In Episode 9 of A Couple of Silmarils, we cover chapters 17 and 18 of The Silmarillion, where Men first enter Beleriand and the long peace of the Elves is shattered by war. We meet the Edain through Finrod Felagund’s first encounter with the people of Bëor, trace the journeys and trials of the three houses of Men, and see how their fates become bound to the Doom of the Noldor. The episode then turns dark with the Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of Sudden Flame, the fall of great realms, and the heroic single combat between Fingolfin and Morgoth, before closing with shifting alliances, the first betrayals of Men abd the quiet endurance of Elves and Edain.

Welcome back to A Couple of Silmarils! In this episode we cover Chapters 14–16 of The Silmarillion, beginning with the famously dense, map-heavy Chapter 14, “Of Beleriand and Its Realms,” where we chart Morgoth’s stronghold in Angband and trace the many lands, rivers, and kingdoms of the Elves—from Hithlum, Nevrast, and Dorthonion to Nargothrond, Doriath, Ossiriand, and the eastern marches ruled by the sons of Fëanor. In Chapter 15, “Of the Noldor in Beleriand,” we learn about Turgon, guided by Ulmo, who builds the hidden city of Gondolin, Finrod establishes Nargothrond, and Galadriel’s conversations with Melian finally bring the dark truths of the Noldor’s exile into the open, leading to Thingol’s anger, the banning of the Noldorin tongue, and grim warnings about the sons of Fëanor. We finish with Chapter 16, “Of Maeglin,” a tragic tale following Aredhel’s flight from Gondolin, her life with the dark elf Eöl, and the rise of their son Maeglin, whose talents, desires, and unspoken bitterness plant a dangerous seed within Gondolin.

Map of Beleriand

Welcome back to A Couple of Silmarils! In this episode, we cover Chapters 11–13 of The Silmarillion, where we learn about the creation of the Sun and Moon, Men awaken in Middle-earth, and the Noldor return. We reflect on the loss of the Two Trees and the new rhythm of days under Anar and Isil, the brief and mysterious fate of Men and their early friendship with the Elves, and the tragic deeds of Fëanor and his sons as the first great battles against Morgoth are fought. As kingdoms are founded, alliances tested, and old wounds both deepened and healed, hope rises beneath the new Sun and Moon—while a dark Shadow gathers in the North.