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. Tolkien.

00:30 Greg reads pages 100-102 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

08:43 Recap

09:45 Discussion

"Still therefore, after the Long Night, the light of Valinor was greater and fairer than upon Middle-earth; for the Sun rested there, and the lights of heaven drew nearer to Earth in that region. But neither the Sun nor the Moon can recall the light that was of old, that came from the Trees before they were touched by the poison of Ungoliant That light lives now in the Silmarils alone."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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 Cameron reads pages 98-100 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

10:05 Recap

10:47 Discussion

"Then Anar arose in glory, and the first dawn of the Sun was like a great fire upon the towers of the Pelóri: the clouds of Middle-earth were kindled, and there was heard the sound of many waterfalls. Then indeed Morgoth was dismayed, and he descended into the uttermost depths of Angband, and withdrew his servants, sending forth great reek and dark cloud to hide his land from the light of the Day-star."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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 Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:56 Greg reads pages 94-97 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

11:52 Recap

13:11 Discussion

"Now the Orcs that multiplied in the darkness of the earth grew strong and fell, and their dark lord filled them with a lust of rain and death; and they issued from Angband's gates under the clouds that Morgoth sent forth, and passed silently into the highlands of the north."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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

12:45 Recap

13:39 Discussion

"But as the third age of the captivity of Melkor drew on, the Dwarves became troubled, and they spoke to King Thingol, saying that the Valar had not rooted out utterly the evils of the North, and now the remnant, having long multiplied in the dark, were coming forth once more and roaming far and wide."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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 reads pages 89-90 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

07:38 Recap

08:27 Discussion

"Therefore Fëanor halted and the Noldor debated what course they should now take. But they began to suffer anguish from the cold, and the clinging mists through which no gleam of star could pierce; and many repented of the road and began to murmur, especially those that followed Fingolfin, cursing Fëanor, and naming him as the cause of all the woes of the Eldar. But Fëanor, knowing all that was said, took counsel with his sons; and two courses only they saw to escape from Araman and come into Endor: by the straits or by ship. But the Helcaraxë they deemed impassable, whereas the ships were too few."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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 the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

13:22 Recap

14:41 Discussion

"But as the mind of Fëanor cooled and took counsel he perceived overlate that all these great companies would never overcome the long leagues to the north, nor cross the seas at the last, save with the aid of ships; yet it would need long time and toil to build so great a fleet, even were there any among the Noldor skilled in that craft. He resolved now therefore to persuade the Teleri, ever friends to the Noldor, to join with them; and in his rebellion he thought that thus the bliss of Valinor might be further diminished and his power for war upon Morgoth be increased."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:44 Dan reads pages 82-85 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

15:28 Recap

16:18 Discussion

"Then Fëanor swore a terrible oath. His seven sons leapt straightway to his side and took the selfsame vow together, and red as blood shone their drawn swords in the glare of the torches. They swore an oath which none shall break, and none should take, by the name even of Ilúvatar, calling the Everlasting Dark upon them if they kept it not; and Manwë they named in witness, and Varda, and the hallowed mountain of Taniquetil, vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred to the ends of the World Vala, Demon, Elf or Man as yet unborn, or any creature, great or small, good or evil, that time should bring forth unto the end of days, whoso should hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their possession."

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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 Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

8:40 Summary

9:23 Discussion

"'Blackheart!' she said. 'I have done thy bidding. But I hunger still.'

'What wouldst thou have more?' said Morgoth. 'Dost thou desire all the world for thy belly? I did not vow to give thee that. I am its Lord.'

'Not so much,' said Ungoliant. 'But thou hast a great treasure from Formenos; I will have all that. Yea, with both hands thou shalt give it'.

Then perforce Morgoth surrendered to her the gems that he bore with him, one by one and grudgingly; and she devoured them, and their beauty perished from the world. Huger and darker yet grew Ungoliant, but her lust was unsated. 'With one hand thou givest,' she said; 'with the left only. Open thy right hand...'"

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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 Discussion

"Yavanna spoke before the Valar, saying: 'The Light of the Trees has passed away, and lives now only in the Silmarils of Fëanor. Foresighted was he! Even for those who are mightiest under Ilúvatar there is some work that they may accomplish once, and once only. The Light of the Trees I brought into being, and within Eä I can do so never again. Yet had I but a little of that light I could recall life to the Trees, ere their roots decay; and then our hurt should be healed, and the malice of Melkor be confounded.'"

Send feedback to [email protected]

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Follow us as we follow Tolkien:

TWITTER

The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

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.