The Silmarillion

The tales of The Silmarillion tell of the First Age of Tolkien’s world, long before the time of The Lord of the Rings, when Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, dwelt in Middle-earth and the High Elves made upon him for the recovery of the Silmarils, the precious jewels containing the pure light of Valinor. Three hundred years have passed since Noldor came to Beleriand, yet in this third volume, even as the first mortal men appear, Morgoth still rules, aided by Sauron. Having fallen deeply in love with the immortal Elf-maiden Lúthien, the man Beren - aided by the birds and the beasts - sets out to recapture for her father one of the bright Silmarils from the iron crown of the Great Enemy, and the great Fifth Battle ensues.