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

The path of the Moon and Sun are set: Tillion (the Moon) chases Arien (the Sun). Fearing further assault by Morgoth, the Valar make Valmar more difficult to reach, enchanting the sea to create obstacles for sailors, and raising up the Pelori mountains to sheer cliffs that cannot be climbed. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolki...

The Valar mourn the loss of the Two Trees, and Fëanor’s corruption. They save one flower from Telperion and one fruit from Laurelin; and they work together to use these to create the Moon and the Sun. The sun rises in the west just as Fingolfin and his host reach Middle-Earth. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 01:20 Came...

Morgoth returns to Angband to rebuild it. Ungoliant flees southward to the Mountains of Terror. Morgoth sends forth his armies, and they surround Menegroth. Being cut off from Cirdan, Thingol asks for help from the Nandor. Melian uses her power to create a barrier around Doriath called the Girdle of Melian. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillio...

Thingol and Melian established the kingdom of Doriath and give birth to their only child, Lúthien. The dwarves awake in the East and their dwellings across the continent. The evil forces in Middle-Earth begin to spread.  Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:48 Dan reads pages 91-94 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 12:4...

As the Noldor approach Helcaraxë, the Grinding Ice in the north, Fëanor weighs his options for getting the host across the sea. He decides to take his closest kin on the ships and leave behind Fingolfin’s host. Once they reach Middle-Earth, Fëanor makes a fateful decision. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 01:33 Cameron...

Fëanor goes to ask the Teleri for aid. Olwë refuses to help, and so Fëanor and his host attempt to steal the Teleri ships. A bitter fight breaks out, and the Noldor overcome the Teleri when Fingolfin’s host arrives. Mandos arrives to speak condemnation. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:49 Greg reads pages 85-89 from...

In the wake of Melkor’s devastation and the death of Finwë, Fëanor declares himself king of the Noldor. Fëanor rallies the Noldor to forsake the Valar and return to Middle-Earth. He makes a terrible oath to pursue any who possess the Silmarils. But a messenger of Manwë bids the Noldor not to leave, foretelling that evil and sorrow await them. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you&...

Ungoliant and Morgoth make their way toward Angband, his old fortress. She demands that Morgoth fulfill his promise, so he feeds her many of the gems that he has stolen; but he refuses to concede the Silmarils. So Ungoliant sends out her webs. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:41 Cameron reads pages 80-82 from the Sil...

Yavanna implores Fëanor to give the Silmarills to them so they might revive the Two Trees. But he refuses. As Nienna mourns the destruction, Melkor goes to Formenos, slays Finwë, steals the Silmarils, and sneaks away. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:55 Greg reads pages 78-79 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 8:33 D...

A bout of illness in Cameron's family prevented the Before the Fellowship men from recording normal reading episodes, so join Dan and Greg for a discussion on the podcast, broader themes of the Silmarillion, and how we might create a forum for listeners to express their thoughts and engage in the discussions that we start on the podcast. Send feedback to beforethefellowship@gmail.com Follow us...

Manwë decrees the most glorious feast. Fëanor and Fingolfin are reconciled, and Fingolfin vows to follow Fëanor wherever he leads. Suddenly, Melkor and Ungoliant ambush the feast. Melkor delivers deadly blows to both trees with his spear, and Ungoliant feeds on the light, leaving the world in darkness. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R....

Oromë and Tulkas pursue Melkor who goes south to the dark region of Avathar, where lived Ungoliant, a lustful being in the form of a monstrous spider. Ungoliant feeds on light and weaves black webs. Melkor makes a deal with Ungoliant, for revenge on the Valar he will let her feed on the eternal city. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R....

Fëanor opposes his half-brother Fingolfin, even threatening him with his sword. Because the peace of Aman is disrupted, Fëanor and others are forced to stand before Mandos. Melkor attempts to turn Fëanor against the Valar and find an opportunity to steal the Silmarils, but Fëanor is not fooled. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolki...

Feänor at last creates the Silmarils, three great jewels infused with the blended light of the Two Trees. Mandos decrees that the fate of Arda lay with the Silmarils. Melkor poisonous deceptions begin to take their effect in the Noldor. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:47 Dan reads pages 67-79 from the Silmarillion, 2nd...

Melkor’s sentence comes to an end. He appeals for freedom, vowing to assist the Valinor in repairing the hurts he caused. Melkor wins the trust of the Noldor and shares “hidden knowledge”. Feänor and Melkor become enemies. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:55 Cameron reads pages 65-66 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 5:...

Feänor masters crafting and lettering (and having kids). The Noldor become more estranged in the house of Finwë. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:42 Greg reads pages 63-65 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 6:50 Recap 7:50 Discussion "All his love he gave thereafter to his son; and Fëanor grew swiftly, as if a secret fir...

We meet the Princes of the Eldalië. Can we all agree that Feänor is so much cooler than Aegnor? Greg tries to un-embarrass himself by correcting our geography mistakes. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:55 Dan reads pages 60-62 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 10:08 Recap 12:02 Discussion "Finwë was King of the Noldor....

Elwë spots a Maia in the Forests of Lorien, and it's love at first sight — for years! They stay in Middle Earth to build a kingdom. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:34 Greg reads pages 55-56 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 05:35 Discussion, AKA Dan tries to change his name to Iluvitar. "Melian was a Maia, of the race...

Ulmo saves Elves with a floating island. Aulë teaches the Noldor to craft some gems (uh oh...) Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:51 Cameron reads pages 57-60 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 12:25 Reading Summary 13:30 Discussion: Where *exactly* did the elves live in Valinor? And how you can distinguish the different r...

What happens in the hearts of Elves when they are summoned to the eternal city? Who goes and who tarries? What bliss or doom awaits them in Valinor? Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:57 Dan reads pages 53-54 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 09:04 Discussion "Long and slow was the march of the Eldar into the west, for th...

Melkor commits the most hateful thing to Iluvitar, the creation of the orcs. The Valar decide to make war upon him. He is captured and tried in the Ring of Doom. Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:30 Cameron reads pages 49-53 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 13:16 Discussion  "Manwë sat long in thought upon Taniquet...

Melkor (Morgoth) delves a fortress called Angband and makes some Balrogs. The Valar hold counsel. Should they intervene or wait for him to reveal himself?  Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:30 Greg reads pages 47-49 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 09:35 Discussion "Yavanna spoke before the Valar, saying: 'Ye might...

Do you like one reader over another? Should Greg wear a tie? Should Cameron become British? Should Dan join Morgoth's boy band? What feedback do you have? We want it all. Send it in and you might be featured on the show! Let us know what you like and we'll keep doing it.  Send in any feedback to beforethefellowship@gmail.com *there is no fourth Silmaril

Aul ë creates the dwarves in secret, so Iluvatar rebukes him. Now what will happen to the Dwarves? Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:38 Dan reads pages 43-46 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 15:36 Discussion "For it is said that after the departure of the Valar there was silence, and for an age Ilúvatar sat alone in tho...

The stage is set. The Children of Iluvatar come on to the scene. Elves are made more in the likeness of the Ainur, and their lives are tied to the Earth. Men have been given strange gifts, such as mortality and the power to shape their lives beyond the Music of the Ainur.  Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. 00:13 Cameron...