Their small clan was founded by Imin, the first Elf to awaken at CuiviГ©nen, with his wife IminyГ« and their twelve companions: they broadly correspond to the Minyar. The Vanyar were the fairest and most noble of the High Elves their name means 'the Fair', as they have golden hair. They were joined there by those Avari who eventually decided to move to the West. The Nandor who stayed around Anduin became known as the Tawarwaith, living in Mirkwood they were also called Silvan or Wood Elves. Although some instances Green-elves of Ossiriand did participate in the battles and strife concerning Morgoth (the First Battle of Beleriand for example), they were for the most part a simple, peaceful, and reclusive people. Hearing of the peaceful territories of King Thingol, Denethor, son of LenwГ«, collected as many of his scattered people as he could and finally ventured westward over the Ered Luin, where he was accepted by the King as ancient kindred (King Elu Thingol being in fact ElwГ«, brother of OlwГ«) and were given Ossiriand to reside in.

They settled in Ossiriand, an eastern region of Beleriand, and were famous for their singing. Those of the Nandor who later entered Beleriand were called the Laiquendi ( Green Elves or Green People, so named because their attire was often green.) 'Laiquendi' was the term in Quenya, while the Sindarin version was 'Laegrim'. Those of the Teleri who refused to cross the Misty Mountains and stayed in the valley of Anduin were called the Nandor ( Those who turn back). Those of the Teleri who reached Aman were called Amanyar Teleri they were also called the Falmari, the People of the Waves, expert with ships and the sea. Most of them later merged with the Noldor who returned to Middle-earth, especially those of Gondolin. Those of the Teleri (Sindar) who chose to remain behind and populated the lands to the north-west of Beleriand were called the Mithrim or Grey People, giving their name to the region and the great lake there. They were ruled by Cirdan the Shipwright. Those of the Teleri (Sindar) who came to the shores of the Great Sea of Belegaer but decided to stay there or arrived too late to be ferried were called the Falathrim ( People of the Shore). These later inhabited Doriath and were named the Iathrim or People of the Girdle, for the magical 'Girdle of Melian' that surrounded and protected the kingdom. Many of the Teleri (Sindar) chose to remain behind in order to look for their lord Thingol (ElwГ«), who disappeared near the end of the journey. They stayed in the west of Middle-earth and were ruled by Thingol. Those of the Teleri who reached Beleriand by the Great Sea but chose not to cross to Valinor were later called the Sindar ( Grey Elves). They stayed on the east of Aman, in Tol EressГ«a. More than half of the Nelyar became the Teleri ( Those who come last) or, as they referred to themselves, the Lindar or Singers. Half of the Tatyar became the Noldor or Deep Elves, with deep knowledge of crafts and skills.

The Eldar migrated westwards across the north of Middle-earth, dividing into three groups.ДЄll the Minyar became the Vanyar, meaning the Fair Elves, with golden-blond hair.

Half of the Avari came from the largest tribe, the Nelyar, but most of the Nelyar went on the journey. The Avari are those who refused the summons. Their name, literally Star People, was given to them by OromГ«, in their own language, Primitive Quendian. The Eldar are those who accepted the summons. After some time, they were summoned by the Vala OromГ«, the huntsman, to live with him and the other Valar in Valinor, on Aman. The Elves awoke at CuiviГ©nen, a bay on the eastern side of the Sea of Helcar, on the continent of Middle-earth, where they were divided into three tribes: Minyar (the Firsts), Tatyar (the Seconds) and Nelyar (the Thirds).

Doom of the eldar