Before the Fellowship: Fans Read and React to the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien Every Week

This is the END. After falling into the abyss in Númenor, Sauron returned to his kingdom in Mordor and makes war upon Men and Elves. A new perspective into the Lord of the Rings story. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 05:53 Dan reads pages 297-304 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 31:00 Summary 33:25 Discussion Watch t...

After falling into the abyss in Númenor, Sauron re-establishes his kingdom in Mordor and makes war upon Men and Elves. Sauron takes Minas Ithil. Isildur flees in search of Elendil. Anárion fights back Sauron, but recognizes that a greater force is needed. The Last Alliance is formed, and war is waged against Sauron. Anárion is slain, but the assault comes all the way to the tower of Barad-dûr, whe...

Sauron continues war with the Elves. Eregion is laid waste, and Celebrimbor is slain. Elrond establishes Rivendell. Sauron successfully collects the other Rings of Power and gives seven to the Dwarves and nine to Men. Dwarves prove hard to tame, but the influence of the Rings leads them to seek great wealth, often to their demise. Men prove easier to rule. The Nine Kings grow in might and power, b...

After Morgoth is defeated and captured, Sauron repents of his deeds, but upon facing a sentence from Manwë flees into Middle-earth and returns to his evil ways. After the War of Wrath, Beleriand is destroyed and swallowed by the sea up to Ered Luin. Gil-galad rules Lindon by the Gulf of Lhûn just east of Ered Luin. Teleri elves from Doriath and Ossiriand move inland and dwell among Silvan Elves. T...

Ar-Pharazôn at last reaches the shores of Aman. Eru Ilúvatar himself shows his power and changes the world. A great chasm forms between Aman and Middle-earth, and all of Númenor along with her fleets are swallowed up on it. Ar-Pharazôn and his men are buried beneath falling hills. Amandil and his sons escape the cataclysm and establish kingdoms on Middle-earth. Sauron falls into the abyss, but not...

As Ar-Pharazôn ages, Sauron urges him to make war on the Valar and claim the “land of the deathless”. Amandil decides to sail into the west like Eärendil his forefather and seek the pardon of the Valar. He counsels Elendil to take any remaining faithful men and flee from Númenor before the outbreak of war. These men take with them their families and heirlooms, namely the Seven Stones and the sapli...

Sauron becomes an esteemed counselor to the kings of Númenor. He stirs their greed and bids them seek untold riches in the far reaches of the world, including the Ancient Darkness beyond the Edge of the World where dwells Melkor. Ar-Pharazón and the Númenoreans begin worshiping the darkness. Amandil and his son Elendil are part of the Faithful and close to Ar-Pharazón. Amandil is hated by Sauron a...

Sauron has risen to power, establishing himself in the land of Mordor and seeking to rule as a king over all kings and a god unto Men. In the time that the One Ring was forged, Tar-Minastir and the Númenoreans allied themselves with the Eldar and fought against Mordor. Shadow continues to spread in Númenor as kings begin to forsake friendship with the Elves. Ar-Pharazón the Golden becomes the King...

The men of Númenor begin to question the Ban that prevents them from sailing into the West. When Manwë hears of this, he sends messengers who explain that death is not a punishment but rather a gift from Ilúvatar. King Tar-Atanamir is displeased with the counsel of the Messengers. Under the rule of Tar-Atanamir’s son, Tar Ancalimon, two factions of men develop. 01:39 Greg reads pages 263-267 from...

Following the War of Wrath, many Elves from Beleriand come to dwell on the Isle of Eressëa. Ossë and Aüle build a land for men between the Hither Lands and Valinor: Númenor, Westernesse. The Dúnedain are a tall and strong people who live long lives and know not sickness. Their chief city is called Andúnië, and they are ruled for 400 years by Elros, son of Eärendil who chooses the fate of men. The...

The hosts of the West meet Morgoth in battle. Although his power had grown immensely, The Valar destroy nearly all the Balrogs and Orcs. Men join the Valar in the fight, but others side with Morgoth. Driven to the end, Morgoth unleashes winged dragons that had not before been seen. Eärendil arrives in his ship with all the great birds of heaven, and they win victory against the dragons. Morgoth is...

The Valar discuss Eärendil’s fate, and Manwë decrees that Eärendil, Elwing, and their sons will decide to join their fate to Men or Elves. Eärendil and Elwing choose the fate of the Elves. Vingilot, Eärendil’s ship, is hallowed, and Eärendil is able to sail through the heavens and beyond the confines of the world. Meanwhile the hosts of the Valar, along with the Vanyar, the Noldor under Finarfin,...

