The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Issued after the Darkening of Valinor, but before the first rising of the Moon and Sun1
Location
The northern borders of Valinor, where it gave way to the wastes of Araman
Races
Given by one of the Ainur to Elves
Divisions
Mandos was the Doomsman of the Valar; Fëanor and his followers were of the Noldor
Family
The Noldor were led by the sons of Finwë
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 25 March 2024
  • This entry is complete

Prophecy of the North

The Doom of the Noldor

The prophecy delivered to the Noldor as they stood on the borders of the lands of the Valar. Ready to return to Middle-earth to seek the Silmarils, they encounted an ominous figure said to have been Mandos, the Doomsman of the Valar, who pronounced the fate of those who would continue out of the Blessed Realm. That prophecy told that the Valar would shut out the Noldor, and that in Middle-earth the Oath of Fëanor would drive them to treachery and destruction.

Hearing this dreadful foretelling only hardened Fëanor's heart; he resolved to continue his journey in pursuit of Morgoth, and his seven sons and many others followed him. Fëanor's half-brother Finarfin, however, was chastened by the prophecy and elected to turn back from the march. He and his people were reconciled with the Valar, and Finarfin became king of those Noldor who remained in Aman.


Notes

1

The Annals of Aman (in volume X of The History of Middle-earth) dates the Prophecy of the North to the Valian Year 1496. In solar years, using the most common conversion method, this suggests that it took place about a decade after the Darkening of Valinor, and some thirty-eight years before the Moon and Sun first rose into the sky.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 25 March 2024
  • This entry is complete

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