In the years of the trees, when the continent of middle-earth was illuminated by the stars
in the sky, the elf-father Imin was the first of his people to wake in the lands of Cuivienen.
Forming three clans from the original population of 144, Imin led the smallest faction, with
his Minyar hosting only 14 elves, while the Tatyar had 56, and the Nelyar 74.
Yet as the oldest clan, founded by the first father, the Minyar were held in high esteem,
considered in many ways as the leaders of their people.
Possessing beautiful golden hair, the fair or light elves later came under the leadership
of Ingwe, one of the three ambassadors to follow the Vala Orome on a scouting mission
west, when he offered to passage to an enchanted paradise they came to know as the Undying
lands of Aman.
Losing many of their people to the Dark Lord Melkor, who reigned in Middle-earth, the Elves
were suspicious of Orome, and so relied on Ingwe, Finwe and Elwe to make the journey
as their representatives and report on what they found.
Though the journey was long, passing over the sea of belegaer to reach the western continent,
the three ambassadors eventually returned with wondrous tales of this blessed land.
Although both the Tatyar and Nelyar were divided in their desire to leave the east, resulting
in the split of Eldar and Avari elves, the Minyar clan was united in their commitment
to the journey and so followed Ingwe as the first to depart.
Arriving on the shores of middle-earth, the Minyar, who became the Vanyar and Tatyar,
who became the Noldor, boarded the island ship Tol Eressea, and left the eastern continent
on the first passage west, whereas the Nelyar, who became Teleri, were fractured along the
way, with some remaining behind voluntarily, while others out of a duty to find their leader
Elwe, who mysteriously vanished.
Arriving in the realm of Valinor, within the Undying lands of Aman, the Elves marvelled
at the incredible buildings in their cities as well as the splendour of their forests
and gardens.
At first the Vanyar and Noldor moved into the city of Tirion, while the Teleri, who
arrived on the second passage west, made their home on the coast and island of Tol Eressea.
But as time passed and familiarized themselves with their surroundings, many of the Vanyar
moved out of the city to settle the lands surrounding the two trees of valinor, captivated
by the beauty of its silver-gold light.
Others moved near to the Mountain of Taniquetil, so they might be close to Manwe and Varda,
the King and Queen of the Valar, who made their home at its peak.
While the Noldor dedicated themselves mainly to craftwork, learning from the vala Aule
the Smith, and the Teleri or Falmari, became lovers of the sea, learning to build ships
from the Maia Osse, the Vanyar chose lives of service to the Valar, with their leader
Ingwe in the service Manwe and living beneath his halls on the mountain of Taniquetil.
Favoured by the King of the Valar, Manwe gifted song and poetry to the Vanyar.
Although Finwe was named High king of the Noldor, and Olwe, brother of Elwe, High King
of the Falmari, Ingwe was named High king of the Elves, considered the noblest of all
their people.
Though her exact relation to Ingwe was uncertain, Indis, his sister or the daughter of his sister,
fell in love with High King Finwe of the Noldor and became his second wife, resulting in their
son Finarfin and grandaughter Galadriel inheriting her beautiful golden hair.
During the flight of the Noldor, when Finwe’s heir Feanor led them on a journey back to
middle-earth so they might wage war against Melkor, only one full blooded Vanyar joined
their cause, as Elenwe wanted to stay with her husband Turgon, son to the Noldor Prince
Fingolfin.
Unfortunately, Fingolfin’s faction was forced to make the long journey through the icy wastes
of Helcaraxe, losing some of their people to the harsh conditions, including the Vanyar
Elenwe.
As a result of her death, Elenwe’s daughter, the golden haired Idril became the Elf with
the most vanyar blood in all of Middle-earth.
The rest of the Vanyar were happy to remain in the Undying Lands, but eventually did see
the eastern lands once more, when the Valar and Maiar led an army to vanquish Melkor,
aka Morgoth, who was threatening to conquer the continent.
Wielding spears, the Vanyar fought valiantly in the War of Wrath, contributing to the ultimate
defeat, capture and execution of the First Dark Lord.