NANDOR

(Redirected from Lenwë)
In the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, the 'Nandor' (singular ''Nando'') were Elves of Telerin descent, who left the Great Journey from Cuiviénen to Valinor as the Elves reached the Hithaeglir (Misty Mountains). Under their leader Lenwë (''Dan'' in their own language), a group of Teleri turned south along the Great River (Anduin), and disappeared from written history. ''Nandor'' eventually became their term for themselves, and meant ''people of Dan'' in their own language. Although it should also be noted that the meaning given by Christopher Tolkien in his index to the ''Silmarillion'' said that Nandor meant "those who turn back".
Many years later a group of Nandor under Denethor, son of Lenwë, crossed the Ered Luin into Ossiriand, which was after named Lindon, or Land of the singers, after these elves. They became known as the 'Laiquendi' (singular ''Laiquendë'') or Green Elves.
The Silvan Elves of Mirkwood and Lothlórien were descended from the Nandor (but most of their lords were not), as were the Elves which dwelt at Edhellond near Dol Amroth during the early days of Gondor. They also mixed with Avarin Elves and in minor part with the Sindar and the Noldor (the latter especially mixing with the Silvan Elves of Lothlórien, these were exiles and survivors from the Elven realm of Eregion).
Nandorin, the language of the Nandor, gradually disappeared from Middle-earth after the end of the First Age, when Sindarin elves merged with the Silvan folk and were taken as their lords. Nandorin/Silvan gradually became extinct, surviving only in placenames such as Laurelindórinan/Lindórinand (old names for Lórien) and proper names such as Amroth. The daily tongue of the Silvan elves became Sindarin, or Sindarin with some Silvan influences.