THE BOOK OF LOST TALES

Deep beneath the Iron Mountains of Beleriand stood an impregnable fortress of terror, where the first Dark Lord forged his crown of power. Within its lightless halls, dragons coiled and Balrogs lurked, while Morgoth plotted the doom of Elves and Men from his black throne. This underground citadel of evil would become the stage for the greatest battles and most tragic tales of the First Age.

At the Mouths of Sirion, where the great river met the Belegaer, stood the last refuge of the Free Peoples of Beleriand. This coastal haven sheltered the survivors of fallen kingdoms, including the legendary mariner Eärendil and his wife Elwing, keeper of the Silmaril. From these shores, hope would rise on white wings and sail west to Valinor, forever changing the fate of Middle-earth.

Before the shores of Middle-earth were reshaped by the wrath of the Valar, a vast realm of ancient forests, mighty kingdoms, and gleaming fortresses stretched across the western lands. Here, Elven lords waged war against the first Dark Lord, dragons soared over snow-capped peaks, and mortal heroes carved their names into legend. This was Beleriand - a land of immortal beauty and tragic destiny, where the greatest tales of the First Age unfolded beneath the light of the Two Trees and the first rising of the Sun.

Hidden behind an enchanted barrier known as the Girdle of Melian, a magnificent woodland kingdom flourished in the First Age of Middle-earth. Here, the Sindarin Elves dwelt under the rule of King Elu Thingol and his Maia queen Melian, within the great cavern-halls of Menegroth, the Thousand Caves. This fortress-realm, protected by ancient magic and skilled warriors, became both a haven of Elvish culture and the stage for some of the most dramatic events in the war against Morgoth, including the fateful tale of the Silmaril and the doomed love story of Beren and Lúthien.

Half-elven mariner who sailed the Great Sea with the Silmaril upon his brow, pleaded before the Valar in Valinor, and now guides his ship Vingilot through the night sky as the Evening Star, bearing the light of hope for all peoples of Middle-earth.

The greatest craftsman of the Eldar ever to live, this legendary High Prince of the Noldor created the three most precious jewels in existence, led the first rebellion against the Valar, and sparked events that would shape the destiny of Middle-earth for ages to come. His unmatched skills in metallurgy, linguistics, and gemcraft were rivaled only by his pride, which ultimately led to an oath that would doom his people and forever change the fate of Arda.

In the First Age of Middle-earth, no deed of courage stands taller than when the mightiest of the Noldorin kings rode alone to the gates of Angband, challenging the Dark Lord Morgoth himself. Wielding his sword Ringil, this valiant High King wounded the Black Enemy seven times before falling, his last strike so fierce it left the dark Vala limping forever after. Even the armies of wolves and Balrogs trembled at his passing, and Morgoth himself never forgot the terror of that day.

Hidden within the encircling mountains of Tumladen, a magnificent Elven realm stood as the last great fortress against the dark powers of the First Age. For nearly 400 years, white towers gleamed in secret while King Turgon ruled from his Tower of the King, and mighty lords like Glorfindel and Ecthelion guarded its seven gates. Though betrayal would eventually lead to its doom, this shining city of the Noldor remained unconquered longer than any other realm in Beleriand, its fall marking one of the most heroic and tragic tales in all of Middle-earth's history.

The greatest of all Elven maidens, daughter of a Maia and an Elven king, danced beneath the ancient trees of Middle-earth and sang with such power that she could shake the very foundations of Angband. For the love of a mortal man, she challenged the Dark Lord Morgoth himself, stole a Silmaril from his iron crown, and ultimately chose mortality over her immortal life – becoming the only Elf in history to truly escape the bounds of fate.

Among the most powerful beings of the First Age, this mysterious Maia of Valinor abandoned the Blessed Realm for love of the Elven-king Thingol, establishing the enchanted kingdom of Doriath with her magical Girdle, and giving birth to Lúthien, the most beautiful of all the Children of Ilúvatar. Her wisdom guided the Sindar through centuries of darkness, while her foresight and power rivaled that of the mighty Valar themselves.

Before Sauron cast his shadow over Middle-earth, a far greater power shook the very foundations of Arda. The mightiest of the Valar fell into darkness, stealing the Silmarils, corrupting Elves into Orcs, and unleashing Balrogs and dragons upon the world. From the depths of Angband, this fallen Ainu waged war against Elves and Men, forever changing the fate of Beleriand and earning the name 'Black Foe of the World.'

Perched upon the verdant hill of Túna in the Undying Lands, a magnificent white city gleams like captured starlight. Here, beneath the light of the Two Trees, the Noldorin Elves built their greatest stronghold in Valinor, where High King Finwë's halls echoed with the wisdom of ages and Fëanor crafted his legendary Silmarils. This radiant metropolis, with its crystal stairs and silver-white walls, stood as the crown jewel of Elven civilization until the Darkening of Valinor changed the fate of Arda forever.

Far beyond the western seas of Middle-earth lies a sacred realm where the Valar dwell in eternal light, where the Two Trees once bloomed, and where the Elves found their true home in Valinor. This blessed realm of Aman, shielded from mortal lands, promises immortality and peace to those few chosen to walk its shores - from the High Elves who answered the divine summons to the rare mortal heroes granted passage across the Straight Road.

Deep beneath the Iron Mountains of the ancient North, the first Dark Lord Melkor built his mighty stronghold during the Spring of Arda. This vast underground fortress became the birthplace of shadows, where fell creatures were bred and dark powers gathered. Before Angband, before Barad-dûr, this primal citadel of evil housed armies of Balrogs and spawned the first dragons, until the Valar themselves marched forth to lay siege to its gates in the greatest battle of the Elder Days.

Beyond the Sundering Seas, in the Blessed Realm of Aman, lies a paradise untouched by death or decay. Here, beneath the light of the Two Trees that once illuminated all creation, the Valar shaped their perfect kingdom of Valinor. This sacred realm, home to immortal Elves and divine beings alike, stands as a beacon of eternal beauty where the mighty Taniquetil reaches toward the stars, and the halls of Manwë and Varda gleam with undimmed splendor. While hidden from mortal eyes, its influence echoes throughout all of Tolkien's mythology, from the ancient Songs of Creation to the final departure of the Ring-bearers.