The kin-slaying at Alqualondë

Valian Years of the Trees 1496

When Fëanor departed with his host from Valinor, he first thought he would go Northward over Araman to Middle-Earth. But he thought again and realized that the great company would never overcome the long way and he would need ships to transfer the host between Middle-Earth and Araman. Fëanor now came to think of the Teleri and their ships in Alqualondë. Since the Noldor and the Teleri had always been close, he thought he could be shipped over by them and perhaps have the Teleri join with him in his war upon Morgoth and on his quest for the Silmarils. But the Teleri would not lend, sell or give Fëanor their ships and neither would they leave Valinor and their home in Eldamar. Instead they did try to persuade Fëanor of his folly, but he was wroth with the delay and their denying him their ships. Now Fëanor left, and when his host was gathered and his strength was enough, he went to the Swan-Havens and began to man the ships and take them by force. Seeing this, the Teleri were filled with anger, for their ships, fashioned through cunning and long labours, were about to be stolen. They shouted : "Never shall these thieves leave the Haven in our ships". Three times was Fëanor driven back, and many were slain on both sides. Some of the Teleri ran swiftly to the cliff-top, where the archway ran through and the fleet must pass. There, they threatened them with rocks and with arrows from their bows, but now Fingon came with the foremost of his troop, seeing a battle was fought and his kindred were falling. He rushed into the battle without knowing the true reason, for he thought the Teleri had waylaid them at the bidding of the Valar. Fingon and his host now sped behind the Teleri at the gate and slew them bitterly or cast them into the sea. At the end, the Teleri were overcome and a great part of the Teleri was lost. Their ships passed out into the Shadowy Seas with what Noldor troops they could carry.