Forsaken Elves

The Teleri were the Third Clan of the Eldar and came last to Beleriand. As they passed the Blue Mountains, the Vanyar and the Noldor were already departing across the Great Sea. In Beleriand they waited for the return of Ulmo so that they too could complete the Great Journey into the West, but while they waited their lord Elwë Singollo disappeared. At last Ulmo did indeed return, and readied the island of Tol Eressëa to carry the Teleri to Aman. At this time a division arose: one part of this people were led onto the island by Elwë's brother Olwë, and set out across the Sea. A great part of this people, however, refused to leave their beloved lord Elwë, and remained behind in Beleriand to continue the search for him. These named themselves the Eglath or Forsaken Elves, whose companions were forced to abandon them in Middle-earth and continue the journey into the West.

At last Elwë was found. He had entered the dark wood of Nan Elmoth and there discovered Melian the Maia, becoming so enchanted by her that long years ran past in the world outside the wood. Awakening to find his brother and many of his people gone, Elwë founded a realm of the Forsaken Elves, naming it at first Eglador, the land of the Forsaken. In later years Elwë would become known as Elu Thingol, and the Forsaken Elves would become better known as the Grey-elves or Sindar.

Eglador (or Doriath as it was later known) lay amid the central forests of Beleriand. Though it was the main realm of the Forsaken Elves, others wandered the land beyond its borders. Most important of these were the Falathrim, a branch of the Grey-elves led by Círdan the Shipwright, whose Havens lay on the shores of the Falas, westward of Thingol's domain.