Visitors who wandered across its rather vague borders were typically followed and warned off with the minimal amount of contact by Elvish guardians, the border wardens of the realm. Those who ignored the warnings resurfaced later in a confused, enchanted state, suffering from amnesia and strange dreams. Obviously evil intruders, such as brigands, Orcs, and pirates, simply disappeared and were never heard of again. Lindon was divided into two parts by the Gulf of Lhun, which originated as a great chasm that split Ossiriand and the Blue Mountains in twain during the War of Wrath. The two halves were Harlindon, on the southern side of the gulf, and Forlindon, on the north. They were similar in geography, with a cool, humid climate and the rough, eroded terrain found elsewhere in Eriador where the powers of the world had interfered with natural forces. A mixed population of the three races of Elves had labored long years to create a safe and peaceful haven that seemed to the rare mannish visitor a step removed from the real world. The land could be addicting to mortals, which was one reason few of them were allowed within. The Grey Havens, the twin ports of Mithlond, formed the largest Elvish community in western Middle-earth and the most salient point of embarkation for Elves sailing to the Undying Lands. This was a boon they were granted by the Valar after the War of Wrath. It yielded to all the Elves of Middle-earth a chance to leave the risks and pains of a mortal world and spend their immortal lives in an untroubled, imperishable realm. Through the Second and Third Ages, a steady trickle of Elves passed into Lindon and out from Mithlond on their way into the immortal West. Cirdan the Shipwright, an ancient Sinda lord, built most of the vessels used for the voyages and provided Lindon with the little leadership it needed. He followed conservative political policies; they had the stated goals of combating evil and aiding the Elves’ ancient friends, the Dúnedain, while carrying out his underlying intent to keep Eriador safe for the continuing departure of the Elves.

Public Agenda

Lindon had gained its reputation as a mysterious and perilous land in the Second Age, when it was a true Elvish kingdom ruled by Gil-galad, last High King of the Noldor. The Elves then occupied all of Eriador west of the Baranduin River. They held little desire for encounters with the other peoples of Eriador, but Gil-galad was obliged to negotiate with Men and Dwarves to ensure safe passage for Elvish travelers. Thus occurred what came to be known as “The Noldo Peace,” spanning roughly the years S.A. 40-1693. Despite its name, the peace was guaranteed as much by the Durinic Dwarven kingdom as by the Noldor, and it did little to prevent petty wars between the Eriadoran tribal kingdoms, unless their battles threatened journeying Elves. Gil-galad hoped to create long-term security for his sadly reduced Elda and Silvan peoples. He dreamt of finding anew the numbers, peace, and prosperity the Elves once enjoyed in Beleriand when Angband was contained. While the power and wisdom available to the Noldo kingdom was immense by Endorian standards, it was measured in the life’s blood of a relative handful of survivors of the March from Valinor and the Wars of Beleriand. Wars, personal tragedies, petty quarrels, and the passage of time ate away at the source of Elvish power. The Noldor and Sindar born in Lindon might have replaced the numbers of those who passed over the sea, but never the strength, wisdom, or presence of the Calaquendi who had once beheld the light of the blessed Two Trees. The Noldo Peace was a success for sixteen centuries, until the War of the Elves and Sauron further embittered the people of Lindon and depleted their strength. For the rest of the Second Age, the Númenóreans carried the balance of power in Eriador, while Lindon grew more reclusive. The foundation of Arnor seemed to provide a second chance for Gil-galad’s dreams of revival, but the terrible casualties of the War of the Last Alliance saw the death of both the High King of the Noldor and his hopes. Cirdan’s reign was designed to protect such peace as might be possible for the Elves until the day came for the “Last Ship” to sail. The population of Lindon dwindled, and their influence in the affairs of Eriador waned with it.