Wood-elf

Wood-elves

Elves of the forests of Middle-earth

The Silvan elves were among the Nandor; those of the elves who heard the call of the Valar and began to travel to Valinor but did not complete the journey, and instead remained behind in Middle-earth. Led by their leader Lenwë, these elves did not cross the Misty Mountains and instead settled around the Anduin River.

The language of the Silvan elves was called Nandorin, and fell out of use during the First Age, being replaced by Sindarin. Nandorin only remains in some ancient place-names such as "Laurelindórinan", the old name for Lothlórien.

Silvan elves were the most common kind in Rhovanion, though they were often ruled by Noldor (e.g. Galadriel in Lorien) or Sindar (e.g. Thranduil in Mirkwood) elves.