Hearing the invitation from Olwë, Sylas was momentarily surprised.
Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf merely smiled, offering no suggestion of their own, leaving the decision entirely to him. Arwen said nothing as well, no matter what choice her husband made, she would stand beside him.
Sylas considered only briefly before shaking his head politely.
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty," he said calmly.
"But as you have said, my family and I have only just arrived. We are still unfamiliar with Aman, and I would rather not make a hasty decision. I hope to first understand this land more deeply before choosing where we shall settle."
Valinor was not Hogwarts, nor even Middle-earth.
Here lived not only the Elves, but also beings far older and higher, the Valar, the true rulers of this blessed land. Sylas understood clearly that caution was wisdom. To stand firmly in Valinor, he needed time, time to observe, to learn, and to measure himself against this world.
Olwë showed no disappointment at Sylas's refusal. Instead, he laughed softly and waved his hand with effortless magnanimity.
"Such a decision deserves careful thought," Olwë said warmly.
"No matter what you choose, the gates of Alqualondë will always be open to you."
"You have my deepest thanks, Your Majesty," Sylas replied sincerely.
This High King of the Teleri, whose heart was as vast as the sea he ruled, inspired admiration with every word and gesture.
At Olwë's invitation, Sylas and his companions stayed temporarily within the royal palace of Alqualondë, receiving generous hospitality. Having completed his long duty as shipwright, Olwë entrusted Sylas with assisting in maritime affairs for a time, allowing him to remain in Swan Harbor.
During this period, Sylas often spoke with Gandalf, Elrond, Legolas, Elrohir, and Elladan, gradually learning the structure and history of Valinor.
Arwen spent her days with her mother Celebrían and her grandmother Galadriel, while Elroth was introduced to other young Elves of similar age, forming new friendships under Olwë's arrangement.
From these exchanges, Sylas gained crucial understanding.
The Elves dwelling in Valinor were divided into three great kindreds, each with its own city and ruler:
Vanyar. Dwelling in Tirion upon Túna
The first Elves to awaken and the first to reach Valinor. Closest to the Valar, devoted to light and song. Their High King was Ingwë, supreme lord of all Elves
Noldor. Masters of knowledge, craftsmanship, and lore
Once close allies of Aulë. Their ancient king was Finwë, father of Fëanor
Finwë was slain by Morgoth, and the Silmarils were stolen
Teleri. Lovers of the sea and stars. Dwelling in Alqualondë. Ruled by Olwë
After Morgoth's crime, Fëanor incited the Noldor to pursue vengeance. In their desperation, many committed the First Kinslaying at Alqualondë, slaughtering the Teleri to seize their ships.
Those who shed Elven blood were cursed by Mandos, doomed to sorrow, betrayal, and exile.
The Kinslayers were banished from Valinor
Those who did not take part, such as Galadriel, were later pardoned due to their valor in the War of Wrath
Thus, many Elves eventually returned to Valinor after Morgoth's final defeat
Of course , although most elven races were incited by Fëanor before, there was still a portion of them .
He, too, ultimately chose not to leave Valinor.
Among those who made the same decision was Finarfin, the half-brother of Fëanor, and the son of Finwë and his second wife, Indis.
Because of his Vanyar blood, Finarfin inherited a temperament far gentler and more composed than Fëanor's, calm, benevolent, and deeply reverent toward the Valar.
During the great expedition of the Noldor, when the first Kinslaying occurred at Alqualondë, Finarfin could not bear the sight of his kin massacring the Teleri. Overcome with grief and remorse, he led a portion of his people back to Valinor.
Because they had not stained their hands with the blood of their kin, the Valar granted them leniency, allowing them to remain.
Thus, Finarfin became the High King of the Noldor who remained in Valinor, ruling from the city of Tirion.
At the end of the First Age, during the War of Wrath, Finarfin led the hosts of Valinor into Middle-earth, joining the Valar in the final battle against Morgoth, contributing decisively to his downfall.
It was worth noting that Galadriel was Finarfin's youngest daughter.
Unlike her father, Galadriel chose to follow the Noldor into exile and did not return to Valinor when Finarfin turned back. Even after the War of Wrath, when the Valar offered pardon, she refused, remaining in Middle-earth throughout the Second and Third Ages.
Only after the fall of Sauron did Galadriel finally return west.
Upon her return, she reunited with her father in Valinor and chose to reside in Tirion.
Because of his wife Celebrían and his extensive ties with all three Elven kindreds, Elrond also chose to dwell in Tirion.
Legolas, as a member of the Silvan Elves, belonged to the majority of Elves who had never seen the Light of the Two Trees.
After arriving in Aman, he chose to settle on Tol Eressëa, east of Valinor.
There, he reunited with his father Thranduil, who had arrived earlier. Together, they led the Woodland Elves who had come from Middle-earth, dwelling within the lush forests of the island, preserving their way of life amid the Blessed Realm.
As for Gandalf, whose true name was Olórin, he was a Maia of Manwë and Varda.
In earlier ages, Olórin studied under Nienna, learning compassion, patience, and sorrow.
In Valinor, he often visited the Halls of Mandos, listening to the echoes of the dead and drawing wisdom from remembrance.
He also spent long periods in the Gardens of Lórien, located on the western edge of Aman, a realm sharing its name with the forest of Middle-earth, yet far surpassing it in beauty. Even Estë, consort of Irmo, dwelled there, healing weary spirits.
From time to time, Gandalf would journey to Tirion, exchanging insights with the Valar and the High Elves.
Through Gandalf and Elrond's explanations, Sylas gradually gained a clearer understanding of Valinor.
Aman was a continent nearly equal in size to Middle-earth, rising high in the east and gently descending toward the west.
Along its eastern coast stretched the greatest mountain range in the world, the Pelóri Mountains, arching from north to south like a vast crescent.
These mountains had been raised by the Valar themselves, forming an impenetrable barrier to shield Valinor from the shadows of Morgoth.