Two merging desires grow in Eärendil’s heart: to find his parents across the sea and to reach Valinor and plead with the Valar for their intervention in the woes of Elves and Men. The remaining sons of Fëanor learn that Elwing possesses the Silmaril at the mouths of Sirion and attack the remnants of Gondolin and Doriath. Amrod and Amras are slain, leaving only Maedhros and Maglor. Elrond and Elros...

Morgoth sets his will on Gondolin. Maeglin wanders beyond the Encircling Mountains and is captured by Orcs and taken to Angband. He reveals the location of Gondolin to Morgoth and is sent back. On the day of a great feast, Morgoth attacks with his Balrogs and Orcs and dragons and wolves. Ecthelion faces Gothmog. 01:47 Cameron reads pages 241-245 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 15:09 Summary 16:...

Tuor, son of Huor, is moved by Ulmo to depart the land of his fathers. He travels westward to the sea and discovers arms left by Turgon in Vinyamar. Ulmo appears to him, urges him to seek the hidden kingdom of Gondolin, and gives him a great cloak. Tuor meets an elf, Voronwë, who is the last survivor of the ships that Turgon sent into the west, and after hearing Tuor’s story leads him to the door...

Enter to win a copy of the Silmarillion or a leatherbound Encyclopedia of Arda! To enter, join our discord server by 5pm CST December 5th. At that time we'll randomly select 2 members to receive a free book!

With Thingol’s death, Melian’s power is withdrawn from the forests. She sends word to Beren and Lúthien before returning to Valinor, to the gardens of Lórien, to mourn. The host of Dwarves arrives and plunders Menegroth. Mablung is killed, and the Simlaril is taken. 01:52 Greg reads pages 233-237 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 13:50 Summary 15:37 Discussion "A Silmaril of Fëanor burns aga...

Húrin encounters Mîm in Nargothrond and slays him. As he journeys eastward, he is taken to King Thingol. He casts the Nauglamír, Necklace of Dwarves at Thingol’s feet and berates him for the loss of his wife and children. Melian attempts to reason with him, assuring him that Túrin, Morwen, and Nienor were welcomed with honor in Doriath. Due to the power of the Girdle of Melian, Húrin at last sees...

Morgoth releases Húrin, but he is rejected in his home of Hithlum. Thoronodor spots him from afar and reports his findings to Turgon, who decides to welcome Húrin into Gondolin. When they seek him out, he is already gone, but not before revealing something to Morgoth. 01:36 Greg reads pages 227-230 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 12:51 Summary 13:40 Discussion "Unhappy was the lot of Húrin...

Dan and Greg dive deep into the theme of death in Tokien's works. Send feedback to beforethefellowship@gmail.com Follow us as we follow Tolkien: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TWITTER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DISCORD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien...

Níniel finds Túrin and the wounded dragon and desperately tries to stir Túrin awake. As Glaurung dies, his spell on her is broken and she remembers her life. She bids farewell to Túrin, whom she now knows to be her brother, and casts herself into the waters. Brandir returns to the people and tells them what has happened. As he is speaking, Túrin appears. 01:21 Dan reads pages 222-226 from the Silm...

Nienor is healed of her sickness but does not remember her past. Túrin Turambar proposes marriage to her, and after some hesitation, they marry. Orcs begin to spread throughout the land, and Turambar once again wields the black sword. Glaurung hears word of the sword and comes to Brethil. Turambar and two companions set out to face Glaurung. Nienor (Níenel) takes a sword and follows them. 00:53 Ca...

Túrin returns to his home in Dor-lomin but his mother and sister are gone. Realizing he has been deceived and in a fit of blind rage, he kills Brodda and the Easterlings. He returns to the wilderness and he takes the name Turambar, meaning Master of Doom. Morwen rides into the wilderness seeking Túrin, and Mablung and his men follow to protect her and bring her back. Glaurung ambushes Mablung’s me...

Túrin is welcomed by Orodreth, and he wins renown. Finduilas’ heart is turned to Túrin. Gwindor warns Finduilas of his doom and the curse of Morgoth against the children of Húrin. Orodreth takes Túrin as a counselor, and Nargothrond flourishes and grows in might. Morwen and Nienor at last flee to Doriath, but find that Túrin is gone. Orodreth receives a message from Ulmo that peril draws near Narg...

Túrin and Beleg, the Helm and the Bow, win acclaim for their heroics. Through this, Morgoth learns the whereabouts of the son of Húrin. Mîm betrays them and leads a band of orcs to Amon Rûdh. The orcs slay many of the men at night and capture Túrin. Mîm realizes that there is a survivor: Beleg. He takes up Anglachel to slay him, but the injured elf fights him back, and Mîm flees. Beleg heals and p...