Millennia before the rising of the Sun and Moon, the land of the Valar was lit by the Light of the Two Trees. Far across the Sea to the east, Middle-earth lay in darkness, but for the glimmer of starlight. It was into this starlit world that the first Elves awoke, and when they were discovered by Oromë he gave them a name, Eldar, meaning 'People of the Stars'. Soon afterwards the Elves became divided; one group elected to follow Oromë back to Aman, while the rest refused the summons and remained behind. From that time, the name 'Eldar' became attached solely to the Three Kindreds who set out on the Great Journey into the West: the Vanyar, the Noldor and the Teleri.
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