others were woven； so subtly that many who heard them believed in recollection that they arose from their own thought。
Visions he would conjure in their hearts of the mighty realms that they could have ruled at their own will； in power and
freedom in the East； and then whispers went abroad that the Valar had brought the Eldar to Aman because of their
jealousy； fearing that the beauty of the Quendi and the makers' power that Ilúvatar had bequeathed to them would grow
too great for the Valar to govern； as the Elves waxed and spread over the wide lands of the world。
In those days； moreover； though the Valar knew indeed of the ing of Men that were to be； the Elves as yet
knew naught of it； for Manw？ had not revealed it to them。 Bat Melkor spoke to them in secret of Mortal Men； seeing
how the silence of the Valar might be twisted to evil。 Little he knew yet concerning Men； for engrossed with his own
thought in the Music he had paid small heed to the Third Theme of Ilúvatar； but now the whisper went among the Elves
that Manw？ held them captive； so that Men might e and supplant them in the kingdoms of Middle…earth； for the
Valar saw that they might more easily sway this short…lived and weaker race； defrauding the Elves of the inheritance of
Ilúvatar。 Small truth was there in this； and little have the Valar ever prevailed to sway the wills of Men； but many of the
Noldor believed； or half believed； the evil words。
Thus ere the Valar were aware； the peace of Valinor was poisoned。 The Noldor began to murmur against them；
and many became filled with pride； forgetting how much of what they had and knew came to them in gift from the Valar。
Fiercest burned the new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of F？anor； and Melkor laughed
in his secrecy； for to that mark his lies had been addressed； hating F？anor above all； and lusting ever for the Silmarils。
But these he was not suffered to approach； for though at great feasts F？anor would wear them； blazing on his brow； at
other times they were guarded close； locked in the deep chambers of his hoard in Tirion。 For F？anor began to love the
Silmarils with a greedy love； and grudged the sight of them to all save to his father and his seven sons； he seldom
remembered now that the light within them was not his own。
High princes were F？anor and Fingolfin； the elder sons of Finw？； honoured by all in Aman； but now they grew
proud and jealous each of his rights and his possessions。 Then Melkor set new lies abroad in Eldamar； and whispers
came to F？anor that Fingolfin and his sons were plotting to usurp the leadership of Finw？ and of the elder line of F？anor；
and to supplant them by the leave of the Valar； for the Valar were ill…pleased that the Silmarils lay in Tirion and were not
mitted to their keeping。 But to Fingolfin and Finarfin it was said： 'Beware！ Small love has the proud son of Míriel
ever had for the children of Indis。 Now he has bee great； and he has his father in his hand。 It will not be long before
he drives you forth from Túna！'
And when Melkor saw that these lies were smouldering； and that pride and anger were awake among the Noldor；
he spoke to them concerning weapons； and in that time the Noldor began the smithying of swords and axes and spears。
Shields also they made displaying the tokens of many houses and kindreds that vied one with another； and these only
they wore abroad； and of other weapons they did not speak； for each believed that he alone had received the warning。
And F？anor made a secret forge； of which not even Melkor was aware； and there he tempered fell swords for himself
and for his sons； and made tall helms with plumes of red。 Bitterly did Mahtan rue the day when he taught to the husband
of Nerdanel all the lore of metalwork that he had learned of Aul？。
Thus with lies and evil whisperings and false counsel Melkor kindled the hearts of the Noldor to strife； and of
their quarrels came at length the end of the high days of Valinor and the evening of its ancient glory。 For F？anor now
began openly to speak words of rebellion against the Valar； crying aloud that he would depart from Valinor back to the
world without； and would deliver the Noldor from thraldom； if they would follow him。
Then there was great unrest in Tirion； and Finw？ was troubled； and he summoned all his lords to council。 But
Fingolfin hastened to his halls and stood before him； saying： 'King and father； wilt thou not restrain the pride of our
brother； Curufinw？； who is called the Spirit of Fire； all too truly？ By what right does he speak for all our people； as if he
were King？ Thou it was who long ago spoke before the Quendi； bidding them accept the summons of the Valar to Aman。
Thou it was that led the Noldor upon the long road through the perils of Middle…earth to the light of Eldamar。 If thou
dost not now repent of it； two sons at least thou hast to honour thy words。'
But even as Fingolfin spoke； F？anor strode into the chamber； and he was fully armed： his high helm upon his
head； and at his side a mighty sword。 'So it is； even as I guessed；' he said。 'My half…brother would be before me with my
father； in this as in all other matters。' Then turning upon Fingolfin he drew his sword； crying： 'Get thee gone； and take thy
due place！'
Fingolfin bowed before Finw？； and without word or glance to F？anor he went from the chamber。 But F？anor
followed him； and at the door of the king's house he stayed him； and the point of his bright sword he set against
Fingolfin's breast 'See； half…brother！' he said。 'This is sharper than thy tongue。 Try but once more to usurp my place and
the love of my father； and maybe it will rid the Noldor of one who seeks to be the master of thralls。'
These words were heard by many； for the house of Finw？ was in the great square beneath the Mindon； but again
Fingolfin made no answer； and passing through the throng in silence he went to seek Finarfin his brother。
Now the unrest of the Noldor was not indeed hidden from the Valar； but its seed had been sown in the dark； and
therefore； since F？anor first spoke openly against them； they judged that he was the mover of discontent； being eminent
in self…will and arrogance； though all the Noldor had bee proud。 And Manw？ was grieved； but he watched and said
no word。 The Valar had brought the Eldar to their land freely； to dwell or to depart； and though they might judge
departure to be folly； they might not restrain them from it。 But now the deeds of F？anor could not be passed over； and
the Valar were angered and dismayed； and he was summoned to appear before them at the gates of Valmar； to answer for
all his words and deeds。 There also were summoned all others who had any part in this matter； or any knowledge of it；
and F？anor standing before Mandos in the Ring of Doom was manded to answer all that was asked of him。 Then at
last the root was laid bare； and the malice of Melkor revealed； and straightway Tulkas left the council to lay hands upon
him and bring him again to judgement。 But F？anor was not held guiltless； for he it was that had broken the