Disclaimer: Both the Teleri and Middle-earth belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. I only own my computer and my imagination.
The Chronicles of the Teleri
Eryn Galen
We were overjoyed to see such a forest after our many years of exposure on the Plains of Helcar. Such was its size that it rivalled even the mighty forest on the shore of the inland sea, of which Cuiviénen was a part. Eager to be within the shelter of trees again, we hastened onward, and reached the forest soon after we had first sighted it.
The music of the trees greeted us as we took our first steps under their boughs, and so happy were we to be amongst them that we replied with many songs of our own.
Our journey through the Greenwood was lingering and full of halts, as had been our travelling over the plains. But whereas previously we had tarried through fear and unease, we now simply did not wish to forsake such familiar surroundings straight away. Many elves dispersed throughout the forest to explore and wander the avenues of oak, elm and pine.
But as we drew near the far eaves of the forest, the three hosts came together again, aware that the shelter of the woods could not last forever. And as we emerged again from the trees, we beheld a river, wide and deep, and beyond it, towering up to the clouds in many jagged peaks, a mighty mountain range – the Hithaeglir.
And now a hard choice lay before us. For although our desire to see Valinor had not lessened, we were enchanted by this Eryn Galen and its sister in nature the Great River. The hosts of Ingwë and Finwë faced no such dilemma. They wished immediately to cross the river and face the Towers of Mist.
Eventually, we made our choice and decided to remain on the east bank of the river. Part of our reasoning was indeed the beauty of our surroundings, and our joy at being in a place so like our original home of Cuiviénen. But we also looked with fear upon the Hithaeglir. For although we could see in them a majestic beauty, they also seemed to us cruel and threatening, an ominous obstacle in our westward journey.
But the Vanyar and Noldor would continue onwards, with Oromë still as their guide. And so came the second sundering of the elves, and it was at this time that we first earned the name of Teleri. For truly we did tarry, and it was many long years before we met with our kindred again.
After the departure of the Vanyar and Noldor we set about making a life and home for ourselves in that peaceful place. We dwelt under the eaves of the Greenwood, both on the ground, and high in the trees on flets constructed in the branches. Long and happily we lived there, exploring more fully the forest around us, and sitting in quiet contemplation by the Great River, its music inspiring us in the creation of our own.
However, our life was not completely uneventful during that time. For once again not all chose to remain with us. Our Lord Elwë had a brother named Olwë who shared his leadership. Those elves whom Olwë led were ever last on the road, lured by their destination and all they had left behind alike.
And it came to pass that, after many years of living in the shadow of the Hithaeglir, some unrest arose in the host of Olwë. One called Lenwë decided to forsake completely our westward journey, although by this time we had not made any movement west for many decades. However, although he did not wish to continue west, nor did Lenwë wish to return to the east. Instead, he desired to explore more fully the wonders of Middle-earth, and so he would lead those who followed him away to the south.
Once again we pleaded with those who would leave us to remain. Elwë and Olwë, especially, sought to persuade Lenwë to stay, hoping that without a leader those who would go south would rethink their decision. But Lenwë would not be persuaded, and so yet more of our number left us. The once mighty host of the Teleri had now dwindled to no more than half its original size.
And the people of Lenwë were ever after called the Nandor, those who turn back. Long were their wanderings in Middle-earth, and although they eventually came to the west of that land, they never crossed the Sundering Seas, and we never met them again in that world.