
The Great Journey (Q. "Paláva") was the great migration of the Eldar from Cuivienen to Aman. The journey took them across central Middle-earth or Palisor and through Rhovanion and Eriador to the western shores of Beleriand, and lasted for 46 years of the Trees (ca. 441 Years of the Sun).
All of the Minyar and half of the Tatyar and Nelyar took part in the huge trek. During the Journey the Minyar renamed themselves the "Vanyar" and the Tatyarin Eldar the "Noldor" while the Nelyarin Eldar took the Moniker "Lindar", but were called "Teleri" by the other two tribes. Also half of them chose to stay behind in Rhovanion; this sub-tribe became the Nandor. Those who went on towards Beleriand also split: the "Falmari" were those who chose to go to the West, while the remaining became the Sindar of Beleriand. The Lost Elves were those Elves who mysteriously disappeared, either in Cuivienen or during the Great Journey.
Leaders on the Great Journey[]
- Ingwë - led the Vanyar
- Finwë Ñoldóran - led the Noldor
- Olwë, Elu Thingol, Cirdan the Shipwright and Lenwë led the Teleri and became Chiefs of the Falmari, Doriathrim, Falathrim and Nandor.
Notes[]
- Even for a group of several thousands of individuals over 400 years seem a very long time to cross the distance from Cuivienen to the Bay of Eldamar. Even from Cuivienen to Beleriand the Vanyar and Noldor took 201 years. This can only be explained by the fact that Middle-earth's East was far larger than shown on most maps (fairly comparable to Eurasia), plus the elvish habit to "wander" extremely slowly, possibly settling or camping at a beautiful place for several decades.